Thursday 12 June 2014

Review & Giveaway: I Want to Hold Your Hand by Marie Force

I Want to Hold Your Hand (Green Mountain #2) by Marie Force
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: June 3rd 2014
My rating:  4 stars
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18136549-it-happened-one-wedding
For the Abbott siblings, the Green Mountain state has always been an idyllic place to call home. But it isn’t until they open themselves up to love that they’ll truly discover how fulfilling life can be…

Almost seven years after losing her husband in Iraq, Hannah Abbott Guthrie isn’t sure she’s ready—or able—to move on, but the attentions of a lifelong friend are making her think about it for the first time. The memory of the sweet kiss she shared with Nolan Roberts hasn’t strayed far from her thoughts, but she also fears that pursuing something with him would mean betraying her husband’s memory.

Nolan has loved Hannah for years, but he’d been giving her the space she needed to heal from her devastating loss. Now, when an opportunity arises to show her how he feels, Nolan can’t resist, but he knows earning her love will take more than a kiss. Somehow he has to prove to Hannah that finding love twice in a lifetime is possible—and well worth risking her heart.


My Thoughts:
I loved the big, close-knit Abbott family and quaint small town setting I was introduced to in All You Need is Love (my review), so I was thrilled to dive back into this world with I Want to Hold Your Hand!

I must admit, I was a little worried to pick up I Want to Hold Your Hand, because I thought Hannah would beat herself up with guilt over moving on romantically after losing her husband seven years ago.  And while she does have some guilt, it was understandable, and it was never to the point of dragging the story down. It was a poignant journey, but an uplifting one.

Hannah Abbott was shattered and numb for years after her husband, Caleb’s death, but she’s gradually come out of the fog.  After seven years she finally can see past the crippling pain, and feels ready to move on. At thirty-five Hannah still has so much life to live and she knows Caleb wouldn’t have wanted her spending it alone. Deep down, Hannah’s known for a while that Nolan Roberts would be the man waiting for her. Nolan was one of Caleb’s closest friends, and he grieved hard when Caleb died, too, so in that way Nolan can understand some of Hannah’s feelings which was a tremendous asset to their burgeoning romance.

“Are you ready for this, Hannah? Because if you’re not, that’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I think I might be ready.” She looked down before bringing her gaze back to meet his. “Mostly because it’s you who’s asking.”

Nolan loved Hannah as a friend forever, but it turned into more two years after Caleb’s death. He knew he was in for an uphill battle, and that Hannah may never be ready to move on. But there was never any choice for Nolan, because Hannah was the one for him.  My heart went out to Nolan. To be so in love with someone who may never feel the same way back is a slow and heartbreaking torture. Thankfully, Nolan’s years of longing and patience paid off, and we get to witness the sweet and satisfying payoff play out!  Sweet, satisfying and HOT!  Marie Force definitely knows how to write some steamy scenes!

The Abbott family is a big, caring bunch and it seems we have two mischievous members (Hannah’s dad, and grandfather) who are not above meddling to make sure their kids all get a HEA. Too cute, if you ask me!  I can’t wait to see what they have planned for the other eight Abbott kids.  For those who loved Will and Cameron in the last book you’ll be happy to know we get a lot of them in this one, too. There are a few more romances in the works, at least three that I can think of.  I must say that I’m not sure that I want a Megan/Hunter matchup in the future, because she was a right witch in the last book but even more so in this installment!  I guess we shall see.

Colton, the somewhat reclusive Abbott brother is up next in I Saw Her Standing There.
 



Connect with Marie Force:





The publisher provided a Paperback copy of All You Need is Love and I Want to Hold Your Hand the first two books of The Green Mountain series to one lucky winner! I'm making this an INTERNATIONAL giveaway!  Simply fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

22 comments:

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

I read the first one in this series and really enjoyed it (though it was almost too sweet at times. I like a little more struggle, a little more of a battle). While the whole family was awesome (Grandpa! Love him.), I really liked Hannah and am happy she has her own HEA.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a heartbreaking and hopeful book at the same time, Rachel. I love the sound of the romance especially. I've noticed that romances where the couple are linked together by some tragedy are always the most intense and powerful ones.
I'm glad you enjoyed this as much as the first book, Rachel.
Lovely review!

erin said...

thanks for the awesome post and giveaway!! I do enjoy small town romances b/c I like getting to know the "town" :) Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I really don't have a favorite. I like all romance because it is above all my favorite genre.

Anonymous said...

This series sounds so great. I'm glad you're enjoying them, and I hope to read them at some point! Thanks for sharing, Rachel!

Aneeqah said...

I haven't read this series yet, but I'm truly loving the sound of it! I like how the series goes through the Abbott kids, which really reminds me of the Pushing the Limits series that Katie McGarry currently has going. It's actually really nice to hear that Hannah's guilt didn't bog the story down, because in stories such as these, that's a distinct possibility. The romance sounds wonderfully done as well! <3

Lovely review, Rachel!!

-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I love the small town setting and the heavy focus on family, and the mischief makers would likely be my favorites.

karin said...

I don't really have one that I like more than others !but I love the genre :D

heatherzilla said...

I love Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series. I downloaded a free copy of Marie Force's Maid in Love 2 days ago, and have now bought and read book two. I think I am going to like the McCarthys of Gansett Island Series just as much.

brandileigh2003 said...

I would see why she'd feel numb but luckily she had some help getting her emotions and romance back

Keertana said...

I'm not a huge fan of meddling elders, but I loooove the sound of this one and absolutely want to meet Nolan, so I'll be adding this one to the TBR at once. Lovely review, Rachel -- so glad you're enjoying this series! :)

MåїÐ»-(¯`v´¯)-» said...

I know how much yo enjoy the small town/big family romances, Rachel so I'm happy to hear you could add another to your list. I have yet to read about the Abbott family, but I can't wait to pick up the first book. And this feature a FRIENDS TO MORE ROMANCE!!!! I love love looove that type of romance. Its sweet and hot, just perfect. I'm looking forward to seeing how Hannah and Nolan get their HEA. Glad you enjoyed this, Rachel! Fabulous review! :D

~ Maida
Literary Love Affair 

Unknown said...

I'm so happy you're enjoying the series, Rachel. Hannah and Nolan were so wonderful. And I loved the scenes with Will and Cam, too! (also not thrilled about a potential Hunter/Megan match) Cannot wait for Colton's book! I still laugh when I think of him hitting on Cam to anger Will! And for the record, I am not happy he shaved!
Great review!

Faye M. said...

Unfortunately, I don't have a small town romance because I don't think I've read any small town romance at all @_@ Does Unbound by Cynthia Hand count? I remember that the girl moved in to a small town and she was able to have a relationship with a townie there... in that case, I'll have to pick that! As for this review, this sounds really good! I kinda wanna meet the Abbott family now...

Faye at The Social Potato Reviews

Wendy Darling said...

I haven't even heard of this book before! I enjoy books set in small towns, but since I haven't read the first book yet I won't enter this giveaway. :) I'm intrigued by the idea of 8 siblings, though. And 8 possible books, wow.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Mary Preston said...

Not an absolute favorite, but I do love them.

Unknown said...

oh gosh this sounds beautiful and emotional. I really wanted to read this one but I didn't get a chance to read the first one so I felt like, I should have first maybe?

i do love small town romances, like Fools Gold is one of my fav :D

Shooting Stars Mag said...

That's great there isn't too much guilt about moving on and opening up to love again. I love that the books title's are Beatles songs. :)

Debs Desk said...

I love Susan Mallory's Fools Gold series

Texas Book Lover said...

Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series is one of my favorite small town series!

Siiri said...

I'm glad that Hannah is able to move on. No one should be alone forever and I'm glad that she finds love in someone she trusts and knows. Hot, you say? Theheee. Yay :) I'm so happy to see you enjoyed, my friend! Also, my fav small town romance must be Back to You by Priscilla Glenn. Such a sweet one :) Thank you for the giveaway! x

Unknown said...

Would love to read this!

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