FINDING EVER AFTER by Stephanie Hoffman McManus : Review by Juls

Finding Ever After by Stephanie Hoffman McManus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



****** I Love Story Time was gifted an ARC in exchange for an honest review *****

5 Stars!!!

It has been a while since I have read a story that kept me up until 2:30 in the morning! I literally had to force myself to put my kindle down and go to bed! Then when I woke up the next morning, I just rolled over and started reading again. Yes! It was that good! I finished this book in 2 days! It is not a short read by any means, but I just couldn't stop from wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved Bas, Kyden, and Jaxyen.

Bas and Jaxyn have been best friends since they were little. They grew up living next door to each other. Over the years, through middle and high school, they have always been there for each other and have always been close like sister and brother. Over time people thought there was something going on between them but they have always been just friends. Then one night everything changes for Jaxyn and she leaves town with out telling anyone. Not her family or any of her friends including Bas. Now, 3 years later, she finds out some new information about her family that brings her back home. The first night she comes home, she goes to see Bas for the first time in 3 years. When he first sees her he can't believe his eyes. He can't believe she's back and he lets her know exactly how he feels about her leaving him 3 years ago and how things were "supposed to be"....

"So much happened Jazz and you were supposed to be here for it. You were supposed to be there on move in day at the dorms and you should've been there when I failed my first exam and thought I was going to have to change my major because there was no way I was cut out for it, and you should have been in those fucking stands, screaming your head off every time I scored on the field. But you weren't. You weren't here. You were God knows where."

I felt so bad for Bas. You can totally tell how hurt he was and how much pain he went through when Jaxyn left. Once Bas and Jax make up after getting everything out in the open, he then introduces her to his friends which are also his brother Chris' band-mates. One particular band mate that catches her eye is Kyden. Oh man...Kyden! There's so much to say about Mr. Hotness! I love him. I wanted to jump in the story and knock his walls down and force him to believe in himself. Kyden has every wall up that can be possible and is not willing to take any of them down. From the moment Kyden and Jax meet, their push and pull relationship starts. Jax knows Kyden is a player that uses girls for sex, but she can't help the way she feels about him. However, Jax is not the only one that is holding her feelings back. Kyden knows that Jax deserves the happily ever after that she always speaks about. He knows that she deserves to be showered with love by her prince, but he also knows that he's no prince charming but doesn't want anyone else to have her either.....

"I know I have no right, but I'm asking anyway. I can't watch you with him. If you want us to be friends, I can't watch you with any of the guys Princess. If that makes me a selfish asshole, fine, I'm a selfish asshole, but I wanted to hurt him tonight and that's fucked up. I've never let a girl come between us and I don't want to now, but I want you. I understand why I can't have you, but please don't fucking ask me to watch one of my best friends have you."

There are so many more parts in this story that I want to quote. I think I literally almost highlighted the whole book! What I will say is, I loved this story! This book was not only a love story; it also had suspense as well. I can't believe all the things that Jaxyn went through. She is one strong girl and has the best of friends to get her through it all. While I was reading this story, it reminded me of the books Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens and Taking Chances by Molly McAdams. I loved those books and I really think that this one is right up there with them on my list of favs! So, if you liked those books, I highly recommend you pick this one up! I can not wait to read Book 2, Chasing Ever After! I really liked Ace in this story to the point that I almost wanted Jaxyn to like him!! I am really looking forward to reading about his story and his ever after!


~Juls

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