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Once Upon a Desire #1
Midnight Run
Once Upon a Time never felt like this… "Cinderella" meets marathon training in this modern fairy tale! Running, coffee, and New York Nora feels like she’s got it all. But when this barista meets Kingston, a handsome Texan, she realizes the one thing she’s been missing is love. Kingston doesn’t want to admit that he’s looking for a fairy tale, and he sure didn't think he’d fall for two women. But what he doesn’t know about his running buddy and the pretty barista might surprise him. MIDNIGHT RUN is a contemporary romance inspired by Cinderella, and it's the first book in the Once Upon a Desire series. Once Upon a contemporary fairy tales with a pinch of spice.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2015
16 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Jen McConnel
26 books270 followersJen McConnel is an award winning author. She writes Young Adult and New Adult fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. When she isn’t writing, she can be found on her yoga mat, teaching, or wandering off on another adventure.
Follow Jen on Twitter @Jen_McConnel, and visit www.jenmcconnel.com to learn more.
Follow Jen on Twitter @Jen_McConnel, and visit www.jenmcconnel.com to learn more.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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Blurb:
Once Upon a Time never felt like this…
Running, coffee, and New York City: Nora feels like she’s got it all. But when this barista meets Kingston, a handsome Texan, she realizes the one thing she’s been missing is love.
Kingston doesn’t want to admit that he’s looking for a fairy tale, and he sure didn't think he’d fall for two women. But what he doesn’t know about his running buddy and the pretty barista might surprise him.
Blurb:
Once Upon a Time never felt like this…
Running, coffee, and New York City: Nora feels like she’s got it all. But when this barista meets Kingston, a handsome Texan, she realizes the one thing she’s been missing is love.
Kingston doesn’t want to admit that he’s looking for a fairy tale, and he sure didn't think he’d fall for two women. But what he doesn’t know about his running buddy and the pretty barista might surprise him.
August 3, 2015
Are you one for where the "plain jane" , the ordinary one gets the hot guy ? I love stories like that probably more so as I often can relate to the one being called the "plain jane" rather than the stunning pretty leggy blonde girl. In Midnight Run, I instantly liked the character Nora as she lives in New York City and works hard at Books, Brew Coffee shop where she is treated like rubbish by the other employees but she is definitely hardworking and I felt when I was reading the book that she was a kindred spirit. The book starts with Nora at the coffee shop cleaning up a mess when a hot texan walks in - Kingston and orders a coffee. The two share this amazing spark and then they go their separate ways. Later on in the story Nora joins a Midnight Running group as she has gotten a job promotion which means she can't run in the mornings. Turns out that Kingston is on the team but the thing is when Nora runs she wears her contacts and her hair up in a runners ponytail and Kingston doesn't recognise her. We then read as Kingston is torn between the two women - the Barista and the Runner except we know they are the same woman. When things start to look up though, will their HEA turn out short-lived when Kingston feels like he has been played ? Can Nora prove to him that she loves him and that it wasn't her intention as she believed he couldn't love someone as plain and boring like her ? Find out in this cutesy HEA tale where the Plain Jane or Nora in this case gets the Hot Guy- Kingston. PS : one of this things I loved in this book was that Kingston's nephews adding that country feel were called Blake and Shelton :)
This made me smile as I am a big country singer fan.
This made me smile as I am a big country singer fan.
September 1, 2016
I didn't realize when I started that this story was a modern day twist on a fairy tale, but I love those so that was a very nice thing. Nora was a good main character. I thought it was funny that Kingston couldn't recognize her when they met outside of her place of work. The ending was good and I look forward to reading more by this author.
April 1, 2019
Nora loved to run
Nora was training and working in the coffee shop. She saw the hunky Texan and then she found out he ran also. Her life would change in a matter of weeks. Some great, some sad but some so wonderful it would take her by surprise.
Nora was training and working in the coffee shop. She saw the hunky Texan and then she found out he ran also. Her life would change in a matter of weeks. Some great, some sad but some so wonderful it would take her by surprise.
August 18, 2015
***Reviewed for Hooked On Books***
I gave this book 4.5 stars!
This book is a good love story. You will instantly fall in love with the characters and you will see the true colors of other characters. I love this story line and was thrilled to read something different.
Nora is a barista who loves to run. With her new schedule she is afraid she won't have time to run. She first meets Kingston at the coffee shop when she starts to fall, he catches her. She thinks that he has a girlfriend and admire him from a far. Kingston is from Texas and has moved to NYC with his job. He runs into a beautiful barista but never has the nerve to ask for her name or a date. He loves to run and has joined a Midnight Runners Club. He meets a new girl, that reminds him of the barista but thinks it not the same person.
When life throws Nora a curve ball, Kingston finally puts it together that the runner and barista is the same girl. When Kingston shows up he thinks the worse of Nora. Can Nora get Kingston to understand or will he walk away?
This is the first book from Charity and it won't be my last. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
I gave this book 4.5 stars!
This book is a good love story. You will instantly fall in love with the characters and you will see the true colors of other characters. I love this story line and was thrilled to read something different.
Nora is a barista who loves to run. With her new schedule she is afraid she won't have time to run. She first meets Kingston at the coffee shop when she starts to fall, he catches her. She thinks that he has a girlfriend and admire him from a far. Kingston is from Texas and has moved to NYC with his job. He runs into a beautiful barista but never has the nerve to ask for her name or a date. He loves to run and has joined a Midnight Runners Club. He meets a new girl, that reminds him of the barista but thinks it not the same person.
When life throws Nora a curve ball, Kingston finally puts it together that the runner and barista is the same girl. When Kingston shows up he thinks the worse of Nora. Can Nora get Kingston to understand or will he walk away?
This is the first book from Charity and it won't be my last. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
August 25, 2015
I gave this book 4.5 stars!
This book is a good love story. You will instantly fall in love with the characters and you will see the true colors of other characters. I love this story line and was thrilled to read something different.
Nora is a barista who loves to run. With her new schedule she is afraid she won't have time to run. She first meets Kingston at the coffee shop when she starts to fall, he catches her. She thinks that he has a girlfriend and admire him from a far. Kingston is from Texas and has moved to NYC with his job. He runs into a beautiful barista but never has the nerve to ask for her name or a date. He loves to run and has joined a Midnight Runners Club. He meets a new girl, that reminds him of the barista but thinks it not the same person.
When life throws Nora a curve ball, Kingston finally puts it together that the runner and barista is the same girl. When Kingston shows up he thinks the worse of Nora. Can Nora get Kingston to understand or will he walk away?
This is the first book from Charity and it won't be my last. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
This book is a good love story. You will instantly fall in love with the characters and you will see the true colors of other characters. I love this story line and was thrilled to read something different.
Nora is a barista who loves to run. With her new schedule she is afraid she won't have time to run. She first meets Kingston at the coffee shop when she starts to fall, he catches her. She thinks that he has a girlfriend and admire him from a far. Kingston is from Texas and has moved to NYC with his job. He runs into a beautiful barista but never has the nerve to ask for her name or a date. He loves to run and has joined a Midnight Runners Club. He meets a new girl, that reminds him of the barista but thinks it not the same person.
When life throws Nora a curve ball, Kingston finally puts it together that the runner and barista is the same girl. When Kingston shows up he thinks the worse of Nora. Can Nora get Kingston to understand or will he walk away?
This is the first book from Charity and it won't be my last. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
September 1, 2015
Kingston is adorable: respectful, humble yet shy when it comes to his crush; I got tickled reading his thoughts after each encounter with Nora. Nora on the other hand is into Kingston as well, but she feels like she's not in his league and thinks he's into one of her co-workers. There is some miscommunication that occurs, maybe a case of mistaken identity, and a tragic event that will bring Nora and Kingston together, but that same event is the catalyst that drives them apart. Are they over before they even get started?
This is a quick read (I was done in less than 2 hours), and while I found it entertaining, I felt like there could have been more to the story. There really isn't much in the way of romance in this book, I wish we could have gotten more in the way of Nora and Kingston as a couple than we were left with. And what was the deal with Nora's co-workers, especially Laurel? I loved Nora's roommate Carl, he seemed like he was a great character.
Book provided in exchange for honest review
This is a quick read (I was done in less than 2 hours), and while I found it entertaining, I felt like there could have been more to the story. There really isn't much in the way of romance in this book, I wish we could have gotten more in the way of Nora and Kingston as a couple than we were left with. And what was the deal with Nora's co-workers, especially Laurel? I loved Nora's roommate Carl, he seemed like he was a great character.
Book provided in exchange for honest review
August 24, 2015
A fairy godmother comes in different packages…
Nora is enjoying her life in the big city of New York as she gives her all to her barista job while tailoring her life to fit in her love of running. Kingston shares Nora’s love of coffee and is immediately intrigued by the beautiful woman serving him. He is torn, however, as he also met someone in his running club who he would like to know better. Shared interests, some misconceptions and fate, which is helping and hindering them, makes for an interesting, and bumpy, romance.
I had no idea what the theme of this series was until nearing the end of this really enjoyable quick read. Both Nora and Kingston are down-to-earth people who are dealing with life’s challenges and hurdles with as much grace as they can. Drawn to each other, so many things seem to get in the way of a true connection. I love how this story plays out in true fairytale fashion with an ending that made me sigh quite happily. Gentle and sweet, a perfect story for a rainy afternoon in front of the fire.
Nora is enjoying her life in the big city of New York as she gives her all to her barista job while tailoring her life to fit in her love of running. Kingston shares Nora’s love of coffee and is immediately intrigued by the beautiful woman serving him. He is torn, however, as he also met someone in his running club who he would like to know better. Shared interests, some misconceptions and fate, which is helping and hindering them, makes for an interesting, and bumpy, romance.
I had no idea what the theme of this series was until nearing the end of this really enjoyable quick read. Both Nora and Kingston are down-to-earth people who are dealing with life’s challenges and hurdles with as much grace as they can. Drawn to each other, so many things seem to get in the way of a true connection. I love how this story plays out in true fairytale fashion with an ending that made me sigh quite happily. Gentle and sweet, a perfect story for a rainy afternoon in front of the fire.
July 14, 2015
Enchanting 4.2 Stars
Nora lives in New York. For the past five years she’s been working as a barista at “Books & Brew”, a very popular downtown coffee shop. Nora lives the simple life. Her job pays well and it gives her time to fulfill her one true passion….running.
Each day she pounds the pavement around Central Park. The only thing she has on her mind is training for the NYC half marathon. Nora seems content with her life, that is, until she has a chance encounter with the devilishly handsome Kingston Price. A misunderstanding early on throws their chances of becoming a couple, but how they actually find their way to each other is an endearing story.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.
Nora lives in New York. For the past five years she’s been working as a barista at “Books & Brew”, a very popular downtown coffee shop. Nora lives the simple life. Her job pays well and it gives her time to fulfill her one true passion….running.
Each day she pounds the pavement around Central Park. The only thing she has on her mind is training for the NYC half marathon. Nora seems content with her life, that is, until she has a chance encounter with the devilishly handsome Kingston Price. A misunderstanding early on throws their chances of becoming a couple, but how they actually find their way to each other is an endearing story.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.
September 9, 2015
Title: Midnight Run (Once Upon a Desire #1)
Author: Charity Hillis
Publication Date: May 15, 2015
Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Women's Fiction
Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer
ARA'S NOTE:
When I read the blurb of Midnight Run, I instantly got curious. How can someone not realize that the two women he's falling in love with is one and the same? I didn't give anything away by saying this because it's kind of easy to deduce from the synopsis, right? Anyway, it goes without saying that I had to check it out for myself. And so here's my review.
SUMMARY:
Midnight Run receives 3.5 stars from me. It's a romance-filled book with realistic characters in a complicated situation. It's a quick read with a good ending. Come check this out guys.
Read the entire review here: http://thebooksnakeetc.blogspot.com/2...
Author: Charity Hillis
Publication Date: May 15, 2015
Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Women's Fiction
Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer
ARA'S NOTE:
When I read the blurb of Midnight Run, I instantly got curious. How can someone not realize that the two women he's falling in love with is one and the same? I didn't give anything away by saying this because it's kind of easy to deduce from the synopsis, right? Anyway, it goes without saying that I had to check it out for myself. And so here's my review.
SUMMARY:
Midnight Run receives 3.5 stars from me. It's a romance-filled book with realistic characters in a complicated situation. It's a quick read with a good ending. Come check this out guys.
Read the entire review here: http://thebooksnakeetc.blogspot.com/2...
August 27, 2015
As the blurb indicates, this is a modern day Cinderella romance, complete with a prince, fairy godmother, ugly sister and glass slipper equivalent.
Nora appears to be the Midnight Run's version of Superman, as far as being recognisable is concerned. It seems that with very few actual changes to her appearance, her disguise is complete! I have to say, for me at least, I found that this stretched the bounds of believability a little, but not so much that it marred the overall enjoyment of the story.
In summary, this was a cute, clean, bite size nugget of romance, which can easily be read in one sitting.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nora appears to be the Midnight Run's version of Superman, as far as being recognisable is concerned. It seems that with very few actual changes to her appearance, her disguise is complete! I have to say, for me at least, I found that this stretched the bounds of believability a little, but not so much that it marred the overall enjoyment of the story.
In summary, this was a cute, clean, bite size nugget of romance, which can easily be read in one sitting.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2015
Cute, quick read!
April 18, 2016
Is a good book to read
March 6, 2016
Cute take on a classic fairytale. I wanted there to be a little more closure for certain relationships/characters...but all-in-all, I enjoyed the story a lot.
September 15, 2016
Rating: 3.5*
A very sweet modern day fairy tale. It was, however, a little short and it felt that some elements were left incomplete in the desire to get Nora and Kingston to their HEA.
A very sweet modern day fairy tale. It was, however, a little short and it felt that some elements were left incomplete in the desire to get Nora and Kingston to their HEA.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews