ARC Review: Where I Need To Be (McKenna #3) by Jamie Hollins (Tour) ~ Excerpt

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Where I Need To Be

McKenna # 3
By: Jamie Hollins
Releasing July 18, 2017
Self-Published

Blurb
When heroin stole James Foley’s wife and destroyed his marriage, he poured all his energy into raising his young son and running his auto garage. There’s no room in his life for anything else until Megan McKenna walks into his shop. He finds it impossible to resist the sexy school teacher.

After an ugly divorce, Megan lost her home, her job, and a big chunk of her self-respect. With her posh lifestyle now a memory, she starts over by indulging in an unexpected fling with a hard-bodied mechanic.

What begins as something casual turns into something meaningful. But how can their relationship survive when it’s built on half-truths?

James and Megan soon discover that being honest with themselves is just as important as being honest with each other. Only then will their relationship fire on all cylinders.

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This is my first time diving into the McKenna series and reading author Jamie Hollins. I usually don’t go for Contemporary reads unless it’s Romantic Suspense, but the blurb peeked my interest. I liked the idea of two adults, both divorced, with pasts and issues to deal with ending up coming together and finding strength, love, and a true partnership.

James. I loved him. He’s perfect yet not, has issues to deal with, always has grease on him, overworks himself, and is doing the best he can in raising his son with the help of his father. We see several different sides to him and so you can not help but fall in love with him. His dedication to his work and how he put his kid’s feelings above his own. Perfect. Sweet.

Megan. I found her to be smart and sweet, but also a little week and her issue of not confiding in her family about her divorce and dating James really upset me. She was doing great, turning her life around, found a job she loves, and a man who was exactly what she needed, but she disappointed me in making excuses and not ripping that banded off with her family.

The story was good and I liked it. I enjoyed the characters and found the romance to be sweet, adorable, and satisfying. I liked that they took their time getting to know each other and that they also communicated, where open, and upfront from the start. It made the romance and relationship seem so real.

The epilogue wrapped everything up marvelously and I loved seeing the whole family be together.

Where I Need To Be is a charming and heartfelt romance, with a few laugh out loud moments, and some hot sexy scenes. I had a delightful time and will be check out previous books in the series.

Rated: 4 Stars

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Jamie Hollins via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!

 

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Challenge(s): New To Me (Author/Series) | Pick Your Genre (Con) | New Release (2017)

 

 

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Megan nibbled on her lower lip as she looked everywhere but at him. He desperately wanted to ask her what was bothering her, but he stopped himself. She wasn’t his. It was none of his business.

He needed to be straight with her.

“About Friday night…” He paused before deciding to begin a different way. “I need to be upfront with you and tell you that I’m not interested in a relationship. I’ve got a lot going on in my life with the shop and with my son. And a steady woman just doesn’t fit into my plans at the moment.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything. Shit, if she broke into tears in his parking lot, he didn’t know what he would do.

“I like you, Megan. I sure as hell liked what happened on Friday, and I’d like to see you again. But beyond that, I can’t give you anything more.”

“So are you saying you’d like to date but not exclusively?”

Was that what he was saying? That he wanted to date her? 

“If by dating you mean periodically getting together and having sex, then sure, let’s go with that.” 

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wished he could take them back. He was being honest, but it had made him sound like a dick.

She looked skyward and smiled. “Thank God. That’s exactly what I was going to say.”

He frowned. “You were?”

“Yes!” She laughed. “What a relief. I had a lot fun with you. But jumping back into a relationship…I just can’t right now.”

“So we agree on this?” he asked incredulously. 

“Absolutely.”

Huh. Wasn’t that something? 

“Oh, but there is one thing I did want to add,” she said, grimacing slightly.

He knew there had to be a catch.

“If we’re…” She looked back toward the garage at the guys congregating around the open doors, pretending not to eavesdrop. “If we’re sleeping together, I’m not going to hold you to being exclusive, but I would hope you could extend the courtesy of letting me know if you meet someone else who you’d like to sleep with.”

He couldn’t help it, he let his chuckle slip. He wasn’t laughing at what she said. It was perfectly reasonable. He was laughing at the idea of wanting any other woman when he had Megan in his bed.

“That’s fair,” he replied. “And I’d expect the same courtesy from you.”

Smiling, she extended her hand. “Deal.” 

He frowned, taking her outstretched hand. Instead of shaking it, he lightly tugged her toward him. “Sweetheart, I’m not shaking your hand like we’re conducting some business deal.”

She blinked, her mouth falling open before she closed it quickly. Pulling her hand from his grasp, Megan clutched the strap of her purse. “Of course, I’m sorry. That was stupid.”

He smiled, taking a step closer and leaning in slightly. “Not stupid, and you have nothing to apologize for.” He watched as her eyes fell to his lips and he liked the way this woman thought. “Now tell me…when can I see you again?”

She swallowed before nibbling on her lower lip. It took everything he had not to reach up and pull her rose-colored lip down with his thumb. James knew all of his employees were watching. They’d stopped the pretense of being busy the moment he’d pulled her toward him.

“How about we do dinner this weekend?” he asked. “It’ll have to be late, after Cade goes to bed.”

She nodded slowly. “I’d like that.”

“Saturday around nine o’clock?”

Her clear blue eyes smiled as she nodded again. “It’s a date.”

“It’s a date,” he repeated. 

 

Jamie Hollins was born and raised in rural Northeast Ohio.  After graduate school, she embarked on a perilous career in Human Resources where she met plenty of real life characters.  When she’s not writing or chasing after her toddler, she enjoys reading and golfing.  Jamie lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, son, and their dog, Winston.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

 

 

$25 Amazon GC + signed copy of WHERE I NEED TO BE (US Only)

Follow the tour Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.

Category: Jamie Hollins, McKenna | Tags: , , , ,

22 comments on “ARC Review: Where I Need To Be (McKenna #3) by Jamie Hollins (Tour) ~ Excerpt”

  1. I’d like to see how James’ & Megan’s relationship grows.

  2. This book sounds interesting.

    • It was sweet. Thank’s for stopping in.

  3. Sounds amazing and It’s so on my TBR list now <3

    • Wonderful! Hope you enjoy.

  4. I like the sound of this one too. Your concerns about the heroine will be mine as well, I think. NOT that it will stop me from reading it. Thanks for the review.

    • I don’t usually go for sweet CR’s. I prefer PNR, UF or RS, but this one surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy!!

  5. it’s true that it’s different to have 2 divorce persons as main characters.
    Melliane recently posted…A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. SchwabMy Profile

    • Ya, the blurb is what made me decided to read this one and give it a try. It was interesting in how it would work. You don’t usually see 2 divorce’s get together.

  6. Thank you so much for the awesome review and for helping me promote WHERE I NEED TO BE! I’m really glad you enjoyed James and Megan’s story 🙂 Best of luck to your readers with the giveaway!

    • It was a delight to read about James and Megan. Thank you! ^_^

  7. This sounds really good and so does the excerpt. Thanks for sharing it.

    Jenea’s Book Obsession
    Jenea recently posted…Rview for the The Black WitchMy Profile

    • You are welcome Jenea. Thank’s for stopping in and checking out this post. ^_^

  8. Thank you for hosting your review!

    • My pleasure!! ^_^

  9. Hey Angela, thanks for the great review and a chance to win a copy. This looks really good
    Debbie Haupt recently posted…**GIVEAWAY** Kiss My Boots by Harper Sloan blog tour sponsored by Simon & SchusterMy Profile

    • Your welcome. Thank you for stopping in and check out my review!

  10. Please add WHERE I NEED TO BE to your Goodreads To-Read List! Need a link for this entry too please 🙂

  11. Where is the link to follow Jamie Hollins on Goodreads? I went to Goodreads but don’t know how to find anyone on there, sorry

    • Good day Jane. I don’t make the tour giveaway rafflecopter, but you can go to Meet the Author in this post. It has the link to her Goodreads page or Goodreads – Jamie Hollins. Also you asked for a link for Where I Need To Be for To-Read List. You can go to the book information at the top of this post and click on Goodreads To Add or Goodreads – Where I Need To Be. Hope this helps you out.

  12. That was a great excerpt. It sounds like a romance I could even enjoy, and I don’t generally read romance books. Great review as well. Thanks for chance to win this.
    Karen Blue recently posted…Review: THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae CarsonMy Profile

    • Thank’s Karen for stopping in and checking out Where I Need To Be. I usually don’t go for CR, but I had a wonderful time with this sweet romance.