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Without You Here
After fighting with her boyfriend, Ettie’s only goal is to drown her sorrows in some Jack Daniels. But when she walks into a country tavern, her attention is immediately redirected to the sexy, older man at the bar. He looks lonely, and sad, and absolutely mouth-watering. Ettie can’t wait to put a smile on his face.
For the first time in two years, Wyatt finds himself jolted out of his grief—and by a spunky, vivacious young woman who somehow sees right into his soul. What follows is a passionate weekend full of more life, laughter, and pure joy than he experienced in twenty years of marriage.
Wyatt thought one weekend was all he had to give, yet in the days that follow, he can’t help dreaming up a future with Ettie. And then a chance meeting shatters his hopes, leaving him more lost than ever. Now Ettie must decide whether to walk away, or to fight for the love she knows they both deserve.
Without You Here is the sexy, heartwarming story of overcoming grief, embracing love, and learning to live in the moment.
For the first time in two years, Wyatt finds himself jolted out of his grief—and by a spunky, vivacious young woman who somehow sees right into his soul. What follows is a passionate weekend full of more life, laughter, and pure joy than he experienced in twenty years of marriage.
Wyatt thought one weekend was all he had to give, yet in the days that follow, he can’t help dreaming up a future with Ettie. And then a chance meeting shatters his hopes, leaving him more lost than ever. Now Ettie must decide whether to walk away, or to fight for the love she knows they both deserve.
Without You Here is the sexy, heartwarming story of overcoming grief, embracing love, and learning to live in the moment.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
78 people are currently reading
1676 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 9, 2014
*ARC received by Netgalley*
Genre: Contemporary Romance – Love triangle
Cover: 6/10
Writing: 6/10
Heroine: 8/10
Hero: 8/10
Humour: 3/10
Hotness: 4/10
Romance: 8/10
Extra book Details: Stand alone Heroine POV; 1st person and 3 other POV's; 3rd person. Approx 260 kindle pages.
After spitting up with her boyfriend Blake for the umpteenth time, soon-to-graduating Ettie randomly stops at a bar only to find the handsome 42 year old farmer/cowboy Wyatt.
After spending an almost magical weekend together, Wyatt rejects Ettie because he can't control the grief he feels for his deceased wife. They seperate and have to face the real world.
But when Wyatt and Ettie find out they have Blake in common, things go a little awry.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I really loved Ettie. Ettie's mother suffered from extreme paranoia and she trapped her at home, homeschooled her. She never got to experience a lot of things. It made her very endearing, life loving, fun, adventurous and child-like, much to Blake's dismay.
A lot of the book is overwhelming with Wyatt's catastrophic grief. He was literally paralysed with it.
Yep, Ettie's a feisty one too. I had a girl crush on her.
I wanted more backstory on Ettie, the story only lightly touched the surface on what she went through, and never really told us of the horrible encounters that it hinted at. The writing was good, not great. No mistakes that I noticed, and lots of depth, but it needed to be a little less simplistic.
Wyatt was pretty lovely too. He felt too much and was so lost. My heart went out to him.
Lovable characters, a story that made me feel and the love-triangle, made me give 'Without You Here' 4 solid stars.
“I'm just lonely. And you looked lonely, too. So here I am.”
Genre: Contemporary Romance – Love triangle
Cover: 6/10
Writing: 6/10
Heroine: 8/10
Hero: 8/10
Humour: 3/10
Hotness: 4/10
Romance: 8/10
Extra book Details: Stand alone Heroine POV; 1st person and 3 other POV's; 3rd person. Approx 260 kindle pages.
After spitting up with her boyfriend Blake for the umpteenth time, soon-to-graduating Ettie randomly stops at a bar only to find the handsome 42 year old farmer/cowboy Wyatt.
'Here he was, grown up, no wife, a son who was old enough to take care of himself... and fun had landed in his lap.'
After spending an almost magical weekend together, Wyatt rejects Ettie because he can't control the grief he feels for his deceased wife. They seperate and have to face the real world.
But when Wyatt and Ettie find out they have Blake in common, things go a little awry.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I really loved Ettie. Ettie's mother suffered from extreme paranoia and she trapped her at home, homeschooled her. She never got to experience a lot of things. It made her very endearing, life loving, fun, adventurous and child-like, much to Blake's dismay.
A lot of the book is overwhelming with Wyatt's catastrophic grief. He was literally paralysed with it.
“Why can't you just take what I have to give?”
I jumped to my feet. “Because I'm twenty-two years old and I deserve to have a man all to myself. I deserve to have everything I want out of a relationship. So like I said, fuck you Wyatt!”
Yep, Ettie's a feisty one too. I had a girl crush on her.
I wanted more backstory on Ettie, the story only lightly touched the surface on what she went through, and never really told us of the horrible encounters that it hinted at. The writing was good, not great. No mistakes that I noticed, and lots of depth, but it needed to be a little less simplistic.
Wyatt was pretty lovely too. He felt too much and was so lost. My heart went out to him.
'It hit me just how far out of my reach this guy was. If he'd spent his whole life with this woman, if he never existed in a world where she wasn't part of him, then who was he?'
Lovable characters, a story that made me feel and the love-triangle, made me give 'Without You Here' 4 solid stars.
September 9, 2014
This book was amazing! Wyatt has been struggling with the death of his wife. For the last two years, he's been in misery and barely living. He's 42 years old and has only ever even kissed his wife. He's devoted to her even in death. 22 year old Ettie stops at a bar after having another breakup with her boyfriend and meets Wyatt. The chemistry between these two was pretty amazing and as a reader it gave me butterflies. I adored both these characters, they were so well written that you can really feel their emotions while reading. This book was so much more than just a love story. It's a story of dealing with depression, overcoming loss and also forgiveness. There is also some pretty hot sexy scenes. This is angsty but worth it. I really loved this book, it took me by surprise and I really look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
October 16, 2014
DNF 25%
Hummm... I'm not sure what went wrong with this book... Oh, wait, yeah, it's coming back to me : the urge to kill every character very slowly and very painfully.
I just IMMENSELY disliked both main characters so I guess that's what kept me from enjoying the storyline. The "hero" wasn't much of a hero, just a 40ish, kind of douche-bag widower who didn't know what he wanted and was sometimes borderline pathetic. The heroine's thoughts were SO ANNOYING, I wish she was real so I could slap some intelligence into her.
And as far as their love story is concerned...
Hummm... I'm not sure what went wrong with this book... Oh, wait, yeah, it's coming back to me : the urge to kill every character very slowly and very painfully.
I just IMMENSELY disliked both main characters so I guess that's what kept me from enjoying the storyline. The "hero" wasn't much of a hero, just a 40ish, kind of douche-bag widower who didn't know what he wanted and was sometimes borderline pathetic. The heroine's thoughts were SO ANNOYING, I wish she was real so I could slap some intelligence into her.
And as far as their love story is concerned...
March 24, 2015
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Did I like this book?
Yes, I truly did, and I'm still surprised by exactly how much! I was expecting a light romantic read here, but what I got was so much more than that. At the risk of sounding like a big fromage head, this novel touched me deeply at times, pulling me right into the lives of Ettie and Wyatt and rooting for them from the first page.
At first, I was a little annoyed with Wyatt because of how intensely he was hanging onto his wife's memory. Then I was annoyed with Amberlee, Wyatt's dead wife! She knew she was dying, and still she left him a list of things to keep up with after her death! And not important things like, "Make sure our son eats all his veggies and gets into a good college" but dumb stuff like, "Water my violets". Wyatt is so busy trying to keep up with Amberlee's list of demands that he can't move on with his life, and isn't that what you would want for your spouse? For them to find happiness in whatever form it takes? I know that's what I would want.
Anyway, as the book progressed, I really came to adore Wyatt! I loved how he could just let loose and have fun with Ettie, and I loved how he treated her, especially in comparison with her ex. Wyatt turned out to be a pretty fantastic guy, despite all the initial drama.
Ettie, on the other hand, could have been more fully developed. She is socially awkward and somewhat naive, and while we are given a brief explanation into why she is the way she is, it didn't seem like enough. I did enjoy her character, though. She has a hilarious case of foot-in-mouth disease, and she's certainly no pushover!
Will you like this book?
I think if you're looking for something a little bit different in the romance department, you will probably enjoy "Without You Here". With Wyatt being a full twenty years older than Ettie, there is a unique dynamic that I haven't read before. I should warn you, there is an element of insta-lust, so if that type of thing bothers you, you might want to steer clear. I will say that in this case, at least for me, the initial attraction between Ettie and Wyatt seemed to work.
Will I read more by this author?
Absolutely! I think Carter Ashby has an interesting style, and I'm looking forward to reading more from her!
My rating: 3.5 stars!
Did I like this book?
Yes, I truly did, and I'm still surprised by exactly how much! I was expecting a light romantic read here, but what I got was so much more than that. At the risk of sounding like a big fromage head, this novel touched me deeply at times, pulling me right into the lives of Ettie and Wyatt and rooting for them from the first page.
At first, I was a little annoyed with Wyatt because of how intensely he was hanging onto his wife's memory. Then I was annoyed with Amberlee, Wyatt's dead wife! She knew she was dying, and still she left him a list of things to keep up with after her death! And not important things like, "Make sure our son eats all his veggies and gets into a good college" but dumb stuff like, "Water my violets". Wyatt is so busy trying to keep up with Amberlee's list of demands that he can't move on with his life, and isn't that what you would want for your spouse? For them to find happiness in whatever form it takes? I know that's what I would want.
Anyway, as the book progressed, I really came to adore Wyatt! I loved how he could just let loose and have fun with Ettie, and I loved how he treated her, especially in comparison with her ex. Wyatt turned out to be a pretty fantastic guy, despite all the initial drama.
Ettie, on the other hand, could have been more fully developed. She is socially awkward and somewhat naive, and while we are given a brief explanation into why she is the way she is, it didn't seem like enough. I did enjoy her character, though. She has a hilarious case of foot-in-mouth disease, and she's certainly no pushover!
Will you like this book?
I think if you're looking for something a little bit different in the romance department, you will probably enjoy "Without You Here". With Wyatt being a full twenty years older than Ettie, there is a unique dynamic that I haven't read before. I should warn you, there is an element of insta-lust, so if that type of thing bothers you, you might want to steer clear. I will say that in this case, at least for me, the initial attraction between Ettie and Wyatt seemed to work.
Will I read more by this author?
Absolutely! I think Carter Ashby has an interesting style, and I'm looking forward to reading more from her!
My rating: 3.5 stars!
August 4, 2014
I was ecstatic to receive this book for my honest review.
I am reminded of this quote when reading this amazing book.
“And here in the dark, Will you be my spark? I'll run away from your kiss now. But now more than ever before, I beg you, I need you to be, the one who wakes up sleeping beauty. Can you do that for me? Wake up sleeping beauty”
Get out the screaming towel for this one amazing journey. You are so going to need it. Make sure the tissues are ready. Get the AWE ready too. You are going to need all of this. Oh and let’s not forget the ice-cream cause you are so gonna want it after this amazing read.
Come and take this journey with me as I did with these amazing characters and become entranced in this book as I did. This book will suck you in from page 1 and not let you go till the very end. WOW
Blake-the hot guy the son of Wyatt (you read that right)
Ettie- outspoken, and beautiful
Wyatt-Steamy
Wyatt and Ettie’s journey can only be described as HOT, STEAMY AND AMAZING. Their journey to finding love takes a whole new twist. They have hurdles at every turn. The orgasms that Ettie so richly deserved can only be described as earth quaking.
The author took a simple guy Wyatt and dropped Ettie into his lap when he so needed her. The sparks that flew were so electrified it was what dreams are made of. Waking up never felt so sweet, hot, electric, and orgasmic.
There are a lot of first for theses two characters and for that alone you need to pick up this book.
Kudos to the author for this Hot, read. The twists and turns in this book that you wrote are in itself earth shattering and amazing. The bed of a pickup never looked so orgasmic. The trees never looked so sexy and the fish do I really have to go there? WOW.
Great summers read or just when you want to get that orgasmic thing going on. Take this journey with me as I did them. You so will not be disappointed.
Happy Reading.
I am reminded of this quote when reading this amazing book.
“And here in the dark, Will you be my spark? I'll run away from your kiss now. But now more than ever before, I beg you, I need you to be, the one who wakes up sleeping beauty. Can you do that for me? Wake up sleeping beauty”
Get out the screaming towel for this one amazing journey. You are so going to need it. Make sure the tissues are ready. Get the AWE ready too. You are going to need all of this. Oh and let’s not forget the ice-cream cause you are so gonna want it after this amazing read.
Come and take this journey with me as I did with these amazing characters and become entranced in this book as I did. This book will suck you in from page 1 and not let you go till the very end. WOW
Blake-the hot guy the son of Wyatt (you read that right)
Ettie- outspoken, and beautiful
Wyatt-Steamy
Wyatt and Ettie’s journey can only be described as HOT, STEAMY AND AMAZING. Their journey to finding love takes a whole new twist. They have hurdles at every turn. The orgasms that Ettie so richly deserved can only be described as earth quaking.
The author took a simple guy Wyatt and dropped Ettie into his lap when he so needed her. The sparks that flew were so electrified it was what dreams are made of. Waking up never felt so sweet, hot, electric, and orgasmic.
There are a lot of first for theses two characters and for that alone you need to pick up this book.
Kudos to the author for this Hot, read. The twists and turns in this book that you wrote are in itself earth shattering and amazing. The bed of a pickup never looked so orgasmic. The trees never looked so sexy and the fish do I really have to go there? WOW.
Great summers read or just when you want to get that orgasmic thing going on. Take this journey with me as I did them. You so will not be disappointed.
Happy Reading.
September 18, 2014
This one's gonna get 3 stars from me.
From the beginning, I kind of got a sour taste for Ettie. I didn't like how immature and, I guess you can say, clingy she was. Less than an hour after she breaks up with her boyfriend, she goes to a bar and hits on this older man, Wyatt, who she ends up doing the deed with her that night. Don't get me wrong, people hook up all the time. But she was almost inundate with it. She asked Wyatt didn't want want to know why she was crying. Um, if he wanted to know, he would've asked. But I digress. Her personality was what he needed I guess.
Wyatt - every now and then I could see a sexy older man in him. He was 20 years older than Ettie. I couldn't wrap my head around that at first but I eventually got over it. They were actually good together.
There were some parts of the book I felt needed more elaboration. Some parts were fast paced.
All in all, it was a good book. I liked the surprise towards the beginning of the book. Made for an interesting read. The twist kept me reading to find out how the parties were going to react! One thing I liked A LOT was Wyatt's family. Who cant love a ranching family!
September 29, 2014
3.5-4 stars.
Loved the idea of this book and it could have been a 5 star read if I could have connected with the heroine a lot more.
She was really juvenile and I don't feel the reader was given enough background info on her to take her into your heart.
Wyatt I loved, you could feel his grief, his struggle but again I didn't understand their connection, especially as the way they met seemed rushed and a little OTT.
Overall a quick and pleasant read
Loved the idea of this book and it could have been a 5 star read if I could have connected with the heroine a lot more.
She was really juvenile and I don't feel the reader was given enough background info on her to take her into your heart.
Wyatt I loved, you could feel his grief, his struggle but again I didn't understand their connection, especially as the way they met seemed rushed and a little OTT.
Overall a quick and pleasant read
December 23, 2014
★★★★
4 Maybe Someday Stars
Review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review
"Good things come out of strange places sometimes."
This quote. That quote. It pretty much describes the beginning of Wyatt and Ettie's (love) story.
One quaint bar.
One 42-year old man drowning his sorrows one glass of whiskey after another.
One 22-year old woman wanting to release her frustration with her (ex) boyfriend.
One complicated, forbidden love story.
How forbidden is forbidden though, right? Unless of course you're family, then that can get ugly. But Wyatt and Ettie's story is much more than their age difference. It's also about how two individuals struggle in life.
"Why can't you just take what I have to give?"
"Because I'm twenty-two years old and I deserve to have a man all to myself. I deserve to have everything I want out of a relationship."
Without You is one of those books that although I figured out what the "twist" possibly is, it still left me shocked once it was revealed. Eyes bugged and couldn't keep the "Oh hell!" that came out from my lips. Forbidden love stories are my weakness, right on top with second-chance love stories, and Carter Ashby reminded me why that is. The 20-year age gap between the characters played a great importance to the development of the story. What could possibly bring a 42-year old man and a 22-year old woman together? What would make their relationship work? How are they going to deal with their differences? All these questions and a talented author answering all these in the way she portrays the characters are what make it effective for me.
"I need you to believe me when I tell you you're beautiful. I need you to let me love you with everything I have. It's all I have to give and if you reject it because you're not happy with yourself, that's just not fair."
Carter Ashby laid out the conflict so well. Wyatt and Ettie had me in their palms until the end. I was anxious to know what each of their stories are, what Wyatt is struggling from and how Ettie can be a good influence to him. Because really, what can a young woman who barely lived and experienced life offer someone who's twice her age and experienced pain that she can only imagine? But as it turned out, both of them have something to give to each other. They each have their strengths that the other need, each kind and level of understanding and love that the other long for. I love reading how their differences play in their relationship. At times it was painful but most of the time it was beautiful to read how much they love each other and what they are willing to sacrifice for their relationship.
Carter Ashby did great with telling the story and making me feel the heartbreak and the love.
Stars: 4 stars
Recommended to: Fancy a good older man-younger woman love story? Yes? Okay. Read this book.
POV: First person. Female POV. But some third person from Male POVs.
Series: No.
Extra comment: Read this. What are you waiting for?
4 Maybe Someday Stars
Review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review
"Good things come out of strange places sometimes."
This quote. That quote. It pretty much describes the beginning of Wyatt and Ettie's (love) story.
One quaint bar.
One 42-year old man drowning his sorrows one glass of whiskey after another.
One 22-year old woman wanting to release her frustration with her (ex) boyfriend.
One complicated, forbidden love story.
How forbidden is forbidden though, right? Unless of course you're family, then that can get ugly. But Wyatt and Ettie's story is much more than their age difference. It's also about how two individuals struggle in life.
"Why can't you just take what I have to give?"
"Because I'm twenty-two years old and I deserve to have a man all to myself. I deserve to have everything I want out of a relationship."
Without You is one of those books that although I figured out what the "twist" possibly is, it still left me shocked once it was revealed. Eyes bugged and couldn't keep the "Oh hell!" that came out from my lips. Forbidden love stories are my weakness, right on top with second-chance love stories, and Carter Ashby reminded me why that is. The 20-year age gap between the characters played a great importance to the development of the story. What could possibly bring a 42-year old man and a 22-year old woman together? What would make their relationship work? How are they going to deal with their differences? All these questions and a talented author answering all these in the way she portrays the characters are what make it effective for me.
"I need you to believe me when I tell you you're beautiful. I need you to let me love you with everything I have. It's all I have to give and if you reject it because you're not happy with yourself, that's just not fair."
Carter Ashby laid out the conflict so well. Wyatt and Ettie had me in their palms until the end. I was anxious to know what each of their stories are, what Wyatt is struggling from and how Ettie can be a good influence to him. Because really, what can a young woman who barely lived and experienced life offer someone who's twice her age and experienced pain that she can only imagine? But as it turned out, both of them have something to give to each other. They each have their strengths that the other need, each kind and level of understanding and love that the other long for. I love reading how their differences play in their relationship. At times it was painful but most of the time it was beautiful to read how much they love each other and what they are willing to sacrifice for their relationship.
Carter Ashby did great with telling the story and making me feel the heartbreak and the love.
Stars: 4 stars
Recommended to: Fancy a good older man-younger woman love story? Yes? Okay. Read this book.
POV: First person. Female POV. But some third person from Male POVs.
Series: No.
Extra comment: Read this. What are you waiting for?
August 25, 2014
WITHOUT YOU HERE by CARTER ASHBY
WITHOUT YOU HERE is totally unexpected and so much more. This is not your typical romantic book. I don't think you can fully say that this is romance book though it involves that, it's not the whole concept (I think). Carter Ashby created a story that is genuinely real that you feel the realness of it all despite the crazy and weirdness and ridiculous circumstances that is included in the story. It will also make you laugh because the twist is just weird and funny and totally can happen in real life that will sure make you laugh or smile because it's just weird and ridiculously good. She made it that way, she wrote it that way without making you cringe and I like that she did that because maybe some readers may not take it lightly.
I also like the fact that this story is also about family and how important they are. I think the family togetherness that is in this book helps in giving way for another serious life issues one goes through and that it is very serious that is shouldn't be taken lightly and the family bond that Carter Ashby included is very important. It shows that through and through, your family is a big help and a family is where you will find that kind of help you need in times of trouble and depression. Also, the characters of Wyatt & Ettie is something that is frowned upon but Carter Ashby wrote it purely out of love and need and longing that from the very beginning I was rooting for em. It was fascinating to read the realness and similarities in Wyatt and Ettie. It was pure. Another one that I really like is the friendship between Ettie, Blake and Lauren. It was friendship in the most unadulterated way. The whole thins is crazy but definitely crazy good.
Like I said, this book is so much more. I find it crazy & ridiculously good that the author was able to put all things together without making it overwhelming with all the craziness. As the opposite, it was overwhelmingly good that I cannot stop reading it. I finished it in one sitting and truly grateful that I was able to acquire a complimentary copy before its release. I have expectations before I got to read this book but after it surpassed all of it and it was pure bliss.
This is definitely a very good book. One that I will recommend and totally a MUST read.
♥♥♥♥
** Also posted on my TUMBLR account & AMAZON (on release)
http://xoxopimpimxoxo.tumblr.com/post...
WITHOUT YOU HERE is totally unexpected and so much more. This is not your typical romantic book. I don't think you can fully say that this is romance book though it involves that, it's not the whole concept (I think). Carter Ashby created a story that is genuinely real that you feel the realness of it all despite the crazy and weirdness and ridiculous circumstances that is included in the story. It will also make you laugh because the twist is just weird and funny and totally can happen in real life that will sure make you laugh or smile because it's just weird and ridiculously good. She made it that way, she wrote it that way without making you cringe and I like that she did that because maybe some readers may not take it lightly.
I also like the fact that this story is also about family and how important they are. I think the family togetherness that is in this book helps in giving way for another serious life issues one goes through and that it is very serious that is shouldn't be taken lightly and the family bond that Carter Ashby included is very important. It shows that through and through, your family is a big help and a family is where you will find that kind of help you need in times of trouble and depression. Also, the characters of Wyatt & Ettie is something that is frowned upon but Carter Ashby wrote it purely out of love and need and longing that from the very beginning I was rooting for em. It was fascinating to read the realness and similarities in Wyatt and Ettie. It was pure. Another one that I really like is the friendship between Ettie, Blake and Lauren. It was friendship in the most unadulterated way. The whole thins is crazy but definitely crazy good.
Like I said, this book is so much more. I find it crazy & ridiculously good that the author was able to put all things together without making it overwhelming with all the craziness. As the opposite, it was overwhelmingly good that I cannot stop reading it. I finished it in one sitting and truly grateful that I was able to acquire a complimentary copy before its release. I have expectations before I got to read this book but after it surpassed all of it and it was pure bliss.
This is definitely a very good book. One that I will recommend and totally a MUST read.
♥♥♥♥
** Also posted on my TUMBLR account & AMAZON (on release)
http://xoxopimpimxoxo.tumblr.com/post...
September 6, 2014
This book contains sexual scenes so it may not be for everyone. The story was great. Ettie just broke up with her boyfriend, again. she is always doing this because he is so critical of her ways. She stops at a local bar for a drink and sees a very handsome older man setting at the bar and she ask if he would buy her a drink. After a while he softens a little and starts to pay attention to her constant talking. They start a conversation and Ettie starts to flirt with him. His name is Wyatt and he asks her if she would like to go fishing. She thought he was inviting her back to his place. She has never been fishing so she goes and one thing leads to another and they do sleep together. She really likes him and he asks if she would like to cliff dive and swim on Saturday, so she says yes. This starts an relationship between these two people. When Ettie finally gets back to her apartment her boyfriend, Blake is waiting and he wants to make up and invites her home with him during their spring break. Ettie and Blake are in college and have been friends for over two years. They are in their last year of college. Ettie decides to go with Wyatt to meet his family. When she goes to the ranch she asks to use the bathroom and when she comes down she runs into Wyatt who is really glad to see her. While he is kissing her they both realize why she is here. OMG this is Blake's father. Now what. This is a great story and I know if you take the time to read it you will also. I could not put this book down until I was finsihed.
did-not-finish
June 12, 2015dnf @ page 84.
i tried but just couldn't connect with either main character. ettie comes across silly and immature which is understandable to some degree because of her sheltered upbringing but not an excuse to be overall irritating and ditzy. she's 22 years old but acts almost child like with a side of promiscuity and that's friggen whack. i thought wyatt would be the saving grace for me. that whole hot older guy, younger woman appeal? i am so in! however for as much as he had a sad backstory (he lost his wife of 20 years two years prior) it all felt SO superficial and fake.
once the first part is over and they hook up it's all INSTALOVE! but it wasn't believable. why would a man who had only been with one woman in his whole life, who lost that woman and hadn't been with anyone in those two years since then just instantly hook up with ettie.. when she was so annoying!! ugh, what. the. hell. wyatt.
it all goes downhill from there, crash burn.
i'm sorry, a good premise but just poorly executed.
i do hope others give it a try and enjoy it more than i did. don't let me put you off, maybe i've just become overly picky :/
i tried but just couldn't connect with either main character. ettie comes across silly and immature which is understandable to some degree because of her sheltered upbringing but not an excuse to be overall irritating and ditzy. she's 22 years old but acts almost child like with a side of promiscuity and that's friggen whack. i thought wyatt would be the saving grace for me. that whole hot older guy, younger woman appeal? i am so in! however for as much as he had a sad backstory (he lost his wife of 20 years two years prior) it all felt SO superficial and fake.
once the first part is over and they hook up it's all INSTALOVE! but it wasn't believable. why would a man who had only been with one woman in his whole life, who lost that woman and hadn't been with anyone in those two years since then just instantly hook up with ettie.. when she was so annoying!! ugh, what. the. hell. wyatt.
it all goes downhill from there, crash burn.
i'm sorry, a good premise but just poorly executed.
i do hope others give it a try and enjoy it more than i did. don't let me put you off, maybe i've just become overly picky :/
September 8, 2014
A copy was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
I am in love with this book. I got so much more out of Without You Here than I bargained for. I knew this was going to be good, I did not expect to be so emotionally involved with the characters and the grieving process Wyatt was going through. Wyatt was so stuck on his grief, he is one of the most beautifully tragic protagonists I have read this year.
The “twist” was not so surprising if you are really paying attention to detail. Even if you figure it out early on, there is still this “oh, man!” moment. There are parts that seem a little too quirky but add more dimension to this wonderful book.
This was fun, sad, beautiful, sexy and crazy in all the best ways.
I am in love with this book. I got so much more out of Without You Here than I bargained for. I knew this was going to be good, I did not expect to be so emotionally involved with the characters and the grieving process Wyatt was going through. Wyatt was so stuck on his grief, he is one of the most beautifully tragic protagonists I have read this year.
The “twist” was not so surprising if you are really paying attention to detail. Even if you figure it out early on, there is still this “oh, man!” moment. There are parts that seem a little too quirky but add more dimension to this wonderful book.
This was fun, sad, beautiful, sexy and crazy in all the best ways.
September 15, 2014
This is a really great story. I read this in one afternoon and loved every word of it.
After rowing with her boyfriend Ettie finds herself in a bar where the meets an older handsome guy called Wyatt. I loved how the age difference didn't matter. Maybe because there's an age difference between my partner and I.
This book brought out so many emotions in me. It's a brilliant hot and steamy story with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader gripped. Loved it.
After rowing with her boyfriend Ettie finds herself in a bar where the meets an older handsome guy called Wyatt. I loved how the age difference didn't matter. Maybe because there's an age difference between my partner and I.
This book brought out so many emotions in me. It's a brilliant hot and steamy story with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader gripped. Loved it.
July 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this book which surprised me considering it was THAT trope but I was always itching to keep reading. I do think it kind of derailed at the end with the pregnancy. I just wished they could’ve traveled and had fun a bit before settling down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2014
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
From the blurb we learned that Ettie had a fight with her boyfriend. She decides to drown her emotions in some alcohol and visits a bar where she meets Wyatt.
Ettie's 22, Wyatt 42. So I was a bit reluctant at first, but since I've read a few books with similar premises before I decided to request the title from Netgalley. Luckily my request was approved and I got to read this book before a lot of people.
I feared that the author would make the age difference into a way bigger deal than it should be, but luckily it wasn't so. Yes, the age difference was mentioned a couple of times, but it wasn't made into some big problem.
Wyatt's wife Amberlee passed away 2 years ago and ever since he's tried drowning his grief in a whiskey bottle. He hasn't changed a thing at his house since he fears that his wife would mind it. Practically he's at a stalemate with himself. He hasn't allowed himself to feel anything ever since his wife died, but when Ettie comes barging in, he's forced to change his game.
In a way it's a case of insta-love, but when usually I dislike or like the story less because of it, in this case it isn't so. The story isn't conventional, it's different from everything I've ever read before. But at the same time it's the usual boy-meets-girl-and-they-fall-in-love story.
It wouldn't be an intriguing read if the couple wouldn't face any obstacles in their way. Usually I find the reasons somewhat silly. For instance, in some stories the heroine decides to leave the hero for something he did in the past, but in Without You Here it's not so. Thank god for that!
The biggest obstacle in their way was the fact that Ettie's longtime boyfriend Blake and Wyatt's son were the same person. So in a way it's a love triangle, but I never once found myself rooting for Blake + Ettie. I got why Blake's and Ettie's longtime relationship would've stopped Ettie's and Wyatt's relationship from blossoming.
From the blurb we learned that Ettie had a fight with her boyfriend. She decides to drown her emotions in some alcohol and visits a bar where she meets Wyatt.
Ettie's 22, Wyatt 42. So I was a bit reluctant at first, but since I've read a few books with similar premises before I decided to request the title from Netgalley. Luckily my request was approved and I got to read this book before a lot of people.
I feared that the author would make the age difference into a way bigger deal than it should be, but luckily it wasn't so. Yes, the age difference was mentioned a couple of times, but it wasn't made into some big problem.
Wyatt's wife Amberlee passed away 2 years ago and ever since he's tried drowning his grief in a whiskey bottle. He hasn't changed a thing at his house since he fears that his wife would mind it. Practically he's at a stalemate with himself. He hasn't allowed himself to feel anything ever since his wife died, but when Ettie comes barging in, he's forced to change his game.
In a way it's a case of insta-love, but when usually I dislike or like the story less because of it, in this case it isn't so. The story isn't conventional, it's different from everything I've ever read before. But at the same time it's the usual boy-meets-girl-and-they-fall-in-love story.
It wouldn't be an intriguing read if the couple wouldn't face any obstacles in their way. Usually I find the reasons somewhat silly. For instance, in some stories the heroine decides to leave the hero for something he did in the past, but in Without You Here it's not so. Thank god for that!
The biggest obstacle in their way was the fact that Ettie's longtime boyfriend Blake and Wyatt's son were the same person. So in a way it's a love triangle, but I never once found myself rooting for Blake + Ettie. I got why Blake's and Ettie's longtime relationship would've stopped Ettie's and Wyatt's relationship from blossoming.
September 7, 2014
I received this book as an ARC. I give this book 5 stars. This was an amazing book. Without you here was unlike any love story I have ever read. It had me captured from the start and I could not put it down.
This book was a very hot and sexual read. So, if you don’t like a lot of sexual scenes, than this book is not for you at all. It had a lot of realism to it and I loved that about it. It is also very emotional. So get the box of tissues ready because you will need them.
Ettie breaks up with her longtime boyfriend, Blake one night and goes to the bar and picks up Wyatt. Ettie is 22 and Wyatt is 42. Wyatt is a widower and is dealing with the after effects of his wife’s death two years earlier. He is not anywhere near ready to move on at all and that is the biggest design of the whole book. Ettie is a very strong character and not anywhere near boring or uptight
Great summers read or just when you want to get that orgasmic thing going on. Take this journey with me as I did them. You so will not be disappointed. This is definitely a very good book. One that I will recommend and totally a MUST read!!!
This book was a very hot and sexual read. So, if you don’t like a lot of sexual scenes, than this book is not for you at all. It had a lot of realism to it and I loved that about it. It is also very emotional. So get the box of tissues ready because you will need them.
Ettie breaks up with her longtime boyfriend, Blake one night and goes to the bar and picks up Wyatt. Ettie is 22 and Wyatt is 42. Wyatt is a widower and is dealing with the after effects of his wife’s death two years earlier. He is not anywhere near ready to move on at all and that is the biggest design of the whole book. Ettie is a very strong character and not anywhere near boring or uptight
Great summers read or just when you want to get that orgasmic thing going on. Take this journey with me as I did them. You so will not be disappointed. This is definitely a very good book. One that I will recommend and totally a MUST read!!!
August 4, 2014
I was given this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my god. I had to turn my kindle off at 25%of this book to get me head around the biggest twist that I have ever come across. The turn is back on and re read it, but the twist was still there and I was still blown away by it. Wow.
Ettie ends up in bar after yet another fight with her boyfriend, where she meets widowed Wyatt and embarks on an adventure filled weekend that ends with sex and her falling in love. Wyatt isn't interested in love though and weekend flings is all he wants so they part ways.
Ettie returns home and reunites with her boyfriend but continues to pine for Wyatt and the feelings that he has evoked from her. Needless to say Ettie and Wyatts paths cross again, but under the most unimaginable circumstances and they have to decide what's important in their lives.
This book covers some touchy subjects but is written so well that you can almost feel the struggles all the parties are going through.
Amazing book, thank you for the opportunity to read it!
Oh my god. I had to turn my kindle off at 25%of this book to get me head around the biggest twist that I have ever come across. The turn is back on and re read it, but the twist was still there and I was still blown away by it. Wow.
Ettie ends up in bar after yet another fight with her boyfriend, where she meets widowed Wyatt and embarks on an adventure filled weekend that ends with sex and her falling in love. Wyatt isn't interested in love though and weekend flings is all he wants so they part ways.
Ettie returns home and reunites with her boyfriend but continues to pine for Wyatt and the feelings that he has evoked from her. Needless to say Ettie and Wyatts paths cross again, but under the most unimaginable circumstances and they have to decide what's important in their lives.
This book covers some touchy subjects but is written so well that you can almost feel the struggles all the parties are going through.
Amazing book, thank you for the opportunity to read it!
May 18, 2016
For the most part I enjoyed this story and I m glad I read it. Wyatt's depression was heartbreaking and I loved all the support he had and how he finally managed to let go of the sadness. Ettie was cool too, didn t care much ab how we meet her but she grows on you bc her love for Wyatt is so beautiful. My main issue was the wife story line. I guess I didn t understand why Wyatt was so in love with his dead wife. The author didn t describe any happy memories for them, his family and son all thought that Wyatt was the one who always gave in that relationship while she only took. He was the one who wanted to get married she only did it bc she was pregnant. I guess for as much as Wyatt was suffering after her death I expected to like or respect Amberlee more. I didn t, all their time together seemed to be fighting her cancer. I had to remind mysef that they were married for 20 years so they must have had good times as well. The writing didn t help with that and I was left wondering why was Wyatt so conected to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2014
Wow! What a book! I found that I laughed and cried in this book. Poor Wyatt, I totally wanted to hate him but, what he was going through is real! I have know people who have went through very similar things. I think it made me love him that much more. I also loved that when Ettie was near Blake that Wyatt did not see Blake as his son! I loved that! So cute and funny! Now Ettie is a totally different story, I loved her but at times I wanted to slap her. She should have never and I mean never taken Blake back! But, in the end its how she came to Wyatt in the first place. I usually don't do a review with much of a synopsis but, it was hard with this one. Hard to write a review without saying stuff to give away parts of the book! Sorry for that readers, but I do say you need to give this book time. It is emotional, fun, and full of love! Love of all kinds and I fell in love with all of these characters!
~Lisa
~Lisa
February 5, 2015
I really found this story intriguing. I liked the fact that there were undying topics discussed and delt with.
It was interesting to read the males point of view about depression.
Ettie was different than what I expected. To me she seemed to have almost a child like attitude. While Wyatt was acting like a rebellious teenager or possibly having an early midlife crisis. Blake was an asshole with passive aggressive attitude.
The family dynamic was strong and supporting along with the friendships in the story.
I did enjoy this book however I just expected something different from story when first starting this book.
It was interesting to read the males point of view about depression.
Ettie was different than what I expected. To me she seemed to have almost a child like attitude. While Wyatt was acting like a rebellious teenager or possibly having an early midlife crisis. Blake was an asshole with passive aggressive attitude.
The family dynamic was strong and supporting along with the friendships in the story.
I did enjoy this book however I just expected something different from story when first starting this book.
September 11, 2014
I was really looking forward to this book being good...it just didn't get there. The blurb was so promising and I liked the first part, then it went downhill quick. The characters go from interesting to annoying in the blink of an eye. I felt like I got whiplash. And the editing...I usually don't complain, but was it edited? Like at all?
December 23, 2015
probably 4.5
this book took me by surprise with how it handled the topic of grief
I've never experienced the level of grief described in the book, but the actions, reactions, and resolutions seemed believable to me (sometimes gut-wrenchingly so)
this story might not be for everyone, but I think everyone should give it a chance (I don't think anyone would be disappointed, I certainly wasn't!)
this book took me by surprise with how it handled the topic of grief
I've never experienced the level of grief described in the book, but the actions, reactions, and resolutions seemed believable to me (sometimes gut-wrenchingly so)
this story might not be for everyone, but I think everyone should give it a chance (I don't think anyone would be disappointed, I certainly wasn't!)
September 17, 2014
3.5 stars
August 1, 2015
3.5 stars
September 5, 2022
I received this book as an ARC. I give this book 5 stars. This was an amazing book. Without you here was unlike any love story I have ever read. It had me captured from the start and I could not put it down.
This book was a very hot and sexual read. So, if you don’t like a lot of sexual scenes, than this book is not for you at all. It had a lot of realism to it and I loved that about it. It is also very emotional. So get the box of tissues ready because you will need them.
Ettie breaks up with her longtime boyfriend, Blake one night and goes to the bar and picks up Wyatt. Ettie is 22 and Wyatt is 42. Wyatt is a widower and is dealing with the after effects of his wife’s death two years earlier. He is not anywhere near ready to move on at all and that is the biggest design of the whole book. Ettie is a very strong character and not anywhere near boring or uptight
Great summers read or just when you want to get that orgasmic thing going on. Take this journey with me as I did them. You so will not be disappointed. This is definitely a very good book. One that I will recommend and totally a MUST read!!!
This book was a very hot and sexual read. So, if you don’t like a lot of sexual scenes, than this book is not for you at all. It had a lot of realism to it and I loved that about it. It is also very emotional. So get the box of tissues ready because you will need them.
Ettie breaks up with her longtime boyfriend, Blake one night and goes to the bar and picks up Wyatt. Ettie is 22 and Wyatt is 42. Wyatt is a widower and is dealing with the after effects of his wife’s death two years earlier. He is not anywhere near ready to move on at all and that is the biggest design of the whole book. Ettie is a very strong character and not anywhere near boring or uptight
Great summers read or just when you want to get that orgasmic thing going on. Take this journey with me as I did them. You so will not be disappointed. This is definitely a very good book. One that I will recommend and totally a MUST read!!!
September 30, 2017
Ettie is looking for some fun after a breakup with her college boyfriend and stops at a bar in a small town looking for a drink. She finds a sexy older man, nursing a drink and looking sad. She picks him up and they connect and the fun begins.
I loved the wild crazy things these two got up on their weekend fling. They went from one adventure to another and for Wyatt it was having more fun then he had ever had before, plus the deep connection with Ettie made it special for both of them.
Wyatt was stuck in his grief after his wife of twenty years died of cancer. He was stuck in deep grief and slowly disconnecting from his life until Ettie shook up his life.
I love the irony of the story, the sex was always fun and the plot ended happily too, making Without Your Here a great story with a very different plot.
I want to thank Carter Ashby, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Without Your Here that I won in the Giveaway.
I loved the wild crazy things these two got up on their weekend fling. They went from one adventure to another and for Wyatt it was having more fun then he had ever had before, plus the deep connection with Ettie made it special for both of them.
Wyatt was stuck in his grief after his wife of twenty years died of cancer. He was stuck in deep grief and slowly disconnecting from his life until Ettie shook up his life.
I love the irony of the story, the sex was always fun and the plot ended happily too, making Without Your Here a great story with a very different plot.
I want to thank Carter Ashby, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Without Your Here that I won in the Giveaway.
April 27, 2021
The book started ok but after the initial 2 days together it became quickly annoying. The heroine was laughing one minute, then nasty the next og when she got the reply she deserved she was in tears. The lack of opportunity to learn social skills was not big enough an excuse, a lot of her behaviour was more like adhd.
The hero was a total pushover. A wife that was sick for several years and now dead for 2 and still he acted like she was alive. No mental preparation for her death at all? I really disliked that he neglected his son so much. To me he hero was not the strong that carried the heavy burden, he was the enabler, equally weak. To rant about how bad a husband he was to her after her death, ugh. Go see a shrink.
The ending was nice and its the only reason for my 3 stars.
The hero was a total pushover. A wife that was sick for several years and now dead for 2 and still he acted like she was alive. No mental preparation for her death at all? I really disliked that he neglected his son so much. To me he hero was not the strong that carried the heavy burden, he was the enabler, equally weak. To rant about how bad a husband he was to her after her death, ugh. Go see a shrink.
The ending was nice and its the only reason for my 3 stars.
August 1, 2020
Liked the whole old guy-young woman premise of the story, however the love feelings appeared too fast for me to find them authentic given Wyatt's past, . What made this story a bit harder to digest was the whole events surrounding the topic of depression, and left me with a bitter taste after finishing this read. 2.5 to 3 stars for this read
June 18, 2019
Loved it !. Downloaded this book in April and came across it yesterday. To be honest, wasn't expecting much but was so wrong. Beautiful story, well written, wonderful captivating characters, all packed into a great book. At times I was afraid I'm reading another version of "the bridges of Madison County ". I was not up for a book that would leave me crying. Well this book didn't. I ended it with a big smile on my face.
August 22, 2021
3.7/5
I actually love Ettie! She had a pretty bad home life and still came out of it a bucket full of sunshine. Wyatt on the otherhand.... idk. He sometimes rubbed me the wrong way. I loved the parts about JUST them because their chemistry was literally off the charts. I also loved Wyatt's family. I did feel like Blake treated Ettie like she was an idiot which I did not appreciate. Overall pretty good story. I almost think that Ettie deserved better but Wyatt is who she wanted to be with.
I actually love Ettie! She had a pretty bad home life and still came out of it a bucket full of sunshine. Wyatt on the otherhand.... idk. He sometimes rubbed me the wrong way. I loved the parts about JUST them because their chemistry was literally off the charts. I also loved Wyatt's family. I did feel like Blake treated Ettie like she was an idiot which I did not appreciate. Overall pretty good story. I almost think that Ettie deserved better but Wyatt is who she wanted to be with.
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