Book Reviews – Page 278

Review AN UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY Joanne Dannon

November 25, 2016 1 Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** AN UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY Joanne Dannon

An Unforgettable Holiday by Joanne Dannon
Published by Clarendon 3 Publishing on November 25, 2016
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When falling in love isn’t as easy as falling in love.

Heart warming holiday reads with a splash of faith. Give yourself the gift of love with these romances that will fill your heart with the magic of the holiday spirit.

A Magical Christmas In Jerusalem

Australian project manager Kiara Lonsdale is career focussed and determined to provide and care for the grandmother who raised her. Taking time off work to vacation has never been high on her agenda, but this year she’s made an exception. She’s helping her gran fulfil a life-long dream by accompanying her on a Christmas to the Holy Land tour.

Jacques Lenoir and his extended family run tours in Israel and he’s committed to their business. Jacques feels responsible for his grandparents’ welfare since they risked their lives, and others’, as operatives in the French Resistance, during the War.

But over romantic dinners in the desert, camel rides, and mud baths at the Dead Sea, sparks fly between Kiara and Jacques. Will this only be a holiday romance or will a touch of Christmas magic make it last a lifetime?

A Magical Chanukah in New York

Lisa Sassoon has shunned the scandal of her loser-ex cheating on her by escaping to New York. Instead of sightseeing, she’s become a recluse focusing on helping the less fortunate at a homeless shelter.

Gabe Olivari, entrepreneur and savvy business New Yorker, can’t let go of the pain of losing his best friend. So caught up in his own grief and believing he doesn’t deserve to be happy, he compensates by pushing everyone close to him away.

But when Lisa and Gabe meet, there is an instant connection that forces them to question not only their behaviours but their aspirations.

Can a dash of Chanukah magic help Lisa and Gabe realise that sparkling dates and dreamy kisses can lead to more? Perhaps even a lifetime of happiness?

Two delightful holiday novellas to help put you in the mood for the holidays!

A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS IN JERUSALEM centers around an Australian workaholic who takes some time off to take her beloved grandmother on the trip she’s always dreamed of to spend Christmas in the Holy Land. She meets an Israeli tour guide whose family all work in the business and is swept off her feet! Will this be a short lived infatuation, or will this turn into her trip of a lifetime that leads to her happily ever after?

A MAGICAL CHANUKAH IN NEW YORK centers around an Australian free-spirit who runs away from having to deal with a broken heart thanks to her cheating ex and heads to New York for a break. She meets a sexy businessman who is suffering the grief of losing his best friend, and together they embark on a whirlwind romance where along the way they help each other overcome the turmoil they have been suffering.

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Review MAYBE THIS TIME Jennifer Snow

November 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** MAYBE THIS TIME Jennifer Snow

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Snow
Series: Colorado Ice
Published by Forever on November 29, 2016
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Starting over means a second chance . . .

Abigail Jansen is done with hockey . . . and hockey players. After leaving her two-timing NHL-star husband, Abby decides to start over in her hometown of Glenwood Falls, Colorado. There she doesn't have to deal with people gossiping behind her back or hear the word "hockey"---until her daughter tries out for the junior hockey team. Now Abby has to face her fears . . . and coach Jackson Westmore. He's tall, dark, handsome---and happens to hate her.

All through high school, talented hockey player Jackson Westmore had a crush on Abby, but he would never make a move on his best friend's girl. He gave her the cold shoulder out of self-preservation and worked out his frustrations on the ice. So when Abby returns, newly divorced and still sexy as hell, Jackson knows he's in trouble. Now even the best defensive skills might not keep him from losing his heart.

Next up in Jennifer Snow’s Colorado Ice series, we get Jackson’s story. He was one of Becky’s hockey obsessed brothers in the first book, and it’s fun to delve into what made him who he is and watch him search for that happy ending! It was also fun getting a glimpse into how Becky & Neil are doing! Overall, a really fun read … sweet, yet spicy … with a great family camaraderie among the characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Abigail Jansen returns home to Glenwood Falls, Colorado to raise her daughter when her marriage falls apart. After being cheated on and drug through the mud by her NHL husband, she doesn’t care if she never hears the word HOCKEY ever again.

Jackson Westmore isn’t happy to see Abby back in town. He crushed on her for years when they were young, yet couldn’t let it show because she was his best friend’s girl. Now that she’s in front of him again, will he be able to keep his feelings to himself, or will he finally get that chance he always hoped for?

When Abby’s daughter wants to try out for the junior hockey team, she’s anything but happy … but she hasn’t seen a smile on her daughters face in a long time, so she can’t bear to say no. Since Jackson is the coach, she’s now interacting with him on a regular basis … and man is he HOT!

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Review SIZE MATTERS by Alison Bliss

November 22, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** SIZE MATTERS by Alison Bliss

Size Matters by Alison Bliss
Series: A Perfect Fit
Published by Forever on November 29, 2016
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The rules of (fake) engagement . . .
Leah Martin has spent her life trying to avoid temptation. But she's sick of low-fat snacks, counting calories, and her hyper-critical mom. Fortunately, her popular new bakery keeps her good and distracted. But there aren't enough éclairs in the world to distract Leah from the hotness that is Sam Cooper - or the fact that he just told her mother that they're engaged . . . which is a big, fat lie.

Sam sometime speaks before he thinks. So what started out as defending Leah's date-ability to her judgmental mother soon turned into having a fiancee! Now the plan is to keep up the fake engagement, stay "just friends," and make Leah's family loathe him enough to just call the whole thing off . But Sam has an insatiable sweet tooth, not only for Leah's decadent desserts but her decadent curves. Her full lips. Her bright green eyes. Yep, things aren't going quite according to plan. Now Sam has to convince Leah that he's for real . . . before their little lie turns into one big, sweet disaster.

Funny, sweet and sexy all rolled up into a smorgasbord of goodness! Be prepared for people to look at you strangely as you are reading this book, because I guarantee you will be grinning throughout and occasionally bust out in a full blown chuckle without warning! I would happily hang out with the folks in this book and have a blast … they are just THAT likable!

Leah Martin has spent the majority of her adult life carrying just a few too many pounds and feeling self-conscious about it … especially after a run-in with her overly-critical mother. She’s recently opened her own bakery and is determined to enjoy life more!

Sexy Sam Cooper catches her attention from the moment she lays eyes on him, but he can’t seem to stop sticking his foot in his mouth and saying the wrong thing every time he’s in her presence. When he tells her mother that they are engaged … when they are NOT … all bets are off! Now it’s up to him to convince her family that he’s totally wrong for her so they are off the hook for this pretend relationship. Only he really likes her and wants to be friends when it’s all over … then he finds he can’t stop wanting more!

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Review CHRISTMAS ON CRIMSON MOUNTAIN Michelle Major

November 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** CHRISTMAS ON CRIMSON MOUNTAIN Michelle Major

Christmas on Crimson Mountain by Michelle Major
Series: Crimson, Colorado
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on December 1, 2016
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LOVE ON THE MOUNTAIN

Peace and quiet—that's all Connor Pierce wanted from the rented cabin on Crimson Mountain. Yet the caretaker turned out to be lovely April Sanders—a total distraction. As were the two little girls she was caring for. Connor's plan to forget his painful past soon detoured into giving the ladies a Christmas to remember.

Being named guardian of two motherless girls has upended April's world. Add to the mix a mysterious, brooding writer claiming he wanted to be left alone while going out of his way to bring a little joy to the girls, and she has quite the quandary. April had counted herself out of a happy ending. But maybe Santa still had a few surprises up his merry old sleeve…

Michelle Major turns our emotions inside out with the latest in her Crimson, Colorado series! With her normal “get to the heart of it” style, she instantly wraps our hearts around two little girls and two people who have been hit hard by life. I found myself hoping against hope that these four people could heal each other’s pain. It’s sad, it’s sweet, it’s raw … and you even find yourself chuckling out loud a few times amidst the emotion because the kids are that adorable and sassy. Loved it!

Connor Pierce was just seeking some peace and quiet when he rented a cabin on Crimson Mountain for a couple of weeks, but when the caretaker shows up with kids in tow, he is sure this is going to be a nightmare!

April Sanders doesn’t know what to make of the unhappy man staring her down when she introduces herself, but there’s no way she’s going to turn those little girls away from the happy Christmas they desperately need.

Connor doesn’t know how to interact with the world anymore, but he can’t resist helping these little girls heal when he sees the sadness in their eyes. Will this be just what he needs to wake up to life again? And will April finally have to face her fears and decide a future isn’t so bad?

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Review THE HOLIDAY GIFT RaeAnne Thayne

November 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** THE HOLIDAY GIFT RaeAnne Thayne

The Holiday Gift by RaeAnne Thayne
Series: The Cowboys of Cold Creek
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on December 1, 2016
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A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS

With two kids and an active life, widow Faith Dustin only wants peace and quiet for Christmas. But her snowy Pine Gulch ranch is nothing but chaotic. All that keeps Faith going is her helpful neighbor, cowboy Chase Brannon. He's always been "good ol' Chase," her faithful friend. Until he kisses her under the mistletoe…

Years ago Chase blew his chance with the woman he's loved since childhood. Now he's determined to step out of the friend zone…and into the role of husband. But the scared and stubborn Faith won't let herself fall. With Christmas just days away, Chase will need all the magic of the season—and the help of her two matchmaking children—to unwrap a second chance at love.

A sweet story about finding love again after loss … where you least expect it, but always knew! I kept wanting to kick Faith when she was pushing him away, but I loved them together and all of their extended family rallied around them made for a fun read!

Widow Faith Dustin can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel of grief that has surrounded her since losing her husband a few years ago. She’s had great support from her family and community and most of all her best friend who was always there to support her and her kids and pick up all the slack. When she realizes he feels more for her than just friendship, she’s terrified!

Chase Brannon let Faith slip through his hands and marry his good friend all those years ago, and he’s not planning to make the same mistake again. He knows he has to throw his hat in the ring before she’s swept off her feet by some other cowboy, but he’s going to have to be patient with her because he can see the panic in her eyes.

As she stubbornly tries to keep him at arms length, will Faith realize what she is giving up before it’s gone?

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Review CHRISTMAS IN THE COVE Carol Ross

November 19, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** CHRISTMAS IN THE COVE Carol Ross

Christmas in the Cove by Carol Ross
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on December 1, 2016
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Nobody is going to hurt her—not on his watch

A DEA stealth mission has brought coast guard Lt. Commander Eli Pelletier home. But when he ends up aiding rescue swimmer Aubrey Wynn during her own harrowing mission, powerful emotions reignite between them. Except Aubrey doesn't want Eli's protection. She wants answers.

Twelve years ago, Eli broke up with Aubrey without telling her the real reason he was leaving Pacific Cove. How can he try for a second chance if he's forced to deceive her again? Amid suspected drug trafficking and a sabotaged Christmas contest, Eli must find a way to regain Aubrey's trust without compromising his career or endangering the woman he loves.

A sweet story about reconnecting with “the one that got away”. Great characters showcasing a close-knit small town with interwoven family and friends.

An undercover investigation has brought Lt. Commander Eli Pelletier home to Pacific Cove, Oregan after many years away. He reconnects with many old friends … including a very special one that he let slip through his fingers.

Coast Guard rescue swimmer Aubrey Wynn can’t believe it when she sees Eli. She’s never forgotten her childhood best friend … and for a short time more. She still wishes she had answers to why he left her all those years ago.

Will he be able to regain her trust and earn a second chance with her, or will the suspected drug trafficking case that he’s working on and can’t tell her details about derail them before they even get started?

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Review MAID UNDER THE MISTLETOE Maureen Child

November 19, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** MAID UNDER THE MISTLETOE Maureen Child

Maid Under the Mistletoe by Maureen Child
Published by Harlequin Desire on December 1, 2016
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An upstairs-downstairs affair for Christmas…only from USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen Child!

Single mom Joy Curran needs this temporary holiday housekeeping job working for a reclusive billionaire. But her sexy, aloof boss pulls at Joy's heartstrings—and her long-denied desires—in unexpected ways…

Sam Henry never got over the loss of his wife and son, and he's shut himself off from happiness, love…and the holidays. But Joy and her sweet daughter bring laughter into his life. And living with his new maid ignites a passion he can't ignore. After one glorious night in Joy's arms, will this beauty be the Christmas miracle that changes the beast forever?

Gut wrenching! Maureen Child takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotion with her latest novel that showcases despair after loss, healing on the horizon and the sweet innocence of a child’s heart. The characters are real, the emotion is high, and the hope of bringing peace to a broken heart follow you through each page. Quick, easy read that you won’t want to put down!

Joy Curran really needs this temporary housekeeping job so she has somewhere to spend Christmas with her little girl, but the rumored gruffness of this reclusive billionaire has her a bit on edge.

Sam Henry locked himself away from the world and anything that reminded him of his old life after he lost his wife and son in an accident several years ago. He doesn’t want to befriend anyone, he doesn’t want to remember what the joy of a young child’s delight feels like, he doesn’t want to move on.

Will this be the Christmas blessing that he didn’t even know he needed?

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Blog Tour / Book Review ONE SNOWY NIGHT by Jill Shalvis

November 18, 2016 1 Comment

4 STARS!

A sweet, sexy temptation to put you in the Christmas spirit! 🙂

Rory Andrews has finally agreed to go home for Christmas for the first time in years, but she wasn’t counting on her ride back to Tahoe being with the very sexy Max Stranton!

Max and Rory have history behind them. She crushed on him in high school while he was a bit of a jocky jerk, yet only he seems to know why he has seemed mad at her over the years. Hours together in his truck on stormy roads lead to plenty of time to catch up and iron out old grudges, but will the chemistry they can’t seem to deny come alive on that one snowy night?

ARC received via Tasty Book Tours

One Snowy Night
Heartbreaker Bay #2.5

By: Jill Shalvis

Releasing November 8, 2016
Avon Impulse

BLURB:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella!

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/10/one-snowy-night-heartbreaker-bay-25-by.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29505399-one-snowy-night
Goodreads Series Link https://www.goodreads.com/series/169076-heartbreaker-bay

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062463578/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-snowy-night-jill-shalvis/1124296729?ean=9780062463579
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jill_Shalvis
_One_Snowy_Night?id=HuS8CwAAQBAJ
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-snowy-night/id1093053622?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/one-snowy-night-3

EXCERPT:

Christmas Eve had the nerve to show up just like it did every year: way too quickly and with ridiculous fanfare.

The nerve.

Rory Andrews stood in the courtyard of the Pacific Pier Building in San Francisco, surrounded by sparkly holiday lights and enough garlands to give the place its own ozone, and told herself things could be worse.

She just wasn’t sure how.

It was the unknown, she decided. Because this year, unlike the past six, she’d be spending Christmas with her family, a thought that caused a swarm of butterflies to take flight in her belly.

Not an uncommon feeling since she’d turned twenty-three a few months back and decided it was time to become a person she could be proud of if it killed her. And given the guy leaning against one of the lamp poles clearly waiting for her, arms crossed, frown in place, it just might.

Max Stranton. At his side sat Carl, his huge, eternally hungry, adorable Doberman.

“No,” she said, not to Carl but to Carl’s owner. Who was not lovable. “No way.”

As always when their gazes locked, Max’s was a disconcerting mix of heat and . . . something else that she couldn’t quite figure out, as he was good at hiding when he wanted to be. She never quite knew how to take the heat because it seemed reluctant. He was attracted to her but didn’t want to be.

Ditto. He made her knees wobble. And also a couple of other inner reactions that shouldn’t be happening in public.

“Merry Christmas to you too, Rory,” he said, and damn. It wasn’t just his eyes. His voice was rough and sexy, and for that matter, so was the rest of him.

He worked for an investigations and security firm in the building. Basically he and the rest of his team were fixers and finders for hire. To say that Max was good at his job was an understatement. He stood there looking like sex on a stick with a duffle bag slung over a broad shoulder, his dark hair two weeks past needing a cut, and the icy wind of an incoming storm plastering his clothes to a body that could be registered as a lethal weapon.

“What are you doing here?” she asked calmly even if her heart was anything but, pounding all the way up to her throat and ears because she knew. She knew exactly why he was here. “I don’t need a ride home.”

A flash of wry humor slid in with all that sizzling heat. “Because you’d rather take two buses and a train than get into my truck with me?” he asked.

Well yes, actually.

AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras with her family and far too many assorted quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental.

Look for Jill’s latest, SWEET LITTLE LIES on shelves and e-readers now, and get all her bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold.

Visit Jill’s website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Shalvis/315956498871
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JillShalvis/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

a print set of the first two Heartbreaker Bay Novels, SWEET LITTLE LIES and THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

Review A DI SIONE FOR THE GREEK’S PLEASURE Kate Hewitt

November 18, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** A DI SIONE FOR THE GREEK’S PLEASURE Kate Hewitt

A Di Sione for the Greek's Pleasure by Kate Hewitt
Series: The Billionaire's Legacy
Published by Harlequin Presents on December 1, 2016
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"Finding my book will take you on a journey in more ways than one."

Natalia is trembling. She hasn't left the Di Sione estate in years, but must retrieve her grandfather's lost book of poems from formidable tycoon Angelos Menas—who's just mistaken her for his daughter's new nanny!

The brooding Greek and his precious daughter were scarred in the fire that claimed his wife, and Talia is drawn to the man beneath the damaged exterior. She knows the untold pleasure Angelos offers is limited, but when she leaves with the book, will her heart remain behind on the island?

An emotional journey of healing for 3 scarred souls!

Natalia Di Sione has rarely left her home in 7 years. She stays behind the walls, away from people .. where she’s safe. That changes however, when she can’t deny the grandfather she adores his request that she go on a journey to find a prized book that he lost along the way, and sets out for Greece.

Angelos Menas assumes the bedraggled woman insisting on a meeting with him is there to apply for the temporary nanny position. Natalia can’t figure out how to approach this gruff man about the book, so she goes along with his assumption and lands the job.

Both Angelos and his daughter are still carrying scars from the fire that killed his wife several years ago. Talia has her own trauma that she’s trying to live with. Will these three be able to help each other heal? And when it’s time for her to go home, will she leave her heart there on the island?

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Review OVER THE EDGE Meredith Wild

November 17, 2016 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

** Review ** OVER THE EDGE Meredith Wild

Over The Edge by Meredith Wild
Series: Bridge Series
Published by Waterhouse Press on November 22, 2016
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Olivia Bridge has always been a good girl—good grades, good friends, and a good job that her wealthy parents handed her. Desperate to carve out a life that is truly hers, Liv walks away from it all and takes on the challenge of helping her brothers open a chain of fitness centers in New York City. Just as she’s beginning to find her footing in a new place, she’s caught between two men who couldn’t be more determined to turn all her goodness inside out.

Will Donovan has the capital to make the Bridge brothers’ entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Taking their uptight sister to bed seems a reasonable perk for the risk. Liv is the smartest, sexiest prude Will’s ever met, and he can’t wait to break her down.

Life is too short for Ian Savo to play by anyone’s rules. Sharing women with his best friend isn’t anything new, so when Will introduces him to Liv, he can’t wait to get a taste. But falling for the same girl, or falling at all, was never in the plans...

A seriously sexy jump back into Meredith Wild’s Bridge Series with Olivia Bridge’s story! You must be okay with menage to enjoy this book, but YUM … these guys are some super HOT hunks of testosterone! I loved the character connection. She found it hard to fight against the restraints placed on her to go for what she wanted until she met what she’d been subconsciously looking for all of her life. Each of these two guys had a different depth to them, yet a common yearning for her. One was alpha and dominant … the other while equally attention getting, was softer and gentle in his approach. It’s a fast read because there’s so much excitement happening, and my only complaint was that I wanted more time with them!

Olivia Bridge has always been a people pleaser. A good girl who had only the best handed to her and was expected to perform in a way upholding to her social standing. When she saw the opportunity of something bigger out there, she jumped at the chance to walk away from it all and get in on helping her brothers open their new fitness centers in NYC. Now, just as she’s enjoying what she’s doing and excelling at it, she finds herself torn between two men … both of whom she knows will tear her good girl persona to shreds!

Real estate developer Will Donovan has a thing for tearing down the walls that prima donna rich girls have erected around them. When he meets Liv and sees her stomping her feet and demanding her way, he decides then and there that he’s going to have her caving to what he wants before she knows what hit her.

Fireman Ian Sovo deemed Liv untouchable ages ago when he met her through her brother Darren, but when his best friend brings her home, all bets are off! Sharing women with Will is nothing new, but the feelings they both develop for Liv certainly is!

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