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Hawaiian Crush #4
Taking the Plunge
Book Four of the Hawaiian Crush Series is a stand alone novel. It can be read in any order.
On the outside, it seems like Nancy has her life figured out. Her father is the successful owner of a billion dollar hotel, which she hides from her friends, she’s continuing her education, and she and Derek are trying to make their relationship work despite the constant difficulties. She pushes through the obstacles because she hopes, prays, that things will get better. But even when she doesn’t think it will, she settles for what she has. Her mother abandoned her and her father doesn’t care for her. She accepts the love she thinks she deserves.
Until Thatcher…
The moment they meet, the connection that forms between them is strong and undeniable. Nancy pushes her feelings away, knowing she can’t act on them. But the longer they spend time together, and the more charming, perfect and charismatic he is, she realizes she finally found her other half, her soul mate. But being a loyal friend and girlfriend, Nancy represses her thoughts. But when Derek does something unforgiveable, everything changes. Will she find the love she deserves? Repair the relationship with her father? And find her happily ever after?
On the outside, it seems like Nancy has her life figured out. Her father is the successful owner of a billion dollar hotel, which she hides from her friends, she’s continuing her education, and she and Derek are trying to make their relationship work despite the constant difficulties. She pushes through the obstacles because she hopes, prays, that things will get better. But even when she doesn’t think it will, she settles for what she has. Her mother abandoned her and her father doesn’t care for her. She accepts the love she thinks she deserves.
Until Thatcher…
The moment they meet, the connection that forms between them is strong and undeniable. Nancy pushes her feelings away, knowing she can’t act on them. But the longer they spend time together, and the more charming, perfect and charismatic he is, she realizes she finally found her other half, her soul mate. But being a loyal friend and girlfriend, Nancy represses her thoughts. But when Derek does something unforgiveable, everything changes. Will she find the love she deserves? Repair the relationship with her father? And find her happily ever after?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2014
70 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Todd
216 books2,733 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, E. L. Todd is one of the most prolific authors of her genre, having published over a hundred novels. With over one million copies sold, she writes romance stories ranging from contemporary romance, new adult romance, and fantasy romance. She's best known for her Forever and Always Series as well as her Timeless Series.
She loves coffee, ice cream, and anything with sugar.
She loves coffee, ice cream, and anything with sugar.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 29, 2016
”Being in love is about being illogical. You don’t think, you just know.”
This was a very difficult to rate book for me because I’m not a fan a love triangles. They're by default angsty and I feel they show one or a combination of insecurity, confusion, indecision and even childishness on at least one of the people involved which test the limits of my patience so I tend to avoid them as much as possible. But I also have to say I’ve become eager to read this series and the individuals portrayed in it because triangle or not they've taken residency in my heart.
Taking the Plunge is a journey towards maturity for both Nancy and Derek, even though their paths end up with different people. It’s about Nancy growing confident into herself through the help of new and old friends.
It starts with Nancy and Derek together where we were left of in Connected by the Tide with Derek taking very poor choices regarding his relationship with Nancy and thus a very confused and perplexed Nancy who hangs on to an unhealthy relationship with him mostly for fear of being alone.
During an ultimate demonstration of immaturity on Derek’s part, Nancy meets Thatcher who is not just sexy, confident and successful, it is evident he shares a strong emotional connection with her. He pursues her intensely forcing her to realize that, despite her commitment towards Derek, he is the best man for her and convinces her to take the plunge into their own relationship.
”You came into my life so suddenly, changing me and pushing me to be the person I’ve always wanted to be.
I liked reading about past couples and their continued and perhaps increased passion for each other as well as their support regarding their friends. I also look forward to reading about the new and improved Derek.
April 20, 2025
One of the best so far
Really enjoyed this book , with its twists and turns, not going were you think it's going , but then going on the way you want it to,, yeah one of the best? So far
Really enjoyed this book , with its twists and turns, not going were you think it's going , but then going on the way you want it to,, yeah one of the best? So far
February 22, 2024
Abysmal editing but better storyline than previous
The editorial errors in this book are so frequent that I wondered if it had actually been edited at all! I cannot fathom why the word "lied" is used throughout the book instead of "lay" or "laid" it was utterly infuriating!
On the plus side, the plot and storytelling was much better in this book than some of the previous ones. Perhaps because it is marketed as a standalone as well as being part of the series, rather than just a continuation of the series. I wonder if the books that are not considered standalone are weaker in the storyline and plot because it is easier for the author to not pay so much attention to the details?
The editorial errors in this book are so frequent that I wondered if it had actually been edited at all! I cannot fathom why the word "lied" is used throughout the book instead of "lay" or "laid" it was utterly infuriating!
On the plus side, the plot and storytelling was much better in this book than some of the previous ones. Perhaps because it is marketed as a standalone as well as being part of the series, rather than just a continuation of the series. I wonder if the books that are not considered standalone are weaker in the storyline and plot because it is easier for the author to not pay so much attention to the details?
February 4, 2014
***I was given an ARC of this book and promised I'd review it for the author so... here it is...***
First off, this is book is all about Nancy and a little about Derek. We see the two are kinda hooking up in the earlier books as friends with benefits and kinda take on the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship towards the end of Connected By The Tide.
This book starts off a week after what happened at the end of book 3. I'm not giving away spoilers here so go read the first few books in the series, yeah? (LOL)
Anyway, in the first part of the book as told from Nancy's point of view, we get to know her. The Nancy that her friends don't know. She's been hurt by her mom, her dad, and men. She comes from money but her friends don't know that. They don't even know where she lives. She doesn't see her relationship going anywhere with Derek. He doesn't listen to her, he oogles other girls in her presence, basically he's a jerk and has to get relationship from Coen and Henry by way of her and Ren and Sydney. The guys see Nancy hurting and they and the girls try to make it better.
After being ignored by her dad when she doesn't get his opinion on something she painted and then Derek being, well, Derek, she totally has a bad day (uh oh - I'm speaking 80s, watch out!).
Then a teacher in one of her classes (I don't feel like telling you which one) notices she's having a bad day and asks her to talk after class and it helps her point her life into a direction she isn't sure she wants to go, but she tries.
She meets Thatcher (I like that name for a guy, it's not widely used and it's just... yummy to me) on the beach after being ignored by Derek for most of the day and she gives him attitude. Hey, she's protecting herself. Men suck to her at the moment. She runs into Thatcher again at a party and they get to talking. She tells him about her painting and entering a contest. She doesn't know that Thatcher is the one sponsoring and judging the contest.
She sees him at the showing for the judging and she is wowed by him and his frankness with her and how he sees her paintings. She puts two and two together only after he announces the winner.
(Damn, I'm giving away too much. What I really want whomever reads this review is to read this series, starting with Book 1 of Hawaiian Crush.)
Anyway, Thatcher GETS her. He does. He understands her hurt and pain and wants to help her. He falls for her. He gets her to work for him as his assistant and helps her to see that Derek isn't the guy for her and that he is. He knows she has trust issues and he tells her repeatedly she has to learn to just trust him.
She breaks up with Derek and has a blow out with her dad and moves out to her own apartment but ends up sleeping at Thatcher's place even though he helps her move into the apartment.
He gets her to do more paintings and helps her sell her artwork. He gets her to see that she deserves to be loved and cherished and not treated like Derek treated her.
There's more to this story and I'm not saying anything else. I've already said too much. Would you go and get this book already (but only after you've read the other three first).
What did I love about this story? The growth in Nancy from believing she's not worthy of being cherished and loved, that she's nothing special. That her friends are her family, truly. That Henry and Coen have man bonded even more and that Nancy's friends welcome Thatcher into the fold.
What didn't I like? Why don't you go and read the book to find out. Something makes me wince as I didn't see it coming when Nancy did what she did and Thatcher reacted the way he did.
So what are you doing still reading this review? Go and get the book and leave E.L. Todd some love when your done. I can't wait to see what happens in Hawaiian Crush 5 - Derek's story!
First off, this is book is all about Nancy and a little about Derek. We see the two are kinda hooking up in the earlier books as friends with benefits and kinda take on the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship towards the end of Connected By The Tide.
This book starts off a week after what happened at the end of book 3. I'm not giving away spoilers here so go read the first few books in the series, yeah? (LOL)
Anyway, in the first part of the book as told from Nancy's point of view, we get to know her. The Nancy that her friends don't know. She's been hurt by her mom, her dad, and men. She comes from money but her friends don't know that. They don't even know where she lives. She doesn't see her relationship going anywhere with Derek. He doesn't listen to her, he oogles other girls in her presence, basically he's a jerk and has to get relationship from Coen and Henry by way of her and Ren and Sydney. The guys see Nancy hurting and they and the girls try to make it better.
After being ignored by her dad when she doesn't get his opinion on something she painted and then Derek being, well, Derek, she totally has a bad day (uh oh - I'm speaking 80s, watch out!).
Then a teacher in one of her classes (I don't feel like telling you which one) notices she's having a bad day and asks her to talk after class and it helps her point her life into a direction she isn't sure she wants to go, but she tries.
She meets Thatcher (I like that name for a guy, it's not widely used and it's just... yummy to me) on the beach after being ignored by Derek for most of the day and she gives him attitude. Hey, she's protecting herself. Men suck to her at the moment. She runs into Thatcher again at a party and they get to talking. She tells him about her painting and entering a contest. She doesn't know that Thatcher is the one sponsoring and judging the contest.
She sees him at the showing for the judging and she is wowed by him and his frankness with her and how he sees her paintings. She puts two and two together only after he announces the winner.
(Damn, I'm giving away too much. What I really want whomever reads this review is to read this series, starting with Book 1 of Hawaiian Crush.)
Anyway, Thatcher GETS her. He does. He understands her hurt and pain and wants to help her. He falls for her. He gets her to work for him as his assistant and helps her to see that Derek isn't the guy for her and that he is. He knows she has trust issues and he tells her repeatedly she has to learn to just trust him.
She breaks up with Derek and has a blow out with her dad and moves out to her own apartment but ends up sleeping at Thatcher's place even though he helps her move into the apartment.
He gets her to do more paintings and helps her sell her artwork. He gets her to see that she deserves to be loved and cherished and not treated like Derek treated her.
There's more to this story and I'm not saying anything else. I've already said too much. Would you go and get this book already (but only after you've read the other three first).
What did I love about this story? The growth in Nancy from believing she's not worthy of being cherished and loved, that she's nothing special. That her friends are her family, truly. That Henry and Coen have man bonded even more and that Nancy's friends welcome Thatcher into the fold.
What didn't I like? Why don't you go and read the book to find out. Something makes me wince as I didn't see it coming when Nancy did what she did and Thatcher reacted the way he did.
So what are you doing still reading this review? Go and get the book and leave E.L. Todd some love when your done. I can't wait to see what happens in Hawaiian Crush 5 - Derek's story!
February 13, 2014
So the first 2 books covered Coen and Sydney and the 3rd book was Henry and Ren. This is book 4 and is Nancy and Thatcher's story. Of course at the beginning of the story, she is with Derek, who keeps treating her like dirt at times. Then at Derek's surfing competition, she meets Thatcher. Can I say WOW??? I think I fell in love with Thatcher myself. The instant connection and chemistry between them was scorching hot. I love the way he has patience with her and eventually learn to trust him completely. Her trust issues are due to the fact that she feels abandoned by her parents. This story is an amazing journey for Nancy, Thatcher and her dad. And even for Derek too, he did a lot of growing up in this book and even becomes a good guy, finally!! There is also a point in the story when Thatcher's ex comes to town and gives us a little bit of angst. But overall, I think this is my favorite of all the books so far. Now what exactly is Thatcher's job in this story and how it completely involves Nancy is just going to remain a mystery until you read the book. I don't think you will be disappointed. So again I say, I loved, loved, loved this story!! I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
February 11, 2014
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is my favorite book in the series so far. I absolutely Love Thatcher!
Nancy has a lot of issues to deal with, Derek, Her Dad, school, her feelings for Thatcher. While she may think she has everyone figured out she really doesn't. I'm happy to say Nancy gets her happily ever after in this story and it was with the wait.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series...hurry up E.L....I need to know what happens with this gang of friends next!
This is my favorite book in the series so far. I absolutely Love Thatcher!
Nancy has a lot of issues to deal with, Derek, Her Dad, school, her feelings for Thatcher. While she may think she has everyone figured out she really doesn't. I'm happy to say Nancy gets her happily ever after in this story and it was with the wait.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series...hurry up E.L....I need to know what happens with this gang of friends next!
February 14, 2014
WOW! Nancy took the plunge in this book. She wanted to be loved so badly, she let her friend turned boyfriend treat her like crap. When she had enough he promised to change. But the one thing she could take was the lie he told her.
She was in college pursuing a degree she didn't care for, but only wanted it for a comfortable living after college was over. She never let her friends know where she lived or who her father was because she was ashamed, because he was rich and the mansion they lived in.
It all changed the night she meet Thatcher. This man truly is something out of this world. But he is exactly the man that Nancy deserved to have. He gave her so much, but what he gave most of all was to believe in herself. Something she really lacked due to all the people that seemed to leave her in her life.
I loved this book far more than the first two and that is so hard to believe. I can't wait to see what is in store for the next one.
She was in college pursuing a degree she didn't care for, but only wanted it for a comfortable living after college was over. She never let her friends know where she lived or who her father was because she was ashamed, because he was rich and the mansion they lived in.
It all changed the night she meet Thatcher. This man truly is something out of this world. But he is exactly the man that Nancy deserved to have. He gave her so much, but what he gave most of all was to believe in herself. Something she really lacked due to all the people that seemed to leave her in her life.
I loved this book far more than the first two and that is so hard to believe. I can't wait to see what is in store for the next one.
March 19, 2014
*** I received an ARC for an honest review ***
I am already seriously addicted to this series and I can honestly say that with each book my addiction worsens! With every character that is introduced I find myself desperate to know every little detail about them and how they fit into the story. I think Thatcher was the perfect addition to the group and I loved the guys' reactions to him, especially Coen's! I really enjoyed seeing more of Nancy and was surprised at how much I could relate to her and the various issues she faced. I thought it was a great length book and I enjoyed it immensely! As always I think it was well written and the story was polished and well thought out. The thing I love most about this series is that they are so unique, I have never come across a book like them. Another knockout in my opinion. Thank you E.L. Todd :)
I am already seriously addicted to this series and I can honestly say that with each book my addiction worsens! With every character that is introduced I find myself desperate to know every little detail about them and how they fit into the story. I think Thatcher was the perfect addition to the group and I loved the guys' reactions to him, especially Coen's! I really enjoyed seeing more of Nancy and was surprised at how much I could relate to her and the various issues she faced. I thought it was a great length book and I enjoyed it immensely! As always I think it was well written and the story was polished and well thought out. The thing I love most about this series is that they are so unique, I have never come across a book like them. Another knockout in my opinion. Thank you E.L. Todd :)
February 11, 2014
Oh my gosh, "Taking the Plunge" was unbelievably amazing and left me absolutely speechless. It was truly the best story and my favorite one so far in the Hawaiian Crush series. I loved every single aspect of it, especially Nancy and Thatcher. They were absolutely perfect. E. L. Todd has an incredible talent of making it truly effortless to fall in love with her characters. I'm so in love with this series and quite literally addicted to it. Please don't miss out on all of Miss Todd's novels. You're in for a real treat!
March 20, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I am really love this series.. I am so glad there was another book in this series and it was about Nancy.. I was really hoping that nancy and Derek would stay together but how he treated her, I was glad she moved on, then came Thatcher OMG I loved his character. I could not put this book down, the love that Nancy and Thatcher has for each other was so amazing to read. I can't wait to read the next book
I am really love this series.. I am so glad there was another book in this series and it was about Nancy.. I was really hoping that nancy and Derek would stay together but how he treated her, I was glad she moved on, then came Thatcher OMG I loved his character. I could not put this book down, the love that Nancy and Thatcher has for each other was so amazing to read. I can't wait to read the next book
April 7, 2014
Nancy, Nancy, Nancy, she really deserved her story. I saw supportting her friends in there difficult times and to know her real story was really inspiring, she beats all the odds really. Her life was a mess but eventually she figured it all out and everything went well after the stugling and the sadness and the mess that she was living in she knew with a little help of course of Thatcher she suvived.
Enjoyable :)
Enjoyable :)
February 23, 2014
So I was torn on this book. I really like Thatcher but I was sad that she had to break up with Derek. I think he really had changed and was ready for their relationship. However I think Thatcher is a wonderful addition to the group and he is wonderful to Nancy.
May 16, 2016
Wow very intense!
Of all the men of Hawaiian Crush, Thatcher is my favorite! His intensity & passion blew me away....Nancy started out as my least favorite & by the time the book hit the last quarter, she was tied with Sydney as a favorite...
Of all the men of Hawaiian Crush, Thatcher is my favorite! His intensity & passion blew me away....Nancy started out as my least favorite & by the time the book hit the last quarter, she was tied with Sydney as a favorite...
December 19, 2014
Wonderful love story!!
I'll admit there was some missed spell words. Otherwise it was a fantastic love story. This is a must read series, just the the always and forever series.
I'll admit there was some missed spell words. Otherwise it was a fantastic love story. This is a must read series, just the the always and forever series.
June 5, 2016
Taking the Plunge
Gave it a five star rating. Loved the story of Nancy and Thatcher. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Gave it a five star rating. Loved the story of Nancy and Thatcher. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews