Jase and Becca were two characters that gripped my heart from the beginning. Always wanting each other, but thinking the other didn't like him/her, a misinformed situation, and years spent apart, doesn't lessen their feelings. Can old hurts be forgotten? Will his close relationship with her twin affect them being together? I liked how, even though the book took place over a few months, it didn't seem rushed. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I hope it is Aiden's book.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Should've Been You, by Nicole Mclaughlin, is really nice contemporary romance set in a small town in Kansas. The reader is introduced to Jase Beckford who has returned home after joining the army to escape the small town life he thought he didn't want. The intro is so cute. Jase is leasing land from his neighbor, Tim Walters, who has been a big influence on Jase's life. Growing up Jase lived 'down the road' from the Walters' family and spent a lot of time with them. The Walter's have twin daughters (fraternal twins). Jase considers Hannah his best friend but they have never really been romantically inclined and his relationship with her sister, Becca, is strained but friendly. So the tale entails which sister does Jase get. There's great character development of these three characters and the story winds through their lives and influences.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This the first book that I have read in this series and the book can be read as a stand alone. You hear a bit about the previous characters in book 1 & 2 but they are not a major part of the book.

I did enjoy the book which is why I gave it four stars but there are some serious issues between Jase and the two sisters - Hannah and Becca. Hannah and Jase seemed to be there for each other but it seemed such an unhealthy friendship. Brian had the right idea when he thought it was strange that Jase went from one sister to the other. I do understand that they had a history together but still kind of moving too fast here.

That was why I actually started liking the book when Becca took a break from men and really focused on who she was and not jump from one relationship to another.

Hannah was kind of hard to like and it was annoying that Jase and Becca kind of brushed off when Hannah lied to them both when they were younger. While that lie separated Becca and Jase, they felt it was excusable because Hannah was a child, but it just seemed like Hannah kept using Jase which is kind of disturbing.

The whole family seemed like they really didn't connect verbally and when Tim didn't let Becca even know that he was seeing another woman but told her on Christmas Eve that he was not spending the time with his daughters but his girlfriend. I mean really - you can't give Becca a little warning and ease her into knowing there is a girlfriend, you just dump it on her.

Even though there were a few relationship parts that annoyed me, I did enjoy reading the book. I also hope that there will be a future book about Hannah and Aiden, and that Hannah is a little more like-able in that book! I did like that she didn't try to cause trouble in Jase and Becca's relationship after she found out they were involved.

Should’ve Been You is a short romance about a romance that happens, which should have occurred earlier. Jace and Becca have known each other since childhood. In fact, Jace has been like a member of Becca’s family. Becca’s sister Hannah is the girl Jace appeared to want all these years. When Hannah gets engaged to someone other than Jace, Becca and Jace discover that there really is and always was an attraction between them, one nether of them realized or acted on. However, Becca has a boyfriend already, and even thinks he will propose to her in the very near future. Both Jace and Becca will have to work out whether they are meant to be a couple or whether they should each go their separate ways, while figuring Hannah into the equation, since she obviously is not going away.

This is a short novella that definitely fits the romance genre. I enjoyed reading it, and, though I had not read any of the others in the series, I had no trouble with it, making it a good stand-alone. I could definitely see the chemistry between Jace and Becca from the start. However, there was no suspense or wondering about how the story would end, as I knew this pair would somehow get together from the very beginning. As can be expected, Becca’s sister Hannah came across as the not-so-wonderful sister, but that was, in my opinion, expected of her and her role in the story. There were a couple of twists in the story as it progressed, which did add to enjoyment. Still, I thought the story would have been better as a full-length novel rather than into a novella, as things seemed hurried, and there was not much time or space devoted to introspection, actions between Jace and Becca, Becca and Hannah, or Jace and Hannah, or events that might and did cause stumbling blocks. Nevertheless, it was a good, fast read. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

It was a quick read. Jace has returned from service and started a cattle ranch. Becca had a crush on him but moved ahead when he chose her twin Hannah. But when Hannah is engaged to someone else and both of them meet after many years, they discover they were lied to and things take its own course and we get a HEA

A cute story about childhood crushes becoming lasting love.

A quick novella that features a second chance at love for the hero and heroine. Jase and Becca were neighbors growing up and spent a lot of time together. They both thought the other didn’t really like each other and 18 years later, they reconnect. When they first meet again, Becca is in a relationship with someone else and there is a kiss between Becca and Jase. I know that is a hard limit for some readers, so I do want to mention it. That relationship ends before there is anything else between Jase and Becca. We do get a HEA for Jase and Becca and I was invested in it. But the most interesting thing in this book is what appeared to be teasers for another book, Jase’s friend Aiden seems to have a torch for Becca’s sister but never acted on it. I will be stalking the author for information about that book.

Grace C+

I've not read any other books in this series but found that this book can be read on its own without reading the first two books. You may have more insight into some of the secondary characters, but the author does a great job of fleshing out any necessary details.

I found the life that Jase is living quite interesting - apparently, he was abused by his father as a child and his mother allowed it. Now he back living at his childhood home with his mother and raising cattle. Then there are the twins that live next door. Hannah and Jase have always had a bond and are best friends and bailed each other out of situations. However, there is no love beyond friendship between the two. Jase has always been fascinated with Becca but thought she didn't like him. He soon learns that is not the case at all and Becca is taken with him too...but she is seeing someone which puts a few kinks in their relationship.

I like how Jase and Becca reconnect and discover that perhaps they are made for each other. It takes time and trust but when you have that connection and attraction, you make it work. I liked how they work things out about what happened in the past and their roles in how they got to where they are now.

There are some descriptive sex scenes just in case you don't like that sort of thing.

Sometimes after you read a heavy, deep, almost depressing book you need something light, and fun, and cute to balance out the mood. Should’ve Been You completely did the trick.

You get all you need to know about our hero and heroine’s story from the synopsis, so there’s not much I feel like I can add there without spoilers. But what I can say is that Becca and Jase are cute, and funny, and watching them get reacquainted after so many years apart, and as adults, was delightful. From the opening page - where Jase is talking about his new bull’s task of impregnating his herd of female cattle - to the time Becca and Jase spend together, I spent plenty of time laughing.

There were also some serious moments as well. Becca and Hannah lost their mother five years ago, and seeing how everyone is coping and adapting to the new normal - and moving on - was touching and heartfelt. The sisters also had some lingering issues from childhood jealousies to deal with, and that too added depth and another layer of seriousness to the plot. Throw in some complicated and unresolved relationships, and this book had quite a bit going on for a novella-length book. The author did a good job with character and plot development - which can be hard to do with a shortened number of pages.

The one thing I didn’t like about this book is the happy-for-now ending. I like my stories to end up with a solid happily-ever-after. But that’s really my only complaint. I loved Becca and Jase, I loved the pace of their relationship, and loved this author’s writing. Which I have mixed feelings about...because I have SO many books on my to-read list right now, and I really want to just bag them all and go read another Nicole McLaughlin book. Sometimes the books I find on NetGalley don’t really wow me or get me interested in reading the author’s other works, but this one totally did!

*thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin is a sweet, contemporary romance about childhood crushes turning into more. The third book in the Man Enough novella series, each novella focuses on a different couple. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, it’s okay. These can be read as standalone novels. I had not read the previous books and found that I wasn’t lost and it was easy to read. I really enjoyed it!

The story revolves around Jase and Becca. Jase has returned home, starting a cattle ranch after being in the service. I like Jace. He’s dependable, loyal, and a little vulnerable. Becca has attempted to move on from her childhood crush. He chose her sister over her as a friend and she respects it. She’s insecure when it comes to her sister and understandably so. Yet she’s also confident in her job and her boyfriend whom she expects a proposal from. I like Becca too but she makes some choices I don’t like or agree with.

So the premise is that Jase and Becca have grown up together, but a misunderstanding has them each thinking the other doesn’t like them. This is kind of like a second chance for them. Becca’s home for the holidays and Jace is back to living next door. When he walks in on her making breakfast one morning, he decides it’s time to put the past in the past. They are both adults now after all. Usually I like these second chance / childhood sweetheart romances and it’s true of this one, however I did drop it a star.

This story pits Hanna and Becca (twin sisters) against one another over Jase. Hanna is the best friend and also the cause of the misunderstanding. The story explores their insecurities over one another and the resentment it causes. Personally I didn’t care for this aspect of the story. Aren’t twins supposed to have a special bond and why would you do what Hanna does to two people you care about? And then there’s the fact that Becca has a guy in her life already. I loathe cheating y’all!

Overall, Should’ve Been You is as its name suggests. It was an okay read for me. Definitely not a favorite! I liked Becca and Jase, but I hated the circumstances they were in and the drama that followed. I felt that this story would have been served better as a full-length novel instead of a novella. The plot and romance were rushed, not giving enough time to really fall for the two characters. If you enjoy contemporary romance, I’d give it a read. You may think differently than me.

I really enjoyed this. I have not read the first two book in there series and you don't need to, to enjoy this book. I find it funny how something said at the age of 12 can change how two people view each other. It is amazing as kids how we do that to ourselves. I enjoyed getting to know Bella and Jase. This was a quick read, I read it in less then 2 hours but it is a satisfying read. The scene with Jase and Bella in his room is HOT!! Also this book has hot Military men turned rancher so what's not to love! I would read more in this series.

Should've Been You is a contemporary Western romance of when the boy falls for the girl next door, but this tale doesn't run as smoothly as it should.

Jase Beckford has loved Becca Walters since they were kids, but it was never meant to be, especially when she couldn't get over his childhood trauma, but he is a grown man now, raising cattle, in the National Guard, and taking care of his mother, but the last thing he ever expected when stopping by the Walters homestead, was a half-naked Becca!

Becca Walters is home for the weekend visiting her father and twin sister, and the last thing she expects is to bump into Jase, while half-naked in her family home, not that Becca dislikes Jase, quite the opposite actually, but because after all this time she realizes that her childhood crush for Jase is not so childish after all.

In this book we follow Jase and Becca's where they find out the truth of their past, and what are their feelings between them, but of course there are huge hick ups along the way, but hey, it would be a boring book without them.

I found Should've Been You an enjoyable short read, and by short I mean longer than a novella, but you're not going to get too much background. Now I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but that didn't hamper this books at all, and it ended up being  a very pleasant read. It was well written and the characters and plot developed and likeable. Overall, Should've Been You was a good book, which is why I give it 4 stars.

These characters were interesting and realistic. There were a lot of different relationships happening at the same time, but Jase and Becca managed to work it out just right. Hannah was a little bit selfish and annoying, but a good foil for her sister.

What ifs may keep life interesting, but what about the meant to bes. Should've Been You navigates the nostalgia of first love to present day heartache and possible new beginnings. There are times when it's nice to walk down memory lane, Ms. McLaughlin walks readers through the secrets of the past and presents the treasures of the future. From child abuse to domestic violence and hidden agendas, Becca and Jase have endured it all. Will love be the most risky endeavor of them all? Second chances are anything but easy, but an enduring love is worth fighting for.

3.5 Stars

Great premise here but somewhere along the way it became difficult to identify with the characters’ actions (or reactions). It was difficult to believe that the “secret that was revealed” really had been perpetuated for so long. I don’t want to give anything away here, but I found it hard to believe that neither one of the people involved had ever questioned that “secret”, especially given how long ago it happened.

The other odd part of this seemed to be the three-way relationship between Jase, Hannah and Becca. Becca and Hannah had a seemingly distant relationship for being twins. And Jase and Hannah? Again, there was something odd there. Hannah’s comments to Jase seemed to cross the line out of friend territory into something else - even though she had a fiancé. And for Jase’s part, if he and Hannah were truly just friends, why did he and Becca jump away from each other whenever Hannah walked in? Add to that Becca’s interactions with her boyfriend, Brian? Everything about that (their relationship, their issues together, their reactions to the circumstances, etc.) seems a little off.

Again, I’m being vague purposefully here to avoid spoilers.

Was it because the story was rushed? Trying to put too much into too few pages? Hard to say...

This is my first exposure to Nicole McLaughlin’s writing - would I read another? Yes because I’m hoping it was just something off with this one, for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Swerve for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a book I had a hard time putting down because I loved Becca and Jase. The book was well written and I really want a book about Hannah. I didn't realize this was a series and will be reading more from this author.

What to think when your sister - twin - is your biggest rival?
Becca has always been in love with Jase. But her sister Hannah who was his best friend, and by a miscommunication (a lie told for some futile reason?), Becca thought she would never have any chance with him, just as Jase thought the same.

Becca decided to move on with her life, but is that when Hannah announces her engagement ... to someone else?
Becca and Jase have the opportunity to spend more time together ... as new friends, but this time perhaps the truth may come out, as well as the feelings long buried.

Family, rivalry, second chance, impossible loves. Themes to make your reading more entertaining.
4 stars

Sometimes family simply confuses us, especially when one family member actually changes the course of another’s by their actions. Should’ve Been You is one of those stories that I enjoyed but I also spent time mentally shaking my head at the actions of the characters. Twin sisters Hannah and Becca really have some serious issues to straighten out to get their relationship on an even footing again. The person central to Jase and Becca not having a chance at a relationship years earlier turns out to be her sister – and once I discovered what Hannah had done I had zero sympathy for her from that moment on.

Through some twists and turns, some misdirection and outright lies, and the addition of other romantic interests Should’ve Been You delivers an almost triangle plus one type of situation. Let’s simply say it gets complicated and leave it to the characters to straighten out for an eventual Happy For Now ending. I enjoyed my time with Jase and Becca, yet it seems there was too much going on that took away from discovering more of their personalities together. That was my reaction, it might not be yours. So, yes, I enjoyed this one – I think it might have worked better for me as a full length story with time to develop some parts to a logical conclusion. Bottom line is, I had fun, no matter what twists came along and would recommend this one for any Contemporary Romance reader.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I was intrigued by the blurb at the back, and i think it would have been a great read, if it wasn't a novella, there was so much going on, that it never really felt fully developed.

Ok, here we have yet another quick and funny read. I loved the book and the characters as well, even if I would have really wanted a little bit more development in that area.

Becca and Jase have always had a thing for each other. However, their relationship has not developed because of a “misunderstanding” from childhood. Hannah, Becca’s twin sister had wanted Jase’s attention so… she worked a little bit of evil magic let’s say. So he has become Hannah’s best friend and even developed some kind of crush on her. When Becca returns to town, their feelings reenact. Will they be able to overcome the things that kept them apart? Will they make the right choice? That remains to be seen.

I liked the interactions between Becca and Jase and how the romance between them was developed. The author has put a lot of accent on it, but I feel that their relationship with Hannah could have been better explored, as this is the thing that kept them apart. Because the story is told from Jase and Becca’s perspective, we don’t get much of Hannah’s input. I have a feeling we’ll have it in the next book though.

Nicole McLaughlin has a writing style that is easy to follow and her books are perfect for a relaxing evening. I have nothing to complain from this point of view. The ending was a little rushed, in my opinion, I wanted to know more about the internal struggle the main characters had for being apart. I wanted to feel their determination.

All in all, I think this was a lovely book and my rating is 3.5 stars, with my congratulations to the author! I can’t wait to read Hannah’s story as it promises some very interesting angles. Happy reading 