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inmyhumbleopinion's review
5.0
Amabel Daniels is a “new to me” author but not for much longer I hope. Better Than the Best is a dark romantic suspense that will keep you guessing right up until the end. The characters of the small town of Churchston are realistic and I really liked Kelly and Will. Kelly is the good hearted, strong young woman it is impossible to dislike. Will is the damaged hero suffering from PSTD and the ill will of half the town. Kelly can fall for him because she is from out of town and not subject to the small town party line. The friends that Kelly surrounds herself with keep the story moving along and the mystery as well. Fans of romantic suspense have found a treasure in Amabel Daniels.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review
lzw's review
5.0
Better than the Best was pretty freaking great! This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I’m loving her style! Loved the cover, very mysterious, made me wonder what’s inside. The blurb left me wanting more, so I decided to read it:) This book has alllllllllll the feels….it surprises you, angers, excites, and satisfies. Love the mystery/romance combination. Kelly & Will’s story is an amazing one. Though long, it kept my attention from start to finish. Loved it.
smutty_vibes's review
4.0
This Is The First Book I've Read By This Author. I Thought It Was A Really Good Read. Once You Start Reading you wont stop. This Book Gives you a little bit of every feels. I Didnt want the book to end. I Really hope there will be a book 2. I would really love to read more about Kelly and will. I Recommend this be added to your TBR pile if its not already on it.
katie_83's review
4.0
Better Than the Best
By Amabel Daniels
4 stars!
Fantastic story!!! I was hooked from the very first page until the very last! This is the second book that I have read by this author and I was not disappointed at all. It had everything I love in a book, great characters, a good plot, exciting writing and a captivating read! I really cannot recommend it enough!
I always love stories that are a little different to the norm and authors who tackle sensitive subject and I got both with this book. I really loved the characters Kelly and Will. There was just something about them that made me like them straight away. Just when everything looked like it was going well there was a twist in their story! I really felt for Kelly at the beginning of the story and she deserved to find somebody to make her happy! She did have a sassy side to her though and whilst I probably should have disliked her I couldn’t help but like her for it!
I real enjoyable read which I highly recommend.
By Amabel Daniels
4 stars!
Fantastic story!!! I was hooked from the very first page until the very last! This is the second book that I have read by this author and I was not disappointed at all. It had everything I love in a book, great characters, a good plot, exciting writing and a captivating read! I really cannot recommend it enough!
I always love stories that are a little different to the norm and authors who tackle sensitive subject and I got both with this book. I really loved the characters Kelly and Will. There was just something about them that made me like them straight away. Just when everything looked like it was going well there was a twist in their story! I really felt for Kelly at the beginning of the story and she deserved to find somebody to make her happy! She did have a sassy side to her though and whilst I probably should have disliked her I couldn’t help but like her for it!
I real enjoyable read which I highly recommend.
lisa01's review
5.0
Better than the Best by Amabel Daniels
Rated 5 stars
I was reluctant to start this because of it being about 450 pages. I know stupid right? I was used to reading approx 250 page books so I was leery of a longer book since sometimes they are filled with fluff. Well...this story was not like that! I was captivated by Kelly and Will. It was hard to put this down once i started reading. There were many emotions I felt while reading this. Shock, happiness, shame, disgust and tummy flutters ( heehee I know...not an emotion but it still qualifies). This is an all around great read!
The beginning of the story was all over the place as the plot was set up. Sometimes making it hard to follow. I wasn’t sure who was who or what was going on. But after a couple chapters. I was hooked! So don’t give up! Just keep reading you won’t be disappointed. The mystery in this book is crazy good! Add that to the possible romance between certain characters and it’s a pleasure to read!
I loved all the characters! There were so well thought out! We really get to spend time knowing the characters (which I loved). What makes them say what they say and do what they do. I really feel like I knew all of the characters.
Will is a tough cookie to crack! He makes me feel strong emotions for him and about him. I really enjoyed getting in his head and see what he was thinking and feeling. Kelly is so smart and she doesn’t take crap from anyone. She is strong in her heart and most definitely her head. She is one of the best female leads i have read about in a while!
The secondary characters really were amazing! I felt like I knew them. Kelly's brothers and dad are good adds to the story. I loved meeting and hearing about them. Clay and Randy were also good guys and helped make the story. Really the story wouldn’t be what it is without these two guys.
Really great read! The story moves forward at a nice speed. The writing is super and flows along nicely. This is my second book by this author and I loved them both! I will be keeping her in my sites.
Rated 5 stars
I was reluctant to start this because of it being about 450 pages. I know stupid right? I was used to reading approx 250 page books so I was leery of a longer book since sometimes they are filled with fluff. Well...this story was not like that! I was captivated by Kelly and Will. It was hard to put this down once i started reading. There were many emotions I felt while reading this. Shock, happiness, shame, disgust and tummy flutters ( heehee I know...not an emotion but it still qualifies). This is an all around great read!
The beginning of the story was all over the place as the plot was set up. Sometimes making it hard to follow. I wasn’t sure who was who or what was going on. But after a couple chapters. I was hooked! So don’t give up! Just keep reading you won’t be disappointed. The mystery in this book is crazy good! Add that to the possible romance between certain characters and it’s a pleasure to read!
I loved all the characters! There were so well thought out! We really get to spend time knowing the characters (which I loved). What makes them say what they say and do what they do. I really feel like I knew all of the characters.
Will is a tough cookie to crack! He makes me feel strong emotions for him and about him. I really enjoyed getting in his head and see what he was thinking and feeling. Kelly is so smart and she doesn’t take crap from anyone. She is strong in her heart and most definitely her head. She is one of the best female leads i have read about in a while!
The secondary characters really were amazing! I felt like I knew them. Kelly's brothers and dad are good adds to the story. I loved meeting and hearing about them. Clay and Randy were also good guys and helped make the story. Really the story wouldn’t be what it is without these two guys.
Really great read! The story moves forward at a nice speed. The writing is super and flows along nicely. This is my second book by this author and I loved them both! I will be keeping her in my sites.
fish3718's review
4.0
This story is a mix of mystery and romance. This is my first book from Amabel Daniels. She is very in depth in her writing patterns. She has a way of setting the stage and totally turning around have something happen from left field. Kelly is a nurse that has nothing going for her. Her husband of two years is cheating on her in her own bed. She has a patient die and the family is blaming her. She needs to regroup and reevaluate her life and the way it is going. Will is a veteran who has PTSD and his town hates him. He is bitter but he is trying to get his life back. The mystery is about Kelly and what she did not realize is that there is a stalker out to get her. Kelly meets Will and they did not like one another to begin with. As the story goes on Kelly seeks help from Will and he is willing to help her. Will this relationship grow into a romance? That is what you will find out when you read this book. It will not disappoint you especially if you like mystery/love stories.
bwagner's review
4.0
Better Than the Best by Amabel Daniels is a romance-suspense novel. This is my first story by this author and I enjoyed it. I found her writing style to be easy flowing and engaging. Her attention to details and knowledge of subjects in this book are great. Her characters are both connectable and lovable. They took me on an emotional roller coaster ride of various emotions. Their twists and turns left me wanting more and on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This story is about PTSD and fighting to get life back. This is Kelly and Will's story. Kelly is a woman who has just gone through a divorce and has lost a patient. She finds herself in a new town and brings with her lots blame for her life falling apart. Will is a veteran who is suffering from PTSD and dealing with a town who seems to hate him. This is where the mystery starts. Kelly doesn't realize that she has a stalker but how far is that stalker willing to go? What will happen when accidents start happening around these two? Their relationship does not start out the normal way. Neither one seemed to like each other but things start changing a little the more time they spend together and the more the mystery starts heating up. Kelly is a character that carries a lot of guilt around with her and she really just wants someone to love her. Will is the hero of this story but he also has some guilt that he carries around with each. I love that these two start out being interested in the other even when they didn't like each other, they were still drawn to each other. They are fated to be together in my opinion but this evil that is lurking seems to have different idea. Are they destined to have a happy ever after? There are some secondary characters in this book that I am not quite sure about but they do make the story flow into the suspense story that it is. I highly recommend this story. I know you will want to see what happens at the end of this story with Kelly and Will.
shannonlovesbooksandreading's review
4.0
This story was so good. At first it seemed like a typical he cheated on me type of 2nd chance romance. Then chapter two takes a turn which makes you think it will be a paranormal story. Each page keeps you wondering what’s going to happen. This story even made me laugh out loud at times.
“Will wished the whine of the winch could have been loud enough to drone out the whine of the wench.”
I am all for happy endings and rainbows and unicorns but Daniels doesn’t let me think that is the case with this story. I loved how her main characters, Will and Kelly, aggravated each other. They certainly rubbed each other the wrong way. But both are such caring big hearted people, it was hard for them not to notice the other.
Will is a physically wounded, heart-broken, war veteran. Far from being a war hero, his home town has basically shunned him. He’s a self-imposed hermit which doesn’t help how the town sees him. Kelly is a heart broken divorcee, looking for a new start. These two don’t look like they will be friends much less lovers. But fate, or Daniels, has a way of throwing them together.
This story also has great secondary characters with friends like Heather, Randy, Clay, Junior and all of Kelly’s brothers. I could easily see many books to come. (and after a little search a happy me finds a couple of more stories by Daniels!)
I can highly recommend this book and am look forward to reading more.
“Will wished the whine of the winch could have been loud enough to drone out the whine of the wench.”
I am all for happy endings and rainbows and unicorns but Daniels doesn’t let me think that is the case with this story. I loved how her main characters, Will and Kelly, aggravated each other. They certainly rubbed each other the wrong way. But both are such caring big hearted people, it was hard for them not to notice the other.
Will is a physically wounded, heart-broken, war veteran. Far from being a war hero, his home town has basically shunned him. He’s a self-imposed hermit which doesn’t help how the town sees him. Kelly is a heart broken divorcee, looking for a new start. These two don’t look like they will be friends much less lovers. But fate, or Daniels, has a way of throwing them together.
This story also has great secondary characters with friends like Heather, Randy, Clay, Junior and all of Kelly’s brothers. I could easily see many books to come. (and after a little search a happy me finds a couple of more stories by Daniels!)
I can highly recommend this book and am look forward to reading more.
angelahayes's review
5.0
5 Stars
Better than the Best is a seriously good romantic suspense by Amabel Daniels. Ms. Daniels delivers a fantastic, complex and multi-layered story that is charged with sweat inducing tension and suspense. The story is full of danger, and intrigue. There is murder and sinister intent. An edge of your seat experience that kept me glued to the pages until I’d read every word.
Kelly Newland has no idea that catching her husband cheating would set off a chain of events that would change her life forever. She has had a really hard time of late, and her husband’s cheating is just the final straw. She signs the divorce papers, quits her job and heads off to start over, somewhere new, doing something completely different. She ends up in a small lakeside community that seems quite idyllic. Without even trying, Kelly ends up with a job and somewhere to live. Making a couple of friends in the process, she figures that Churchston is as good a place as any for her new start.
She soon finds herself on the receiving end of the gruff town mechanics ire. She finds him rude and obnoxious- but also is drawn to his sexy bad boy vibe. He both infuriates and intrigues her. And when she begins to hear all the town gossip about him, she can’t help but feel sorry for him too. There is so much more to him than anyone takes the time to notice, and she’s determined to uncover it all. As she gets to know him a little better, her attraction for him grows- but she’s not interested in a casual fling, she wanted something more.
Will Parker is an ex-marine who was injured in the line of duty. He carries a heavy burden from his experiences- pain and grief weighing him down. He has lost his zest for life, merely existing and not really living. He has a tarnished reputation and is the target for a lot of gossip and innuendo. He owns the local garage but no longer has the same enthusiasm for what was once his biggest passion. He had a horrible childhood, he was never loved, nurtured or shown affection. He doesn’t believe in love.
When Kelly comes to town, she gets on his nerves- but he secretly admires the fact that she doesn’t back down and he can’t intimidate her like he does everyone else. She’s gorgeous, smart, kind and determined. She doesn’t treat him with pity or disdain like most of the town does, and he soon finds himself drawn to her. But, he can’t afford to let down his defences and allow her to get too close- she would only hurt him in the long run. Wouldn’t she?
Strange things start happening, unexplainable accidents and bizarre mishaps. Danger is lurking, with Kelly firmly in its sights. You really should read this story to discover what the threat is. Why Kelly is the target. Why the accidents and mishaps are occurring. And follow as Kelly and Will’s relationship blossoms into something neither could have expected. Is there be a future for these two? Can Kelly bring light back into Will’s gloomy world? Can they save each other? Or will they succumb to the sinister force hell bent on murder?
The story is told from multiple POV’s- Kelly, Will’s and the killer’s. The story has all the elements to make this a riveting read.
Thank you, Ms. Daniels- I can’t wait for your next book!
Better than the Best is a seriously good romantic suspense by Amabel Daniels. Ms. Daniels delivers a fantastic, complex and multi-layered story that is charged with sweat inducing tension and suspense. The story is full of danger, and intrigue. There is murder and sinister intent. An edge of your seat experience that kept me glued to the pages until I’d read every word.
Kelly Newland has no idea that catching her husband cheating would set off a chain of events that would change her life forever. She has had a really hard time of late, and her husband’s cheating is just the final straw. She signs the divorce papers, quits her job and heads off to start over, somewhere new, doing something completely different. She ends up in a small lakeside community that seems quite idyllic. Without even trying, Kelly ends up with a job and somewhere to live. Making a couple of friends in the process, she figures that Churchston is as good a place as any for her new start.
She soon finds herself on the receiving end of the gruff town mechanics ire. She finds him rude and obnoxious- but also is drawn to his sexy bad boy vibe. He both infuriates and intrigues her. And when she begins to hear all the town gossip about him, she can’t help but feel sorry for him too. There is so much more to him than anyone takes the time to notice, and she’s determined to uncover it all. As she gets to know him a little better, her attraction for him grows- but she’s not interested in a casual fling, she wanted something more.
Will Parker is an ex-marine who was injured in the line of duty. He carries a heavy burden from his experiences- pain and grief weighing him down. He has lost his zest for life, merely existing and not really living. He has a tarnished reputation and is the target for a lot of gossip and innuendo. He owns the local garage but no longer has the same enthusiasm for what was once his biggest passion. He had a horrible childhood, he was never loved, nurtured or shown affection. He doesn’t believe in love.
When Kelly comes to town, she gets on his nerves- but he secretly admires the fact that she doesn’t back down and he can’t intimidate her like he does everyone else. She’s gorgeous, smart, kind and determined. She doesn’t treat him with pity or disdain like most of the town does, and he soon finds himself drawn to her. But, he can’t afford to let down his defences and allow her to get too close- she would only hurt him in the long run. Wouldn’t she?
Strange things start happening, unexplainable accidents and bizarre mishaps. Danger is lurking, with Kelly firmly in its sights. You really should read this story to discover what the threat is. Why Kelly is the target. Why the accidents and mishaps are occurring. And follow as Kelly and Will’s relationship blossoms into something neither could have expected. Is there be a future for these two? Can Kelly bring light back into Will’s gloomy world? Can they save each other? Or will they succumb to the sinister force hell bent on murder?
The story is told from multiple POV’s- Kelly, Will’s and the killer’s. The story has all the elements to make this a riveting read.
Thank you, Ms. Daniels- I can’t wait for your next book!
jennadb's review
5.0
Better than the Best by Amabel Daniels is a romance suspense story that will have you hooked. The plot will have you turning page after page as you read through each twist and turn. Amabel did a great job at weaving a mystery just begging to be shown.
I love Kelly, the sassy, feisty and strong female that takes no prisoners, she has her own issues but tells it like it is.
Will is a broken man and it seems no one can help him that is until someone new comes to town and kicks his arse.
This is beautifully written romance story with with enough mystery and a back story you will not believe. I hope there are more books in the series.
I love Kelly, the sassy, feisty and strong female that takes no prisoners, she has her own issues but tells it like it is.
Will is a broken man and it seems no one can help him that is until someone new comes to town and kicks his arse.
This is beautifully written romance story with with enough mystery and a back story you will not believe. I hope there are more books in the series.
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