I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When You're Ready by J.L. Berg Series: The Ready Series #1
Published by Self Published on July 23, 2013
Pages: 231
Format: eBook
Source: Author
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Can his love mend the pieces of her grieving heart?
Years after suffering the tragic loss of her husband, Ethan, which left her alone to raise their young daughter, Clare Murray still holds the last letter he wrote with the words “When You' re Ready” written in his familiar messy handwriting, unable to break its weathered seal. Ready for what? He was her entire world, and Clare had accepted a life without him, without love. Until years later, fate brings her to an emergency room, and face to face with a stormy-eyed doctor intent on changing her mind.
Logan Matthews is the son of a billionaire who has spent his entire life trying to make his absent father proud. Years of living up to a man who was more ghost than father, and a publicly failed marriage has left Logan cold and emotionless until he walks into an exam room and discovers a woman who can stop his heart, make his body burn with desire and leave his entire world altered.
But how far are Clare and Logan willing to go for love? When their love is tested, is Clare ready to put her whole heart on the line again? Can Logan learn the true meaning of love, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness? When a second chance at love is given, Clare and Logan learn you never know if you are truly ready until you' re ready to risk it all.
You write Romance? That’ s hot…
Whenever someone finds out I’ m an author, the first question I always get is, “What kind of books do you write?” I always laugh when I’ m asked this, because I know what’ s coming when I respond with the answer “romance”. If it’ s a woman, she usually gets excited and asks my name so she can write it down for future reference. If it’ s a man, he usually chuckles and makes some sort of incoherent awkward noise. It’ s like the male species doesn’ t know what to do with a romance author. Yep, I write about sex. I think I both intimidate and turn them on in the same breath. I am a superhero.
Whether male or female, the next question always has something to do with sex scenes. They may come right out and ask, or dance around the question for a while, but people always want to know what it’ s like to write those pivotal love scenes. People must have visions of a romance author sitting in a silk robe smoking a cigarette, while drinking a glass of wine, as she masterfully dreams up her next erotic moment. And while yes, we do have our sexy moments, I am here to tell you that romance authors are anything but glamorous.
Writing a sex scene can actually be one of the most difficult sections of a book for me to write. It’ s not that I don’ t enjoy writing them, because hey…I’ m in the romance business for a reason! But, it is the technicality of it that makes it arduous. You have this perfect vision in your head, and know exactly how you want it to play out. You can see every movement, hear every moan, but translating that onto paper (or computer screen, rather) is another story. Suddenly, you have to worry about logistics…”his hand was here a minute ago, so it can’ t be up here yet…and she really needs to be more in this position before..” Making sure it flows, pulls your reader in and has the emotional elements are all incredibly important elements to creating a successful love scene. It can’ t be a mechanical to-do list of interactions. It has to have style.
So, the next time you are reading, and you find yourself reaching one of those intriguing scenes we all know and love, take a moment to appreciate them for what they are and thank the author for taking the time and really driving it home (hehe).
My thoughts…
Where to begin. To say that I loved this one would be an understatement. When You’re Ready is the debut novel by J.L. Berg. I have been so excited and patiently waiting for this one to become available. It simply was everything I had hoped it would be. The characters were rich with emotions and I couldn’t put this it down. The issues the characters are dealing with are heart wrenching.
I loved Clare, Maddy & Logan from the beginning. I felt so bad for Clare and Maddy. Losing a love one is always hard. Losing a love one to cancer is even harder. And Logan. Growing up the way he did with a father that was all about image was sad as well. Sure he pretty much had anything he could have wanted with the exception of his fathers love.
Upon meeting Clare and Maddy, Logan finds himself drawn to them. After Logan divorced his wife two years ago he hasn’t really lead a positive lifestyle. He’s used to picking up women in a bar and going home with them for a little bit of fun between the sheets. Then he’s out the door. With Clare there was just something about her that made him want to be with her. To change his ways and be worthy of her love. I loved him for this. I think in a lot of ways Clare was good for him. And Maddy had Logan wrapped around her little finger. To say Logan is swoon worthy is an understatement. *sigh*
While reading this one I kept thinking something has got to happen. Isn’t that the way it is with a romance novel? Things can’t be all roses throughout the entire book. You know something big is going to happen and you keep turning pages to see what it will be. It’s a bombshell when all is revealed. Like I so didn’t see that coming and my heart broke in a million pieces. BUT this being a romance novel my heart was put back together by the time I reached the end. Thank God because I would have been so disappointed. Let’s face it. Romance novels are meant to have a HEA. They just are. (I hope that wasn’t too spoiler’ish)
Now on to the sex. Mmmhmm come on. You really wanna know if the sexual scenes were hot, right? They are. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I fanned myself several times. *sigh*’
Overall, I loved, loved, loved When You’re Ready. There is going to be another book in this series. It’s going to be Leah and Declan’s story. I’m very excited to read it and hope the author doesn’t take too long writing it. *hint hint* 🙂
If you’re a fan of contemporary romance I highly suggest you read When You’re Ready. It’s truly a delightful read.
