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Moments Duet #1
The Moment You Know (Book One of the Moments Duet)
Marriages fail every day, for endless reasons, right?
But what if the reason you thought your marriage failed wasn't really the reason it failed at all?
What if you were wrong?
And what if you found out your marriage failed because of something that happened years before you even met your wife in that college bar and fell in love with her?
Something she recalled too late—after you’d moved on with another woman.
What would you do to get back what you’d lost, if given the opportunity?
That’s the question David Lowe has been asking himself after being blindsided by the real reason his marriage failed …
And the answer is: Whatever. It. Takes.
But what if the reason you thought your marriage failed wasn't really the reason it failed at all?
What if you were wrong?
And what if you found out your marriage failed because of something that happened years before you even met your wife in that college bar and fell in love with her?
Something she recalled too late—after you’d moved on with another woman.
What would you do to get back what you’d lost, if given the opportunity?
That’s the question David Lowe has been asking himself after being blindsided by the real reason his marriage failed …
And the answer is: Whatever. It. Takes.
387 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2024
292 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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July 26, 2024“The Moment You Know” is Book 1 of two. The second book is “The Moment We Know by D.E. Daniel”. I pretty much DNF’d the 2nd book and my comments offended someone who sent me an email to ask I give a try to book 1 to get the full story before I am too “Judgy”.
Normally I don’t give a shit what people say about my reviews and if it offends anyone or not. I have my opinions and it’s my truth and that is it. However, I decided to appease Melissa and I read it in one sitting. And you know what? It did absolutely NOTHING to change my opinion in my original post that I wrote in book 2.
SPOILER WARNINGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First of, Book is a long length story that takes us back & forth between past & present. MCs met in college and fell in love and were married for 7 years. Heroine became pregnant with a son that they were going to call Jacob David but she miscarried and it devastated them. Shortly after that, they divorce. We are taken through the day they signed the divorce papers and how they split things with the house and other unnecessary details that took writing space.
We find out close to the end that the reason they divorced is because heroine had intimacy issues. Reason for this is that she was molested & abused from the age of 5 to when she was a teen (I think age 18) by her uncle (her Mother’s twin brother) and she blocked all those memories until a year after the divorce and MMC never knew this.
Apparently, the sex between them wasn’t good because even though she didn’t remember the abuse/rape then, she still found sex painful with him and unable to orgasm, etc.
Anyway, we have a scene where Hero & heroine are having sex and she has dissociated and he is not able to perform and get off so he stops and asks her for a divorce. She pleads for him not to do it that they can work it out because they love each other but he is done.
On the day of signing the divorce papers, Hero picks up an OW in a bar and takes her to a hotel where they proceed to have sex only for him to stop just when penetration began. Then we learn that he hooked up with his assistant 6 months after they broke up. She is described as a Meghan Fox lookalike BTW. Three months after this, the OW gets pregnant and they have a little boy that he names Jacob David. Yep the same name as the one they were going to name their kid had FMC not lost it.
MMC & the OW buy a house and move in together. They are in a relationship for close to 4 1/2 years raising their 3 ½ yr old son.
In the meantime, FMC begins drinking after the divorce to get over the pain of the divorce and of losing their beloved cat. She also begins to have flashes of memories of when she was molested & raped by the uncle. It takes her 2 years of therapy to finally understand what happened to her and to heal. She ends up writing a book about it that includes mentions of how this affected her marriage and contacts Hero to warn him but the OW had her blocked for all the times through the years she tried to get in touch with him about some things like her cat dying, the sale of their house and the book. She thinks MMC no longer wants to hear from her and she makes many, many attempts believe me.
Then in the present while she was on a blind first date with a really great guy that I SOOOO wished she had ended up with(!), she runs into Hero & his GF all lovey-dovey. She at that point did not know he was with the OW who is a real bitch BTW. We find out about the time they were filing for divorce, she & her BFF heard the OW talking in a restaurant how she was going to go after Hero and get him. Her BFF told her she didn’t think it would happen but she was wrong because Hero & OW started flirting, dating and having awesome sex before the bed sheets were even cold and making a family to boot.
During the confrontation, heroine & OW sling shots at each other and this is when she learns from the OW that Hero had a son with someone else and even called him the name that THEY chose for THEIR dead son!
Heroine is devastated and gets into an argument with both Hero & OW where OW shoves her to the ground and she gets a concussion and brief amnesia. Hero follows her to the hospital and so does the OM that heroine was on a blind date. The only part of that scene that I liked a lot is how OM through shade at both the OW and Hero. I LOVED where he said to Hero that heroine was a gem & the prize and the “cunt” he was with was a fake and he deserved her! My only gripe is that I wished author had heroine end up with him!
Then we have page after page, chapter after chapter with him and OW having sex. Descriptive sex at that and also his POV of how much he loves her body, how beautiful she is, how turned on he gets every time she touches him – even during times where he is mad at her for one thing or another!
Everyone around Hero tells him how awful this OW is and he still stays with her. He still has sex with her even after heroine comes back into the picture. Time & time again OW does something that pisses him off like trying to get pregnant again when he doesn’t want another kid with her since she doesn’t take care of the one they do have. She apparently got pregnant the first time on purpose to catch him and he never got a clue. She had told him she was on the pill and not to ever wear a condom when they have sex, so surprise pregnancy. And yes, all the years they were together he went bare AND when they are having all these issues, he still goes bare until a friend points out to him that she is trying to manipulate him again by tying herself to him forever with kids! This is at the stage where he is seeing her somewhat for what she is but does it stop him from having sex with her? Of course not!
When he finds out from heroine’s BFF that OW had manipulated him from the beginning and that she befriended & seduced him to steal him away from heroine, he ignores it. When his friends point out time & again that she got pregnant on purpose and not by mistake, he lets it go. When he realizes that she is not a good mother to his son and he is doing all the parenting, he does nothing. When he learns that she had blocked his phone so that he wasn’t getting heroine’s texts and phone calls, he gets mad at her for a day or two and then she initiates sex and he is back to f****g her. When he finds out heroine was molested and wrote the book and she sent him emails & texts that he never saw, he blows his lid and FINALLY kicks her out of his bed though I wouldn't be surprised if in book 2 she comes back pregnant with another kid. I DNF'd that one so don't know or care.
I could go on and on and I would have inserted quotes to see what a prize this “Hero” is but honestly, I’m fed up. Suffice it to say other than the scene in the beginning where heroine learns how quickly he replaced her and he had a kid with the OW, the rest of the story is basically him not giving a crap about heroine or having any lingering feelings other than lust a time or two, and of course getting his lovely thoughts about how hot the OW is and how great their sex life is. He even tells heroine at the end that even though he didn’t love the OW, he cared about her and they were happy.
So all the years heroine was going through hell and being frozen (yes, she never had sex with anyone else!), he was having a grand time playing house & families with the OW.
And now book 2 is all about heroine testing her sexually with the STD moron and him trying to get her to accept his kid. So all in all, for him it worked out real great because he got great sex post divorce and a step mommy who gets a reminder for the rest of her life of how much he always loved her.
So no, I stand by my original post that this shitfest is not for me. This is not a romance. This is not a “lovely” story. This is pure crap and I am tired that in this time & age we have women writers who hate heroines so much. What is this convoluted idea that someone who supposedly loves you and always has, can move on with someone else so quickly and forget you and only get back together with you when he needs a nanny for his kid and a sex partner?
Why should heroines always forgive and forget how they betrayed them? I know that in no f*****g way would I EVER take that used STD Motherf****r back even if he was the last man on earth. In this one, heroine apologizes to him and told him she didn't expect him to stay faithful after the divorce and she wanted him to have a happy life. I call BS.
Normally I don’t give a shit what people say about my reviews and if it offends anyone or not. I have my opinions and it’s my truth and that is it. However, I decided to appease Melissa and I read it in one sitting. And you know what? It did absolutely NOTHING to change my opinion in my original post that I wrote in book 2.
SPOILER WARNINGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First of, Book is a long length story that takes us back & forth between past & present. MCs met in college and fell in love and were married for 7 years. Heroine became pregnant with a son that they were going to call Jacob David but she miscarried and it devastated them. Shortly after that, they divorce. We are taken through the day they signed the divorce papers and how they split things with the house and other unnecessary details that took writing space.
We find out close to the end that the reason they divorced is because heroine had intimacy issues. Reason for this is that she was molested & abused from the age of 5 to when she was a teen (I think age 18) by her uncle (her Mother’s twin brother) and she blocked all those memories until a year after the divorce and MMC never knew this.
Apparently, the sex between them wasn’t good because even though she didn’t remember the abuse/rape then, she still found sex painful with him and unable to orgasm, etc.
Anyway, we have a scene where Hero & heroine are having sex and she has dissociated and he is not able to perform and get off so he stops and asks her for a divorce. She pleads for him not to do it that they can work it out because they love each other but he is done.
On the day of signing the divorce papers, Hero picks up an OW in a bar and takes her to a hotel where they proceed to have sex only for him to stop just when penetration began. Then we learn that he hooked up with his assistant 6 months after they broke up. She is described as a Meghan Fox lookalike BTW. Three months after this, the OW gets pregnant and they have a little boy that he names Jacob David. Yep the same name as the one they were going to name their kid had FMC not lost it.
MMC & the OW buy a house and move in together. They are in a relationship for close to 4 1/2 years raising their 3 ½ yr old son.
In the meantime, FMC begins drinking after the divorce to get over the pain of the divorce and of losing their beloved cat. She also begins to have flashes of memories of when she was molested & raped by the uncle. It takes her 2 years of therapy to finally understand what happened to her and to heal. She ends up writing a book about it that includes mentions of how this affected her marriage and contacts Hero to warn him but the OW had her blocked for all the times through the years she tried to get in touch with him about some things like her cat dying, the sale of their house and the book. She thinks MMC no longer wants to hear from her and she makes many, many attempts believe me.
Then in the present while she was on a blind first date with a really great guy that I SOOOO wished she had ended up with(!), she runs into Hero & his GF all lovey-dovey. She at that point did not know he was with the OW who is a real bitch BTW. We find out about the time they were filing for divorce, she & her BFF heard the OW talking in a restaurant how she was going to go after Hero and get him. Her BFF told her she didn’t think it would happen but she was wrong because Hero & OW started flirting, dating and having awesome sex before the bed sheets were even cold and making a family to boot.
During the confrontation, heroine & OW sling shots at each other and this is when she learns from the OW that Hero had a son with someone else and even called him the name that THEY chose for THEIR dead son!
Heroine is devastated and gets into an argument with both Hero & OW where OW shoves her to the ground and she gets a concussion and brief amnesia. Hero follows her to the hospital and so does the OM that heroine was on a blind date. The only part of that scene that I liked a lot is how OM through shade at both the OW and Hero. I LOVED where he said to Hero that heroine was a gem & the prize and the “cunt” he was with was a fake and he deserved her! My only gripe is that I wished author had heroine end up with him!
Then we have page after page, chapter after chapter with him and OW having sex. Descriptive sex at that and also his POV of how much he loves her body, how beautiful she is, how turned on he gets every time she touches him – even during times where he is mad at her for one thing or another!
Everyone around Hero tells him how awful this OW is and he still stays with her. He still has sex with her even after heroine comes back into the picture. Time & time again OW does something that pisses him off like trying to get pregnant again when he doesn’t want another kid with her since she doesn’t take care of the one they do have. She apparently got pregnant the first time on purpose to catch him and he never got a clue. She had told him she was on the pill and not to ever wear a condom when they have sex, so surprise pregnancy. And yes, all the years they were together he went bare AND when they are having all these issues, he still goes bare until a friend points out to him that she is trying to manipulate him again by tying herself to him forever with kids! This is at the stage where he is seeing her somewhat for what she is but does it stop him from having sex with her? Of course not!
When he finds out from heroine’s BFF that OW had manipulated him from the beginning and that she befriended & seduced him to steal him away from heroine, he ignores it. When his friends point out time & again that she got pregnant on purpose and not by mistake, he lets it go. When he realizes that she is not a good mother to his son and he is doing all the parenting, he does nothing. When he learns that she had blocked his phone so that he wasn’t getting heroine’s texts and phone calls, he gets mad at her for a day or two and then she initiates sex and he is back to f****g her. When he finds out heroine was molested and wrote the book and she sent him emails & texts that he never saw, he blows his lid and FINALLY kicks her out of his bed though I wouldn't be surprised if in book 2 she comes back pregnant with another kid. I DNF'd that one so don't know or care.
I could go on and on and I would have inserted quotes to see what a prize this “Hero” is but honestly, I’m fed up. Suffice it to say other than the scene in the beginning where heroine learns how quickly he replaced her and he had a kid with the OW, the rest of the story is basically him not giving a crap about heroine or having any lingering feelings other than lust a time or two, and of course getting his lovely thoughts about how hot the OW is and how great their sex life is. He even tells heroine at the end that even though he didn’t love the OW, he cared about her and they were happy.
So all the years heroine was going through hell and being frozen (yes, she never had sex with anyone else!), he was having a grand time playing house & families with the OW.
And now book 2 is all about heroine testing her sexually with the STD moron and him trying to get her to accept his kid. So all in all, for him it worked out real great because he got great sex post divorce and a step mommy who gets a reminder for the rest of her life of how much he always loved her.
So no, I stand by my original post that this shitfest is not for me. This is not a romance. This is not a “lovely” story. This is pure crap and I am tired that in this time & age we have women writers who hate heroines so much. What is this convoluted idea that someone who supposedly loves you and always has, can move on with someone else so quickly and forget you and only get back together with you when he needs a nanny for his kid and a sex partner?
Why should heroines always forgive and forget how they betrayed them? I know that in no f*****g way would I EVER take that used STD Motherf****r back even if he was the last man on earth. In this one, heroine apologizes to him and told him she didn't expect him to stay faithful after the divorce and she wanted him to have a happy life. I call BS.
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July 14, 2024This story sucks!!! I can't even say anything nice about it. There is so much wrong here that I can only summarize a fraction of it!
SPOILERS AHEAD READ AND BE WARNED!
Review is for both books. This is 2nd chance trope between a divorced couple who broke up 5 yrs prior because hubby was dissatisfied with the sex. FMC was abused & raped by her uncle when she was a child and up until a year post divorce, she had no memories of it but during sex with hubby, she disassociated and sex became mechanical. MMC not happy with the sex from FMC divorces her and he immediately starts a relationship with OW who happened to be his “Meghan Fox porn star lookalike” Assistant.
He & OW have great unprotected sex for years and a baby to boot that he names him the same name as the one he & FMC chose for their own son who unfortunately didn’t live as she miscarried. How cruel is that? He & OW live together and outside of a wedding ring, they are a couple and a family. This relationship with OW lasts 4 ½ years and in the 1st book, MMC is with OW up until close to the end even though FMC is back in the picture. He continues to have sex with her and scenes are detailed. He had no plans to break up with OW or stop having sex just because the woman he supposedly always loved and never stopped loving came back into the picture. Nor when OW’s lies and manipulations are revealed one by one does he ever get mad to say enough is enough. Nope. It took him finally after the 6th or more lie/manipulation revealed to get his head out of his ass and I am convinced by the end, given how author made the OW into a saint, that he would have stayed with her forever as long as he kept getting hot sex from her!
Meantime, FMC post divorce goes to therapy to work on herself and she is celibate of course because why would she not move on? Outside of one or two moments of expressing anger at MMC for moving on with the hateful OW, she pretty much forgives and forgets. No apologies or redemption from him. What is worse is that he knew there was something wrong with FMC disassociating from sex with him so why not take her to therapy? Why give up so easily because his dick wasn’t satisfied?
Book 2 has the roles reversed with him & FMC now having great sex and playing families with his bastard kid and OW is now a saint who comes back to repent and all become friends. So yes, his dick is satisfied no matter who the woman was in the end. The End.
Some lovely quotes here:
FMC, MMC & OW:
“So, how long has this—” she waved a hand to indicate Ashley and David’s coupledom, “—been going on?”
“That’s none of your—”
“Four years,” Ashley tossed out, her mouth curving into a smile
“You’re an asshole,” she said, succinctly and clearly.
David’s voice was sharp as he scrubbed a hand over his mouth and chin. “You shouldn’t have asked.”
“You sure didn’t wait very long,” she told him, hearing the pain in her voice. “Wow.”
“Um. How long was he supposed to wait?”
“Maybe longer than a hockey season.”
“Well, too bad. He didn’t,” Ashley said with exaggerated sympathy.
At David’s side, Ashley smiled at Paige, seemingly pleased with his sharp reprimand. “Oh, I’m a lot more than just his girlfriend—”. “I might not be David’s wife,” Ashley said with a gleam in her eye, “but I’m the—”
“Don’t you—”
“—mother of—”
“—fucking dare!”
“—his child.”
“And at the end of the day,” Ashley continued with a big smile, “having David’s child is better than having his ring on my finger. Way better.”
Ashley took a step toward a paralyzed Paige. “A ring sometimes only binds you to someone for seven years, isn’t that right? But a child binds you to someone forever,” she added, looking at Paige with supreme satisfaction, clearly enjoying the moment. “He gave me something better than a ring, so you can take your fucking ring and shove it up your ass.”
Paige didn’t know if she’d ever hated anyone more than she hated Ashley in that moment, until she turned to look at David. “You have a child,” she semi-wheezed and then pointed at Ashley. “With her.”
“Paige—” David began, only to stop, knowing what had started the moment he saw her was going to play out all the way and he couldn’t stop it; Ashley had made sure of that. “Yes.”
“His name is Jacob,” Ashley said. “He just turned three in January—”
“You have a three-year-old named Jacob?” The words sounded like broken glass in Paige’s throat.
“Paige—”
“It’s not Jacob David, is it?”
Ashley’s head jerked in Paige’s direction. “How did you know that?”
“No,” she brokenly implored David. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“It’s not what I think?” Paige glared at David in disbelief. “So, you didn’t hijack the name we picked out for our son and give it to the son you had with Ash? Because that’s what I’m thinking, you son of a bitch!”. “Fuck you, David, for putting me and our son behind you so quickly!”
----
“Please tell me you waited at least a year after the divorce to start fucking that girl.”
“Jules—”
“Oh, my God, you didn’t.”
“Look, not that it’s any of your business, but we were friends first, all right?”
“Friends? Are you serious?”
“Yes. I don’t expect you to understand it—”
“Oh, I understand it perfectly. Don’t worry about that,” she told him snidely. “It’s you that doesn’t understand.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“David, pull your head out of your ass. You had a target on your back and you didn’t even know it. Ashley had you in her crosshairs before you and Paige were even separated, so whatever ‘friendship’ you think you had with Ashley was total bullshit.”
“What? No.”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I thought. So, how long did it take before you two fucked like bunnies?”
After a slight pause, he answered, “Six months.”
Jules’s disappointed shake of her head triggered a defensive posture. “I was divorced,” he pointed out.
“Barely,” she said, only to add, “But I’m sure to Ashley that was a long time. You know, since she was having to go without your dick, and all.”. “You cock-sucking wanker,” she spit out.
“Fuck you, Jules.”
“No, fuck you, David. You know, for someone who supposedly loved Paige so much, you were able to move on in a goddamn hurry. A three-year-old? And you named him Jacob? I literally want to crush your nuts with my bare hands. And don’t get me started on what I want to do to your cunt of a girlfriend for what she did to Paige.”
----
MMC & OW:
When he got to the doorway, she put her hands to his face and pulled him down for a kiss, making it clear she meant business. He kissed her back and for the first time in almost a month his dick responded to her. When she realized what was happening, she wasted no time pulling him down the hall to the master bedroom.
He lay down on the bed and she looked him over with satisfaction, possibly thinking everything was back to normal. Then, after straddling him like she had done many times before, she gripped his cock in a tight fist and angled it up, her sigh filling the room as she sank down on him. Enveloped in her heat, David couldn’t deny that he felt pleasure, but it was competing with the effort it took to force thoughts of Paige from his mind.
In an unexpected way, it felt a lot like the first time he’d had sex with Ashley, sort of like he was cheating on Paige. His heart constricted at the thought of having to start from the beginning again, of having to distance himself from Paige one more time and he closed his eyes to hide his inner turmoil from the woman riding him. This was his life—Ashley, Jacob, and obligations. It was a good life, and if not necessarily a great life, it was the one he was living.
So he focused on Ashley as she brought herself to orgasm, which helped him not stray too far from the moment and achieve his own release.
-----
“Ashley’s been talking about having another baby.”
“Oh, Jesus,” Evan groaned rather loudly, unable to stop it. “Don’t do it, man. I’m begging you.”
“You seriously think Ashley got pregnant on purpose?”
“Maybe.” Evelyn pursed her lips. “What kind of birth control were you using?”
“She was on the pill, but I used condoms for the first month, until we both got tested. And then she wanted me to go bare, so I quit using them.”
Evelyn blinked at him. “And how long before she was pregnant?”
“Two months.”
“Bless your heart, David. And you really thought her getting pregnant that soon after you quit using condoms was an accident?”
“I did, yeah. But I didn’t have any reason not to believe it was an accident, because she was still on the pill.”
Evelyn gave a sad shake of her head. “Seriously. Bless your heart.”
---
When she did, an hour later, he could see she was just shy of intoxicated, which wasn’t surprising since that was usually how she came home after being out with her friends. Spotting him in bed, bare-chested, with his hands behind his head, she gave him a predatory smile and he knew what was coming—Ashley plus alcohol equaled rough sex.
She held his gaze as she stripped out of her clothes, then straddled his thighs and began kissing him aggressively. It wasn’t too long before she was yanking the bedding off his lower body, then pulling his briefs down, taking his cock in her hand and stroking him with purpose.
Clearly unhappy, she grabbed the condom and for a moment he thought she was going to chuck it again, but she opened it instead. “Fine. We’ll do it this way,” she said shortly, as she rolled it down his dick in record time. “But that means in my ass.”
She said that like it was meant to be a hardship for him, like she was punishing him by keeping him from her pussy.
-----
FMC & MMC:
“David?”
“Hmm?”
“Have you ever had anal sex?”
“You have.” Sharp disappointment flooded her as she was faced with the unwelcome knowledge he’d done it with someone else. To her, anal sex was a big deal; it was letting someone into your ass, for Christ’s sake … and he’d been in someone else’s ass.
“Paige,” he began, only to stop and release a deep sigh.
“I know, I know,” she muttered. “Ignore. The. Elephant. But you know what? This ignoring the freaking elephant rule is seriously not working for me anymore. Well, not that it ever really did, to be honest. Mostly because it’s a big elephant, with a lot of baby elephants—a whole herd of them. But also because this rule is completely one-sided. You don’t have a damn elephant to ignore because I don’t have an elephant. Not even a baby elephant. Nothing I did with any of the men I went out with counts as an elephant, to include having my boob grabbed by that guy on the douchebag spectrum. Plus, it doesn’t align very well with the complete honesty pact we made, which is now even more important as we go forward for real. So I’m officially done ignoring the elephant, which means we need to talk about the elephant like adults.”
He didn’t say anything.
“Well?” she prodded. “Did you have anal sex with Ashley?” she asked
David closed his eyes for a moment, not wanting to do this. At all. “Yes.”
Was there nothing he and that bitch hadn’t done? “Did you like it?”
“Yes,” he answered, and when she exhaled like a fire breathing dragon, he added roughly, “God dammit. This is why I didn’t want to do this. Now you’re upset—”
“Upset? Did you say ‘upset’? Of course I’m ‘upset’ David,” she said, using air quotes, which illustrated how dire the situation really was. “It’s a given I’m going to be ‘upset’, because I hate her and I just found out you fucked her ass. I’m sorry, but yes, that makes me ‘upset’. If the situation was reversed, wouldn’t it make you ‘upset’?” She kept using air quotes for each ‘upset’ like a lunatic, unable to stop. “How would you feel if I’d been in a relationship for almost five years with some guy whose guts I knew you fucking hated, lived with him, had a child with him, and you just found out he’d had my ass a million times? And then I made the ridiculous observation that you were ‘upset’?”
David sat up, the sheets bunching around his waist. “Can you not exaggerate, please? It obviously wasn’t that many times—”
She threw her hands in the air. “Gah. Don’t even think about telling me exactly how many times it was, in some misguided attempt to make me feel better, because I will come for your balls. Understand?”
“I wasn’t going to tell you how many times it was. Jesus, like I even know how many—” he stopped abruptly, falling back against the pillows and cracking his head on the headboard by accident. “Fuck. This is why I didn’t want to do this! I told you all that shit is just white noise.”
“To you, it’s white noise. To me, it’s the complete opposite of white noise.”
To me, anal is the most personal thing you can do with someone, and you’ve done it with Ashley. Now, I’m sure you think I’m over-reacting, but I’ve been thinking about doing that with you, and—”
“You have?”
“Yes, but Ash got there first and now I’m afraid that if you and I do it, you’ll compare my ass to hers and think her ass was better.” Paige gave a shake of her head, not liking the way that had come out. “That anal sex was better with her,” she clarified. “Especially if I’m not good at it, or I don’t even like doing it.”
“Paige—”
“Was she your first?”
He sighed. “Yes.”
Fucking fuck. Just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, it totally did. She’d actually been hoping his first time had been with some nameless, faceless girl in college, prior to meeting Paige. Ashley getting that first with him burned like acid in Paige’s gut.
“I wasn’t her first, though, which is why I did it,” he said quietly, hoping to somehow lower the DEFCON level in the room.
That information barely made a dent in how pissed off Paige was; in fact, it actually managed to increase it, since that meant Ashley had been his butt sex ‘teacher’. “And you obviously did it a lot, considering you don’t know how many times you did do it—”. “Which means you really liked doing it with her.”
“Yes, I liked doing it with her,” he admitted evenly. “Liked. Not loved. That goes for everything I did with her. But I love everything I do with you and if that were to include anal, I know I’d love that, too, because being your first would mean something to me. It would mean everything, actually.”
“Did she ever use handcuffs on you?” she asked
“No.”
“Did you ever use them on her?”
“No.”
“Is she the reason you started really manscaping?”
“Sort of.”
“There’s no ‘sort of’, here. You either did, or didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you take baths with her?”
“No.”
“What about showers?”
Fuck. “Yes.”
She didn’t like that very much. “Did you have sex in the shower?”
“Yes.”
She liked that even less. “A lot?”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Paige said, then took a deep breath. “Did you wear the Hugo Boss cologne I bought you, when you were with Ashley?”
“Yes, I wore it a lot. Like … every day, actually.”
“Well, that’s really not what I wanted to hear.”
“What did you want to hear? That I never wore it?”
“Uh, yeah. That would be better than hearing Ashley got to enjoy the way you smelled when you were wearing my cologne, that’s for damn sure.”
“Technically, it was my cologne, since you gave it to me,” he argued. “And I don’t know if she enjoyed it or not, since I didn’t ask. However, she never said she didn’t enjoy it, so I assume she did. Although, had she known you’d been the one to give it to me, she probably would’ve raised hell and thrown it in the garbage, no matter how much she liked it.”
Why did you keep wearing it?” she wanted to know.
“Because it reminded me of you.”
“You … wanted to be reminded of me? Why?”
“Because I wasn’t ready to let go of you completely.” He held up the wrist with his Tag Heuer on it. “It’s the reason I wore this.”
“Did you wear that when you fucked her?”
Her blunt question barely gave him pause. “Sometimes.”
Immediately, the unwelcome vision of David wearing the watch while his hand roamed between Ashley’s legs, or played with her young, perky tits, filled Paige’s head. “Well … that really pisses me off,” she muttered, starting to pace again.
“I hardly ever took it off, actually,” he continued. “So, sometimes I was wearing it during sex—and no, I don’t know how many times that was. Which doesn’t mean it was a lot, it just means I don’t know.”
“Did you wear that when you fucked her?”. “How pissed was she, exactly?”
“Really fucking pissed. We had a few arguments about it. Nothing compared to the arguments about your name inked on my back, though. Those were pretty epic.”
“Like … yelling epic?”
“Almost.”
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way,” he murmured, “but the sooner you finish asking all your questions, the sooner you and I can have angry sex.”
“Angry sex?” She blinked at him. “Are you serious?”
“I’m guessing you’ve had angry sex before?”
“Yes.”
“With Ashley?”
“Yes.”
“How often?”
“Well,” he drawled, knowing his answer would likely bring on another burst of fire, so he didn’t hold back. “She was good at making me angry so … pretty often.”
Paige began stalking toward the bed. “Well, you’re going to have better angry sex with me than you ever had with her.”
MMC & OW:
When he turned back to Ashley, she tilted her head. “You know, over the years, I’ve thought a lot about how things would’ve worked out if I’d been honest from the beginning,” she mused. “But it was always her, wasn’t it? Even when you were with me.”
“I think so, yes, deep down on some level,” he admitted gently.
“I know my apology to you will be equally as small—not to mention, long overdue—but I still owe you one, as well.”
“Ashley—”
“Please. It needs to be said just how sorry I am for lying to you, and going behind your back to do underhanded, shitty things. For every time I didn’t help out, every meal I didn’t make, every dish I didn’t wash, every load of laundry I didn’t do, every diaper I didn’t change. For not even doing the bare minimum when it came to raising and loving my own child, and for not appreciating what I had with you, which was everything. I really did love you, David, even though it probably never seemed like I did, and I threw it away with both hands.” She pursed her lips. “For a long time, I hid behind the excuse that I was young and immature, until I finally faced the fact I was neither, that I was simply a selfish, thoughtless, and narcissistic bitch, something I’ll always be ashamed of.”
SPOILERS AHEAD READ AND BE WARNED!
Review is for both books. This is 2nd chance trope between a divorced couple who broke up 5 yrs prior because hubby was dissatisfied with the sex. FMC was abused & raped by her uncle when she was a child and up until a year post divorce, she had no memories of it but during sex with hubby, she disassociated and sex became mechanical. MMC not happy with the sex from FMC divorces her and he immediately starts a relationship with OW who happened to be his “Meghan Fox porn star lookalike” Assistant.
He & OW have great unprotected sex for years and a baby to boot that he names him the same name as the one he & FMC chose for their own son who unfortunately didn’t live as she miscarried. How cruel is that? He & OW live together and outside of a wedding ring, they are a couple and a family. This relationship with OW lasts 4 ½ years and in the 1st book, MMC is with OW up until close to the end even though FMC is back in the picture. He continues to have sex with her and scenes are detailed. He had no plans to break up with OW or stop having sex just because the woman he supposedly always loved and never stopped loving came back into the picture. Nor when OW’s lies and manipulations are revealed one by one does he ever get mad to say enough is enough. Nope. It took him finally after the 6th or more lie/manipulation revealed to get his head out of his ass and I am convinced by the end, given how author made the OW into a saint, that he would have stayed with her forever as long as he kept getting hot sex from her!
Meantime, FMC post divorce goes to therapy to work on herself and she is celibate of course because why would she not move on? Outside of one or two moments of expressing anger at MMC for moving on with the hateful OW, she pretty much forgives and forgets. No apologies or redemption from him. What is worse is that he knew there was something wrong with FMC disassociating from sex with him so why not take her to therapy? Why give up so easily because his dick wasn’t satisfied?
Book 2 has the roles reversed with him & FMC now having great sex and playing families with his bastard kid and OW is now a saint who comes back to repent and all become friends. So yes, his dick is satisfied no matter who the woman was in the end. The End.
Some lovely quotes here:
FMC, MMC & OW:
“So, how long has this—” she waved a hand to indicate Ashley and David’s coupledom, “—been going on?”
“That’s none of your—”
“Four years,” Ashley tossed out, her mouth curving into a smile
“You’re an asshole,” she said, succinctly and clearly.
David’s voice was sharp as he scrubbed a hand over his mouth and chin. “You shouldn’t have asked.”
“You sure didn’t wait very long,” she told him, hearing the pain in her voice. “Wow.”
“Um. How long was he supposed to wait?”
“Maybe longer than a hockey season.”
“Well, too bad. He didn’t,” Ashley said with exaggerated sympathy.
At David’s side, Ashley smiled at Paige, seemingly pleased with his sharp reprimand. “Oh, I’m a lot more than just his girlfriend—”. “I might not be David’s wife,” Ashley said with a gleam in her eye, “but I’m the—”
“Don’t you—”
“—mother of—”
“—fucking dare!”
“—his child.”
“And at the end of the day,” Ashley continued with a big smile, “having David’s child is better than having his ring on my finger. Way better.”
Ashley took a step toward a paralyzed Paige. “A ring sometimes only binds you to someone for seven years, isn’t that right? But a child binds you to someone forever,” she added, looking at Paige with supreme satisfaction, clearly enjoying the moment. “He gave me something better than a ring, so you can take your fucking ring and shove it up your ass.”
Paige didn’t know if she’d ever hated anyone more than she hated Ashley in that moment, until she turned to look at David. “You have a child,” she semi-wheezed and then pointed at Ashley. “With her.”
“Paige—” David began, only to stop, knowing what had started the moment he saw her was going to play out all the way and he couldn’t stop it; Ashley had made sure of that. “Yes.”
“His name is Jacob,” Ashley said. “He just turned three in January—”
“You have a three-year-old named Jacob?” The words sounded like broken glass in Paige’s throat.
“Paige—”
“It’s not Jacob David, is it?”
Ashley’s head jerked in Paige’s direction. “How did you know that?”
“No,” she brokenly implored David. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“It’s not what I think?” Paige glared at David in disbelief. “So, you didn’t hijack the name we picked out for our son and give it to the son you had with Ash? Because that’s what I’m thinking, you son of a bitch!”. “Fuck you, David, for putting me and our son behind you so quickly!”
----
“Please tell me you waited at least a year after the divorce to start fucking that girl.”
“Jules—”
“Oh, my God, you didn’t.”
“Look, not that it’s any of your business, but we were friends first, all right?”
“Friends? Are you serious?”
“Yes. I don’t expect you to understand it—”
“Oh, I understand it perfectly. Don’t worry about that,” she told him snidely. “It’s you that doesn’t understand.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“David, pull your head out of your ass. You had a target on your back and you didn’t even know it. Ashley had you in her crosshairs before you and Paige were even separated, so whatever ‘friendship’ you think you had with Ashley was total bullshit.”
“What? No.”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I thought. So, how long did it take before you two fucked like bunnies?”
After a slight pause, he answered, “Six months.”
Jules’s disappointed shake of her head triggered a defensive posture. “I was divorced,” he pointed out.
“Barely,” she said, only to add, “But I’m sure to Ashley that was a long time. You know, since she was having to go without your dick, and all.”. “You cock-sucking wanker,” she spit out.
“Fuck you, Jules.”
“No, fuck you, David. You know, for someone who supposedly loved Paige so much, you were able to move on in a goddamn hurry. A three-year-old? And you named him Jacob? I literally want to crush your nuts with my bare hands. And don’t get me started on what I want to do to your cunt of a girlfriend for what she did to Paige.”
----
MMC & OW:
When he got to the doorway, she put her hands to his face and pulled him down for a kiss, making it clear she meant business. He kissed her back and for the first time in almost a month his dick responded to her. When she realized what was happening, she wasted no time pulling him down the hall to the master bedroom.
He lay down on the bed and she looked him over with satisfaction, possibly thinking everything was back to normal. Then, after straddling him like she had done many times before, she gripped his cock in a tight fist and angled it up, her sigh filling the room as she sank down on him. Enveloped in her heat, David couldn’t deny that he felt pleasure, but it was competing with the effort it took to force thoughts of Paige from his mind.
In an unexpected way, it felt a lot like the first time he’d had sex with Ashley, sort of like he was cheating on Paige. His heart constricted at the thought of having to start from the beginning again, of having to distance himself from Paige one more time and he closed his eyes to hide his inner turmoil from the woman riding him. This was his life—Ashley, Jacob, and obligations. It was a good life, and if not necessarily a great life, it was the one he was living.
So he focused on Ashley as she brought herself to orgasm, which helped him not stray too far from the moment and achieve his own release.
-----
“Ashley’s been talking about having another baby.”
“Oh, Jesus,” Evan groaned rather loudly, unable to stop it. “Don’t do it, man. I’m begging you.”
“You seriously think Ashley got pregnant on purpose?”
“Maybe.” Evelyn pursed her lips. “What kind of birth control were you using?”
“She was on the pill, but I used condoms for the first month, until we both got tested. And then she wanted me to go bare, so I quit using them.”
Evelyn blinked at him. “And how long before she was pregnant?”
“Two months.”
“Bless your heart, David. And you really thought her getting pregnant that soon after you quit using condoms was an accident?”
“I did, yeah. But I didn’t have any reason not to believe it was an accident, because she was still on the pill.”
Evelyn gave a sad shake of her head. “Seriously. Bless your heart.”
---
When she did, an hour later, he could see she was just shy of intoxicated, which wasn’t surprising since that was usually how she came home after being out with her friends. Spotting him in bed, bare-chested, with his hands behind his head, she gave him a predatory smile and he knew what was coming—Ashley plus alcohol equaled rough sex.
She held his gaze as she stripped out of her clothes, then straddled his thighs and began kissing him aggressively. It wasn’t too long before she was yanking the bedding off his lower body, then pulling his briefs down, taking his cock in her hand and stroking him with purpose.
Clearly unhappy, she grabbed the condom and for a moment he thought she was going to chuck it again, but she opened it instead. “Fine. We’ll do it this way,” she said shortly, as she rolled it down his dick in record time. “But that means in my ass.”
She said that like it was meant to be a hardship for him, like she was punishing him by keeping him from her pussy.
-----
FMC & MMC:
“David?”
“Hmm?”
“Have you ever had anal sex?”
“You have.” Sharp disappointment flooded her as she was faced with the unwelcome knowledge he’d done it with someone else. To her, anal sex was a big deal; it was letting someone into your ass, for Christ’s sake … and he’d been in someone else’s ass.
“Paige,” he began, only to stop and release a deep sigh.
“I know, I know,” she muttered. “Ignore. The. Elephant. But you know what? This ignoring the freaking elephant rule is seriously not working for me anymore. Well, not that it ever really did, to be honest. Mostly because it’s a big elephant, with a lot of baby elephants—a whole herd of them. But also because this rule is completely one-sided. You don’t have a damn elephant to ignore because I don’t have an elephant. Not even a baby elephant. Nothing I did with any of the men I went out with counts as an elephant, to include having my boob grabbed by that guy on the douchebag spectrum. Plus, it doesn’t align very well with the complete honesty pact we made, which is now even more important as we go forward for real. So I’m officially done ignoring the elephant, which means we need to talk about the elephant like adults.”
He didn’t say anything.
“Well?” she prodded. “Did you have anal sex with Ashley?” she asked
David closed his eyes for a moment, not wanting to do this. At all. “Yes.”
Was there nothing he and that bitch hadn’t done? “Did you like it?”
“Yes,” he answered, and when she exhaled like a fire breathing dragon, he added roughly, “God dammit. This is why I didn’t want to do this. Now you’re upset—”
“Upset? Did you say ‘upset’? Of course I’m ‘upset’ David,” she said, using air quotes, which illustrated how dire the situation really was. “It’s a given I’m going to be ‘upset’, because I hate her and I just found out you fucked her ass. I’m sorry, but yes, that makes me ‘upset’. If the situation was reversed, wouldn’t it make you ‘upset’?” She kept using air quotes for each ‘upset’ like a lunatic, unable to stop. “How would you feel if I’d been in a relationship for almost five years with some guy whose guts I knew you fucking hated, lived with him, had a child with him, and you just found out he’d had my ass a million times? And then I made the ridiculous observation that you were ‘upset’?”
David sat up, the sheets bunching around his waist. “Can you not exaggerate, please? It obviously wasn’t that many times—”
She threw her hands in the air. “Gah. Don’t even think about telling me exactly how many times it was, in some misguided attempt to make me feel better, because I will come for your balls. Understand?”
“I wasn’t going to tell you how many times it was. Jesus, like I even know how many—” he stopped abruptly, falling back against the pillows and cracking his head on the headboard by accident. “Fuck. This is why I didn’t want to do this! I told you all that shit is just white noise.”
“To you, it’s white noise. To me, it’s the complete opposite of white noise.”
To me, anal is the most personal thing you can do with someone, and you’ve done it with Ashley. Now, I’m sure you think I’m over-reacting, but I’ve been thinking about doing that with you, and—”
“You have?”
“Yes, but Ash got there first and now I’m afraid that if you and I do it, you’ll compare my ass to hers and think her ass was better.” Paige gave a shake of her head, not liking the way that had come out. “That anal sex was better with her,” she clarified. “Especially if I’m not good at it, or I don’t even like doing it.”
“Paige—”
“Was she your first?”
He sighed. “Yes.”
Fucking fuck. Just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, it totally did. She’d actually been hoping his first time had been with some nameless, faceless girl in college, prior to meeting Paige. Ashley getting that first with him burned like acid in Paige’s gut.
“I wasn’t her first, though, which is why I did it,” he said quietly, hoping to somehow lower the DEFCON level in the room.
That information barely made a dent in how pissed off Paige was; in fact, it actually managed to increase it, since that meant Ashley had been his butt sex ‘teacher’. “And you obviously did it a lot, considering you don’t know how many times you did do it—”. “Which means you really liked doing it with her.”
“Yes, I liked doing it with her,” he admitted evenly. “Liked. Not loved. That goes for everything I did with her. But I love everything I do with you and if that were to include anal, I know I’d love that, too, because being your first would mean something to me. It would mean everything, actually.”
“Did she ever use handcuffs on you?” she asked
“No.”
“Did you ever use them on her?”
“No.”
“Is she the reason you started really manscaping?”
“Sort of.”
“There’s no ‘sort of’, here. You either did, or didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you take baths with her?”
“No.”
“What about showers?”
Fuck. “Yes.”
She didn’t like that very much. “Did you have sex in the shower?”
“Yes.”
She liked that even less. “A lot?”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Paige said, then took a deep breath. “Did you wear the Hugo Boss cologne I bought you, when you were with Ashley?”
“Yes, I wore it a lot. Like … every day, actually.”
“Well, that’s really not what I wanted to hear.”
“What did you want to hear? That I never wore it?”
“Uh, yeah. That would be better than hearing Ashley got to enjoy the way you smelled when you were wearing my cologne, that’s for damn sure.”
“Technically, it was my cologne, since you gave it to me,” he argued. “And I don’t know if she enjoyed it or not, since I didn’t ask. However, she never said she didn’t enjoy it, so I assume she did. Although, had she known you’d been the one to give it to me, she probably would’ve raised hell and thrown it in the garbage, no matter how much she liked it.”
Why did you keep wearing it?” she wanted to know.
“Because it reminded me of you.”
“You … wanted to be reminded of me? Why?”
“Because I wasn’t ready to let go of you completely.” He held up the wrist with his Tag Heuer on it. “It’s the reason I wore this.”
“Did you wear that when you fucked her?”
Her blunt question barely gave him pause. “Sometimes.”
Immediately, the unwelcome vision of David wearing the watch while his hand roamed between Ashley’s legs, or played with her young, perky tits, filled Paige’s head. “Well … that really pisses me off,” she muttered, starting to pace again.
“I hardly ever took it off, actually,” he continued. “So, sometimes I was wearing it during sex—and no, I don’t know how many times that was. Which doesn’t mean it was a lot, it just means I don’t know.”
“Did you wear that when you fucked her?”. “How pissed was she, exactly?”
“Really fucking pissed. We had a few arguments about it. Nothing compared to the arguments about your name inked on my back, though. Those were pretty epic.”
“Like … yelling epic?”
“Almost.”
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way,” he murmured, “but the sooner you finish asking all your questions, the sooner you and I can have angry sex.”
“Angry sex?” She blinked at him. “Are you serious?”
“I’m guessing you’ve had angry sex before?”
“Yes.”
“With Ashley?”
“Yes.”
“How often?”
“Well,” he drawled, knowing his answer would likely bring on another burst of fire, so he didn’t hold back. “She was good at making me angry so … pretty often.”
Paige began stalking toward the bed. “Well, you’re going to have better angry sex with me than you ever had with her.”
MMC & OW:
When he turned back to Ashley, she tilted her head. “You know, over the years, I’ve thought a lot about how things would’ve worked out if I’d been honest from the beginning,” she mused. “But it was always her, wasn’t it? Even when you were with me.”
“I think so, yes, deep down on some level,” he admitted gently.
“I know my apology to you will be equally as small—not to mention, long overdue—but I still owe you one, as well.”
“Ashley—”
“Please. It needs to be said just how sorry I am for lying to you, and going behind your back to do underhanded, shitty things. For every time I didn’t help out, every meal I didn’t make, every dish I didn’t wash, every load of laundry I didn’t do, every diaper I didn’t change. For not even doing the bare minimum when it came to raising and loving my own child, and for not appreciating what I had with you, which was everything. I really did love you, David, even though it probably never seemed like I did, and I threw it away with both hands.” She pursed her lips. “For a long time, I hid behind the excuse that I was young and immature, until I finally faced the fact I was neither, that I was simply a selfish, thoughtless, and narcissistic bitch, something I’ll always be ashamed of.”
July 12, 2024
Yoooo we are still enjoying and writing books and romanticizing double standards in todays year and time?
Of course the FMC is celibate as fuck.
Of course she can’t move on, stayed frozen, never had anything but 1 brain cell.
Of course the MMC had fantastic detailed sex with OW.
Of course he can’t say no to the bitchy OW.
Of fucking course he had a child with her and continued having BARE SEX with OW even knowing she was fucking awful.
Of course author would write their detailed sex scenes.
Of course author is another misogynistic freak PROMOTING DOUBLE STANDARDS AND CHAUVINISTIC MEN.
Of course the FMC is celibate as fuck.
Of course she can’t move on, stayed frozen, never had anything but 1 brain cell.
Of course the MMC had fantastic detailed sex with OW.
Of course he can’t say no to the bitchy OW.
Of fucking course he had a child with her and continued having BARE SEX with OW even knowing she was fucking awful.
Of course author would write their detailed sex scenes.
Of course author is another misogynistic freak PROMOTING DOUBLE STANDARDS AND CHAUVINISTIC MEN.
March 27, 2025
The Moment You Know by D.E. Daniel
4/5 stars
I am kinda shocked by some of the reviews written about this book. It's okay not to like it. But some paragraphs were borderline disrespectful and hateful towards the author. It's okay to write down why you didn't like it, but you must do it in a respectful way. My goodness. Sorry Dayna, you do not deserve this cruelty.
The Moment You Know is a complicated book written in a very soft tone. Especially the start and middle part are written in a calm, soft and almost whispering tone. It gave the story almost an ethereal feeling. Don't get me wrong, a lot of things happen, but the author approached the story with a softness that really added to the undertone of the story.
The story starts with Paige getting out there in the dating world again. She divorced over 4 years ago and really worked hard to heal herself and found her true self. She has a fun connection with her date Hale. But as they enter the restaurant they bump into her ex-husband David and girlfriend Ashley. Both Paige and David are shocked. But Ashley is straight away downward nasty. She was/is David's assistant and locked down David as fast as she could after the divorce. The ladies fight and try to claim who truly had David. Hurtful things are said. And when Ashley spews she has a son with David, Paige is hurt to the bone. Especially because David used the name they came up with together for their unborn son which they lost. In anger Ashley pushes Paige, she falls, hurts her head and gets knocked out. The ambulance arrives and David goes with Paige to the hospital.
And from that point forwards David and Paige connect on a deeper level. They start to talk and slowly but surely they find out how deep Ashley infiltrated herself into David's life. Violating his privacy on a deep level.
David's mother asks him to read a book. A book written by Paige. David is angry Paige never told him about it. But quickly they find out why and it results in life changing moments.
Paige gets triggers after the divorce. Her mind was able until that point to hide away terrible trauma. Memories of an uncle who violated her for years and years and years.
I found Paige so brave how she dealt with this trauma, these triggers, and how hard she fought to fight them and come out on top.
HUGE SPOILER ALERT IN THE NEXT SENTENCE:
I love how her therapist also encouraged her to find her sexuality again. To truly get back her body and soul.
The trauma part hit me really hard. Because I can relate to this way more than I wanted too. It triggered me in my own trauma, my own healing, or sometimes the lack there-off. It made me wonder if Paige has a certain diagnosis.
The story truly is a journey of two people finding each other again. Finding hope again and dealing with why their marriage failed in the first place. And I loved that.
A part of me did wish that there was a little bit more background info on why they divorced in the first place. It feels like they grew apart. Paige stuck in her ways and trauma. Even when she didn't she was. And David unable to reach her. Slowly drifting farther away from her. Maybe that was the whole reason. The slowly drifting apart and losing each other along the way. I wished they fought a little harder before they divorced, instead of just accepting the drifting apart.
I couldn't always connect the David from inside the marriage to the David after the divorce. It felt like he was so much more compassionate after.
I also didn't really understand Paige's reaction to his explanation why he named their son after their unborn one. I expected a bigger reaction. Maybe that'll be in the second book.
There were quite a few gaps in the storyline that I missed throughout. But like I said, maybe that is still woven into the second book. So I won't judge this story too harshly because of the gaps in this one. Knowing it's a duology.
I hope Jacob has a bigger presence in the sequel. His tiny soul really spoke to me the few scenes he was in. His relationship with his son is off page a lot in this one. I hope we get to see David as a father in the second book.
All in all a beautiful and heartfelt book. I love the character development. And the last few chapters where they hang out and go out on non dates had me grinning and smiling like an idiot.
Oh and that badass move towards her uncle had me cheering for her quite loud!
I absolutely cannot wait to read the sequel!
4 big stars from me for this stunning book. ♥
4/5 stars
I am kinda shocked by some of the reviews written about this book. It's okay not to like it. But some paragraphs were borderline disrespectful and hateful towards the author. It's okay to write down why you didn't like it, but you must do it in a respectful way. My goodness. Sorry Dayna, you do not deserve this cruelty.
The Moment You Know is a complicated book written in a very soft tone. Especially the start and middle part are written in a calm, soft and almost whispering tone. It gave the story almost an ethereal feeling. Don't get me wrong, a lot of things happen, but the author approached the story with a softness that really added to the undertone of the story.
The story starts with Paige getting out there in the dating world again. She divorced over 4 years ago and really worked hard to heal herself and found her true self. She has a fun connection with her date Hale. But as they enter the restaurant they bump into her ex-husband David and girlfriend Ashley. Both Paige and David are shocked. But Ashley is straight away downward nasty. She was/is David's assistant and locked down David as fast as she could after the divorce. The ladies fight and try to claim who truly had David. Hurtful things are said. And when Ashley spews she has a son with David, Paige is hurt to the bone. Especially because David used the name they came up with together for their unborn son which they lost. In anger Ashley pushes Paige, she falls, hurts her head and gets knocked out. The ambulance arrives and David goes with Paige to the hospital.
And from that point forwards David and Paige connect on a deeper level. They start to talk and slowly but surely they find out how deep Ashley infiltrated herself into David's life. Violating his privacy on a deep level.
David's mother asks him to read a book. A book written by Paige. David is angry Paige never told him about it. But quickly they find out why and it results in life changing moments.
Paige gets triggers after the divorce. Her mind was able until that point to hide away terrible trauma. Memories of an uncle who violated her for years and years and years.
I found Paige so brave how she dealt with this trauma, these triggers, and how hard she fought to fight them and come out on top.
HUGE SPOILER ALERT IN THE NEXT SENTENCE:
I love how her therapist also encouraged her to find her sexuality again. To truly get back her body and soul.
The trauma part hit me really hard. Because I can relate to this way more than I wanted too. It triggered me in my own trauma, my own healing, or sometimes the lack there-off. It made me wonder if Paige has a certain diagnosis.
The story truly is a journey of two people finding each other again. Finding hope again and dealing with why their marriage failed in the first place. And I loved that.
A part of me did wish that there was a little bit more background info on why they divorced in the first place. It feels like they grew apart. Paige stuck in her ways and trauma. Even when she didn't she was. And David unable to reach her. Slowly drifting farther away from her. Maybe that was the whole reason. The slowly drifting apart and losing each other along the way. I wished they fought a little harder before they divorced, instead of just accepting the drifting apart.
I couldn't always connect the David from inside the marriage to the David after the divorce. It felt like he was so much more compassionate after.
I also didn't really understand Paige's reaction to his explanation why he named their son after their unborn one. I expected a bigger reaction. Maybe that'll be in the second book.
There were quite a few gaps in the storyline that I missed throughout. But like I said, maybe that is still woven into the second book. So I won't judge this story too harshly because of the gaps in this one. Knowing it's a duology.
I hope Jacob has a bigger presence in the sequel. His tiny soul really spoke to me the few scenes he was in. His relationship with his son is off page a lot in this one. I hope we get to see David as a father in the second book.
All in all a beautiful and heartfelt book. I love the character development. And the last few chapters where they hang out and go out on non dates had me grinning and smiling like an idiot.
Oh and that badass move towards her uncle had me cheering for her quite loud!
I absolutely cannot wait to read the sequel!
4 big stars from me for this stunning book. ♥
January 20, 2025
I am honestly sorry because lately I’m such a raging bitch about reviews but I always hope there comes a day when double standard chauvinist shit won’t be written anymore.
It looks like worldwide peace, a mirage.
I won’t be long because you only have to read the very good reviews of Paula, Katie and other friends who rated one star to know what is wrong here.
I’ll try to add something different.
- yes, the story sucks. The hero and the heroine are divorced, he moved on when the ink on divorce paper was still wet and got pregnant the heroines nemesis. He gave his kid the name he was going to give to the child he and the heroine lost. Yes, that bad. Four years later after they accidentally meet again, he still is with ow that btw is a psycho bitch that nobody but his nasty ass like, and he keeps having very good sex with her for months before realizing she basically trapped him, blocked the heroine and even pretended to be him writing her some awful emails.
The heroine had been abused as a kid by her uncle and she had amnesia from the trauma, and couldn’t enjoy sex, so the hero got tired and bye, ciao, divorced her and went to ow.
The trauma is dealt abundantly and I guess the writer made some research, sadly I’m a therapist so it was all right except for the heroine behavior with the hero and ow.
She was angry and nasty with ow but she was never angry with him, even if everything he did was his fault and not ow. Ow only picked him up after his divorce when he was trying to sleep with everything that moved.
The focus should be that the hero failed immensely the heroine on all accounts.
- he wasn’t there when she needed him. He thought she was cold and she didn’t like sex. So instead of going to therapy he dumped her after seven years of marriage. Talking about forever, in sickness and health. FY hero
- he never tried to see how she was faring. She was depressed and had alcohol issues for some time while he had the time of his life. He never tried to see her and would never had tried had they not met accidentally at a restaurant. So he never shows he loved her or he cared her at all. Zero, nothing, zilch, nada. He moved on and never looked for her.
- he didn’t stop having sex and being with ow even after finding out she had messed his life in the past. This says a lot about him.
- He name the child he had with ow like his dead child with the heroine, how ugly is this.
So, to me, this hero should have disappeared as soon as we met him in the first chapter.
The whole thing, she is now well and wants to try having sex with someone, she gets friend with him again and wants to try with him is by my therapist pov, completely unacceptable and unlikely.
The same man who hurt her, left her struggling and had a kid with another woman is the one who now will reap her healed self. No way.
Never heard before such a bs.
Usually people who heal from this kind of trauma have a clean slate and meet new people who are not connected to the damage and trauma itself.
It’s normal, it’s safe. The fact that she blamed herself and her trauma for the hero’s giving up on her is simply awful and unacceptable and I disagree deeply with such a pov. You never blame a victim. Never. She is the one who has been abused and her husband contributed to her abuse when he had a kid with her nemesis and called him like their first child. And it’s his fault if the marriage failed, because he was not good enough to take care of his wife when she most needed him.
This is dangerous and wrong, like blaming someone for their depression or mental issue. They were married, in sickness and health. And he was not there.
So sorry, I don’t accept this.
Her behavior, being flirty, joking, laughing with her azz of an ex, sorry, in what planet?
There’s a second book where I suppose we have to see all the amazing sex they have thanks to ow teachings.
I think I just pass.
Why for once women can’t be treated with some respect and why do they always are unworthy of a new, faithful, strong man? This is also a wrong message to young women that reading this kind of bs think that they will have to settle with the first azzhole that looks their way and they should be thankful for him. The heroine and ow bickering and fighting over this poor piece of turd that is the hero was really pathetic and I felt second hand embarrassment like no other. She should have been happy to lose him, she dodged a bullet!
The fact that such a strong, abused woman was not actually able to move on emotionally by that useless jerk was in the end sad and depressing and made all her journey, her healing process, her changes, useless.
She’s a loser anyway in the end. And he’s the winner, who had the hot sex with a woman who’s basically a porn star, and gave him a kid, and now will have a woman who’s rich and successful and kind and will be a mum for his kid.
I wonder if it’s only me noticing the male chauvinism here…
It looks like worldwide peace, a mirage.
I won’t be long because you only have to read the very good reviews of Paula, Katie and other friends who rated one star to know what is wrong here.
I’ll try to add something different.
- yes, the story sucks. The hero and the heroine are divorced, he moved on when the ink on divorce paper was still wet and got pregnant the heroines nemesis. He gave his kid the name he was going to give to the child he and the heroine lost. Yes, that bad. Four years later after they accidentally meet again, he still is with ow that btw is a psycho bitch that nobody but his nasty ass like, and he keeps having very good sex with her for months before realizing she basically trapped him, blocked the heroine and even pretended to be him writing her some awful emails.
The heroine had been abused as a kid by her uncle and she had amnesia from the trauma, and couldn’t enjoy sex, so the hero got tired and bye, ciao, divorced her and went to ow.
The trauma is dealt abundantly and I guess the writer made some research, sadly I’m a therapist so it was all right except for the heroine behavior with the hero and ow.
She was angry and nasty with ow but she was never angry with him, even if everything he did was his fault and not ow. Ow only picked him up after his divorce when he was trying to sleep with everything that moved.
The focus should be that the hero failed immensely the heroine on all accounts.
- he wasn’t there when she needed him. He thought she was cold and she didn’t like sex. So instead of going to therapy he dumped her after seven years of marriage. Talking about forever, in sickness and health. FY hero
- he never tried to see how she was faring. She was depressed and had alcohol issues for some time while he had the time of his life. He never tried to see her and would never had tried had they not met accidentally at a restaurant. So he never shows he loved her or he cared her at all. Zero, nothing, zilch, nada. He moved on and never looked for her.
- he didn’t stop having sex and being with ow even after finding out she had messed his life in the past. This says a lot about him.
- He name the child he had with ow like his dead child with the heroine, how ugly is this.
So, to me, this hero should have disappeared as soon as we met him in the first chapter.
The whole thing, she is now well and wants to try having sex with someone, she gets friend with him again and wants to try with him is by my therapist pov, completely unacceptable and unlikely.
The same man who hurt her, left her struggling and had a kid with another woman is the one who now will reap her healed self. No way.
Never heard before such a bs.
Usually people who heal from this kind of trauma have a clean slate and meet new people who are not connected to the damage and trauma itself.
It’s normal, it’s safe. The fact that she blamed herself and her trauma for the hero’s giving up on her is simply awful and unacceptable and I disagree deeply with such a pov. You never blame a victim. Never. She is the one who has been abused and her husband contributed to her abuse when he had a kid with her nemesis and called him like their first child. And it’s his fault if the marriage failed, because he was not good enough to take care of his wife when she most needed him.
This is dangerous and wrong, like blaming someone for their depression or mental issue. They were married, in sickness and health. And he was not there.
So sorry, I don’t accept this.
Her behavior, being flirty, joking, laughing with her azz of an ex, sorry, in what planet?
There’s a second book where I suppose we have to see all the amazing sex they have thanks to ow teachings.
I think I just pass.
Why for once women can’t be treated with some respect and why do they always are unworthy of a new, faithful, strong man? This is also a wrong message to young women that reading this kind of bs think that they will have to settle with the first azzhole that looks their way and they should be thankful for him. The heroine and ow bickering and fighting over this poor piece of turd that is the hero was really pathetic and I felt second hand embarrassment like no other. She should have been happy to lose him, she dodged a bullet!
The fact that such a strong, abused woman was not actually able to move on emotionally by that useless jerk was in the end sad and depressing and made all her journey, her healing process, her changes, useless.
She’s a loser anyway in the end. And he’s the winner, who had the hot sex with a woman who’s basically a porn star, and gave him a kid, and now will have a woman who’s rich and successful and kind and will be a mum for his kid.
I wonder if it’s only me noticing the male chauvinism here…
July 11, 2024
Nope. Save your braincells.
November 22, 2025
I was attracted to this book because I really like second chance romance but especially between the MCs who were married and then divorced. Its like a full circle romance, complete when the exes get back together this is part 1 of the two part story so you wouldn't see a completion of the live story here.
Paige is in her early 30s ( I believeshe was 30), she married the love of her life David in her early 20s and they divorced 4 years later. 5 years after that she runs into David while she's on a first date with another man. Paige has issues with intimacy and hasn't been able to date until that moment.
She's finally discovered the root cause of her problem with intimacy, SA as a child by a family member that she repressed the memories.
She runs into David, who she had reached out to and evwn sent an advancec copy of her book about the abuse and finds our he is with a woman she hated and they have ac4 year old son. Worse yet during a confrontation with the woman she flthriws in Paiges face that the son has the same name as a baby she miscarried before the divorce.
Paige is enraged and the other woman trips her, making her fall and hit her head.
David feels awful and stays with Paige in the hospital. He offers for the girlfriend to pay for her hospital bill.
They don't reconnect for several months later but they both discover there's a rradob David never contacted Paige..he never got the message.
Paige and David slowly rebuild a friendship and Paige is hesitant for more but the only man she feels comfortable being woth is David.
I really didn't think David did enough to makeup to Paige the emotional trauma he caused Paige. He just up and left her due to her trauma. No therapy, nothing then he let the other woman manipulate him. I really hope to see more groveling in book 2 on David's part. Paige deserves a knight and David just wasn't that to her yet.
I thought the story was well written and captured my attention. Great amount of angst. There were some slow. Overdrawn parts sprinkled throughout.
Paige is in her early 30s ( I believeshe was 30), she married the love of her life David in her early 20s and they divorced 4 years later. 5 years after that she runs into David while she's on a first date with another man. Paige has issues with intimacy and hasn't been able to date until that moment.
She's finally discovered the root cause of her problem with intimacy, SA as a child by a family member that she repressed the memories.
She runs into David, who she had reached out to and evwn sent an advancec copy of her book about the abuse and finds our he is with a woman she hated and they have ac4 year old son. Worse yet during a confrontation with the woman she flthriws in Paiges face that the son has the same name as a baby she miscarried before the divorce.
Paige is enraged and the other woman trips her, making her fall and hit her head.
David feels awful and stays with Paige in the hospital. He offers for the girlfriend to pay for her hospital bill.
They don't reconnect for several months later but they both discover there's a rradob David never contacted Paige..he never got the message.
Paige and David slowly rebuild a friendship and Paige is hesitant for more but the only man she feels comfortable being woth is David.
I really didn't think David did enough to makeup to Paige the emotional trauma he caused Paige. He just up and left her due to her trauma. No therapy, nothing then he let the other woman manipulate him. I really hope to see more groveling in book 2 on David's part. Paige deserves a knight and David just wasn't that to her yet.
I thought the story was well written and captured my attention. Great amount of angst. There were some slow. Overdrawn parts sprinkled throughout.
July 1, 2024
5 stars and all the feels!
Oh wow, this book just rocked my world. An emotional, thoughtful and captivating read, I read it in a day, unable to put it down. An almost-second-chance romance and book #1 of a duet, this is an amazing read, and a fave for 2024.
Paige and David met in college, fell in love and married. They lived a happy life together… until they didn’t. Their divorce gutted them both, but it’s been five years and they’ve both moved on. Until a chance encounter brings them back into each other’s lives and raises unanswered questions which will change everything they thought they knew.
OMG, I love these two so much! Their love for each other just shines off the page, and the story switches between the present and moments from their pasts as we learn about their history and see them deal with the repercussions of coming back into each other’s lives in the present.
The story deals with some dark subject matter , as well as the emotional fallout of such a brutal topic. My heart broke over and over for Paige, her past trauma, its impact on her life and her and David’s marriage. But I also marvelled at her bravery and strength in dealing with it and fighting so hard to move past it. She is amazing! And David is absolutely beautiful as a man trying to understand what happened to his life, suddenly being there for the woman that he lost but still cares so deeply for, all while sorting out his own personal drama.
And even with all of the heavy, there are moments of fun and lightness, banter that had me laughing out loud, heart-clenching sweetness, and some beautiful swoon. This book had me feeling all of the emotions, and I loved it!
What struck me most about these characters is that they are so real! Their actions, their thoughts, their conversations and the way they handle everything that happens in the book is realistic and relatable, and it made me feel so much for them! Their respective best friends, Jules and Evan, are just as amazing and contribute so much to every scene they are in. This is a true character-driven story where every interaction had me captivated.
I confess, when I started, I wasn’t sure how this story was going to stretch over two books, but it’s written in such beautiful detail, and the pacing felt perfect. Rather than telling us what happens, Daniels shows us what happens, and we see every moment of snappy dialogue, every reaction, feel every moment along with them, and it pulled me right into the story. There wasn’t any time where I felt that it dragged or could have been cut down, I just dove in and got completely swept up.
The only issue I had with the book was the switching of POV, which takes place from paragraph to paragraph with no warning. It’s sometimes a little distracting, and there were times that I had to go back and reread a paragraph or two to figure out who was narrating. But it didn’t impact my love of the story.
This book is only part of Paige and David’s story, it sets up the next book beautifully, with David and Paige now back in each other’s lives, and David determined to win back the woman he loves, and let me tell you, I am SO here for it! I’m diving straight in!
5 huge stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
Oh wow, this book just rocked my world. An emotional, thoughtful and captivating read, I read it in a day, unable to put it down. An almost-second-chance romance and book #1 of a duet, this is an amazing read, and a fave for 2024.
Paige and David met in college, fell in love and married. They lived a happy life together… until they didn’t. Their divorce gutted them both, but it’s been five years and they’ve both moved on. Until a chance encounter brings them back into each other’s lives and raises unanswered questions which will change everything they thought they knew.
OMG, I love these two so much! Their love for each other just shines off the page, and the story switches between the present and moments from their pasts as we learn about their history and see them deal with the repercussions of coming back into each other’s lives in the present.
The story deals with some dark subject matter , as well as the emotional fallout of such a brutal topic. My heart broke over and over for Paige, her past trauma, its impact on her life and her and David’s marriage. But I also marvelled at her bravery and strength in dealing with it and fighting so hard to move past it. She is amazing! And David is absolutely beautiful as a man trying to understand what happened to his life, suddenly being there for the woman that he lost but still cares so deeply for, all while sorting out his own personal drama.
And even with all of the heavy, there are moments of fun and lightness, banter that had me laughing out loud, heart-clenching sweetness, and some beautiful swoon. This book had me feeling all of the emotions, and I loved it!
“I’ve regretted a lot of things in my life, but being your husband isn’t one of them. Our time together was the best part of my life.”
What struck me most about these characters is that they are so real! Their actions, their thoughts, their conversations and the way they handle everything that happens in the book is realistic and relatable, and it made me feel so much for them! Their respective best friends, Jules and Evan, are just as amazing and contribute so much to every scene they are in. This is a true character-driven story where every interaction had me captivated.
I confess, when I started, I wasn’t sure how this story was going to stretch over two books, but it’s written in such beautiful detail, and the pacing felt perfect. Rather than telling us what happens, Daniels shows us what happens, and we see every moment of snappy dialogue, every reaction, feel every moment along with them, and it pulled me right into the story. There wasn’t any time where I felt that it dragged or could have been cut down, I just dove in and got completely swept up.
The only issue I had with the book was the switching of POV, which takes place from paragraph to paragraph with no warning. It’s sometimes a little distracting, and there were times that I had to go back and reread a paragraph or two to figure out who was narrating. But it didn’t impact my love of the story.
This book is only part of Paige and David’s story, it sets up the next book beautifully, with David and Paige now back in each other’s lives, and David determined to win back the woman he loves, and let me tell you, I am SO here for it! I’m diving straight in!
5 huge stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
July 12, 2024
Pleasantly surprised by this, but definitely won't be for everyone. It's a bit slow, but I still enjoyed it. Check the trigger warnings because there's mention of sexual assault and molestation from a blood relative that goes into detail. Now the MMCs.. I liked Paige and she broke my heart. I'm still trying to warm up to David, but his actions after their divorce I've yet to understand which pisses me off. They divorce after 7 yrs instigated by David the husband. Because of Paige's traumatic past she's closed off and cold, but here's the kicker. She remembers nothing of her trauma. She just thinks she's emotionally stunted. But the part that pisses me the fuck off? He get's ow pregnant after only being divorced for 3 months. AND it's a woman that never liked Paige and showed throughout the main MMCs marriage. The author in this first book has yet to explain his actions because I'm not buying what she's selling yet. The worst though? Paige was pregnant and lost her child by miscarriage during their marriage and yet David decides to name his baby with the ow the same name Paige and him decided to name their son. Book 2 better convince me because I'm seriously not smoking what she's putting out. Now the catalyst to her starting to remember thing's in subconscious? Her damn divorce and H leaving her. It was a shit show he feels responsible for, but Paige convinces him that it needed to happen or she wouldn't have started to remember. There are specifics I won't get into her, but long story short. Paige is trying to get her sexuality back from yrs of therapy. Mentally and physically. In the end of this book Paige and David come to an agreement that she will use him only for sex, but the last line in the book says he's going to play the long game.
OW shenanigans... Ashley has always wanted David and showed it. David being the idiot he is never recognized her actions for what they were. She immediately seduced him. It's indicated she purposely got pregnant by lying about taking birth control. As Paige starts to remember and wants to involve David and explain thing's of why they didn't work out. Ashley stops every effort by pretending to be him through text when Paige contacts him. Mind you Paige has no idea they're together. Ashley then goes on to block Paige. She's manipulative and a bitch. Once the truth comes out about Ashley he get's rid of her, but they do have a child together so atm she's still in the picture. Anyways, overall this is pretty good. The writing is good as well BUT some may not like it because you're getting dual POV from everyone at the same time throughout the chapters. It's the old switcheroo of who's talking. It didn't bother me much. Last, but not least. This book is long. Almost 400 pages, but I don't see where she could have shortened it. Next book is 550+, so it's an investment if you're wanting to read it.
Oh I must mention when they all run into each after 4 yrs and the shock of it all. It was epic, but Paige ends up in the hospital with a concussion. So the timeline. Together for 7+ yrs. Separated for 4. Epic surprise meeting. Also on page sex scenes with ow
OW shenanigans... Ashley has always wanted David and showed it. David being the idiot he is never recognized her actions for what they were. She immediately seduced him. It's indicated she purposely got pregnant by lying about taking birth control. As Paige starts to remember and wants to involve David and explain thing's of why they didn't work out. Ashley stops every effort by pretending to be him through text when Paige contacts him. Mind you Paige has no idea they're together. Ashley then goes on to block Paige. She's manipulative and a bitch. Once the truth comes out about Ashley he get's rid of her, but they do have a child together so atm she's still in the picture. Anyways, overall this is pretty good. The writing is good as well BUT some may not like it because you're getting dual POV from everyone at the same time throughout the chapters. It's the old switcheroo of who's talking. It didn't bother me much. Last, but not least. This book is long. Almost 400 pages, but I don't see where she could have shortened it. Next book is 550+, so it's an investment if you're wanting to read it.
Oh I must mention when they all run into each after 4 yrs and the shock of it all. It was epic, but Paige ends up in the hospital with a concussion. So the timeline. Together for 7+ yrs. Separated for 4. Epic surprise meeting. Also on page sex scenes with ow
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
Reread in preparation for book 2 and I loved it just as much. Those moments at Benders just break my heart.
Someone posted this book on Facebook and it sounded interesting. I read the sample and had to finish it. Second chances are my favorite crack, throw in some OW Drama and I'm over the moon. This book does deal with a heavy subject matter, but it is dealt with in a thoughtful way. I really can't wait to read book two as I'm sure we haven't heard the last of A and P still needs to use D and I feel that is going to be epic.
Someone posted this book on Facebook and it sounded interesting. I read the sample and had to finish it. Second chances are my favorite crack, throw in some OW Drama and I'm over the moon. This book does deal with a heavy subject matter, but it is dealt with in a thoughtful way. I really can't wait to read book two as I'm sure we haven't heard the last of A and P still needs to use D and I feel that is going to be epic.
Read
July 16, 2024I'm not going to post a full review because Paula & Katie said it best here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My question is, WHY didn't the MCs talk about the bad sex when they were married? If she "disassociated during sex", they both had to know something was wrong, so why didn't neither one of them think to get help from a professional? Why go to divorce immediately and not fight for their marriage if they loved each other so much? Based on the little I read before DNF'g, this asshole was in it for the sex alone. He didn't care enough about his wife to see that something was wrong so he could get her the help she needed. He didn't care enough about the child he lost with heroine to honor and mourn him before replacing and forgetting him! He didn't care enough that OW was manipulating and lying to him constantly as long as she was satisfying his needs. He didn't even care after heroine told him her story and what she went through and how hurt she was with him moving on from her so quickly with the evil bitch and all the million other things he did to hurt her. Again, as long as either woman was satisfying his needs, he didn't care which one he ended up with.
Author even told us in the end with the conversation he had had with the oh-so-apologetic OW that he "thinks" it may have been heroine all along. He thinks? He doesn't know for sure when this convo is taking place years after he & heroine have remarried and supposedly happy? His answer should have been an absolutely yes to her question that it was always heroine for him and not that wishy-washy answer! And now they are all going to be besties after all the shit OW pulled and how awesome the sex he had with her? Oh Please!
And I'm sorry, what the hell was the thing with him going bare with both women? They told him they were on the pill and therefore he didn't have to wrap his dick up because he was too lazy? This grown ass man didn't know that just the pill alone is not 100% safe from pregnancy or diseases - especially as OW was going out at night partying and having a lot of sex with OM before they hooked up and possibly during? He never heard of STD and whatnot?
This one made me so mad because what part in both books was this a "Romance"? I know it's fiction but at the end of the day, we want that escapism and fictional HEA that one is promised when picking up a "romance".
This in no way can be anything other than a pile of garbage! Well done author! Bravo!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My question is, WHY didn't the MCs talk about the bad sex when they were married? If she "disassociated during sex", they both had to know something was wrong, so why didn't neither one of them think to get help from a professional? Why go to divorce immediately and not fight for their marriage if they loved each other so much? Based on the little I read before DNF'g, this asshole was in it for the sex alone. He didn't care enough about his wife to see that something was wrong so he could get her the help she needed. He didn't care enough about the child he lost with heroine to honor and mourn him before replacing and forgetting him! He didn't care enough that OW was manipulating and lying to him constantly as long as she was satisfying his needs. He didn't even care after heroine told him her story and what she went through and how hurt she was with him moving on from her so quickly with the evil bitch and all the million other things he did to hurt her. Again, as long as either woman was satisfying his needs, he didn't care which one he ended up with.
Author even told us in the end with the conversation he had had with the oh-so-apologetic OW that he "thinks" it may have been heroine all along. He thinks? He doesn't know for sure when this convo is taking place years after he & heroine have remarried and supposedly happy? His answer should have been an absolutely yes to her question that it was always heroine for him and not that wishy-washy answer! And now they are all going to be besties after all the shit OW pulled and how awesome the sex he had with her? Oh Please!
And I'm sorry, what the hell was the thing with him going bare with both women? They told him they were on the pill and therefore he didn't have to wrap his dick up because he was too lazy? This grown ass man didn't know that just the pill alone is not 100% safe from pregnancy or diseases - especially as OW was going out at night partying and having a lot of sex with OM before they hooked up and possibly during? He never heard of STD and whatnot?
This one made me so mad because what part in both books was this a "Romance"? I know it's fiction but at the end of the day, we want that escapism and fictional HEA that one is promised when picking up a "romance".
This in no way can be anything other than a pile of garbage! Well done author! Bravo!
May 26, 2024
It's rare that I become completely obsessed with a book by a brand new author, but here I am.
I. Am. Obsessed.
It was the cover that first caught my attention and the blurb had me one-clicking. My favorite trope is second chance and when it's a second chance at a failed marriage? I'm all in. Oh, and texting is one of my favorite things in books, and guess what? It has that too.
Paige and David were married for seven years, but it's been 4-1/2 years since they divorced. David has moved on, but it's been harder for Paige. Now, that she's finally ready to try, David realizes that the reason that he thought their marriage failed wasn't really the reason at all. Could it be possible to get back what he lost? David is determined to find out.
Now, I will start off by saying that there are some serious issues in this book that could be triggering for some readers, so please read with caution. Aside from that, there will also be parts of this book that probably won't be liked by some readers. There were parts of this story that I didn't like, but only because I didn't want them to happen. I didn't want them to be true. I was afraid of how those things would affect the outcome. For the sake of the story though, I felt that those things only made the situation seem more realistic. They didn't make me happy though.
So many times, I thought that this story was headed in a direction that it didn't go and I was relieved that it didn't. Other times, I found myself holding my breath hoping that something wouldn't happen only to curse under my breath when it did. I felt everything with this book. All of the heartbreak and disappointment, the frustrations and fears. What really got to me the most though? The love between Paige and David. It's still there and it's beautiful. I can't wait to see how their new relationship grows, because yes, this is just the first half of their story. Don't worry though, you can totally read this one now! Yes, it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's a good one. It's a HEA for now, and although I'm anxiously awaiting the conclusion, I am content with where we're at.
This book will definitely be one of my top reads of this year. Only down side here is that this is a debut novel. I didn't know that and was getting ready to add every one of this author's books to my TBR, but sadly, there are no more. So, I'll just be sitting here waiting for part 2 of Paige and David's story.
I. Am. Obsessed.
It was the cover that first caught my attention and the blurb had me one-clicking. My favorite trope is second chance and when it's a second chance at a failed marriage? I'm all in. Oh, and texting is one of my favorite things in books, and guess what? It has that too.
Paige and David were married for seven years, but it's been 4-1/2 years since they divorced. David has moved on, but it's been harder for Paige. Now, that she's finally ready to try, David realizes that the reason that he thought their marriage failed wasn't really the reason at all. Could it be possible to get back what he lost? David is determined to find out.
Now, I will start off by saying that there are some serious issues in this book that could be triggering for some readers, so please read with caution. Aside from that, there will also be parts of this book that probably won't be liked by some readers. There were parts of this story that I didn't like, but only because I didn't want them to happen. I didn't want them to be true. I was afraid of how those things would affect the outcome. For the sake of the story though, I felt that those things only made the situation seem more realistic. They didn't make me happy though.
So many times, I thought that this story was headed in a direction that it didn't go and I was relieved that it didn't. Other times, I found myself holding my breath hoping that something wouldn't happen only to curse under my breath when it did. I felt everything with this book. All of the heartbreak and disappointment, the frustrations and fears. What really got to me the most though? The love between Paige and David. It's still there and it's beautiful. I can't wait to see how their new relationship grows, because yes, this is just the first half of their story. Don't worry though, you can totally read this one now! Yes, it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's a good one. It's a HEA for now, and although I'm anxiously awaiting the conclusion, I am content with where we're at.
This book will definitely be one of my top reads of this year. Only down side here is that this is a debut novel. I didn't know that and was getting ready to add every one of this author's books to my TBR, but sadly, there are no more. So, I'll just be sitting here waiting for part 2 of Paige and David's story.
January 15, 2025
So I was stalking one of my GR friends shelves, as one does, and I found this gem.
My fellow angsty bitches, if you have not read this gem unearthed for us by Dani, you still have time to rectify that.
My fellow angsty bitches, if you have not read this gem unearthed for us by Dani, you still have time to rectify that.
Read
September 27, 2025DNFI tried to start this but I am so burned out on long winded trilogies and duets right now… maybe I’ll try again later. I wish authors would go back to the good e days and write one book instead of dragging it out.
not-my-thing
November 1, 2024I have better things to do than to read about a man who can't be bothered finding out what is going on with his wife so he divorces her so he can live his best life with another woman who can actually have his kid (his ex-wife miscarried their baby).
Even better is that this author decides the best outcome would be for his ex-wife (who is the heroine) to take him back after he has had his fill of the other like it's no big deal. oh, and of course the ex-wife never moved on from him. let's not even go there with him giving the kid he has with OW the same name as the baby he had with the heroine (the one she miscarried).
Yeah nah.
No one has time for this bullshit 🙄
Even better is that this author decides the best outcome would be for his ex-wife (who is the heroine) to take him back after he has had his fill of the other like it's no big deal. oh, and of course the ex-wife never moved on from him. let's not even go there with him giving the kid he has with OW the same name as the baby he had with the heroine (the one she miscarried).
Yeah nah.
No one has time for this bullshit 🙄
June 30, 2024
Funny how the brain works. For some people the brain keeps bad things at the fore front and for others it blocks it out completely until something happens in your life that triggers it to return. Paige meets her soul mate while in college out at a bar one night. She is quiet and sometimes shy, and believes that she is a virgin. David attends the same college and is a good guy. They marry out of college, but sometimes love just isn't enough to keep you together. After 7 years of marriage and a miscarriage, Paige's memory decides that it is time to bring her traumas to the surface. David loves Paige more than anything and doesn't want to have to make this decision but see's no way around. From the beginning David felt like Paige had some disconnect but overlooked it because he loved her, but after the miscarriage, Paige's disconnect is far worse. She just looks empty inside, so he decides a separation is best. It breaks both of their hearts. Paige later learns a lot about herself through therapy and works through all the traumas. About 4 1/2 years later Paige and David reconnect, not in the best manner. As David learns more about Paige's life between the divorce and the run in, he is stunned and so heart broken over it. He learns things about his childs mother in the process and ends things with her.
This book spoke to me in so many ways. I can relate through some of her traumas. It definitely was a trigger and took me back in time but it was good for me to read. And yes, I know this is a book, but honestly some of the methods that were used for Paige were things that I plan to try. D.E. Daniel has won me over with this book.
This book spoke to me in so many ways. I can relate through some of her traumas. It definitely was a trigger and took me back in time but it was good for me to read. And yes, I know this is a book, but honestly some of the methods that were used for Paige were things that I plan to try. D.E. Daniel has won me over with this book.
May 21, 2024
This book is not your typical feel-good romance that fills you with warm, fuzzy feelings, nor is it a dark romance that pushes boundaries in extreme ways. Instead, D.E. Daniel takes readers on an intense emotional journey that feels like a rollercoaster through hell and back. It's the first part of a duet that will tug at your heartstrings on multiple levels, compelling you to stay open-minded, forgiving, and empathetic through-out!
At its core, the story is a second chance romance, but before reaching that second chance, you need to understand why things didn't work out initially. This central theme drives the entire story, making it a compelling read that is well worth adjusting your expectations for.
The plot follows David and Paige as they confront significant life changes and the complexities of their romantic and familial relationships. Once believing they were meant to be together, Paige and David are left with the shatters of their marriage. Five years after their divorce, they meet again by chance, confronting questions and revelations that could change their lives forever. The book is rich with emotional conflict and heartfelt connections, showcasing the complexities of love, loss, and the transformative power of pivotal moments in life.
Paige's journey is particularly poignant. She strives to reconcile with her past, finding clarity amid uncertainty and despair. Themes of healing, personal strength, and discovery are woven throughout her story. Paige is portrayed as an intelligent and strong-willed woman, dealing with her own challenges and emotional baggage. Her story is deeply touching, making you root for her every step of the way.
David, on the other hand, is a more complex character. While he seems like a nice guy (he probably is…damn, I know he is), there are aspects of his behavior that are frustrating and challenging to forgive (for Paige and for me!). The author’s ability to evoke such strong feelings towards a fictional character speaks volumes about Daniel's writing prowess. The characters feel real, and their struggles resonate deeply, even if you haven't experienced something similar.
Despite its strengths, there are a few issues that keep this book from being a full five-star read. I wish Daniel had provided more insights into David and Paige's married life, showing rather than telling, to help readers fully understand David's decisions. While I understand some aspects of their relationship, I still struggle to fully grasp why David acted as he did. If the recurring theme (no spoilers here!) is the only reason, it’s not enough to earn my forgiveness (that's how invested I am in their story). Additionally, I needed more introspection from David because it felt like Paige was bearing all the blame while he got off too easily. A marriage involves two people, and I need to be convinced that he actually fought for it. I'm also not entirely satisfied with their current arrangement because I still don’t trust David (sorry, not sorry) but also feel like it was a tad too simple.
In summary, while there are some aspects that I desperately need to see in the second book, “The Moment You Know” is a gripping and emotional read. It’s a testament to D.E. Daniel's skill that I’m eagerly anticipating the next book to see how David and Paige’s story concludes. Well done, D.E. Daniel—this book is truly a page-turner! 4.25 🌟
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving the ARC didn't affect my opinion of the book.
At its core, the story is a second chance romance, but before reaching that second chance, you need to understand why things didn't work out initially. This central theme drives the entire story, making it a compelling read that is well worth adjusting your expectations for.
The plot follows David and Paige as they confront significant life changes and the complexities of their romantic and familial relationships. Once believing they were meant to be together, Paige and David are left with the shatters of their marriage. Five years after their divorce, they meet again by chance, confronting questions and revelations that could change their lives forever. The book is rich with emotional conflict and heartfelt connections, showcasing the complexities of love, loss, and the transformative power of pivotal moments in life.
Paige's journey is particularly poignant. She strives to reconcile with her past, finding clarity amid uncertainty and despair. Themes of healing, personal strength, and discovery are woven throughout her story. Paige is portrayed as an intelligent and strong-willed woman, dealing with her own challenges and emotional baggage. Her story is deeply touching, making you root for her every step of the way.
David, on the other hand, is a more complex character. While he seems like a nice guy (he probably is…damn, I know he is), there are aspects of his behavior that are frustrating and challenging to forgive (for Paige and for me!). The author’s ability to evoke such strong feelings towards a fictional character speaks volumes about Daniel's writing prowess. The characters feel real, and their struggles resonate deeply, even if you haven't experienced something similar.
Despite its strengths, there are a few issues that keep this book from being a full five-star read. I wish Daniel had provided more insights into David and Paige's married life, showing rather than telling, to help readers fully understand David's decisions. While I understand some aspects of their relationship, I still struggle to fully grasp why David acted as he did. If the recurring theme (no spoilers here!) is the only reason, it’s not enough to earn my forgiveness (that's how invested I am in their story). Additionally, I needed more introspection from David because it felt like Paige was bearing all the blame while he got off too easily. A marriage involves two people, and I need to be convinced that he actually fought for it. I'm also not entirely satisfied with their current arrangement because I still don’t trust David (sorry, not sorry) but also feel like it was a tad too simple.
In summary, while there are some aspects that I desperately need to see in the second book, “The Moment You Know” is a gripping and emotional read. It’s a testament to D.E. Daniel's skill that I’m eagerly anticipating the next book to see how David and Paige’s story concludes. Well done, D.E. Daniel—this book is truly a page-turner! 4.25 🌟
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving the ARC didn't affect my opinion of the book.
April 13, 2025
I went into this book with low expectations after reading some of the reviews, and unfortunately, it still managed to disappoint in several ways.
The story centers around Paige and David, a couple married for seven years. One day, after a distant and emotionless encounter, David asks for a divorce. Paige is cold and disconnected, especially during intimacy, but instead of trying to understand why, David simply walks away.
Fast forward five years—Paige is in therapy and finally confronting repressed trauma from years of childhood abuse by her uncle. She’s done a lot of healing but hasn’t moved on romantically. On a promising first date, she bumps into David and his new girlfriend, Ashley, who just so happens to be his assistant. We learn that David started sleeping with Ashley just six months after the divorce, and they now have a three-year-old son named Jacob—the name David and Paige had picked out for their own baby before Paige miscarried. That alone was infuriating.
Ashley, by the way, is written as completely vile. During the encounter, she goes out of her way to rub everything in Paige’s face, then “accidentally” pushes her down the stairs. In the hospital, Paige’s amazing best friend shows up and gives David the verbal lashing he so desperately needed.
As the story unfolds, we find out Paige had written a book about her trauma and sent it to David—but Ashley had been intercepting messages and emails all along, essentially blocking any communication. Despite this, David stays with Ashley—even after suspecting she pushed Paige down the stairs. Even after knowing she sabotaged their chance to reconnect. He only leaves her once the truth is undeniable, but even then, he had continued sleeping with Ashley after everything. Gross.
Eventually, Paige and David begin speaking again, and she opens up about her past. She mentions working through her sexuality and healing process—and David volunteers himself to help, leading them to end the book as “friends with benefits.” Somehow, we’re supposed to believe this is growth?
By the end, I was left thinking: David is a complete idiot. If he loved Paige so much, why didn’t he try therapy? Why didn’t he ask what was wrong? He saw the signs—he just chose to walk away and move on quickly. His love felt shallow and selfish.
Will I read the second book? Yes. Am I expecting greatness? Absolutely not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2024
I could not put this down !
The story of Paige and David, this story could belong to anyone really, the story of love, friendship, betrayal, grief and loss.
Paige and David have not seen each other in 5 years, not since they walked away from each other the day their divorce was final. The day that broke them both. A chance run in leaves them both with unanswered questions and a concussion! Questions that will change both of their lives forever, because the answers are devastating and brutal. This book deals with very extremely heavy subjects but shows the journey to recovery.
This is so well written, Paige and Davids characters could so easily be my new best friends, even their besties Jules and Evan [Dick] can be in my gang. Even dealing with heavy topics, this book still delivered fantastic banter between all characters, if a read makes me want to throat punch an A-HOLE character, then the author has done their job.
I seriously cannot wait for part 2 of Paige and David's story, THANK YOU D.E Daniel for the privilege in reading this ARC, I can honestly say, that this is not my usual kind of story, but I'm so happy I gave it a chance.
The story of Paige and David, this story could belong to anyone really, the story of love, friendship, betrayal, grief and loss.
Paige and David have not seen each other in 5 years, not since they walked away from each other the day their divorce was final. The day that broke them both. A chance run in leaves them both with unanswered questions and a concussion! Questions that will change both of their lives forever, because the answers are devastating and brutal. This book deals with very extremely heavy subjects but shows the journey to recovery.
This is so well written, Paige and Davids characters could so easily be my new best friends, even their besties Jules and Evan [Dick] can be in my gang. Even dealing with heavy topics, this book still delivered fantastic banter between all characters, if a read makes me want to throat punch an A-HOLE character, then the author has done their job.
I seriously cannot wait for part 2 of Paige and David's story, THANK YOU D.E Daniel for the privilege in reading this ARC, I can honestly say, that this is not my usual kind of story, but I'm so happy I gave it a chance.
July 20, 2024
Read this book and join the club of women who “carry around books with ripped, bare-chested men on the cover” (p. 299)!
That’s just one of the lines that had me laughing throughout The Moment You Know, which was not something I expected to do after ruining the cover with drool. Somehow Daniel managed to write a spicy romance that has humor, but also dark truths. It then comforts you after making you uncomfortable, and makes you believe in these characters that face unbelievable situations. Books and movies usually give you the story up to the honeymoon, and what I loved about The Moment You Know is that Daniel tells the story of when **** gets real. And real relationships take a lot of work. But nothing is as important as personal growth, and that’s what the main theme is to me.
It doesn’t take long to become invested into book one of this “duet,” because it’s a fascinating story about the healing process. I got so much out of book one that I think it was a really smart choice by Daniel to make this a two-book process, and I can’t wait to start reading the next one!
That’s just one of the lines that had me laughing throughout The Moment You Know, which was not something I expected to do after ruining the cover with drool. Somehow Daniel managed to write a spicy romance that has humor, but also dark truths. It then comforts you after making you uncomfortable, and makes you believe in these characters that face unbelievable situations. Books and movies usually give you the story up to the honeymoon, and what I loved about The Moment You Know is that Daniel tells the story of when **** gets real. And real relationships take a lot of work. But nothing is as important as personal growth, and that’s what the main theme is to me.
It doesn’t take long to become invested into book one of this “duet,” because it’s a fascinating story about the healing process. I got so much out of book one that I think it was a really smart choice by Daniel to make this a two-book process, and I can’t wait to start reading the next one!
June 29, 2024
D.E. Daniel’s debut novel is a hit! I went into this book completely blind. I knew nothing more than this was a new author for me with a brand new book to read. I am so glad that I took the opportunity to read this one because I am not disappointed.
Main characters Paige and David are people who meet during college, marry and then divorce. All of this information is brought up quickly in the beginning of the book. It’s the pages that follow that have acquired a place in my heart. Some subject material is dark and all too real at times and details are given but not thrown in one’s face. The fine line in which Ms. Daniel shares this information is exceptional. She gives the reader enough facts to make her point but not too many that overshadow other aspects of the story. She doesn’t just present her characters with problems but arms them with solutions throughout. These are long term “work-in-progress” solutions that are hard earned but none the less they are there. There are also some of the funniest conversations with witty banter between the characters that will make one laugh out loud. These help to balance out the darker situations in the book. This is Book 1 of a duet and, even though it has somewhat of a HFN ending, it’s definitely not tied up with a pretty little ribbon. A second chance at love and happiness is on the precipice and I can’t wait to read the next book and discover if these characters fall or fly!!
Main characters Paige and David are people who meet during college, marry and then divorce. All of this information is brought up quickly in the beginning of the book. It’s the pages that follow that have acquired a place in my heart. Some subject material is dark and all too real at times and details are given but not thrown in one’s face. The fine line in which Ms. Daniel shares this information is exceptional. She gives the reader enough facts to make her point but not too many that overshadow other aspects of the story. She doesn’t just present her characters with problems but arms them with solutions throughout. These are long term “work-in-progress” solutions that are hard earned but none the less they are there. There are also some of the funniest conversations with witty banter between the characters that will make one laugh out loud. These help to balance out the darker situations in the book. This is Book 1 of a duet and, even though it has somewhat of a HFN ending, it’s definitely not tied up with a pretty little ribbon. A second chance at love and happiness is on the precipice and I can’t wait to read the next book and discover if these characters fall or fly!!
July 8, 2024
The way I became obsessed with this book by a new author I loved it I’m over here having all different emotions in they were amazing omg I have my first quote when he said “You know, there are times when you’re the person I remember. And then, there are times when you’re … not.” I felt that in my heart and I highly recommend others to read it and thank you for giving me the opportunity with your masterpiece.
July 11, 2024
Why haven't I heard of this author?
Great story and great characters.
Ashley was a great villianess.
I look forward to more of the author!!
Great story and great characters.
Ashley was a great villianess.
I look forward to more of the author!!
December 16, 2024
This is one of those books that will stick with me I think. The plot of this book is so original. When you read so many books, plot lines get reused all of the time. This one, I don’t think I have ever read anything like it.
This is a second chance story. The fmc and the mmc were married for 7 years and then got divorced. It throws you into the story 4ish years after the divorce. This book is emotional. You will feel with the characters. The fmc has been through some trauma and she has come out stronger than ever and she’s trying to live her life and move past the hold those traumas had on her.
I loved all of the main characters and the side characters were fun. The way the story was told kept me interested. I wanted to know more and more.
It would have been 5 stars but at times it felt a little slow.
I still highly recommend this book
This is a second chance story. The fmc and the mmc were married for 7 years and then got divorced. It throws you into the story 4ish years after the divorce. This book is emotional. You will feel with the characters. The fmc has been through some trauma and she has come out stronger than ever and she’s trying to live her life and move past the hold those traumas had on her.
I loved all of the main characters and the side characters were fun. The way the story was told kept me interested. I wanted to know more and more.
It would have been 5 stars but at times it felt a little slow.
I still highly recommend this book
June 29, 2024
This is a fantastic read! 5 stars are not enough for this incredible debut novel by D.E. Daniel. She has created characters you will love and be rooting for from the get-go and she deals with some sensitive subject matter here with grace and sensitivity. There is also some very cute banter between this couple that will put a smile on your face. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book.
January 4, 2025
Synopsis:
This is the story of Paige and David. We are able to see how their love story started and how it ended; in divorce. They both believed they were the reason their marriage failed but they never expected it to be something that happened years ago. Over 4 years after their divorce, they come face to face again. David is in a relationship and he has a child. Paige has become a confident and sassy woman who commands the room. After that night though everything changed.
Review:
Wow, I don’t even know where to start. D.E. Daniel did an amazing job writing about such a delicate subject. Being a sexual assault survivor myself, I connected with Paige on a deep level. Reading about her journey through the process of therapy was empowering. She made me feel not alone with the struggles that I went through. I had so many emotions while reading this book. I crying for Paige and feeling that deep connection and so mad at David but as the book goes on I’m cracking up at the banter between the two. I cannot wait to read part 2 of Paige and David’s story! Thank you so much D.E Daniel and Grey Promotions for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This is the story of Paige and David. We are able to see how their love story started and how it ended; in divorce. They both believed they were the reason their marriage failed but they never expected it to be something that happened years ago. Over 4 years after their divorce, they come face to face again. David is in a relationship and he has a child. Paige has become a confident and sassy woman who commands the room. After that night though everything changed.
Review:
Wow, I don’t even know where to start. D.E. Daniel did an amazing job writing about such a delicate subject. Being a sexual assault survivor myself, I connected with Paige on a deep level. Reading about her journey through the process of therapy was empowering. She made me feel not alone with the struggles that I went through. I had so many emotions while reading this book. I crying for Paige and feeling that deep connection and so mad at David but as the book goes on I’m cracking up at the banter between the two. I cannot wait to read part 2 of Paige and David’s story! Thank you so much D.E Daniel and Grey Promotions for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
June 5, 2024
I loved this book from the first word. The backstory was heartbreaking on its own, but David's handling of things after the divorce unknowingly made it worse. I felt for him, but my heart was shattered for Paige. Ashley was a villain I loved to hate, and I was really torn. David wouldn't have been a good guy, a good hero, if he had treated her badly, but I really wanted him to! LOL.
He was a good dad, and he did everything he could to make things up to Paige. I liked that he didn't act like a martyr, like it was all his fault. It wasn't. He would have made other choices if Paige had told him the truth. Not that I blame her--she wasn't capable of it then. That's what I love about this story. Like real life, everybody managed the best they could at the moment, but they did better when they knew better. (My favorite Maya Angelou quote.)
Getting that second chance was a hard fight, but they did it! I don't know if I ever cheered for a couple as much as I did David and Paige. I was totally invested in their HEA.
I absolutely recommend this book with no hesitation. It will definitely be one of my top 2024 reads. If you haven't tried it yet, get to it! You won't be sorry.
He was a good dad, and he did everything he could to make things up to Paige. I liked that he didn't act like a martyr, like it was all his fault. It wasn't. He would have made other choices if Paige had told him the truth. Not that I blame her--she wasn't capable of it then. That's what I love about this story. Like real life, everybody managed the best they could at the moment, but they did better when they knew better. (My favorite Maya Angelou quote.)
Getting that second chance was a hard fight, but they did it! I don't know if I ever cheered for a couple as much as I did David and Paige. I was totally invested in their HEA.
I absolutely recommend this book with no hesitation. It will definitely be one of my top 2024 reads. If you haven't tried it yet, get to it! You won't be sorry.
December 24, 2024
all these 4-5 star reviews are lies
Let me start this review off with almost halfway through the book chapter 27 (spoilers ahead) to be exact the mmc David is still having sex with his girlfriend who is not the fmc. His character was unredeemable the moment early in the book readers find out he started seeing that ow a couple months after the divorce. Not only that he used the name him and his ex wife Paige the fmc planned out before she had a miscarriage. Seriously yuck I cried for her imagine finding out your ex took your unborn baby’s name for his baby with ow. And I’m not a women hater I’m a proud feminist but this ow was just as gross as the mmc. Also the mmc is pro life even more nasty authors let’s start writing about actual secure men who also support women’s choices. My heart broke for Paige and her childhood sa and how she overcame it would’ve liked someone else to end up with her she deserved better than David
Let me start this review off with almost halfway through the book chapter 27 (spoilers ahead) to be exact the mmc David is still having sex with his girlfriend who is not the fmc. His character was unredeemable the moment early in the book readers find out he started seeing that ow a couple months after the divorce. Not only that he used the name him and his ex wife Paige the fmc planned out before she had a miscarriage. Seriously yuck I cried for her imagine finding out your ex took your unborn baby’s name for his baby with ow. And I’m not a women hater I’m a proud feminist but this ow was just as gross as the mmc. Also the mmc is pro life even more nasty authors let’s start writing about actual secure men who also support women’s choices. My heart broke for Paige and her childhood sa and how she overcame it would’ve liked someone else to end up with her she deserved better than David
May 27, 2024
“And what if you found out your marriage failed because of something that happened years before you even met your wife in that college bar and fell in love with her?”
So many moments that left me dying to read what happens next. It was a great pallet cleans book.
So many moments that left me dying to read what happens next. It was a great pallet cleans book.
June 15, 2024
A great read that was highly satisfying! This book deals with a very serious issue that impacts one in five women while keeping things light and enjoyable with some great hot scenes woven in. I’m a heterosexual male (and in my 50s) and while this isn’t my typical read I really enjoyed this and… so did the wife as we enjoyed it together in many ways (if you catch my drift).
I’m (we are) looking forward to the release of the next part of this duet.
Thanks D.E. Daniel!
I’m (we are) looking forward to the release of the next part of this duet.
Thanks D.E. Daniel!
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