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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Brothers best friend, single mom. Tessa’s brother moves away and before he does he asks Jason his best friend to watch over Tessa and Hayley her daughter. He gladly does but they end up falling for each other despite the fact that Jason’s family wants more for him and also for him to take over the family business. He has to choose between his forced career and Tessa. Heartwarming, funny slow burn.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I knew that I was going to like Jason. I mean from all the teasers Brighton put up how could I not. He's got a dirty mouth, that he knows how to use. HA!
When Tessa's brother, Cade moved away to follow his dream she was supportive. She even told him to go, she could do this. Be a single mom, work and take care of the house. She really didn't realize how much her brother did for her. She's struggling and nothing she does seems to put her in the right direction. She's feeding her kid crap for dinner, nothing compares to when Cade cooked (hello, he's a chef!). What she doesn't notice is how Jason (Cade's bff) keeps stepping in and helping. What she does notice is that Jason looks good, she shouldn't but its hard to miss.
Jason is just biding his time, his parents are asshats and are more concerned with the way the world sees them. He could've graduated already if he wanted to but he just doesn't want to go to the life his they have planned for him. Cade asked him to look after Tess and that's just what he's doing, with the exception of seeing her as more than just his best friends little sister. Knowing that if he fucks this up he will lose the best friend he's ever had makes him wary of starting anything with her. She's different than the girls he hooks up with. Don't even get him started on Haley, that little girl has him wrapped around her finger. He decides to jump in head first in to the deep end. He doesn't look back but he can still fuck things up.
I thought Jason was hilarious in Caged in Winter, and he is in this one. One difference is we get to see a human side of Jason, the side where he just wants to carry on things his grandfather started. He doesn't want to be a robot for his father to make money and make sure the family name stays blemish free. The way he feels with Tessa makes his body light. Tess and Haley become more than just an obligation, they become his whole world.
Tessa is hard, she has to be after becoming a mom at 17. Jason makes her feel, he wants to sit and have a tea party with her daughter and will even wear the silly hat and feather boa. Internet dating has gotten her nowhere and fast. Taking a chance on Jason is hard for her because he's been around for a long time and she doesn't know if she wants to take the chance of ruining it with lust.
I really loved Jason, he was the perfect mix of dirty and sweet. He was protective even against Tessa's own brother. I can't even share all the things I loved about this story without giving away it all. I mean there have to be some surprises right? Trust me Jason is worth it, run and grab this book and buy takeout because you won't want to make dinner or do anything but read this book. Don't forget to review to show the author your love!
When Tessa's brother, Cade moved away to follow his dream she was supportive. She even told him to go, she could do this. Be a single mom, work and take care of the house. She really didn't realize how much her brother did for her. She's struggling and nothing she does seems to put her in the right direction. She's feeding her kid crap for dinner, nothing compares to when Cade cooked (hello, he's a chef!). What she doesn't notice is how Jason (Cade's bff) keeps stepping in and helping. What she does notice is that Jason looks good, she shouldn't but its hard to miss.
Jason is just biding his time, his parents are asshats and are more concerned with the way the world sees them. He could've graduated already if he wanted to but he just doesn't want to go to the life his they have planned for him. Cade asked him to look after Tess and that's just what he's doing, with the exception of seeing her as more than just his best friends little sister. Knowing that if he fucks this up he will lose the best friend he's ever had makes him wary of starting anything with her. She's different than the girls he hooks up with. Don't even get him started on Haley, that little girl has him wrapped around her finger. He decides to jump in head first in to the deep end. He doesn't look back but he can still fuck things up.
I thought Jason was hilarious in Caged in Winter, and he is in this one. One difference is we get to see a human side of Jason, the side where he just wants to carry on things his grandfather started. He doesn't want to be a robot for his father to make money and make sure the family name stays blemish free. The way he feels with Tessa makes his body light. Tess and Haley become more than just an obligation, they become his whole world.
Tessa is hard, she has to be after becoming a mom at 17. Jason makes her feel, he wants to sit and have a tea party with her daughter and will even wear the silly hat and feather boa. Internet dating has gotten her nowhere and fast. Taking a chance on Jason is hard for her because he's been around for a long time and she doesn't know if she wants to take the chance of ruining it with lust.
I really loved Jason, he was the perfect mix of dirty and sweet. He was protective even against Tessa's own brother. I can't even share all the things I loved about this story without giving away it all. I mean there have to be some surprises right? Trust me Jason is worth it, run and grab this book and buy takeout because you won't want to make dinner or do anything but read this book. Don't forget to review to show the author your love!
I loved this so so much! Jason and his crush on Tessa is adorable. I loved how close he got with her daughter. This was just so sweet.
"I don't want to be just one girl in a long line of too many to count."
Brighton Walsh is a strong voice in the NA genre. With each new book of her's that finds its way to my Kindle I become a bigger fan. I have been so excited to read Tessa Ever After after reading Caged in Winter and it comes as no surprise considering it has three of my favorite things: romance between brother's best friend and his sister, the manwhore, and the single mom . Seriously, give me any combination of those three things and I will be a happy camper. We saw this coming in Caged in Winter and believe me when I say that it was worth the wait!
"I want to give Tessa what no one's given her before. I want to give her what I've never given anyone before. Connection without an expiration date."
Jason rarely beds the same girl twice. Tessa is looking for stability for her and her daughter Haley. For her, it's a daily struggle to be the best mom and provider she can be all while trying to find some love and comfort for herself. When Jason starts keeping an eye out for her, as per Cade (his best friend and her big brother's) instructions, neither one of them can deny the tension and attraction between them. But by far one of my favorite things about this book is the dirty talk. OMG. Dirty talk is my FAVORITE and Jason has such a wicked mouth on him. Seriously, he had me all weak in the knees ::sighs::
"She's it for me. She and Haley are it–my family, the kid I've always wanted. The kind my grandpa always talked about. They're the home I desperately sought the entirety of my life. Now that I've finally found it, I'm never letting them go."
But besides Tessa Ever After being extremely sexy, it was so lovely. I don't think seeing manwhores fall in love will be going out of style anytime soon. There is just something about the surrender of a previously promiscuous man that just cuts me to the quick. I LOVED this story and cannot wait for Paige and Adam's story.
Brighton Walsh is a strong voice in the NA genre. With each new book of her's that finds its way to my Kindle I become a bigger fan. I have been so excited to read Tessa Ever After after reading Caged in Winter and it comes as no surprise considering it has three of my favorite things: romance between brother's best friend and his sister, the manwhore, and the single mom . Seriously, give me any combination of those three things and I will be a happy camper. We saw this coming in Caged in Winter and believe me when I say that it was worth the wait!
"I want to give Tessa what no one's given her before. I want to give her what I've never given anyone before. Connection without an expiration date."
Jason rarely beds the same girl twice. Tessa is looking for stability for her and her daughter Haley. For her, it's a daily struggle to be the best mom and provider she can be all while trying to find some love and comfort for herself. When Jason starts keeping an eye out for her, as per Cade (his best friend and her big brother's) instructions, neither one of them can deny the tension and attraction between them. But by far one of my favorite things about this book is the dirty talk. OMG. Dirty talk is my FAVORITE and Jason has such a wicked mouth on him. Seriously, he had me all weak in the knees ::sighs::
"She's it for me. She and Haley are it–my family, the kid I've always wanted. The kind my grandpa always talked about. They're the home I desperately sought the entirety of my life. Now that I've finally found it, I'm never letting them go."
But besides Tessa Ever After being extremely sexy, it was so lovely. I don't think seeing manwhores fall in love will be going out of style anytime soon. There is just something about the surrender of a previously promiscuous man that just cuts me to the quick. I LOVED this story and cannot wait for Paige and Adam's story.
I almost passed on picking up Tessa Ever After because I haven't read Caged in Winter, but after a very gushy email from Jessica at Berkley I couldn't. I had to see for myself and I am so happy I did. Thank you Jessica! Tessa Ever After is an awesome read.
Tessa is Cade's younger sister from Caged in Winter and she's an over-worked single mom. Ever since her brother left, all the responsibility of taking care of her daughter Haley, keeping house, working a full-time job and cosmetology school falls on her shoulders. She feels like she's in over her head, but good thing Jason (her brother's best friend) is around to help out.
Growing up with Cade, Jason had always thought of Tessa as a sister. But lately he had been seeing her differently and feels a strong attraction to her. Unfortunately for Jason, Tessa is reluctant to start anything serious with him. She still sees him a player with a revolving door of women. Thinking about her daughter, she wants someone who is committed in the long run and will stay for the long haul. Jason wants to show her that he just may be the man for her and Haley, but he also has to deal with his parents who wants him to take over the family business.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tessa Ever After. Jason and Tessa were great characters. I love a good friends-to-lovers story so I really liked that they were already friends before the story began. I admired Tessa and how hard she worked and how she juggled motherhood with everything else. I understood why she was so reluctant to start anything with Jason. She doesn't have just herself to think about, but also her 4-year-old daughter. I haven't read a new adult novel where the heroine has a younger daughter so this novel offered a different perspective.
Jason was supposed to be a wild, rich playboy who had a different woman every night and a no-relationship kind of guy, but I never really got that from him. I haven't read Caged in Winter so maybe that's where he showed his playboy partying ways? Except for this one scene early on when he was in a bar with his friends and there was this girl trying to get his attention, I don't recall him ever going out or hanging out with other women. He just seemed like a good guy--he went to class, was a phone call away when Tessa needed him, and he enjoys just hanging out with Tessa and Haley at their house. I really liked Jason and I love his relationship with Haley. They were so cute together and loved all their scenes together.
Since I didn't read Caged in Winter I feel like I'm missing some of the background information early on in the novel, like what happened to Tessa's parents (I know they died since it said that in the synopsis but I wanted to know the how). I wanted to know about Haley's dad and what exactly happened to him and Tessa and why he's not in the picture. I'm thinking that maybe most of that information was in Winter? Maybe. But I am the kind of reader who likes to know the who, what, where, when, and why of characters' background early on. Eventually, things were mentioned here and there and I piece things together and got my answers so it wasn't too big a deal.
Tessa Ever After was an easy, entertaining read. I would read for a chunk of time and when I emerge from my reading haze, I was always surprise at how far I've read. I love reading books where you forget your flipping pages and is just immersed in the story. I like Brighton Walsh's writing--it was easy, clean and very readable. There were no weird turns of phrases or similes that take you out of the story--I've noticed lately, especially in new adult novels, that authors like to make strange comparisons. There were none of that here, though. Tessa Ever After is my first novel by Ms. Walsh but it certainly won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading more by her and I have added Caged in Winter on my list of books to acquire.
Tessa is Cade's younger sister from Caged in Winter and she's an over-worked single mom. Ever since her brother left, all the responsibility of taking care of her daughter Haley, keeping house, working a full-time job and cosmetology school falls on her shoulders. She feels like she's in over her head, but good thing Jason (her brother's best friend) is around to help out.
Growing up with Cade, Jason had always thought of Tessa as a sister. But lately he had been seeing her differently and feels a strong attraction to her. Unfortunately for Jason, Tessa is reluctant to start anything serious with him. She still sees him a player with a revolving door of women. Thinking about her daughter, she wants someone who is committed in the long run and will stay for the long haul. Jason wants to show her that he just may be the man for her and Haley, but he also has to deal with his parents who wants him to take over the family business.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tessa Ever After. Jason and Tessa were great characters. I love a good friends-to-lovers story so I really liked that they were already friends before the story began. I admired Tessa and how hard she worked and how she juggled motherhood with everything else. I understood why she was so reluctant to start anything with Jason. She doesn't have just herself to think about, but also her 4-year-old daughter. I haven't read a new adult novel where the heroine has a younger daughter so this novel offered a different perspective.
Jason was supposed to be a wild, rich playboy who had a different woman every night and a no-relationship kind of guy, but I never really got that from him. I haven't read Caged in Winter so maybe that's where he showed his playboy partying ways? Except for this one scene early on when he was in a bar with his friends and there was this girl trying to get his attention, I don't recall him ever going out or hanging out with other women. He just seemed like a good guy--he went to class, was a phone call away when Tessa needed him, and he enjoys just hanging out with Tessa and Haley at their house. I really liked Jason and I love his relationship with Haley. They were so cute together and loved all their scenes together.
Since I didn't read Caged in Winter I feel like I'm missing some of the background information early on in the novel, like what happened to Tessa's parents (I know they died since it said that in the synopsis but I wanted to know the how). I wanted to know about Haley's dad and what exactly happened to him and Tessa and why he's not in the picture. I'm thinking that maybe most of that information was in Winter? Maybe. But I am the kind of reader who likes to know the who, what, where, when, and why of characters' background early on. Eventually, things were mentioned here and there and I piece things together and got my answers so it wasn't too big a deal.
Tessa Ever After was an easy, entertaining read. I would read for a chunk of time and when I emerge from my reading haze, I was always surprise at how far I've read. I love reading books where you forget your flipping pages and is just immersed in the story. I like Brighton Walsh's writing--it was easy, clean and very readable. There were no weird turns of phrases or similes that take you out of the story--I've noticed lately, especially in new adult novels, that authors like to make strange comparisons. There were none of that here, though. Tessa Ever After is my first novel by Ms. Walsh but it certainly won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading more by her and I have added Caged in Winter on my list of books to acquire.