Jase Beckford has returned to the rural town of Pierson, Kansas and has taken up raising cattle, while participating part time in the National Guard. Becca Walters had a serious crush on her neighbor, Jase, when she was a young teenager and is surprised to find him in her dad's kitchen one early morning. Their timing may be a bit better now years later but there are still some obstacles for these two people to find their happily ever after.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

This book pulled me in from the start. I couldn't wait to read how everything would unfold and it did not disappoint!

I haven't read any of the other books in the series but that didn't stop me from enjoying this story. The characters were great as was the storyline & I will definitely be looking out for more from this author

Well written and an enjoyable story. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Opposites attract and it leads to major chemistry and palpable physical attraction.

A great emotive return to the Man Enough series.
Interesting family and friends dynamic keeps the characters and story running smoothly and at a fast pace.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

A story of three people who were together as children and Jase has always had a crush on Becca Walters, but because of things that were said by her twin when they were younger nothing ever came of it. Hannah, Becca’s twin just figure after what Hannah said to her that Jase did not like her and so the story begins. Years later Becca is home helping their father and being there for Hannah who is getting married when both Becca and Jase start to have feelings for one another. To the point that Becca breaks up with her boyfriend, there is more to that story. Jase is torn because he is wondering how she can like him now when she has disliked him all of this time. Now when they begin to spend time together Hannah becomes jealous and breaks off her engagement. Confused me too, but the story starts to work itself out and you begin to see where everything took a turn way back when, now can they correct everything so Jase and Becca can be a couple. Read this fascinating story to find out.

Becca had a serious crush on Jase from the time she first met him. But, she always thought he only had eyes for her twin sister, Hannah. Becca moved on with her life, went to college and left the small town she grew up in . Jase and Hannah were always together. They were best friends and everyone thought they would end up together, but Jase wasn't sure that was what he really wanted. Their relationship was wonderful and he was grateful for their friendship but theirs wasn't the romantic forever kind of love.

Mecca came back to town one Christmas and saw Jase once again. Those same familiar feelings came over her. She was practically engaged to someone else but she couldn't shake the feelings she still had for Jace. But he avoided her and kind of ignored her until that one night when Hannah got engaged to someone else. Could they possibly have a chance and is it something that either of them wanted?

I really liked the story but I didn't enjoy the f-bombs or descriptive sex scenes. For that reason, I wouldn't recommend the book to my friends. I was given an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

I don’t usually read out of order but the premise for this book came at just the right time and I just HAD to give it a read. This is also my first time reading Nicole McLaughlin and I’ve been wanting to try her books for a while. And I really enjoyed what I got from her here.

SHOULD’VE BEEN YOU is about childhood neighbors Jase and Becca. He grew up in a family full of hard times and when he was at his lowest it was the Walters family that came to his rescue. Becca has had a crush on him ever since but he seemed to only have time and eyes for her twin sister Hannah. Even developing a long and deep friendship with her that has lasted through the years. Becca always assumed Jase hated her and she’s done everything in her power to put those feelings behind her and move on with her life. Until she meets Jase again years later and they realize they are more perfect for each other than they ever thought possible.

If you are looking for a sweet and romantic story, then this is it. I loved how the relationship between these two developed and how they started not as enemies but really not liking each other very much and then got to know each other as they should’ve all those years ago. As a couple I thought they were really cute.

I will give you a warning about the fact that when Becca comes back to town and reconnects with Jase (as friends mostly) she is dating someone else and there’s a cheating line that was crossed. I wasn’t a big fan of this and I wish that hadn’t been part of the book. It did take away some of my enjoyment of this story, so fair warning.

Overall, this was a cute read and I breezed right through it. I will be on the lookout for more books by Ms. McLaughlin for sure.

Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin is the third book in her Man Enough series but I did not have a clue about that when I first downloaded and began reading this book. Honestly, you don’t need to read the other books to be able to know what is going on in this book. You might be able to appreciate the other couples mentioned. Otherwise, this book is pretty easy to get into. Should’ve Been You is a contemporary romance set in Kansas and a super quick read.

Nicole McLaughlin’s Should’ve Been You follows main characters Jase and Becca who basically alternate third person point of views. The two have a long history as neighbors, but never really became close friends or anything. Jase grew up in an abusive home but found comfort with Becca’s family. One night, he is removed from his home and stays with Becca’s family. Becca’s twin, Hannah, tells Jase that Becca thinks he is smelly and doesn’t want him staying in her room. Meanwhile she goes back to Becca and tells her something along the lines of Jase thinks she’s gross. I forget. Anyways, it causes the two to not really like each other. Hannah though becomes best friends with Jase and the two have a weird back up couple friendship. Until Becca comes back in town and Jase realizes maybe he pursued the wrong twin.

Jase is pretty much a cowboy. Much of the book follows as he tries to breed this steer and make his money and build his business. He’s a good guy for the most part. Oh also he is in the National Guard and all his friends get together before drill weekend. Speaking from experience, that can be common. My husband is in the guard and his guard friends sometimes come over here and stay on drill weekend or they go out for dinner. Then there’s Becca who isn’t single when the book begins. However, she ends up being free and clear to hook up with Jase. Anyways, she is a teacher and she’s portrayed as a little bit aloof. She’s not a bad person though.

On the whole Should’ve Been You is a really fast read. I mean, it is basically a novella. There are a few cringeworthy moments and some icky commentary on Becca’s looks that make my skin crawl in the wake of #metoo. However, ignoring all of those parts, this is an okay read. It’s nice for like vacation or just one of those read between heavier books sort of reads.

This was a really good book, I liked it more than I thought I would. I wasn’t sure about how Becca having a serious boyfriend at the beginning of the story would work for me but I though everything was well handled. I loved Jace, he was such a great character. Becca was sweet but shy and reserved, traits usually take for coldness. I loved these two together. I loved how they brought out the best in each other. I also loved that as much as this was a fast read as a novella they didn’t rush their relationship too fast (though it does start fast). I’m looking forward to seeing what the author does will Becca’s sister Hannah because while she grew a fair bit in this book she’s still got a lot of growing to do. I really enjoyed this book and it can easily be read in an evening. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third story in the series by Nicole McLaughlin and it is probably one of my favorites. I love friends to lovers stories and this is a really great story.

This is the first book I have ever read from this author. In saying that I will probably read another book from her. This was a short story and it felt rushed at times. Also the characters feelings were all over the place.

Jase and Becca grew up as neighbors. Becca has a twin sister Hannah. They were both friends with Jase but Hannah was always his person and Becca was always kind of just there. Jase had a bad home life so he spent most of his time at Becca and Hannahs house. Becca crushed on Jase hard and as soon as she could leave after high school she did. She wanted to be as far away as she could be from Jase and Hannah's weird friendship. Jase and Hannah were basically each others fall back plan and their relationship was very platonic. Becca assumed they were more than that but she was wrong.

Becca comes home to visit her dad during her Christmas break from her teaching job. Jase rents her fathers land for his cattle business. The first time they see each other in 5 years, Becca is in her pajama shirt and panties bending into the fridge. Jase being a man enjoys the view of course. Becca is beyond embarrassed because she knows that Jase isn't interested in her because she is not Hannah. Although Becca and Hannah are twins they look nothing alike. Once Becca comes back into the kitchen dressed, Jase starts flirting with her which throws her off.

Hannah calls both Jase and Becca and asks them to come to a bar that her current boyfriend is playing at. Jase stops by Becca's dads and tell her to ride with him. On the ride over they have a decent conversation until Jase and Hannahs weird relationship is brought up. Once they arrive they meet up with Hannah at a reserved table. During Hannahs boyfriends performance he proposed, which caught everyone off guard. Jase of course is very caught of guard even though he know she was dating someone. Once Jase goes outside Becca goes to check on him. Jase is very shocked by this because the Becca he has know for years couldn't stand him and surely didn't care if he was upset. Becca and Jase talk and basically reveal there feeling for each other. They both thought the other person didn't really care for the other due to Hannah lying to them when they were younger. Jase and Hannah kiss and its not your normal kiss either. There is years of attraction in that one kiss. Becca stops the kiss though because she has a boyfriend.

Jase and Becca go back and forth from this point. Becca breaks up with her boyfriend when she tells him about her Jase. Her boyfriend Brian tells her the week before he kissed a co-worker. Becca goes home a few days later and her and Jase pick up where they left off. During this part of the book I felt like there was to much back and forth. Becca was confused, Jase was confused and so was Hannah.

This was a dual pov, with some romance. I liked this book but it just felt very rushed. I will however read another book from this other.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

Fraternal twins Hannah and Becca grew up with hunky neighbor Jase. Becca always had a crush on Jase, but Jase was best friends with Hannah and she was often left out. Was Jase and Hannah going to wind up together? Oh, and Jase thought Becca did not like him and Jase had the hots for Becca. Fast forward over a decade later, Jase and Becca find out about each other's crushes. What happens next? Well, you will have to read to find out (remember its a novella and goes super quick).

The series are standalone. I didn't feel like I was missing out on character story lines by picking up at Book 3, so don't be thrown off by that aspect if you are just looking for one read and not a series.

Ok, now go download it and enjoy. You're welcome.

(Review posting on my blog tomorrow, will update when link is live)

I'm obsessed with Nicole McLaughlin!
I can't wait for more from this author! She's an instant buy for me :)

A charming romance book that I really enjoyed. I loved the characters in this book.

4.5 stars - Oh, I love friends to lovers stories and while these two weren't quite friends growing up, the affection and longing was there. I was slightly worried that the whole, I want the twin sister not my friend, thing might be sorted, but it wasn't at all. Whew! Its a great upbeat read with a nice HEA. Perfect for the beach or a car trip.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I absolutely loved this sweet story about long time love, from afar, and forgiveness.

Should've Been You by Nicole McLaughlin is book Three in the "Man Enough" series. This is the story of Jase Beckford and Becca Walters. I haven't yet read the previous books, so for me this was a standalone book.
Becca always had a crush on Jase but Jase always seem to favor her twin sister Hannah. So Becca pushed her feeling assigned for them. After not seeing Jase for a few years her hope was that her feelings would have changed for him, but that isn't the case.
Jase is busy working and taking care of his mom...along with being their for Hannah. But now Hannah has found someone and Jase is spending more time with Becca.
It was great watching these two come together. This was a different flare for the childhood friends to adult romance.
Really a sweet Read!

Honestly, I am not a huge fan of siblings sharing a love interest and this is what I thought this book was about at first. A cross between that and a childhood crush harboured by the heroine, but it is so much more than that and let me tell you why...

Rebecca "Becca" Walters always had a huge crush on their next door neighbor, Jase Beckford. Ever since she was ten years old and a twelve year old Jase had moved next door with his family. And even though her twin Hannah, Jase and Becca all hung out together, it always seemed that Jase liked Hannah better. And no wonder, Hannah was always the flirty twin, the twin that knew how to get boys and do everything that she wanted and seemed to have Jase wrapped around her little finger. Unable to stand it any longer Becca moved to the big city, leaving her childhood memories and disappointments behind. It's been 18 years since those days and 5 since she last saw the rugged National Guardsman and she is back to celebrate Christmas with her father with hopes of a proposal from her boyfriend of two years, Brian. But it seems that even though a lot has changed since those childhood days of fantasising, some things still remain the same.

After years in the army, Jase is now in the National Guard and living back in his hometown, in the house where he grew up. The Walters have been more of a family to him then his own and he loves them all. And even though it may look like there is something going on between him and Hannah, Jase has always seen her as more of like the sister he never had. As for her twin Becca? Well, she has always kept her distance from Jase and he always believed that he wasn't good enough for her. It seems that old misunderstandings and crushes are about to be revealed this Christmas and it is about to get very very hot ;)

The dynamic between Jase, Hannah and Becca may seem a little confusing and even off putting at first. But trust me, like all misunderstandings and miscommunications, the truth brings everything to light and we, along with the hero and heroine see the light and soon after that feel the chemistry and heat ;) can't wait to read more of this amazing series!!