by Samatha Harris
"SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN"
Genre: Contemporary Romance. 268 pages.
Price: $3.99 ebook (at time of post)
Book Link: Click Here
- SYNOPSIS -
Alexandra McCabe is disconnected from the world, grieving the loss of her parents...
Content with studying and keeping to herself, Alex has no interest in the campus playboy, Drew Collins, trying to get close to her. But even dousing him with beer doesn't deter the easy-going charmer, and against her better judgment, the pair fall into a reluctant friendship.
Drew is bored with college life, and Alex's romantic rejection intrigues him...
Their friendship is good for both of them, but Drew is used to getting what he wants, and he's tired of shallow sorority girls. He's much more interested in the feisty redhead, but despite his growing feeling, Alex keeps him firmly in the friend zone.
Old heartaches and new tragedies deepen a complicated relationship...
Whatever life throws their way, Alex and Drew remain best friends with their own traditions. Drew is Alex's family, her rock, and Alex keeps Drew grounded, always challenging him to better himself.
When years of buried feelings rush to the surface, they threaten to change everything...
Drew promised his mother he'd tell Alex how he feels, when the time is right-but how will he know when that is? Alex is terrified to reveal those 'three little words' certain Drew doesn't feel the same, and she'll lose the only family she has.
Should Alex and Drew open their hearts, and risk being crushed? Should they be satisfied with a deep, lifelong friendship?
Or does the only chance for happiness lie...
Somewhere In Between?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- EXCERPT -
When we reached the bar, Drew ordered me a glass of champagne and I turned to scan the crowd. I saw Madeline working her way toward us, her long plum colored gown flaring out behind her. She threw her arms open, a smile spreading wide across her lips. Was she drunk? I smiled back at her as she finally reached me, grasping both my arms tightly before pulling me into an awkward hug. My boss is a very proper and elegant woman. She’s always strictly business, so I was completely floored when she embraced me.
“Alexandra, you look stunning,” she gushed leaning in to kiss my cheeks.
“Uh,” I stammered, completely caught off guard. “As do you, Ms. Grant.”
“Please, we are not in the office. Call me Madeline.” She waved a hand, dismissing the formality. Her eyes widened as Drew stepped beside me and handed me my glass. Madeline glanced between us, pursing her lips and nodding her approval.
“Madeline, this is Andrew Collins,” I said.
“Drew,” he clarified, shaking her extended hand.
“Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Drew,” Madeline said, her eyes roaming over him from top to bottom like he was a life-size chocolate sculpture. Yep she’s drunk. I took a sip of champagne to hide my giggle, eyeing the actual life-size chocolate sculpture that stood across the room. I would have to get a closer look at that later on. Damn, I should have brought a bigger purse.
“Alexandra has told me so much about you.” Madeline placed a hand to her chest, toying with the insane diamond pendant nestled there. I was impressed she wasn’t hunched over from the sheer size of the thing. Madeline was hammered and flirting with Drew. It was quite the show.
Drew retreated closer to my side, placing his hand on the small of my back. “Well, I’m sure only half of it is true.” An awkward smile spread across his face. His eyes shifted to mine, begging me to save him from my inebriated boss. I bit my lip to suppress a giggle.
Madeline giggled “Oh nonsense.” She placed a hand on his arm. Totally sauced.
“Can I get you a drink, Madeline?” Drew offered, clearly looking for an escape.
“Champagne, please,” she said, with a brilliant smile. As he turned back to the bar to get her drink, she leaned in to me. “He is delicious, darling. Well done. Best to hide him from Gwen.” She winked. Drunk Madeline was my new favorite person! I immediately started devising a plan to start slipping Kahlua into her morning coffee.
I heard the telltale stomp before I saw her. The sound stopped just behind me and a chill ran up my spine.
“Alex,” Gwen said. I could hear the irritation in her voice, and I could feel her cold glare on the back of my neck. I took a deep breath, slowly turning to face her. I was met with an eyeful of exposed breast. Holy shit! There was more boob out of her dress than there was in it. I swear it looked like the fabric was doing everything it could not to just rip open. I couldn’t look at her face if I wanted to. My eyes were locked with her boobs. She might as well have come topless.
Gwen shifted, pushing her breast even further up, causing me to take an involuntary step back. For a moment I thought they were going to attack. She must have noticed Drew and aimed her torpedoes in his direction.
Gwen flipped her extensions over her shoulder as Drew approached. With a smile, he handed Madeline her glass and turned to address our new arrival. Poor bastard never had a chance. All he saw were breasts. It was a direct hit, with no chance of survival. I couldn’t blame him. Hell, I couldn’t look her in the face either.
To his credit, he eventually snapped back to himself and looked up at her face. “Hi, I’m Drew,” he stammered, extending his hand to Gwen. She took it and stepped closer, almost pressing herself against him. She practically shoved me out of the way, pretending not to notice that I was standing right fucking there!
Gwen’s eyes ran up and down Drew like a predator inspecting her prey. “A pleasure, I’m sure,” she said, in her best breathy Marilyn Monroe voice. Oh come on, was she for real? Without breaking eye contact or even releasing Drew’s hand, she said, “Nice dress, Alex.”
“You too, Gwen. Too bad there isn’t more of it.”
Drew coughed, almost choking on his drink. Calling that a dress would be a serious exaggeration. It was more like strips of black fabric glued randomly to her body. Gwen glared at me and I met her evil eye head on, neither of us wanting to be the first to flinch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Rating: 
My Thoughts: When Friends Maybe Too Close To Be More.
This story was frustratingly fun, sweet and a bit steamy thanks to best friends trying to keep their relationship in tack while fighting the hope and attraction for more. The story was told in present and past form tying together the couples perspectives on their relationship and feelings. From the beginning to cute end you are rooting for them to get their lives in order and feelings out in the open so they can get their HEA.
Drew Collins was always the one night stand kind of man not looking for love until one woman with red hair said no to him and dumped beer on him. Stunned that she would say no, Drew is intrigued by the beauty named Alexandra 'Alex' McCabe, who is alluring in a way that says 'Go Away' to all who approach. Finally getting into her life was not easy, but he knows Alex needs him as a friend more than anything, including his offer of love. Alex has lost both her parents and fears no one will stay in her life. Then Drew annoys his way into her life and she once again has something to lose. Out of fear Alex never hopes for more with Drew and choose to keep her best friend and connection to a pseudo family over a chance at love. The problem is when both deny what they really want and make mistakes push their relationship to the brink will they finally admit what they want or let it be nothing more?
Overall, good story and I loved Alex and Drew's relationship, especially when she put Drew in his place. The two of them were just perfect for each other and it hurt to see them deny their love for one another when it was so painfully obvious to everyone around them. Now, I enjoyed the flashback perspective style used to highlight Drew's feelings, but I really wanted a chapter or two in the present from him. The same went for Alex, all of her chapters were in the present form, but I would have loved a few in the past just to know how she thought at a few moments back then. The only other issue I had was about the drama between Alex and Drew, it felt overly contrived and escalated to a point it didn't have to, vague I know, but by having it all go wrong to make the reader scream in frustration was not relaxing for me. At one point I really questioned if Alex should forgive Drew, sad I know, but he really did a jerk move which I really would never forgive. But Drew more than makes up for it in the end with a very cute . . . well I'm not spoiling it. So if you' re up for a frustratingly cute read where Best Friends think it's best for them to remain friend zoned but their attraction is too much to handle when they click so well, then this is a book you'll enjoy.
Drew Collins was always the one night stand kind of man not looking for love until one woman with red hair said no to him and dumped beer on him. Stunned that she would say no, Drew is intrigued by the beauty named Alexandra 'Alex' McCabe, who is alluring in a way that says 'Go Away' to all who approach. Finally getting into her life was not easy, but he knows Alex needs him as a friend more than anything, including his offer of love. Alex has lost both her parents and fears no one will stay in her life. Then Drew annoys his way into her life and she once again has something to lose. Out of fear Alex never hopes for more with Drew and choose to keep her best friend and connection to a pseudo family over a chance at love. The problem is when both deny what they really want and make mistakes push their relationship to the brink will they finally admit what they want or let it be nothing more?
Overall, good story and I loved Alex and Drew's relationship, especially when she put Drew in his place. The two of them were just perfect for each other and it hurt to see them deny their love for one another when it was so painfully obvious to everyone around them. Now, I enjoyed the flashback perspective style used to highlight Drew's feelings, but I really wanted a chapter or two in the present from him. The same went for Alex, all of her chapters were in the present form, but I would have loved a few in the past just to know how she thought at a few moments back then. The only other issue I had was about the drama between Alex and Drew, it felt overly contrived and escalated to a point it didn't have to, vague I know, but by having it all go wrong to make the reader scream in frustration was not relaxing for me. At one point I really questioned if Alex should forgive Drew, sad I know, but he really did a jerk move which I really would never forgive. But Drew more than makes up for it in the end with a very cute . . . well I'm not spoiling it. So if you' re up for a frustratingly cute read where Best Friends think it's best for them to remain friend zoned but their attraction is too much to handle when they click so well, then this is a book you'll enjoy.
******************************************************
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
SAMATHA HARRIS
Samatha “Sam” Harris lives near Baltimore, Maryland with her husband and daughter Ava. Born in Florida, she migrated north which most people agree was a little backwards. She has been an artist all of her life, a Tattoo Artist for more than ten years, and a storyteller since she was a kid.
Sam has a slightly unhealthy love for Frank Sinatra, classic movies, and Jazz and Blues music, but her first love will always be reading. From Romance, to Thrillers, to Historical Fiction and everything in between, she loves to become a part of the story. As a writer she tells the stories that she would want to read.
LIMITLESS PUBLISHING: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/samatha-harris/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/samathaharris08
No comments:
Post a Comment