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Destiny #2
Holding On
When you have everything you’ve ever dreamed of, the hard part is Holding On.
British NYU professor Daniel Gardner thinks life can’t get better than the day his three-year-old stepdaughter, Ella, calls him Daddy for the first time. Then his wife Marienne tells him she’s pregnant. Daniel is thrilled, but worried about Marienne’s health. Not wanting to cause her stress he turns to writing to calm his nerves. He pens a screenplay, thinking it’s nothing more than a mental health exercise, but when a colleague reads it and hands it to a producer, it turns into a production contract. Daniel accepts the offer and transfers to a teaching position at Dartmouth, hoping that small town living and a shorter commute will simplify his life.
As he attempts to juggle his new responsibilities he gets an unexpected letter from Roger, the father he never knew. For the first time since they met, Daniel and Marienne are at odds; she wants him to give Roger a chance but Daniel wants nothing to do with the man he thinks abandoned his mother. As Daniel and Marienne struggle they must contend with interference from Daniel’s sexy ex-wife, who appears to want him back, and a handsome, all-too-helpful single dad who desires Marienne as more than a play-date pal. They must both confront deep-seated issues with trust and acceptance if they’re going to find a way to make their marriage work and hold on to the love they share.
British NYU professor Daniel Gardner thinks life can’t get better than the day his three-year-old stepdaughter, Ella, calls him Daddy for the first time. Then his wife Marienne tells him she’s pregnant. Daniel is thrilled, but worried about Marienne’s health. Not wanting to cause her stress he turns to writing to calm his nerves. He pens a screenplay, thinking it’s nothing more than a mental health exercise, but when a colleague reads it and hands it to a producer, it turns into a production contract. Daniel accepts the offer and transfers to a teaching position at Dartmouth, hoping that small town living and a shorter commute will simplify his life.
As he attempts to juggle his new responsibilities he gets an unexpected letter from Roger, the father he never knew. For the first time since they met, Daniel and Marienne are at odds; she wants him to give Roger a chance but Daniel wants nothing to do with the man he thinks abandoned his mother. As Daniel and Marienne struggle they must contend with interference from Daniel’s sexy ex-wife, who appears to want him back, and a handsome, all-too-helpful single dad who desires Marienne as more than a play-date pal. They must both confront deep-seated issues with trust and acceptance if they’re going to find a way to make their marriage work and hold on to the love they share.
- GenresRomance
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2012
3 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Karen Stivali
47 books359 followersKaren Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker, and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 27, 2012
Rating: B+ ... Heat: Warm
-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review.
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Holding On is that book we all wish for after finishing a romance novel. You know, once you’ve finished the epilogue and close the cover and you sit there and think, ‘I want to know what happens next!’ You want to experience the after with them—their marriage, their children, their story once they’ve gotten the happily ever after. Miz Stivali has given us the novel we all crave and almost never get. And I really and truly want to thank her for that!
When the book opens, we find Marienne and Daniel very much enjoying their domestic bliss. Marienne finally has her lifetime partner who wants to listen to her and spend time with her. Daniel cherishes Marienne and never hides that from her. And Daniel finally has a woman by his side who doesn’t want to change him or make him into someone he’s not. Marienne adores Daniel and she lets him know it everyday. And so does Ella, the most adorable and sweet little girl.
But changes, they are a’coming. Big changes. Happy changes. When Marienne see’s those double lines on that all-important plastic stick—their life together grows infinitely more complicated and precious. And Daniel, oh, that man. How I love him. His reactions to every step of Marienne’s pregnancy were some of my favorite moments. And what he turns his fears and hopes, his anxiety and worry, into… Perfect. It was great to see Daniel succeed on his own terms.
Success that brings ghosts from the past back to the present. Ghosts that made me want to hiss and claw. You can probably guess who would bring out such a reaction… Justine. Grr. But she isn’t the only speed bump that arises. Marienne and Daniel have many obstacles they have to overcome and it only reinforced for me how great they are together. Jealousy and doubt and other dark emotions are par for the course in any relationship and it only makes the love and trust and devotion that much sweeter.
Sigh. That’s what I always feel like doing after reading one of Miz Stivali’s novels. I just want to sit here, with my hand over my heart, and sigh. And smile. Because there is something so innately sweet and heartfelt about her characters and their love. Their struggles and their triumphs and their emotions ring so true and honest. I loved Marienne and Daniel in Meant to Be and I think I may love them even more in Holding On.
I can’t wait to see where this couple goes next. I love the direction that Miz Stivali is taking them and will be eagerly anticipating a third book.
Favorite Quote:
“You look good—all stubbly.” She gazed up at him, her eyes sleepy but twinkling.
”You look good in my sweater.” He pressed against her.
”I’m glad to hear that, I’ve been wearing it most of the week.”
He pulled back and looked at her.
She shrugged. “It’s silly but it made me feel like a part of you was with me.”
His heart beat unevenly. “That’s not silly at all. If I’d have had some of your clothes with me I’m sure I’d have worn them too.”
-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review.
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November 26, 2012
Title: Holding On
Author: Karen Stivali
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Stars: 5 out of 5
Synopsis: When you have everything you’ve ever dreamed of, the hard part is Holding On. British NYU professor Daniel Gardner thinks life can’t get better than the day his three-year-old stepdaughter, Ella, calls him Daddy for the first time. Then his wife Marienne tells him she’s pregnant. Daniel is thrilled, but worried about Marienne’s health. Not wanting to cause her stress, he turns to writing to calm his nerves. He pens a screenplay, thinking it’s nothing more than a mental health exercise, but when a colleague reads it and hands it to a producer, it turns into a production contract. Daniel accepts the offer and transfers to a teaching position at Dartmouth, hoping that small town living and a shorter commute will simplify his life.
As he attempts to juggle his new responsibilities, he gets an unexpected letter from Roger, the father he never knew. For the first time since they met, Daniel and Marienne are at odds; she wants him to give Roger a chance, but Daniel wants nothing to do with the man he thinks abandoned his mother. As Daniel and Marienne struggle, they must contend with interference from Daniel’s sexy ex-wife, who appears to want him back, and a handsome, all-too-helpful single dad who desires Marienne as more than a play-date pal. They must both confront deep- seated issues with trust and acceptance if they’re going to find a way to make their marriage work and hold on to the love they share.
Holding On, the sequel to Meant To Be, will be published by Turquoise Morning Press on November 26, 2012.
Review
This is a public service warning, DO NOT, I repeat do not read this book; because if you do read it, it will ruin your life as it has ruined mine. I have fallen for another woman’s husband. The object of my desire is Daniel Gardner, the male lead in the book Holding On; he is beyond wonderful. Maybe I better rewind and get back to the beginning.
We were asked by author Karen Stivali if we would like an ARC (advanced reading copy) of her soon-to-be-released book to review. Michelle Eck, my fellow lover, had reviewed her previous book Meant To Be, and our blog was part of her blog tour. Due to other commitments Michelle wasn’t able to review this new ARC. To be honest I had not read Meant To Be; but I had read Michelle’s review, and it was in my to be read pile. If I was going to read Holding On, I wanted to read it’s predecessor. I wanted to get a feel of the author’s writing style and experience the characters from their first meeting. Therefore, I read Meant To Be.
Each time we are offered an ARC I feel privileged, as the writer is entrusting us with a piece of their talent. So you see, even if I don’t like a book; I respect the talent and the time it takes to produce a work of art. For that is what writing is: art, bringing settings, characters, and emotions to life; making something from nothing; creating an entire world for the reader to experience. Some writers are by far more skilled at the process than others authors. Some writers have potential; and as they write, they are able to explore their own talent and give voices to their characters. Then some writers are born with that voice intact. I don’t know if there is a ‘talented writers gene’ that sets some apart from others; but if there is, then Karen Stivali has it.
Hold On, the sequel to Meant to Be, finds Daniel and Marienne Gardner married six months and living with Ella, their daughter from Marienne’s first marriage. Daniel and Marienne are the perfect couple and wonderful parents. Daniel is a professor of literature at NYU, and Marienne is a freelance graphic artist. They make their home in New Jersey; therefore, Daniel spends long hours commuting. Their lives are in flux, changing and growing and so is their family. Everything in their lives is blissful at the start of the book. Since they were such close friends prior to their marriage, their communication is open and free flowing. Like most marriages theirs isn’t without it’s challenges. As their lives change, they encounter some problems along the way: commitment issues, jealousy, miscommunication, heartache, and insecurities from both of their pasts.
The major surprise in the book for me was Daniel’s withdrawal from communicating with Marienne. He went from being her best friend, who told her everything, to a husband who starts to keep secrets. After Marienne’s past he should have realized that keeping anything from her would hurt her. The wife never wants to be the last to know about anything. His intentions may have been honorable, but Marienne needs transparency in her relationships. I don’t believe Daniel has a dishonest bone in his body but was taken aback by the airport car scene. Without giving away spoilers this one scene shocked me, as the Daniel I’m in love with would never even have had such thoughts.
Daniel’s fears and imperfections are highlighted in the book, especially when his past is explored. Dealing with his past is a long hard road for Daniel, one that he may not be mature enough to handle.
Marienne is more than justified in her fears of being betrayed. Yes, she should trust Daniel implicitly; but Frank, her dead husband, had betrayed her time and time again. It wasn’t just his physical betrayal, it was also the emotional loneliness that he saddled her with. Furthermore, Marienne is not the conniving type either; she has always seen the good in people and is not one to truly see the deceit in others. She was and is incredible loyal; she was even loyal to Frank who ignored her throughout their marriage. Marienne comes to rely on people around her too quickly, as she is always seeing the good in people, which makes her somewhat naive. She isn’t jaded, and she trusts and loves with her entire heart; it’s a shame that she has been betrayed so often by others.
There are times in the book that I, like Daniel, was amazed that she didn’t see the truth. I wanted to shake Marienne and tell her to “wake up and smell the coffee,” but I, like Daniel, would never be that cruel to my new book girlfriend. I wonder if she needs a baking partner, but then I would be around Daniel and end up burning baked goods. Better to just be BFF’s from afar or my own husband will end up looking like a toad compared to Daniel.
The book has the lovely couple expecting their first child. To say that the father is a basket case would be an understatement. Daniel was worried and attentive during Marienne’s pregnancy with Ella; and he wasn’t even the husband or father to that child, so imagine how Daniel deals with the pregnancy of this new baby. He pours all of his fears about impending fatherhood into his writing, which turns out to be a screenplay. I think if Daniel would have talked to Marienne it might have helped, but her pregnancy is not without complications. Despite the complications, this pregnancy goes far more smoothly than that of Ella’s.
In his career Daniel is also dealing with changes in his department at NYU and the time he has to spend away from his girls commuting. When it comes to his girls, you could not find a more doting and beloved husband and father. Despite Ella not being his biological daughter, she is the light of Daniel’s life. It is a shame her biological father never felt this way about either her or her mother.
The family makes a major move to New Hampshire for Daniel’s job. The stress of the move, his screenplay career, and the introduction of two new characters into their lives, complicate the newly married couples relationship. One of those characters is a new friend in the form of an unwed father and the other is from Daniel’s past. The unwed father becomes fast friends with Marienne, a little too friendly to Daniel’s liking. These, combined with the re-emergence of the beautiful ex-wife Justine, puts stress on the new marriage.
If you want to read a book that will make you grin, laugh, love, forgive, understand, and lust; then I highly recommend Holding On by author Karen Stivali.
An ARC (advanced reading copy) was provided to our blog for the purpose of an honest review.
Author: Karen Stivali
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Stars: 5 out of 5
Synopsis: When you have everything you’ve ever dreamed of, the hard part is Holding On. British NYU professor Daniel Gardner thinks life can’t get better than the day his three-year-old stepdaughter, Ella, calls him Daddy for the first time. Then his wife Marienne tells him she’s pregnant. Daniel is thrilled, but worried about Marienne’s health. Not wanting to cause her stress, he turns to writing to calm his nerves. He pens a screenplay, thinking it’s nothing more than a mental health exercise, but when a colleague reads it and hands it to a producer, it turns into a production contract. Daniel accepts the offer and transfers to a teaching position at Dartmouth, hoping that small town living and a shorter commute will simplify his life.
As he attempts to juggle his new responsibilities, he gets an unexpected letter from Roger, the father he never knew. For the first time since they met, Daniel and Marienne are at odds; she wants him to give Roger a chance, but Daniel wants nothing to do with the man he thinks abandoned his mother. As Daniel and Marienne struggle, they must contend with interference from Daniel’s sexy ex-wife, who appears to want him back, and a handsome, all-too-helpful single dad who desires Marienne as more than a play-date pal. They must both confront deep- seated issues with trust and acceptance if they’re going to find a way to make their marriage work and hold on to the love they share.
Holding On, the sequel to Meant To Be, will be published by Turquoise Morning Press on November 26, 2012.
Review
This is a public service warning, DO NOT, I repeat do not read this book; because if you do read it, it will ruin your life as it has ruined mine. I have fallen for another woman’s husband. The object of my desire is Daniel Gardner, the male lead in the book Holding On; he is beyond wonderful. Maybe I better rewind and get back to the beginning.
We were asked by author Karen Stivali if we would like an ARC (advanced reading copy) of her soon-to-be-released book to review. Michelle Eck, my fellow lover, had reviewed her previous book Meant To Be, and our blog was part of her blog tour. Due to other commitments Michelle wasn’t able to review this new ARC. To be honest I had not read Meant To Be; but I had read Michelle’s review, and it was in my to be read pile. If I was going to read Holding On, I wanted to read it’s predecessor. I wanted to get a feel of the author’s writing style and experience the characters from their first meeting. Therefore, I read Meant To Be.
Each time we are offered an ARC I feel privileged, as the writer is entrusting us with a piece of their talent. So you see, even if I don’t like a book; I respect the talent and the time it takes to produce a work of art. For that is what writing is: art, bringing settings, characters, and emotions to life; making something from nothing; creating an entire world for the reader to experience. Some writers are by far more skilled at the process than others authors. Some writers have potential; and as they write, they are able to explore their own talent and give voices to their characters. Then some writers are born with that voice intact. I don’t know if there is a ‘talented writers gene’ that sets some apart from others; but if there is, then Karen Stivali has it.
Hold On, the sequel to Meant to Be, finds Daniel and Marienne Gardner married six months and living with Ella, their daughter from Marienne’s first marriage. Daniel and Marienne are the perfect couple and wonderful parents. Daniel is a professor of literature at NYU, and Marienne is a freelance graphic artist. They make their home in New Jersey; therefore, Daniel spends long hours commuting. Their lives are in flux, changing and growing and so is their family. Everything in their lives is blissful at the start of the book. Since they were such close friends prior to their marriage, their communication is open and free flowing. Like most marriages theirs isn’t without it’s challenges. As their lives change, they encounter some problems along the way: commitment issues, jealousy, miscommunication, heartache, and insecurities from both of their pasts.
The major surprise in the book for me was Daniel’s withdrawal from communicating with Marienne. He went from being her best friend, who told her everything, to a husband who starts to keep secrets. After Marienne’s past he should have realized that keeping anything from her would hurt her. The wife never wants to be the last to know about anything. His intentions may have been honorable, but Marienne needs transparency in her relationships. I don’t believe Daniel has a dishonest bone in his body but was taken aback by the airport car scene. Without giving away spoilers this one scene shocked me, as the Daniel I’m in love with would never even have had such thoughts.
Daniel’s fears and imperfections are highlighted in the book, especially when his past is explored. Dealing with his past is a long hard road for Daniel, one that he may not be mature enough to handle.
Marienne is more than justified in her fears of being betrayed. Yes, she should trust Daniel implicitly; but Frank, her dead husband, had betrayed her time and time again. It wasn’t just his physical betrayal, it was also the emotional loneliness that he saddled her with. Furthermore, Marienne is not the conniving type either; she has always seen the good in people and is not one to truly see the deceit in others. She was and is incredible loyal; she was even loyal to Frank who ignored her throughout their marriage. Marienne comes to rely on people around her too quickly, as she is always seeing the good in people, which makes her somewhat naive. She isn’t jaded, and she trusts and loves with her entire heart; it’s a shame that she has been betrayed so often by others.
There are times in the book that I, like Daniel, was amazed that she didn’t see the truth. I wanted to shake Marienne and tell her to “wake up and smell the coffee,” but I, like Daniel, would never be that cruel to my new book girlfriend. I wonder if she needs a baking partner, but then I would be around Daniel and end up burning baked goods. Better to just be BFF’s from afar or my own husband will end up looking like a toad compared to Daniel.
The book has the lovely couple expecting their first child. To say that the father is a basket case would be an understatement. Daniel was worried and attentive during Marienne’s pregnancy with Ella; and he wasn’t even the husband or father to that child, so imagine how Daniel deals with the pregnancy of this new baby. He pours all of his fears about impending fatherhood into his writing, which turns out to be a screenplay. I think if Daniel would have talked to Marienne it might have helped, but her pregnancy is not without complications. Despite the complications, this pregnancy goes far more smoothly than that of Ella’s.
In his career Daniel is also dealing with changes in his department at NYU and the time he has to spend away from his girls commuting. When it comes to his girls, you could not find a more doting and beloved husband and father. Despite Ella not being his biological daughter, she is the light of Daniel’s life. It is a shame her biological father never felt this way about either her or her mother.
The family makes a major move to New Hampshire for Daniel’s job. The stress of the move, his screenplay career, and the introduction of two new characters into their lives, complicate the newly married couples relationship. One of those characters is a new friend in the form of an unwed father and the other is from Daniel’s past. The unwed father becomes fast friends with Marienne, a little too friendly to Daniel’s liking. These, combined with the re-emergence of the beautiful ex-wife Justine, puts stress on the new marriage.
If you want to read a book that will make you grin, laugh, love, forgive, understand, and lust; then I highly recommend Holding On by author Karen Stivali.
An ARC (advanced reading copy) was provided to our blog for the purpose of an honest review.
May 30, 2019
All the feels!!
I loved this book. I may even love it more than the first book. A poignantly written continuation that makes no compromises in showing the ups and downs of real life and true love. The tears are still wet on my cheeks a I write this review.
I loved this book. I may even love it more than the first book. A poignantly written continuation that makes no compromises in showing the ups and downs of real life and true love. The tears are still wet on my cheeks a I write this review.
November 30, 2012
Amanda's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
5 Stars
I love when I read a sequel and like it as much as the first one. I just finished reading Holding On by Karen Stivali and loved it. I couldn’t have asked for a better story for Marienne and Daniel to show what it’s like after the Happily Ever After ending at the end of Meant to Be. It is 6 months into their first year of marriage and everything is blissfully good. Daniel is so in love with his wife, he has a family with Marienne and her daughter Ella and a good job teaching at NYU. With time things begin to change and there are challenges that they both have to face in order to keep their marriage on track. This can happen in any marriage and we see what both Daniel and Marienne have to face to keep theirs together.
The first half of the book you see the wonderful connection they have and the love they express for each other. I want to be married to Daniel. Lucky for me I have a Danielesque man of my own. They started out as best friends and you see them sharing their lives with each other. Then she becomes pregnant with a second child and things begin to change. Daniel is stressed with this pregnancy after witnessing what happened with her first and that wasn’t even his own child. Stress and insomnia takes his toll on him and he turns to writing and expressing his feelings in a screenplay. Little did he know that this would be submitted through channels and picked up to be made into a movie. What is a little shocking is his lack of communication with Marienne. Why all of a sudden is he not telling her things?
Life is thrown another curveball when Daniel is offered to teach at Dartmouth in New Hampshire. It would mean so much to have a shorter commute and spend more time with family but it is a stressful situation to sell and purchase a home plus keep working your job. Things would work better so they move and things are good but not without jealousy rearing its ugly head. Marienne becomes friends with a single dad Bob who has a daughter who plays with Ella. Marienne is so trusting and sees only the good in people and never sees things as they truly are sometimes. When Daniel has to travel to California to deal with preproduction meetings he runs into his ex-wife Justine. Marienne finds out and old insecure feelings creep into her subconscious and she wonders if she is being cheated on again. All the men in Marienne’s past have lied and cheated, so she was afraid Daniel would too.
If that wasn’t enough, a man from Daniel’s past comes to New Hampshire and he’s torn from making a connection to this man. Roger claims to have known Daniel’s mother and may be his father but doesn’t want to let this man enter into his life. What ends up happening is that Marienne wants the opposite and they find themselves at odds over Roger. Is it too late to change the past and finally have a father for the first time in his life? Can he let go of the hate he felt growing up without one and the feeling of abandonment for his mother? Good questions that the author covers in her writing.
The beauty of this story is the way the author develops her characters and their relationships and gives you a true sense of how people would react and interact. I found myself falling into the world of Daniel and Marienne that the author created and wanted to shake both of these characters to say “what are you doing?!!” or “wake up and smell the coffee Marienne because the man IS flirting with you.” You want their marriage to make it and for them to get to the ways things were, the way they were meant to be. I believe Karen Stivali is a superb writer in contemporary romance and have told her so in person when we met at a recent conference. She has written a wonderful continuing story of Daniel and Marienne and I was so glad to get more of them in Holding On. I raved about her first book and I’ll be recommending this one as well. I only warn some readers that these novels are not sex-filled, hard-core erotica, but are rather “chick-lit” scenes, full of love, romance and lust. Please read them in order if you get the chance. You will be so glad that you did.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
5 Stars
I love when I read a sequel and like it as much as the first one. I just finished reading Holding On by Karen Stivali and loved it. I couldn’t have asked for a better story for Marienne and Daniel to show what it’s like after the Happily Ever After ending at the end of Meant to Be. It is 6 months into their first year of marriage and everything is blissfully good. Daniel is so in love with his wife, he has a family with Marienne and her daughter Ella and a good job teaching at NYU. With time things begin to change and there are challenges that they both have to face in order to keep their marriage on track. This can happen in any marriage and we see what both Daniel and Marienne have to face to keep theirs together.
The first half of the book you see the wonderful connection they have and the love they express for each other. I want to be married to Daniel. Lucky for me I have a Danielesque man of my own. They started out as best friends and you see them sharing their lives with each other. Then she becomes pregnant with a second child and things begin to change. Daniel is stressed with this pregnancy after witnessing what happened with her first and that wasn’t even his own child. Stress and insomnia takes his toll on him and he turns to writing and expressing his feelings in a screenplay. Little did he know that this would be submitted through channels and picked up to be made into a movie. What is a little shocking is his lack of communication with Marienne. Why all of a sudden is he not telling her things?
Life is thrown another curveball when Daniel is offered to teach at Dartmouth in New Hampshire. It would mean so much to have a shorter commute and spend more time with family but it is a stressful situation to sell and purchase a home plus keep working your job. Things would work better so they move and things are good but not without jealousy rearing its ugly head. Marienne becomes friends with a single dad Bob who has a daughter who plays with Ella. Marienne is so trusting and sees only the good in people and never sees things as they truly are sometimes. When Daniel has to travel to California to deal with preproduction meetings he runs into his ex-wife Justine. Marienne finds out and old insecure feelings creep into her subconscious and she wonders if she is being cheated on again. All the men in Marienne’s past have lied and cheated, so she was afraid Daniel would too.
If that wasn’t enough, a man from Daniel’s past comes to New Hampshire and he’s torn from making a connection to this man. Roger claims to have known Daniel’s mother and may be his father but doesn’t want to let this man enter into his life. What ends up happening is that Marienne wants the opposite and they find themselves at odds over Roger. Is it too late to change the past and finally have a father for the first time in his life? Can he let go of the hate he felt growing up without one and the feeling of abandonment for his mother? Good questions that the author covers in her writing.
The beauty of this story is the way the author develops her characters and their relationships and gives you a true sense of how people would react and interact. I found myself falling into the world of Daniel and Marienne that the author created and wanted to shake both of these characters to say “what are you doing?!!” or “wake up and smell the coffee Marienne because the man IS flirting with you.” You want their marriage to make it and for them to get to the ways things were, the way they were meant to be. I believe Karen Stivali is a superb writer in contemporary romance and have told her so in person when we met at a recent conference. She has written a wonderful continuing story of Daniel and Marienne and I was so glad to get more of them in Holding On. I raved about her first book and I’ll be recommending this one as well. I only warn some readers that these novels are not sex-filled, hard-core erotica, but are rather “chick-lit” scenes, full of love, romance and lust. Please read them in order if you get the chance. You will be so glad that you did.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 13, 2013
In Holding On, the sequel to Meant To Be, the story of Daniel and Marienne continues. Holding On is the story of one couple's ability to love and stay true to each other, while finding the strength and courage to hold on and make their marriage work with love, trust, acceptance, and understanding when unexpected life situations tests their marriage.
Newly married, Daniel and Marienne Gardner are enjoying marital bliss while living in a small town. They have special blessings that come into their lives when Ella, Marienne's three-year-old daughter, calls Daniel Daddy for the first time; Marienne finds out that she is pregnant; and Daniel pens a screenplay that is picked up by a LA producer. Can it get any better than this? Well, life has a way of throwing monkey wrenches into the best of marriages and relationships that will test their ability to survive. Daniel receives a letter from a man named Roger, who claims to be the father that he never knew; Justine, Daniel's ex-wife wants him back and tries to seduce him, which brings out Marienne's old insecure feelings of cheating; and Daniel's frequent travels to LA for preproduction meetings for the screenplay leads the lonely Marienne to befriend a single father named Bob during an arranged playdate for their daughters. Can the strength, trust and love in their marriage help them hold on and overcome life's unexpected situations?
Author Karen Stivali once again weaves an emotional story that delves into the realistic inner workings of a marriage through the trials and tribulations and life's challenges that will test its survivability. Written in the third person narrative, the reader embarks on an emotional roller coaster ride with the continuation of Daniel and Marienne's story. As their story unfolds, the couple encounter issues of commitment, miscommunication and insecurities that test their marriage. I think that the author's look into these issues are realistic and believable, you can't help but feel for the couple as their fears, insecurities and flaws come to light as they strive to maintain their happy marriage. As Daniel and Marienne journey to build upon their marriage, the reader is treated to a couple's love for each other that is simply magical. Through the ups and downs of the challenges and struggles that come their way, this wonderful couple's love endures as they weather life's storms together.
With realistic and believable characters who have flaws and issues that are easy to relate to; engaging dialogue and interactions; and an emotional storyline that will tug at your heartstrings, Holding On is a beautifully written story of the enduring spirit of love and marriage that is oh so sigh worthy.
Author Karen Stivali has created a series of stories that is a must read! Meant To Be is book one, Holding On is book two, and Just In Time is book three that will focus on Justine and will be released in January 2014.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
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Newly married, Daniel and Marienne Gardner are enjoying marital bliss while living in a small town. They have special blessings that come into their lives when Ella, Marienne's three-year-old daughter, calls Daniel Daddy for the first time; Marienne finds out that she is pregnant; and Daniel pens a screenplay that is picked up by a LA producer. Can it get any better than this? Well, life has a way of throwing monkey wrenches into the best of marriages and relationships that will test their ability to survive. Daniel receives a letter from a man named Roger, who claims to be the father that he never knew; Justine, Daniel's ex-wife wants him back and tries to seduce him, which brings out Marienne's old insecure feelings of cheating; and Daniel's frequent travels to LA for preproduction meetings for the screenplay leads the lonely Marienne to befriend a single father named Bob during an arranged playdate for their daughters. Can the strength, trust and love in their marriage help them hold on and overcome life's unexpected situations?
Author Karen Stivali once again weaves an emotional story that delves into the realistic inner workings of a marriage through the trials and tribulations and life's challenges that will test its survivability. Written in the third person narrative, the reader embarks on an emotional roller coaster ride with the continuation of Daniel and Marienne's story. As their story unfolds, the couple encounter issues of commitment, miscommunication and insecurities that test their marriage. I think that the author's look into these issues are realistic and believable, you can't help but feel for the couple as their fears, insecurities and flaws come to light as they strive to maintain their happy marriage. As Daniel and Marienne journey to build upon their marriage, the reader is treated to a couple's love for each other that is simply magical. Through the ups and downs of the challenges and struggles that come their way, this wonderful couple's love endures as they weather life's storms together.
With realistic and believable characters who have flaws and issues that are easy to relate to; engaging dialogue and interactions; and an emotional storyline that will tug at your heartstrings, Holding On is a beautifully written story of the enduring spirit of love and marriage that is oh so sigh worthy.
Author Karen Stivali has created a series of stories that is a must read! Meant To Be is book one, Holding On is book two, and Just In Time is book three that will focus on Justine and will be released in January 2014.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
November 29, 2012
originally posted http://thebooktart.com/new-fiction-re...
Holding On is a beautifully told story of two people who love each other and all the rich and varied details that make a life. I feel like I would recognize Marienne and Daniel if we could meet because they feel so very real. The author immerses you into their lives and weaves a colorful tapestry of their daily joys and challenges they experience and their choice to hold onto the life they are building together. I loved this book.
Holding On is the sequel to Meant To Be and picks up close where the first left off. I feel that Holding On could be read alone but you would enjoy it more if you knew what the characters have gone through to get to this chapter of their lives.
This book follows Marienne and Daniel's journey as they build their married life together. I adore Marienne. She is lovely and warm and very genuine. You can feel her happiness at being with the man she loves. She has a lot of baggage from previous relationships with men who let her down. I enjoyed watching her learn to depend on Daniel to be there for her and love her for who she is and what she does. He is her best friend.
I have a huge crush on Daniel. He's a professor. He has a British accent. He adores children and he is madly, passionately in love with his wife. Their love is a solid gold band woven throughout this story and their emotions for each other sing on the pages.
I appreciate that Karen Stivali told a story about a marriage. The joy in finding your partner. The bliss and panic of pregnancy. The challenges of parenting. The ups and downs of work and chores. The struggles in keeping the lines of communication open. The hurt old baggage can bring to a relationship. And through it all the love that endures for better or worse, in sick spouses, dirty diapers, moving, power outages and storms. They choose to weather it together.
Here are some of my favorite lines
♦ "Have I mentioned how happy you make me?"
"Nope." She shook her head.
"I'm..." He paused. " You know, I don't think words can do this justice."
♦ "Morning, Daddy." She practically flew onto the bed.
"Morning, sweet girl." He pulled her into a hug.
She kissed him on the cheek. "Don't fall back asleep."
"I won't. It smells like muffins. I can't sleep if there are muffins that need to be eaten."
♦ Daniel let the sights and sounds of the house surround him. Dinner simmered on the stove. The familiar scents of garlic roasting and backing bread filled the air. He relaxed into all of it, taking it all in, thankful for every nuance. From Drew giggling to Ella dancing to each gentle smile from Marienne, it all felt like precious gifts.
Oh! The intimate scenes in this novel are hot and full of heart. ;) The entire story is full of heart and so well told that the book zipped along and I couldn't put it down till I had turned the last page. I feel like I know Daniel and Marienne now and I am so glad I met them.
(((hugs))) Kat
The Queen of Tarts
*eARC provided by author for my honest review*
Holding On is a beautifully told story of two people who love each other and all the rich and varied details that make a life. I feel like I would recognize Marienne and Daniel if we could meet because they feel so very real. The author immerses you into their lives and weaves a colorful tapestry of their daily joys and challenges they experience and their choice to hold onto the life they are building together. I loved this book.
Holding On is the sequel to Meant To Be and picks up close where the first left off. I feel that Holding On could be read alone but you would enjoy it more if you knew what the characters have gone through to get to this chapter of their lives.
This book follows Marienne and Daniel's journey as they build their married life together. I adore Marienne. She is lovely and warm and very genuine. You can feel her happiness at being with the man she loves. She has a lot of baggage from previous relationships with men who let her down. I enjoyed watching her learn to depend on Daniel to be there for her and love her for who she is and what she does. He is her best friend.
I have a huge crush on Daniel. He's a professor. He has a British accent. He adores children and he is madly, passionately in love with his wife. Their love is a solid gold band woven throughout this story and their emotions for each other sing on the pages.
I appreciate that Karen Stivali told a story about a marriage. The joy in finding your partner. The bliss and panic of pregnancy. The challenges of parenting. The ups and downs of work and chores. The struggles in keeping the lines of communication open. The hurt old baggage can bring to a relationship. And through it all the love that endures for better or worse, in sick spouses, dirty diapers, moving, power outages and storms. They choose to weather it together.
Here are some of my favorite lines
♦ "Have I mentioned how happy you make me?"
"Nope." She shook her head.
"I'm..." He paused. " You know, I don't think words can do this justice."
♦ "Morning, Daddy." She practically flew onto the bed.
"Morning, sweet girl." He pulled her into a hug.
She kissed him on the cheek. "Don't fall back asleep."
"I won't. It smells like muffins. I can't sleep if there are muffins that need to be eaten."
♦ Daniel let the sights and sounds of the house surround him. Dinner simmered on the stove. The familiar scents of garlic roasting and backing bread filled the air. He relaxed into all of it, taking it all in, thankful for every nuance. From Drew giggling to Ella dancing to each gentle smile from Marienne, it all felt like precious gifts.
Oh! The intimate scenes in this novel are hot and full of heart. ;) The entire story is full of heart and so well told that the book zipped along and I couldn't put it down till I had turned the last page. I feel like I know Daniel and Marienne now and I am so glad I met them.
(((hugs))) Kat
The Queen of Tarts
*eARC provided by author for my honest review*
February 17, 2013
This is another instance when Twitter is your best friend for finding new authors and books to read. In this case I once again was lucky enough to have the luck to win this from Karen. I decided to read this immediately after reading Meant To Be and have to say I loved both of them even more.
This takes place a little over a year after Meant To Be and they have been settling in to married life. Daniel and Marienne have discovered they are having a baby but as the pregnancy progresses Daniel realizes he wants to work closer to home so he doesn't have to worry if anything happens. Working in NYC and living in New Jersey has him spending too much time on the commute and as she goes in to labor while he is in NYC during a snowstorm he knows that he needs a change. Luckily for him an offer to teach at Dartmouth with a trusted mentor comes open and he gets to have a chance to live the life he has always dreamed of.
Once in New Hampshire old hurts and doubts start to creep in on both sides. Daniel has written a screenplay that has been green lighted for production out in California while Marienne meets a single dad with a kid about the same age as her daughter. Add to this the fact that Daniel's ex tries to get back in the picture and Daniel's long lost father appearing in his life, you have the recipe for a severe meltdown. What I adore is the fact that even when they fight there is a huge amount of love underneath everything that they say and do. There is no intentional or truly mean behavior on both their parts but they do have major issues with trust that cannot be healed with just words but time and action.
Both books are incredibly realistic in that nothing is white-washed over and they have real issues to work through. I adored them both but my heart was definitely stolen by Daniel. Thanks again to Karen for giving me this book without asking for review. I adored both of them.
This takes place a little over a year after Meant To Be and they have been settling in to married life. Daniel and Marienne have discovered they are having a baby but as the pregnancy progresses Daniel realizes he wants to work closer to home so he doesn't have to worry if anything happens. Working in NYC and living in New Jersey has him spending too much time on the commute and as she goes in to labor while he is in NYC during a snowstorm he knows that he needs a change. Luckily for him an offer to teach at Dartmouth with a trusted mentor comes open and he gets to have a chance to live the life he has always dreamed of.
Once in New Hampshire old hurts and doubts start to creep in on both sides. Daniel has written a screenplay that has been green lighted for production out in California while Marienne meets a single dad with a kid about the same age as her daughter. Add to this the fact that Daniel's ex tries to get back in the picture and Daniel's long lost father appearing in his life, you have the recipe for a severe meltdown. What I adore is the fact that even when they fight there is a huge amount of love underneath everything that they say and do. There is no intentional or truly mean behavior on both their parts but they do have major issues with trust that cannot be healed with just words but time and action.
Both books are incredibly realistic in that nothing is white-washed over and they have real issues to work through. I adored them both but my heart was definitely stolen by Daniel. Thanks again to Karen for giving me this book without asking for review. I adored both of them.
March 13, 2013
Article first published as eBook Review: Holding On by Karen Stivali on Blogcritics.
I adored the first novel in this series, Meant To Be, so I was eager to read this second instalment. I was definitely not disappointed. It's not quite erotica or erotic romance, but there are enough hot and sexy moments that I still think fans of those genres will enjoy this.
Daniel Gardner finally has everything he ever wanted - a wife he worships, a stepdaughter he adores, and a child on the way. He's naturally delighted about the new baby, but can't help worrying about his wife, Marienne's, health, because she had trouble when she was carrying Ella. Not wanting to unload his worries onto Marienne, he takes his stress out on his computer keyboard and starts a screenplay. He never intends for it to go anywhere except his hard drive, but when a colleague of his reads it and hands it to a TV producer, things change fast. He's offered a production contract. At the same time, he decides to transfer his teaching position, hoping that small town living and a shorter commute will simplify his life. For the most part, it does, but when he receives a letter from Roger, the father he never knew, a spanner is thrown into the works.
Marienne wants him to give Roger a chance but Daniel wants nothing to do with the man he thinks abandoned his mother. As they struggle with their thoughts and opinions, other problems niggle at their marriage, and they must work together to ensure that nothing can break them apart, and destroy the powerful love they have for one another.
This was another superb read from Karen Stivali. An intense romance, it tells a very realistic story about the life of a couple that love one another dearly, and how even that bond can be shattered by outside influences. It's a page-turner for sure, and one that I recommend to hot romance fans.
I adored the first novel in this series, Meant To Be, so I was eager to read this second instalment. I was definitely not disappointed. It's not quite erotica or erotic romance, but there are enough hot and sexy moments that I still think fans of those genres will enjoy this.
Daniel Gardner finally has everything he ever wanted - a wife he worships, a stepdaughter he adores, and a child on the way. He's naturally delighted about the new baby, but can't help worrying about his wife, Marienne's, health, because she had trouble when she was carrying Ella. Not wanting to unload his worries onto Marienne, he takes his stress out on his computer keyboard and starts a screenplay. He never intends for it to go anywhere except his hard drive, but when a colleague of his reads it and hands it to a TV producer, things change fast. He's offered a production contract. At the same time, he decides to transfer his teaching position, hoping that small town living and a shorter commute will simplify his life. For the most part, it does, but when he receives a letter from Roger, the father he never knew, a spanner is thrown into the works.
Marienne wants him to give Roger a chance but Daniel wants nothing to do with the man he thinks abandoned his mother. As they struggle with their thoughts and opinions, other problems niggle at their marriage, and they must work together to ensure that nothing can break them apart, and destroy the powerful love they have for one another.
This was another superb read from Karen Stivali. An intense romance, it tells a very realistic story about the life of a couple that love one another dearly, and how even that bond can be shattered by outside influences. It's a page-turner for sure, and one that I recommend to hot romance fans.
February 10, 2013
Karen Stivali is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Holding On. This is the sequel to Meant to Be, a book I absolutely loved. I was very eager to jump back into the lives of Marienne and Daniel, as they won me over completely in the first book. The couple are happily married, and are both overjoyed when Marienne finds out she is pregnant. A lot happens during her pregnancy, and one large part is Daniel writing a screenplay that gets offered to be produced. The family also moves to a new town when Daniel gets offered a position at Dartmouth, and they meet a neighbor that is a little too friendly towards Marienne. With Daniel traveling due often to the screenplay jealousy starts to spark between the two, especially when Daniel’s manipulating ex-wife reappears back his life. Their marriage is suddenly on shaky ground, and both Marienne and Daniel have to dig deep to understand their love, trust, and partnership to make their marriage work.
I really enjoyed Holding On, maybe not as much as the first book, but I still really liked it. It was so nice to see a couple that really belongs together be together, though there were plenty of rough spots for them. The writing and scenes are very realistic, and I liked that Stivali was able to make me think about my own soon-to-be marriage through her characters and their issues and how they resolve them. The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was Marienne and Daniel’s sex life, which can probably make a lot of people feel inadequate. It felt like they were having sex in every third scene which got to be a bit much for me, but overall I really did enjoy this book. I would definitely recommend both Meant to Be and Holding On.
I really enjoyed Holding On, maybe not as much as the first book, but I still really liked it. It was so nice to see a couple that really belongs together be together, though there were plenty of rough spots for them. The writing and scenes are very realistic, and I liked that Stivali was able to make me think about my own soon-to-be marriage through her characters and their issues and how they resolve them. The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was Marienne and Daniel’s sex life, which can probably make a lot of people feel inadequate. It felt like they were having sex in every third scene which got to be a bit much for me, but overall I really did enjoy this book. I would definitely recommend both Meant to Be and Holding On.
January 23, 2013
This is the sequel to Meant to Be. Daniel and Marienne are now married, Ella calls Daniel daddy and Marienne is pregnant. Additionally, he’s penned a screen play that has been picked up by a producer in L.A. So Daniel pretty much has everything he’s always wanted. Unfortunately life isn’t that simple, the father he never knew contacts him, he keeps running into his ex-wife Justine who can’t stop trying to seduce him, and Marienne has a new friend, Bob
Think of this book as what happens after the ‘Happily Ever After.’ When you finish reading a romance book and sigh after the HEA, do you sometimes stop and wonder if life remains rosy for the two characters? Well Karen Stivali doesn’t want you to wonder. She tells you exactly what happens in Daniel and Marienne’s life.
The book was not as heartbreaking as the first one. In fact it was sexier…steamier… I love that Daniel is still so much in love (and lust) with Marienne. You’d think nothing could test that bond but it was tested. Not dramatically but enough.
The best thing about Karen Stivali’s books is that her characters feel real to me. Like they could be my next door neighbors. Though to be honest if my next door neighbor was Daniel Gardner I would be spending much more time at his house!
So, if you are in the mood for a beautiful love story, the kind of love that makes it against all odds, then check out Karen Stivali’s Meant to Be and Holding On.
3 stars.
Think of this book as what happens after the ‘Happily Ever After.’ When you finish reading a romance book and sigh after the HEA, do you sometimes stop and wonder if life remains rosy for the two characters? Well Karen Stivali doesn’t want you to wonder. She tells you exactly what happens in Daniel and Marienne’s life.
The book was not as heartbreaking as the first one. In fact it was sexier…steamier… I love that Daniel is still so much in love (and lust) with Marienne. You’d think nothing could test that bond but it was tested. Not dramatically but enough.
The best thing about Karen Stivali’s books is that her characters feel real to me. Like they could be my next door neighbors. Though to be honest if my next door neighbor was Daniel Gardner I would be spending much more time at his house!
So, if you are in the mood for a beautiful love story, the kind of love that makes it against all odds, then check out Karen Stivali’s Meant to Be and Holding On.
3 stars.
August 3, 2016
n this follow-up to Meant to Be, Karen Stivali gives us a view of what happens after the HEA. Now that Marienne and Daniel are together, how does their relationship change? This is another interesting theme to the subject of contemporary romance.
Daniel and Marienne are dealing with the stresses of everyday life -- long commutes, missing moments of togetherness, sacrificing quality time for obligations. It's stuff everyone has to deal with and that made it easy to relate to these characters.
When they get the opportunity for a quieter life when Daniel is offered a position at Dartmouth, they take it. But life is not smooth for them when Daniel's script is picked up for production and he's away from home. Enter the single dad that threatens to become Marienne's friend, very much like what happened with Daniel. This brings up questions about commitment and jealousy. Karen Stivali portrays these doubts so well in Holding On.
Overall, I really loved Holding On. It's a perfect follow up to Meant to Be and still captures the interesting examination of what it means to be soul mates.
Recommended.
ARC provided for review.
Daniel and Marienne are dealing with the stresses of everyday life -- long commutes, missing moments of togetherness, sacrificing quality time for obligations. It's stuff everyone has to deal with and that made it easy to relate to these characters.
When they get the opportunity for a quieter life when Daniel is offered a position at Dartmouth, they take it. But life is not smooth for them when Daniel's script is picked up for production and he's away from home. Enter the single dad that threatens to become Marienne's friend, very much like what happened with Daniel. This brings up questions about commitment and jealousy. Karen Stivali portrays these doubts so well in Holding On.
Overall, I really loved Holding On. It's a perfect follow up to Meant to Be and still captures the interesting examination of what it means to be soul mates.
Recommended.
ARC provided for review.
November 19, 2013
** Some spoilers ***
This was a great follow up to Meant To Be. I loved seeing how Marienn and Daniel re built their lives together. It was interesting to see how the author threw obstacles in their path - ex wife, too friendly male friend. And through it all they remained faithful to each other. If I had to nit pick - I did not like the fact that Daniel was "tempted" in any way by his ex wife. There is no cheating and he loves Marienn but there is a stray line in the book that he was tempted - albeit fleetingly. Seemed a bit out of character since he spent the majority of the first book falling out of love with his ex wife and into love with Marienn.
I liked to Meant To Be much better but I am sucker for sequels and this one is worth the read.
This was a great follow up to Meant To Be. I loved seeing how Marienn and Daniel re built their lives together. It was interesting to see how the author threw obstacles in their path - ex wife, too friendly male friend. And through it all they remained faithful to each other. If I had to nit pick - I did not like the fact that Daniel was "tempted" in any way by his ex wife. There is no cheating and he loves Marienn but there is a stray line in the book that he was tempted - albeit fleetingly. Seemed a bit out of character since he spent the majority of the first book falling out of love with his ex wife and into love with Marienn.
I liked to Meant To Be much better but I am sucker for sequels and this one is worth the read.
December 6, 2012
Holding On continues where Meant to Be ends. Which means you get to read more about Daniel and Marienne and their wonderful relationship as they cope with the trials and joys of marriage. Karen Stivali captures these two so vividly that I was disappointed when the book ended. I wanted to continue reading about them! Karen is definitely an author to watch; her first novels are so good that I can't wait to see how she evolves over time. It's hard to improve on perfection, but I've got a feeling that her books will only get better.
January 7, 2013
I could not put this book down. Really. I stayed up half the night reading it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Karen Stivali is on my list of must-read authors now. For lovers of romance fiction, MEANT TO BE and the sequel HOLDING ON are required reading.
Please see my review and Book Tour Post on January 28, 2013. There will be contests and prizes and a great book to read. Available on January 28: http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
Please see my review and Book Tour Post on January 28, 2013. There will be contests and prizes and a great book to read. Available on January 28: http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
July 31, 2016
I still enjoyed this one, just not as much as the first.
Perhaps the forbidden aspect in book one is whatever the plot along. Even though they didn't cheat on their spouses, the element of will-they won't-they was always there.
Marienne and Daniel still had sizzling chemistry, and the realism from book one carried through into book 2.
I swear at one point his mother's name was Victoria, and then it changed to Elizabeth half way through? Or did I imagine that?
Perhaps the forbidden aspect in book one is whatever the plot along. Even though they didn't cheat on their spouses, the element of will-they won't-they was always there.
Marienne and Daniel still had sizzling chemistry, and the realism from book one carried through into book 2.
I swear at one point his mother's name was Victoria, and then it changed to Elizabeth half way through? Or did I imagine that?
August 22, 2016
Loved this follow-up to Meant To Be! It was refreshing to read about a couple that was already happily married; to see their real-life struggles and deepening love. The story took a few turns I wasn't expecting which added to my overall enjoyment. The detail in the writing made it play like a movie in my head.
**In some parts of the book, Daniels mother's name is Victoria and others it's Elizabeth. Kind of a big typo not to catch.
**In some parts of the book, Daniels mother's name is Victoria and others it's Elizabeth. Kind of a big typo not to catch.
February 12, 2013
I was so excited to find that this book was the sequel to Meant to Be! Marienne and Daniel are characters I came to care about, so I was thrilled to read more about them. I did feel that the story started to drag just the tiniest bit, but the reintroduction of Justine along with the substories of Bob and Daniel's father came along at just the right moment. Loved the ending!
March 17, 2015
Excellent!
I really, really enjoyed this book. Daniel was a wonderful husband and father. He loved his wife and kids beyond measure. I loved the part where he made his way back home to his family when it was freezing cold and there was not beat. I also loved it when Daniel finally excepted his dad into his life. I recommend this book to all romance readers. Great book!!
I really, really enjoyed this book. Daniel was a wonderful husband and father. He loved his wife and kids beyond measure. I loved the part where he made his way back home to his family when it was freezing cold and there was not beat. I also loved it when Daniel finally excepted his dad into his life. I recommend this book to all romance readers. Great book!!
November 30, 2012
This book continues Daniel and Marienne's story. They are still very much in love and are faced with situations that are just life. I love how they stayed true to each other and ultimately found understanding, acceptance and love from a place they never expected. Great story!
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