Only With You by Nicole McLaughlin – a Review

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Description:
National Guardsman Aiden King has been attracted to Hannah Walters for a while, but he never made a move because of her close relationship with his best friend. But when circumstances change, Aiden is surprised when his friend gives his blessing. Problem is, there’s a reason he’s still alone after all these years, and as much as he wants her, that secret keeps him from acting on his desires.

Hannah has finally decided to wait for the kind of love you read about in books and see in movies. After her failed engagement, Aiden’s unassuming support has become a touchstone for Hannah. It soon becomes apparent that he may be exactly the kind of man she’s been looking for. But the closer they become, the more he keeps her at arm’s length.

When Aiden suggests a road trip to take Hannah’s mind off her troubles, the two of them go on a journey neither one expected. She just hopes that the final destination is them together for good.

Review:

Only With You by Nicole McLaughlin is the 4^th book in her Man Enough series.  Having read and enjoyed McLaughlin’s other series (Whiskey & Weddings), I thought I would read this book, even if it is the 4^th book in the series.   It did read very well as a standalone, but though I did like the book, I found that the lead characters did not compare with what I loved about the other series. 

Hannah Walters, our heroine, is the twin sister of the heroine in the previous book.  Hannah has a very outgoing personality, but after having recently broke off her engagement, she doubts she will ever find the kind of love she wants.  To top things off, she is trying to get used to her best friend dating her sister, and that she will not see him as much, even if she is happy for them.  Hannah decides to back off men for a year , and doubts if she will ever find true love.

Aiden King, our hero, is good friends with Jase (Hannah best friend and sisters boyfriend), and he has secretly had a crush on Hannah.  However, Aiden not only has PTSD, but also a mentally disturbing secret from his youth that no one knows.   When staying at Jase’s house over a weekend, Aiden spends time talking with Hannah, who he sees is somewhat down.  A friendship builds, with both texting each other and enjoying their talks. 

Hannah will visit Aiden’s bar to try out his great food, and when his grandmother passes away, it will be Hannah who helps him.  Aiden sets out to find his mother who left him as a child, and he will ask Hannah to go with him to visit her.

What follows is a nice storyline, where Aiden will finally meet his mother, and Hannah will begin to fall in love with him.  Though this is a slow build romance, Aiden’s issues are a roadblock that Hannah needs to help him reveal the truths of his past, and why he cannot move forward in a relationship.

Thought they both were good characters, for some reason I couldn’t really connect with them as a couple.  Hannah was overbearing at times, but she tried to help Aiden to let her in; Aiden was a damaged soul, who was unable to open up to her.  They both had their own issues, and I did root them to find a way to work together to get past the stumbling blocks.  Perhaps it just took too long.

Only with You was well written by McLaughlin, and the story line focusing on the issues was done very well.   I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher