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Thursday, September 20, 2018

Once Upon a Real Good Time (Heartbreakers #1) by Lauren Blakely


A Review by Wendy
5 Oh, So Right Stars
* * * * *
  Spoiler Free  


Sometimes you read a book that is like the Children's tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears...You know what I mean, the book isn't over the top... or too bland... It is Just Right.

It has main characters you are attracted to...
They make sense and are people you would like to know...
Their meeting is plausible...
And best of all...
Their Chemistry is Off The Charts.

Once Upon A Sure Thing, the first book of the Heartbreakers series by Lauren Blakely created all of that for me. She gave me two Grown-Ups. Yes, two people who were both single parents who were devoted to their kids. Who led their lives with the entire focus of making sure these young pre-teens were on the right track.

Campbell had been part of a huge band...think Hansens or the Jonas Brothers (without the purity rings).
Campbell, Miller and Miles traveled the world, made hit records and grew up in front of the public. They were loved and their music was the soundtrack of many lives.

Campbell met his love, married and had a daughter. Unfortunately, his life took an awful turn so Campbell left the group to raise his daughter alone. Over the years, he spent his time making sure she was happy and healthy. He had been a musical genius from the start so teaching others was a natural way to keep music in his life. Later he got a small band together to keep a hand in playing and performing. Yet, the most consistent focus for Campbell over these many years has been the welfare of his daughter and she has turned out to be an amazing young woman.

Mackenzie was on track to graduate from college and start a marketing career with prominent company. Instead she found herself pregnant. She took another road, moving back home and learning to adapt her skills and ventured out on her own. She raised her son with help from the dad and her ability to create a successful graphic business she did from home.

This career move allowed her to devote herself to her son and when he showed signs of musical talent, it was nurtured. Now he is considered a violin prodigy with an interest in sports, too. He is a terrific kid, mature for his age yet also has the grounding of his mom... who gave him touchstones for his childhood. They had special traditions which always brought them to what was important... love and communications with each other always.

Mackenzie and Campbell cross paths during a Perfect Storm for them...Campbell is playing at a local bar with his band during a Trivia Game night. Trivia Games are Mackenzie's thing. She loves to do this to blow off stream with her best friend. They both connect one night and a seed is planted of how much they both would like to explore this meeting...

In a week or two later, Mackenzie's son is at a music sleep away camp. This allows her to swing by the bar and there Campbell is again. They start talking, banter getting flirty and sexy...both wanting and attracted...these two decide yes, they should take advantage of this situation.

But what is the best...they both are thinking about each other and there starts to be more...texting and very sexy texts leading to both agreeing to an actual date...Exciting because both have been leading a life without any personal relationships and this seems like it could be really promising.

All is set, the date is happening and then the unthinkable happens....
Campbell turns out to be Mackenzie's son's new violin teacher...

Yup, the kid loves him right off the bat and Campbell is the best...so both Campbell and Mackenzie know what they must do...

No more of the Best Sex They Ever Had...
No more Flirty Texts...
No more Kissing Lips so Soft...
Just No...

At least that is what they know they should do....

I loved reading this book. It was so hot and sexy I wanted a Campbell just for me. He was such an amazing man. Comfortable in who he was. Able to relate to others and the way he wooed Mackenzie was just right. He was respectful but also all guy... sexy dirty talking, ability to make panties melt and he cuddled.

Mackenzie was an equal and that made this perfect. She had her career, a support system and love of her son's well-being. She knew who she was and when these two got together it was everything. Both wanting each other, both on even ground. Both taking charge. Both giving. Delightful.

This tale tackles parents who need to see they deserve lives too. Especially when they have taken the time, nurtured them and things are good. It doesn't mean drop the ball... just allow a full life for the grown-ups....Because when they are happy, then everyone benefits.

As the first entry to this series, we also meet the other brothers. Each has their own backstory with a hint given here and there. The next one will be Once Upon a Sure Thing (Heartbreakers, #2) with Miller being challenged to figure out how to get performing again. Maybe working with his Best Friend is the way...








A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, and she’s sold more than 2.5 million books.



1 comment :

  1. Just saying thanks wouldn’t just be enough, for the fantastic fluency in your writing.
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