This Life and All The Rest by Brit Benson {a review}

She's heaven and she's hell. She's my reward and my punishment. She'll ruin me again. I know it.

Brit Benson broke my heart with how The Love of my Next Life ended. Then came the wait for This Life and All the Rest. Lennon and Macon's story stuck with me, and I had to know how their story ended. So when I received an advanced copy of This Life and All the Rest I immediately dove in. From the moment I picked it up, I struggled to put it down. There were so many emotions packed in this book. There was 4 years of untold happenings waiting to be brought up.

My rating for This Life and All the Rest:

I'm going to be intentionally vague on a lot of happenings in this book, as it is a continuation of the first. So please bare with me on that. If you want me to expand on anything, drop me an email. There's a content/trigger warning I want to mention, but it's also a spoiler. So I'm conflicted on that. Is it enough to mention it just being a content/trigger warning without going into specifics? I'm going with yes.

This was a spectacular conclusion to Lennon and Macon's story! The secrets that were revealed. The truths that were spoken. The friendships that were made. The friendships that were broken. The hearts that had been broken being healed. It was all so damn wonderful.

Book one broke my heart. Book two continued with the heartache, and thankfully by the end healing was happening.

Everything Lennon went through during her separation with Macon (and her family) was intense. The heartache and pain were radiating off of her, and she was trying to heal however she could. Thankfully she had Sam by her side when needed whether by phone or in person.

Macon's life hasn't exactly been easy since Lennon went to London, but he's definitely turned a corner. Yes he's still upset with Lennon, and he doesn't understand the reasons she's done what she's done.

Everything is about to be revealed. What Lennon experienced. What Macon went through. What happened with their separation. All of it. All of that is being told while we also have the other storyline happening. After all there is a reason Lennon has returned to town. (that storyline may have had me shed a few tears)

Absolutely loved this duet. Brit Benson wrote an incredible story, created these characters who haven't had the easiest lives, and found away to bring them together for an emotional love story.

I need Sam to have her story told immediately. It's only fair! Plus I can't wait to see who she ends up with.

Go read this duet. It is one of my favorite duets of the year. Hands down. I hope you'll pick it up.

Happy Reading,
Laura

Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

She thinks our story is over.
It’s just beginning.

Lennon Washington has been the star of every dream, every nightmare, since the day I lost her.

Since the moment I let my demons win, and she slipped through my fingers.

Her memory has haunted me.
Changed me.
Broken me and remade me.
And I’d all but given up on us.

Now tragedy has brought her back into my life.
My secrets are at her disposal,
Hers are unraveling quickly,
And every emotion we’ve tried to deny is returning with a vengeance.

But we’re not kids anymore.
We have changed drastically.
And with each new ache, I start to wonder,

Is there a place for us in this life,
Or will we have to try again in the next one?

Thank you Brit Benson, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of This Life and All The Rest.

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Nothing Feels Better by Brit Benson {a review}

Nothing Feels Better is the third book in the Better Love series from Brit Benson. Nothing Feels Better is a single parent, opposites attract romance with a small age gap (5 years). If you've read the other two books in the Better Love series, then you're familiar with Jesse. In this book we get to see him fall head over heals, and fight for the relationship he so desires.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

I am absolutely hooked on the Better Love series from Brit Benson!

Nothing Feels Better is the story between Jesse and Jocelyn. These two had a chance meeting when Jesse was at a party that Riggs was hosting. Turns out Jocelyn lives right next door. It's not just Jocelyn that lives there though. It's her two kids (June and Jude) too.

I have loved seeing Jesse's character evolve and grow throughout this series. Now witnessing how he found his forever person just has me loving him even more. This man is pretty phenomenal. He's not your typical college kid by any means.

The attraction is immediate. The chemistry is there. Jocelyn is a bit on edge about the 5 year age gap, but Jesse shows her it doesn't matter. These two together is everything. I could not get enough, and I may have stayed up extremely late so I could continue with their story. I regret nothing.

I really appreciated how the group quickly pulled Jocelyn into their community. They made her and the kids feel safe, loved, and a part of a new family so to speak.

There is so much that happened in Nothing Feels Better. I couldn't even begin to touch on it all. Just know that Jocelyn's ex-husband is scum. There are trigger warnings mentioned at the beginning of the book, so pay attention to that if there are things that are difficult for you to read about.

This story, while difficult to read at times because of the ex-husband, captivated me. I could not put it down, and I found myself wanting to know more. I wanted to see what happened next.

Loved the characters. Loved the story. Returning to this group of friends felt a bit like coming home. My heart is happy for Jesse, Jocelyn, June, and Jude. That little pirate stole my heart, and I see bits of myself in that 9 year old.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. Go read this book. You will not regret it one bit. By far one of my favorite reads for this month. 

Happy Reading,
Laura

Jesse Hernandez has infiltrated my life.

 

The gorgeous, exciting, genius of a man who hangs out next door.

Who happens to be younger than me.

And in college.

And heading to medical school in just a few short months.

 

It started innocently enough.

The occasional run-in.

A few chance encounters.

An offer to babysit.

An offer for…more.

 

But then it snowballed.

 

Now, I only know two things for certain.

One, for the first time in my entire life, I’m not an afterthought.

And two, this will end very, very badly.

 

My kids. My job. His future.

It’s all at risk.

 

Jesse Hernandez has infiltrated my life, and if I’m not careful, we will all be in tatters when he leaves.

Grab Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR or BookBub wishlist!

Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading. 

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

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Thank you to Brit Benson, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Nothing Feels Better.

Nothing Feels Better by Brit Benson {cover reveal}

Nothing Feels Better is the third interconnected standalone in the Better Love series by Brit Benson. 

This single-parent, opposites attract romance is sassy, sexy, and has a guaranteed HEA. I am so excited for this book! Based on the blurb it is also sounding a bit like an age gap.

I've read the previous two books in the series, but Brit says it is not necessary to read the other books in the Better Love series in order to enjoy Nothing Feels Better.

 Release Date: May 23

Cover Design: Murphy Rae

Cover Image: Lindee Robinson Photography

Jesse Hernandez has infiltrated my life.

 

The gorgeous, exciting, genius of a man who hangs out next door.

Who happens to be younger than me.

And in college.

And heading to medical school in just a few short months.

 

It started innocently enough.

The occasional run-in.

A few chance encounters.

An offer to babysit.

An offer for…more.

 

But then it snowballed.

 

Now, I only know two things for certain.

One, for the first time in my entire life, I’m not an afterthought.

And two, this will end very, very badly.

 

My kids. My job. His future.

It’s all at risk.

 

Jesse Hernandez has infiltrated my life, and if I’m not careful, we will all be in tatters when he leaves.

****

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading. 

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page 

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Love You Better by Brit Benson {a review}

 Love You Better is a sweet and sexy standalone, best friends to lovers, second chance romance. Its got heart, heat, and an HEA sure to make you swoon. It is the first standalone in the Better Love series.

When I started reading Love You Better, I knew I was getting a friends to lovers romance. I was excited for it. What I was not expecting was the emotional journey that Ivy was going to take us on. I knew she had gone through something, but I wasn't certain what that something was. Well that's not 100% honest. I had an idea in the back of my head, but it matched up with what was revealed. Then there was also the couple of side stories happening, and those touched my heart as well.

That instant connection that Ivy and Kelley had when they first met, and how Kelley was determined to be her friend. Then watching them grow together as friends, realize there is an attraction there, and then doing whatever they can NOT to act upon it (until many years later), and seeing how it was just Ivy that Kelley befriended, but it was also her little brother, just had me loving it all.

Now that Ivy and Kelley are in college, they still have that close friendship, but things have definitely changed. Ivy has gone through a traumatic experience that continues to affect her life. Most days she's okay, but every so often memories surface. (cw: sexual assault) As for Kelley, after a rough couple of years where he lost his scholarship, he has changed also. He's grown up, and continues to realize that Ivy is his person. She's his forever.

This book isn't just about these two coming together, and finally getting their HEA though. Oh no. There is also a little side story regarding Kelley, and one of the students in the classroom where he is student teaching. That student's home life is not the best, and Kelley has taken him under his wing. Making sure that he has an adult he can talk with, be comfortable with, and know that they are there for him no matter what. Then there is the storyline for Ivy's family. It's just her, her mom, and her brother, and well mom has to work a lot to make ends meet, so it's taxing on the family. Throughout the book, you will see this pop up, and how it affects Ivy's life.

I absolutely loved this book. I'm looking forward to reading Bailey's story (she's Ivy's roommate), and reconnecting with the group.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read my thoughts on Love You Better.

Laura

Kelley Pierce is my person.

He has been since the 9th grade.

Passionate. Driven. Whip-smart and wickedly funny.

He gets me like no one else does, and I get him.

He’s the perfect…friend.

My best friend.

But Kelley is also totally gorgeous, magnetically confident, and tantalizingly tempting.

Or so I’ve been told.

None of that matters, anyway.

Best friends don’t notice those things.

Or at least… I never used to.

One chemistry-filled moment has the power to change everything, and soon old feelings I’d ignored and memories I’d tried to forget come crashing back.

I never prepared for falling in love with my best friend.

But after that kiss…

Who is this unbelievably sexy man, and what has he done with my best friend?

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Purchase now!

Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading. 

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page 

Better with You by Brit Benson {a review}

Better With You is the second interconnected standalone in the Better Love series by Brit Benson. This enemies-to-lovers new adult romance is sassy, sexy, and has a guaranteed HEA. As this is the second book in a series, I want to say that it is not necessary to read Love You Better before enjoying Better With You. That being said, Better With You will contain minor spoilers for Love You Better.

We first met Bailey in Love You Better, and now we are learning all about her, while witnessing her fall for Alex. If you're unfamiliar with Bailey, she is a college student who is studying to become an accountant. In her downtime she is a bartender, and she LOVES to bake. There's a contest coming up where the grand prize is $2000! Bailey is doing whatever she can to win. She needs to win. She needs that money. For Brandon. She made a promise. After work one evening, Bailey stops to pick up some ingredients and is in the process of deciding whether or not to get pure vanilla or the imitation stuff. In swoops Alex, and he is about to take the last bottle of the pure vanilla. Bailey puts up a fight, flirting ensues, and curiosity is piqued. Alex asks for her number, but all Bailey tells him is 31, and that he has to figure it out from there. (31 is part of the bar name where she works.) Alex is successful in his mission, and a night together is had. Which leads to another night. And another. Finally it is the day of the contest, and who walks in? Alex. Bailey is convinced he's there to cheer her on, until the moment she realizes he's a contestant. He's her competition. Oh, and his name isn't Alex. It's Riggs. And Bailey is crushed.

Full disclosure: I gave Better with You 5 stars. FIVE STARS! When I read Love you Better, Bailey caught my attention, and I was wondering what her story was. When her story was revealed, I was bawling. Probably even more so when she explained who Brandon was. Cue the tears. Bailey has been through so much, and I am so thankful that she has found a group of people who love her. Alex's life isn't all sunshine and rainbows though. He has some stuff going on also, and he is determined to bring joy to his mom's life. I loved how this story played out. From the initial meeting, to the dates, to finding out that Alex is also a baker and that his name isn't Alex, to learning about the woman who is with him, to the big competition that Alex has been offered to join, to the forced proximity with him and Bailey, to the meeting of Alex's mom, to the discussion about Brandon, and everything else that happened, I was all in. There was no putting down my kindle until the story was over. I had to know what was going to happen with Bailey and her family, with Alex, his "fiancee", and his parents, and of course what was going to happen with Bailey and Alex. Could they find their way back to each other, and get their happily ever after?

Better with You hit me in the feels. I sobbed like crazy. I laughed out loud a time or two. I fell for the characters. It was all so dang fabulous. Also, at the beginning when Bailey mentioned prince hair Harry, I knew immediately who Brit Benson was referring too. Then when Alex came back and mentioned long haired Harry, I was smiling like a fool. I freaking love Harry Styles, so naturally I loved that he was "mentioned" in this book.

long haired harry

prince haired harry

I highly suggest that you go read Better with You. Now of course I also suggest that you start with Love you Better so that you can get the backstory on Ivy and Kelley, but that's up to you. If new adult, college romances are a preferred read for you, then go grab this one. If you're an emotional reader, have the tissues close by.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,

Laura

Riggs Stanton is a thief.

He’s also a liar, a jerk, and a playboy jock.

Sure, I might have thought we had a connection.

I might have thought he was worth breaking my “no dating” rule.

He might have even given me the best orgasm I’ve ever experienced to date.

But it was a farce.

A trick.

Another lie.

And I don’t make mistakes twice.

Now he says he needs me.

One week of my help and I never have to deal with him again.

For ten grand, I can suffer anything for seven days.

Even Riggs Stanton.

Except…

The more time I spend with him, the more I get to know him, the more I question myself.

What if what we shared before was real, and it’s everything else that’s fake?

Grab Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Ivy & Kelley in Love You Better!

Amazon | Goodreads | My Review

Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading. 

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page 

Hosted by:

Thank you to Brit Benson, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Better with You.

Check out this cover from Brit Benson!

 

Better with you is coming on November 23!

Better With You is the second interconnected standalone in the Better Love series by Brit Benson.

This enemies-to-lovers new adult romance is sassy, sexy, and has a guaranteed HEA.

It is not necessary to read Love You Better before enjoying Better With You, but Better With You will contain minor spoilers for Love You Better.

Riggs Stanton is a thief.

He’s also a liar, a jerk, and a playboy jock.

Sure, I might have thought we had a connection.

I might have thought he was worth breaking my “no dating” rule.

He might have even given me the best orgasm I’ve ever experienced to date.

But it was a farce.

A trick.

Another lie.

And I don’t make mistakes twice.

Now he says he needs me.

One week of my help and I never have to deal with him again.

For ten grand, I can suffer anything for seven days.

Even Riggs Stanton.

Except…

The more time I spend with him, the more I get to know him, the more I question myself.

What if what we shared before was real, and it’s everything else that’s fake?

Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Meet Brit Benson

Brit Benson writes romance novels that are sassy, sexy, and sweet.

When she’s not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she’s reading. 

When she’s not reading, she’s probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods.

Brit currently resides somewhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway with her husband, daughters, and dogs.

Connect with Brit Benson

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page 

Hosted By: