Review & Giveaway: The One for Me by Sydney Landon

The One for Me (Danvers #8) by Sydney Landon

Publication Date: February 2nd 2016 by Signet

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

The New York Times bestselling author of Watch Over Me delivers a steamy new novel of irresistible attraction in her popular Danvers series.

Mark DeSanto has never denied himself anything—especially in the bedroom. Rich, attractive, and successful, men envy him and women desire him. But when a sweet, guileless beauty faints at his feet, he suddenly finds himself wondering if it’s time to look for something more lasting...

Until her divorce, Crystal Webber never knew what it was like to follow her heart. Now she wants to experience all life has to offer. So when she catches a glimpse of Mark DeSanto in the halls of Danvers International, she’s instantly infatuated—and eager to join him for a walk on the wild side. Fainting at his feet wasn’t her plan, but at least it got his attention...

But for the first time, Mark wants to take things slow, which—considering the electricity between them—may take far more willpower than he’s ever had.

My Thoughts:

Crystal has been lusting over Mark DeSanto ever since his company set up offices in the building she works in.  Crystal gets up close and personal when she comes down with the flu and passes out in Mark’s arms, which was hilarious! There were several awkward revelations after Crystal comes to, but the episode endears her to Mark and they start seeing each other. 

Mark has no desire to have a steady relationship with a woman after witnessing the toxic marriage his parents have. One-night stands are his usual and frequent experience with women, but Crystal gets under his skin and so Mark decides to take a chance on love. 

The One for Me was pretty funny, and I liked that Sydney Landon diffused any drama with a dose of humor.  I love a couple that can laugh over difficulties, like Mark and Crystal did.  Crystal was a sweetheart and even though I wanted to shake her at times for being such a pushover with her mother and her ex-husband, I still liked her.  I seriously would’ve cut that woman (her mother) out of my life if it were me.  The obstacles that Mark and Crystal encounter were not because of their feelings, the drama came from their families.  As for Mark, I sort of got a 50 Shades/Christian Grey vibe from him without the BDSM, though. Yum!  While Always Loving You is still my favorite of the series, The One for Me was a fast and fun installment.

3.5 Suns

Signet has generously provided a Paperback copy of The One for Me to one Waves of Fiction follower. The giveaway is open to US and CA residents only.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win. Good luck!

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Review: Watch Over Me by Sydney Landon

Watch Over Me (Danvers #7) by Sydney Landon

Publication Date: September 1st 2015 by Signet

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book: 

Gwen Day has never been lucky in love, but now she’s betting on one man ready to care for her like no one ever has…

Fresh off of the most humiliating romantic disaster of her life, Gwen sees no reason not to get tipsy and throw herself at her sexy bad boy neighbor. But she never expected their one night stand to have consequences that would keep them together...or for his concern to turn into something that feels like it could last.

Dominic Brady has always admired Gwen from afar, and now that she’s single, he has no reservations about saying yes to one wild night. Soon he’s interested in a real relationship. But when their future is uncertain, Dominic is determined to show her that he takes care of what’s his. And that no matter what happens, he’s one man she can’t lose.

My Thoughts:

Even though Gwen wasn’t in love with her last boyfriend, Mac, she’s still smarting by being dumped by him and then having him run off and get married immediately after. She’s having the worst birthday ever until she gets enough liquid courage in her to go after the neighbor she’s been ogling for months, Dominic. Knocking on his door and taking what she wants for once leads to a steamy physical relationship, but there’s something different about Dominic and her heart becomes hopelessly entangled lightening fast.  

Dominic was biding his time to ask Gwen out when his best friend, Mac swooped in and stole his thunder. Dominic knew Mac was dating Gwen more to move on after the love of his life, Ava couldn’t commit.  When Ava finally got her head straight and realized she was going to lose Mac forever Gwen ended up being collateral damage, but Dominic couldn’t be happier.  Gwen was always the one he wanted and so he planned on making his move, but Gwen beats him to the punch and shows up tipsy and taking charge in all the best ways. 

Dominic and Gwen’s romance started off hot and heavy and I loved Dominic! He was a take charge kind of guy but also showed how serious and devoted he was to Gwen right off the bat.  He’d been crushing on her from afar for so long that he wanted everything to go right now that he finally got his chance with her.  Unfortunately, Gwen was struggling with insecurities after a series of relationships that went bad and so this colored her reactions to Dominic even though he seemed utterly devoted to her and their growing relationship.  I understand why Gwen would feel insecure. It would be hard to trust after a run of bad experiences.  If that were the only issue here I would’ve liked this story a lot more, but Gwen witnesses an interaction and makes an assumption, without giving Dominic the benefit of the doubt that leads to misunderstandings and unnecessary drama. This went on for a good portion of the book.  Dominic did make an effort to try and find out what was bothering Gwen, why she pulled back, but when that doesn’t work he starts taking advice from Gage, the absolute last person that should be giving relationship advice and the situation becomes even worse. 

I loved the last Davers installment, Mac and Ava’s romance, so I was really looking forward to Gwen and Dominic’s story, but I wasn’t thrilled with how it all played out.  I hate drama caused by miscommunications, and faulty assumptions, so while Watch Over Me started out really strong, I had to speed read through about 40% of the book because I was frustrated.

2.5 Suns

Review & Giveaway: Always Loving You by Sydney Landon

Always Loving You (Danvers #6)  by Sydney Landon

Publication Date: February 3rd 2015 by Signet

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

Ava Stone has spent her entire life looking over her shoulder—waiting for the past to catch up with her....

After surviving a horrific attack as a teenager, Ava has never been able to truly overcome her fears. The incident was covered up by her family so she wouldn’t have to deal with it publicly—yet only one person understands what she had to endure in private: her brother’s best friend, MacKinley Powers, who found her the night of the attack. But even he doesn’t know everything—and she’s afraid to open up to him.

Mac has loved Ava for most of his life—and being in close contact with her every day as head of security for Danvers International isn’t helping. In fact, it makes him realize the painful truth: He has to walk away to keep his sanity. But when Ava is forced to rely on the only man who has never let her down, can Mac break through the protective walls she’s needed for so long?

My Thoughts:

Always Loving You was a beautiful, poignant romance with parts that gave my heart a good squeeze from the pain of longing in one breath, and then made me giggle, snort and laugh out loud in the next.

Ava has been in love with Mac, her brothers’ best friend, since she was a teenager.  He was her rock after a tragedy pulled the rug out from under Ava’s life, and stripped her confidence. She still bears the emotional scars.  Mac’s always been there for her, well, until recently.  It seems he can no longer wait for Ava, and has decided to move on, date with the goal of marrying and starting a family.  Ava feels her heart pang in protest. 

Mac was, without a doubt, drool-worthy. He was the kind of man that women turned to stare after as he walked by. And…now he belonged to Gwen.

Oh, there’s the knife to my heart!

Ava decides to go all out to win Mac back; she even has a plan of action, but can she gather enough courage to go through with it and fight for the man she loves?  Well, she’s got plenty of friends in her corner to root for her and help her along.   

Mac has loved Ava for years, but he’s realized that he can’t go on waiting forever for Ava to return those feelings.  Mac wants the dream: a wife and kids, but he’s resigned to the fact it may not ever be with Ava.  When he’s finally moved on, Ava turns into a dare-devil, coming out of her shell, and her stunts are scaring the hell out of him! Mac is also shocked to find out that the past is not as it has seemed, and he must ask himself if it’s possible to have the love and life he’s always yearned for with Ava afterall. 

My heart hurt for Ava, everything she went through and all the effort she put into appearing normal.  It was almost a good thing that Mac “moved” on with Gwen, because it forced her to confront her demons.  While I felt bad for Gwen in a way, Mac and Ava’s love was something that was epic and meant to be, and everyone around knew it.  If you’re worried about this being a painful cheating book, I wouldn’t.  Gwen is not in the book much, and there’s not any angsty, back and forth drama. 

I was supremely ticked at Mac in the beginning for moving on, but then I got his side of things and felt awful for him, as well. He, too, bore emotional scars and guilt from the tragedy Ava endured.  A bearing-of-souls, and hashing things out between Ava and Mac was long overdue, even if it did cause additional hurt.

I have to say, their romance was fiery HOT once things got sorted!  There was so much pent up emotion and longing making their physical connection utterly passionate and so heartfelt!  It made my heart burst with happiness for them.  

While parts of the story were heart-wrenching, a good portion of the story is laced with scenes that had me snorting with laughter! The scenes with Ava’s girlfriends were hilarious! The “labor and delivery: bitch edition” scene was beyond funny, and as Suzy said they needed an “exorcism stat” for poor Ella!

“What’re you laughing at?” Ella snapped. “You think it’s funny that your dickhead brother did this to me and then didn’t have the balls to show up? I hate your whole family, you…”

“Wait for it….,” Suzy muttered.

“Skinny, skanky skank!”

Labor pains are no laughing matter…Well, maybe not most of the time.

The girls definitely had Ava’s back, supporting her, making her laugh and giving great advice.  I love it when a story has positive female friendships instead of the usual mean girl stuff, and back biting.

Always Loving You was a compelling romance that will tug on your heartstrings, make you laugh, and leave you with a big goofy smile by the end.  After reading (and loving!) the excerpt of Watch Over Me I think we get a happy ending for Gwen in the next book, which is set to come out in September.  Can’t wait!

4.5 Suns

Connect with Sydney Landon:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The publisher generously provided a Paperback Copy of Always Loving You by Sydney Landon to one Waves of Fiction follower. Open to US Residents only. Just fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win.