Loved this story! From the first scene of Ali and Hawk together, I was hooked! I was on pins and needles waiting to make sure they wound up together. Great characters, a sensitive combination of family and love. Such a great couple!

Aliana Marshal has been crushing on Bradley Hawk since she was a kid. She met him and was immediately smitten, and they were good friends ... and then the worst thing imaginable happened! He met her sister Bridget and fell under her spell instantly. Ali had to stand by and watch the man of her dreams marry her sister ... her selfish and demanding sister ... her wishy-washy sister ... the sister that up and leaves him just as his hockey career in the NHL is ending.

Hawk was crushed when Bridget wanted out of their marriage. He was in it for the long haul ... and continued to let her string him along for a time or two even after it was over. Now he's happy living back home in Destiny Bay, running his bar and brewing his hard cider with his best friend Luke ... and best of all, having his buddy Ali working and living right next door.

When Bridget shows back up in town with news of an upcoming wedding, Ali struggles with how it's all going to affect Hawk. She knows he's still hung up on Bridget, so she needs to protect him. When a make-believe relationship between the two of them comes out of her mouth, they're all shocked. And when the heat that comes off of them during a couple of "fake" kisses hits her, she's blown away ... and so is Hawk ... and all of a sudden he wants them to be dating ... and not for pretend anymore!

Fun and sexy romance. The tension and family drama were well-written and I liked it. I always look forward to Marina Adair.

I have previously read Marina Adair books and enjoyed them thoroughly! This was not a bad book, it was me that had issues with the storyline. The younger sister winding up in a relationship with her sister's ex-husband bothered me. I think that was why it took me so long to read it. I started this book two weeks ago and found myself not picking up my tablet to read it. I will say the characters were well developed! There were some definite moments of humor throughout the story. I will read more Marina Adair books I am sure!

I had mixed feelings when reading Feels Like The First Time. On one hand I enjoyed Hawke and Ali’s story, it was heartwarming and sweet but on the other hand the drama in the story tended to take the spotlight off of Hawke and Ali and ended up over shadowing was what made me not love it as much as I had hoped I would. I mean I am a hockey fan so reading about a former hockey player should have left this book whore extremely satisfied but I wasn’t. The friend’s to lovers element was an additional touch that just added to all that was going on.

Overall Feels Like The First Time was a heartwarming book, that I liked, I just wish at the end of the day I had loved it. I do recommend the book still because I think most people will end up enjoying it as well.

This was my first title by this author, so I did finish it. But I was really not able to connect with the story. As the rating is low, we have chosen not to run this on the blog or do a formal review on Goodreads.

I do appreciate the opportunity to read the title and will give the author another chance in the future.

Thank you,
Laura

Sexy and fun second book in the Destiny Bay series! Hawk and Ali perfect for each other, even if Hawk was married to her older sister. My heart broke for Ali and they way she always put everyone else's needs before her own. Hawk did a perfect job of showing her she deserved her own dreams. Lots of drama from Ali's family, but a great happy ending.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

I fell in love with the characters of Destiny Bay in last Kiss of Summer. The return to Destiny Bay in Feels Like the First Time was every bit as explosive as I expected. I was so looking forward to Hawk and Ali coming to terms with what they feel for each other and Adair delivers on their story. She creates a story filled with family drama when Bridget, Ali's pretentious and newly engaged sister returns to Destiny Bay. Their strained relationship and family dynamics drives Ali right into Hawks arms. The very Hawk that is Bridget's the ex-husband. What starts as an impulsive move on Ali's part, changes everything about who they are. The plot is well paced and I knew that there would be certain emotions that would permeate the story.

The story opens with Hawk and Ali experiencing a bit of a showdown. Their friendship is consumed by the way they get under each others skin, purposefully antagonizing each other. I'd liken it to kids on a playground - always the ones who like each other. But for all the bickering they have respect for each other and watch each others backs. Hawk and Ali have a long standing connection and as the premise promises, it's messy and only gets messier. The tension builds slowly, the path forward is not going to be easy, and the family connection makes for some heartbreaking moments.

Adair creates complex characters that the reader can't help but to find themselves absorbed in their lives. Ali is independent and strong and hides her vulnerabilities well. Being in her head we come to understand just how deep her feelings for Hawk go, and the extent of her mothers and sisters abandonment. What got to me most was how she sacrifices her own happiness for others and how some people expect it of her. But Ali's feisty spirit wins out.

We get the same deeper understanding from Hawk, as he reflects on his marriage to Bridget, his relationship with the entire family, but most importantly, his friendship with Ali. His voice is strong and I didn't fight falling for him. He's all around good guy who is finally seeing what's in front of him. Adairs writing is poetic and there's no doubt that what Hawk and Ali have is genuine and unique. Feels Like The First Time is yet another 5 stars read from Marina Adair!

3 1/2 Stars! I love Marina Adair's books. I always enjoy her writing and I do enjoy Destiny Bay. Hawk & Ali have wonderful chemistry. I love the friends to lover trope - and the author wrote that perfectly. This book was written so well. I love their story and their heartfelt connection.

The downside for me is that Hawk was married to Ali's sister, Bridget, before. For five years. If he had dated Bridget for a hot minute, I could see a relationship between Hawk and Ali. But I couldn't get past that Hawk was hopelessly in love with Bridget, married to her and was dumped by her. And then he ends up with Ali - whom he had always been friends with, even before he met Bridget. So the stars are definitely for the friends to lovers story line. I loved that part!

I'm looking forward to the next Destiny Bay installment.

Small-town romance and friends-to-lovers are two of my favorite tropes so I was excited to see that Feels Like the First Time rolled them into one along with a fake romance. Ali was super spunky and fun- I loved that she was an artist with a style all her own. Hawk was super hawt (see what I did there?) and his friendship with Ali went so far back... way further than his marriage to her sister (a character I could not stand). So it was fun to see them explore a relationship and finally admit to each other that they were meant to give it a try. Chock-full of small town charm and family drama, this is a fun read.

absolutely adore a friends to lovers romance. Honestly it is one of my absolute favorite romance troupes. Marina Adair hit all the right buttons for me in Feels Like the First Time.

I love every single thing about Ali Marshall. She is a strong woman who runs her own business and is always there to take care of friends and family. She also knows her own mind and puts her own needs on the back burner to help others out at times, so much so that even though she is insanely attracted to Bradly Hawk, she remains only friends with him since he is her sister's ex-husband.

I have to say the chemistry between Ali and Hawk was pretty awesome from their very first encounter. Even their playful banter was so flirtatious. I seriously bought into them as a couple long before Ali created her fauxmance with Hawk. They had amazing passion and I especially loved that Hawk accepted Ali just as she was and didn't expect her to change at all.

I did worry how much pressure Ali put on herself to always be there for everyone else while putting many of her needs last. I think her family especially had come to expect her to take up the slack, and it was refreshing to finally see her sister Bridget offer to help, even if she stumbled a bit along the way.

I really enjoyed Feels Like the First Time, which is the 2nd book in the Destiny Bay series. As I missed reading the first book in the series, I can say with certainty that Feels Like the First Time reads very well as a stand alone story. I will also say I have already bought the first book to go back and read, as I hate reading books in a series out of order. I found Feels Like the First Time to be a sexy and emotional romance and a really super fast read, as I couldn't put the book down.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

Aliana (Ali) Marshall is a large scale metal and wood artist who makes repurposed art.

Bradley Hawk, Hawk to most everyone, was married to Ali’s sister Bridget. Ali and Hawk have been friends even after his marriage broke up. He also kept in touch with and looked after their dad as well. That fact that Bridget and Hawk were married comes up a lot throughout the book. Too much. It makes Ali and Hawk’s relationship seem weird and awkward at times. So much drama going on that it overshadowed the strong friendship and budding relationship. There was way too much Bridget and her ridiculous behavior, not enough Hawk and Ali.

In the few moments that we get just Hawk and Ali, it is obvious they know each other very well and are comfortable with each other. All of Hawk’s pampering was very sweet. I wanted much more of those moments.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley.

4 stars

Feels Like the First Time was a well written and heartfelt read.
I enjoyed the storyline, it was entertaining and held my interest all throughout the book.
The drama was well done and just enough to keep you turning the pages.

Ali and Hawk were very likable, relatable and endearing characters. I enjoyed watching them move from friends to lovers, they had amazing chemistry and truly belonged together.

Feels Like the First Time by Marina Adair is a wonderful addition to the Destiny Bay series.
Each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them both.

*Purchase Links*
Amazon ~ https://www.amazon.com/Feels-Like-Fir...

*Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for the advance copy.*

When Hawk's professional hockey career ended in injury, his marriage wasn't far behind. After moving home to Destiny Bay and building a new life, opening a sports bar and starting up a hard cider company with his best friend.

When Hawk married her sister, Ali kissed her fantasies goodbye, and lost one of her best friends at the same time. She's focused on building an amazing career, but her social life leaves a lot to be desired, and most of the men she's dated have left her feeling flat.

A surprise appearance of her sister at Ali's dad's - with a new fiance' in tow, spurs Ali to make a rash decision to pretend that she and Hawk are an item, and when her sister decides to hang out in town, the two of them are forced to either carry on the charade or fess up. As they start to spend more time together, the close friendship they shared when they were young is easily rekindled, and the attraction between them grows, but there is plenty of family drama built into their blossoming relationship before it even gets off the ground. Can they find a way to make everything work, with the tangled family history between them?

Feels Like the First Time is a beautiful story about family, friendship, love, and support. Marina Adair is a must read author for me, and this is a shining example of the romance that she crafts so beautifully.

I’ve read Destiny Bay’s first in the series, “Last Kiss Of Summer” and thought it was real good. But Marina Adair’s second in the series, “Feels Like The First Time” is even better than the first. And I definitely think it’s the chemistry between the characters.
I honestly don’t know why, but from the first page onwards Bradley Hawk was just this super hunk of a guy with a funny bone and mushy heart, and Ali Marshall is like Tinker Bell. The chemistry between these two is just pure magic, never mind that Hawk is Ali’s sister’s ex-husband…just schematics right?
With her sister Bridget breezing into town with plans of getting married, and her estranged mother making her presence felt, Ali has her hands full dealing with dramatics and with her brain all muddled, Hawk and she end up in a fake relationship. And the fun starts. One lie leads to another, one kiss becomes two and more, and before they know, they are far gone in the game of love.

The dialogues are pure pleasure tickling with humor and sensuality, the chemistry between Ali and Hawk is yummilicious, and the plot is rich with emotions and depth, and it “Feels Like The First Time” to enjoy a spectacular romance from the sidelines.

Ali Marshal remains as one of my favorite characters.

This is the second book in the series and I will definitely be going back for book one. This story was a sweet romance with friends to lovers’ vibe. Apparently Hawk and Ali were great friends in the past but that was interrupted when Hawk marries Ali’s sister thus breaking her heart and leading her to not trust easily. Hawk is still dealing with feelings for his ex and discovering his new attraction to Ali. Now if only his ex and her sister, the one and only, Bridget, would step aside the road to romance would be smooth but where’s the fun in that?? I liked this story a lot. It was light and fun with a story that I thought was a little forbidden at first due to their family connection but it grew on me and I was cheering for them the whole way.

"Feels Like Forever" is the second book in the Destiny Bay series and focuses on Bradley Hawk who was mentioned in the first book of the series. Hawk is a retired hockey player who now produces and bottles hard cider in the town of Destiny Bay. He has left a disastrous marriage behind and feels he is moving on with his life.

That is until his ex-wife comes to town to flaunt her new engagement and to have a huge party to celebrate. Her sister, Ali, has been in love with Hawk since before she became his sister-in-law (and now ex-sister-in-law). Ali struggles with her identity and has always set aside her dreams so others could pursue theirs. In a moment of desperation, she blurts out that she and Hawk are together and thus the ruse begins.

But is it really a faux-mance??? Is Hawk truly over his failed marriage? Can Ali finally put herself and her dreams ahead of everyone else? These are the questions that build the story.

This is a great book and holds true to Marina’s style of writing. She draws us in with humor, drama and of course romance! I loved the playful bantering between Ali and Hawk,

Take the time to visit Destiny Bay and enjoy the ambiance. It is worth your time!

Hawk and Ali!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I absolutely loved them! I loved the foundation of friendship that they had before they started a relationship. I love friends to lovers stories! This book was about more than just Hawk and Ali. It was about a family torn apart finally healing. There were tender moments that made me tear up. It is the power of Marina Adair's writing that had me liking Bridget when I was certain in the beginning that I didn't. I would 100% recommend this book!

This wild and crazy ride was every bit as delightful as the two characters the author created in this slap-happy tale about second chances.

Ali had loved Hawk with every part of her being since they were kids growing up in Destiny bay. What she hadn't realized was how her sister's appearance would steal him away. She convinced herself she could get through him marrying her sister. She could convince herself that their friendship would weather his divorce from said sister. Seriously, she had a much better relationship with him than her sister Bridget. Falling for him again, though, would be sheer lunacy.

That's what we romance readers call a trope. In fact, it's a trope I can't resist. Maybe because I only had brothers, but I hold a soft spot for sisters. This pair, however...

All Hawk knew was that he really was tired of standing between Ali and her family. Sure, he got it. Marrying and then getting dumped by her sister was a huge hurdle to get over for both of them. He, because of his broken heart; and Ali because of her insecurity about not being enough. What would this fauxmance do to their relationship? And why was the thought of being with Ali for real so tempting?

A fake relationship brought all kinds of luscious and sinful thoughts into Ali's head--and definitely into Hawk's hands. The possibility of a real romantic relationship between them seemed possible, but could Ali ever trust enough that he really wanted her for her and not as the consolation prize?

I really loved how the slow heat simmered and burned between these characters. At times I really wanted to take a bite out of Bridget and Gail, their mom, but Martina Adair made sure to humanize both. Thanks for a beautiful and sweet romance with some extra sizzle on the grill. Thanks!

Ah, it was nice to be back in Destiny Bay. Once you’re so far away and only just come back to it, you remember exactly how much you missed a good small town romance. And I’ve read some good ones, but there’s nothing like the pleasure of coming back to a familiar voice.

I may have forgotten a few details, but I knew I was looking forward to this story ever since finishing the previous book. As a sucker for friends-to-lovers stories, knowing the hero Hawk was a hockey player was the cherry on top of a most delicious pie, cause let’s just say that’s some sort of magic word for me, hockey. So major points there for this reader.

This book, apart from being a good, solid romance, had me for the heroine. I felt like I saw myself in Ali, something I neither have done before nor sought out to do so. I take the heroes and heroines as they come, and read through their lives as a happy audience, but this time Ali had me with all that she was. You’ll definitely find loyal, caring, vulnerable and yet strong with Ali. I’m sure she’s the kind of woman who’s out there in all of us, and that right there touched me like nothing else. I could see her faults clear as crystal mind you, and her being a book I could easily read made me connect with her, which in the end made this such an easy, fulfilling read.

I cannot simply walk away without making it clear that Hawk was the solid, reliable-wonderful, if I may say so- hero that’s out there. One who I not so secretly wish I had in my life. Together with Ali they made a sexy-never forget the sexy!- and perfect couple.

Small town romance doubled with friends who become lovers, tripled with hockey player hero and metal welding heroine, this was right up my alley. And if any of those things I mentioned, plus some sexy times on the beach is the thing for you, then don’t skip this one. In fact, go back and grab the first book and make a day of it.

I’m adding four spoonfuls of this story into my hodgepodge. Now, allow me to sigh into my coffee cup while I think about finding love next door in your best friend.