Sofia Loves Books: Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat

 Rating: 5/5 stars
Release Date: 9/2/2013

Blurb:

Celeste Hebert has always appeared to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys.

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his newfound peace.

Will the ties that bind them be their undoing?

Review:

“Sometimes we forget to appreciate the things that truly matter because our vision is so clouded by all of the mundanes. The here and now become our obsession , and we forget the concept of our finite state because with all the little things vying for our attention it feels like we'll go on forever.”

I was so happy when I reached the book the end of the book and no one had died! After every rose I was reluctant to read this because I didn't want to start crying again. I am not saying though that this book won't have you crying. This time though it will be happy tears. I did not cried but I was close.

A tiny part in the end made my stomach turn but when Celeste called his BS and fought for him. She got all the points in the world for that. PTSD is something that should be taken lightly. The book was love in all of it's forms, family and the life of a military man with everything that comes with it.

I sat and read the whole book (330 pages) at once. I couldn't stop reading it. No bathroom breaks or even to pick up the phone. Mrs. Halat has written a second book that will rock your world. Honestly I can't wait to see what's next!

Excerpt:

I consider exactly how truthful I should be with him. He was so truthful with me. I owe him that much, don't I? "Adrian, I don't need time apart. You're my friend and you're amazing with the boys. They love you. I would never deny them your presence. I just...I just need us to get back to normal as quickly as possible. I...I am attracted to you. I have been for a while. But that's all it is—a physical attraction." On these words, I see his eyes narrow ever so slightly. I turn my head quickly and vow, "I promise to control myself, though." I allow my eyes to find his again. "I don't want to lose you either."

He studies me for a minute. Just as I find myself about to squirm under his intense gaze, he releases me. "OK, Celeste, that settles that. Back to normal. We'll both behave. This physical thing between us will pass. No harm, no foul. Right?"

"Right," I say on a smile.

Standing up, he turns to go back to his mowing; but then he spins around and comes back to tower over me. My head flies up, my gaze searching. I open my mouth to ask him what's wrong, but he beats me once again.

"Celeste, just so you know," he says as he tilts my chin back further and runs his calloused fingertips up my cheek to tuck a strand of errant hair behind my ear. His hand curls itself along my jaw. "That kiss...that kiss was exceptional, and I'll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I've ever had, the best I could ever have."

Since my heart has lodged itself firmly in my throat, he's gone before I can speak or even form a coherent thought for that matter. Slowly, I shake my head at his retreating back. We'll never get back to normal if he keeps touching me and talking to me like that.

 Author Info :

For as long as she can remember, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written countless stories and plays since she was a young girl. A teacher by day and an avid reader and closet writer by night, she has always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember; and her first novel, Every Rose, was the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing. Her love of the English language prompted her to attain her master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia. A self-proclaimed "Coast Girl," she lives in Mississippi with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. She is currently at work on her third book.