Let Love Be by Melissa Collins - Release Day Event, Giveaway

Book Title:  Let Love Be

Author: Melissa Collins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date:April 7, 2014

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

What would bring you happiness in a world that was suddenly empty?

For Lucy Crane, the answer is simple: her daughter. When her husband is killed in a tragic accident, Lucy loses her desire to live, but only one thing keeps her going – her unborn daughter. Focusing on being a mother helps Lucy cope with her loss, but kids grow up and they leave home, eventually. Eighteen years after losing her first and only love, Lucy is faced with the opportunity to find the happiness for which she’s always longed. Her own fears become her worst enemies as she learns how to embrace love once again.

Evan Donovan is also facing his own struggles. Forced to retire from the FDNY because of lung damage caused by 9/11, Evan moves to upstate New York where he hopes to find a little peace and quiet. Old habits die hard, and Evan’s hero complex and survivor’s guilt constantly remind him of how difficult it is to be vulnerable. But for the first time in his life, he’s tired of being alone.

Drawing strength from one another, Lucy and Evan discover how beautiful it is to let love be a part of their lives.

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I have been looking forward for this installment since reading a sneak peek of the first chapter. I just knew it would be just as good as the rest or even better.

Lucy had been a mother not just to Melanie, but to Maddy as well. She had spent a lot of her time nurturing these two amazing girls, and it was just right for her to get her own HEA as well. It was never too late. Thankfully, Evan came in her life. He wasn’t as perfect as Jimmy, he was rough around the edges, but for the first time in eighteen years, her heart and stomach did somersaults. For the first time, and clearly unexpected, I see the different side of Lucy – the sexy, and flirtatious kind and it was so fun to watch.

Life was tough getting through without her husband. She didn’t have plans of becoming a single parent, but she did it with flying colors. She had submerged herself into becoming the best mother in the world, and even overcompensate the absence of her husband. Her happiness relies on Melanie, until her daughter went off to college and empty nest syndrome sets in.

I was glad that Linda was around for her. She was very supportive, to a point that she signed her up to an online dating just to give her a head start into the world of dating again. She was around when Jimmy died, and never left her side, and still there until Melanie went to college. I think she lightened her burden when it was too much for her.

I didn’t think a man with salt-and-pepper-type of hair can be hot. Evan proved to be way beyond his age not just for still being sweet, or having some stupid decisions sometimes, he still have that, ahem, stamina that can keep you awake at night. OKAY, how did they meet? It was on a funeral – Becca’s (Reid’s mother). Evan was Joe’s brother, who was married to Becca. Even then, they hit it off, but Evan didn’t think they would meet again. He was working for the FDNY until he was forced into retirement because of health reasons.

Fate worked its magic, and their paths once again crossed. He decided to settle into the same town as Joe’s, and bumped into Lucy once again. One thing led into another, but Evan had always thought he is unworthy of love – until Lucy came into his life. Good thing his brother was there to smack some senses into him. I loved him because he didn’t push, he had some unwise decisions but he just knows how to make up for it. He treats her, and even the girls – Melanie and Maddy – like queens. This guy was something else, as for momma – her allowing her own happiness to be set aside for her girls was so worth it. Evan is quite a catch. You will fall in love with him just as you fell in love with the two younger boys in the previous series.

This book is all about second chances in love. It’s about healing and moving forward. That love, can indeed come in a time you have least expected it and can be as strong and as passionate as ever. This book exceeded my expectations, and if there is another book in the series, like perhaps Joe’s or Linda’s, I would be eagerly anticipating for it as well…

As I said in my previous reviews, Melissa Collins just keeps on getting better and better as the series grows, and this is the type of series you wouldn’t want to miss. 

✪Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.✪

“Oh, I love this movie.” She settles on Forrest Gump as I grab my second slice.

“So, you already know about my history. What about you? Have you ever been married?” Forrest’s proposal to Jenny plays in the background.

“No. I mean, I’ve had a few relationships here and there, but work always got in the way. Staying single was somehow easier.”

“Same here. I mean, when Melanie was a kid, it was much easier to just focus on that part of my life.”

“Now?” I hazard a question that takes even me by surprise.

She puts her plate down on the coffee table and swallows back a large sip of water. “Now, I’m not so sure.”

Suddenly, my mind races with the possibilities of what her words mean. It’s crazy to think how just a few encounters with Lucy have made me re-evaluate my feelings. Obviously, she feels the same way. A calm and peaceful air falls on us as a small smile curls at my lips.

A comfortable silence fills the space as we watch the movie, recalling some memories when certain scenes come up.

Nothing prepares me for Lucy’s reaction when Jenny and Forrest get married and she tells him she’s sick. I try not to look at her, wanting to avoid making her feel like she’s in the spotlight or anything like that. I do notice a few stray tears streaking down her cheeks so I can only imagine what’s to come.

As we watch Forrest sitting beside Jenny’s grave, reading a letter from their son, Lucy reaches for a napkin. Clutching it to her chest, I can see her breathing rapidly. What were just a few tears earlier is now a steady stream. She doesn’t say anything, won’t even look at me, but I can’t watch her cry like this.

I shift on the small, overstuffed sofa and drape my arm around her. The top of her head fits perfectly into the crook of my shoulder. The scent of her hair takes over my senses; the sound of her softly sniffling through her tears tugs at my heart.

I alternate between squeezing her arm and tracing my fingers up over her shoulder. When she seems to have gathered her emotions, calming down a bit, my instincts take over and I act seemingly without thinking.

Or maybe I am thinking and I’m just afraid of what I’m thinking.

Gently pressing my lips to the top of her soft, brown hair feels like second nature. She tenses momentarily, and I realize I may have just overstepped my boundaries.

“Sorry about that.” I straighten in my seat and try to move my arm, but her fingers fall to my forearm. She looks up at me through long lashes with puffy, red eyes from crying.

“Don’t be.” Her voice is soft, angel-like. “It’s nice to be held.”

That piece of information prompts me to pull her even closer. “Well, I’m glad I could be of service.”

She laughs softly and then takes a deep breath before she shifts to move away from me, which just makes me pull her close once again. “Don’t,” planting another quick kiss to her head, “it’s nice to have someone to hold.”

I’ve always been an avid reader. Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer. Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer. I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it. When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity. My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there. I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

    

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