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The Eastons #5
Four Dates and a Forever
Four Dates and a Forever
When you find that last first date . . .
When interior architect Elsie Dodd discovers her musician husband hiding his drumstick under the backup singer’s dress, she files for divorce and moves back to her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Determined to get her life back on track and reboot her career, she enters her house into Modern Marvel Magazine’s Portland contest, where the winner will receive a coveted showcase boutique downtown. Only when she arrives home, she finds an uninvited and unwelcomed guest playing goldilocks in her shower—naked.
After his very public divorce, guitar prodigy Rhett Easton isn’t looking for love—or even a date until a blast from his unrequited-love past crashes his pity party. Now, he’s cohabitating with the one who got away—and was married to his buddy—and finds himself being sucked back under her sexy spell. And with Elsie’s grandmother setting her up with every Tom, Dick and Harry in Portland, Rhett’s jealously flares up, and he realizes he wants a second shot at his first love. Getting her to agree to a date is hard enough, getting this commitment-shy cutie to open her heart is like an Olympic sport. There are a hundred different reasons why they are a bad idea, including that their careers are taking them in opposite directions. But the more he’s around her the less important the obstacles become, until their past comes barreling into their relationship, and he must decide between his career and a second chance at love.
When you find that last first date . . .
When interior architect Elsie Dodd discovers her musician husband hiding his drumstick under the backup singer’s dress, she files for divorce and moves back to her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Determined to get her life back on track and reboot her career, she enters her house into Modern Marvel Magazine’s Portland contest, where the winner will receive a coveted showcase boutique downtown. Only when she arrives home, she finds an uninvited and unwelcomed guest playing goldilocks in her shower—naked.
After his very public divorce, guitar prodigy Rhett Easton isn’t looking for love—or even a date until a blast from his unrequited-love past crashes his pity party. Now, he’s cohabitating with the one who got away—and was married to his buddy—and finds himself being sucked back under her sexy spell. And with Elsie’s grandmother setting her up with every Tom, Dick and Harry in Portland, Rhett’s jealously flares up, and he realizes he wants a second shot at his first love. Getting her to agree to a date is hard enough, getting this commitment-shy cutie to open her heart is like an Olympic sport. There are a hundred different reasons why they are a bad idea, including that their careers are taking them in opposite directions. But the more he’s around her the less important the obstacles become, until their past comes barreling into their relationship, and he must decide between his career and a second chance at love.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2022
173 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Marina Adair
39 books1,936 followersMarina Adair is a New York Times author whose fun, flirty contemporary romances have sold over a million copies. She has hit #1 overall in Amazon Kindle Paid and her St. Helena Vineyard series was optioned and made into the original Hallmark Channel Vineyard movies: Autumn in the Vineyard, Summer in the Vineyard, and Valentines in the Vineyard. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a MFA from San Jose University and currently lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats. Please visit her online at MarinaAdair.com and sign up for her newsletter at www.MarinaAdair.com/newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 5, 2022
Sweet and easy read
I've read most of Adairs books and this is the same style, quirky bits, fun bits, steamy bits and loveable characters. However for some strange reason at a very crucial part of the story the book goes into 'here's other books I've written mode' with several chapters in other Easton books. This gave me a heart attack as I thought the story had finished on a cliff hanger and I knew there were no more books in the offing. Usually this stuff comes at the end, it was weird. Fortunately and accidentally I scrolled through and then found the rest of the book with the ending chapters. Hence the 4 stars for not having the book in a logical order.
I've read most of Adairs books and this is the same style, quirky bits, fun bits, steamy bits and loveable characters. However for some strange reason at a very crucial part of the story the book goes into 'here's other books I've written mode' with several chapters in other Easton books. This gave me a heart attack as I thought the story had finished on a cliff hanger and I knew there were no more books in the offing. Usually this stuff comes at the end, it was weird. Fortunately and accidentally I scrolled through and then found the rest of the book with the ending chapters. Hence the 4 stars for not having the book in a logical order.
dnf
May 7, 2023DNF 20%
I’m sorry, I can’t. Elsie must have the absolute worst lawyer of all time. Her cheating ex can just sell a house they both own out from under her without her signing off on it? Absurd. The entire premise of this book hinges on the reader accepting that fact, and I just cannot.
The fact that everyone asks her if her ex had the right to do that and Elsie’s response is basically a shrug is just aggravating.
I’m sorry, I can’t. Elsie must have the absolute worst lawyer of all time. Her cheating ex can just sell a house they both own out from under her without her signing off on it? Absurd. The entire premise of this book hinges on the reader accepting that fact, and I just cannot.
The fact that everyone asks her if her ex had the right to do that and Elsie’s response is basically a shrug is just aggravating.
June 4, 2022
Awesome
This was an awesome second chance story that just made me smile . Well until three quarters or so through the book when the messed up formatting made it seem as though Elsie and Rhett's story had a cliffhanger. Thankfully after much cussing and page flipping I realized there was more to the story and a wonderful HEA was to be had. Definitely a book I recommend.
This was an awesome second chance story that just made me smile . Well until three quarters or so through the book when the messed up formatting made it seem as though Elsie and Rhett's story had a cliffhanger. Thankfully after much cussing and page flipping I realized there was more to the story and a wonderful HEA was to be had. Definitely a book I recommend.
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June 5, 2022Marina Adair has done it again and has given her readers another incredible romantic comedy! I absolutely LOVED Four Dates and a Forever the fifth and final book of her The Eastons series. Marina Adair truly saved the best for last! It was an incredible story and I loved reading every moment on every page and could not put it down, but it was bittersweet knowing this is the last time I will get to hang out with the Easton family. She continues to provide her readers with the amazing characters, that I love, who feel like close friends! Marina Adair continues to show with Four Dates and a Forever that she is an incredible storyteller. One of my favorite things that I love about Four Dates and a Forever is how Marina Adair incorporates the title of the book into the love story. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another, they are all such wonderful characters? I love how Marina Adair somehow manages to find the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong woman on her own, to balance out the sexy man. Her characters in Four Dates and a Forever are so believable and charming, they share great chemistry, lots of laughs, and steamy romance. Four Dates and a Forever delivers all those things that I love most about Marina Adair’s romantic comedies. I love that Marina Adair writes from the perspective of the two main characters. I enjoy getting to see things from the viewpoints of both main characters. Four Dates and a Forever is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. I love the lighter moments where I find myself smiling and laughing out loud. My favorite moments are the ones that pull at my heartstrings that cause me to sigh, as I read the heartbreaking moments. Four Dates and a Forever is filled with all those things that I have come to love in a romantic comedy love story, especially the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Four Dates and a Forever the story about Rhett Easton, band member of Subtle Warfare and Elsie Dodd, an interior architect. Rhett and Elsie met ten years ago in college and shared one splendid weekend together, and afterwards Rhett ghosted Elsie. Rhett has returned to Portland to establish residency following his divorce from Stephanie. Elsie plans to renovate the Greenhill property, the last property that she shares with her ex-husband, musician Axel Ross. Elsie needs to create a portfolio of her work to establish her new boutique interior architect firm, Space Reimagined. Rhett plans to launch a solo career and plans to spend his time in Portland writing songs for his solo album and tour. Elsie and Rhett meet again at the Greenhill property that Elsie assumes she still owns for the summer. Unbeknownst to her, Axel sold the house to Rhett. I love the scene where they meet again. As Rhett and Elsie spend more time together with Elsie renovating the house and Rhett trying to write new songs, things begin to change between them. Elsie and Rhett decide to try dating, Elsie proposes a list of five rules for their relationship. I loved the rules! I love everything that Rhett is willing to do for Elsie, to help her achieve her goals. I love that Elsie and Rhett shares secrets with each other that they have not told anyone before. I love that Rhett tells her why he did not reach out to her all those years ago. And how long he carried her phone number in his wallet. I love Rhett and Elsie’s love story, and how Elsie shows her vulnerable side to Rhett. Then an unexpected plot twist changes things between them and truly shows Elsie’s and Rhett’s vulnerable sides. I love that Elsie returned to the Greenhill property to admit her true feelings for Rhett. I love all the changes that both Elsie and Rhett are willing to make in their lives because of their love for one another. I love the amazing chemistry between Elsie and Rhett, and how the sparks fly when they are near one another. It was more than chemistry, it was love. I love the nicknames that Rhett calls Elise. My favorite part of the story was Rhett’s proposal to Elsie. I love the epilogue and how it went above and beyond a happily ever after. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Four Dates and a Forever, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between the Easton brothers, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? Four Dates and a Forever is filled with all those things that I love in a romantic comedy, incredible characters, amazing story, light, poignant and bittersweet moments, and surprise plot twists. Marina Adair did not disappoint in her delivery of those things. I love how she resolved the surprise plot twist; it was truly a heartwarming moment. Four Dates and a Forever was an amazing story and I highly recommend it.
November 4, 2025
Rhett and Elsie’s second chance romance unites a gorgeous, panty melting, rock star with a heart of gold and a newly divorced, exceptionally ticked off interior architect who discovers him naked in her shower before he reveals that he just purchased her house. What follows is a guarded truce with roommate pranks, sexual innuendo, and a rekindling of the chemistry Rhett and Elsie shared for a weekend 10 years ago before destiny got in the way. I
loved Rhett’s honest consideration for Elsie’s emotional scars, his desire to rekindle their magical chemistry, and his awareness that Elsie’s career dreams are just as important as his. I loved Elsie’s determination to finish the interior architecture of the house she hopes will be featured in Modern Architecture magazine, and her stubborn attempts to guard her heart that fail spectacularly. Their story is a sexy, heartwarming, and entertaining battle of the sexes and a deeply intimate revelation of Rhett and Elsie’s emotional baggage and I loved every happily ever after minute of it.
loved Rhett’s honest consideration for Elsie’s emotional scars, his desire to rekindle their magical chemistry, and his awareness that Elsie’s career dreams are just as important as his. I loved Elsie’s determination to finish the interior architecture of the house she hopes will be featured in Modern Architecture magazine, and her stubborn attempts to guard her heart that fail spectacularly. Their story is a sexy, heartwarming, and entertaining battle of the sexes and a deeply intimate revelation of Rhett and Elsie’s emotional baggage and I loved every happily ever after minute of it.
August 10, 2023
I liked this series and was excited about Rhett’s story. I was absolutely disappointed in how it went. It’s like the premise is good but the follow through didn’t land. There was entirely too much sex, I skipped reading it after the first few scenes. The book felt copied and pasted… what really made me annoyed was the drama of why it wasn’t going to work. I won’t say it here but I just can’t wrap my head around her being angry for the reason she is. Elsie was empathetic about every thing and this non fact was the break up? I don’t know what it should have been but this bad. Formulaic is fun and makes for an easy read, but Rhett had more substance in his small appearances in the previous books.
June 6, 2022
A book about love that was destined to be
This author sets you up to read this book till you finally finish it. The characters were well rounded and you loved their good and their bad parts. The story line Was thought out and so did the characters that she wrote. I enjoyed the back and forth between the 2 main characters. The deep hurt on both parties was well written without a sign of pity just really motions. I would read another 1 of the this author's book any day of the week.
This author sets you up to read this book till you finally finish it. The characters were well rounded and you loved their good and their bad parts. The story line Was thought out and so did the characters that she wrote. I enjoyed the back and forth between the 2 main characters. The deep hurt on both parties was well written without a sign of pity just really motions. I would read another 1 of the this author's book any day of the week.
June 19, 2022
music
Rhett Easton finally got his girl. Rhett met Elsie at he best and worst time of his life. He spent a exceptional weekend together. Then his world crashed. His father died, so he put everything he had into his life and music to prove his father’s assurance in him was not wasted. So he ghosted Elsie, not intentionally but when he saw her again in college she was dating someone else and later married. Both moved on, however their marriages failed, they found each other but not without problems.
Rhett Easton finally got his girl. Rhett met Elsie at he best and worst time of his life. He spent a exceptional weekend together. Then his world crashed. His father died, so he put everything he had into his life and music to prove his father’s assurance in him was not wasted. So he ghosted Elsie, not intentionally but when he saw her again in college she was dating someone else and later married. Both moved on, however their marriages failed, they found each other but not without problems.
October 24, 2022
Love the Idea…
I love Rhett and Elsie without the baggage of their exes thrown in. It is what it is though. Rhett and Elsie met and shared a weekend years earlier. Life happened so they both ended up with different people. Elsie’s cheating ex is a friend to Rhett. They formed a band in their college days. Even though they have different rock band groups they were still friends.
Fast forward to now, they met again, when Elsie’s dubious ex sold their house from under her to Rhett. So begins this love story. Awesome. These two just fit.
I love Rhett and Elsie without the baggage of their exes thrown in. It is what it is though. Rhett and Elsie met and shared a weekend years earlier. Life happened so they both ended up with different people. Elsie’s cheating ex is a friend to Rhett. They formed a band in their college days. Even though they have different rock band groups they were still friends.
Fast forward to now, they met again, when Elsie’s dubious ex sold their house from under her to Rhett. So begins this love story. Awesome. These two just fit.
November 20, 2022
I struggled between 4 stars and 3 stars. The Easton boys had more presence in this one but Margo was a footnote in the epilogue. That mention deserved more than one line. She really should have had her own story or at least more mentions. Rhett irritated me a great deal at the beginning of the story. He had history with Elsie but believed Axel's take on everything even though it didn't match up with what he knew of her. But he finally got his act together. I'm going to miss this family. Maybe she'll find a way to revisit them in the future.
August 25, 2023
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, narrated by Piper Goodeve. She does an outstanding job making sure these characters are convincing and believable. I’ve never “binge listened” to a series, but I can imagine myself returning to the Eastons series and doing just that.
What a great story this is! Ms. Adair brings the music industry, the design industry, a big raucous family, and the charm of Portland OR all to the table in this wide ranging, dramatic novel. I really loved watching Rhett and Elsie come to terms with their complicated pasts and finally make things work.
What a great story this is! Ms. Adair brings the music industry, the design industry, a big raucous family, and the charm of Portland OR all to the table in this wide ranging, dramatic novel. I really loved watching Rhett and Elsie come to terms with their complicated pasts and finally make things work.
November 23, 2023
EACH BOOK IS A 5 STAR BOOK!!
I read the entire series in two weeks! I couldn’t put it down! Each of the Easton brothers found and relentlessly pursued their wives! Now that I’ve read the entire series, I think book one (Darcy and Gage) was my favorite! But each book was a close runner up. This book is about Rhett finally reconnecting with the love of his life ten years and a heartbreaking divorce later.
I read the entire series in two weeks! I couldn’t put it down! Each of the Easton brothers found and relentlessly pursued their wives! Now that I’ve read the entire series, I think book one (Darcy and Gage) was my favorite! But each book was a close runner up. This book is about Rhett finally reconnecting with the love of his life ten years and a heartbreaking divorce later.
June 6, 2022
Love this series
Okay so plots of this series are right up my alley-get together, obstacle, hea. Thought I knew what the obstacle would be and found it something unexpected! So Bravo!
Okay so plots of this series are right up my alley-get together, obstacle, hea. Thought I knew what the obstacle would be and found it something unexpected! So Bravo!
June 8, 2022
What was that?
I honestly enjoyed the book itself. What I didn't like was that at 80% it looks like the book ended on a cliffhanger and gives you chapter 1 in the 1st East one's book. Then chapter 1 in books 2 & 3.about 89% this book picks back up. Its frustrating. Just be aware.
I honestly enjoyed the book itself. What I didn't like was that at 80% it looks like the book ended on a cliffhanger and gives you chapter 1 in the 1st East one's book. Then chapter 1 in books 2 & 3.about 89% this book picks back up. Its frustrating. Just be aware.
Read
February 18, 2023Not my type of story. I like Elsie & Rhett. Rhett’s family would be interesting to read. Part of the problem is I don’t see how Elsie would have chosen Axel in the beginning. Also how come she is waiting for Rhett to call? Did I miss that part? Why didn’t Elsie call Rhett?
March 23, 2023
love the story
I love the story, glad the last brother got the girl, but the errors made it hard for me to read. I guess it’s saying something that I felt the same way during all the books in the series, but read them all anyway.
I love the story, glad the last brother got the girl, but the errors made it hard for me to read. I guess it’s saying something that I felt the same way during all the books in the series, but read them all anyway.
July 29, 2025
2 nd chance
They could have had it all when they were young but pressure and life got in the way ! Now Rhett has a chance but only if Elsie will risk it . I love the family ‘a support and the banter !
They could have had it all when they were young but pressure and life got in the way ! Now Rhett has a chance but only if Elsie will risk it . I love the family ‘a support and the banter !
June 5, 2022
I am so sad for this series to be over, but Rhett’s story was the perfect ending! Fingers crossed we see these characters in other stories or get a novella family vacation/event pretty please!
June 13, 2022
Great story!
June 19, 2022
Fun and entertaining
August 19, 2022
Sad to see the Easton series end. Really enjoyed the books
January 7, 2023
Love this rom-com, rock and roll, and great characters.
Want to read
January 11, 2023Isn't this book supposed to be about Rhett and a girl named laney?
January 17, 2023
Another wonderful romcom read from Marina Adair. Love that she manages to weave in the heavy topics within the light moments and love story.
January 22, 2023
This book was not for me. I hate to write bad reviews so I will only say this. I should have shut this audiobook off the minute the author used the word “slacks”. Twice. ***Cringe***
February 12, 2023
margo punching scale: 0
we love the character development
we love the character development
September 11, 2023
Another good east read in a series that easily gets you hooked!
October 4, 2023
Breathtaking
I love the connection between the two main characters. The struggles they go through on a more personal level only attest to the strength in the love they gind.
I love the connection between the two main characters. The struggles they go through on a more personal level only attest to the strength in the love they gind.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews