Member Reviews
I requested this several years ago and I don't think it's a book for me anymore. So I will not be reviewing at this time, but if I do read it, I will update this review. Thank you for the opportunity.
This was a wonderful single parents story and also a second chance romance. They just wanted what was best for their little guys. It was such a heart warming story.
Matt Osborn had no idea coaching his five-year-old nephew's soccer team would get him so much attention from the mothers-attention he doesn't want now that he's given up on love and having a family of his own. Yep, Matt's the last of his bachelor buddies, and plans on staying that way. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with the woman who broke his heart.
The book was decent. It was a quick read that flowed easily enough. Both characters were likable.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
I really wasn't feeling the tension & chemistry between them.and the part where they act on their 'feelings'/attraction felt very sudden and forced.... This felt like the pacing was super slow and had a lot of focus on the kids and tiptoeing around their past.
As a parent, I did enjoy the attachment/gentle parenting shown here, and I laughed and smiled several times throughout. It was really, very sweet from that perspective.
3.5 Stars
Review: Always You by Denise Grover Swank is the third novel in this series. It’s just as romantic and sweet as the previous books. Because of her great writing, I have grown into one of her biggest fans. Believable characters, charming locations, likable smaller characters, and a plot that entices with every page. I can only praise this writer. Her work is always good. I haven’t run into a bad book yet.
Inside this book, I found a lot of drama. Mostly with two past lovers colliding with each other again. Broken hearts that never forgot the romance they once shared. Sparks flying everywhere. And add in a complicated relationship that comes between them. It was a nightmare of a mess. A past lover won’t let go. Needs his wife and child to look good for his boss. Themes of infidelity, lies, and second chances are found here. I was rooting for the main couple all the way through this novel. From beginning to end, I wanted their happiness. Denise Grover Swank didn’t disappoint with this juicy plot. With the personal and emotional struggles, I wasn’t sure how the book would end. But it was so worth reading it.
An uncle who coaches his newphew’s soccer team. He’s single. The soccer moms know it. Feeling like running away, Matt gets hit hard. Yes, he does get physically hit, but I’m talking about the hit to his gut. Seeing the one and only woman he love show up with her child. Matt wanted marriage and kids with her. She turned him down…since then, he’s been single.
Anna is a single mom waiting for her awful husband to sign the divorce papers. But he’s delaying it. Suddenly, he’s taken to threatening her with taking their son away, if she doesn’t do what he says. Feeling trapped, Anna can only do as he says. Only because, she can’t lose her son…
Love is in the air. Risks are popping up, and it is only a matter of time until Matt and Anna find their way through it all.
Overall, Alaways You is a fantastic romance. I couldn’t stop reading it. Denise Grover Swank has a talent like no other writer. Her world of fiction is magical. I laughed, cried, and loved them all….the characters were unforgettable. I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.
I love Denise Grover Swank's books and this one was just as amazing!
This was the perfect feel good second chance romance. I didn’t realize when I picked this up to read it was a series. I was able to follow along without any problems. I plan to go back and read the first two books. I am a fan of Denise Grover Swank and her writing style.
Matt and Anna dated when they were in college. When he proposed Anna bolted. Years later Matt is coaching his nephew’s soccer team when he is introduced to his nephew’s best friend. He doesn’t expect the child to be Anna’s. She is a divorced mom who moved back to the states to take care of her ill father.
Matt is the perfect hero; he wants a wife and family of his own. My heart broke for him when Anna left him and then showed up again with a child. I was pulling for Matt to find his special someone and hoping it would be Anna.
Anna is a sweet heroine who thought she needed to have a future of her on.
Now that she and her son are back in the states she sees a lot of Matt.
Matt and Anna were the sweetest and I loved the chemistry between them. I can’t wait to go back and read the other books in this series.
This is the third book in the series about the three bachelors. Of course the first two end up married so you think this one will be the same. The beginning though has Matt Osborn coaching his nephew’s soccer team. While he begins practice they are still waiting for one other boy to show up. His nephew made friends with him at school and the boy is new to the school and talks funny. Turns out he is from England and when he arrives practice goes good until the end when he is starring at the one person he never thought he would see ever again especially on the soccer field. You see Anna broke his heart 12 years ago by saying no to his marriage proposal, and also saying she did not want a family especially children. So here he is looking at her thinking now it was just him that she did not children with. When she finds out that he is single and that he has never married she feels like that she is at fault. He of course tells her he is still in love with her but knows they can’t be together because she is going back to England because of custody issues, and he has issues with raising his sister son who does not want him to leave the country but she also can’t have him with her. Will they be able to find a way to be together? Read this wonderful story to find out. The ending is good. The characters are all good and overall a very good book.
Always You is easily my favorite of Denise Grover Swank's Bachelor Brotherhood series! I absolutely loved Matt, Anna, and all the soccer kids! It's a first love - second chance story that I absolutely adored! The pacing is quick and the story offers is a perfect blend of heart warming romance, a hefty dose of humor, all the while being painfully real. I don’t know if I was particularly hormonal while reading this, but I got teary eyed for both Matt and Anna. Out of all the pairings between The Wedding Pact and Bachelor Brotherhood series, I liked theirs the most because they were able to reconcile their past.
Matt could not be more perfect. I want a Matt. Where do I get one? I'm 35... so tick tock!
This romance gets a rare *****5 STAR***** from me, and I’m picky when it comes to contemporary romance. I loved it!!!
A very sweet love story! This author’s books are warm in sensuality, not hot, but so very lovable. This one has a great story of second chance with funny scenes, so entertaining. I had a great time reading this book and ended up in a great mood.
Matt is a soccer coach for little kids. He has a five-year-old nephew who lives with him while his sister pursues her studies in medicine. He’s on the soccer team and they were on the first practice of the year. This first practice was funny in two parts: first, all the single moms wanting a piece of Matt. Second, when he’s explaining soccer to the kids and demonstrating moves, the practice deteriorated to a melee where one mother was hit on the nose, the coach hit on the groin and all the kids rioting for balls. It was a great hilarious first scene, and very effective because right after that arrived Noah’s best friend Toby with his mother, who turned out to be Matt’s ex-girlfriend, the woman who broke his heart twelve years ago.
Anna was back in town because her elderly widowed father broke his leg and needed help. So Anne took a leave of absence from her work in International Finance in London, took her son out of school and flew to Blue Springs for a few months to assist her father get back on his feet. The last thing she expected was to take Toby to soccer practice and face Matt, the only man she had ever loved and had to leave.
Initially, the reasons for the breakup are not known but as the book progressed I sort of guessed. There are several relations that are in progress in the book and I loved to read how all of them dealt with their issues. Anna’s father was such a grumpy old man, very bad-tempered and mean mouthed. Her little boy was terrified of his grandfather. So Anna had to reason with her father so he would relent and be more agreeable. So we see the development of the relation of Toby with his grandpa.
Anna has to deal with his father’s future since it soon became evident that he wasn’t progressing and would need to get into assisted living.
Matt initially was furious with her but then started understanding and dealing. Anna was realizing that her love and her heart and her life belonged in Blue Springs and with Matt but there were legal issues that tied her to stay in London.
The boys Toby and Ethan playing together and being best friends was precious to read. All the innocence and feelings of little boys who need love and attention. Poor Toby was getting very attached to Matt because for the first time in his life he was getting the attention of a father figure.
And finally Matt and Anna. Anna was a clear cut character, she loved Matt but she needed to get away. Then life got in the way. Matt needed to understand a lot of things and his mother played a pivotal role. He also had a huge decision regarding Ethan’s custody, since his sister was going to be away for ten years until she got her degree. I loved Matt’s character, it was full of integrity, tenderness, good humor, and protectiveness. No alpha man here, but a man of substance and strong presence. His generosity of spirit in accepting Ethan into his home and adapting his life to include his nephew was exemplary.
There was lots of growing and sorting out feelings and that’s why this was such a great book. It’s not just a love story, but a family story. It was entertaining all the way.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
I have followed the Bachelor Brotherhood series from the beginning. This newest installment, Always You and Denise Grover Swank, did not disappoint. I was as engaged and captivated by the latest novel in the series as I was with the first. Maybe even more actually as I have come to know the brotherhood. Now the formula for the story is fairly predictable in that boy meets girl (in this case, they knew, and dated, each other before), instant chemistry and attraction, denial of feelings, get together, challenge ensues, love triumphs. What is not predictable is the journey in that I found it very relatable and realistic. Additionally, how both Matt and Anna handled the situation was mature, thoughtful and with purpose. I found this reassuring since they are both a parent to a young child or a pseudo parent to a young child.
The “leaving” scene when they were young adults was heart wrenching. I was thoroughly impressed as to how it was written and it was certainly an emotional passage to read. I was heartbroken for Matt by the time I finished it.
Matt is a coach to his nephew’s soccer team. Matt is also temporary custodian of said nephew…long story which you will discover as you read. I found Matt’s love and devotion to his nephew inspiring. He stepped up to the plate and showed his truly colours as a “pseudo parent” to his nephew. His innate ability to handle the kids on the soccer team was also very impressive.
There is also no lack of funny moment in this book. For example, when Matt was holding practice with the soccer team, things got a wee bit out of hand when the kids were talking about kicking the ball:
‘… Matt lifted his hands. “Okay! We don’t kick the ball to hurt anyone. We only kick the ball to make a goal.”
”But that’s not what Uncle Kevin said last week at your house,” Ethan said, tilting his head back to look at him.
“He said he was going to kick Uncle Tyler in his balls, and he wasn’t even playing soccer.”
He was going to kill his best friend. “Then Uncle Kevin needs a time-out, and I’ll ask Aunt Holly to give him one.”
“Your uncle has balls?” Becca asked. “You’re so lucky. My uncle only has cell phones.”
Now that had me laughing SO hard. Out of the mouth of babes….
Anna (Annaliese Robins nee Fischer) has returned to her hometown to assist with the short term care of her widowed father who is recovering from a broken leg. Anna is now a divorced mom of one boy named Toby. Turns out in the short time they have been in town, Toby has become best friends with Ethan, Matt’s nephew. The last time Matt saw Anna, she had rejected his marriage proposal and told him that she did not want to marry anyone or have kids (something that Matt wanted with a passion).
I also quite enjoyed the scene’s where Anna interacted with the soccer mom’s… especially Ponytail Mom (she is a bit of a witch so the interactions were funny) and Phyllis. Phyllis is the kind of mom everyone should meet – kind, helpful, non-judgmental – all while having four kids! Supermom as far as I am concerned.
Another plus for this read are the intimate and romantic scenes between Anna and Matt. Talk about HOT! I am not sure the other two books intimate scenes were this hot. I loved how they (to some extent anyways) were careful about giving the wrong impression to their boys until they were certain (though were they ever certain of the sustainability of their relationship)?
There were many sub stories as well, which added complexity and a touch more realism. Anna and her Dad and how a bit of miscommunication can leave unintended bitter feelings. We also got a feel for Anna’s ex and their relationship when Phillip came to town. I will leave it to you to form your own opinion of Phillip and his actions.
Always You is a wonderful final book to the Bachelor Brotherhood series. Easy to read and an overall feel good read with a touch (okay maybe more than a touch) of humor and some serious “hotness” thrown in. Never hurts that the descriptions of the men in the book are portrayed as hunky and good looking J. I have come to appreciate the writing of Denise Grover Swank and look forward to further books penned by Ms. Swank.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
3.75 stars---ALWAYS YOU is the third (and final) instalment in Denise Grover Swank’s contemporary, adult BACHELOR BROTHERHOOD romance series focusing on three friends (Kevin, Tyler and Matt) who call themselves The Bachelor Brotherhood. This is construction company operator / soccer coach Matt Osborn, and single mom/international financial consultant Annaliese Fischer-Robins story line. ALWAYS YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The Bachelor Brotherhood series is a spin off from the author’s The Wedding Pact Series but you do not need to have read the previous series to enjoy The Bachelor Brotherhood.
SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier, best friends Matt Osborn, Tyler Norris, and Kevin Vandemeer, following three mutually disastrous relationships and breakups, loosely formed what came to be known as the Bachelor Brotherhood. Tyler and Kevin quickly found love but our hero struggled with moving forward, never forgetting about the woman that broke his heart.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Anna and Matt) ALWAYS YOU follows the rekindling romance between former lovers Anna Fischer-Robins, and Matt Osborn, whose relationship twelve years earlier was destroyed when Anna walked out of Matt’s life in order to pursue a career in international finance. Fast forward to present day, wherein Anna Fischer, now a single mother of a five year old son, returns home to help her ailing father. Registering Toby for soccer, Anna will come face to face with her past-Matt Osborn-the man whose heart she broke when she refused his proposal of marriage, and any chance at a happily ever after. What ensues is the second chance relationship between two people who have never stopped loving one another in the face of heartbreak, pain and thousands of miles of open sea, and the potential fall out when Anna’s recent past comes looking for a second chance.
Matt Osborn was destroyed the day Anna Fischer walked out of his life claiming she didn’t want marriage or children but was destined for the world of international finance overseas. Caring for his sister’s five year old son Ethan has our hero longing for a family of his own with a woman whose return to America is only temporary and fleeting. Anna’s return to US soil finds our heroine a divorced mother of one blowing all of her personal proclamations out of the water adding more anger to an already tepid situation between she and the man she once loved.
The relationship between Anna and Matt is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that quickly develops into something more but something that may only be temporary as Anna is legally obligated to return overseas. Matt’s seduction of Anna pulls our heroine closer to the man she would always love but a man, who for so long, struggled in the face of betrayal and lost love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.
Lanie and Tyler (Until You #2), and Kevin and Holly (Only You #1) return as secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Anna’s father Albert Fischer, her son Toby, and her ex-husband Phillip Robins; as well as Matt’s nephew Ethan, his mother, and his sister Abby Osborn.
ALWAYS YOU is a sweet story of second chances; a delightful and heart warming tale of one man’s struggle to let go of the past; and one woman’s battle to secure her future. The premise is enjoyable; the romance is tender and fated; the characters are colorful and real.
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3.5 stars
The Bachelor Brotherhood started out of necessity. It has repeatedly failed though. One by one they have fallen. Last but not least, Matt has encountered the One. The One who broke him, the One who got away, the only One he has ever loved.
Sometimes second chances happen. Matt isn't sure he wants to take it. Bitter and still upset 12 years later it's hard to make sense of everything. One thing he does know, Anna still has the same pull over him.
This sweet and endearing mess (aka their lives) is the perfect way to spend your day. Fighting battles, kicking space rocks, and watching Lego Movie never sounded better.
I don't know where to start! I have been eyeing this author for a while now. So when I got a chance to try out her writing, I jumped! And how well I jumped into the story. I know this is a series but it can be read as a standalone. It doesn't overlap that much.
I couldn't help falling in love with Ethan and Toby. Yeah, they are the highlight of the story in addition to the never ending love Matt has for Anna. The kids were too cute and it added to the charm of the story. The romance between Matt and Anna wasn't overdone. It was perfect and light. The camaraderie between Matt and his friends was enjoyable. They were so protective of Matt and his feelings. It is not often that type of friendships are seen between guys in books.
Anna and Matt were strong in their roles. Their reasons for the past were real and didn't interfere with the plot. I liked the way the author played out the ex-husband angle and the solution for it. The book on the whole was a fast read. It was easy to follow the flow of the tale and the story rang true and warm till the end.
I am now eager to finish the earlier books in the series and to follow the author's other books too.
My one line review : A cute but heart touching second chance romance
My rating : 4.5/5
My reread factor : 3.5/5
Such a sweet, beautiful story! This book has everything...intense emotion, hilariously funny LOL moments, and swoony romance! I loved how real and emotionally raw this story was. Even though it was super romantic, it wasn't a fantastical romance. It was real and down to earth; a story you could imagine happening to someone you know. Sometimes you want a little bit of real life, but still the HEA and this book delivered that. This book really gave me all the feels. A definite must read!
ARC provided by NetGalley.
4 stars
Always You by Denise Grover Swank is a sweet and heartwarming second chance love story.
I really enjoyed watching Matt and Anna reconnect and get their second chance at love.
These two never really got over each other, it might be years later but the feelings they once shared are just as strong when they come back into each others lives.
This was a beautiful and heartfelt read about opening your heart and forgiving the past hurts and never giving up.
Always You is a great addition to the Bachelor Brotherhood series, each book can be read on it's own and I highly recommend them.
*Purchase Links*
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*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
I can’t believe this is the first book I have read by this author, well it won’t be the last because I was hooked from the first chapter and it didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the previous books I still really enjoyed Always You, after all don’t we all love those second chance romances especially when we have a single parent involved, in this book we get both of those and so much more. This story is about friendships, loyalty, family and a second chance at love, the characters are strong and loveable and what can I say about those two adorable little boys who at times stole the show. Always You has the perfect mix of love, humour and not too much angst, the banter between the adults will make you smile but the one liners from the little boys will have you laughing out loud. Great read looking forward to going back and reading the previous books in this series
Matt Osborn and Anna Robins were once in love, but Anna walked away from the best thing in her life to pursue her dreams. Yet now, she's back in town caring for her father, and soon after discovers that Matt is her son's new soccer coach. Spending time together would be a mistake, especially knowing she'll be heading home to London as soon as her father recovers. However, staying away from Matt is impossible. Will Matt be able to convince Anna to give them a second chance at forever after; or are there too many obstacles for the pair to overcome to ever be happy together again?
This is the first book I've read of this series, and it's a book I absolutely adored from start to finish because of the wonderful main and secondary characters, even the heroine's selfish ex-husband; dialogue that had me sympathizing with the hero and heroine because of all they've been through in the past, but that had me smiling quite a lot because it was palpable Anna and Matt still loved each other; and the fast-paced plot that had me loving everything this couple go through on their journey to happy ever after. The way this story started had me laughing because of the kids Matt is coaching soccer to and some of the sentences that are coming out of their mouths when it comes to balls.
As for the dialogue, it was well-written, compelling and I loved the moment the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time, as the memories are hard to escape and it's palpable there's still plenty of chemistry between them, despite the fact that Matt wants to dislike Anna for what she did to tear them apart years ago. Moreover, the heroine is resilient and courageous because of everything her ex has put her through and the fact that she's come out on top in raising a wonderful boy that she loves more than anything. I also liked how the heroine stood up to her ex with everything he's doing to ensure she'll never have a future with Matt. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was her determination to repair her relationship with her father and she's off to a good start by helping him through a rough time in his life where he can't be the independent man he normally is.
While the hero, he has every reason to dislike Anna for what she did, but I liked that he was willing to forgive her, so they could have a second chance at happy ever after. I also liked the tight bond the hero shared with his nephew and the growing bond between him and the heroine's little boy. He would do anything for the two of them, which is proven by what he does at the end of this story for Anna's son and what he's doing for his nephew that proves how good of a father he would be and proves how good of a brother he is for doing what he's doing for his sister. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is his determination to prove his love for the heroine, which is put to the test because of the heroine's ex. Will the heroine follow through with the plans she's made with Matt?
Overall, Ms. Swank has delivered an utterly fantastic read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong and convincing; the romance was delightful and had me hoping that everything would work out for the best for this couple; and the ending had me absolutely charmed by what the hero does for the heroine and her son. No way can he live without them. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up superbly, as this couple so deserve their second chance at forever after. I would recommend Always You by Denise Grover Swank, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Bella Andre, Erin Nicholas, Samantha Chase and Melissa Foster.
I have really enjoyed the Brotherhood Bacheler series and have been looking forward to this last installment. This turned out to be so much more than just a second chance romance. The obvious love between Matt and Anna is more than just a sexual attraction. They have a connection that makes the reader want them to find a way to make things work even when no solution seems possible. I am always amazed at what a gifted writer Swank is and how easy it is to seamlessly feel apart of her world as I am reading.
I loved ALWAYS YOU by Denise Grover Swank. This novel grabs you right from the beginning, and the engaging plot never loses momentum. The two primary characters, investment banker Anna Fischer, and construction business owner Matt Osborn, have scorching chemistry. Their journey to a second chance at love is replete with desire, forgiveness, and two little five-year-old boys who become the best of friends. This is the third book from the author's BACHELOR BROTHERHOOD series, and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Anna and Matt dated and fell madly in love during college. Immediately after graduation, Anna turned down Matt's marriage proposal and moved to London for a job in finance. Matt stayed in town and took over his father's construction company. Now it is twelve years later and Anna is back to take care of her temporarily-ailed father. She is a single mom with a sleaze of an ex-husband. Matt has his own home and is parenting his nephew full-time, while his sister is pursuing a medical degree out-of-state. Anna and Matt meet on the soccer field, where Matt is the youth soccer coach. Their feelings remain unchanged from years ago, so finding a way to spend the rest of their lives together is a huge challenge they need to figure out.
Ms. Swank has become one of my favorite authors, and I always enjoy her heartfelt writing style. This is a well-written book, and Anna and Matt are interesting, complex, and genuine. The main sex scene was hot and full of emotion. In addition, the characters' respective children add a lot of authenticity and innocence to the plot. If you enjoy a novel with a lot passion and energy, then pick up a copy of ALWAYS YOU.
LJT, Romance Junkies, 5 Hearts