Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: February 18th 2013
Format: PDF ARC Submitted for Review by Publisher
Rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis:
Seattle hairstylist Violet Murphy always knew the day would come when her best friend Gabe Parker would want to settle down. She’d secretly wished it would be with her, but now that he’s chosen someone else—the prim, perfect Alicia—he wants Vi to be his best man.
Healing her broken heart isn’t easy, but when Violet meets Landon Harlow, a man who isn’t fazed by her funky style and less-than-delicate attitude, she takes a step in the right direction. Until Gabe’s fiancé’s gorgeous façade begins to crack, and Violet’s disturbing past comes back to haunt her, that is. Vi now finds herself armed with a series of lies that would break Gabe’s heart—and his engagement—if he knew their truth, and a secret from their childhood that could change everything.
With the wedding looming, her relationships unraveling, and the bachelor party of the century to plan, Violet must choose between a fresh start with Landon, or confronting her painful past and risking it all for a chance at a future with Gabe
I love when a book leaves me feeling like I just had one of the most wonderful moments in life. It's magical to read a book that gets inside you. This was no exception. Violet Murphy and Gabe Parker have been best friends and loved each other since they were kids but seemed to miss their moment in time due to a misunderstanding. Each chapter begins with a journal entry from Violet's past. both her and Parker had tried taking their relationship to another level when they were 16 but something happened that hurt them both and the wounds never really healed. She had held out hope that they could get back together until a surprise announcement forced her to move on from her childhood Love. She convinces herself to move on and ends up meeting Landon. An incredibly sexy carpenter who treats her like gold and falls for her quickly. With Gabe set to marry Alicia, a woman Violet can't stand, she tries desperately to find out the truth about this woman before Gabe makes a mistake he can't take back. This was a book I won't soon forget because it had me frustrated and torn through most of the story. Seeing how Gabe and Violet grew up together makes your heart melt for him and you WANT them to be together and root for Alicia to be kicked to the curb. Then when you don't expect it Landon comes in to the picture and completely shakes things up. It's almost like a love triangle and usually I hate love triangles but this worked for me. While I still loved Landon and hoped briefly it worked out for them, I just couldn't stop myself from wanting Gabe to be with Violet. Whenever Vi tried to tell him the reason for the misunderstanding they would get interrupted and I would beat my fist against my desk at work and scream "COME ON!" I was so frustrated and it didn't change until like 87% into the book. The angst is palpable and becomes a living organism that feels like it could climb out of your chest and be your constant companion. Violet was a beautiful character. She had flaws and emotional baggage you start to understand as you get to know her. I figured out the big secret pretty early on and that usually deflates the balloon for me but with this book it just made me that much more excited to continue reading because I knew that if it just came out everyone could go back to normal. I love that the story was told from Violet's point of view, it really gives you insight into the emotional turmoil she goes through from past to present day. The journal entries before each chapter were a great way to get some back story without having to drag the story down during the good parts. I absolutely loved Violet. She is curvy and funny and spunky and with her two roommates whom you get to see quite a bit of in the story, you are not only provided with much needed comic relief but you get to see the support group Vi has in these girls. As for Gabe, I loved him then I didn't like him so much, but then I started loving him again. You are taken on this journey and begin to feel the emotions towards him the main character feels. It feels like it is happening to you as you read along. I couldn't put this book down and loved every pulse pounding, frustrating, anger management class inducing minute. The epilogue is a wonderful treat as it closes out this beautiful story from Gabe's POV that will have you misty eyed and unable to forget the story. I fell hard for this story, so much so that when it was over I cried. Not because it was sad, but because I was sad it was over. I moped for days being in a state in between being happy I read such a wonderful story and melancholy that it was over. I was pitiful and I am so glad nobody saw me like that. I adore stories about childhood sweethearts falling in love so naturally Keeping Secrets was right up my alley! My hope is that you grab a copy and get lost in the story like I did and fall in love with this beautiful couple!
We danced for a solid hour, our bodies close, moving with
bone-vibrating music. Every once in a while, he would lean
into my ear and say something funny, making my pulse speed
up. When I lifted my hair up to cool down, he blew on the
back of my neck, and it sent a shiver of excitement down my
spine. PDF pg 38
“I don’t know how you can eat that
stuff. It smells like feet.”
I accepted his effort to change the subject. “Oh, this from
the guy who eats pork rinds? Those things are repulsive, and
they smell like farts. Are you kidding me?” PDF pg 128
I couldn’t help but laugh when Landon’s round eyes met
mine again. This was my life. A leopard print couch, a David
Beckham look-alike, two lesbians, and a Felix the Cat clock.
Sure, it wasn’t the JumboTron at Safeco Field, but it was by far
the most romantic thing I’d ever experienced. PDF pg 210
“No. I can’t do this anymore. I
understand you’re upset, and that everything you thought
was true was a lie. And I’m sorry for that. But I would rather
be alone forever than beg the man I love to be with me.” PDF pg 252
Mcdonalds or Burger King?
Ugh.....they're both disgusting, but McDonald's cheeseburgers are made of crack. I could eat like 3 of them. Then afterwards I feel dirty and ashamed. It's wrong.
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate. The darker the better.
Coke or Pepsi?
I'm very specific about this one.....Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi.
Saturday Night Live or Mad Tv?
Saturday Night Live......but it was better in the early 90's when I was young. Now it sort of sucks...unless Bruno Mars is on. Did I mention he's my boyfriend?
What is Better the book or the movie?
Always the book. Always.
Anne Rice or Stephanie Meyer?
Stephenie Meyer....but not because of her Twilight series. Because she is a housewife (like me) who turned her hobby into a multi million dollar empire. Kudos to her.
John Stamos or Justin Beiber?
What self respecting woman would say Beiber?
Walmart or Target?
Target. Walking around that place is a vacation for mom's like me.
Summer or Winter?
Neither. Autumn.
Coffee or Tea?
Neither. Starbucks Hot Chocolate with a shot of pumpkin spice. Holla! (Yes, I just said holla.)
Nice guys or bad boys?
While I enjoy me a bad boy now and again, it's the nice boys you want to spend a lifetime with. Take it from me.
Tattoos or piercings?
I am a sucker for ink. Bring me a sleeved dude with a heart any day.
Android or iphone?
iPhone. I'm addicted.
About The Author:
Brooke Moss lives in beautiful eastern Washington with her handsome nerd and five darling, wicked children. When she isn't spinning tales, she spends her time collecting tacky owl décor, changing the color of her hair, and watching too much reality television.
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At thirty years old, caterer Lexie Baump has a lot on her plate. With a business to run, she doesn’t have time for any added distractions. But one momentary indiscretion adds a little hiccup to Lexie’s plans. She’s pregnant. With no relationship prospects. But if Lexie thought fighting morning sickness while running a catering business was hard, enter Dr. Fletcher Haybee. Their connection is instant, and their love of vintage rock tee shirts and Elvis music is enough to bond them for life. There are just two minor problems. One: he’s dating her oversexed best friend. Two: he’s also her obstetrician. With events to cater, awkward OB appointments to endure, and her ever-growing baby bump making it impossible to close her jeans, Lexie has to find a way to curb her undeniable attraction toward Fletcher and focus on her new role as a working mother. But it certainly isn’t easy when its clear Fletcher himself feels the same magnetic pull toward Lexie. Can Lexie leave the gorgeous Fletcher for her best friend to chew up and spit out, or will she cave to her feelings and find love in the stirrups? Life is about to get messy, and we're not just talking about crumbs in the car seat.
