My Once in a Lifetime

by Nicole Vidal

Norah and I have been friends with benefits for more than two years. Now, she needs my professional services. A notorious crime family is after her for doing her job well. I will stop at nothing to keep her safe. Even if it means we can't be together anymore.Can I protect her heart? Can I protect mine?I don't deserve happiness again. I failed once, I won't fail again.The York Beach series are standalone romances with interconnecting characters. Each novel completely stands alone (no cliffhangers!) and can be read in any order, but you'll enjoy reading them in order!

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2021

About the author

Nicole took the long way to deciding on becoming a writer. As young as six, Nicole wrote poems and started drafts of novels.  After over fifteen years as an attorney she decided to give writing an actual try and finish one of her many stories.

Avid reader, lover of coffee and chocolate, and animals. If she isn’t writing, she is driving to the field, watching a game or curled up with a good book and a cup of coffee.  She lives in the Northeast with her husband and their four children.

Reviews

[Kate Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so refreshing to meet a female protagonist who acts intelligently when in danger instead of being reactive and reckless. By that I mean she thinks about the situation and considers the options instead of knee jerk feminist temper. I received this book as a complimentary review copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the York Beach Series but can be read as a standalone. You'll recognize some of the characters if you've read any of the other series books. I loved Norah and Jacob's story. This book was very intense and fast paced and was hard to put down. A friend with benefits story that slowly turns into more. They were really soulmates but but were scared of relationships so it took them a while to figure that out. The book was written from a dual POV which I loved. A great book with an exciting story line and well developed, likable characters. I received a copy via Voracious Readers and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Literature and Leaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 Stars 🌟 👍🏻
*I received this book in exchange for an HONEST review and rating*

I liked this book! I think the story was great, and it was a satisfying quick-ish read. Two strangers meet at a wedding and fast forward they’ve been FWB for over two years 😳. They both have their reasons for keeping each other at arms length (emotionally lol) and it works for them. Then Norah trips into something dangerous and Jacob is there to catch her. Suddenly buried feelings and past heartbreak bubble to the surface, and neither of them can deny what they really want anymore. Buuuuut they both fight it most of the book, which is always fun! Throw in some mild danger, A LOT of sex scenes (some are dirty so if that’s not your thing it might turn you away from the book), a man that can’t express his feelings well, a woman that sighs…A LOT and you have a good little chunk of entertainment you can knock out in a long afternoon or sleepless night.

Good Points~
•Both MCs POV, cleanly separated
•I’m in LOVE with TANK 🐶
•Norah is not a helpless female, she’s strong and smart, but listens to Jacob when it comes to her safety because that’s HIS area of expertise. Playing to your strengths AND others shows a strong person. It made me respect her.

Off Points~
•A lot of parts of the story and conversations felt rushed. Others repeated too much.
•I understand plugging in other characters/couples for other books or for backstory. But they were stuffed in there sometimes to the point it was just too much. Naming names and linking couples..it got to the point I started skipping over those parts. It felt like someone rambling off a list or family tree.
•The climatic parts….weren’t very climactic.

Overall I enjoyed this book and recommend it!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.4 📚

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora is an accountant who can practically taste partnership after years of hard work. Jacob owns his own security business and has his share of demons. Sometimes they have a good time together when it fits in with their busy work schedule, until Nicole stumbles across something that puts a notorious crime family target on her head and she turns to Jacob to protect her.
I loved this book. It had wonderful, likeable characters to invest in, not just the main two and the reader was able to join them on their journey of character development. I really enjoyed reading about Jacob and Nora’s relationship as well as the different bonds they had with others. Jacob with his personal and work family and Nora with hers. I like that Jacob and Nora were strong, well rounded but flawed characters, especially that Nora was strong and Jacob wasn’t two dimensional. The pace of the story was perfect and even though I haven’t read previous books in the series, I didn’t feel left out of the loop. Saying that, after reading this book, I can’t wait to go back and read all previous books as well, Nicole Vidal has me totally hooked.
I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeanine Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story of two characters caught up in a storm where every puzzle piece counts. Norah and Jacob have to not only fight for Norah’s life and her safety, but for their happily ever after as well.

Jacob and Norah meet in prior books and have a friends with benefits arrangement. At the time, this is mutually beneficial for them as neither person wants any sort of serious relationship.
When Norah’s life is threatened, she calls the only person she knows that can keep her safe-Jacob Blackthorne, head of Blackthorne Securities. Due to the severity of the threat Jacob opts to keep Norah close to him to be able to protect her the best way he can. Their forced proximity proves to be a strain on the agreement of their prior arrangement. Norah begins to see different sides of Jacob and can’t help the feelings that emerge. Jacob is in the same boat but refuses to acknowledge those feelings as he harbors guilt and shame from his failings in a previous relationship.
While Jacob has to work through his feelings, Norah patiently waits for Jacob while telling herself this could end in her happily ever after with her once in a lifetime love, or she could be left with a shattered heart.
Intertwined with their love story is a mystery that must be solved before Norah can return to a life without the need for protection.
While this story can be read as a stand-alone, it may be best read in the order of the series to get the story of all the characters. Vidal does a great job of introducing the multitude of side characters and providing enough necessary background without retelling all the events that have led to this story.
The attraction between Norah and Jacob is undeniable and the mystery is intriguing.
If you’re a fan of Brittney Sahin you’ll enjoy this one!

[Trisha Tilbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing,I have read it in 3 days. I find myself in a similar situation to the characters in certain parts of the story. Would highly recommend this book

[Heart&SoulBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do we only get one chance at love? Nicole Vidal explores the concept of soulmates and if there is only one for us in this adorable, exhilarating novel. Norah and Jake have a casual relationship. Jake doesn't believe he deserves love after his wife's death. Norah is too busy aiming for partner to be bothered with a more involved relationship. Until she discovers a laundering scheme and has to rely on Jake for protection.

This novel was intense. Norah's life is in constant danger as she and Jake grow closer the longer she is stuck at his house waiting for her own home to be safe again. It is heartwarming watching the two of them grow closer.

I got my copy through voracious readers only and am so grateful this book landed in my email. I really enjoyed it and I would recommend for anyone who loves a little adventure, a little spice and a lot of romance.

[Ezara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for review.

I saw a quick blurb on this book and was hooked immediately. Who doesn't love a crime family getting involved in your life?

So yes, this is romance BUT it has so much more. A captivating storyline? YES! Enjoyable and realistic characters? YES!

Overall a solid 4 star read. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down! The short chapters were very easy to read quickly. The dual narrators helped move the plot forward. I could get all the story info without wondering how one character knew something. It was well done. You knew the characters would end up together, but seeing their journey was interesting. Definitely a book to recommend!

[Tracey Neak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book to review video a Voracious Readers Only. The book was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. It was refreshing to have a strong, independent, intelligent woman as a main character. Norah and Jacob were both really likeable. Would recommend.