~ Synopsis ~
Mia Murphy may be married to the man of her dreams. But the man in her dreams is the one that got away—her high school crush.
Mia’s stuck in a rut, just like every other stay-at-home mom, and the only thing saving her from her monotonous routine is her perfect husband, Declan. He’s gorgeous, he adores her, and the man stole her heart with his sexy singing voice. Mia feels like the luckiest girl in the world, until she discovers that Mr. Perfect is not Mr. Faithful. Mia is devastated. Everything she once believed about Declan and their marriage is now covered in a big cloud of doubt and regret. On impulse, she kicks the cheating bastard out, pushing them into a separation that could mean the end of the picture-perfect couple.
But when Mia receives an invitation to her high school reunion, she finds herself abandoning the present for the oh-so alluring pull of the past. Although her heart still belongs to her husband, inescapable thoughts of her crush, Noah, resurface. And ten years later, Noah isn’t afraid to make his move. When the build-up of fantasies and ‘what ifs' comes to a head, sparks fly and it’s Mia’s turn to question if her marriage is everything she wants out of life. Searching for answers, Mia dives head first into dating Noah, falling further away from her husband and closer to her old flame.
But Declan’s not giving up so easily. Mia is his one and only and he’s not about to let another man win her heart.
~ Our Review ~
5 Star Review by Heather
OMG I loved this book. This is one of those books that will have your stomach in knots and have you screaming and cursing at your kindle. I am a big fan of love triangles normally, but I didn't want a love triangle in this book.
"Can we go home now? Start the rest of our forever?"
Mia believes she has the perfect life. Everything is going well until she finds out that he husband Declan, lied and cheated. She doesn't know what to do. She loves him and wants to be with him, but he has made her question everything about their relationship. She wants him to want her and not just want to get back together for their kids. Can she find a way to forgive him? Will she lose everything by being stubborn?
"I miss you, Mia. Please let me come home. I will never stop fighting for us. I love you!"
Declan is an accountant that has to travel for work a lot. He has noticed that his relationship feels strained. He loves Mia, he just feels like she doesn't have enough time for her since they have kids. One mistake and he is losing the only woman he loves and his two beautiful daughters. He fights to win Mia's heart back, but it just might be too late. Can he prove to Mia that she is the one and only for him? Will they be able to have their happily ever after?
"Chivalry is not dead and this is starting to feel more and more like a date."
Noah is Mia's high school crush. He didn't know Mia liked him on high school. He was more into getting good grades and playing ball. Ever since running into Mia two years out of high school he can't get her out of his mind. So when they run into each other at their ten year reunion he can't help but take notice of her. He wants her and he can tell she wants him. Will he finally be able to win her heart and keep it this time?
This book is really really good. I love all the emotions this book pulls out of the reader. I felt like I was actually living in the book. Well done Faith Andrews!!
~ Character Interview ~
Heather: Well hello there Declan and Mia!! I chose not to have loser boy join us. Oh I mean Noah. I almost didn't invite Mia because she broke my heart.
Declan: Good call on not inviting numb nuts!
Mia: Hey, that's not nice!
Declan: Whatever, but don't be hating on Mia...she’s a good woman.
Mia: Aw, baby I love you.
Declan: Love you too. Now Heather, give her the inquisition—make her work for her “good girl” name. (laughs, kisses Mia on her cheek).
Heather: So my first question is to Declan. Why was it so easy for you to take Mia back after she held on to you while dating and doing naughty things with Noah? (She didn't want to forgive you kissing another girl and I am sure she did more than kiss.)
Declan: Please don’t mention the word naughty with my wife and Noah in the same sentence. The thought makes me want to…
Mia: Dec, come on…I thought I told you that…
Declan: No, let me finish, I fucked up and as much as it killed me to know that fucker had his hands all over MY wife...she needed time. Call me crazy, but I knew she'd come back all along, it wasn't a gamble, it was just something I knew. I planted that seed of doubt in her head like an ass and I had to sit back and let it play out until she came around.
Heather: So just because you fucked up it is okay for Mia to go and cheat also?
Declan: No, but I never saw it that way. Bottom line is it wasn't all about infidelity. We'd reached a point in our marriage where miscommunication became an issue. And then I went and messed it up more with that girl in the bar...it rocked her. If I would have come to her first, told her my issues, she would have never needed comfort from another man. Technically Mia was the stronger one…she had the balls to let me know she needed a break...the break became a separation, I moved out, she just moved on...temporarily, until I brought her back to her senses.
Heather: If communication was responsible, why not just split up and try working out your issues? Why did she have to seek comfort from another man? Mia, Declan seems to think you were always going to come back to him did you feel the same way?
Mia: I want to answer this one. No couple, no person, is perfect, even if they think they are. After the whole mess, when things were finally back to normal, Dec and I talked long and hard about this. Things with Declan and I were fast and furious from day one. I was afraid to tell him I wanted to wait to get married because I didn’t want to lose him. We got pregnant with Cara in like two minutes and that scared the crap out of both of us. Do I regret any of it? No, but there were a lot of moments where I felt I’d lost a little of myself along the way. Dec was going through the exact same thing and all along we weren’t telling each other that. When he cheated it wasn’t just about infidelity and trust it was about resentment. He resented me for all the things I held him back from, it’s a very natural, human reaction and I understand that now. We did separate, but when resentment’s involved—that needed to subside before things could be worked out. Noah came back into my life at my most vulnerable time, he brought back parts of me I’d lost along the way and I couldn’t live with resenting myself for not testing if he was something I needed in my life. I said it before I’ll say it again, my heart was always tethered to Declan. Things were blurry for a while, but Grace and Declan brought everything back into focus.
Heather: This question is for Mia!! Mia why was it okay for you to be with Noah while still married when you left Declan for kissing someone else? I think that if you wanted Noah you should have started the divorce process before starting another relationship. To me that is saying I want Declan, but I need to pay him back. (Oh boy, the mean Heather is coming out to play!) I should just interview Declan.
Mia: Um, maybe you should stick to interviewing Declan. I’m getting the fifth degree here, sheesh.
Declan: It’s okay babe, we’ve made peace with it. Say what you need to say.
Mia: We were too stubborn to start the divorce process and thank God for that, but we were separated and I’m not going to beat myself up for what happened while we were. I didn’t leave him for a kiss, I left him for turning his back and losing hope in us. That feeling is more of a slap in the face than anything else. My time with Noah was not a payback to Declan…none of it was retribution, I’m not a total bitch, Heather.
Heather: Mia did you go to your class reunion just to see Noah again?
Declan: Oh, good one. I’d like to know that myself.
Mia: (nudges Declan in the gut) Don’t be an ass. You know what a total geek I was, Dec. Whether Noah was there or not I was going. I needed to reconnect with my youth—some of my best memories were at Westmont and I was looking forward to that reunion the second I graduated and left the halls of my high school.
Heather: Mia why did you try to move on so fast? Do you really think it helped your decision to get back with Declan?
Mia: I know it seems that way, but it was just a matter of circumstance. Babe, I hate talking about this in front of you. I know it’s a touchy subject.
Declan: Well, I’m not going anywhere so…
Mia: Ugh! Okay, plain and simple…I never moved on. It felt good to get him out of my system and I hate that it had to end the way it did, not because I’m not happy with where I am now, but because Noah was a really great guy. He’ll make some lucky girl very happy some day.
Declan: No. Fucking. Comment. Next question, please.
Heather: Are you planning on having more kids?
Declan: Um, no! Three is a handful. My wife is a Super Mom. I don’t know how she did it when the girls were small and I was out of town all the time. Shout out to all the stay-at-home moms!
Mia: I think our family is complete with little E.C. but I’d give anything for a kid-free home for just one weekend.
Declan: What I wouldn’t give…we could…(whispers in Mia’s ear)
Mia: (blushes and giggles)
Heather: Declan are you happy you quit your job and started writing music?
Declan: Other than fighting for Mia, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I still do some freelance work on the side and Mia’s career as a writer is taking off like crazy, so being able to write music and play whenever I want—it’s a dream. First album’s coming out soon and it’s all about our story.
Heather: Declan do you enjoy being home with your family ever day?
Declan: I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll never take them for granted again.
Heather: Mia how is the communication between you and Declan now that you are back together?
Mia: Grace’ll kill me if she hears me say this, but he’s my best friend. I’ve never felt closer to him.
Heather: Mia do you full trust Declan?
Mia: (arches an eyebrow and glares at Declan) Yes. He has no reason to go anywhere and if he did, that tattoo would give him away in an instant.
Heather: Declan do you have any doubts that Mia might step out again?
Declan: I don’t need the tattoo prove it, but no. I truly believe it was my actions that caused her reaction. We’re all good now—been through the good, the bad and the ugly and we’ve survived…it’s her and me against the world from here on out.
I just want to say thank you for sitting down with me and answering some questions for me. I have to say that I wasn't sure I was going to like you Mia, but I may have changed my feelings for you alittle. Although I still disagree with what you did I know understand what you were thinking and feeling. I still love you Declan!!!! I wish you guys the best of luck in the future.
Hello Noah! I figured it was a good idea to not have you sit down with Mia and
Declan for this interview.
All the better for me because now you only get my BEAUTIFUL face to look at ;).
I would also hate for anyone to feel uncomfortable.
I am excited that you agreed to meet with me and answer some questions. I do
have to say that after sitting with Mia I have changed my opinion of you. (For
the better)
Heather: So Noah what did you first think when you saw Mia at the reunion?
Noah: (sighs and scrubs his face) Blown away and drawn to her all at the same
time. She's a beautiful woman, always was, always will be.
Heather: Why would you pursue a married woman?
Noah: Hey, hey, hey no hitting below the belt, I'm loser-boy remember? Honestly, I was
only flirting and enjoying a good time at the reunion. Mia was the one who asked
to keep the party going and I simply couldn't resist spending more time with
her. But when she told me about what her husband did to her...I knew where her
head was at. I didn't make a move until I knew she was okay with it. I think I
was respectable in that sense.
Heather: Did you really believe Mia would leave Declan for good?
Noah: Mia and I didn’t talk about her marriage. Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about Declan when she was with me and I hope she wasn’t thinking about him either, although, now that I think about it, she probably was. Fuck! This sucks. I did everything right…I was a perfect gentleman and I really thought we had something. I was falling for her, I did fall for her and up until the night he showed up I thought we had a future. I guess I was wrong.
Heather: Did you ever feel that you never really had all of Mia because she never let you
meet her kids?
Noah: Perfect example of me being respectable. She never talked about bringing them around and I was waiting for her to make that move. I feel jilted by not having known them, but that was a part of her life she obviously wasn’t ready to share with me and I respect that. She’s a great mother—I didn’t have to see it in action to know that. Those kids are her life. I guess she knew what she was doing by not introducing us. Would’ve totally confused them especially since I’m not in the picture anymore.
Heather: If you could go back and change one thing that happened with you and Mia what
would it be?
Noah: I would have made her mine when I had the chance. I had no idea how she felt in high school…maybe I was just a dumb jock, but when I saw her again in The Room when we were in college…I should have been more persistent then. Knowing what I know now…I’ve never felt that way about a girl before.
Heather: So do you have any special woman in your life right now?
Noah: Nope. I’ve been focusing on my work with Project Hospitality for the time being. It’s keep my mind off of things and I’ve met some great people, just not The One, you know? I think I’m gonna start bugging Faith for my happy ever after…don’t I deserve one!
Heather: At first I thought that Mia was using you to get back at Declan, but now I feel
that she was using you in a way. I feel that she wanted to experience what she
missed with you in high school and she knew that she could leave Declan and come
mess around with you. Do you feel that she lead you on and or used you to get her own answers?
Noah: Not one bit. What we had, when we had it, was real. I don’t doubt that. I shouldn’t have went after someone who was taken, my bad I guess. But she didn’t lead me on or use me…we had a powerful connection and it worked until it was gone.
Well I hope you find that one lady out there that will be your everything and
hat she can give you all of herself. I feel bad what you went through with
Mia, but hopefully it taught you to not just settle.
Thank you for sitting down with me!
~ Author Bio ~
Faith Andrews lives in New York where she is happily married to her high school sweetheart. They have two beautiful daughters and a furry Yorkie son, Rocco. If she isn’t listening to Mumford and Sons or busy being a Dance Mom, her nose is in a book or her laptop. She’s a sucker for a happily ever after and believes her characters are out there living one somewhere . . .
~ Author contact links ~
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