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Review: Everything I’ve Never Had by Lynetta Halat Signed Giveaway

Everything I've Never Had Lynetta Halat

Everything I’ve Never Had by Lynetta Halat Review

With all of the books nowadays featuring 17-23 year olds, it is a true pleasure when one comes along that sweeps you away and features an older heroine. The beautifully written Everything I’ve Never Had by Lynetta Halat did just that.

Celeste is 38, a widow, and the mother of three boys. Part of a very powerful and dangerous family, Celeste’s marriage was arranged. She loved her late husband and the father of her kids, but she was never in love.

Since his death from cancer, her husband’s cousin, Adrian, soldier and the black sheep of the family, has been stepping in and helping out. He has become a father figure to the boys, and a best friend to Celeste. They both want more, but there are plenty of obstacles. Adrian and his father have been ostracized from the family, he is 30 – 8 years younger than Celeste, and neither one has shared their “more than family” feelings with each other. The rest of the family will do what ever they have to keep them apart, and they are both scared to go against them.

“I know I’m not supposed to want him. He’s my own slice of forbidden fruit–my deceased husband’s outcast cousin. And with the way our families were connected, that was not something I could ignore”

But when she sees him playing rhythm guitar in his band…her attraction becomes so strong she has to get away. But he follows, and they share an epic kiss that changes everything.

“Oh my…this is…everything. Everything I’ve never felt, everything I’ve never tasted, everything I’ve never had.”~Celeste

“That kiss…that kiss was exceptional, and I’ll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I’ve ever had, the best I could ever have.” ~Adrian

They still fight their attraction, and even date other people in front of each other while trying to keep their hands off of each other.

But they just can’t stay away…even when with the other dates.

“I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want you. Never.”
“It’s just because you can’t have me, Adrian. I’m nothing special.”
“Oh, baby, you have no idea.” He runs his nose up my throat, scenting me as he goes…”You’re everything to me.”

When they finally stop fighting each other, HOLY MOLY, it gets H-O-T. My kids play guitar and bass. I have picks all over my house. Let’s just say I’m getting all flushed when I see them now.

Everything Ive never had

So much more happens, and I don’t want to give more away. There is a military aspect to this book that many will appreciate as well, and it was all handled very well. This book had a great ending, though it is different than what you expect, and a perfect epilogue.

Likes:

  • Beautifully written.
  • Older heroine with kids.
  • Forbidden attraction that they fight like crazy.
  • I totally love Adrian. He is such a great guy and amazing with the boys. There is nothing sexier than a man who is great with kids.
  • Guitar picks. Nuff said.
  • The letters, and guitar picks in them.
  • The very real issues our soldiers face.
  • The magnetic pull between the couple was palpable.
  • There was a very long build-up to their relationship before the book began. They were friends first.
  • It felt like a long, meaty story.

Dislikes:

  • I wasn’t all that clear why they didn’t stand up to the family sooner.
  • I would have liked a little more together time.
  • I almost wish something a little more epic happened.

Rating 4.5 stars 3.75 heat (there was good sex and build up, just not much)

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Flame_THREEthree copy

Everything I’ve Never Had is a beautiful story with likable, relatable, and down to earth characters. It was a pleasure reading about an older heroine with kids for a change, and they only added to the love story inside. Though I usually don’t like to mention another author in a review, something about this story, (though the characters talk nothing like it) reminded be of a Kristen Ashley book, without the gobs of action. Perhaps it’s the older characters, the manly alpha, and the history between the couple. To me, this is the highest of compliments. Beautifully written and unique, I highly recommend you check this one out!

Connect with Lynetta Halat

Amazon | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Also see her at Wicked Book Weekend 2014: Ft. Lauderdale (And 2015!)

Purchase Everything I’ve Never Had by Lynetta Halat

Amazon | BN.com

 

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Lynetta has graciously offered to give away a signed paperback of Everything I’ve Never Had. (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

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Comments

  1. Karen G. says

    Thanks for your thoughts on this book. I like a friends to lovers story and I especially like that it is about someone older than 18. This sounds perfect for me, thanks!

    Reply

  4. Lynetta Halat says

    Thank you so much for the lovely review, Ana! I totally take the KA comment as a compliment. Man, can that woman tell a good story! 🙂 <3

    Reply

  8. melanie r says

    I adored this book!! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Lynetta does a great job in connecting the readers to her characters!!!

    Reply

  9. Melissa Durbin says

    Thanks for the review and I am happy to see someone who isn’t between the ages of 18 – 21. I think a lot of readers would prefer characters who are a little older with some life experiences under their belt.

    Reply

  11. laura voss says

    One of my favorite parts is when she went and stood up to her family. I loved her spunk and the amount of fight she had for what she needed.

    Reply

  12. Kim Perry says

    I really enjoyed this book. Good review! I loved when she finally confronted the family. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  14. Cindy Hoage says

    I totally loved this book and couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. Like a few of the others said I alos cannot wait for her next book to come out. She has me hooked!!!!

    Reply

  17. Andie Wardlow says

    Oooh this is on my tbr…book buying ban sucks…bf got laid off, boo! Really wanna win this

    Reply

  21. tina says

    Love all these awesome give a ways and the chance to get signed books and other great gifts.

    Reply

  23. Mary Lowery says

    Great giveaway! I really want to read this book and I bought the paper back because I have her other book as well

    Reply

  26. Zandalee says

    As much as I love NA (since the characters are in my age group), it’s nice to change it up. This sounds like a really great story. I loved Lynetta Halat’s writing in Every Rose, so I have no doubt I’ll love this book as well.

    Reply

  31. Heather says

    This book looks really good and the cover is beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win a copy 🙂

    Reply

  34. Jennifer Walls says

    Wow, a woman in her 30s, I’m definitely putting this on my TBR. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  36. Gina H says

    Love the older characters. It’s so hard to relate with some of these YA books, guess you can call me old and cynical! Can’t wait to read it!

    Reply

  37. Lisa Figliolino says

    What appeals to me about this book is the age of the characters. I love to come across a book where the characters are closer to my age. Looking forward to reading it!!!

    Reply

  38. Emilia says

    I totally agree! Love books with older heroines, th YA & NA genre is ok, but I prefer adult. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  40. Heather says

    I really like the more mature characters. It is sometimes hard to get into college age romance books. Awesome review of the book Ana I will definitely add to my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply

  43. Gail Campbell says

    I especially want to read it since it is not about people in their 20’s. Too many books are all about the college age people, and not about people that are older.

    Reply

  50. Kim M. says

    Love that this book about someone closer to my age!! Thanks for the giveaway and the great review!!

    Reply

  59. Desiree Putaski says

    This is definitely getting moved up on the TBR list!! Still young and contemporary, but closer to my age, involves kids and yes, nothing sexier than a man who is great with kids (especially when they aren’t his). I am most certainly going to be reading this soon! Thanks for the awesome giveaway as well!

    Reply

  61. Nicole A. says

    It seems like everyone is talking about this book. It’s definitely going on my TBR. Thank you for the giveaway. =)

    Reply

  70. Nancy Van Spunky says

    I love the books about “older” love, especially since I suppose I’m considered older. 😛

    Reply

  71. Tatia White says

    Thank you for the great review. I’ve heard amazing things about this book. I can’t wait to read it.

    Reply

  83. Karina G. says

    I love this author, she shocked me in Every Rose!! I’m hoping this book won’t do the same! I can’t wait to read this book!

    Reply

  84. Karina G. says

    I love this author, she shocked me in Every Rose!! I’m hoping this book won’t do the same! I can’t wait to read this book!

    Reply

  87. Erika says

    This sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win! Love the idea of the guitar playing:)

    Reply

  89. Julie says

    you seriously have the BEST GIVEAWAYS ever! So glad I found you, awesome reviews too. I always check to see if you have reviewed before I one-click

    Reply

  97. Cathy says

    Thank you for the giveaway!!! 🙂 I love Lynetta Halat’s books!!! She is any awesome writer!!! 😀

    Reply

  103. Amy Pollard Woolard says

    I have been wanting to read this book for a while now! I have it on my TBR list!! Thank you for the chance!!

    Reply

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