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Anticipation #2

Anticipating Rejection

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Del is now a single dad, and for the sake of his young daughter, he's moving back to his parents’ ranch. Returning to Anticipation means seeing Noah again—the man who was his best friend and then so much more. Del enjoyed surrendering control to Noah, but fear of what their relationship would mean sent him running. Will Noah even speak to him again, much less give him a second chance?

Noah has resigned himself to a quiet life improving his baking skills and running his family’s café. When his mom volunteers him to pick up Del at the airport despite an incoming blizzard, he braces himself to be stranded overnight while trying to pretend he hasn’t missed the man who broke his heart.

The moment they see each other, heat flares between them, and all Noah's dominant urges come to life again. He wants Del as badly as he always has, but he can’t trust Del to stay around long enough for their relationship to develop. Is there any chance of a future for these two men who are both anticipating rejection?

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2019

69 people are currently reading
124 people want to read

About the author

Silvia Violet

170 books1,193 followers
Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia's stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals, and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter.

For insider information, early looks at works-in-progress, and other rewards, join Silvia on Patreon.

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5 stars
115 (37%)
4 stars
109 (35%)
3 stars
63 (20%)
2 stars
13 (4%)
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4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel Emily.
4,501 reviews387 followers
July 4, 2019
I loved the first book in this series, and was looking forward to Noah's story. I enjoyed it, but it didn't have quite the same punch that the first one did for me, and I kept getting distracted and putting this one down.

Noah and Del were best of friends in high school, and then one night together changed everything for them, resulting in Del leaving town for five years only to return now with a three year old daughter. Noah is wary about trying anything again with Del, understandably so, since he left so abruptly last time, and the two need to figure out if they want a relationship or if they need to move on separately.

I think the impact of what happened when Noah and Del were teens would have been better if we had actually gotten to read about their first time together and separation, rather than hearing it in bits and pieces in thought and explanations. It just didn't feel as important hearing about it being told. Also, Del's daughter, Clarice, is just a bit *too* precocious for me, a bit bratty and all-knowing, and that didn't work for me either. There's a fine line for me with kids in romance books, and this kid was a bit much. That, along with a lot of internal woe and the makings of a big misunderstanding made this just ok for me.

Readers who enjoy second chance romance and very, very, very light kink will probably enjoy this. And I'm REALLY looking forward to Marty's book with his boss, yum!
Profile Image for Kelly.
442 reviews23 followers
July 5, 2019
Arc provided courtesy of LesCourt
All reviews are voluntary and my honest opinion.

I think Del is a very relatable character, he's definitely grown up a lot since he ran away in high school, when Noah wanted him to come out, and he wasn't ready.

Noah comes across as extremely stubborn at times. I don't think it's too over-the-top, but sometimes it comes close. It makes sense to an extent, because he was definitely hurt when Del took off. There's a bit of stubborn back and forth between the two men, especially after Noah spends a while adjusting to the idea that Del has a daughter, and that he's gained a certain maturity while taking care of her.

The book contains a very mild amount of kink. I think this particular series is actually good transition material for someone who's maybe not fully ready to jump into BDSM novels, but who wants to try a little kink with their reading material. Del had a submissive relationship with Noah back in high school , and is looking to resume that. That mostly includes Noah dictating what goes on, and a little bit of slap-and-tickle. I did want to see Noah take more of a step forward with his life, but I think Del was happy with his HEA, and Noah was really good with his daughter.

4/5
Profile Image for  ♥ Rebecca ♥.
1,656 reviews474 followers
November 2, 2019
I think maybe Silvia Violet is not for me. I read her Love and Care series first and I absolutely loved it! I’ve tried a few more of her series since and they’ve just not worked for me.

This one was ok, had some nice D/s. But it was kinda short and a lot of pointless back and forth. I’m not sure if I find it believable that Noah forgave Del or that they got back together at all.
Profile Image for Tessi4M.
545 reviews22 followers
August 22, 2019
Pro:
I like the whole rural, small town feel of Anticipation with grand landscapes and horses. Let's not forget the horses. The people we have met so far in the first two books are also generally quite likeable. Including the MCs of this one, Noah and Del.

Con:
The kid. I feel a bit bad about putting Clarice on the 'Con' list, because she was really quite sweet. I just had the feeling she almost took up half the book all on her own. She was absolutely everywhere. Of course, one could argue, a child should be the focus of at least her parents' attention, but this felt like too much.
And when all the adults just jump to do her bidding at the slightest hint of an upcoming tantrum, my blood pressure goes up.

Conclusion: 3 stars and hope that book 3 will be more romance and less little people.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,184 reviews520 followers
June 26, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars


Anticipating Rejection is the second book in Silvia Violet’s Anticipation series. While we do get a brief appearance by David and Oliver from Anticipating Disaster, this one can easily be read as a standalone.

Fans of the lovers reunited trope will find a lot to like here as the story does a nice job exploring how the men are dealing with recovering from their past. It is clear that Del has grown and changed a lot, but the scars still run deep, both for his family and for Noah. I liked seeing how Del comes to really take responsibility for his actions in the past and make amends. It is also clear that the experience has made Noah very skittish and wary of taking chances, not just on Del, but in life in general. It was easy to understand the tension Noah felt between wanting to accept Del’s apologies and move forward, but still being so afraid to trust him. I think there is a nice sense of realism here for how these guys are affected by the situation and so I liked how that played out. The chemistry between Del and Noah is strong and it is clear that while their heads may be uncertain at times, emotionally they are very much into one another.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.





Profile Image for Sue Milkovich.
1,763 reviews18 followers
July 2, 2019
FULL OF ANTICIPATION

What a great place Anticipation is turning out to be. A small town with its small town values is a great place to put down roots. Del ran from Anticipation as fast as he could at 18 and never looked back. Noah who owns the town's bakery, was devastated and heartbroken by Del's loss. Being gay and living in a small gossipy town is hard on anybody. Circumstances beyond his control bring Del home after 5 years. Being gay and returning with his beautiful, outspoken, fearless 3 year old daughter Clarice, shocks everyone. This is a beautiful story about growing up and learning to live again. Learning to trust and showing others how much you've changed. Learning that the love of a precious child can give you the courage to do anything. Noah and Del can have it all if they have the courage to build a future. This is a beautiful story full of horses and an unstoppable, adorable 3 year old. I couldn't put it down. These can be read as standalones. But so far both books have been incredible. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS INCREDIBLE SERIES!!!!!
Profile Image for Nairi.
101 reviews
July 12, 2019
I used to like Silvia Violet's books but this one just wasn't for me. I don't even know where to start....
- the main characters have no substance
-though best friends, they do not speak to each other (or text!) for five years
- in less than three weeks, they get together, declare their love and decide to move together
-Del's parents are meteoric and it's just the dialogue and Del's mother's frequent huffs for the reader to get to know them
-is it me or Clarice, the three year-old daughter is a bit too eloquent for her age?
-I can't decide whether this book was too short (everything happens so fast) or too long (for such little plot there are way too many pages)
-the dominant kinky side of the MC's characters comes out of the blue with no warnings that the characters are into this and we have to take the author's words that it is "so hot"
I'm not usually this bitchy and books are rarely a disappointment, but this one, unlike the first book, did nothing for me.
Profile Image for Earlyn.
664 reviews2 followers
July 2, 2019
A second chance romance.
Just was not for me
Profile Image for Mandy (MP Book Reviews).
5,046 reviews45 followers
May 20, 2025
This story centres on Noah, a baker who has spent years trying to forget Del, the man who left their small town without warning. Now, Del has returned, bringing with him a daughter no one knew existed. Noah plans to keep his distance, but fate has other ideas when a snowstorm traps them together. The undeniable chemistry between them resurfaces, but Del’s secrets threaten to unravel everything. Noah has built a new life, running a café and growing his catering business, and he’s not sure he’s ready to let Del back in.

I loved this story with its themes of love, trust and second chances. In this story, emotions intensify, and Noah must decide whether to protect his heart or take a chance on rekindling the love they once shared. A lot of emotions and feelings in this story as the two men struggled with their past as well as how they see their future. This was an MM story with mature content.
1,560 reviews12 followers
August 13, 2020
Loved this sweet, moderately angsty, second chance story.
Del and Noah's first time in high school did not end well, but when they set eyes on each other for the first time in years, the pull toward each other is as strong as ever. Only now there is a sweet 3-years-old daughter in Del's life, and Noah is terrified of being hurt again...
Profile Image for Melissa Polk.
Author 10 books70 followers
July 28, 2023
Cute. Relatively low angst. It's almost impossible not to be charmed by Noah and Clarice.
Profile Image for Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews.
2,698 reviews140 followers
July 12, 2019
Anticipating Rejection is a fantastic second chance romance by Silvia Violet. Despite being the second of a series, it's easily read as a standalone.

I love the mood from the start. It's a great mix of regret, pain, and hope as
Del returns home with his daughter in tow, bringing back all Noah's feelings for the man. These former boyfriends have been separated for years now, yet the emotions are still raw. What follows is not just a second chance for Del with the man he loves, but also with the family he left behind.

Del's daughter Clarice is adorable, and greatly adds to the tale, as she forms a wonderful bond with Noah. She's sweet, funny, and charming and quickly wins over Noah in a heart-warming manner.

As for the sex, these two enjoy some D/s which is a whole lot of fun. Both steamy and sexy, these two won't disappoint.

This is a beautiful tale of forgiveness and self-acceptance, of taking a chance on love and risking your heart. As I've come to expect from Silvia Violet, the writing is great, with some wonderfully developed characters, a good pace, and a superb storyline. I seriously love everything about this story. It's the perfect way to spend an afternoon, just hanging out with these two confused men.

And of course, we get more of the charming small town of Anticipation. I love this Silvia Violet created world and can't wait to read more. As for now, I highly recommend Anticipating Rejection.
Profile Image for Brianne McCallum.
1,139 reviews5 followers
February 5, 2021
#mm #secondchanceromance

4.5 stars and thats only because I read book 3 first and its the best but I loved this one too. It was way better than book 1.

The little girl is so stinkin cute. I loved Noahs surprising take charge dom side. I certainly wouldn't call it a dom/sub book but he liked to take charge and it was 🔥 even if there wasn't a lot of those moments. They had a lot to sort through it was the perfrct amount to be true to the plot. I loved both the MCs personalities and they went really well together. I'm glad they could give it another go. They needed that time to grow and figure out what they wanted.

Each book can be read as a standalone. U obviously won't have any info on the other side characters that way but it doesn't matter. Their info doesn't play a part in the story and they make minimal appearances.

If I had to make 1 complaint it would be Noah's mom is pretty pushy. I suppose for Noah's sake it was good that she pushed him but there were a few times when I thought holy have some boundaries woman. I def couldn't put up with that. Luckily it was just a few times.
Profile Image for Rachwithheadinabook.
1,900 reviews
June 28, 2019
A second chances book.

Del and Noah have been friends forever, then one summer they become more. One day they were happy, the next Del was gone. Now Del is returning to the family home but he is not alone, He’s bringing his surprise daughter.

Since Del left Noah has made a name for himself in town, as the best baker and the bakery that he runs with his mum is always busy. When asked to collect Del from the airport, he does so with trepidation.

This is the second book in Silvia Violet’s Anticipation series and the characters are as good as they were in the first. There is even a couple of scenes with David and Oliver in. This is a fine example of a second chance book with all the real emotions that are involved when trying to reunite and reconcile with someone. As a reader, you could completely understand why Noah held back his trust, but sometimes to get what you want you have to take a leap of faith.

If you enjoy a happy ever after then this is a great read.
Profile Image for Patricia Hoffstaetter.
3,160 reviews40 followers
June 26, 2019
This is a wonderful yet emotional second chance MM contemporary romance & I really enjoyed reading it & it is the second book in the “Anticipation Series” The characters are unique with complex personalities & some of them struggle with regrets & making the wrong choices when younger. I found the story-line interesting with a well-paced plot.
There is: a single father (Delford aka Del) & his precocious daughter (Clarice) move back to his parents ranch in Anticipation & wonders if the man he loved & left (Noah) would consider giving him a second chance but in the meanwhile Noah has resigned himself to being alone, some twists, drama, some homophobia, caring friends, memories, distrust, unease, regrets, fear, uncertainty, discovery, verbal banter, attractions, decisions, trust issues, eavesdropping, heartache, misunderstandings, emotional turmoil, declaration, some steamy scenes, contentment, love & a wonderful happy ending. I would recommend this book.
Profile Image for Ali.
2,100 reviews18 followers
June 24, 2019
This was another nice story in this series. Noah has lived behind the bakery for years and suddenly the one person that could disrupt his calm is coming home. Del made a lot of mistakes when he was younger but even now has kept a secret from everyone but it might just be the one thing to break down Noah’s walls the fasted.

Okay, first off Clarice is adorable and I can see why she is the catalyst for Del to finally stop running away. Other than the few timeline issues and editing errors (which I am only pointing out as I was given a final proof) my only frustration was that Del and Noah did a LOT of assuming and not a lot of real talking. They would talk around a subject great but never flat out said anything to the other until the very end and then everything was suddenly hunky dory, not my favorite trope.

I received an ARC of this book and am giving an honest review.
Profile Image for Teal Wolf.
3,414 reviews26 followers
June 25, 2019
Anticipating Rejection by  Silvia Violet is the second book in the Anticipation series. It is a fantastic contemporary m/m romance that adds spice.

Single dad Del returns to his hometown to raise his daughter on his family's ranch after her mother is killed in an accident. He ran from this town once and left behind his best friend and lover when he did. But all these years apart hasn't completely killed the flame that burns between Del and local Baker Noah. And so us readers are reated to a wonderfully sweet second chance romance... that isnt afraid to dip into naughty territory.

I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Profile Image for Rachel .
2,255 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2019
Another great add to the series. Del and Noah is a sweet and sexy second chance story, I loved Noah from the moment we met him in book 1 so I was excited to read his happy ending. Del is coming home to the town and best friend he ran away from, bring with him a adorable Clarice. I loved the added elements of father/daughter and him trying to not only build a life for her but fix his past. Each of these guys has a weight on their shoulder with past hurts, they struggle to come to terms with seeing each other again. But under that is still a intense attraction they can't ignore, so they fight and find each other at the end of a messy past and a bright future. Can't wait for the next in this new great series. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
Profile Image for mrs sarah frost.
452 reviews11 followers
June 27, 2019
Noah threw himself into culinary school and building a business with his mum at Main Street Bakery to hide the pain of his best friend/lover disappearing. Now that Delford is returning and his mum volunteered him to pick up from the airport will all the feelings he's hidden for five years come back!
Delford is returning to his parents ranch in Anticipation with a massive surprise for them, he has a adorable precious little daughter Clarice. He's also coming back to the place and best friend/lover he ran from as he felt he couldn't be himself.
With the instant bond that Clarice and Noah make Del starts to think coming back to Anticipation was the right move. Now can he get Noah to trust him that he won't run again!
Del & Noah's story is a sweet, sexy and cute second chance.
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,113 reviews68 followers
September 1, 2019
3.7 stars... A great story for Noah and Del. It's a case once bitten twice shy in this case for Noah. When they where 18 Del had run away without much as a blink now Del comes back into Noah's life 5 yrs latter. Hot scenes with domination which they both needed. Can Noah get the courage to say the I love you's. Okay so I gotta say Clarice is not a 3 yr old in this story she seemed much older than that which lowered my rating. She was a bit of a brat too and got away with too much. Includes secrets, past baggage, aghast, hot spankings and more.

Noah hadn't seen Del in 5 years and now he was expected to go pick him up at the airport..
Del and his 3 yrs old daughter, Clarice where on there way back home without his deceased wife.
Profile Image for Kendra T.
3,129 reviews40 followers
March 21, 2021
We saw a little premonition that Noah and Del would get book 2, and I am happy they did. I thought Noah was adorable before, but I loved him here. With his heart broken, he was angry and hurt and afraid to see Del after 5 years. When Del turned up with a kid and still in love with Noah, I knew it would be a bumpy ride. Luckily, the angst level was low and the guys worked through their problems rather than let them fester too long. Clarice was an adorable child. I loved these 3 together as a family. Looking forward to the next book.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services
Profile Image for Enirehtak  Melas.
746 reviews34 followers
July 3, 2019
One of my MAJOR pet peeves about Second Chance tropes is when one MC forgives the other one too quickly.

Here we have Noah who was left heart broken by Del when he runs off and doesn’t bother to respond to his texts. 5 years later , Del is coming back home with a daughter in toe. A daughter from a drunken one night stand. A daughter he has kept secret from his parents and most of his friends. So that’s another issue I have. And then Noah’s mom and her incessant need to push and push and it just put me off. What really did it for me was having Noah forgive Del so quickly. I’m talking within the first few pages. The pacing was just so rushed. I just couldn’t with this one.
1,386 reviews6 followers
June 29, 2019
Sweet

There is angst for sure, but what do you expect when the boy you loved ran after a night together. Poor Noah and Del have so much to overcome. They do a good job in some ways, but really need to defeat the pain and fear that still lingers from their past. You are rooting for them though and Clarice is a spoiled cutie that is great at getting them together.

I liked this story and while I know they will pop-up in the next book, I wish this book included a look at them 6 months or so down the road.
Profile Image for Sakuko.
900 reviews10 followers
December 11, 2019
This was rather weak. I did not get the connection between Noah and Del. Right from the start they build on their relationship as teens and that part is never fully narrated, so it feels a chunk of backstory is missing.
And they seemed to move too slow and too fast at the same time. They see each other and they still love each other, but Noah is distrustful and Del insecure and the relationship seems very stagnant for most of the book even though the emotions are there already.
The pacing just seemed off and to me there was very little chemistry and too much angst.
Profile Image for Tanya.
854 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2019
I love Noah even more after this book. I really really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.

When I did finish, I wasn't ready for it to end. I love Noah and his insecurity, I love Clarice and her 3 going on 13 attitude but overall I love how Del isn't afraid anymore and wants to make Noah feel secure this time around.

I can't wait for more from Anticipation because we have so many people who need stories.
Profile Image for Pamela Brooke.
151 reviews
June 25, 2019
Book Review

Oh wow!! This book is absolutely wonderful!! The storylines is so strong, and the main characters so believable!! The love between Noah and Del, is just so wonderful to read, and their second chance at love is so beautiful to read!! They both he things to resolve with each other, but they did it beautifully!! Silvia Violet is a wonderful author!!! Can't wait to read more of her books!!
Profile Image for Linda.. aka Ahsoka .
367 reviews6 followers
June 30, 2019
Loved this book

Noah and Del are amazing characters and I was so cheering for them to be able to learn to trust again.. The writer does an excellent job of character building, even the minor characters, it's always an amazing thing when you are reading a book and a character like Clarice reminds you that at one time your own nephew hated chocolate but demanded hot fudge milkshakes from Dairy Queen after school...
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