What do you think?
Rate this book
When the Time Is Right
Fate doesn’t always happen overnight.
Hudson Bradley is the cockiest, most stubborn, hard-headed man I’ve ever known. And for fifteen years, he’s been my brother's best friend.
But lately, what I’m feeling for him isn’t friendship at all.
Why is my heart racing every time his blue eyes lock on mine?
Why does every word he rumbles in my ear make my body come alive?
And worst of all, why did I bet him that I could find a woman he and his son would both love?
If I hadn’t given up on love altogether, Hudson would have been perfect for me. After all, he was there the day my world fell apart. He’s spent the last six years piecing me back together.
There are a million reasons why we could never work, but after a single kiss, I can’t remember any of them.
Now that the time is right, I have to make him mine—before I lose him forever.
Hudson Bradley is the cockiest, most stubborn, hard-headed man I’ve ever known. And for fifteen years, he’s been my brother's best friend.
But lately, what I’m feeling for him isn’t friendship at all.
Why is my heart racing every time his blue eyes lock on mine?
Why does every word he rumbles in my ear make my body come alive?
And worst of all, why did I bet him that I could find a woman he and his son would both love?
If I hadn’t given up on love altogether, Hudson would have been perfect for me. After all, he was there the day my world fell apart. He’s spent the last six years piecing me back together.
There are a million reasons why we could never work, but after a single kiss, I can’t remember any of them.
Now that the time is right, I have to make him mine—before I lose him forever.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2020
About the author
M. Mabie
24 books1,600 followersM. Mabie lives in Illinois with her husband. She writes unconventional love stories and tries to embody "real-life romance."
She cares about politics, but will not discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne's World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head. She has always been a writer. In fact, she was born with a pen in her hand, which almost never happens. Almost.
M. Mabie usually doesn't speak in third-person. She promises.
Signup for my mailing list: http://www.mmabie.com/subscribe
Follow me on BOOKBUB:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-mabie
Like me on Facebook:
http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorMMabie
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/AuthorMMabie
Follow my Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/M.-Mabie/e/B00J...
She cares about politics, but will not discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne's World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head. She has always been a writer. In fact, she was born with a pen in her hand, which almost never happens. Almost.
M. Mabie usually doesn't speak in third-person. She promises.
Signup for my mailing list: http://www.mmabie.com/subscribe
Follow me on BOOKBUB:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-mabie
Like me on Facebook:
http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorMMabie
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/AuthorMMabie
Follow my Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/M.-Mabie/e/B00J...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 554 reviews
August 19, 2020
4.5 Stars
You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who can write the friends to lovers trope better than Aly Martinez. She's penned some of my favorites in the past and really brought her skills to the table once again with this one.
I enjoyed every second of Hudson and Alexis' journey. Their banter was hilarious, their chemistry was palpable, and the inter-family dynamic was so much fun too. I got this via Kindle Unlimited, but will definitely be purchasing it for my personal collection and future re-reads...and if that isn't a sign of a true winner, I don't know what is.
You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who can write the friends to lovers trope better than Aly Martinez. She's penned some of my favorites in the past and really brought her skills to the table once again with this one.
I enjoyed every second of Hudson and Alexis' journey. Their banter was hilarious, their chemistry was palpable, and the inter-family dynamic was so much fun too. I got this via Kindle Unlimited, but will definitely be purchasing it for my personal collection and future re-reads...and if that isn't a sign of a true winner, I don't know what is.
July 20, 2020
5 STARS
Excuse me? Can I have your undivided attention please? I have a big announcement to make.
*clears throat*
This was easily my favorite friends to lovers romance I have EVER read.
*pauses for dramatic effect*
I KNOW. Big statement, right? But let me just tell you. This book? It was absolute perfection. It was everything. All of the things. It was swoony and emotional. It was hilarious. It was full of the best banter and so many laugh out loud moments that my face still hurts from grinning like a loon the entire time I was reading. I don't even have the words to describe to you all of the ways I loved this book. But I'm going to attempt to here. Because it deserves all of the words.
Hudson has been the rock for Alexis as long as she's known him. He's the stable, reliable, and always there for everyone kind of man. He's her brother's best friend, but he's been her friend as well. He was there for her through the worst and helped piece her together in the after effects.
His best friend's family has been the only family Hudson has truly ever known. He loves them like they're his own. Hudson is a single father and an amazing daddy. He's also not exactly winning it in the dating department. Hard to date when you're a workaholic single father after all. But then he makes a bet with Alexis on who can set the other up on the best blind date...and things take a very interesting turn.
Now lets talk about the friends to lovers trope for a hot second here, shall we? Because the pacing from friends to the realization that there's something more was pure perfection. I adore the way the authors handled the timing of everything. It just felt so genuine and authentic. It sort of snuck up on both Lex and Hud and hit them over the head but it didn't come as a shock. I don't know how to explain it to you without you experiencing it, but let's just say that it was SO GOOD.
These two together was everything. I couldn't get enough of their banter and their easy camaraderie. They love each other so much but they don't see what everyone around them have seen for years, which is how perfect they are for each other.
I loved Lex's fiery sass. The woman had attitude and zingers for days and I couldn't get enough of it. She's a spitfire but she's also a fierce friend and I loved the way she loved Hudson. As for Hudson, I can't even begin to describe all of his perfection. This single daddy with a heart of gold was just GAH. He was everyone's rock. He's there for his family and his friends when they need him and he'll do anything for those he loves. His son was the most adorable secondary character every and the way Hud and Lex were with him just melted my heart.
There was no crazy drama but there were plenty of feels. It was just one of those utterly perfect feel good romances that just suck you right into its world and wrap you up in it like the coziest blankets. It was magical. It was swoony perfection. It put a smile on my face and kept it there until the very last page. I loved the hell out of this book. I didn't want it to end. And if you're a fan of friends to lovers, you simply need this book in your life. It was EVERYTHING. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. And I simply cannot recommend it enough.
ARC courtesy of authors in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
He was Hudson. My brother’s best friend. My reluctant partner in crime—or at least the man there to bail me out when I was partnering in crime alone. He was…a really fucking good guy. Not to mention stupid hot and all that masculine energy I craved.
Excuse me? Can I have your undivided attention please? I have a big announcement to make.
*clears throat*
This was easily my favorite friends to lovers romance I have EVER read.
*pauses for dramatic effect*
I KNOW. Big statement, right? But let me just tell you. This book? It was absolute perfection. It was everything. All of the things. It was swoony and emotional. It was hilarious. It was full of the best banter and so many laugh out loud moments that my face still hurts from grinning like a loon the entire time I was reading. I don't even have the words to describe to you all of the ways I loved this book. But I'm going to attempt to here. Because it deserves all of the words.
Hudson has been the rock for Alexis as long as she's known him. He's the stable, reliable, and always there for everyone kind of man. He's her brother's best friend, but he's been her friend as well. He was there for her through the worst and helped piece her together in the after effects.
His best friend's family has been the only family Hudson has truly ever known. He loves them like they're his own. Hudson is a single father and an amazing daddy. He's also not exactly winning it in the dating department. Hard to date when you're a workaholic single father after all. But then he makes a bet with Alexis on who can set the other up on the best blind date...and things take a very interesting turn.
Now lets talk about the friends to lovers trope for a hot second here, shall we? Because the pacing from friends to the realization that there's something more was pure perfection. I adore the way the authors handled the timing of everything. It just felt so genuine and authentic. It sort of snuck up on both Lex and Hud and hit them over the head but it didn't come as a shock. I don't know how to explain it to you without you experiencing it, but let's just say that it was SO GOOD.
These two together was everything. I couldn't get enough of their banter and their easy camaraderie. They love each other so much but they don't see what everyone around them have seen for years, which is how perfect they are for each other.
I loved Lex's fiery sass. The woman had attitude and zingers for days and I couldn't get enough of it. She's a spitfire but she's also a fierce friend and I loved the way she loved Hudson. As for Hudson, I can't even begin to describe all of his perfection. This single daddy with a heart of gold was just GAH. He was everyone's rock. He's there for his family and his friends when they need him and he'll do anything for those he loves. His son was the most adorable secondary character every and the way Hud and Lex were with him just melted my heart.
There was no crazy drama but there were plenty of feels. It was just one of those utterly perfect feel good romances that just suck you right into its world and wrap you up in it like the coziest blankets. It was magical. It was swoony perfection. It put a smile on my face and kept it there until the very last page. I loved the hell out of this book. I didn't want it to end. And if you're a fan of friends to lovers, you simply need this book in your life. It was EVERYTHING. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. And I simply cannot recommend it enough.
ARC courtesy of authors in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
August 14, 2020
5 that's-how-you-do-it ⭐️s
Song : Thomas Rhett - Die A Happy Man
I read this 6 days ago and was originally gonna rate it 4 or 4,5 stars, but last night when going through my highlights, I found myself re-reading it and enjoying it just as much, if not more. So 5 stars it is.
Of course, M tried to change my mind but we all know how much I listen to her not.
M : here, I made a list of reasons why you can’t give it 5 stars. We got..
Me :
M : this is important. He sometimes calls her Kid. You DNF’d a book in the past because of this, remember?
Me :
M : ffs, his 7 yo son talks like a 40 yo.
Me :
M : *scrambles to find more items on the list*
Me :
This. This is how you do friends to lovers.
Admittedly, a big part of the book is them only being friends, but you know what? Their friendship is goals.
I loved every single shade and degree of their relationship.
I loved how they have each other’s back.
I loved their transition from friends to more.
I loved how they loved each other.
In short, I just loved
Alexis “Lex” Lawson and Hudson “Hud” Bradley have been friends for 15 years, ever since he transferred to their high school and became her brother’s best friend, and hers too.
The bond they share is incredible, as they’ve been there for each through thick and thin, ups and downs, highs and lows, and everything in between.
Dating is not going so well for either of them, as Lex has a ton of past unresolved issues and Hudson is a single dad with a business to run. Furthermore, Hudson has his eyes set on Lex’s cherry red 1970 Chevelle and Lex needs a new cat condo for her cats, Beep and Boop.
Mix all of that together, and you’ve got a bet on who can find the other the best date.
Lex is a kick-ass woman. She knows what she wants, she isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind and she’s a spitfire. The amount of sass on this woman is awe-inspiring.
She’s also a loyal, caring, fiercely loving friend. We all wanna be a Lex or have a Lex, trust me.
Hudson. I just don’t know how to explain how absolutely perfect this man is. And not perfect as in he makes no mistakes, but perfect as in…PERFECT
He’s honestly the kind of man you introduce to your mother, and she takes a deep sigh before telling him HE could do so much better.
And
To his friends and family (especially his adorable 7 going on 40 son), he’s the rock, the home, the safe haven, the cornerstone.
To Lex, he’s the person (Grey’s Anatomy, anyone?), the lobster (do I even have to explain 🙈), the everything.
If you have a Hudson in your corner, you just know you can conquer the world.
You can fly to the moon and kiss the stars.
You can die knowing you’ve been loved the way you deserved, that you had the best thing that could ever happen to someone in life.
Kudos to the authors for the way they handled the pace and transition.
I was there. I felt everything with them.
The way it was so unexpected but so natural, so right and so meant to happen. ✨🖤✨
Just read this book. Bask in the banter, the laughs, the feels, the ridiculous lovesick smile you’re guaranteed to have on your face the whole time, the friendship, the love and the happiness.
Important Questions
Is it too early for a second re-read??? And where can I find myself a Hudson???
Where we go one, we go all.
Song : Thomas Rhett - Die A Happy Man
I read this 6 days ago and was originally gonna rate it 4 or 4,5 stars, but last night when going through my highlights, I found myself re-reading it and enjoying it just as much, if not more. So 5 stars it is.
Of course, M tried to change my mind but we all know how much I listen to her not.
M : here, I made a list of reasons why you can’t give it 5 stars. We got..
Me :
M : this is important. He sometimes calls her Kid. You DNF’d a book in the past because of this, remember?
Me :
M : ffs, his 7 yo son talks like a 40 yo.
Me :
M : *scrambles to find more items on the list*
Me :
This. This is how you do friends to lovers.
Admittedly, a big part of the book is them only being friends, but you know what? Their friendship is goals.
I loved every single shade and degree of their relationship.
I loved how they have each other’s back.
I loved their transition from friends to more.
I loved how they loved each other.
In short, I just loved
Alexis “Lex” Lawson and Hudson “Hud” Bradley have been friends for 15 years, ever since he transferred to their high school and became her brother’s best friend, and hers too.
My reluctant partner in crime—or at least the man there to bail me out when I was partnering in crime alone. He was…a really fucking good guy. Not to mention stupid hot and all that masculine energy I craved.
The bond they share is incredible, as they’ve been there for each through thick and thin, ups and downs, highs and lows, and everything in between.
“Thank you for believing in me.”
I held her sparkling, green gaze as I vowed, “Always.”
Dating is not going so well for either of them, as Lex has a ton of past unresolved issues and Hudson is a single dad with a business to run. Furthermore, Hudson has his eyes set on Lex’s cherry red 1970 Chevelle and Lex needs a new cat condo for her cats, Beep and Boop.
Mix all of that together, and you’ve got a bet on who can find the other the best date.
Lex is a kick-ass woman. She knows what she wants, she isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind and she’s a spitfire. The amount of sass on this woman is awe-inspiring.
She’s also a loyal, caring, fiercely loving friend. We all wanna be a Lex or have a Lex, trust me.
Hudson. I just don’t know how to explain how absolutely perfect this man is. And not perfect as in he makes no mistakes, but perfect as in…PERFECT
He’s honestly the kind of man you introduce to your mother, and she takes a deep sigh before telling him HE could do so much better.
And
That was our Hudson, sole protector. I swear he was part man and part Australian Shepherd with the way he had to know where everyone was at all times.
To his friends and family (especially his adorable 7 going on 40 son), he’s the rock, the home, the safe haven, the cornerstone.
To Lex, he’s the person (Grey’s Anatomy, anyone?), the lobster (do I even have to explain 🙈), the everything.
If you have a Hudson in your corner, you just know you can conquer the world.
You can fly to the moon and kiss the stars.
You can die knowing you’ve been loved the way you deserved, that you had the best thing that could ever happen to someone in life.
Kudos to the authors for the way they handled the pace and transition.
I was there. I felt everything with them.
The way it was so unexpected but so natural, so right and so meant to happen. ✨🖤✨
“She grinned, and it struck me so hard it nearly rocked me back a step. Lex had smiled at me no less than a million times in my life.
Midlaugh after she’d beaten me in a game of darts.
Fake and full of agony as I’d offered her my arm to guide her out of Brenden’s funeral.
Teasing from across the room as she’d snuck Jack a bag of water balloons from her purse.
But this one was different, and it struck me like a thousand arrows falling from the sky because I knew to the core of my soul she should have been in my arms when she grinned up at me like that.”
“I will always be here for you. There isn’t a world that exists where I’m not gonna be around for you. Where we go one, we go all. Remember?”
Just read this book. Bask in the banter, the laughs, the feels, the ridiculous lovesick smile you’re guaranteed to have on your face the whole time, the friendship, the love and the happiness.
“I parked in my driveway, the lights in my house lit up like a damn runway. She’d always been shit at remembering to turn them off when she left a room, and I was so fucking stoked to spend the next sixty years arguing with her about it.”
Important Questions
Is it too early for a second re-read??? And where can I find myself a Hudson???
July 27, 2020
4.25 stars
This was such a fantastic friends to lovers romance! Aly Martinez and M. Mabie are a dynamic duo. They write together so seamlessly, cohesively, and there is such a fantastic flow.
Alexis and Hudson meet when they're kids. Hudson is Lex's brother Cal's best friend, but he's also one of Lex's best friends. They're both in a long standing rut and neither have dated in forever so they decide to set each other up. Only as they start to date other people, they realize that though no sparks are flying on any of their dates, there are sparks between the two of them. Alexis is worried about messing up what they have but slowly and surely, Hudson wears her down.
Lex and Hudson had the best banter. I loved their back and forth. I also loved that above all else they were friends first. No matter what was going on in their lives or their relationship, that stands true. This really was an epic friends to lovers and all readers that love that troupe should pick up this book!
I love when books have kids in them and I especially loved Hudson's son, Jack. Jack had such a great relationship with Hudson and Lex both. There was so much I loved about this story but there were things towards that I didn't love as much. There was conflict, it was resolved, then right away there was another conflict. I didn't see the need for both, but that's just me. I still enjoyed it lots. I just could have done without that.
This story was funny, sweet, emotional, and steamy. I enjoyed reading it so much. I truly hope Martinez and Mabie continue to write more books together because the two they've done have been fabulous!
This was such a fantastic friends to lovers romance! Aly Martinez and M. Mabie are a dynamic duo. They write together so seamlessly, cohesively, and there is such a fantastic flow.
Alexis and Hudson meet when they're kids. Hudson is Lex's brother Cal's best friend, but he's also one of Lex's best friends. They're both in a long standing rut and neither have dated in forever so they decide to set each other up. Only as they start to date other people, they realize that though no sparks are flying on any of their dates, there are sparks between the two of them. Alexis is worried about messing up what they have but slowly and surely, Hudson wears her down.
“I need to find out if this, whatever’s been building between us, is something.”
“How you gonna do that?”
“We’re going to kiss,”
Lex and Hudson had the best banter. I loved their back and forth. I also loved that above all else they were friends first. No matter what was going on in their lives or their relationship, that stands true. This really was an epic friends to lovers and all readers that love that troupe should pick up this book!
I love when books have kids in them and I especially loved Hudson's son, Jack. Jack had such a great relationship with Hudson and Lex both. There was so much I loved about this story but there were things towards that I didn't love as much. There was conflict, it was resolved, then right away there was another conflict. I didn't see the need for both, but that's just me. I still enjoyed it lots. I just could have done without that.
This story was funny, sweet, emotional, and steamy. I enjoyed reading it so much. I truly hope Martinez and Mabie continue to write more books together because the two they've done have been fabulous!
June 27, 2021
(3.75) a fanfuckingtabulous friends to lovers story. the chemistry, the humor, and their familiarity w/ each other were all so natural, i never doubted their love (when they decided to wanting each other) for a second
Lex (& her cat condos) was the type of 28 yo woman i aspire to be, and where da hell is my real life Hudson at? only complain tho, it lacked angst i wanted (and some stuff kinda dragged a little) but still overall great
Lex (& her cat condos) was the type of 28 yo woman i aspire to be, and where da hell is my real life Hudson at? only complain tho, it lacked angst i wanted (and some stuff kinda dragged a little) but still overall great
August 1, 2020
❤️ Follow me on Instagram 💋
Amazing!
Exciting!
Heart breaking!
Painfully beautiful!
I have to say that I've never read M. Mabie before this one, but I'll definitely look forward to read her work again, especially with Aly.
I already knew and loved some of Aly Martinez books, and I can't point one single thing that I didn't liked in this book!
Alexis and Hudson just own my heart and I'm not even sure if I want it back. That's not true... They can give it to little Jack and I'll be ok too.
Hudson is the ultimate alpha/best friend/DILF/human being/partner in crime/Daddy/Boyfriend... You can pick any quality that you love in a man and I'm pretty sure that Hudson have it.
Lex is a crazy cat lover red head, that has lost her love too soon, and would've had lost everything else if it wasn't for her best friend Hudson's and her family's support.
They were so so soooo perfect as friends as they were as a couple, and their banter and craziness just make me love them even more.
I have to say that I sheered a few tears at the end, but it so worth it that I'm not even complaining about my swollen eyes.
I highly recommend this book!
ARC Reviewer
❤️ Follow me on Instagram 💋
Amazing!
Exciting!
Heart breaking!
Painfully beautiful!
I have to say that I've never read M. Mabie before this one, but I'll definitely look forward to read her work again, especially with Aly.
I already knew and loved some of Aly Martinez books, and I can't point one single thing that I didn't liked in this book!
Alexis and Hudson just own my heart and I'm not even sure if I want it back. That's not true... They can give it to little Jack and I'll be ok too.
Hudson is the ultimate alpha/best friend/DILF/human being/partner in crime/Daddy/Boyfriend... You can pick any quality that you love in a man and I'm pretty sure that Hudson have it.
Lex is a crazy cat lover red head, that has lost her love too soon, and would've had lost everything else if it wasn't for her best friend Hudson's and her family's support.
They were so so soooo perfect as friends as they were as a couple, and their banter and craziness just make me love them even more.
I have to say that I sheered a few tears at the end, but it so worth it that I'm not even complaining about my swollen eyes.
I highly recommend this book!
ARC Reviewer
❤️ Follow me on Instagram 💋
July 7, 2021
This is why I don't read friends-to-lovers stories. I was so weirded out with their relationship that it must have been embarrassing watching me reading this book.
To be completely honest I loved their banter, their relationship was sublime, such a good (and not realistic tbh) and healthy relationship... But I just don't get people who are friends for years and suddenly they realize they love each other in a completely new and different sense...
I was there for Jack though, can I love sweet children in books more? And dialogues between Hud and Lex were awesome... I ended up warming up to them towards the end, so not too bad, I guess.
To be completely honest I loved their banter, their relationship was sublime, such a good (and not realistic tbh) and healthy relationship... But I just don't get people who are friends for years and suddenly they realize they love each other in a completely new and different sense...
I was there for Jack though, can I love sweet children in books more? And dialogues between Hud and Lex were awesome... I ended up warming up to them towards the end, so not too bad, I guess.
February 28, 2021
4,5 stars... Loved it!!
October 22, 2020
What a fantastic author collaboration!!!
For anyone loving FRIENDS TO LOVERS - you MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!
The banter between the couple was GOLD! Their was lots of chemistry and feelings. And their love story was built on a 15 year old friendship. And it showed! It showed in the way they knew each other. How they supported one another and stood by each other.
I don't usually read friends to lovers romances but this one was really well done.
For anyone loving FRIENDS TO LOVERS - you MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!
The banter between the couple was GOLD! Their was lots of chemistry and feelings. And their love story was built on a 15 year old friendship. And it showed! It showed in the way they knew each other. How they supported one another and stood by each other.
I don't usually read friends to lovers romances but this one was really well done.
August 22, 2020
3,8. It’s a nice book!!!
It’s worth the reading!!!
It’s worth the reading!!!
March 24, 2021
This. was so. goddamn. good. I went into this expecting nothing, and received everything.
The dialogue and humor flowed so effortlessly and the relationship progression from friends to lovers was handled perfectly. Alexis was so funny and amazing, and Hudson was literally the ideal man. I mean I'm the dumb typa bitch that get suckered into liking bad boy/sad boi types that probably hate their moms, but Hudson has me upgrading. In the words of Will Hogue 'rock solid inside out someone you can trust steady as the sun.' That was Hudson. Damn need me just a loyal, low-maintenance, no-bullshit manual laborer type dude. My new kink is gonna be a stoic mechanic who dons the dickies jumpsuit.
That was our Hudson, sole protector. I swear he was part man and part man Australian Shepard with the way he had to know where everyone was at all times.
"I don't know whether to be angry with myself for taking this long to do this... or to be thankful. Because I swear to fucking God, Alexis Lawson, if I would have known how fucking perfect you were this whole time, I wouldn't have got fuck all of anything else done."
The dialogue and humor flowed so effortlessly and the relationship progression from friends to lovers was handled perfectly. Alexis was so funny and amazing, and Hudson was literally the ideal man. I mean I'm the dumb typa bitch that get suckered into liking bad boy/sad boi types that probably hate their moms, but Hudson has me upgrading. In the words of Will Hogue 'rock solid inside out someone you can trust steady as the sun.' That was Hudson. Damn need me just a loyal, low-maintenance, no-bullshit manual laborer type dude. My new kink is gonna be a stoic mechanic who dons the dickies jumpsuit.
That was our Hudson, sole protector. I swear he was part man and part man Australian Shepard with the way he had to know where everyone was at all times.
"I don't know whether to be angry with myself for taking this long to do this... or to be thankful. Because I swear to fucking God, Alexis Lawson, if I would have known how fucking perfect you were this whole time, I wouldn't have got fuck all of anything else done."
August 29, 2020
3.5.
Overall a nice read but some things just dragged on and on and some conflicts were unnecessary.
Overall a nice read but some things just dragged on and on and some conflicts were unnecessary.
January 2, 2021
Happy New Year! The year of vaccine.
Now my first book if 2021. When the Time Is Right is... well have the right timing for everything. The romance of best friend's brother is being told the way I like it. Not too much angst/ forbidden aspect on it. The right banter, push and pull between Hudson and Lex is just perfect.
The story does not bored me to death with the heroine playing hard to get. Miss Mabie telling us how the friendship between Hudson and Lex is everything from the start.
Overall I do enjoy this book so much. A good start
4 stars
Now my first book if 2021. When the Time Is Right is... well have the right timing for everything. The romance of best friend's brother is being told the way I like it. Not too much angst/ forbidden aspect on it. The right banter, push and pull between Hudson and Lex is just perfect.
The story does not bored me to death with the heroine playing hard to get. Miss Mabie telling us how the friendship between Hudson and Lex is everything from the start.
Overall I do enjoy this book so much. A good start
4 stars
April 15, 2023
2023 UPDATE (🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧) ... The #feels got feelier!! MAD props to Erin Mallon & Teddy Hamilton, M.A.D.!!
PEOPLE!! I have thoughts! I can't believe I did not come here last week to review. There is a lot to say about the greatness that is this story but for now I will leave you with this ... This book is easily my favorite of favorites for 2020 thus far! Standby for more ....
I don’t know what to tell you and not tell you about the story itself or rather the plot points because I honestly do not want to give this storyline away at all. Not because the story itself is some magical unicorn, no, because the way these two authors told unfolded the story is the power behind its greatness. Hand to God … over 80% of the time reading this story I was crying, for some reason or another, and 98% of the time I was smiling like a lunatic. I mean …. WHO ARE THESE WORD WIZARDS?!
Funny Story: I haven’t read a lot by M Mabie but I’ve read almost every word Aly Martinez has ever published and if it’s one thing I have learned for her books is expect the unexpected, the twists will probably have some twists of their own and they are never rom-coms. Those are truths I know to be true. But then she co-wrote When The Walls Come Down and wreaked havoc all up in my truths. They wrote an honest to goodness rom-com. I mean … who knew?! Here’s the part all of you get to laugh your butts off at me … so this book gets announced and I do what I do which is stay away from any and all advertisements because I like going in blind(ish). The books are even similar in look, amirite? So obviously I was expecting the same type of feel-good rom-com they delivered in the previous book. Well …….
Wanna know something even funnier? This is the best feel good, friends to more story I have probably read in a really long time. I wasn’t crying because of sadness per say (okay, that’s a lie, the prologue is ridiculous) it was more the sentimentality and emotion behind every single moment in time between Hudson and Lex. It’s a thing of beauty when you are laughing thru tears or crying thru laughter in a story. These two, even as friends, were next level. Their love for each other was amazing. The power of their friendship unrivaled. They were in love with each other even before they themselves knew it. And we as readers experienced their journey and awakening right along with them. I am in awe of this story.
Find out more about When the Time is Right in our Release Tour Post here: https://wp.me/p7rQ0C-4dJ
When the Time is Right, an all-new single dad contemporary romance standalone from USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez and M. Mabie is LIVE!
Grab your copy today, exclusively on Amazon!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ya9wEH
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/whenthetimeisright
PEOPLE!! I have thoughts! I can't believe I did not come here last week to review. There is a lot to say about the greatness that is this story but for now I will leave you with this ... This book is easily my favorite of favorites for 2020 thus far! Standby for more ....
I don’t know what to tell you and not tell you about the story itself or rather the plot points because I honestly do not want to give this storyline away at all. Not because the story itself is some magical unicorn, no, because the way these two authors told unfolded the story is the power behind its greatness. Hand to God … over 80% of the time reading this story I was crying, for some reason or another, and 98% of the time I was smiling like a lunatic. I mean …. WHO ARE THESE WORD WIZARDS?!
Funny Story: I haven’t read a lot by M Mabie but I’ve read almost every word Aly Martinez has ever published and if it’s one thing I have learned for her books is expect the unexpected, the twists will probably have some twists of their own and they are never rom-coms. Those are truths I know to be true. But then she co-wrote When The Walls Come Down and wreaked havoc all up in my truths. They wrote an honest to goodness rom-com. I mean … who knew?! Here’s the part all of you get to laugh your butts off at me … so this book gets announced and I do what I do which is stay away from any and all advertisements because I like going in blind(ish). The books are even similar in look, amirite? So obviously I was expecting the same type of feel-good rom-com they delivered in the previous book. Well …….
Wanna know something even funnier? This is the best feel good, friends to more story I have probably read in a really long time. I wasn’t crying because of sadness per say (okay, that’s a lie, the prologue is ridiculous) it was more the sentimentality and emotion behind every single moment in time between Hudson and Lex. It’s a thing of beauty when you are laughing thru tears or crying thru laughter in a story. These two, even as friends, were next level. Their love for each other was amazing. The power of their friendship unrivaled. They were in love with each other even before they themselves knew it. And we as readers experienced their journey and awakening right along with them. I am in awe of this story.
Find out more about When the Time is Right in our Release Tour Post here: https://wp.me/p7rQ0C-4dJ
When the Time is Right, an all-new single dad contemporary romance standalone from USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez and M. Mabie is LIVE!
Grab your copy today, exclusively on Amazon!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ya9wEH
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/whenthetimeisright
July 24, 2020
6 SHINING STARS!
OMG, this book! I adored this book! I loved every single word of this hilarious, heartbreaking story – a best-friends-to-lovers romance that is real and raw with all the feels. It��s an instant favourite.
I started this book last night and read straight through until I finished it at 2am, knowing I would only get four hours of sleep before having to get up for work, and I regret nothing. My mind is a sappy mess, so this review is going to be gushy and quote-whorey, but I assure you, this book deserves it.
This book is very loosely linked to the first co-write between these authors, When the Walls Come Down. Alexis works with Maggie and Shane, and they do appear a couple of times, which is fun, but it’s done without spoiling their story, and this book can absolutely standalone.
Hudson and Alexis met as teenagers. He was the best friend of her older brother, Cal, and when she joined them at high school, she became a part of their group. They grew to become best friends, and for over 15 years they have been by each other’s sides through all of life’s ups and down. Most notably, when Alexis lost the love of her life, and Hudson carried her through her grief, bringing them even closer over the six years since his death. They are as close as two people can be, and they share everything, with a fun, teasing relationship that is absolutely hilarious.
I love these characters! Hudson is a single father of a 7-year-old son, and is sweet, fun and dependable with a fantastic sense of humour – he’s exactly the kind of guy you want in your life. By contrast, Alexis is snarky and sarcastic, a bit chaotic, but she embraces who she is and gives no fucks at all. They are real and relatable, and the book is written in dual POV so we get up close and personal with them both, and just getting to know them both is so much fun.
But with all that is between them, the one thing they have never experienced is attraction. They are platonic best friends, and that is all, with never a hint of anything else. But then they make a bet to see who can set the other up with the best blind date (more hilarity), and then one drunken night and a soul-shattering kiss changes everything.
I love friends-to-lovers romance, and the thing I loved the most about this book is the way this one played out. Usually in these kinds of stories you have one character who is already feeling an attraction, but Hudson and Alexis are both equally stunned by the emergence of their feelings for each other. It’s an absolute surprise, and their reactions are so realistic - both of them freaked out at the sudden realisation, but at the same time completely accepting of it. And watching them come to terms with it all is so much fun!
True to the nature of their relationship though, they address it honestly and openly, embracing the massive shift and following their hearts, and oh, how I loved it!
They move forward with a mix of wonder, passion and excitement, but with very real expectations about what they are embarking on. It’s functional and honest, and it’s clear that they care for each other deeply, with so much emotion between them, but they still maintain that teasing playfulness that is such a fundamental part of their relationship, and it’s all just glorious.
But discovering their feelings and coming together is only the beginning of their journey, and there is so much more to this book. There is drama, and even more feels, but again, it’s realistic, it suits the story without overwhelming it, and it’s handled absolutely beautifully! I was glued to my kindle as I read, desperate to watch it all unfold – not wishing it away as you often do when there is drama and you just want to get to the HEA, but embracing it all as part of the story and loving every moment of it, even when it hurts.
This book is so, so beautiful. I love the mix of fun and heartfelt, and every single word is sheer perfection, whether it made me laugh, cry, or fall in love (and everything in between). It’s one of those books where you reread scenes over and over again to fully take it in, and then you get to the end of the book and wish that you could experience it new all over again. I freaking loved everything about it, and finished this book hugging my kindle with tears in my eyes.
The co-writing team of Mabie and Martinez seems to be pure gold, and I’m so freaking excited for whatever they have coming next!
Absolutely sensational – 6 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
OMG, this book! I adored this book! I loved every single word of this hilarious, heartbreaking story – a best-friends-to-lovers romance that is real and raw with all the feels. It��s an instant favourite.
I started this book last night and read straight through until I finished it at 2am, knowing I would only get four hours of sleep before having to get up for work, and I regret nothing. My mind is a sappy mess, so this review is going to be gushy and quote-whorey, but I assure you, this book deserves it.
This book is very loosely linked to the first co-write between these authors, When the Walls Come Down. Alexis works with Maggie and Shane, and they do appear a couple of times, which is fun, but it’s done without spoiling their story, and this book can absolutely standalone.
Hudson and Alexis met as teenagers. He was the best friend of her older brother, Cal, and when she joined them at high school, she became a part of their group. They grew to become best friends, and for over 15 years they have been by each other’s sides through all of life’s ups and down. Most notably, when Alexis lost the love of her life, and Hudson carried her through her grief, bringing them even closer over the six years since his death. They are as close as two people can be, and they share everything, with a fun, teasing relationship that is absolutely hilarious.
“Wait.” One of his eyebrows lifted, and I could have sworn he blushed. “You think I have big dick energy?”
I didn’t have anything to hide. “Hell yeah. You’re all buff and manly and stacked. All that swagger you toss around. Plus, I know your dick is big.” Facts were facts. Big dicks were big dicks. And I didn’t make the rules or hand out the dicks.
I refilled my glass and poured a little more in his.
“You’ve never seen my dick.”
“Oh, yes I have. I saw that monster your senior year of high school when we went skinny dipping at the Foresters’ pond.”
He scratched the back of his neck and grimaced. “Don’t look at my dick.”
“Well, I haven’t since then.” I laughed. “But I bet the damn thing is even bigger now.”
I love these characters! Hudson is a single father of a 7-year-old son, and is sweet, fun and dependable with a fantastic sense of humour – he’s exactly the kind of guy you want in your life. By contrast, Alexis is snarky and sarcastic, a bit chaotic, but she embraces who she is and gives no fucks at all. They are real and relatable, and the book is written in dual POV so we get up close and personal with them both, and just getting to know them both is so much fun.
But with all that is between them, the one thing they have never experienced is attraction. They are platonic best friends, and that is all, with never a hint of anything else. But then they make a bet to see who can set the other up with the best blind date (more hilarity), and then one drunken night and a soul-shattering kiss changes everything.
I love friends-to-lovers romance, and the thing I loved the most about this book is the way this one played out. Usually in these kinds of stories you have one character who is already feeling an attraction, but Hudson and Alexis are both equally stunned by the emergence of their feelings for each other. It’s an absolute surprise, and their reactions are so realistic - both of them freaked out at the sudden realisation, but at the same time completely accepting of it. And watching them come to terms with it all is so much fun!
“I need to find out if this, whatever’s been building between us, is something.”
Wouldn’t that be nice? Up until that very second, it had all been so one-sided and I’d racked my brain all week to understand why I’d felt the crazy things I did about him.
“How you gonna do that?”
“We’re going to kiss,” he stated very matter-of-factly, and then he closed the distance between our bodies.
True to the nature of their relationship though, they address it honestly and openly, embracing the massive shift and following their hearts, and oh, how I loved it!
“Lex, babe, please hear me when I say this. I will always be your friend, but after the last few days, there is nothing even remotely friendly about the things I want to do to you.”
They move forward with a mix of wonder, passion and excitement, but with very real expectations about what they are embarking on. It’s functional and honest, and it’s clear that they care for each other deeply, with so much emotion between them, but they still maintain that teasing playfulness that is such a fundamental part of their relationship, and it’s all just glorious.
“Kid, I’m in love with you. Right now. You hear me? Right now, I’m so Goddamned in love with you I can hardly fucking breathe. I never knew feeling like this was possible, but I’d bet everything I have that I’ve loved you for years.”
“Let me make you mine.”
“Please”.
But discovering their feelings and coming together is only the beginning of their journey, and there is so much more to this book. There is drama, and even more feels, but again, it’s realistic, it suits the story without overwhelming it, and it’s handled absolutely beautifully! I was glued to my kindle as I read, desperate to watch it all unfold – not wishing it away as you often do when there is drama and you just want to get to the HEA, but embracing it all as part of the story and loving every moment of it, even when it hurts.
“You don’t need to protect me. Especially not from you.”
He took my face in his palms and leaned down to kiss me, but before our mouths parted, he said, “Don’t you get it, Lex? I’ve had this relentless need to protect you nearly half my life. I have no plans of stopping now.”
“I will always be here for you. There isn’t a world that exists where I’m not gonna be around for you.”
This book is so, so beautiful. I love the mix of fun and heartfelt, and every single word is sheer perfection, whether it made me laugh, cry, or fall in love (and everything in between). It’s one of those books where you reread scenes over and over again to fully take it in, and then you get to the end of the book and wish that you could experience it new all over again. I freaking loved everything about it, and finished this book hugging my kindle with tears in my eyes.
“You belong with me. You have always belonged with me.”
The co-writing team of Mabie and Martinez seems to be pure gold, and I’m so freaking excited for whatever they have coming next!
Absolutely sensational – 6 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645500038i/37448930._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
September 11, 2020
✰ 5 stars ✰
this book made me emotional af and it's hard to put into words everything I felt, but just read it and you'll understand (but don't @ me if you end up hating it lmao). I loved both Alexis (h) and Hudson (H) - individually and as a couple - but, most of all, freaking adorable yet too smart for his own good Jack (Hudson's son). The trio made such a beautiful family and I loved them, ok. ♡
this book made me emotional af and it's hard to put into words everything I felt, but just read it and you'll understand (but don't @ me if you end up hating it lmao). I loved both Alexis (h) and Hudson (H) - individually and as a couple - but, most of all, freaking adorable yet too smart for his own good Jack (Hudson's son). The trio made such a beautiful family and I loved them, ok. ♡
August 4, 2020
4.25 Stars ⭐️
November 13, 2021
I would just like to put this out here...
This just might be the most perfect book on friends-to-lovers romance.
Oh you read it wrong.
This IS the best and the most perfect book on friends-to-lovers romance. 🙌🙌🙌
Here's a question I asked myself throughout my reading journey - why had this book been sitting in my TBR for so long?!?! 🤧
But then I realized that it's neither here nor there because I'm already happy - beyond elated, really - to finally finish this one. And when I did? Oh my!! Right when I reached the end, I just had this warm fuzzy feeling enveloping my entire body right down to my core. I swear I felt it embedded and tucked itself in my DNA.
You know the feeling you get when -
🛌🏽hitting the bed after a long tiring day
☕sipping a cuppa hot chocolate on a cold rainy night
🧸getting a warm bear hug from your favorite person
🐶your dog staring at you as if you hung the moon
..that's what this book gave me. And more. Oh, so much more.💕
I won't go into details because I can't just spoil you the masterpiece of this story involving my two babies - Hudson and Alexis. Just be prepared to forget everything you thought you knew how a friends-to-lovers trope should be written because this book should be the *bible* of that trope.
🎯From prologue to epilogue? It's consistently good. And I mean great kind of good.
🎯The transition of the leads' relationship from best friends to lovers without the extreme awkwardness, stubborn denial, crazy drama, and annoying moments when they just fuck everything up? Yeah, there's NONE of those.
🎯The way they are each other's rock, cheerleader, protector, reality-checker, partner in crime and how it just leveled up to something fierce when they finally got together? Absolute perfection.
🎯This book only includes all the great things:
Now, now let's discuss the one thing you might get iffy about - when Hud calls Lex "Kid." They've been friends for, like, forever and have been family since. Lex is also younger than Hudson hence the nickname.
*cue Dua Lipa's IDGAF* because I don't care. Hudson can call me Kid whenever he likes because that man is a gift to mankind. If you must know though...he stopped calling her that and changed the endearment to Babe when they got together, but what they call each other bears little to the plot because right off the bat you'll know they're meant for each other, nicknames notwithstanding.
Giving a good section of my review to some of my favorite lines (I'm keeping my promise of not spoiling - at least not majorly - this one for you so you better read this okay!!) because it woudn't be occupying a prime real estate that is a space in my favorites shelf if not for its content right? 🤓
Including one from the seven-going-on-twenty-five, wiser-than-all-adults Jack Bradley. I loved this kid!! And just how the author wrote his future in that amazing epilogue?! Oh wow. Did not expect it at all.
This just might be the most perfect book on friends-to-lovers romance.
Oh you read it wrong.
This IS the best and the most perfect book on friends-to-lovers romance. 🙌🙌🙌
Here's a question I asked myself throughout my reading journey - why had this book been sitting in my TBR for so long?!?! 🤧
But then I realized that it's neither here nor there because I'm already happy - beyond elated, really - to finally finish this one. And when I did? Oh my!! Right when I reached the end, I just had this warm fuzzy feeling enveloping my entire body right down to my core. I swear I felt it embedded and tucked itself in my DNA.
You know the feeling you get when -
🛌🏽hitting the bed after a long tiring day
☕sipping a cuppa hot chocolate on a cold rainy night
🧸getting a warm bear hug from your favorite person
🐶your dog staring at you as if you hung the moon
..that's what this book gave me. And more. Oh, so much more.💕
I won't go into details because I can't just spoil you the masterpiece of this story involving my two babies - Hudson and Alexis. Just be prepared to forget everything you thought you knew how a friends-to-lovers trope should be written because this book should be the *bible* of that trope.
🎯From prologue to epilogue? It's consistently good. And I mean great kind of good.
🎯The transition of the leads' relationship from best friends to lovers without the extreme awkwardness, stubborn denial, crazy drama, and annoying moments when they just fuck everything up? Yeah, there's NONE of those.
🎯The way they are each other's rock, cheerleader, protector, reality-checker, partner in crime and how it just leveled up to something fierce when they finally got together? Absolute perfection.
🎯This book only includes all the great things:
✨The best of friendships
✨Hell, even their exes were great
✨Lovely family times and even lovelier side characters (cats included)
✨Pure maturity in handling tough situations
✨Heartwarming moments - realistically told too, if I may say
✨Big smile-inducing scenes that would make you look stupid
Now, now let's discuss the one thing you might get iffy about - when Hud calls Lex "Kid." They've been friends for, like, forever and have been family since. Lex is also younger than Hudson hence the nickname.
*cue Dua Lipa's IDGAF* because I don't care. Hudson can call me Kid whenever he likes because that man is a gift to mankind. If you must know though...he stopped calling her that and changed the endearment to Babe when they got together, but what they call each other bears little to the plot because right off the bat you'll know they're meant for each other, nicknames notwithstanding.
Giving a good section of my review to some of my favorite lines (I'm keeping my promise of not spoiling - at least not majorly - this one for you so you better read this okay!!) because it woudn't be occupying a prime real estate that is a space in my favorites shelf if not for its content right? 🤓
"You still need that space?"
She stared in my eye for a long second. "I don't know."
"Say the word and I'll get dressed and go. But I'd really fucking like it if you didn't. It's still me, Lex." I lifted her hand off her stomach and kissed her palm before resting it on my bare pec. "Same old Hudson I've always been, just wearing slightly less clothes."
--
I turned my face toward his in the dim, flickering light. "Okay. Time in. This really doesn't feel strange to you? Like, us?"
"No," he answered without hesitation. "It feels natural to me. Unexpected maybe, but right."
Including one from the seven-going-on-twenty-five, wiser-than-all-adults Jack Bradley. I loved this kid!! And just how the author wrote his future in that amazing epilogue?! Oh wow. Did not expect it at all.
"You're boyfriend and girlfriend?" Jack asked.I MEAAAAN, THIS KID. 🥺💖
"Why didn't you just say something, then? I'm smart enough to get it, Dad. Besides, you guys already argue like Grampa and Mimi. So it actually makes more sense now anyway."
July 29, 2020
FTCL
***ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR.❤
***ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR.❤
September 20, 2020
5 This Is How To Do It Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
This is a Masterclass in how to write a friend to lovers trope. Period. There wasn't one false move and I was strapped into my chair reading this. Seriously, it would not allow me to do anything but bask in the beauty of this story.
My going on and on and on about all the details and delights would take up much to much space and time. Instead, if you want more specifics, than please look at all the other fantastic reviews.
The only additional information I will give is this is extremely sexy, funny, caring, kind, and so well written. Thank You M. Mabie and Aly Martinez.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Any Time is Right When...
Aly Martinez and M.Mable Get Together...
This Time They're Giving Us...
A Brother's Best Friend...
A Single Dad...
With ALL THE FEELS...
Oh, From Past Experience...
With Their Pairing on...
When the Walls Come Down...
I Can Guarantee...
We Know Their Partnership
Will Happen Again...
When the Time Is Right-July 30, 2020
When the Walls Come Down
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
When the Time Is Right
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * * Spoiler Free
This is a Masterclass in how to write a friend to lovers trope. Period. There wasn't one false move and I was strapped into my chair reading this. Seriously, it would not allow me to do anything but bask in the beauty of this story.
My going on and on and on about all the details and delights would take up much to much space and time. Instead, if you want more specifics, than please look at all the other fantastic reviews.
The only additional information I will give is this is extremely sexy, funny, caring, kind, and so well written. Thank You M. Mabie and Aly Martinez.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Any Time is Right When...
Aly Martinez and M.Mable Get Together...
This Time They're Giving Us...
A Brother's Best Friend...
A Single Dad...
With ALL THE FEELS...
Oh, From Past Experience...
With Their Pairing on...
When the Walls Come Down...
I Can Guarantee...
We Know Their Partnership
Will Happen Again...
When the Time Is Right-July 30, 2020
When the Walls Come Downhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
When the Time Is Righthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
July 30, 2020
4.5 stars
Is there anything better than a best friends to lovers story? You know it’s going to happen and the anticipation keeps you on the edge of each page as the story unfolds. Then, when it does you do a fist pump and get lost in something that just feels so right…even if the main characters are struggling with the new path their friendship is taking. That is what happened when I read this story :)
Hudson and Alexis have known each other for most of their lives, he is best friends with her brother Cal. The last six years he has been there for her on an almost daily basis after she went through something profoundly tragic that completely capsized her happily buoyant life. He was the life raft she needed to stay afloat during a harrowing time and he has never stepped back from that almost obsessive need to protect her.
‘There isn’t a world that exists where I’m not gonna be around for you. Where we go one, we go all.’
Alexis is in need of some ‘big dick energy’ and she is tired of her mum setting her up with guys that she feels no attraction to - she really needs to get laid. She makes a bet with Hudson that involves her setting him up on three dates of his choosing and her doing the same for him. Now, everyone in their lives has noticed how close these two have become over the years and they can see how deep they are in with each other. However, it takes six dates for them to realise this themselves.
‘I’d spent over fifteen years being immune to Alexis Lawson, and then three words and my name didn’t just open that door in my brain, they drop-kicked it right off the hinges. ‘I liked it Hudson.’
When they start seeing each other in a different light, things begin to shift and Alexis battles with all these new feelings she has around Hudson. Once they both realise the feelings are mutual all bets are off. I squealed with excitement when this shift between them happened because it just felt so natural and right. And so, so, so damn hot, squee!!!
‘I don’t know whether to be angry with myself for taking so long to do this… or to be thankful. Because I swear to fucking God, Alexis Lawson, if I would have known how fucking perfect you were this whole time, I wouldn’t have got fuck all of anything else done.’
I’d love to say ‘and they lived happy ever after’ but they do hit a couple of forks in the road along the way. And you are going to love the most important secondary character, Jack - Hudson’s son. He brings a whole level of love to this story too. Needless to say I loved every moment of this!
Is there anything better than a best friends to lovers story? You know it’s going to happen and the anticipation keeps you on the edge of each page as the story unfolds. Then, when it does you do a fist pump and get lost in something that just feels so right…even if the main characters are struggling with the new path their friendship is taking. That is what happened when I read this story :)
Hudson and Alexis have known each other for most of their lives, he is best friends with her brother Cal. The last six years he has been there for her on an almost daily basis after she went through something profoundly tragic that completely capsized her happily buoyant life. He was the life raft she needed to stay afloat during a harrowing time and he has never stepped back from that almost obsessive need to protect her.
‘There isn’t a world that exists where I’m not gonna be around for you. Where we go one, we go all.’
Alexis is in need of some ‘big dick energy’ and she is tired of her mum setting her up with guys that she feels no attraction to - she really needs to get laid. She makes a bet with Hudson that involves her setting him up on three dates of his choosing and her doing the same for him. Now, everyone in their lives has noticed how close these two have become over the years and they can see how deep they are in with each other. However, it takes six dates for them to realise this themselves.
‘I’d spent over fifteen years being immune to Alexis Lawson, and then three words and my name didn’t just open that door in my brain, they drop-kicked it right off the hinges. ‘I liked it Hudson.’
When they start seeing each other in a different light, things begin to shift and Alexis battles with all these new feelings she has around Hudson. Once they both realise the feelings are mutual all bets are off. I squealed with excitement when this shift between them happened because it just felt so natural and right. And so, so, so damn hot, squee!!!
‘I don’t know whether to be angry with myself for taking so long to do this… or to be thankful. Because I swear to fucking God, Alexis Lawson, if I would have known how fucking perfect you were this whole time, I wouldn’t have got fuck all of anything else done.’
I’d love to say ‘and they lived happy ever after’ but they do hit a couple of forks in the road along the way. And you are going to love the most important secondary character, Jack - Hudson’s son. He brings a whole level of love to this story too. Needless to say I loved every moment of this!
October 31, 2020
Mejor amigo de mi hermano
Single Dad
Friends to lovers
De los clichés que más me gustan, tenía todo para que me encantara y sumándoles que s de Aly Martinez pero por una extraña razón no lo disfruté como yo hubiera querido pero si me gustó eh.
Una de las cosas por las que no disfruté este libro fue la protagonista ya que la sinopsis dice una cosa y pasa otra.
Ella no es la que lucha por Hudson sino él es el que siempre está luchando por ella ya que ella tiene mil pretextos y objeciones para no estar con él.
Eso sí me encantó su relación con Jack el hijo de Hudson eran bastante divertidos, me hicieron mucho reír.
Hudson por otro lado es lo mejor del libro, siempre estando ahí para Lex, protegiéndola, luchando por ella y ser el hombro en que apoyarse.
A pesar de que es un libro de Aly Martinez no es tan angsty, es más ligero y también es divertido.
Single Dad
Friends to lovers
De los clichés que más me gustan, tenía todo para que me encantara y sumándoles que s de Aly Martinez pero por una extraña razón no lo disfruté como yo hubiera querido pero si me gustó eh.
Una de las cosas por las que no disfruté este libro fue la protagonista ya que la sinopsis dice una cosa y pasa otra.
Ella no es la que lucha por Hudson sino él es el que siempre está luchando por ella ya que ella tiene mil pretextos y objeciones para no estar con él.
Eso sí me encantó su relación con Jack el hijo de Hudson eran bastante divertidos, me hicieron mucho reír.
Hudson por otro lado es lo mejor del libro, siempre estando ahí para Lex, protegiéndola, luchando por ella y ser el hombro en que apoyarse.
A pesar de que es un libro de Aly Martinez no es tan angsty, es más ligero y también es divertido.
May 29, 2022
ADORABLE!!!!
One of the cutest and sweetest books I have read in a while! I am a SUCKER for these tropes (brother’s BFF, single dad) and this book did not disappoint.
One of the cutest and sweetest books I have read in a while! I am a SUCKER for these tropes (brother’s BFF, single dad) and this book did not disappoint.
August 19, 2021
DNF at around 50%, seeing I'm still not feeling it.
I guess I should never try "friends-to-lovers" trope again. None of them are convincing.
I guess I should never try "friends-to-lovers" trope again. None of them are convincing.
December 3, 2021
3.5 The two main characters and the banter between them (even a couple of scenes) reminded me so much of Lexi and Blake from I Sold Myself to the Devil for Vinyls… that I could not get passed it. The story is evidently different but there was something very familiar with the characters’ personalities and how they handled things. I liked it but not as much as the wattpad story. To be fair though, it was my favourite out of everything I read back in high school when wattpad was my #1 hobby.
The friends to lovers aspect in this one was a bit weird at first but after they acknowledged their feelings, it was like they allowed themselves to see each other sexually and romantically for the first time without having to hide it or view each other solely as aesthetically pleasing. There was just the right amount of drama - not too much nor too little and the epilogue was satisfying.
The friends to lovers aspect in this one was a bit weird at first but after they acknowledged their feelings, it was like they allowed themselves to see each other sexually and romantically for the first time without having to hide it or view each other solely as aesthetically pleasing. There was just the right amount of drama - not too much nor too little and the epilogue was satisfying.
December 16, 2020
3.5
Me gustó y me sorprendió... la verdad conociendo a Aly esperaba algo totalmente diferente pero termino por gustarme mucho
Me gustó y me sorprendió... la verdad conociendo a Aly esperaba algo totalmente diferente pero termino por gustarme mucho
August 7, 2020
FANTASTIC friend to lover! Quite emotional too 😭 One of my favorite this year ❤️
OMG! I really love this book. Such a fantastic friend-to-lover romance. Alexis and Hudson grew up together and has been friends forever. They never see each other beyond friendships until one kiss changed it all. Hudson runs a construction business and a fulltime dad to the cutest little 7 years old boy. Alexis has been through hell and back. She finally getting back to her feet and trying to move on with her life. I have to say I did not expect the emotional and heartbreaking plot surrounding Alexis and her past. How Hudson stepped up and always was by her side every step of the way. Ladies and gents! Hudson is a good man!!! The sweetest, swooniest hero – Love love him. Alexis is funny and adorable. The big part of that is her loveable personality, but she is also masking deep pain and a wounded heart that she can quite let go. Alexis has some healing to do before she can love freely and have the HEA they both deserved.
What I really love about this story is that Alexis and Hudson journey felt real. Real people, real jobs, and real-life issues we all face. I was also relief there weren’t any typical cattiest between the exes. Hudson’s ex has some issues she has to work out, but since they were all childhood friends it was not the typical jealousy and nastiness. That was refreshing to see for once - adults act like adults 😊 I really enjoy the flirty friends-to-lovers romance – Alexis and Hudson are so cute and sweet. They have awesome banters and incredible chemistry. I can feel that they belong together. I adore little Jack – he is so smart, funny and has a good heart. Like father, like son! I also like the hilarious meddling grandparents. Overall, this was a page-turner - sweet, funny, steamy, romantic and heartfelt read. Beautifully written by both authors. Fluid and seamless from the beginning until the end. Highly recommended!
OMG! I really love this book. Such a fantastic friend-to-lover romance. Alexis and Hudson grew up together and has been friends forever. They never see each other beyond friendships until one kiss changed it all. Hudson runs a construction business and a fulltime dad to the cutest little 7 years old boy. Alexis has been through hell and back. She finally getting back to her feet and trying to move on with her life. I have to say I did not expect the emotional and heartbreaking plot surrounding Alexis and her past. How Hudson stepped up and always was by her side every step of the way. Ladies and gents! Hudson is a good man!!! The sweetest, swooniest hero – Love love him. Alexis is funny and adorable. The big part of that is her loveable personality, but she is also masking deep pain and a wounded heart that she can quite let go. Alexis has some healing to do before she can love freely and have the HEA they both deserved.
What I really love about this story is that Alexis and Hudson journey felt real. Real people, real jobs, and real-life issues we all face. I was also relief there weren’t any typical cattiest between the exes. Hudson’s ex has some issues she has to work out, but since they were all childhood friends it was not the typical jealousy and nastiness. That was refreshing to see for once - adults act like adults 😊 I really enjoy the flirty friends-to-lovers romance – Alexis and Hudson are so cute and sweet. They have awesome banters and incredible chemistry. I can feel that they belong together. I adore little Jack – he is so smart, funny and has a good heart. Like father, like son! I also like the hilarious meddling grandparents. Overall, this was a page-turner - sweet, funny, steamy, romantic and heartfelt read. Beautifully written by both authors. Fluid and seamless from the beginning until the end. Highly recommended!
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
October 18, 2020DNF 30%
Too slow moving for my mood.
Too slow moving for my mood.
January 9, 2023
"it struck me like a thousand arrows falling from the sky because I knew to the core of my soul she should have been in my arms..Don’t you get it, Lex? I’ve had this relentless need to protect you nearly half my life. I have no plans of stopping now.”❤️
A beautiful story of best friends turned to lovers and brother's best friend trope. Single dad falls for his best friend's sister. A great telling of how friends slowly fall in love with one another and all the heartaches in between.
"But, I’m in love with you. Right now. You hear me? Right now, I’m so Goddamned in love with you I can hardly fucking breathe. I never knew feeling like this was possible..."
Tropes I'm not too fond of is the dead-ex, and the competition between the living and dead.
Rating 4 stars 🌟
A beautiful story of best friends turned to lovers and brother's best friend trope. Single dad falls for his best friend's sister. A great telling of how friends slowly fall in love with one another and all the heartaches in between.
"But, I’m in love with you. Right now. You hear me? Right now, I’m so Goddamned in love with you I can hardly fucking breathe. I never knew feeling like this was possible..."
Tropes I'm not too fond of is the dead-ex, and the competition between the living and dead.
Rating 4 stars 🌟
March 14, 2021
Loved Alexis & Hudson’s story.
When the Time is Right was a sweet, brothers best-friend/ childhood friends to lovers romance. I really enjoyed the story - it was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. Add in the fact the Hudson is a single parent too and you have yourself a swoon worthy story that you won’t be able to put down!
When the Time is Right was a sweet, brothers best-friend/ childhood friends to lovers romance. I really enjoyed the story - it was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. Add in the fact the Hudson is a single parent too and you have yourself a swoon worthy story that you won’t be able to put down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 554 reviews