And Never Let Her Go (Town of Destiny #1) By Nancy Glynn
I was gifted an audiobook copy of And Never Let Her Go: Town of Destiny written by Nancy Glynn by the publisher (Black Rose Writing). The views expressed below are mine after listening to the audiobook.
To sum up the plot of the book:
Friends from long ago, reunite over a letter, and have a second chance romance, with a few ups and downs that expose long-held secrets.
Characters:
The characters are not that developed, just enough info to have them all mesh together for the story, some more likable than others. I didn't find that this distracted from the story in any way, in fact, I was glad there was a limited cast of primary and secondary characters, and I didn't have to remember all of their personal stories to enjoy the book.
Romance:
This is a romance book, and it does contain some simple sex scenes.
The Audiobook/Narration:
Here I do have some issues, I didn't feel the narrator (Gail Rossi) had a voice that delivered the romantic tone and feel that the book wanted to portray, or that she used her voice to create the mood or tense situations of the story.
As for rating the book, I'm torn between 2.5 stars and 3 stars. The emphasis on the letter almost seems to take over the story, with the characters reacting to it. The characters overcome the negative happenings and losses in their lives and move to a positive future. The story had some fun moments, no cliffhanger, and a predictable HEA.
All in all, I will give it 3 stars.
The book and Audiobook were published by Black Rose Writing in early 2021. It is available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.
My thanks to the author and the publishing company for the opportunity to read this book. Nancy Glynn Two Brothers, One Woman
This was a book I had a hard time putting down. The suspense and anxiety was built up quite well without being overdone. Words were not wasted on frivolity of scene setting. A lot of the scene setting was done via her camera since she was a photographer. Nancy Glynn This book held my attention all of the way; I totally 'misguessed' the storyline and how the main characters interacted. This, for me, is an indicatication of a great author. Both the H and h misunderstood the h's former boyfriend and brother of the H and did not realize the depth of his depression nor his stress level. Interesting that they were both so drawn into the drama surrounding the ex that they treated themselves poorly. He was a lot more manipulative than either realized, in my opinion. He used the h to lessen his depression and the H as a release valve.
Interesting how the main characters helped each other heal and found their HEA in the process. Painless? No. Simple? No. But it made for a great story and a great read. Nancy Glynn Worth your Saturday!
I stumbled on this early on a Saturday morning and could not put it down. Totally worth you time. Slade was such a great lead and Erin's story was heart breaking. Together they make each other stronger. Nancy Glynn review to come Nancy Glynn
Summary And Never Let Her Go (Town of Destiny #1)
Eight years ago, Erin Donahue had it all--her own city apartment, a career in photography, and a man who'd do anything for her. But things change. Fate steps in. Now, living in the small town of Destiny, IL, Erin embraces her new life, free of hurting anyone else. She's all alone, and she likes it like that. Independent, strong...and broken. Until a handsome, divorced rancher drives up her lane and drags her back into a past she wants to forget.
A forbidden crush born long ago...
In Afghanistan, Slade Callahan tucks Erin into his dreams and his heart. Guilt plagues him for wanting her when she isn't his to want. She belongs to his older brother. But when Erin breaks his brother's heart, she never realizes she's breaking two. Honor keeps him from going after her. Discharged from the Marines, Slade moves on with his life and lets her go. Until tragedy strikes. His brother is dead.Found in his car with two letters...one to his wife--and one to Erin.
A letter full of hope and secrets...
Erin and Slade come together, fighting a love that won't let go. Tormented by guilt, shame, anger, and the need to forgive, walls slowly crumble. Setting off a firestorm of buried passions, they embrace the truth in the stars. But their journey is only beginning when the letter is read. Decisions must be made. Is Erin strong enough to accept herself and trust in this beautiful love, or will she repeat history with another Callahan man?
These can all be read as standalone books in no particular order. All couples are different and no continuation of stories, but they are set in the same town of Destiny. And Never Let Her Go (Town of Destiny #1)
Eight years ago, Erin Donahue had it all—her own city apartment, a career in photography, and a man who’d do anything for her. But things change. Fate steps in. Now, living in the small town of Destiny, IL, Erin embraces her new life, free of hurting anyone else. She’s all alone, and she likes it like that. Independent, strong…and broken. Until a handsome, divorced rancher drives up her lane and drags her back into a past she wants to forget.
A forbidden crush born long ago…
In Afghanistan, Slade Callahan tucks Erin into his dreams and his heart. Guilt plagues him for wanting her when she isn’t his to want. She belongs to his older brother. But when Erin breaks his brother’s heart, she never realizes she’s breaking two. Honor keeps him from going after her. Discharged from the Marines, Slade moves on with his life and lets her go. Until tragedy strikes. His brother is dead. Found in his car with two letters…one to his wife—and one to Erin.
A letter full of hope and secrets…
Erin and Slade come together, fighting a love that won’t let go. Tormented by guilt, shame, anger, and the need to forgive, walls slowly crumble. Setting off a firestorm of buried passions, they embrace the truth in the stars. But their journey is only beginning when the letter is read. Decisions must be made. Is Erin strong enough to accept herself and trust in this beautiful love, or will she repeat history with another Callahan man?
“This book was an ARC given to me by the author Nancy Glynn in exchange for a honest review”
This was a book I had picked up after a long reading slump to try and get me out of it and I am so glad that this author gave the book to me to read because it sure did.
I have always loved the contemporary romance genre but, I was not too sure how I would relate to a book with the characters a lot older than I am. But the characters were not only relatable but they took me on the story with them. It was a ride that I did not want to get out of and I wanted everyone to reach safely at the end.
What I loved about this story was that it was real. The characters were flawed and their flaws were not sugar coated. They were clearly flaws and though the characters would not have been the same without them, they were working on those flaws.
As most contemporary romance novels, it did have a happy ending but, the happy ending was not easily achieved. The characters had to go through a lot of struggles to reach that successful end goal.
All the characters in this book made it the book it is. Todd, Slade, Erin, Wendy and even the supporting characters like Judy, Harry, Mack, Nick and Rachel. They all made the story what it was as a final product.
I loved Erin and Slade’s love story. It wasn’t quick. It had been boiling for a few years. It was really hot. You could feel the sexual tension sizzling under the surface and when it caught fire. Whew!! I had to fan myself with something. But, besides the sexual tension, there was something in their relationship which made it special. Maybe it was the conversations between them or the way the two of them were always there for each other or just that overall feeling of pure happiness when they were not around each other. Sure their relationship was not perfect but that just made it all the more better. Sometimes you need a bump in the road to see the strength of a relationship.
Wendy was not a villain as such. Todd’s wife, she was just an obstacle standing in the way. There was nothing wrong with her, to be honest, I just felt bad for her. She had just been a recipient of unfortunate circumstances and she just did not know how to handle it. I loved Jacob, Todd and Wendy’s son!! He was the sweetest boy ever.
My favourite part of the book was when Erin was taking pictures and making memories through her camera. She was a great photographer and I feel its very important to capture memories and keep them because time flies.
I think one of the most important lessons in this book was forgiveness and letting go and there were a few lines I really loved in this book.
One line was what Todd had written in his letter. I think this applies to everyone who is going through rough times. Someone needs to say that to all of them “ Forgive yourself. You are perfect just the way you are. Believe that.” I think everyone needs to hear that at least once in their life and I am glad Nancy Glynn put that in there.
Anyways, overall this book was amazing and it is completely worth buying. So any contemporary romance lovers out there who are looking for a happy ever after but, also want to curl up and shed some tears on the unfairness of life. This book is for you so, take the risk and read the book. It will be worth your time. Nancy Glynn This is an excellent book! I thoroughly enjoyed it from the first page, I couldn't put it down. If you like romance, you'll love the story of Erin and Slade. I can't wait to read the next book And Never Say Goodbye Nancy Glynn Review can also be found in Chill and read
A well written story about love and forgiveness!
Erin Donahue is a professional photographer living a lonely life in town of Destiny somewhere in the country of Illinois. She is taking pictures that she sends to famous magazines and authors to use as book covers and she grows her plants by singing to them. This is her present, but her past comes to haunt her. Some eight years before present day, she was leaving the dream having a career and a man who adored her to the maximum. Today, her secret is safe with her. No one will know why she had to leave all that behind and go hiding in the country.
Slade Callahan used to be fighting in Afghanistan side by side with his fellow soldiers. But he was fighting also his feelings. He was in love with his older brother’s girlfriend and there was nothing he could do about it. He used to have her picture on the barracks over his bed, first thing to look in the morning and last thing before he sleeps. When Erin broke up with his brother, he was also hurt. It felt as if she broke up with him too. Years after those days, he finds his brother dead, leaving two letters behind, one for his wife and one for Erin. Slade will do what he must to find Erin and give her that letter. He needs to know what his brother’s last words were, no matter what it will take him to get to that.
The story is about forbidden love and making decisions on others’ account, believing it is for the best, for everyone’s best. Letting people have a choice is better for them, but for you too. It will lift the burden of your shoulders and you will never have to think about what would have happened if! The message behind the book is as read in the title. When you find someone you love, you never let that person go! You have to fight to keep your loved one with you and you have to display all that love and affection. People can get very insecure, especially when they think there are no good for you.
The characters were real and the story was real as well. They had flaws, ups and downs and it wasn’t all miraculously solved and fixed. It took time to develop, while the heat between the two main characters was shown from the very beginning. Even if they wanted to admit it or not. Nancy Glynn I really like the title of this book because to me it means inside is a strong and passionate story. The kind of relationship where two people hang onto each other for dear life. The author did not disappoint. The main characters are emotional and likable. They each carry within them a badly damaged heart. Erin ended her relationship with Todd years ago because of something that is not her fault, and she still can't forgive herself for it. Slade can't forgive his brother Todd for hurting their entire family. Then there's a letter from Todd to Erin that Slade brings to her. Though they haven't seen each other in seven years, Slade frequently pushes Erin to open because he wants to know his brother's last words. Being that the letter is from Todd, Erin is afraid it will be filled with words of hatred and blame. She needs time to prepare herself, but Slade doesn't want to give it to her. Finally, after speaking a few times, cool heads prevail and Slade understands Erin's fears. While Slade impatiently waits for Erin to work up the courage to open the letter, they relax and get to know one another. I like that Erin has the confidence to ask Slade questions about his personal life, and that Slade is a man of honor and integrity. A mutual deep attraction forms and turns passionate quickly. With all the emotional pain they endured in the past, they are able to give themselves to each other and create a strong bond. When the letter is read, pain and anger unravel all the good that happened between them. What seemed so strong shattered so easily. I like how the story continues and ends. The author did a great job evoking emotions from her well-written descriptions. At times I was sad and scared or angry and frustrated. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series. Nancy Glynn Well, this didn't work for me at all. In fact I found myself skimming a lot. The writing was a bit choppy and it's hard to believe how many pages someone can fill talking about someone singing to plants. The story besides the whole plants-stuff felt rushed. Also I was really annoyed how long it took Erin to read this damn letter. In my opinion it was a sadly failed attempt to keep the story interesting, but as I said it didn't work for me. To finally say something positive about this book: it was free on Amazon. Nancy Glynn