Eli Sabatino, determined to make a name for
himself amid Seaside, New Jersey’s nightlife, has laid out the perfect plan for
success. But that plan didn’t include Layla, the hopeful bartender who walked
in for an interview. He knows, as an employee, this blonde bombshell is
off-limits but he can’t fight the undeniable force of attraction that pulls him
toward her.
Layla Del Duca has the weight
of the world on her shoulders. With a full course load, a boyfriend, a sister
to take care of, and an alcoholic mother, she needs to regain control of her
life. Her job at Fierce is priority number one. But a complication she didn’t
expect looms behind the eyes of Eli, her handsome new boss.
Emotions collide full force
and they can no longer turn a blind eye to what their hearts are telling them.
But, can their passion
survive when Eli can no longer promise the one thing Layla asks of him? Will
everything change? Will he stay?
PURCHASE
LINKS:
REVIEW:
Oh my, I don't even know where to start with this one. We were introduced to Eli and Layla in a previous book in the series and I was excited to find out this would be their book. Eli and Layla were drawn to each other right from the beginning; however, they fought their feelings for a while. Layla had so much responsibility on her shoulders and didn't want anyone to know what was going on in her life. She tried to keep everyone out, until she just couldn't do it anymore.
Eli was drawn to Layla as soon as he met her. He wanted nothing more than to be hers and be a part of her life. He didn't understand why she would stay with her boyfriend when he treated her like crap. When he finds Layla at a particularly vulnerable time, he has had enough. He is done trying to stay away from her and wants to be the one she can lean on.
As their relationship grows, so does their love for each other. Eli and Layla haven finally accepted that they are meant to be together and nothing or no one will keep them apart. However, Layla's past is not ready to let her go. What happens when Layla's past decides to intervene in the future? To find out you have to read this book.
Let me start out by saying that is book is an emotional read, so have your Kleenex handy. Eli knows Layla is the one for him and will not stop is pursuit until he has her. Layla fell in love with Eli on first sight and can't imagine her life without him. They are so good together and you can't help but want them to get their HEA. While I will not give away the ending, I will say this one ends differently then other books in the series. However, PLEASE do not let that stop you from reading it! I promise you will love it and you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time. I loved the characters and watching their love grow. Megan Smith did a wonderful job with this one and I can't wait to see what happens next!! Seriously, I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book!!
EXCERPT:
Layla smiles. “It’s nice to see them back together.”
“It is, makes my life a hell of a lot easier.”
“Why’s that?”
I glance over at her. Her eyes are glassy, cheeks are
flushed but she’s relaxed and it’s not a sight I get to see often. “One less
thing for me to watch over.”
Layla who was sitting across from me on the booth that’s
out on the deck lies down, crosses her ankles and places her hands on her
stomach.
I laugh. “What are you doing?”
She points up to the sky. “Looking at all the stars.”
I toss back the rest of my beer and follow suit lying
down where we are head to head. Neither of us talks for what seems like
forever. It’s not an awkward silence but a comfortable one.
“Tell me something about yourself that no one knows,
Layla.”
She’s quiet and I almost think she’s fallen asleep when
she starts, “I’ve always wanted a tree house.”
“A tree house?” I ask just to confirm I’ve heard her.
It’s so random.
“Yeah, and not one that’s on the ground, I wanted a real
tree house high up in the trees.” She sighs. “When I was little I used to watch
from my bedroom window while the dad from the house behind ours built the
Foster sister’s one. For two weeks he worked on it for them.” She turns on her
stomach and rests her chin on her hands. “He put it way up high, nailed pieces
of wood on the tree for steps. He brought up these big pieces of wood that he
used for the floor. Then a few days later the house was framed out. He even
made them a little porch that he put railing around. By the end of the second
weekend I saw him hoisting up a huge triangle piece that he used for the roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster brought the girls up so that they could see it. The looks
on their faces was priceless.”
I turn around and face Layla on the bench. Her eyes are
even glassier now than they were before.
“They painted the little house that was big enough for
the four of them to sit in. Mrs. Foster made them little curtains for the
windows and planted little flowers in the flower boxes that hung off of the
railing of the porch.” Her smile grows. “I watched the little girls bring their
baby dolls up in a little box that they would pull up, like their dad used for
the roof. Mrs. Foster even made them a picnic basket at dinner time, too.”
A little tear escapes the corner of her eye and I watch
as it runs down her cheek. She doesn’t even bother trying to wipe it away.
Being this close I notice the freckles sprinkled across her nose and I suddenly
want to kiss each and every one of them.
“Layla?”
“Hmm,” she mummers.
“I’m sorry you never got your tree house.”
She smiles a sad smile. “Me too.”
It sounds like Layla didn’t have a great childhood, maybe
she didn’t have a dad like me or maybe she did and he just couldn’t be bothered
with her. I don’t want to ask because it’s a personal question and Layla
doesn’t give away much about her life. So for now I’ll take what she’s willing
to give me and vow that if I ever have a little girl, I will build with my own
two hands the best damn tree house ever seen.
AUTHOR BIO:
USA TODAY bestselling author Megan Smith is a New Jersey native managing
purchasing for an award-winning business IT and software development firm - and
by night creating the memorable characters her fans have grown to adore.
Smith's The Love Series introduces readers to MacKenzie Cahill - a hopeful
young woman who experiences adversity, challenges and the bittersweet triumph
of true, authentic love.
Smith is a wife and mother, who makes time for her family, professional life
and the creation of the Cahill's world. Fans of The Love Series - Trying Not To
Love You, Easy To Love You, Hard To Love You - are captivated by relationships,
special bonds and family ties pervasive in Smith's emotional, energized and
engaging work. Smith is also the author of the 2014 releases, Let Me Love You -
continuations of The Love Series, Finding Us (Finding Series) and a few top
secret projects.
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