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Grumpy Billionaires #3
Once In A LifeTime
We were college sweethearts, destined to be together.
Zach was my first true love, and our future seemed inevitable.
Marriage, children, a lifetime of happiness—
it felt impossible for it not to happen.
Little did I know that Zach lacked the same confidence in us.
He used his ambitions and work as excuses,
constantly postponing our future
in a desperate attempt to buy more time.
But I refused to settle for less.
I made the gut-wrenching decision to leave,
shattering my own heart in the process.
Now, after a decade has passed,
our paths unexpectedly intersect once again.
Zach's life has been filled with empty flings, alcohol, and endless parties,
a futile attempt to numb his loneliness.
Meanwhile, I have found fulfillment
in the love I receive from the children I teach.
Unlike Zach, my heart remains open,
though my fear of being hurt by him again lingers.
Nevertheless, one truth remains
Zach was and still is my greatest love,
the kind that only comes once in a lifetime.
Our second chance thrusts us into a whirlwind
of repressed passion and enduring love.
With age and wisdom, we now understand that the future lies in our hands.
Together, we must confront our past and determine if we can finally embrace
the future I once believed in so strongly.
Adult Only!
Zach was my first true love, and our future seemed inevitable.
Marriage, children, a lifetime of happiness—
it felt impossible for it not to happen.
Little did I know that Zach lacked the same confidence in us.
He used his ambitions and work as excuses,
constantly postponing our future
in a desperate attempt to buy more time.
But I refused to settle for less.
I made the gut-wrenching decision to leave,
shattering my own heart in the process.
Now, after a decade has passed,
our paths unexpectedly intersect once again.
Zach's life has been filled with empty flings, alcohol, and endless parties,
a futile attempt to numb his loneliness.
Meanwhile, I have found fulfillment
in the love I receive from the children I teach.
Unlike Zach, my heart remains open,
though my fear of being hurt by him again lingers.
Nevertheless, one truth remains
Zach was and still is my greatest love,
the kind that only comes once in a lifetime.
Our second chance thrusts us into a whirlwind
of repressed passion and enduring love.
With age and wisdom, we now understand that the future lies in our hands.
Together, we must confront our past and determine if we can finally embrace
the future I once believed in so strongly.
Adult Only!
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
80 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Wood
154 books253 followersLauren Wood loves to read and write about irresistible alpha males who are naughty and dirty. If you like bad boys, sexy neighbors, billionaires, and swoon-worthy romance, you've come to the right place. Her alpha males are strong enough to make the hard decisions in life, but sweet enough to melt for his mate.
She is a big time fashionista, loves trying new hair styles, and if she is not writing, you will find her in a gym working on her body to get the attention of her very own bad boy.
*-*-*
Drop her a line:
lauren@authorlaurenwood.com
She is a big time fashionista, loves trying new hair styles, and if she is not writing, you will find her in a gym working on her body to get the attention of her very own bad boy.
*-*-*
Drop her a line:
lauren@authorlaurenwood.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 7, 2023
This was a good read. Zach and Mia used to date in college. Now years later they still have feelings for each other. Things are complicated between them. Thankfully, in the end everything works out for them, and they get their happy ending.
September 12, 2023
1.5 stars.
Did not care for this one. First and foremost, the book never really went into Zach's reasons for dumping Mia in college. It was all glossed over and hazy and as a result, I felt like she should be much more angry than she was. She turned down a full ride to MIT to stay with him and six months later he dumps her so he can go to MIT? That was super-shitty, and the book never, not once, gives us his reasons for doing it. I also never felt like I understood why Mia hadn't gone into programming -- if it was just a matter of her preferring to teach English to inner city kids, that's another ball of wax, but I was left with the impression the reason she never pursued it was because of her bitterness over MIT.
Additionally, I didn't feel like these two communicated well at all. Over and over, Mia would go hot, seduce Zach, then go cold and ghost him the next day because of something he had said or done, that was essentially due to his lifelong privilege, but she never talked to him about those issues. It was just like she and the book expected him to magically know why she was upset. Say it with me now: use your words. And her mood swings and ghosting got a little much. I, personally, feel like ghosting someone is a particularly low form of cowardice and she does it to Zach several times over the course of the book. I felt like she was reacting all hot and cold because the plot said so, not because she was honestly conflicted. I never really connected all that much with either character, but especially Mia. Zach just seemed genuinely dumb and clueless and it never made sense to me why he'd be so into her. He was all privileged and entitled and she was all mood swings and self-righteousness. It made neither of them very likeable and by the end of the book, I was fighting just to finish it.
Did not care for this one. First and foremost, the book never really went into Zach's reasons for dumping Mia in college. It was all glossed over and hazy and as a result, I felt like she should be much more angry than she was. She turned down a full ride to MIT to stay with him and six months later he dumps her so he can go to MIT? That was super-shitty, and the book never, not once, gives us his reasons for doing it. I also never felt like I understood why Mia hadn't gone into programming -- if it was just a matter of her preferring to teach English to inner city kids, that's another ball of wax, but I was left with the impression the reason she never pursued it was because of her bitterness over MIT.
Additionally, I didn't feel like these two communicated well at all. Over and over, Mia would go hot, seduce Zach, then go cold and ghost him the next day because of something he had said or done, that was essentially due to his lifelong privilege, but she never talked to him about those issues. It was just like she and the book expected him to magically know why she was upset. Say it with me now: use your words. And her mood swings and ghosting got a little much. I, personally, feel like ghosting someone is a particularly low form of cowardice and she does it to Zach several times over the course of the book. I felt like she was reacting all hot and cold because the plot said so, not because she was honestly conflicted. I never really connected all that much with either character, but especially Mia. Zach just seemed genuinely dumb and clueless and it never made sense to me why he'd be so into her. He was all privileged and entitled and she was all mood swings and self-righteousness. It made neither of them very likeable and by the end of the book, I was fighting just to finish it.
August 1, 2023
Can an unexpected reunion turn a bitter break-up into a second chance at love?
Once In A Lifetime is the 1st book in the Grumpy Billionaires series and follows Zach West and Mia Rossi.
Zach and Mia were college sweethearts and thought they would conquer life together. So when she receives a scholarship to MIT she decides to give it up to stay with him only for him to break-up with her.
Their lives went in different directions. He went on to become a billionaire and owner of a multi-billion dollar tech startup and one of New York’s most sought-after bachelors.
While she was a gifted coder she chose to become a teacher. Where she teaches 2nd grade for inner city kids. She is dedicated to do whatever it takes to help the kids where she works even if she is struggling financially.
Now 15 years later they come face to face and to say it's a shock is an understatement. Can they work past their old heartaches and work things out or will pride keep them apart?
I received an ARC from the author through Bookfunnel an I'm voluntarily leaving my review.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Once In A Lifetime is the 1st book in the Grumpy Billionaires series and follows Zach West and Mia Rossi.
Zach and Mia were college sweethearts and thought they would conquer life together. So when she receives a scholarship to MIT she decides to give it up to stay with him only for him to break-up with her.
Their lives went in different directions. He went on to become a billionaire and owner of a multi-billion dollar tech startup and one of New York’s most sought-after bachelors.
While she was a gifted coder she chose to become a teacher. Where she teaches 2nd grade for inner city kids. She is dedicated to do whatever it takes to help the kids where she works even if she is struggling financially.
Now 15 years later they come face to face and to say it's a shock is an understatement. Can they work past their old heartaches and work things out or will pride keep them apart?
I received an ARC from the author through Bookfunnel an I'm voluntarily leaving my review.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 8, 2023
Zach is known to us as the arrogant billionaire playboy. He has no intentions on settling down. They guys are always on him about finding the one but he is not interested. When his friend and his fiancé set him up on a blind date he is floored when the girl he was crazy about in college shows up. Mia was head over hills for Zach while in college but things happened and they parted ways. Will the damage that Zach done in college cost him his chance at happiness?
Lauren does a wonderful job with this second chance romance between Zach and Mia. The chemistry is still there but can Mia get past the past? I love seeing Zach transform into the man he becomes.
Great job Lauren and this has been a wonderful series. I was honored to receive an arc copy and I am freely leaving an honest review.
Lauren does a wonderful job with this second chance romance between Zach and Mia. The chemistry is still there but can Mia get past the past? I love seeing Zach transform into the man he becomes.
Great job Lauren and this has been a wonderful series. I was honored to receive an arc copy and I am freely leaving an honest review.
October 26, 2023
Mia and Zach have a history and it didn't end well. They were college sweethearts and Mia gives up a chance at MIT to stay with Zach. However, Zach breaks up with her and their lives go on to different paths. Now years later they run into each other again and sparks fly between them. Can Mia forgive Zach for his choice to leave her? Wil this be a second chance for them?
This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
August 4, 2023
Undeniable Attraction Did Not Fade
Overall, I enjoyed this story of second chance love between Zach and Mia. Their chemistry was undeniable, but their past history causes some difficulties reconnecting. I was satisfied that they got to have a happy ending however, I feel that the past break up should have been addressed as it was the cause of their insecurities of being together again. Great characters!
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave this review.
Overall, I enjoyed this story of second chance love between Zach and Mia. Their chemistry was undeniable, but their past history causes some difficulties reconnecting. I was satisfied that they got to have a happy ending however, I feel that the past break up should have been addressed as it was the cause of their insecurities of being together again. Great characters!
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave this review.
August 24, 2023
Once In A LifeTime: a Billionaire and expo over (Grumpy Billionaires Book 3)
Awesome story! Exciting story to read, ENJOY it so much! One of her original stories, and she continues to keep writing winners. So anyways if you're going to happen to get this book, it's wild and crazy. It had me going through it. The chemistry between the biggest grumpy billionaire and the dancer trying to save the building, this story was just so exciting to read! ENJOY
Awesome story! Exciting story to read, ENJOY it so much! One of her original stories, and she continues to keep writing winners. So anyways if you're going to happen to get this book, it's wild and crazy. It had me going through it. The chemistry between the biggest grumpy billionaire and the dancer trying to save the building, this story was just so exciting to read! ENJOY
August 1, 2023
Zach and Mia reunite fifteen years later after breaking up. Feelings are still there along with the hurt and pain. This story will have you in their corner cheering for them as they make it through the channels od courtship and awkwardness to get back along the path to happiness.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
August 4, 2023
Once in a Lifetime by Lauren Wood
Omg this is fantastic. Just love this story. Mia was hurt when Zack left and years later again. Can they get back together again? You just have to read this story.
Omg this is fantastic. Just love this story. Mia was hurt when Zack left and years later again. Can they get back together again? You just have to read this story.
August 31, 2023
Arc review for honest review. This is a second chance romance. when Zachary west is set up on a blind date by Cassidy and Ethan ,he never thought it would be his ex from collage Mia rossi. This was really cute.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews