Loving You Always

The Bennett’s #2

By Kennedy Ryan

ISBN# 9781455556847

Author’s Website: http://kennedyryanwrites.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Spoilers

Synopsis: 

Kerris Moreton should be the happiest woman in the world: She has a successful business and is about to start the family she’s always wanted. But the man of her dreams-the one whose green eyes see straight into her soul and whose gentle hands make her body hum with pleasure-is not hers.

Each secret moment with Walsh Bennett serves to remind Kerris of what she’s missing. And every stolen hour makes it harder to see her future without him. But being with Walsh would betray a sacred promise and upend her perfect life. When tragedy strikes, the razor’s edge between love and loyalty grows sharper than ever. And Kerris must decide where her heart will fall . . .

Review:

I would highly suggest you read the first book in the series,When You Are Mine, the lives and journey of Walsh, Kerris and Cam.  A very engaging, powerful and entertaining read.

In the first book of the series, we saw Kerris fall in love, well – at least have VERY strong feelings for Walsh. As a result of too little information, Kerris marries Walsh’s best friend Cam as she is led to believe Walsh is going to marry Sofie.  During the early days of their married life together, Kerris is with Walsh following the death of Iyani (the little girl from the Walsh Foundation’s Kenyan orphanage – who had come to America battling a brain tumor).  When Iyani passed away, the grief was too much for Walsh and Kerris and their emotions got the better of them…a kiss ensued and of course, who walked in to witness this kiss but Kerris’ overly jealous husband, Cam. 

Loving You Always begins with Kerris and Cam nearing the end of their first year of marriage awaiting the birth of their first child.  Cam still has not fully forgiven Kerris for the “kiss”…Frequently Kerris wonders who will walk through the door…

”Which Cam would come home tonight.  He vacillated from the delighted daddy-to-be to the wronged husband who couldn’t quite manage to forgive or forget her transgression.”

 Frankly, this is no way to live!  Can you say “dysfunctional relationship”.  Each running away from their past, not wanting to give up what they consider a a relationship that they deserve (i.e. settling because each does not feel they are good enough for better).

Unfortunately, tragedy ensues which turns everyone’s life upside down.  Now this section certainly had me getting right into the story, emotionally speaking.  Bring tissues!

As with any love story, things happen (which you will read about), and the first couple eventually switches up to a new couple@! (okay…not really surprising I suppose).  We are lead through an intricate and often heartfelt journey that Kerris embarks upon to become what she feels is “healthy enough” to move on with her life.

Never a dull moment…seems like I got whiplash from the quick changes in moods between Kerris and Walsh.  For example:  Walsh and Kerris returned to Walsh’s boyhood home in TriBeCa following a banquet and were heating it up quite a bit…and then suddenly they are in the midst of a fight….

”She was goading him into an explosion she might regret, but at least all their cards would be on the table once and for all.” 

Definitely kept this reader engaged!

I loved..

“So this is love. This fear; this need. This insatiable thirst that racked her soul when she thought of him. The tremble of her hands when he was near.” 

It just seemed to catch the essence of love and its intensity.

Mama Jess – What can I say.  I loved the way that she slid so easily back into Kerris’ life.  Everyone should have a protective “mom” like her.  The way she looked out after Kerris was heartfelt and believable.  Mama Jess demonstrated what unencumbered love of another person looked like.  And definitely her sense of humour shone through.  Jo is another character which I found got more depth than in the first book.  She apparently is one of the main protagonists for the third book, can’t wait.

I must say that the personal values of Kerris were refreshing.  Though I must say, at times she did stretch those boundaries a bit.  I valued her maturity to work on herself after all that has happened to her.  Let us not forget of course that the steamy scenes were just that…STEAMY.

I found this second book in the series much more gripping and engaging. If romance is your thing with a bit (okay…quite a lot) of angst thrown in and hot, descriptive yet tasteful sexy scenes…then this book is for you.  I know I will wait patiently for the third installment.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*