Then There Was You

I just finished reading Then There Was You and I have been sitting here debating if I should go ahead and write my review right away with my head still swirling with thoughts, or if I should give myself some time to really absorb what I read. Should I sleep on it and let it all marinate in my head and heart before I try to describe how I feel, or just go straight into my review and shoot from the hip?I decided to shoot from the hip.Based on the blurb for the book, I knew we were in for some angst and that this story was going to take place over years of time. I have a love/hate relationship with both of those things, but some angst in a book is great, right? So I started reading but right away I felt confused. Tessa comes back to her home town to take care of some family business and runs into Rowan, and immediately she is like, queen biotch to him, and we don't know why. I felt like I walked in on the middle of a conversation instead of having the inside scoop, so the first few chapters were a little frustrating, but all too soon we get the skinny on why Tessa is acting the way she is.Told in past and present chapters, Claire lays out what has transpired over the years to get Tessa to where she is and the root of her anger with Rowan. Anger, in my opinion, she has every right to feel. Other readers may not agree, but that's how I feel, and I know the back and forth debates on this book are going to be highly entertaining!Teenage angst! Haven't we all gone through some of that in our lives? The push and pull between Tessa and Rowan was strong, even in their teenage years. I wanted to shake teenage Tessa a couple of times, but then I had to stop and remember that I probably did the same exact things she did. But I never had to deal with a rival the way Tessa does, and the things this girl did had me fuming and saying out loud, "will someone please just poke that biotch in the eye?"Claire had me riding a rollercoaster of emotions in this book. Frustration being at the top of the list, but at the same time, I could not put this book down. As much as my stomach was hurting over what was happening, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what happened next. Family plays a large part in this story, particularly on Rowan's side, and there's a good balance of characters you will really like, and plenty that you will really hate. I was so infuriated at certain scenes in this book that I think I went a little psycho and wanted to team up with Tessa's brother Freddie and torture a few people...Not believing in love, bad timing and terrible communication all blend together to create the perfect storm in Then There Was You. For those that love angst, this book is perfect for you. You will eat it up. And I have to be honest and say, as much as I know it's going to stress me out and cause more stomach aches, I can't wait to read book 2 and find out what happens with Tessa and Rowan. And luckily we only have to wait two weeks for My Way Back to You.Yesterday was National Margarita Day so my family went out for Mexican food and margaritas last night. And as I sit here today eating my leftovers, I am wishing I had a leftover margarita to drink while I think back on this story and write this review. I'm not gonna lie, several parts of this book gutted me. I laughed and cried and got angry and wanted to stab a few characters. But Claire wrote an amazing, real, raw story of two people who time and fate have conspired against for way too long. Damn you, Claire, for laying me wide open like that! God, I hope book 2 is full of love and laughter and unicorn farts and fairy dust. A person can hope, right?

Then There Was You (Second Chances Duet #1) by Claire Contreras4.5 stars!!!“I do not bleed.”Claire Contreras delivers an angsty, emotional read that will have you screaming for the next book by the end…although we don’t have too long to wait. Off the charts chemistry, longing, desire, denial all factor in to an unputdownable second chances romance read, one that will leave your brain running a mile a minute as you desperately try to anticipate how Claire Contreras is going to end this one. I have so many scenarios, most of them…not good so the three weeks we have to wait are going to be torture.“Talent is probably the second most overlooked thing in this world.”“What’s the first?”“Love.”Both of these characters are complicated, each having their own demons, but those demons only seem to be slain when both of them are together. These two were once best friends, best friends that morphed that line and turned into something more, before life and responsibilities changed everything. But the heart wants who the heart wants and despite knowing they both want one and others, these two are just so infuriating.“I hit the red button and sent the call to voice mail. I knew my worth. It wasn’t my fault that he hadn’t seen it.”Rowan has been groomed since birth to take over the family company and it seems his time is coming ever closer with the demise of his parent’s marriage. Not only has Rowan been groomed for the business, but he has been groomed emotionally and it seems that his father’s words are what he chooses to live by. After all, you live by the sword, you die by the sword.“So why do I feel like I’m always in last place with you? Like I’m always wading in the water while everyone else has a place on your blue canoe.”Tessa knows just how dangerous Rowan is to her heart and sanity and does her level best to keep him at arm’s length. But those pesky hormones and their undeniable connection leave Tessa fighting at every turn. But those that come out all guns blazing tire easily and it isn’t long before these two find themselves picking up where they both left off.“…wanted to call his bluff, but couldn’t bring myself to humiliate him like that. Couldn’t bring myself to point out that neither of us would be the same after this.”This book was intense, especially towards the end and with Claire Contreras’s evocative writing the torrent of tears soon followed. The character connection was on point, thus enabling this reader to go on one hell of an emotional roller coaster and be completely wrung out by the end. I love these two characters with a passion and I am begging Claire Contreras to put me out of my misery and give me the happy ever after that these two deserve. However, with the situation as is, is it even possible? I cannot wait to read the conclusion.“I bleed.”

Great little will they won't they story that really makes you want to keep reading. Can't wait to read the next one.

I was intrigued by the sample. However as I kept reading I began to feel there was something missing. The writing felt a bit juvenile. The story lost my attention and I gave up.

This story took me a while to get into. When I finally did it ended. The flashbacks were for me were a little off putting because I just wanted the story to continue.

Great book, read it in a couple of days and downloaded the second one immediately!

Long winded, and I lost interest