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WORK TITLE: Maybe This Time
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://nicolemclaughlinbooks.com/
CITY: Kansas City
STATE: MO
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children: three sons.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Novelist, wedding and portrait photographer.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Based in a small town outside Kansas City, Missouri, Nicole McLaughlin writes romance novels and is a wedding and portrait photographer. She writes the “Man Enough” series featuring romance in the National Guard and “Whiskey and Weddings” series that combines wedding hijinks and a distillery.
All I Ask and Along Came Us
Starting the “Man Enough” series, the 2017 All I Ask centers on hard living National Guardsman and Staff Sergeant Reeve Miller. King of the one-night stand, he meets Emily Phillips in a bar and she agreed to go home with him. But Emily is a workaholic CEO worth millions who has realized that if she doesn’t slow down and enjoy life she’ll be a spinster. Although both want no strings attached, they turn their one night together into many.
The second in the series, Along Came Us, finds National Guardsman Tyler Cavello, a former gang member and MMA fighter, becoming a mentor for an at-risk youth. The boy’s older sister, Lia Hanson, an overworked college student and surrogate mother to her brother, doesn’t like the know-it-all attitude of Cavallo, whom she doesn’t think is the right role model. However, soon, she comes around to Cavello’s strength and support.
Should’ve Been You
The third book in the “Man Enough” series, Should’ve Been You, features National Guardsman Jase Beckford who wants a quiet life raising cattle on his ranch. In childhood, he had a thing for neighbor Hannah Walters, but she has recently gotten engaged to someone else. Now he’s taking a second look at her twin sister, Becca. Becca always thought Jase hated her and has kept her distance ever since, even though she secretly loves him. Now with Hannah engaged, Jase and Becca are free to pursue their latent passion.
A Harlequin Junkie website contributor commented: “I wish I enjoyed the characters more than I did. I would recommend it to those who enjoy books about childhood friends turning to lovers.” In a review online at Under the Covers, a writer noted: “If you are looking for a sweet and romantic story, then this is it. I loved how the relationship between these two developed.” Book 4, Only With You, finds National Guardsman Aiden King attracted to Hannah Walter, who recently called off her engagement with his best friend. With his friend’s blessing, King comforts Hannah and suggests a road trip to take her mind off her troubles, a trip that leads to romance.
Maybe I Do
Starting the “Whiskey and Weddings” series, Maybe I Do follows wedding photographer Charlotte Linley. Although miffed at attending the weddings of other people when her high-school sweetheart left her at the altar, she loves having control over her career. To help her business, she collaborates with the handsome Dean Troyer, owner of The Stag distillery, one of Kansas City’s hottest wedding venues. Also lonely after his bitter divorce, Troyer flirts with Charlotte who is helping his sister with her wedding.
Online at Harlequin Junkie, a reviewer commented: “Maybe I Do is engaging, emotional, and oh so sexy. Nicole McLaughlin provided a promising start to a new series with heat and humor.” Praising the book for being about adults making magic happen, Kristen Donnelly reported on the All about Romance website: “There are explorations of forgiveness, infertility, parenthood, marriage, covenant, commitment, mistakes, regret, and hope throughout this work and I was left satisfied in the end.” A contributor online at Into the Hall of Books liked the tension between the characters, saying “there are some obstacles once these two begin to move ahead with their relationship, but these things eventually work themselves out in true romance-novel fashion.”
Maybe This Time and Maybe for You
In the second book in the “Whiskey and Weddings” series, Maybe This Time, self-sufficient Jen Mackenzie is caring for her sick mother and looking for a new job. She finds it at The Stag distillery, run by TJ Laughlin, who has had a crush on Jen since high school. Never one to ask for help and look weak, Jen refuses his offers of assistance, until she can’t help acknowledge the attraction they have for each other. The book “a sexy and sweet contemporary romance with believable characters and realistic southern atmosphere,” stated Kristina Giovanni in Booklist. With its too-cute relationship, the story “would feel more fitting for characters in their teens rather than their 30s. A fine romance with a setting more interesting than its characters,” according to a Kirkus Reviews contributor. A reviewer in Publishers Weekly noted the “weak plot resolutions and explicit but lukewarm sex scenes.”
In Maybe for You, book three in the series, Alexis Parker is mourning the loss of her fiancé when her brother offers her a marketing job at the Stag Distillery. Ready for a change, she accompanies her co-worker, Jake Cooperton, on a cross-country promotional tour for the company. Although he has a reputation as a playboy, Alexis is surprised that he is acting the part of a gentleman. While Alexis’ brother thinks the trip will be platonic, Alexis and Jake think otherwise.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, February 1, 2018, Kristina Giovanni, review of Maybe This Time, p. 36.
Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 2018, review of Maybe This Time.
Publishers Weekly, January 22, 2018, review of Maybe This Time, p. 68.
ONLINE
All About Romance, https://allaboutromance.com/ (August 28, 2017), Kristen Donnelly, review of Maybe I Do.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/(August 23, 2017), review of Maybe I Do.
Into the Hall of Books, https://intothehallofbooks.com/(August 29, 2017), review of Maybe I Do.
Under the Covers, http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/ (February 14, 2018), review of Should’ve Been You.
BIO
img_9566-editNicole wrote her first full length book (6 pages) about the birth of her baby sister, when she was eight years old. She only finished it because her mother bribed her with a Rick Astley cassette tape. Sad, but true. Now her characters are what keep her writing and her subject matter has gotten a little bit deeper and a lot more romantic. She resides in a small town outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t writing, she’s a wedding and portrait photographer, loves to cook, and watch historical dramas or documentaries.
Represented by Sarah E. Younger at the Nancy Yost Literary Agency.
Interview: Nicole McLaughlin, author of ‘Maybe This Time’
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By: Joyce Lamb | February 28, 2018 12:01 am
Nicole McLaughlin
Joyce: Welcome to HEA, Nicole! Please tell us a bit about your new release, Maybe This Time.
Nicole: I’d love to! Maybe This Time is the second book in the Whiskey and Wedding Series, which is about three men who open the Stag distillery in an old building and unexpectedly find themselves running a popular wedding venue. This book in particular might fall into the second-chance category as our hero and heroine have known one another since middle school. Now they work together and have a bit of a rocky relationship. Jen’s lived a hard life and has her defense mechanisms always at the ready, while TJ has been gifted a privileged life — or so it seems. Of course, simmering beneath all of the banter and tension is two people that can’t seem to stay away from one another.
Joyce: What do you do when you get stuck?
Nicole: I find driving really helps me move my plot forward. Especially long rides on back roads, with good music. I’m not sure I could do a road trip at this point without ending it with an entire notebook full of book ideas. Another thing I do if I need to just clear my mind is peruse food blogs. I LOVE them. My current faves are Life in the Lofthouse and Damn Delicious. It doesn’t always help me get unstuck, but it often leads to delicious meals for my family. Still a win.
Joyce: Who are three romance authors who turn you into a fangirl?
Nicole: It takes a lot for me to fangirl — even when I really love someone’s writing. But I had no trouble choosing three. First is Elizabeth Hoyt. I love her writing and will buy whatever she puts out without question. The Raven Prince was my first-ever romance novel. (I was late to the party — in my late 20s!) Second would be Jill Shalvis, because she’s one of the best in contemporary. Last would be Lisa Kleypas, who also can do no wrong in my eyes. And it just occurred to me that I’ve been lucky enough to meet each of these women briefly and thankfully managed to keep myself together. At least I think I did. Haha!
Joyce: What’s your favorite snack and/or beverage while you’re writing?
Nicole: Anything that’s available? Haha! But seriously, if I had to pick my ideal writing setup it would be a hot coffee with peppermint mocha creamer, a large glass of water with a straw and a bagel with too much cream cheese. (Can you tell I start writing in the morning?) The first two happen often, the bagel … not so much.
Joyce: Do you listen to music while you write? What are some tunes on your playlist?
Nicole: Yes! Music has always been part of my process. The development and brainstorming and then the drafting. I often wear headphones while I write and once I choose a song for a scene, I play it on repeat. Sometimes for hours, which seems odd, but it really just becomes background and I stop focusing on the lyrics. Sometimes the lyrics don’t have to match the tone of the scene, it’s more about how the song makes me feel. Some current songs I’m playing are Dear No One by Tori Kelly, Forever Love by Mickey Guyton, Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls and If Only I by Jon McLaughlin. (For some reason, that last one makes me cry almost every time.)
Joyce: What TV show or other activity interferes with your writing schedule?
Nicole: I’m not a big television watcher, although I can easily get sucked into historical documentaries on PBS if I stumble upon one. But the biggest distractor from my writing is my photography business, which I’ve owned for 10 years. I still do families and seniors, and sometimes juggling both jobs is a real struggle. Especially in the fall. But I do enjoy having a different creative outlet to turn to. I combined my two worlds by making the heroine in the first book in this series a wedding photographer — which I used to be.
Joyce: What would be your dream vacation?
Nicole: I have so many, and honestly, I’d travel just about anywhere. But if I had to choose it would be taking a long tour through England, Scotland and Ireland. You can tell from my last name my husband is of Irish descent, so it would be so fun to take my three boys there.
Joyce: What are you working on now?
Nicole: I’m currently working on book three in the series. and I’m really excited about it. The hero is the third and final Stag owner, Jake. The heroine, Alexis, we met in book one. She’s the younger sister of Dean, one of the Stags owners. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read book one, but if you have, you know why this will be an emotional story. My favorite part is that the plot is a bit unexpected. I haven’t read many romance books that have dealt with the subject matter, so it’s been a little challenging but really fun.
This was so fun! Thank you so much for having me. I love to connect on social media and right now Instagram is my favorite. If you love books and baking, come follow me @nicolemauthor. (I even have a hashtag! #nicolemcbakes)
Joyce: Thanks, Nicole!
About Maybe This Time:
Maybe This Time is the next heartwarming contemporary romance from Nicole McLaughlin in her Whiskey and Weddings series.
Jen Mackenzie has been knocked down more than a few times, but she always gets up and makes sure she has the last word. It’s the reason she now considers herself equal parts self-sufficient and free-spirit. But since losing her job and trying to help her mother beat cancer, real life—and her occasional careless choices—have begun to catch up with her. Her one saving grace: The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s go-to wedding venue. The only catch: One of the owners, TJ Laughlin, happens to be the one man who somehow manages to make Jen feel inadequate.
TJ has secretly had a thing for Jen since high school. Now, as her new boss, it’s a daily struggle between revealing his feelings and wringing her beautiful neck. Only one thing is for certain: he can’t stand idly by and watch the woman he cares for struggle. She may be convinced that accepting TJ’s help is a weakness. But all he sees in Jen is beauty and strength, inside and out. As things finally heat up between them, can TJ find a way to convince Jen that love is about give and take—and having it all, together?
About Nicole
Nicole McLaughlin wrote her first full-length book (six pages) about the birth of her baby sister, when she was 8 years old. She only finished it because her mother bribed her with a Rick Astley cassette tape. Sad, but true. Now her characters are what keep her writing, and her subject matter has gotten a little bit deeper and a lot more romantic. She resides in a small town outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t writing, she’s a wedding and portrait photographer, loves to cook and watch historical dramas or documentaries. She is the author of the Man Enough novel All I Ask and the Whiskey and Wedding series.
Find out more at nicolemclaughlinbooks.com.
INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY WITH NICOLE MCLAUGHLIN
POSTED JANUARY 29, 2018 BY UNDER THE COVERS BOOK BLOG IN FEATURED AUTHORS, INTERVIEWS / 26 COMMENTS
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Welcome to Under the Covers, Nicole! You have a new book out called SHOULD’VE BEEN YOU. This is part of the Man Enough series. Could you please tell us about the series first?
Thank you so much for having me! Hope everyone is keeping warm this crazy season.
The Man Enough series is centered around four National Guardsmen friends. I called it Man Enough because each hero has something they need to be “man enough” to overcome. An insecurity, if you will, that may make them feel inadequate or incapable when it comes to their heroine. For example, book one is a blue collar hero that falls unknowingly for a very successful white collar CEO. It’s been a lot of fun writing these books and exploring the vulnerabilities of men. (And the women, let’s be honest. We all have insecurities and I guess that’s really the point.)
The premise of this story sounds sweet and like a lot of fun. What was your favorite thing about writing it?
I really enjoy writing and reading about a couple that has known one another for a long time. I guess you might classify this as a second chance romance, but technically it’s more of a second chance at a first chance. Hmmm…that’s getting confusing. 😉
What about the hardest thing?
Writing every book is hard to some degree. Romance is a genre that has to feel familiar to a point, but also fresh. It’s tricky to do that. Sometimes I feel sucessful, other times I stare at my computer for hours. This book was to be a novella, so that added another layer of difficulty. Trying to tell a couples story in a shorter amount of time and less words can be tough. However, that also makes for quick, fun, sexy nugget of a story. Great for a cold evening or afternoon. *wink*
What’s your favorite thing about Jase and about Becca? And why do you think they work so well together?
I think they work because they’re both at a time in their life where they’re ready for one another. It didn’t work out for them back in the day, and maybe it wasn’t supposed to. Their story was the one who came to mind first when I developed this series, so it was fun to finally be able to write it. One thing I wanted to come through about Jase, was that although he had a really tough childhood, it hasn’t destroyed him. He’s a fun, sweet, good guy. Having been close to Becca’s family is partly the reason for that.
Have you ever written a scene and ended up editing it out of a book?
Absolutely. But I still add more than I remove when it’s time to edit. What’s most common for me to remove is dialogue that makes me cringe upon rereading. Sometimes I wonder what in the world I was thinking.
For readers who haven’t read your books yet, if you had to describe your writing style in 140 characters or less, what would you say?
Relatable, emotional, and goes down easy. (Is that weird? I was going for super brief.) That would be a cringe line that I’d remove later. Ha!
Typically, how would we find you celebrating a release day?
I wish I could say something fantastic, like a fancy dinner or a spa day. But I find release days to be a bit hectic. Oh and get this, for two books in a row, I was at the dentist for a cleaning. NO LIE. Don’t ask how I let this happen, but my books at the time were on a six month release schedule…you can see where this is going. I swore to never do that again. I do make sure I’m not responsible for making anyone’s dinner which usually means we get take out or my husband cooks. That’s a celebration in my book! (no pun intended)
Lets get to know your reading tastes a bit! What is the last book that made you cry?
It’s been a while since a book made me cry. Probably IT ENDS WITH US, by Colleen Hoover.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
FINDING BETH, by Lisa Tapp. This is a young adult romance that I absolutely loved several years ago. I’d never read anything like it. Here’s where I sound like Stefon from SNL…It has a little bit of everything: mystery, history, ghosts, and of course romance. Between longtime friends, also, which I love. I know this book could be loved by many if given the right shove. (If it had a rebrand with a new cover/new release I think it could do really well. Just sayin, Lisa Tapp…)
What’s next for Nicole McLaughlin?
I have another print release next month. The second book in my Whiskey and Weddings series. Then another MAN ENOUGH in May, and yet another Whiskey and Weddings in August. It’s been a busy, busy time. 🙂 After that, who knows! Something exciting, I hope.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today!
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Print Marked Items
Maybe This Time
Kristina Giovanni
Booklist.
114.11 (Feb. 1, 2018): p36+.
COPYRIGHT 2018 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Maybe This Time. By Nicole McLaughlin. Mar. 2018. 304p. (9781250140012); St. Martin's, paper, $7.99
(9781250140005).
With her artful tattoo sleeve, dyed black hair, and outgoing personality, Jen Mackenzie is attractive to most
men, but most men don't consider her marriage material, and she's fine with that. Jen has never seen herself
as the settling-down type, and she certainly doesn't expect her high-school crush, rich and handsome TJ
Laughlin, to see her that way, either. Unbeknownst to her, however, TJ noticed Jen back when she was the
lead in the high-school musical, and now that they work together at the Stag, Kansas City's newest whiskey
distillery, of which TJ is part-owner, he can't help but notice her every time she's near. Jealousy flares TJ
into action when a rival tries to put the moves on Jen, and a mutual attraction that's been simmering for a
decade finally comes to rolling boil as TJ tries to convince Jen that she's worth more than just a fling. The
second novel in McLaughlin's Whiskey and Weddings series, following Maybe I Do (2017), is a sexy and
sweet contemporary romance with believable characters and realistic southern atmosphere.--Kristina
Giovanni
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Giovanni, Kristina. "Maybe This Time." Booklist, 1 Feb. 2018, p. 36+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A527771863/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=baa9f0dc.
Accessed 3 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A527771863
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McLaughlin, Nicole: MAYBE THIS
TIME
Kirkus Reviews.
(Feb. 1, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
McLaughlin, Nicole MAYBE THIS TIME St. Martin's (Adult Fiction) $7.99 2, 27 ISBN: 978-1-250-14000-
5
Set against the backdrop of a chic Kansas City distillery, a woman plagued by years of bad luck finds love
with her middle school crush-turned-new boss.
Jen Mackenzie and TJ Laughlin have known each other for more than a decade, but they wouldn't exactly
call themselves friends. After one disastrous project in government class, it became obvious that the two of
them were like oil and water. Jen came from a poor background and had a penchant for getting into trouble.
TJ was the typical preppy rich boy--a little stuffy and addicted to his parents' approval. As adults, not much
has changed. Jen is now working as a bartender for the Stag, a whiskey distillery owned by three men, one
of whom is TJ. Twelve years after middle school, Jen is covered in tattoos, is one purchase away from
getting hit with an overdraft fee, and is caring for her ornery mother, who has breast cancer. TJ's dream to
open a distillery was met with apprehension from his country club-loving father. But five years into the
success of the Stag, he hopes his dad will come around. The distillery itself is perhaps the most exciting part
of the book, from descriptions of the decor to the tasty cocktail offerings. Jen and TJ's relationship operates
much like it did a decade ago; Jen teases TJ, and he gets uptight and awkward. Rinse and repeat. Jen is a
heroine who just can't catch a break, and while her circumstances are a testament to her resilience, it can
become tiring watching one bad thing after another happen to her. TJ and Jen do have a cute back-and-forth,
antagonistic relationship, with neither one wanting to admit their feelings for the other. However, it would
feel more fitting for characters in their teens rather than their 30s.
A fine romance with a setting more interesting than its characters.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"McLaughlin, Nicole: MAYBE THIS TIME." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A525461694/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=358780da.
Accessed 3 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A525461694
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Maybe This Time
Publishers Weekly.
265.4 (Jan. 22, 2018): p68+.
COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Maybe This Time
Nicole McLaughlin. St. Martin's, $7.99 mass market (304p) ISBN 978-1-250-14000-5
McLaughlin's second Whiskey and Weddings contemporary (after Maybe I Do) starts out sweet but ends on
a sour note. Jen Mackenzie is one of the working poor, both fiercely proud and desperate to keep her head
above water. She's had a crush on comfortably wealthy TJ Laughlin since high school, but, now that she
works for him, she assumes he disdains her and accordingly treats him rudely. Infect, TJ's fallen for her. At
first, the way that TJ decides to finally act on his feelings is sweet and patient, and if he's a little
overbearing, he means well. Slowly, though, that attitude shifts into near-violent jealousy, possessiveness,
and controlling behavior, turning what should be a love story into a surprise horror novel for readers who
recognize the hallmarks of abuse. With weak plot resolutions and explicit but lukewarm sex scenes, this
novel is an easy pass. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Maybe This Time." Publishers Weekly, 22 Jan. 2018, p. 68+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A525839798/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=d7bd088e.
Accessed 3 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A525839798
REVIEW: Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin
Posted January 20th, 2018 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, Review / 5 comments
In Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin, Jase Beckford has returned home after his stint in the army, determined to raise cattle. He uses the land of his neighbors, the Walters, who have been a second family to him and took him in after his abusive father went too far one night. He has always been best friends with Hannah, and believed they were meant to be together. But when he sees Hannah’s twin, Becca, for the first time in years, he begins to wonder if he might have been eyeing up the wrong twin. And Becca, who has always had a crush on Jase and is in a relationship, begins to wonder if she’s in the right relationship. Only with years of misunderstanding and a jealous sister coming between them, can a relationship between them survive?
While I liked the book, I didn’t love it, and I think a large part of it was Jase’s constant flip-flopping between what he wanted. He believed Hannah was the woman he was meant to be with. Despite the fact they never dated, they always turned to each other for everything. Just when he decides he finally needs to set boundaries with Hannah, she gets engaged to someone else. Yet he still lets her run all over him. Then he’s suddenly interested in Becca, although, thanks to Hannah, he’s under the impression that Becca thinks she’s too good for him. I thought it took him much too long to have a much needed conversation with Hannah to let her know where they really stood. It wasn’t fair to Becca that he always seemed to put Hannah first.
I also wasn’t crazy about the fact that Becca was in a relationship, yet she makes out with Jase. She should have ended it before starting anything with Jase. I also wished she had more of a backbone, because she lets Hannah get away with too much. And, once again thanks to Hannah, Becca is under the impression that Jase hated her all those years.
Hannah annoyed me. She was overly clingy to Jase, even after she became engaged, and I didn’t like how she played Becca and Jase against each other, causing years of misunderstanding between the two. She becomes more of a sympathetic character towards the end of the book, but at that point it was a little too late to win me over
I liked the book, but I wish I enjoyed the characters more than I did. I would recommend it to those who enjoy books about childhood friends turning to lovers.
Book Info:
Publication: January 30, 2018 | Swerve | Man Enough #3
National Guardsman Jase Beckford wants to live a quiet life raising cattle and taking care of his mother. His childhood friend and neighbor Hannah is still his best friend, but when he walks into the Walters house one morning and sees her twin sister Becca for the first time in five years, he wonders if he missed out on something special.
Becca Walters has nursed a secret crush on Jase since childhood, but he always preferred Hannah, so she buried her feelings assuming her sister and Jase would one day turn their flirtation into a real relationship. And this Christmas, she is anticipating a proposal of her own, so Jase’s reappearance in her life doesn’t mean anything. Much. Okay, maybe more than Becca would like to admit.
However, when Becca’s sister gets engaged to someone who’s not Jase, Becca and Jase find themselves spending more together. And when secrets are revealed, suddenly those dormant feelings come back to life; but is the possibility of something between them worth risking the happiness of everyone they love?
ARC REVIEW: SHOULD’VE BEEN YOU BY NICOLE MCLAUGHLIN
POSTED FEBRUARY 14, 2018 BY FRANCESCA IN REVIEWS / 11 COMMENTS
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I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
ARC Review: Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin
Should've Been You
by Nicole McLaughlin
3.5 Stars
BOOK INFO
Released: January 30 2018
Series: Man Enough #3
Published by Swerve
Pages: 137
Format: eARC
“If you are looking for a sweet and romantic story, then this is it.”
~ Under the Covers
I don’t usually read out of order but the premise for this book came at just the right time and I just HAD to give it a read. This is also my first time reading Nicole McLaughlin and I’ve been wanting to try her books for a while. And I really enjoyed what I got from her here.
SHOULD’VE BEEN YOU is about childhood neighbors Jase and Becca. He grew up in a family full of hard times and when he was at his lowest it was the Walters family that came to his rescue. Becca has had a crush on him ever since but he seemed to only have time and eyes for her twin sister Hannah. Even developing a long and deep friendship with her that has lasted through the years. Becca always assumed Jase hated her and she’s done everything in her power to put those feelings behind her and move on with her life. Until she meets Jase again years later and they realize they are more perfect for each other than they ever thought possible.
If you are looking for a sweet and romantic story, then this is it. I loved how the relationship between these two developed and how they started not as enemies but really not liking each other very much and then got to know each other as they should’ve all those years ago. As a couple I thought they were really cute.
I will give you a warning about the fact that when Becca comes back to town and reconnects with Jase (as friends mostly) she is dating someone else and there’s a cheating line that was crossed. I wasn’t a big fan of this and I wish that hadn’t been part of the book. It did take away some of my enjoyment of this story, so fair warning.
Overall, this was a cute read and I breezed right through it. I will be on the lookout for more books by Ms. McLaughlin for sure.
REVIEW: Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin
Posted August 23rd, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, Review / 5 comments
Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin: Charlotte loves being a photographer. While she no longer believes in happily ever afters, she has made quite the name for herself photographing weddings. She’s also started branching out into photographing book covers. She’s smart, creative, funny, feisty, and loyal.
Dean is happy to be running The Stag with two friends and making whiskey. It’s been a fun adventure to turn a hobby into a new and challenging career. It helps that The Stag has become one of the most in-demand places for wedding receptions as he prepares to distribute the first batch of whiskey now that it’s finally aged.
Neither are looking for a relationship. Charlotte was burned by her ex when he stood her up on their wedding day and Dean can’t imagine opening himself back up after divorcing his cheating ex-wife. Charlotte and Dean have formed a sort of friendship since she shoots so many receptions at The Stag. And when Dean desperately needs help in planning his sister’s wedding, Charlotte is the one person he turns to.
“I’ll help you plan your sister’s wedding, but you have to do something for me.”
He sat up, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Of course. Anything.”
“Anything? Even if it might make you uncomfortable?” She smiled and lifted an eyebrow. “And required you to make your shirt off?”
For the last few years, they have been flirting throughout every reception. It’s clear to everyone else that they are more than just friends and should explore their chemistry. Between wedding planning and pretending to date, they finally cross that line and find something more than they expected. They banter and push other out of their comfort zones.
“…and apparently, I’m your boyfriend.”
“But you played along flawlessly. Why?”
He looked confused. “I had a pretty strong feeling that’s what you wanted. Was I wrong? You know, I’m the one who should be standing here asking questions.”
Maybe I Do is engaging, emotional, and oh so sexy. Nicole McLaughlin provided a promising start to a new series with heat and humor. Ms. McLaughlin created a fun cast of characters that you’ll want to get to know. Fans of Sydney Landon and Jessica Lemmon will enjoy Maybe I Do.
Book Info:
Publication: August 29th 2017 | St. Martin’s Paperbacks | Whiskey and Weddings #1
She doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He is married to his job. Maybe whiskey is the secret ingredient that will bring them together–and give true love a shot.
Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work –even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.
Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal–beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag, but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance…particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliche’ or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?
REVIEW | MAYBE I DO BY NICOLE MCLAUGHLIN
POSTED AUGUST 29, 2017 BY ASHELEY IN REVIEW / 0 COMMENTS
Review | Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlinMaybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin
Series: Whiskey and Weddings #1
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on August 29, 2017
Source: the publisher
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Goodreads
four-half-stars
She doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He is married to his job. Maybe whiskey is the secret ingredient that will bring them together–and give true love a shot.
Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work –even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.
Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal–beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag, but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance…particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliche’ or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
REVIEW
I’ve been so excited about this book, not only because it’s the start of a new Nicole McLaughlin series, but because I can’t seem to get enough from her and I will read anything she writes. Her stories are always so fun to read but they always have what I consider a perfect amount of romance + serious + emotion laced throughout them for what I’m looking for at the time. They’re always perfect for me and I always find myself smiling while I read.
The story of Dean and Charlotte is no exception. I loved it. My feelings ranged from thrilled at various parts to my eyes tearing up at a part of the story that deals with one of Dean’s family members. I also felt pretty angry at the people that Dean and Charlotte were involved with in relationships before this book. And holy Batman, there is a photography scene involving a motorcycle that is just — wow.
Dean is a 41-year-old previously married man who has been crushing on 29-year-old wedding photographer Charlotte for the past few years. Dean is co-owner at a successful distillery and wedding reception venue in the Kansas City area, so he and Charlotte end up working together often. The two flirt almost constantly and get along very well. And Charlotte has a mad crush on him too.
I absolutely love the tension between Dean and Charlotte. I love that Charlotte isn’t afraid to be the first to flirt, but she is still classy without being too forward. Of course, there are some obstacles once these two begin to move ahead with their relationship, but these things eventually work themselves out in true romance-novel fashion.
I love that Dean shows his vulnerability when he feels like the age divide could be a problem. In the beginning, Charlotte thinks that his age is the bulk of his concern; she continues to show Dean that she is interested. In truth, Dean is hiding more behind this age concern. Both have issues that they need to work through — plus a couple of outside obstacles concerning family and community members. I really felt like all of this brings a slightly more emotional feeling to the story than I was expecting. It wasn’t a heavy story or anything, but I wasn’t expecting some of these issues to read their heads (fertility vs infertility, deployment, for example). I think these things are handled really well in terms of tying into the tone of the story and I was increasingly invested as the story continued.
The secondary cast is great in this story. I think I can see where the next couple of books may be headed. (Possibly? It’s fun to try and guess.) Dean’s best friends and distillery co-owners are a lot of fun, and I love his sister Alex. As much as liked the secondary cast, both Dean and Charlotte have people from their past that show up in this story – this is something that I don’t typically love. While neither ex-person is a threat to Dean and Charlotte, I was still incredibly annoyed with these two people every time they were on the pages. I just wanted them to GO AWAY. Perhaps this is because of the emotional traumas they caused Dean and Charlotte in the past, but more likely this is because I just wanted no barriers to their fledgling relationship.
Also, sidenote: I love the backdrop of a whiskey distillery for this series. There is plenty about the distillation process and the marketing of the product, etc in the story. Because this is something that enjoy in my real life, I loved that it was included in the story. As usual, I’m already dying to get my hands on the next new story from Nicole McLaughlin. Her stories are just some of my absolute favorites.
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about nicole mclaughlin
Nicole McLaughlin Author Photo
Nicole wrote her first full length book (6 pages) about the birth of her baby sister, when she was eight years old. She only finished it because her mother bribed her with a Rick Astley cassette tape. Sad, but true. Now her characters are what keep her writing and her subject matter has gotten a little bit deeper and a lot more romantic. She resides in a small town outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t writing, she’s a wedding and portrait photographer, loves to cook, and watch historical dramas or documentaries.
Maybe I Do
Nicole McLaughlin
Kristen Donnelly
Buy This Book
Maybe I Do is a strong start to Nicole McLaughlin’s new Whiskey and Weddings series, and in it, we meet Charlotte and Dean. They’ve both been in relationships which ended badly and publicly and are therefore wary of becoming romantically involved again. Their friendship and chemistry eventually lead them both to a choice: is this person worth the risk? In other words, they’re looking to answer that age old question of adult relationships, said in the immortal words of Mimi from Rent: “life’s too short, babe, time is flying, I’m looking for baggage that goes with mine.” That question of compatibility beyond physical chemistry is at the heart of this story; can these folks build a life together out of the shards of past ones? Can they create something stronger and more fulfilling than they could have ever dreamed? Or are the shards simply too shattered? The questions get answered, but this friends-to-lovers story chews through a lot of angst in the process. And I mean. A. Lot.
Charlotte was left at the altar several years back, and since then, relationships have not been high on her priority list. Instead, she’s built a thriving business as a local photographer, with weddings being a main source of income. She works most weddings in the town and has formed good relationships with most other vendors, including the newly formed Stag Distillery. Run by three friends, the Stag is still maturing its signature whiskey, but uses its facility as a reception hall. One of the friends in particular, silver-fox master distiller Dean, has caught Charlotte’s eye. Not that she’d ever do anything about it. Baggage, you remember.
When we meet Charlotte, she’s being forced to confront some of those long buried emotions when her sister gets engaged to Charlotte’s ex’s brother. Even better? They want her to be at the wedding. Super. While it certainly helps that everyone thinks the ex is an idiot and even his family seems protective of Charlotte, the wound is still there.
Dean has an ex-wife who doesn’t really focus on the ‘ex’ part of ‘ex-wife’. They had an ugly divorce after she cheated on him, but she’s trying to make amends and Dean’s having none of it. He’s carrying a torch for Charlotte, but has convinced himself that their age difference (of about a decade) is too much to overcome and she deserves better. (As a side note, characters who make decisions like that for other characters drive me batty. Just taaaaaaaaalk and let the other person have their agency in this decision. Stop being a martyr. UGH.) In the meantime, he’s pouring his soul into The Stag.
Then, he gets a Skype call from his little sister who is stationed overseas. She and her boyfriend have gotten engaged and been given permission to fly home to get married. This is great news! Less than great news is that they’re both being deployed into a deep mission for the time between the Skype call and the wedding and therefore she needs her brother to plan her wedding for her. Bewildered by the details but knowing he can’t say no, Dean turns to Charlotte for help.
As they plan the wedding together, they’re both forced to confront their pasts and the decisions their past-selves made. There’s some fun and flirting, for sure, and the sexual chemistry is not to be ignored (the motorcycle scene, y’all, is worth the price of admission). However, as I said at the beginning, there is a lot of adult life to wade through here. Anyone looking for a fun and flirty read will most likely be frustrated.
Dean, as you may have guessed, was my least favorite part of this story. While I respected he had stuff to work through, those things were focused upon a little too much. If he was my pal and I was listening to these PoVs, I’d slip him the number of a therapist quickly. He makes a lot of assumptions about himself, Charlotte, and others that are often unfounded. While he certainly has his charms and clearly loves Charlotte, I spent most of the text rolling my eyes at his internal dramatics.
Maybe I Do is definitely a book one has to be in the mood for. If you’re looking for a realistic story about two adults making magic happen, then this is absolutely the book for you. There are explorations of forgiveness, infertility, parenthood, marriage, covenant, commitment, mistakes, regret, and hope throughout this work and I was left satisfied in the end. However, I know myself well enough to know that if I were not in the mood for realistic angst, this one would have frustrated me. Perhaps you’re the same.