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Do Anything

(Wandering Hearts #1)

Wendy Owens (Goodreads Author)

4.02 · Rating details · 279 ratings · 60 reviews

A broken heart is only the beginning for her.

Bookworm Annabelle Hart thinks she’s found the love of her life. But when her fiancé's philandering ways shatter their happy future, she decides she’s through playing the victim. Now, rather than read about life, she wants to live it—starting with a sabbatical from her editing job in Chicago to travel the world. But the past ref ...more

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ebook, 250 pages

Published April 3rd 2014 by Four Bean Soup Publishing (first published March 18th 2014)

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Jun 28, 2018 Cheesecake added it

Shelves: short-200-pgs-or-so, writing-mc-falls-out-of-character, book-free-or-on-sale, romance-luke-warm, sheesh-skimmed-parts-to-the-end, author-isnt-my-cup-of-tea, kindle-books, ending-meh, writing-blah-blah-goes-on-and-on, writing-dumb-dialogue

DNF @ 42% because I didn't like the characters or the writing style. But after I skipped ahead I found I saved myself from the kind of story plot I hate...
I think the author couldn't decide if she was writing chick lit or romance... if romance, it was unsucessful.
(view spoiler) ...more

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Apr 02, 2014 Shandra rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014, april-2014

Who doesn't want to find someone who'd 'do anything' for them?

Stories about heartbreak inevitably speak to me on a personal level that comes from having first-hand knowledge of that sensation. I can always relate to the protagonist because I know where they are at that moment and the only question left to be answered is 'Where are they going from here?' Once the romance is all over, what's left? How does anyone pick up the pieces? The answer is different for everyone.

In the case of Annabelle Har Who doesn't want to find someone who'd 'do anything' for them?

Stories about heartbreak inevitably speak to me on a personal level that comes from having first-hand knowledge of that sensation. I can always relate to the protagonist because I know where they are at that moment and the only question left to be answered is 'Where are they going from here?' Once the romance is all over, what's left? How does anyone pick up the pieces? The answer is different for everyone.

In the case of Annabelle Hart, she decides to go on a journey to 'find herself' by chasing the dreams of her youth. She's a woman that most readers can relate to: a lover of books, authors, and reading with aspirations of being a writer herself though she hasn't ever found the courage to start on a novel of her own to date. England is where she starts to pull herself together because she finds a kindred spirit in a handsome man with a past that features the same kind of heartbreak hers does as they were both betrayed by someone they planned to marry.

Romances that progress slowly tend to feel more real to me. There's more anticipation, more appreciation for the characters' feelings for one another, and more of a chance to build an understanding for where/how these two lives intersect in a way that make them 'right' for one another.

This book builds with a slow burn that is as nice to cozy up to as one of the Austen novels Annabelle loves so much. It's not filled with steamy sex scenes or dirty talk, yet passion is in the pages in the way Holden looks at 'Belle' as he calls her, in the way she leans toward him when he's close to her, in the way they kiss as if they're teenagers making out on a date that's run too late. There is passion in this book without it being the kind of book that should be read after-dark. I appreciated that quite a bit. It takes skill to build anticipation in a reader while leaving out the more explicit details.

What drew me into this story was watching Holden help Annabelle find the person she had always been underneath the person she had been living as if that makes sense at all.

Holden doesn't push her as much as encourages her in a way that she can't argue; he helps her realize she can take a new nickname -be Belle instead of Anna- and be a writer instead of an editor. He shows her it's alright to love again simply by trusting her with his own heart which has already been broken more than once. His trust, his faith, his belief in her help her discover her own strength of character.

I loved how Jack was handled in the piece. Jack would be the cheating ex-fiance who sends Anna scurrying away from America to England to become Belle---and he would be the kind of guy who eventually one hopes will turn out alright. I found myself unable to completely hate him; that's surprising since I loathe cheaters.

Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the story's pacing, never bored, read it in one sitting, and I can easily say I enjoyed the read quite a bit. I loved the characters though I do wish we'd gotten more out of Belle in regards to her responses to Holden. The fellow deserved better than what she gave him ever-so-reluctantly at the last possible second. I also felt cheated on his behalf because he'd encouraged her to write yet she couldn't trust him with her book? The book she'd written with his gift and his generosity to thank for the opportunity? Holden gave her so much and I feel that Belle gave him back so very little in return. He was almost a tragic Austen character: always sacrificing for the dignity of others while pushing his own needs to the side to be the gentleman in the situation. I just felt he deserved more than he got out of everything when literally from the start Holden is set on proving to Belle he'd do anything for her. I wish I had seen more of her proving she'd do anything for him.

I loved that the book left me with a teaser of the next in the series which will feature Belle's best friend, Kenzie, and I will definitely be back for that read, hoping to see a little glimpse of Belle and Holden along with what happens to that lady in her own right.

Lovely story all around which is well worth 4 stars! Thanks so much for the fun read, Wendy Owens! It made for a nice, relaxing afternoon where I smiled more than I have in days, laughed more than once, and got the chance to see a little love come to fruition.

***NOTE: Original review based on a complimentary copy provided to This Redhead LOVES Books Blog in exchange for an honest review. I have since purchased the book to keep in my permanent library.*** ...more

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Mar 29, 2014 Kendall {Book Crazy} rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

4.5 stars!

I remember seeing the Cover Reveal on Facebook for this book and thinking the cover was stunning! I was really intrigued to read the story behind it, so when I got an email about ARCs, I quickly signed up for one! I'm so glad I did because this book was amazing! I really enjoyed it and it was so beautiful! The plot of Do Anything had a lot in it and it had some twist and turns in it too! I can say that I didn't see one major twist coming and I kinda thought that it was going to have a 4.5 stars!

I remember seeing the Cover Reveal on Facebook for this book and thinking the cover was stunning! I was really intrigued to read the story behind it, so when I got an email about ARCs, I quickly signed up for one! I'm so glad I did because this book was amazing! I really enjoyed it and it was so beautiful! The plot of Do Anything had a lot in it and it had some twist and turns in it too! I can say that I didn't see one major twist coming and I kinda thought that it was going to have a major impact on the plot, and it did, but it didn't have as big an impact as I thought! I'm still not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing lol! I just adored the plot though! It was really cute and I loved the whole idea of it! There were some chapters though that had me like either smiling like an idiot or left me with a gobsmacked face on because I couldn't believe what the main character had done or was going to do! It kinda made me love her and the plot more lol! The characters were amazing! Annabelle was the main character and she went through a lot in this book! She was really emotional at the start after what she catches her fiancé doing and then she quickly discovers something that's going to change her life forever! I definitely think that Annabelle took it in her stride though and she kept going, and she struggled, but everything worked out in the end for her, which is what I wanted so bad to happen! I loved Annabelle and I loved that she took risks, even when she didn't know the consequences! I just wished that she had more confidence with her love interest, but I do have to say that she did get more confident near the end of this book! Holden was the love interest of Annabelle and he was so freaking cute! I loved the little things he did for Annabelle and I could see that he had really deep feelings for her and he had since he first laid eyes on her! Holden had been through a lot relationship wise as well and I could see how deflated it had left him! Annabelle brought light back into his life though and made him realise that everyone gets a second chance at love! I also loved that Holden encouraged Annabelle all the way through this book to write her own book and to not be scared to jump head first! There were also some secondary characters in this book and they all added so much to the plot! I loved them all! I thought this book was a standalone when I first heard about it, but it says on the cover that it's the start of a series! I'm so excited to read the next book! It also gives you more information about the next book at the back of this book and I'm so excited about who it's going to be about! This character really intrigued me and I can't wait to read her story! As I said, the cover for this book is stunning! It's perfect for the book and the models on the front are exactly the same as what the main characters are described like! Big thank you to Wendy and Red Coat PR for an ARC of Do Anything! ...more

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Feb 26, 2014 MsChris1161 rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, own

Wendy Owens has done it again! Her stories are told with so much heart it's impossible to not lose yourself in the beautiful details of her writing and fall in love with her easily likeable characters. DO ANYTHING gives us the story of Annabelle Hart, an assistant editor for a publishing house who has secretly desired to be a writer herself. She catches her fiancé in the act of cheating on her a month before they are scheduled to be married. Her heart is broken as well as her belief in herself, Wendy Owens has done it again! Her stories are told with so much heart it's impossible to not lose yourself in the beautiful details of her writing and fall in love with her easily likeable characters. DO ANYTHING gives us the story of Annabelle Hart, an assistant editor for a publishing house who has secretly desired to be a writer herself. She catches her fiancé in the act of cheating on her a month before they are scheduled to be married. Her heart is broken as well as her belief in herself, shouldn't she have seen his unhappiness? Could she really have loved and trusted someone capable of betraying her so badly? She flees the constant reminders of him by deciding to find herself while traveling the world visiting the places made famous by her favorite authors.

Her first stop is England where she soon heads to Chawton where Jane Austen once lived, may as well start with the best, right? There she stays at the Three Horseshoes Inn and Pub owned by a gorgeous innkeeper named Holden. Holden is funny, flirty, handsome, with a very fit and hard-muscled body, and has beautiful blue eyes that make Annabelle lose her ability to think clearly, much less speak coherently. And of course there's his British accent that makes him impossible not to swoon over.

Holden is equally smitten with the beautiful Annabelle and her bright, witty, slightly shy personality. When insomnia brings Annabelle out of her room one night and into the kitchen for some warm milk she discovers Holden. Their accidental nighttime rendezvous quickly turns hot and heavy, intense with the attraction they both feel and until then had been trying to ignore, until Annabelle flees back to her room. They proceed to spend practically every waking moment together after that night, slowly getting to know each other, and falling in love.

Do Anything is a beautifully written, very sweet love story about two broken hearts finding each other, finding healing, and finding a soul-mate you'd do anything for. Ms. Owens doesn't make it easy on them, there are plot twists, exes, friends and family to deal with that complicate matters and make the story more interesting. Annabelle struggles to be true to herself and along the way discovers what she wants for herself, which is made easier with the love and encouragement Holden gives her. He really is quite dreamy and made this story all the more sweet by his consistency and devotion. Loved him and loved this 4 stars book!

~Complimentary copy received in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Mar 11, 2014 Kiki rated it really liked it

In life we hope to find that one person to love us, cherish us and Do Anything FOR US!!!! This book was amazing, I was blown away not only by the story but also the great writing. I plowed right through this book. I love a good book where you can't get enough of the story, plot and characters. I do believe I am in love with Holden. Anna DROVE me nuts at times, but that happens a lot in these books I read. By the end, she does redeem herself with me. But HOLDEN, oh my word... he is a wonderful Br ...more

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Apr 23, 2014 Paula Phillips rated it really liked it

Annabelle was due to get married to her college sweetheart Jack , when by chance she wandered home during the day and found her soon-to-be husband bonking the next door neighbour. That was it for Annabelle, so she left her job and cashed in her savings and needing a fresh start took off to England . Being a long-time fan of Jane Austen's work , it leads her close to Chawton and staying in a small inn where she meets Holden - the owner of the Inn along with his two close family friends Abner and ...more

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Jul 18, 2014 Tina rated it it was amazing

Reading this story was truly touched my heart. Annabelle's heart break I could feel it as she felt it. I know the feeling she felt and it hurts deeply when the one you love cheats on you. Seeing her fiancé in bed with his lover, Annabelle decides to start living her life for herself. She heads off on her journey with the wedding money her fiancé had given her for the wedding. Little did she know her journey to find herself, she finds her soul mate. It isn't easy for her it except this love becau ...more

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Jan 17, 2015 Ashley rated it liked it

This book was kind of weird for me.

In this book, a woman named Annabelle goes abroad trying to discover herself and move on with her life after walking in on her fiancé cheating on her. While abroad, she meets Holden. I could easily see why Annabelle would fall for Holden. What was less obvious to me was why Holden would in turn fall for Annabelle.

Then something happens and Annabelle runs away from Holden and ends up back in Chicago within the clutches of her ex-fiancé.

I wasn't a fan of the twi ...more

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Nov 04, 2016 Vivi Chatzikiriakou rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars, always-in-my-heart, series

"I was provided by the author with a free copy of this book so I could give an honest review."

Is been three days, after I finish reading this book, to finally sit at my personal spot and start writing down my thoughts about the story. Do Anything hit a spot in my heart and mind because of its topic, from the first page. Does youth relationships have rules that say the couple must be upgraded into marriage after some years of being together? Regarding what reasons, a girl or a woman at her early ...more

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Mar 11, 2014 Sarah rated it really liked it

I feel like there is someone for everyone, that special someone who would do anything for you and as Anna says in the book "he would do anything to make me smile." I read this book in one day. It is an easy read and flows really well. You won't want to put it down until you finish. Anna is the main character who has a low self-esteem and not sure where she wants to go in life or what she wants to do. She thinks she has it made, getting married to her dream man, having her dream job, etc. But all ...more

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Mar 25, 2014 A Book Vacation rated it really liked it

TO see my full review:

http://abookvacation.com/2014/04/02/a...

Annabelle Hart doesn’t have the greatest self-esteem. She tends to settle more often than she should, and she very rarely fights back when someone wrongs her. But when her world comes crumbling down—her fiancé’s true colors coming forth—Annabelle finally speaks up and begins to live for herself. Caught in a whirl-wind romance she wasn’t expecting, Annabelle begins to find herself, only to have a bomb shell dropped on her that changes ...more

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Nov 04, 2015 Angie McGuire added it

This book was a very good easy read. I really liked Holden..he's an honest, enlightening, beautiful person who will do anything for the one person he lives..,Anna.

Annabelle or -Anna to some or Belle to Holden was broken and lost. She finds a fiancé in the midst of cheating..(literally) in their own bed, and makes a hasty decision to run. And that she did. Lost in her own world, she wasn't sure what to do. She ends up in England and forms a friendship with Holden that was everlasting, but even A ...more

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Mar 12, 2014 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads-reviews

Breathtakingly real story line that any true romance fan will love. Do Anything was written with such mind to detail that all the characters felt real to me. I wanted to root for each one of them, Annabelle and Holden needed each other but twisted and turns kept you full of emotions. Annabelle has a low self-esteem and isn’t sure what she wants out of life, making her really relatable. Holden is British making him more than words “swoon-worthy”, he had a bad past, and not sure what he needs unti ...more

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Mar 03, 2014 Jennifer Weaver rated it it was amazing

I received an arc of this beautiful story...i fell in love with Wendy Owens writing and once again she doesn't disappoint. This is a gorgeous timeless love story..that made me want to curl up at the inn and become part it. Wendy Owens has that ability to write such real pull at your heart string stories and you find yourself emotionally connected in such a way you dont want the story to end. This is a definite must read!! ...more

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Apr 08, 2014 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Firstly, I think Wendy Owens did a fabulous job writing the lead character, Annabelle. She starts off as a shy, book worm with low self-esteem, but after her ex-fiancé breaks her heart, we get to see her find herself and true love. This book is rather short, but I still remained on the edge of my seat while reading it. Do Anything is a suspenseful, heart wrenching novel that you won't be able to put down. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good romance novel. ...more

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May 03, 2014 Kelly rated it it was amazing

This is a fantastic read! The writing and characters draw you in and you can't put the book down! I fell in love with the characters and I am very happy to read that book #2 is in the works. While reading this book I found myself in shock/disbelief, busting out laughing, and I shed a few tears. This book is a must read and I highly recommend it!!!! *****5 AMAZING Stars!! ***** Extremely well done Wendy Owens!!! ...more

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Feb 03, 2015 Kathleen rated it it was amazing

Holden and Belle is a wonderful love story. You could understand what each was going through and you rooted for them to get together, but understood that Belle wasn't ready yet. When someone breaks your trust it makes oyu question everyone, including yourself. ...more

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Mar 30, 2016 Teri rated it really liked it

While I found Anna to be kind of bothersome with her over analyzing everything (then she tells herself to chill) I still enjoyed the story. I like Holden and how great a job he does in being patient and VERY understanding. Very enjoyable read!

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Dec 27, 2014 Chris rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult, read-in-2014, the-xoxo-new-adult-collection

Good story. There were some things that Annabelle did that made me shake my head, but I still enjoyed the book.

I might even check out Kenzie's book. ...more

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Aug 17, 2018 Nichole Evans rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Second Chance Love

I enjoyed the story a lot because it was different than the run of the mill second chance love stories. Belle doesn't make the best choices and Holden isn't perfect, but together they're happy. ...more

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Sep 23, 2018 Deborah Ross rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great relaxing read. I was looking just for a book that had a great romantic story lines

I would read another by this author. Very natural moving story. Kept my interest, in fact I thought it ended a little too soon. Maybe could have wrapped the story a little less abrupt

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Jul 16, 2020 Katie Go rated it really liked it

Sweet, fast little read.

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Feb 18, 2017 Georgiann Hennelly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Anna belle Hart is a bookworm who thinks she has found her one true love. But when his cheating ways shatter her dreams of a happy future. She decides to start living life instead of just reading about it. She takes a leave from her job to travel. She meets Holden Blackburn who is picking up the pieces after the Women he thought he loved walked away. That is until Annabelle stumbles into his life, and he whats to learn all about her if only he can get her to stay. Until her past returns Anna pan ...more

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Oct 15, 2016 Barbara Hackel rated it it was amazing

How would you handle walking in on your fiance having sex with a neighbor? Annabelle Hart's reaction surprised me. I was hooked. So glad I found this book that had so many unusual twists on the old theme of girl catches boy-runs away-makes a better life-lives happily ever after. Because Anna isn't like any other girl I have known or read about, perhaps because she had lost all sense of herself and self worth. She decides to liquidate and go on a trip of discovery. Her best friend moves into the ...more

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Nov 12, 2016 Leah added it

This is the fourth book in the Stubborn Love series but it can definitely be read as a standalone as I have not read the other books in the series and was able to follow the story extremely well.
In this story Annabelle thinks she has her whole life figured out. She has her dream job as an assistant editor at a publishing firm where she is paid to read amazing books and she is getting ready to marry her college sweetheart. All this comes crashing down when she walks in on him having sex with the ...more

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Nov 19, 2016 Baron Bruce rated it it was amazing

Shelves: modern-day-fantasy, romance

When small house editor Annable walks in on her fiancee in bed with the hot chick from across the hall, she kicks him to the curb She then flees the windy city for at first Greece and then England, Alton to be exact, to arrive and catch the eye of the jilted Innkeeper Holden, who encourage's her to write her story until she flees from him when finds herself pregnant by her philandering ex- and his wealthy family! Does she follow her heart with the innkeeper Holden or give in to the demands of he ...more

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Oct 18, 2016 Peggy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is my very first book by Wendy Owens and it is quite special. This is a very well written but a complicated story full of twists, turns. I had a few tears, there's angst but personal growth after cheating. Annabelle's low self esteem seems to draw her to negative situations and she allows others to walk all over her at first - it is rewarding reading how she finds her way in spite of her as*h*l* cheating fiancé. The characters are so well written and relatable. I wasn't sure this story was ...more

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Mar 25, 2016 Emily rated it really liked it

I normally don't do the contemporary romance genre, but this was free on Amazon so I downloaded it as I needed a book! Fast read, surprisingly enjoyable, but some parts did read like it was trying to be a heavy romance novel. Those parts were few and far between so it didn't distract from the story for me. Woman decides to cancel wedding and take off to England to start a world adventure after catching her fiance in bed with another woman. She finds love in an unlikely spot and a new relationshi ...more

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Oct 24, 2016 Janet Hammons rated it it was amazing

I voluntarily read this book as an ARC for a honest review!
I felt heart broken right along with Annabelle. I was so happy when she decide to take the money from her cheating ex and go find herself. I was upset with her for not seeing the love in front of her from Holden. But then I realized she was hurt by her cheating ex and needed time to figure out that she found her soul mate. I love all the twists and love. This is an amazing new start after betrayal romance. The characters are well thought ...more

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Mar 31, 2016 Dee Beltran rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Happily Ever After

I absolutely loved this book. It made me laugh and cry. My kids and husband think I was going crazy for yelling at the book. I was yelling at a part when I thought some thing bad was happening to Belle. It turned out how I hoped it would. I am so excited for Belle and Holden they deserve their happy ending and that Jake actually wasn't such a big ass. I mean he was but at the end he gave Belle her freedom. This is a stand alone book. ...more

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About Wendy Owens

Wendy Owens

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YA is published under Wendy L Owens
Adult and NA is published under Wendy Owens

Wendy Owens is a writer, born in the small college town, Oxford Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went onto a career in the visual arts. After several years of creating and selling her own artwork she gave her first love, writing, a try. It’s become a passion ever since. Wendy now happily spends her days writ ...more

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Quotes from Do Anything

“While I love romance novels, I wasn’t the little girl who had always dreamed of her wedding day and what it would be like. In fact, the details of the actual day concerned me very little. I just wanted to get through the event and move on with our lives together.” — 0 likes

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