Take on Me

Plantain #3

by Amelia Oliver

The stars were aligned the night Katie Kingston met Joey Petersen. The fact they even met at all, proves that sometimes the world works in mysterious ways.
Katie knew from the day they met that as soon as Joey graduated high school he would be signing up for the military. But nothing prepared her for the long journey they both would embark on. Even when Joey's deployed off to war, the task of being a single parent pales in comparison to the challenges that lay ahead. It's when Joey returns a broken man, and the strength of their love is tested that Katie has to fight her hardest battle yet.
The love that began the night they met would bond these two together through good times and bad, happiness and pain. Sometimes the strength of one partner has to carry both through the fire, and with these two, they both shoulder that burden for the other.
Is enough ever enough when giving up could mean losing the man you love to his despair? Can love be strong enough to mend and heal when it's all you have left?

Genres: Military Fiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 2017

About the author

The Plantain Series
The Pussycat
Calico and Stone
Co-author of the Client Liaisons Series
The Seoul Mate Series
Blood of Aurum

Reviews

[Rebecca Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author truly has the gift of words. This is a must read series. Not only does she write with her heart and passion for words but the way she puts in her little twist and turns. I enjoy reading her writing style. There is so much to her story I forget and loose track of time. The sex scenes are blazing hot!! I adore Katie and Joeys story. These two are lovers for life.

[Melanie (mells_view) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 holy shit I'm in my feelings stars


Wow. Just wow. *slow clap*

This is hands down my favorite book from the Plantain Series (so far!). I've always liked Katie and Joey mainly because they were round about high school sweethearts. I'm a high school sweetheart, so I connected with them on that level. Being someone's one and only is a unique and deep connection... and in this story you feel that with Joey and Katie from the very start. That first look, I HAD THAT FIRST LOOK. The look where you just know you've found the one. Ugh Amelia Oliver does such an amazing job capturing that feeling with these characters.

She flawlessly mixes their lives together, and as heartbreaking as Katie's past was, it was beautiful seeing Joey bring her into his life, with his family and friends. Ugh... then don't even get me started on the true meat of this story. I do not read military romance UNLESS it's in a series that I'm already reading... I am so glad that THIS military romance was in this series because it was fantastic. It was such an emotional ride for Katie & Joey and everyone around them.



As I read this I was cooking dinner and was wiping tears from my eyes. Not only was I feeling sad, but I felt this couples love so strongly at times it made me that emotional. I was angry at both of them, I was happy for both of them, I was devastated for both of them. All of the feelings! Ugh I am not a military spouse, so I can't say that this book is gospel, but it felt so real and so raw emotionally. Such fantastic writing. *slow clap round two*

Of course the end wraps up nicely, but it's believable and necessary with the angst that takes place in this story. I don't want to ruin it and spoil anything so what I will say is... this book is full of emotions, if you look at a list of all the emotions. I'm pretty sure this book will make you feel at least 85% of the emotions you see on the list. This book had some hot and steamy naughty bits. This book had a BEAUTIFUL love story, and this book had such a great sense of family that all of the Plantain series has had.

Can't recommend this book or this series any more than I have. Amelia Olivers writing gets better and better with each book, and the best part is she's nowhere near finished! So excited for what's to come :)

[Ash.loveofbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love for this series is ever-growing. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!

Three words: ALL. THE. FEELS.
Seriously that's exactly what happened when I read this book. I felt everything in this book. The highs, the lows and everything in-between.

Joey is the ultimate book boyfriend. Seriously. He's sweet, handsome, caring and so sexy! All the men in the Plantain Series are great book boyfriends but there’s just something about Joey that makes him stand out.
The love that Joey and Katie have for one another is breathtaking. Their commitment and love for one another is one that people hope to experience for themselves. They are most definitely #couplegoals.

I can’t recommend this series enough!
Warning: This book is unputdownable!

[Jackiee 💕✨📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I. Love. This. Book.
Amelia Oliver's books just keep getting better and better. This story was raw, angsty, and filled with undying love. We are taken back in time to when, at just 16 years old, Joey and Katie first meet. Their journey was definitely not an easy one but they never gave up.

Katie was so much stronger than she thought of herself to be. I absolutely loved her character. Even in her vulnerable times she always held her head high. Now, Joey. That man is one of my all time favorite book boyfriend's. He was stubborn, sexy AF, and so freaking cute with Katie. I mean the man did so many romantic things that killed me.

I definitely did shed some tears in some parts. Which I love how Amelia created such raw scenes and it just felt real. I felt their emotions. I felt lonely with Katie. I felt lost with Joey. But in the end their love broke down any barrier.

Everything about this book was perfect. From the characters. To the timeline. To the music. Each song was perfectly paired to the scene. Amelia you kill me. And after that epilogue. I. Am. So. Ready. For. The. Next. One. I can't get enough of this Plantain Series. Easily my favorite series of all time.

[sl.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Running With The Devil, I was falling...

In Come As You Are, I fell...

In Take On Me, I have fallen...

Completely in LOVE with Amelia Oliver's writing and the town and people of Plantain!

Joey and Katie's story is what I would say is the ultimate love story. It takes you back, back before Running with the Devil- when Katie first met Joey and everyone was young but not quite innocent. And follows Joey and Katie as they grow more in love with each other as they mature into adults. Even though they have their ups and downs, their relationship is perfect.

Their story was written with such honesty you can't help but feel as if you are right there in the story, admiring their strength and feeling what they're feeling. We're hurt when they're hurt and we're happy when they're happy.

This is definitely one of those stories that I will be rereading over and over again.

I highly recommend it!

[Ｋａｔｅ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret that I am totally addicted to all things Plantain & simply can not get enough of these people and their stories. I have devoured each book like a starving animal, completely focused & barely acknowledging life around me. Interruptors did so at their own peril.

Then along came this book.
This Book! Book Three.
Jaysus.... JAY-SUS!

Take On Me, the story of Katie Kingston & Joey Pedersen is my favourite book in the Plantain series so far... and I've loved them all!

I don't think I can adequately explain to you in mere words just how completely fucking epic this book is... but given an interpretive dance with musical sensory immersion therapy & a laser-light show won't translate well in written form, I'm going to give it a red hot go.

Let me start by saying that this isn't just a book - it's a rite of passage. You won't so much read the words of this story, as you'll feel them. Every. Single. Word.

Within the first few lines, I was effortlessly returned to my teenage years, my hopes & dreams hung back up on the cork board on my bedroom wall, right along with Katie & Joey's.

Amelia again uses her ability to capture the humanity of her characters in a way that they become a part of you, part of your soul. She also continues to weave music into their lives in a way that the music itself actually becomes another character. So much a part to the tapestry of the story, that it wouldn't be as rich without it there.

The writing was flawless, their story unfolding in a way so seamless & natural, you barely knew you'd changed chapters.

As their relationship evolved, from teen lovers to committed adults, Amelia ran me through the full gamut of emotion. From being so full of joy & laughing hysterically to having my beating, bloodied heart ripped from my chest as I sobbed uncontrollably, she made me feel every thread of their connection - and I wouldn't change a single beautiful moment.

If you like your love stories so multidimensional you'll see them in your mind, taste them in your mouth, hear them in your life, know them in your heart & feel them in your soul - FFS, read this series & read this book.

[Paperback Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this series just keeps getting better and better...there's no way I can pick who I love more. Katie and Joey's story was very emotional..their 20yr love story was so beautiful. I'm so excited for Daisy and Wyatt's book...here comes the next generation of Plantain men!!!!

[Alex ♈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally pulled my big girl panties up and did it...I read Take On Me!strong>

I've been so afraid to read this one because I didn't think my poor heart could take whatever heartache Katie and Joey's story would entail! So I rang in the new year with a re read of my fav Running with the Devil (which is still my all time fav by AO) and then I went on to a re read of Come as You Are where I swooned over Nathan's love for Skye! Then I saw AO wrote a MM novella, Almost Easy, so of course I had to devour that! Sticking with my jumping all over the place reads of the Plantain Series I dove into Daisy and Wyatt's roller coaster love story Use Somebody! And this is when I realized I could totally read Katie and Joeys epic love story! Filled with heart ache and love. starting from when they were teenagers to now as parents of teenagers. Their love overcame a ton of life's hurtles and they came out on the other side....together, whole, happy and ever so still in love! Now I just need to get the courage to read Missy and Sven's story because I KNOW it's going to shred me!

[Michelle Krystel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow these MC boys just keep getting better and better! They are so different from every other MC crew. I mean Joey is a complete sweetheart, his heart is so big I can't even find the words to describe how good this man is. Katie I freaken love her! She's such a strong good role model for women all over the world. She has so much courage and confidence you can't help but beam off her energy. Before Joey her life was hell, I'm so glad Joey didn't give up on her while she tried to push him away. These two have an outer body connection its that strong, they feed off each other its truly an amazing feeling to see these grow from teenagers to adults.

[Maren Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come after I pull myself together. Swooooooooon.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie and Joey's story starts when they meet at a house party when they are 16 and continues over 20-plus years, including his involvement in the motorcycle club, her family drama, their marriage and children, and his military career. Throughout the book, Oliver continues to add to her Plantain world while she sculpts believable, dimensional characters. Take On Me is sweeping and beautiful and compelling.

If you haven't read the previous books in the series, I highly recommend them and reading them in order creates certain layers. But if you dive into this one first, you won't lose any of the story for having skipped the other books, and your enjoyment of the previous books may only be diminished the teensiest bit as a result of what is learned in this book.

Bottom line: Read this book. Read this whole series. Each book in this series is better than the last. Take On Me is already certain to be one of my Top 10 reads of 2017.

[Dee Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I could not have been more excited to visit Plantain.

Joey and Katie's story is beautiful and emotional and full of real life stuff that made it so relatable, so gut wrenching that I can't imagine people won't connect with this. Their love story was romantic but it was also full of troubles and pain and that they fought through it all was beautiful.

As always with Amelia, the hot was very, very hot, but there was one scene in particular towards the latter half that was a desperate moment that I felt was both heartbreaking and so realistic I'm so impressed with the bravery to include it. Kudos, indeed.

I cannot wait for more visits to Plantain, and I hope everyone picks up this series, either with this, the first, Running With The Devil, or part two, Come As You Are; I promise if you pick up one, you'll have to read the whole series!

[the.quirky.wallflower · Rating 5 out of 5]

This love story from Plantain is that of Joey and Katie. Once high school sweethearts...It will make you laugh, cry, cringe, yell, and believe there are happily ever afters.

Make sure you have Kleenex handy for this journey of lovers.

I cannot wait for the next in the series...they just keep getting better.

[sassysistersreadings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take on Me by Amelia Oliver is the third book in the Plantain Series and definitely the most real and raw book in the series. This book is so relatable for many people who have loved someone in the military and gone through ups and downs with them. Katie and Joey meet when they are young sixteen year olds and fall in love. You wouldn’t think this would be a problem, but from the time they meet Katie knows Joey is going to go into the military and at some point they won't be able to continue to stay together. Once Joey leaves for the military many things change between the two of them and Katie no matter what never gives up faith on her and Joey’s love. This concept of never giving up is a true testament to Katie and what kind of women she is because a lot happens in this book and the military definitely changes Joey. Like always though Katie never truly gives up on him and they grow from young highschool sweethearts to two adults who both have deep battle scars from life who continue to love each other. One thing I love about Amelia Oliver and her books is you always know where you stand with her and at the end of Take on Me is no different because at the end we receive the next couple in the continuation of the Plantain Series. We can't wait for the next book and am so happy the series will continue because I love each and every character she writes about and love that we get to continually see everyone throughout each book.

[Ryan - Sweet Red Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start with this review. Katie and Joey's story made me giggle, cry (on multiple occasions), blush, and cheer. It was such a treat to go back to Plantain and see glimpses of the characters as teenagers (particularly Maven and Dornan). Katie's background was so unbelievably heartbreaking (and just when you think that it can't get worse, some how it does), yet her relationship with Joey is so sweet and soulful. I really loved that they fell in love as teenagers and stayed true to that. The depiction of life as the spouse of a deployed soldier seemed very realistic and was eye-opening in so many ways. I also really appreciated the way the author showed Katie's character growth and included some of the issues we feel as women once we become wives and mothers and sometimes lose ourselves in those titles. The whole story just resonated with and inspired me. It's truly one of those books that will stick with me far beyond reading/hearing the last word. 4.5 out of 5 wine glasses.

[Elizarey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Take On Me
Author: Amelia Oliver
Rating: 5 stars
Main Characters: Joey/Katy
Favorite Character(s): Joey
Hero's Traits: Sweet, loving, considerate, helpful, alpha, sexy and protective
Heroine's Traits: Sassy, Independent, loving, forgiving, kind and smart
Others By This Author: Come As You Are *All Highly Recommended*

OMG I CAN NOT GET OVER THIS BOOK!!!!! WOW this book was just amazing. My absolute favorite so far in the Plantain Series.

The Story:
The wallflower and the protector. Katy spends most of her days at the library, escaping her home life with her two horrible parents. The abuse that Katy went through was heartbreaking, and I have no clue how she had the strength to go on. One night her father drops her off at the library as usual but this time she sneaks off with her one and only friend to a house party. Her first one! This is where she meets Joey, instantly they connect and it was beautiful. I will leave it there because if I go any further we will enter spoiler town!

My thoughts:
Seeing their relationship blossom over the years was just such a pleasure. I was so happy with the way Amelia wrote this book, it was perfect for them. Seeing them at the start as kids and then all the way up until they were adults was awesome! I felt like a parent watching my children grow. The struggles they had to go through at each stage of their lives and how they persevered it was all so heartbreaking but at the same time I was gripped. I could not stop listening to the story. Hearing this book on audible was a fantastic way to experience the lives of Joey and Katy. Elizabeth Tebb told the story so well and made me feel like I was in the story myself. I am dying to read the next book! So happy the kids are getting their own books too.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie and Joey,,, will you adopt me?

PS. Amelia, you did it again. I'm not surprised. You are my writing GOD.

Give me more, lots more and sell me a house in Plantain.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in a giveaway and if I wasn't Plantain Obsessed before I would be now. This book picks up where we left off in Come As You Are with Joey telling Katie he wants to go back into active service in the military. The story then goes back to where Joey and Katie first met and gives as an insight into what these two have gone through all these years. Make sure you have the tissues close by as this book will break your heart from what this pair have endured together, but not all tears will be sad ones a lot of the tears will be for the love and bond that this pair have. I can't begin to describe how amazing this story is and what a fantastic job the author has done. You get lost in their story experiencing every high and low that they have experienced. Do yourself a favour and one click this book now. My only regret is that I can only rate this book with 5 stars. So glad to see that there will be more Plantain for us to experience in the future.

[Danielle Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh this series keeps getting better with each book! I love this series so much! The men of Plantain are amazing and I need to go there and find my own!!

This book starts at the you beginning of Joey and Katie's epic love story when they are 16 and continues to now. They have such a beautiful relationship and you can see how much their love has grown through the years.

I am in love with Joey! He's sexy, caring and sweet. The way he loves Katie is so amazing. He's the ultimate book boyfriend! I love all the guys but Joey is definitely my favorite!!

I loved Katie, she was so strong despite everything and an amazing woman and mother.

I really loved Joey's parents for the way they took care of Katie without question. They are great parents.

This is an emotional book and it gives you all the feels. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Tamara Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page I knew I was going to love this story and it would break my heart all at the same time and boy, oh boy, did Amelia deliver. I have loved every book in The Plantain Series but this one has a very special place in my heart. The story of how Katie and Joey came to be and how they survived is absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful and it had me in tears through most of this book but it is absolutely worth it!! This story is one that many people can connect with and even though it's not a person experience for me, the way that Amelia writes, she ensures that you live and feel the emotion of it all. You do have to read the first two books in order to understand a lot of what happens in this one and you will not be disappointed in those either. I am so looking forward to the next books in the series as I know that Amelia has so much more in store for us!!

[Michelle B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

I loved the first book with Maven and Dornan. I really enjoyed the second book with Skye and Nathan. But Joey and Katie had my heart. I rad their book within one day. I couldn’t put it down. What this couple goes through is heartbreaking and I will tell you , I shed many tears.

Merged review:

Katie and Joey.....
Between this couple, Maven and Dornan(book 1) and Sven and Missy (book 5) were my favorite out of the series. That's not to say the rest weren't good, they are. It's just that these three couple grabbed me. The authors writing in the book was fantastic. She explained Joey and Katie so much that you were there with them. My heart broke for this couple. Their journey is tough to go through with them. And I have to say, the author has to have some experience with being in the military and if she doesn't then she did a hell of a job writing it.

[Courtney Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes batsman this series wow it just keeps getting better and better!! I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer to give A.O a chance I'm completely enthralled in this series AO's writing keeps getting better and better ok ok... so we of course meet Joey and Katie in book 1&2 ( which these book could be read as standalone but I highly suggest reading all together) and I had no clue .. Joey and Katie's love is one in a million they meet at 16 and they overcome so freaking much I can't even their story is so unique and they weather so many storms this book had me balling my eyes out and also having to turn up the air(yup definitely got hot) but it's so much more and I highly suggest giving this series a go! Thank you AO for another awesome read!!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't you just love; love at first sight, *swoon* that's what happens in this plantain story, Katie goes to a party and across the room is Joey, their eyes meet...awwww but it's not all plain sailing, Joey goes to war, and Katie stays at home to raise there family, it's an amazing story and in always a sucker for a happy ending...cant wait to read the next instalment from the bikers and their girls in the plantain series, I give this book 5 deliciously hot and sexy stars *****

[Hibby Musé · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that would make an amazing tearjerker movie. I loved getting to know Joey and Katie as kids, i feel like we didn't get enough of them in the other books, especially Katie. I would have never imagined she went through all of that. To me her and Joey's relations is the most solid, because they had the most tribulations. Loved this story it was sad, sweet and real.

[Hillary Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! I didn't want it to end!

[Katie G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! I can't put this one down!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Having read glimpses of this couple in previous books, I was intrigued to read their story, what I didn't expect was to fall in love with this couple more than Dornan and Maven. We read about Katie and Joey's story from the beginning to all the obstacles life throws at you. I loved their story, it felt true and real.

[books.lyrics_and_leadingmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may never look at a candy cane the same way again and I'll be loading up the tree this Christmas.

Joey and Katie's story was such a gorgeous, sexy and emotional read. I just loved their instant, deep and completely unbreakable connection.

I'm completely hooked on this series. Bring on TOO CLOSE!

[Audrey Edits · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5 STAR MUST READ MC SERIES!!!!!!

I have FINALLY gotten around to reading this series, and let me tell everyone, you HAVE to read it!!! OMG, I love it!! MC books are always one of my favorites, but this series took it to a whole other level! I'm also a huge music fanatic, and as you can guess from the titles of this entire series, music plays a big part in them and each one comes with an awesome playlist, so that definitely made me happy!

I will tell you a little secret, though...I had a friend suggest to me that I should read book 5, Free Bird (Sven and Missy's book, but also Owen, Shine, Jasper, Gwen, and Joseph's story) first, but ONLY part 1 and 2, and then go to beginning of series and read in order, including the novellas, which are 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5, then read part 3 of Free Bird when you get up to it! I am soooo glad I did this because although you don't have to, it definitely helped a lot to know the back story of the parents/grandparents and the MC so that you better understand everyone's relationships and how they all came to be a family!

With that said, this book is about Joey (Gwen and Joseph's son) and Katie. Katie has super strict parents that allow for nothing outside of school work pretty much. When she sneaks away to a party one night, everything changes when she meets Joey. He is persistent and meets her everyday at the library since that's where she has to be everyday after school. They finally get to be together, but then Joey goes off to join the military. From this point on, the story gets intensely emotional and heart wrenching and sometimes hard to read just because the feelings are so strong! I cried numerous times! But the strength Katie shows while raising their beautiful kids alone and trying to help Joey through all of his traumatic issues over many years, it blew me away!! The love and connection they share is amazing! Absolutely loved this book!!!

Can't say enough how much I love this series and how much you need all of these amazing people in your life!!!