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jackiehorne's review
4.0
See full review:
http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2013/07/rediscovering-romance-in-best-years-of.html
http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2013/07/rediscovering-romance-in-best-years-of.html
romancejunkie1025's review
3.0
Wow, what a strange but intriguing take on a finale for a series. Though I haven’t read any of the full length novels that come before this novella in the series, I will say this story was interesting and a unique take on the romance genre. The series seems to be very fascinating and I would like to go back and read the previous novels, but even without reading them I can say this author has grabbed my attention.
Making It Last is a follow-up about the couple that came together in the first story in the series, set 14 years later. Amber and Tony have built a life, including raising three rambunctious boys, building their dream home and trying to find their niches in their lives. But as their children have grown and Amber has watched those around her also find love, she has lost herself. She loves her husband and is happy with her family, but lately she has found herself feeling overwhelmed and adrift. When her husband gives her the chance for her own mini vacation, trying to ease her unhappiness, Amber finds herself at a crossroads, trying to decide how she’ll deal with finding herself in her marriage.
Tony is scared he is losing his wife, the love of his life, mother of his children, and the only reason he has for everything he’s worked so hard to achieve for his family. Determined to give everything he has to rebuilding their relationship and bringing back the pieces of Amber that have disappeared from her eyes, Tony crashes her vacation, working to rekindle their passions. But as they both handle the changes in their lives and try to find the lust that lead to their love so long again, things become extremely emotional as they break down the walls the lives have built between them over the years.
Though I’m not used to reading these types of follow-up stories, ones so full of dysfunction and family issues after the ending of my romance novels, I will say I liked the story. There was of course the requisite passion and sexiness, but oh man there was a huge amount of emotional angst, fear, and stark sadness as they worked through their fears. I found myself crying a lot but in the end, I was left with the feeling that everything will be happy for Tony and Amber in the end, even if they have to tear down and rebuild, their foundation is solid and I can see their love will last forever.
If you haven’t read the rest of the novels in this series, I recommend you do that before you read this novella. I certainly plan to go back and read Tony and Amber’s love story. However, even if you just happen to grab this novella you will not be disappointed. There is plenty of back-story and you don’t feel lost at all. Overall a great ending to a series that I imagine was wonderful to read. I am definitely going to read more by Ruthie Knox.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Making It Last is a follow-up about the couple that came together in the first story in the series, set 14 years later. Amber and Tony have built a life, including raising three rambunctious boys, building their dream home and trying to find their niches in their lives. But as their children have grown and Amber has watched those around her also find love, she has lost herself. She loves her husband and is happy with her family, but lately she has found herself feeling overwhelmed and adrift. When her husband gives her the chance for her own mini vacation, trying to ease her unhappiness, Amber finds herself at a crossroads, trying to decide how she’ll deal with finding herself in her marriage.
Tony is scared he is losing his wife, the love of his life, mother of his children, and the only reason he has for everything he’s worked so hard to achieve for his family. Determined to give everything he has to rebuilding their relationship and bringing back the pieces of Amber that have disappeared from her eyes, Tony crashes her vacation, working to rekindle their passions. But as they both handle the changes in their lives and try to find the lust that lead to their love so long again, things become extremely emotional as they break down the walls the lives have built between them over the years.
Though I’m not used to reading these types of follow-up stories, ones so full of dysfunction and family issues after the ending of my romance novels, I will say I liked the story. There was of course the requisite passion and sexiness, but oh man there was a huge amount of emotional angst, fear, and stark sadness as they worked through their fears. I found myself crying a lot but in the end, I was left with the feeling that everything will be happy for Tony and Amber in the end, even if they have to tear down and rebuild, their foundation is solid and I can see their love will last forever.
If you haven’t read the rest of the novels in this series, I recommend you do that before you read this novella. I certainly plan to go back and read Tony and Amber’s love story. However, even if you just happen to grab this novella you will not be disappointed. There is plenty of back-story and you don’t feel lost at all. Overall a great ending to a series that I imagine was wonderful to read. I am definitely going to read more by Ruthie Knox.
Rating: 3.5 stars
lifeand100books's review
5.0
Marriage is tough. A successful one takes a lot of hard work. It has its up and downs. It's filled with highs and lows. But when effort is put forth for it, it is one of the most rewarding relationships you can have. Author Ruthie Knox reminds of how incredible marriage can be in the conclusion of her Camelot series, Making it Last.
From Goodreads:
First and foremost I have to say a huge thank you to Ruthie Knox for writing this book. For sharing with the world that there CAN be romance in marriage. That romance doesn't die after your wedding day.
For anyone that's married, this story will immediately connect. In my opinion I think every marriage at some point can become affected by the commonplace of everyday life. Our jobs, stress over bills, making grocery lists, cooking dinner, doing laundry, taking care of the kids etc....these things all become our focus. The importance of communication with your partner somehow gets pushed to the side and any romance that existed begins to extinguish itself. Unless you take Knox's advice, and realize that romance CAN have a place in a marriage if you communicate your want AND need for it.
I have ALL THE FEELINGS for this book. I was wrecked by the end of it. Amber and Tony's journey back to each other is a journey wrought with difficulty, tough confessions, and a love that is truly fathomless. The pure honesty of this story is what makes this story so beautiful. If you do one thing today, let it be buying yourself a copy of this phenomenal book then crawling up with a blanket and a glass of wine while reading it. It'll be the best thing you do all day.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-21G
From Goodreads:
A hotel bar. A sexy stranger. A night of passion. There’s a part of Amber Mazzara that wants those things, wants to have a moment — just one — where life isn’t a complicated tangle of house and husband and kids and careers. Then, after a long, exhausting “vacation” with her family, her husband surprises her with a gift: a few days on the beach . . . alone.
Only she won’t be alone long, because a handsome man just bought her a drink. He’s cool, he’s confident, and he wants to take Amber to bed and keep her there for days. Lucky for them both, he’s her husband. He’s only got a few days in Jamaica to make her wildest desires come true, but if he can pull it off, there’s reason to believe that this fantasy can last a lifetime.
First and foremost I have to say a huge thank you to Ruthie Knox for writing this book. For sharing with the world that there CAN be romance in marriage. That romance doesn't die after your wedding day.
For anyone that's married, this story will immediately connect. In my opinion I think every marriage at some point can become affected by the commonplace of everyday life. Our jobs, stress over bills, making grocery lists, cooking dinner, doing laundry, taking care of the kids etc....these things all become our focus. The importance of communication with your partner somehow gets pushed to the side and any romance that existed begins to extinguish itself. Unless you take Knox's advice, and realize that romance CAN have a place in a marriage if you communicate your want AND need for it.
I have ALL THE FEELINGS for this book. I was wrecked by the end of it. Amber and Tony's journey back to each other is a journey wrought with difficulty, tough confessions, and a love that is truly fathomless. The pure honesty of this story is what makes this story so beautiful. If you do one thing today, let it be buying yourself a copy of this phenomenal book then crawling up with a blanket and a glass of wine while reading it. It'll be the best thing you do all day.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-21G
bookloverchelle's review
4.0
Earlier this year I read Amber and Tony’s original story, How to Misbehave, and loved their original love story. Ruthie Knox ended the story with the possibility of Happily Ever After. I haven’t had a chance to read the other books in the Camelot series just yet so I’m sure their were snippets of Amber and Tony throughout the series but I was very excited that they got HEA after story in Making it Last. Ten years after their wedding and three kids later, Amber isn’t quite sure what to do with herself. All her boys are in school and Tony’s working 15 hours a day so she’s alone at home and she’s feeling lost. In Jamaica for her brother’s wedding, Amber stays behind for a little quiet and relaxation by herself. But once Tony gets home her starts to realize there may be more going on than he first realized. He heads back to Jamaica to be with Amber to discover what may really be going on. I really enjoyed that Ms. Knox explored after the HEA and presented a realistic look at what happens in a marriage and how a couple works through any issues that do come up. Great visit back with Amber and Tony and loved all about how they grew and worked with building their family. Great read!
mimireadsromance's review
5.0
My review as posted to Amazon:
I've come to expect excellent storytelling and characters that I can connect with from Ruthie Knox's work. Making it Last, her latest novella in the Camelot series, surpassed anything I could have ever expected. Wow...talk about an emotional read! I finished the novella a few days ago, but have been stewing over it ever since. It was great to revisit Tony and Amber (from the original novella, How to Misbehave). Why was it so great? Simple...because they were flawed. After more than a decade together, and 3 children, they didn't have it all figured out. Things in their life were stressful & they were both going through the motions of every day life, not really connecting with each other anymore. I know, you're probably thinking, "What's so great about that?". Well, for me it's great because it was gut-wrenchingly honest. Every tear I cried for Amber and Tony was worth it! I often found myself thinking, "Yes...this is what can happen in a marriage!"
Since this is a novella, I don't want to give away more of the story line than is already given away in the book synopsis. Instead, I'll share some of my favorite lines from the book. (There were a lot...I highlighted something on almost every page!)
"Sometimes, when she was alone in the house, dog in the backyard, silence all around her, she tried to imagine the shape of her future, and all she could see was her boys growing up." Loc 406
"...because I don't know who I am anymore. I'm afraid I'm not anybody. That I'm your wife and the kids' mom and that's it." Loc 1661
"If you don't tell me, and I don't ask. What good are we to each other?" Loc 1698
"That moment when you remembered why you were in this in the first place, and you came back to it." Loc 1844
"Love was where you found the strength to deal with it." Loc 1925
I'll end this review by saying that this is one of those stories that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, Ms. Knox for writing their story. Thank you for the honest portrayal of their marriage and thank you for allowing us to see them work to make things better.
I've come to expect excellent storytelling and characters that I can connect with from Ruthie Knox's work. Making it Last, her latest novella in the Camelot series, surpassed anything I could have ever expected. Wow...talk about an emotional read! I finished the novella a few days ago, but have been stewing over it ever since. It was great to revisit Tony and Amber (from the original novella, How to Misbehave). Why was it so great? Simple...because they were flawed. After more than a decade together, and 3 children, they didn't have it all figured out. Things in their life were stressful & they were both going through the motions of every day life, not really connecting with each other anymore. I know, you're probably thinking, "What's so great about that?". Well, for me it's great because it was gut-wrenchingly honest. Every tear I cried for Amber and Tony was worth it! I often found myself thinking, "Yes...this is what can happen in a marriage!"
Since this is a novella, I don't want to give away more of the story line than is already given away in the book synopsis. Instead, I'll share some of my favorite lines from the book. (There were a lot...I highlighted something on almost every page!)
"Sometimes, when she was alone in the house, dog in the backyard, silence all around her, she tried to imagine the shape of her future, and all she could see was her boys growing up." Loc 406
"...because I don't know who I am anymore. I'm afraid I'm not anybody. That I'm your wife and the kids' mom and that's it." Loc 1661
"If you don't tell me, and I don't ask. What good are we to each other?" Loc 1698
"That moment when you remembered why you were in this in the first place, and you came back to it." Loc 1844
"Love was where you found the strength to deal with it." Loc 1925
I'll end this review by saying that this is one of those stories that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, Ms. Knox for writing their story. Thank you for the honest portrayal of their marriage and thank you for allowing us to see them work to make things better.
erinarkin20's review
5.0
Making it Last takes us back into the story of Amber and Tony – almost a lifetime after How to Misbehave leaves off. They now have three kids, a dog, and all of the things, baggage included, that come along with years of marriage. I love that Knox made the decision to take us back into their story – we would get glimpses along the way through books two and three of the series but I was happy to hear that this novella focused on them again.
Tony and Amber have both drifted and become a bit lost in their marriage. Tony works all the time and worries constantly about how he will continue to support his family and Amber’s life has revolved around their three boys so much that now that she can focus on herself, she doesn’t really know who she is or what she wants. On a family trip to Jamaica for a wedding, things come to a head for her and she finally breaks down. Tony, with the help of Amber’s mother and aunt, decides to tell her to stay for a few days and he goes back to Ohio with the kids. All the while, he is clearly worried about her and what this is about. Amber’s mother is the one to make him realize he needs to go back and spend some time with Amber to figure things out.
Ruthie Knox writes some of my favorite characters. They are always complex and real and they deal with real life. In this case, a marriage and two people who clearly love each other a lot but have drifted into this time of life where they haven’t necessarily given each other the time or focus that is needed.
Ruthie Knox is on my auto-buy list and I have a feeling that once you read any one of her stories, you will agree. Definitely check out this novel and if you haven’t started reading the Camelot series, get moving. This novella is #4 in the series so you have plenty to read until this one officially comes out mid-July. If you enjoy real characters, lovely stories, and some steamy romance – you will definitely like this series.
Tony and Amber have both drifted and become a bit lost in their marriage. Tony works all the time and worries constantly about how he will continue to support his family and Amber’s life has revolved around their three boys so much that now that she can focus on herself, she doesn’t really know who she is or what she wants. On a family trip to Jamaica for a wedding, things come to a head for her and she finally breaks down. Tony, with the help of Amber’s mother and aunt, decides to tell her to stay for a few days and he goes back to Ohio with the kids. All the while, he is clearly worried about her and what this is about. Amber’s mother is the one to make him realize he needs to go back and spend some time with Amber to figure things out.
Ruthie Knox writes some of my favorite characters. They are always complex and real and they deal with real life. In this case, a marriage and two people who clearly love each other a lot but have drifted into this time of life where they haven’t necessarily given each other the time or focus that is needed.
Ruthie Knox is on my auto-buy list and I have a feeling that once you read any one of her stories, you will agree. Definitely check out this novel and if you haven’t started reading the Camelot series, get moving. This novella is #4 in the series so you have plenty to read until this one officially comes out mid-July. If you enjoy real characters, lovely stories, and some steamy romance – you will definitely like this series.
mspym's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
A really thoughtful and well-written romance where the protags are a long-term married couple with children and how to both keep your dreams and your marriage going. I really appreciated the realism but also how they resolved the central conflict.
jbquinn's review
5.0
I don't think I've felt more relatable to a character in a book than I do with Amber. I had tears in my eyes at times because I know exactly what Amber is going through & how she's feeling. I am Amber. Not only do I have so much in common with her (married 10yrs , 2 boys) but, I've been where she is. Questioning myself about who I am b/c I've lost every bit of myself with kids, a husband, housework, trying to find time just to take a shower and feeling so completely overwhelmed with everything. I believe though any woman who's married or has kids can relate.
Making It Last is a novella that takes place 14 yrs after How to Misbehave (which is also Amber & Tony's story). I don't think you need to read it 1st to read this (I didn't but I will be) but, you might want to just to know who the other characters are.
This is a great novella about a loving couple, who's been together for a long time, & what they go through to make their marriage work. How they overcome those obstacles, communicate, & compromise with each other about how to make it work. Making It Last is not a sweet & fluffy romance story with an easy HEA. Nor is it a 'romance book marriage where everything is bunnies & unicorns & all day sexcapades'. What it is though, is 100% completely real. Yes, there may be a HEA but, Amber & Tony fought for their HEA. It did not come easy for them. When you read this novella (and you NEED TO) make sure you also read the beautiful authors note at the end!
*thanks to netgalley & LS Random House publishing for the arc*
Making It Last is a novella that takes place 14 yrs after How to Misbehave (which is also Amber & Tony's story). I don't think you need to read it 1st to read this (I didn't but I will be) but, you might want to just to know who the other characters are.
This is a great novella about a loving couple, who's been together for a long time, & what they go through to make their marriage work. How they overcome those obstacles, communicate, & compromise with each other about how to make it work. Making It Last is not a sweet & fluffy romance story with an easy HEA. Nor is it a 'romance book marriage where everything is bunnies & unicorns & all day sexcapades'. What it is though, is 100% completely real. Yes, there may be a HEA but, Amber & Tony fought for their HEA. It did not come easy for them. When you read this novella (and you NEED TO) make sure you also read the beautiful authors note at the end!
*thanks to netgalley & LS Random House publishing for the arc*
anabelsbrother's review
4.0
First read: November 2013
I don't know if it's just me being too emotional but all the while I was reading I was like HOLD ME
It's a story about what happens after that whole falling in love business. Tony and Amber from How To Misbehave are now together for thirteen years, married for ten. They are both different people than they were back in the first book. Tony is working himself to death, and Amber is up to her last shred of sanity trying to handle three growing boys. The stress is beginning to feel like too much for Amber, and she's depressed.
I never asked for this to happen to me, she wanted to tell him. I’ve just been trying so hard for so long, I don’t have anything left. Not for you. Not even for me.
I don’t know who I am anymore.
Tony knows there is something off with his wife, but he doesn't know the reason, what to do or whether he could fix it.
Their marriage was a system with no slack in it. They had work, they had three kids, they had ten or twenty minutes together in bed at night before they fell asleep. He didn’t know what was wrong with Amber—what was making her cry—and frankly he was afraid to find out. He’d been afraid to find out for a long time.
Because he was pretty sure that whatever it was, he couldn’t fix it.
Marriage is work, that's what I gathered from this book. It's kind of scary, to be honest. That kind of hopelessness is scary to read.
But the key to working out anything is to communicate. And that's what these two did (THANK GOD).
I knew there was NO way this would end up badly, that they couldn't work it out, but I was still scared nonetheless.
Great read.
p.s The Author's Note was brilliant too.
Reread: March 2017
Still great. /wails
Reread: February 2018
I reread this last night before bed and I'm still emo now
Anyway, I talked about this book (along with some others) in my latest blog post on Married Romance here.
I don't know if it's just me being too emotional but all the while I was reading I was like HOLD ME
It's a story about what happens after that whole falling in love business. Tony and Amber from How To Misbehave are now together for thirteen years, married for ten. They are both different people than they were back in the first book. Tony is working himself to death, and Amber is up to her last shred of sanity trying to handle three growing boys. The stress is beginning to feel like too much for Amber, and she's depressed.
I never asked for this to happen to me, she wanted to tell him. I’ve just been trying so hard for so long, I don’t have anything left. Not for you. Not even for me.
I don’t know who I am anymore.
Tony knows there is something off with his wife, but he doesn't know the reason, what to do or whether he could fix it.
Their marriage was a system with no slack in it. They had work, they had three kids, they had ten or twenty minutes together in bed at night before they fell asleep. He didn’t know what was wrong with Amber—what was making her cry—and frankly he was afraid to find out. He’d been afraid to find out for a long time.
Because he was pretty sure that whatever it was, he couldn’t fix it.
Marriage is work, that's what I gathered from this book. It's kind of scary, to be honest. That kind of hopelessness is scary to read.
But the key to working out anything is to communicate. And that's what these two did (THANK GOD).
I knew there was NO way this would end up badly, that they couldn't work it out, but I was still scared nonetheless.
Great read.
p.s The Author's Note was brilliant too.
Reread: March 2017
Still great. /wails
Reread: February 2018
I reread this last night before bed and I'm still emo now
Anyway, I talked about this book (along with some others) in my latest blog post on Married Romance here.