THE ONE FOR YOU

She got a second chance at life.
Will she take a second chance at love?

Kincaid Breslin wasn't supposed to survive that fateful night at Long Acre when so many died, including her boyfriend—but survive she did. She doesn't know why she got that chance, but now she takes life by the horns and doesn't let anybody stand in her way

Ashton Isaacs was her best friend when disaster struck all those years ago, but he chose to run as far away as he could. Now fate has brought him back to town, and Ash doesn't know how to cope with his feelings for Kincaid and his grief over their lost friendship. For Ash has been carrying secrets, and he knows that once Kincaid learns the truth, he'll lose any chance he might have had with the only woman he's ever loved.

Release Date: December 31, 2019

Sourcebook Casablanca

The Ones Who Got Away #4

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

What a way for a series to end. With a bang that filled my heart. I love this friends to lovers story. I love that there’s so much history between Kincaid and Ash. The whole unrequited love as teenagers broke my heart for Ash. I seriously wanted to hug this guy throughout the entire book. 

This series has been rough in that it covers a tragic, all too real problem in the United States...mass shootings in schools. The characters have this shared trauma that has shaped them in so many ways. It was difficult to read sometimes, but the subject matter was handled sensitively and with respect. Bravo for that Ms. Loren. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for her to write. 

This book, like the rest of the series, is very character driven. I cared about them deeply from almost the beginning. The growth that both Kincaid and Ash go through was amazing. They may be adults, and years removed from the tragedy of the school shooting as teens, but it’s always there in the background. I liked seeing the progression of them going from carrying around the hurt on their shoulders, to wanting to grab onto their happiness. They learned to embrace the life they’re blessed with when so many of their friends never got that chance.

There’s a ton of heavy stuff in this book, but there were still moments that made me laugh. Quite a few, actually! There’s a pair of trouble making goats that had me giggling, and the banter between Kincaid and Ash never failed to put a smile on my face. Oh! And the manure in the pick up truck! So funny! 

While this book, and series, is by no means as steamy as some of Roni Loren’s other books, there was still a ton of chemistry and sexy times. And Ash is crazy delicious in the bedroom!

This series was amazing. It pulled all the feels out of me. My heart was broken and mended. Roni Loren continues to be an auto read author for me. 

Rating: 4 Stars (A)

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THE ONE YOU CAN'T FORGET

Most days Rebecca Lindt feels like an imposter...

The world admires her as a survivor. But that impression would crumble if people knew her secret. She didn't deserve to be the one who got away. But nothing can change the past, so she's thrown herself into her work. She can't dwell if she never slows down.

Wes Garrett is trying to get back on his feet after losing his dream restaurant, his money, and half his damn mind in a vicious divorce. But when he intervenes in a mugging and saves Rebecca―the attorney who helped his ex ruin him―his simple life gets complicated.

Their attraction is inconvenient and neither wants more than a fling. But when Rebecca's secret is put at risk, both discover they could lose everything, including what they never realized they needed: each other

She laughed and kissed him. This morning she'd melted down. But somehow this man had her laughing and turned on only a few hours later. Everything inside her felt buoyed.

She felt...light. 

She'd forgotten what that felt like.

Release Date: June 5, 2018

Sourcebook Casablanca

The Ones Who Got Away #2

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

I love me some Roni Loren! Every book has been pretty damn incredible. The back story to this series is heart shredding  tragic. It's the story of a group of friends who are survivors of a school shooting 10 years earlier. I went into this series wondering how Ms. Loren was going to handle the subject. I didn't need to be concerned; she handled it with complete sensitivity.

If I'm being completely honest, I disliked Rebecca in the first book. She was a bit snobbish and just rubbed me the wrong way. I have a different opinion of her now. I just didn't "know" her well enough before her story. She's struggling with lingering PTSD from the school shooting, but she puts on a good front. 

Wes is putting his life back together after being taken to the cleaners by his ex wife. The crazy part in this romance is that Rebecca was the divorce lawyer that made it possible for his ex to break him. Again, I was left thinking, how in the world will the author make this work? I mean, how could love blossom from this situation! Well, she did it...again. Roni Loren made it work like magic.

Rebecca and Wes were just amazing together. They gave each other things that they didn't realize they needed. The chemistry was hot and the bedroom shenanigans were nothing short of delicious. 

You get to witness a ton of growth for both of the characters. They're both strong people; They're just stronger together.

As always, Roni Loren's writing kept me enraptured from beginning to end. I read this book in just two sittings. I wanted to devour it. 

This series is both tragic and beautiful. Something wonderful comes from the horrific tragedy that the characters had to face. They find their strength to move on, and most importantly, they find someone to love and be loved in return.

I am anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series. 

Rating: 4 Stars (A)

THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY

Liv's words cut off as Finn got closer. The man approaching was nothing like the boy she'd known. The bulky football muscles had streamlined into a harder, leaner package and the look in his deep green eyes held no trace of boyish innocence.

It's been twelve years since tragedy struck the senior class of Long Acre High School. Only a few students survived that fateful night—a group the media dubbed The Ones Who Got Away.

Liv Arias thought she'd never return to Long Acre—until a documentary brings her and the other survivors back home. Suddenly her old flame, Finn Dorsey, is closer than ever, and their attraction is still white-hot. When a searing kiss reignites their passion, Liv realizes this rough-around-the-edges cop might be exactly what she needs...

Release Date: January 2, 2018

The Ones Who Got Away #1

Contemporary Romance

Sourcebook Casablanca

Review copy provided by the publisher 

Nikki’s Review:

This was a tough book to read. Not because it wasn't well done, but because the plot was born around a tragedy that destroys so many lives...school shootings. 

I have always been a huge fan of Roni Loren's. Her books are full of super sexy kink and solid plots. And while this book was still very much sexy and had a phenomenal plot, it was different. The emotions it pulled out of me were darker and more intense. This series is definitely very character driven, but then again, all her books are.

Liv and Finn have history. They were secret lovers in high school. Not that Liv wanted it that way. This was a romance between a girl from a middle class family, and a boy from a very wealthy family. I love this trope!

The connection between Liv and Finn was palpable. Even after more than a decade apart, there was still that magnetism that pulled them together. I loved the witty banter between them. It kept the dialogue moving quickly, and I was always interested in what they were saying to each other.

They've been brought together because of a documentary about the school shooting they survived so many years before. With that comes old wounds being sliced opened. So many times I could feel a pang in my heart when the characters were reliving an awful moment. Roni handled the entire situation with sensitivity, but a realness that often left me feeling raw. I might even say that this was some of her best writing, in my opinion.

How do you find love and beauty out of a shared tragedy? I was skeptical on how this would make a solid love story, but the author made it work beautifully. 

Liv and Finn had so many obstacles to conquer before they found their HEA. I mean, the baggage they each brought to the table was enormous. But I could feel their affection and hope for happiness on every page. 

The writing in this book was pure genius. The characters pulled me in and held on until the last page. Even the secondary characters had me engaged and latching onto their journeys. I'm so eager for the next book in this brand new series. This is the kind of book and series that truly makes me believe in the whole HEA thing! If you're looking for a book that will bring you to your knees emotionally, The Ones Who Got Away is it! 

Rating: 4.5 Stars (A)