Rough-around-the-edges Gabe Nolan grew up poor in a bad neighborhood and literally fought his way to the top, learning discipline through boxing and earning a college degree. Now the owner of the nation’s most popular chain of sports adventure stores, he enjoys wealth and women, but neither can diminish the pain of losing the girl of his dreams to his best friend.
Brianne Whitcomb is all set to marry Eric, a man who’s perfect for her in every way—except for the fact he’s not Gabe. But Gabe didn’t fight for her when he had the chance, and it’s obvious he views her only as a friend. He’s even agreed to be Eric’s Best Man. Only when Eric fails to show up for the wedding, Gabe takes on a new role: Brianne’s confidante and shoulder-to-cry-on. The more time they spend together, the more friendship turns into an irresistibly tempting passion.
With no idea if or when Eric will return, Gabe and Brianne tentatively explore whether their physical attraction can lead to something lasting. But Gabe’s fear that he’ll never be good enough is the toughest opponent of all. Will Gabe take on the fight of his life to win Brianne’s love?
A former prosecutor, Virna DePaul writes "heat, heart, & HEA" for Harlequin and Random House. She is also a bestselling Indie author, with Bedding The Wrong Brother being a top 100 contemporary romance on Amazon with over 150 5* reviews. www.virnadepaul.com
Blurb: Rough-around-the-edges Gabe Nolan grew up poor in a bad neighborhood and literally fought his way to the top, learning discipline through boxing and earning a college degree. Now the owner of the nation’s most popular chain of sports adventure stores, he enjoys wealth and women, but neither can diminish the pain of losing the girl of his dreams to his best friend.
Brianne Whitcomb is all set to marry Eric, a man who’s perfect for her in every way—except for the fact he’s not Gabe. But Gabe didn’t fight for her when he had the chance, and it’s obvious he views her only as a friend. He’s even agreed to be Eric’s Best Man. Only when Eric fails to show up for the wedding, Gabe takes on a new role: Brianne’s confidante and shoulder-to-cry-on. The more time they spend together, the more friendship turns into an irresistibly tempting passion.
With no idea if or when Eric will return, Gabe and Brianne tentatively explore whether their physical attraction can lead to something lasting. But Gabe’s fear that he’ll never be good enough is the toughest opponent of all. Will Gabe take on the fight of his life to win Brianne’s love?
The last few books, where Brianne gets left at the altar and her fiance Eric disappears, have been leading up to this one. Here, we have the dumpee, Brianne and Gabe, the best man, get their romance going. For six years, they've kind of been in love with each other, but Gabe didn't feel himself worthy enough to step up to the plate and lost his chance, since Brianne had started dating Eric and was seemingly happy. But Eric knew they loved each other, especially with Brianne calling Gabe's name out in her erotic dreams at night. So he left her at the altar to give her time and space to figure things out with Gabe. But despite his not being there, the couple can still feel him stuck between them, since Gabe feels guilty that it's his best friend's girl and Brianne can't get a hold of Eric to find out if it's okay with him.
This was a very strange situation. I mean first you have a man leaving his fiancee and girlfriend of 6 years at the altar because he knows she's got feelings for another guy - whether she knows it or not. Why wait til then? Why not let her know the morning of or something? Why text her? Why run away and avoid phone calls? She can't exactly move on or figure things out if she doesn't have closure with the first guy. Then there's Gabe, who keeps having sex with Brianne and then regretting it immediately after. This happens 3 times and he still can't control himself. And more mind-boggling is that Brianne keeps letting him come back for more. Her I didn't understand at all. I'm not sure how you can spend 6 years loving a guy and be completely over him in 4 weeks, even if you did love someone else subconsciously the whole time. It's not like he betrayed her or they fell out of love or anything. That seemed like super fast recovery time...which is probably why I understand Gabe's hesitancy to start anything. He kept saying, "But you love Eric!" And that's what she probably should have been thinking. At times, their being together smacked of infidelity, even though "technically" it wasn't.
Don't get me wrong, this was still a well-written, solid and sexy story. It's definitely a friends-to-lovers romance and I love me some of that trope. Their dream sex was incredibly hot too. I like that there wasn't a huge falling out of friends and I liked Gabe as a character, how no matter his confusion about their feelings, he refused to let Brianne down as a friend. But I just couldn't understand the motivations going on here...maybe because I've never been in a love triangle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
On the day of Brianna’s wedding, her fiancé, Eric, sends her a text and takes off. She is an event planner and her business is going down since her failed wedding. Gabe has been in love with Bri for six years but his best friend got to her first so he didn’t fight for her. Now she’s single but he feels like he’s stealing his best friends girl. Bri will have none of that, she’s wanted Gabe for years and once she gets him in bed, she knows they belong together. But of course Gabe being a man , thinks he’s not good enough for Bri and thinks once she talks to Eric, they’ll get back together. While planning for a big event, they reveal their feelings and the reason Eric left Bri. Can they get past everything and be happy? Great story. Sexual content. Friends to lovers. And a story that I couldn’t put down.
If you hesitate you lose best to go after what you want. Gabe and Brianne were made for each other however their choices and well loving family members intruded and someone was going to get intentional or not. Perhaps it was best for all concerned she was ditched at the altar because how else were they ever going to sort this out. Gabe had to stop thinking he was never worthy of Brianne and stepping aside for his best friend was not an option anymore. And Brianne? She needed to own up to her true feelings for Gabe. Besides her dreams seem to get right.
WOW!!! This is a romance with a triangle Brianne, Eric, and Gabe. Eric does the unthinkable and leaves Brianne standing at the altar. Gabe being the best man is left to comfort her and get her through all the angst, misery and recovery. This is very difficult for Gabe because he has been in love with her since meeting her six years ago. He does not make his feelings known to Brianne because, of course, Eric will soon return and explain everything. Brianne loves both men but is she in love with both? You need to get the book and find out for yourself. I highly recommend it.
This was such short story it left me wanting more hope there is a .5 version to journey Bri and Gabe :) Both characters are in love with each other yet they won't act on it because of their best friend Eric, who left Bri at the altar so that they would so something about it. Looking forward to reading Eric's story soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a good story about how finding love. The f u eat time Gage saw Brianna was a her parents house when he went there with his college buddies and her brother. She just broke up with her college sweetheart. He was a friend. 6 years later on her wedding day and her fiancee doesn't show he is Gage's friend Eric.
Lately I have wanted more from a story than just the steamy sex , which is good but , I need more depth. This is well written the characters are believable the situations are way too out there. Not enough development or introduction of fringe characters too obtuse. Please read it for yourself and make up your own mind. From me 3 Stars just!
I’m so thrilled to FINALLY get to read Brianne and Gabe’s story!!! I have waited since book 3, Jamie and Lucy, to read this particular storyline. I’m happy about the whole book, not just the well written characters. The way this author rights is amazing and the stories all are substantial with the benefit of the romance and sex scenes. Thrilled beyond words
Whew Gabe and Bri waited six long years to finally be able to admit to their feelings for one another. Bri thought he didn't like her other than as a friend and Gabe didn't think he was good enough. However due to lack of communication they almost lost one another as his best friend Eric almost married Bri with Gabe as the best man.
This is a wonderful friends to lovers story. I read the first three books and skipped ahead because I could see the writing in the wall for these two. This story picks up where book 3 leaves off, so it was a perfect in that way.
I definitely fell in love with Gabe...which made me get a little frustrated with his inferiority complex and I really wanted his and Brianne's relationship to work out faster. Great sex scenes!
Loved this story, the idea of fancy glamp camping sounds far better than a tarp tossed over a rope! Great story line and fun characters. I think Eric's story sounds neat since there might be a ranch involved!
Loved this story. Love always has a way of working out. After 6 years of being with the wrong person, being left at the alter seems to be the chance that was needed to get things right.
A twist worth waiting for. Overall quality of writing was really good with only a few glitches in proofreading. Intimacy scenes were amazing and HOT! No cheating or cliffhanger and you get a happy ending. Enjoy!
Of pretty scenes as one half the anointed couple, nothing that feels original or breathtaking. I think you should stay away to the other stories by Ms DePaul from now on.
3.5 stars. This story was cute, it was nice to finally find out why Eric left Brianne at the altar. But beyond that, nothing really stood out to me with this book. It was a good story, well written, I liked the characters, but it was just missing a little something for me.
Wow, I did not like this one like the others. Gabe was an immature jerk. There was so much back and forth and mean words. When they finally got together it was already ruined and no longer special. Really disappointed and wish I hadn’t wasted the time reading it to be honest.
Nice little romance to read and characters were likeable. Two people who eventually get it all together before one of them gets married to the wrong person.
I would recommend this book to adults that love reading funny, steamy, and romantic stories that you won't be able to stop reading until the very end. Thank you
This book was not to Be missed. Great storyline that f?owed very smoothly. Wonderful characters that certain ?y did inspire the reader let's you k is you can hope.
She's always had feelings for her fiance's friend so when the groom runs away from the weddingit's her chance to explore other possibilities. It's quite a nice read.