May 18, 2017

Now Live: WHAT IT TAKES by Sonya Loveday {5*Review/Excerpt/Giveaway}


Gracen Lowell is on the hunt for a man—but not just any man. He has to be ‘the one’. Her only problem is that no one she’s dated has ever measured up to the charming qualities of her best friend. 



Slade Owens knows no matter how much he loves Gracen, he’ll never be what she’s looking for. And he dang sure isn’t going to stick around to watch her fall in love with someone else. Slade leaving the Owens’ family farm for an out-of-state job should put enough distance between the two to allow him to move on with his life and Gracen to search for her happily-ever-after. 

Gracen knows asking him to stay isn’t fair. Slade thinks leaving her behind is the only thing to do. Inexplicably drawn together, the best friends must decide if they have what it takes to own up to their feelings… before it’s too late.


Amazon UK --> http://amzn.to/2pByPzt
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Google Play --> http://bit.ly/2ps8G4u

“You coming?” he called to me from the porch. Both our bags were slung over one shoulder and Lucy, tail thumping against the worn boards, was sitting by his feet.

They were a picture, the two of them. Man and beast. My man and my beast, even if only in my dreams, I thought, catching the door handle and getting out of the truck as Slade made his way inside.

Closing my eyes, I pretended I was home and he was mine. He’d welcome me in at the front door with a kiss hot enough to sear my lips and melt me to the floor. We’d make it as far as the rustic living room before shedding clothes behind us in a trail to the bedroom.

I shook my head to clear it. That same moment had flashed through my thoughts so many times before.
Like auto play.

Before I could make it to the porch steps, Slade came back out. He caught hold of the door casing and stretched forward. My knees wobbled when his eyes met mine.

“It’s like coming home, every time we come here,” he said.

My steps faltered at his words. “It’s special… this place. You can feel it.” My fingers dipped and swayed against the slight breeze that flitted through the trees.

There was something extraordinary about it, but nothing I could physically point out. It was more like a feeling. A welcoming. Like it was a haven that spoke to something deep inside me.

Lucy poked her nose past Slade, panting with a huge doggy grin. He didn’t look down at her.

“Are you planning to stay out there the whole time?” he asked. There was something different in the way he gazed at me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but it almost felt like something more.

“Can’t really go inside when you’re standing in the doorway.” I smirked at him, trying not to show my confusion.

“Tell me something, Gracen. And be honest,” he said, unmoving.

Nervous energy shot through me, every single point of awareness standing on end. There was a look in his eyes I thought I’d glimpsed a few times before, but it had always been gone as quick as it came. I’d always brushed it off as my imagination, conjured up because I wanted it so bad. But this time, there was no mistaking it. It held promises unspoken. Secrets long buried.

I could feel the pulse at my neck hammering as if my heart had dislodged itself and was working its way up and out. My arms tingled as if my skin were made of wildly flapping butterfly wings, and my stomach  twisted  around  a giant  rock  of something molten that emptied itself down into my legs. The two halves of my body were at war with one another—one wanted to fly away, the other to sink into the ground.



Finding the guy who would steal my heart and make me walk with my head in the clouds because my feet couldn’t find the ground wasn’t too much to ask for. Having someone hold me close and dip their head in to kiss my neck as we slow danced wasn’t either. I wanted that so bad; I craved it.
**

This was my first book by Loveday and I have to say it was a great read. I have promoted her books in the past and the covers have pulled me in. But I never had the time to read because of other commitments. Thankfully that wasn't the case with this book. I immediately signed up once I read the blurb. And so very glad I did. I look forward to more books by this amazing author.

I adored the main characters but did not adore their confusing way of thinking when it came to one another. I hated that they thought they knew the other so well, but couldn't figure out that the love they shared for one another was the real deal and not just one sided. I know they didn't want to lose the friendship, but honestly, it was plain as day. I internally screamed at them, willing them to hurry and figure it all out before it was too late. And then too late came.

**
But there were times when I saw him out of the corner of my eye and it left me breathless. He was everything I was looking for, but couldn’t have because I knew I wasn’t it for him.
**

Poor Gracen goes through so much in this book. If she would have found her happily ever after with Slade at the start, then there would have been no story to tell. But watching her endure heartbreak and pain just about broke me. She didn't deserve it. No one does. I felt the author handled everything wonderfully; even giving info at the end for those that may need it.

Another character I became quite attached to was Lucy, Gracen's dog. I am pretty sure I have never loved a character's pet, like I do her. Sweet and smart as a whip, Lucy stole the show several times.

I absolutely enjoyed this amazing, quick read. It keeps you pulled in and has you never wanting to put it down. So yeah, it’s unputadownable!! And I am looking forward to more stories to come from this book. Maybe Lex will get a turn next? 5 Stars!



I'm a full time author. Mother of two teenagers. Wife to an amazing man for 19 years. Dog lover. Cat lover. COFFEE addict. Night Owl. I'm a sucker for a good book. Love the quiet life. Have the bestest best friend in the whole world. My imagination never shuts off which makes it hard to sleep. The worst cook. Seriously.


1 comment:

  1. This sounds really good! I might have to look it up!

    ReplyDelete