EVERYTHING HE COULDN'T by Harlow James

 

Release Date: September 1

One of my favorite songs growing up was Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield.

Ironically enough, I never realized I’d be living out those lyrics in my own life when I fell for my best friend’s girl—and then my best friend, John Schmitt, died.

Add on the fact that she was pregnant with his child and that I’d been harboring feelings for Evelyn months before all of this happened, and well, now?

Now the lyrics to that song don’t sound so bad anymore.

The worst part is, I’m the one to blame for his death which made facing her an even harder pill to swallow, so what did I do? Pretend like she didn’t exist anymore, even though it was virtually impossible because she was everywhere in our small town of Newberry Springs.

Flashforward six months and suddenly Evelyn finds herself in a legal battle she never saw coming, and I can’t just stand by any longer and pretend like my heart isn’t in shambles.

So I suggest the unthinkable.

I offer to marry her, help her prove that she’s a fit mother and her daughter is being raised well despite John not being in the picture.

But Evelyn doesn’t know that being near her gets my blood pumping, even more so after avoiding her for months.

She doesn’t understand that doing this favor for her is a way for me to gain retribution for John’s death and take a chance to find out if she can reciprocate my feelings.

And she doesn’t get that by being there for her and loving her and her daughter that I’m doing everything that my best friend couldn’t.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My review:

“They say that grief is love with nowhere to go.  I’ve experienced grief before, most recently from losing my best friend.  But losing Evelyn? I don’t think my heart would ever recover from that.”

Everything He Couldn’t is the second book in the Newberry Springs series. This was a new-to-me author, but I didn’t have any trouble reading it by itself. However, after reading it I certainly want to go back and read the first book, Everything to Lose.

“…I need him to help me learn to swim through the darkness and search for the moon when it feels like I won’t ever find it.”

Firefighter Walker Gibson lost his best friend, John Schmitt, in a fire.  His guilt for surviving the fire has kept him away from Evelyn, John’s girlfriend who happens to be pregnant with John’s baby.  After months of avoiding her, their friends convince him to finally talk to her.  When he discovers John’s parents are fighting for custody of Kaydence (Evelyn and John’s baby), Walker proposes they get married and present themselves as a happy married couple.  Can this be Walker’s chance to win Evelyn’s heart?

Evelyn Sumner felt guilty because the last time she saw John, she gave him an ultimatum to either step up for the baby or leave them alone.  Being a single mom and a business owner kept her busy, but she was managing fine by herself.  Until she receives the court documents for custody of her daughter.  She will do anything to protect Kaydence, even marry Walker.  Can she accept Walker’s help and trust him to be there for her?

I loved watching Walker and Evelyn’s relationship grow.  Evelyn had been hurt in the past and was scared to believe Walker would be there for her and her daughter.  She found it hard to believe he wanted to be there for her.  Walker was such a great guy, and I am so glad he finally got a chance with Evelyn.  I loved how he wanted to keep John’s memory alive for Kaydence.  He was so sweet, and my heart melted with his owl sounds for Kaydence.  

This beautiful small-town romance was a heartbreaker, and I would give it ten stars if I could. The characters were lovable and real-life-like.  The book was paced perfectly, and it transitioned smoothly.  After reading this book, I cannot wait to read more of the author's books in the future.   The next book looks to be just as amazing as this one was.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Available in KU

Meet Harlow James

Steamy Romance Author

 

Harlow James is a pen name I use to protect my identity as a high school teacher. Keeping those two roles in my life separate is necessary, but also fun! It’s like a live two lives, and anonymity gives me the opportunity to be bold and take risks in my stories.

 

I stumbled upon romance novels in 2018 when I picked up Driven by Kristy Bromberg, and I was obsessed. I had just lost my grandmother too, so reading offered me an escape from reality and a chance to grieve on my own terms.

 

About a year later, I got an idea for my own book and started writing. I researched self-publishing and jumped in with both feet. I had no idea what I was doing!

 

But now I’ve built a business and hobby that I LOVE! I have an outlet that’s just for me. When I write, I’m not a mom, a wife, or a teacher…I’m a woman who gets to tell stories that no one else can.

 

My books are the perfect blend of heartwarming moments, full-bellied laughs, and PLENTY of steam to melt your Kindles 😉And there are always elements of me sprinkled in to every character and story that I write.

 

When I’m not writing you can find me reading or spending time in my kitchen. I love to cook and feed my family and friends. Otherwise, you can find me watching comedy specials with my husband, camping with our kids, or taking naps. I live for naps 😉

To learn more about Harlow and her books, visit here! 

Brought to you by: