All of Me (Covington Cove #2)

by Kelly Moran (Goodreads Author)

A “fantastic”* new romance from the author of Return to Me and "one of the top 10 reads of 2013"

For ten months, bestselling novelist Alec Winston hasn’t been able to type a single word, and he’s coming dangerously close to breaching his publishing contract. An invitation from his brother to spend the summer in Wilmington Beach might be just the thing to blast through his writer’s block. Yet Alec discovers more than a spark of inspiration on the sunny sands. He meets an amber-eyed muse who makes him think about much more than books . . .

Faith Armstrong has finally gathered the courage to leave her past behind and accepted a job as a private tutor, hoping for a fresh start on the North Carolina coast. This is the home she’s always longed for—not just a place, but a state of mind. She’s felt invisible her whole life, so the host of new friends and the attention of a sexy author have her head spinning.

But Alec has a secret that could prove this isn’t the life Faith dreamed of after all . . .

"Fun, emotional, and totally engaging!"
~CARLA NEGGERS, New York Times Bestselling Author

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24611955-all-of-me?from_search=true&search_version=service

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Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Berkley | Penguin Group

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Part 2 in an ongoing series

My All of Me Review . . .

"The best things are unexpected."

Return to Me was my first read from this author and a great starting point for this series. In this second book, we have Jake the author with a sad past and a mean writers block and Faith, a girl with a huge heart but has never felt like she was wanted or belonged anywhere.

At first meeting these two have sparks but Faith's personalty confuses Jake but also draws him in.

"I never said you didn't have feelings. I'm saying you're afraid of the good stuff."

The more these two get to know each other the more they fall. Sadly they're both shackled to their pasts, and these pasts also define them, as well are the key to move forward.

Jake was right. She was different than the others. Not a distraction, but a destination. Part of him wanted to grasp that shred of hope for a future, for something permanent and real. Try his hand at normal again. But that wasn't possible and never would be.

Faith may have seemed aloof, but he suspected that under the surface there was strength and heart. Right next to insecurity and uncertainty.

When I first started reading this and Faith had her issues which were very warranted. I wished more heroines would be like her stoically strong, but moving forward and not letting her insecurities win. Then sadly like a good portion of most romance books Faith's insecurities got the better of her.

"Swear to God, Faith, one of these days you need to stop walking away from me or you're going to find yourself handcuffed to me."

As Faith started off strong her continuous running started to grow a bit tiresome. For me, Jake too started off strong and his past tore at me, but his stubbornness also got a bit tiring and I just wanted to throttle him to see what he was giving up.

In the end, there was no other choice but to leave. He'd made his mistakes, and he had to live with them.

Argh! Honorable yes but also frustrating. Why, Jake, why?

"No matter what crazy-ass thing my father says, just remember you like me and I'm good in bed."

Thankfully the other characters and part of the story took away from the repeatedness of their issues. This book is part two in a series, and could be read as a standalone, but reading it in the series order helps to give the book so much more depth.

Both of these two have their own brokenness and is what draws them together but it's also what holds them together.

And she wasn't exactly the kind of person who inspired unconditional love.

Poor Faith.

"What kind of man would that make me?"
"It would make you human."

Poor Jake and his demons.

"For what's it's worth, Faith, I'm sorry he's going to hurt you. He doesn't mean to do it, but he knows no other way,"

These two. Argh!

"There is nothing you need to do or say. Love is a gift, one I knew little about before you, and like any other gift, all you have to do is accept it. It doesn't need to be returned."

My poor heart hurt for these two, as they had to face their pasts and heal, so they could move forward and find the happiness they both deserved.

Did I like this story? Absolutely. It had some tiresome moments but otherwise it kept me content and engaged throughout. Did I connect with the characters? For the majority yes. Did I like the ending? Definitely, as it eased my hurting heart. Will I read more from this series, if it continues? Absolutely. As this series is super charming and sweet, and filled with hope, love and second chances.

4 About time thumbs up!