Format read: ebook provided by NetGalleyFormats available: ebook, paperback, mass market paperback, audiobook
Genre: Contemporary romance
Series: The Sullivans, #2
Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Originally self-published; expanded edition published by Harlequin MIRA
Date Released: August 30, 2011 (original); June 25, 2013 (expanded edition)
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Publisher’s Website, Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Book Depository
For thirty-six years, Marcus Sullivan has been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings after their father died when they were children. But when the perfectly ordered future he’s planned for himself turns out to be nothing but a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.
Nicola Harding is known throughout the world by only one name – Nico – for her catchy, sensual pop songs. Only, what no one knows about the twenty-five year old singer is that her sex-kitten image is totally false. After a terrible betrayal by a man who loved fame far more than he ever loved her, she vows not to let anyone else get close enough to find out who she really is…or hurt her again. Especially not the gorgeous stranger she meets at a nightclub, even though the hunger – and the sinful promises – in his dark eyes make her want to spill all her secrets.
One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But nothing goes as they plan when instead of simply tangling limbs, they find a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated. And even though they both try to fight it, growing emotions – and sizzling attraction – keep drawing them closer together.
Close enough for them to wonder if stealing one more secret moment together can ever be enough?
My Review:
With a family like the Sullivans around, how would anyone in Northern California between the ages of puberty and, well, death, get anything done?
Seriously? Eight handsome or beautiful siblings, all adults, all unattached and all pretty decent human beings, concentrated in a pretty small geographic area. This family would be too good to be real, outside of fiction.
It’s not just that their parents raised them right, but after the tragic early death of their father Jack, oldest brother Marcus stepped into the fatherly role at the tender age of 14, and he did it well.
From This Moment On is the story of Marcus’ very much earned happily ever after. He earned it by the way he put off his own happiness to help his mom raise his brothers and sisters. He kind of makes a hash of things with Nicola, the pop star who turns out to be, not the woman of his dreams, but the perfect woman for him.
Not that Nico doesn’t help mess up the road to a relationship!
From This Moment On picks up the exact same evening where The Look of Love (reviewed here) ends — after Marcus’ brother Chase’s engagement party.
The Look of Love was kind of a “rescue” love story, even though in the end Chase doesn’t rescue Chloe half as much as he gives Chloe the time and space for her to rescue herself. Still, the element is there.
From This Moment On starts out with a classic rebound relationship thing going on. Marcus has just broken up with his long-time girlfriend because he discovered her in flagrante delicto. As I said, classic. He goes out to a club, very much against his usual behavior, after that engagement party, in the hopes of picking up a one-night stand. Just out of a two-year relationship, the last thing he thinks he wants is to start another one.
Instead, he picks up Nicola. She thinks she’s just there for a one-night stand, because the last thing that she can afford is a real relationship. She can’t believe she’s picked the one man in the place who doesn’t know who she really is, the pop-princess Nico.
But instead of hot sex, Nico falls asleep on Marcus. Which is totally ironic considering that he’s a decade older than she is. A fact that undoubtedly contributes to his non-recognition. He’s outside of the target demographic for her image.
When she wakes up in the morning, he’s all too aware that the young woman she really is, once she’s scrubbed clean of her makeup, is much too young for his 36 year old self, even if she is 25, and whatever she might say she wants. Whatever he might really want.
Even if the one kiss he allows himself is a kiss he can’t make himself forget.
Fate doesn’t let the perfect romance get away from either of them. Pop-princess Nico is in San Francisco to shoot a music video with choreographer Lori Sullivan. Lori brings her big brother Marcus down to meet the terrific singer she’s working with.
Neither Marcus nor Nicola are able to resist temptation a second time, no matter how much they both believe that they should.
The real question is whether, after spending a perfect week together, can they get past the belief that a real relationship between them is impossible?
Escape Rating B: From This Moment On takes a bundle of lovely romantic tropes and weaves them all together into a sweet and sensual story.
Marcus and Nicola are two people whose worlds would simply not intersect, but they do. Opposites attract. Opposites attract a bit instantly, but Bella Andre does make it work by starting with sex and working up to love, a love that both people resist kicking and screaming.
Nicola doesn’t romanticize the loneliness and fun of being a star. She has to watch her back all the time, and thinks of fame as the price she pays to play her music. Even though she is younger than Marcus, she tries to protect him from the damage her life can cause. She goes a bit overboard, but it’s an understandable reaction.
They both push each other to re-think some of their life choices. Nicola has had to grow up more than someone normally would at her age, and it makes her and Marcus more equal. One thing that Ms. Andre did well was to portray the way the age-difference worked in the relationship.
The Sullivan family as a whole is terrific to read about. I enjoy seeing them interact. It’s also great that they didn’t come from money. Several of the siblings made their own money as adults, and we’ll get to read some of those stories, but they’re not spoiled rich kids. It makes their family story more heartwarming.
I like the way that the end of each book leads into the next one. It’s not a cliffhanger (thank goodness!) but it does let the reader know who’s up to bat. Firefighter Gabe’s story will be next in Can’t Help Falling In Love. It seems like readers can’t help falling in love with the Sullivans.
~~~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~~~
Bella has TWO giveaways for you. One is a print copy of From This Moment On. The other, in celebration of her 7-figure deal with Harlequin to reprint The Sullivans, is a beach bag full of goodies:
- Not Your Mother’s Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream
- Jade & Jasper Women in Style Bracelets
- O.P.I Nail Lacquer Suzi’s Hungary AGAIN!
- Unisun Eyewear Rager Sunglasses
- Evian Mineral Water Facial Spray
- Solemates High Heeler
- Vapur Classic Reflex water bottle
- And your very own copy of The Look of Love by Bella Andre
To enter, use the Rafflecopter below:
That age difference is not unusual and is accepted when the man is the older. It should be the same if it is reversed. I have read both books and enjoyed them. I have the dollar off coupon in my purse to buy book three. Coupon is in back of current book.
Jo @ Mixed Book Bag recently posted..Musing Monday’s July 15, 2013
I’ve got book 3 on my TBR pile for next week and book 4 just turned up on NetGalley. In real life, let’s say the age difference in reverse definitely raises some eyebrows!
Marlene Harris recently posted..Review: Caged Warrior by Lindsey Piper
I think that the age difference doesn’t matter.
Thanks for the chance to win!
It’s a terrific book. I hope you enjoy it!
Marlene Harris recently posted..Review: Caged Warrior by Lindsey Piper
I think it definitely depends on the couple. Most of the time, I’d say no, but I know a couple in real life that have a 20 year age difference and you can’t even tell 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
They say that age is only important if you’re a wine, or a cheese! 😀 Some people just belong together. Thanks for stopping by!
Marlene Harris recently posted..Review: Caged Warrior by Lindsey Piper