Sexy cowboy novella

Jase Beckford is finally doing what he wants to do, raising cattle at home in Kansas. He's leasing pasture land from his next door neighbor, a man who saved him from his abusive father when he was a teen and then raised him as one of his own kids, along with the fraternal twin girls of the Walters family.

He also finally figured out that he might have been paying attention to the wrong fraternal twin over all these years. Becca Walters has had a huge crush on Jase since she was ten years old so it's about time he notices her.

Sexy, funny and romantic. This was a short fun read with great characters.

I received this novella from St. Martin's Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read the story and leave an unbiased review.

Should've of been you was a really enjoyable story that has a storyline that I really enjoyed. It is about two people who have known each other since they were kids and Becca having a crush on Jase. I love reading stories about characters that get together with their childhood crushes and was one thing that I really enjoyed about this story. I found that the characters were engaging .

Jase and Becca were manipulated their whole lives by her twin Hannah. Now that they are adults and hey are seeing each other for the first time in many years. Now Hannah is engaged and Jase and Becca are getting to know each other again.
This is a friends to lovers romance there is much drama in it but it is god drama. You really get a good feel for the characters and their back round stories.


**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange fr an honest review**

A good sweet, a little bit sexy, small town romance. I loved Jase and Becca as a couple. Both could/should have been together years ago but because of a misunderstanding and communication (Hannah's fault, Becca's twin & Jase's bff) they didn't find love until later. Hence the title Should've been You. I loved that Jase had this family to depend on & love him, show him what a family should be since his own father was an abusive alcholic!
Hannah, Hannah, Hannah insecure, jealous of her twin and selfish with Jase's friendship & feelings (a little weird if you ask me) to the point of said above miscommunication allowing years of hurt to come between all three of them.
Hea, epilogue sweet feel good light beach read book (even if it's winter).

Nicole McLaughlin’s Should've Been You (A Man Enough Romance) has Jase, new rancher former soldier, who I liked right from the first page of this book. Not nearly as complicated as Midsummer Night’s Dream but a contemporary version of unrequited love and emotional mix-ups.

The twin sisters, Hannah and Becca should have talked to at least understood each other more than they did. Still, they were not unlikable characters, just maybe clueless ones. Throwing Jase into the mix makes for an unusual friendship triangle. Throw in an ex who won’t accept the breakup and you have a story that is well and truly muddled. Still, all’s well that ends well, as Jase and the right sister wind up together.

This was a fast-paced romance. And it turns out, I really like them that way.



This is the story of Becca Walters and Jase Beckman, childhood friends and neighbors, who through unforeseen circumstances are once again in each other's lives. Both have both been through the wringer in their lives and take comfort in their friendship.



Becca's school-girl crush returns with a vengeance. Even though she has always felt that Jase prefers the company of her sister, she can't deny that she would love to have him all to herself.



There is a series of misunderstandings and a bit of a love triangle-y type thing but in the end, Becca and Jase make their way through the debris to find something wonderful.



The story was short and sweet with just the right amount of tension thrown in. If you are needing some fluffy palate cleanser, this one will do the trick.

This is a fast-paced read with plenty of drama. Hannah and Jase have been best friends for years, Becca is Hannah’s twin sister and even though she has had a crush on Jase for years felt left on the outside. Everyone is shocked when Hannah gets engaged, when Becca and Jase start spending more time together their chemistry grows. Will they find a way to be together? Enjoyable story and an entertaining read. I liked it.

I absolutely loved this book. I really didn't want to stop reading it. If I could have drugged my dogs so that I could have read more, I would have!
This was a second chance at love trope--kind of. Becca has had a crush on Jase since they were young.
She is under the assumption that he hates her, and Jase thinks that she feels that he's way below her. The whole big mess started with something that Becca's sister and Jase's best friend, Hannah, said to both of them years ago. Something that impacted them profoundly. Jess and Jase have a strange symbiotic relationship that complicates everything. It has to end if Jase is ever going to be able to be with Becca. Something else also has to end--Becca's relationship with another man. It's a pretty complicated mess.
I felt such a connection with these characters! I absolutely loved Jase! He can be my next door neighbor any day (please!). He and his actions were super sexy! Becca was as wonderful as her sister was not, although Hannah started redeeming herself in the end by pulling for her sister and her best friend. The one thing that shines through is the undeniable attraction between Becca and Jase once they are honest with each other. Is it possible for them to fight their way out of the mess and give their all to each other? Should've Been You is a delightful, sexy romp!
I received this book via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

"Should've Been You"
By Nichole McLaughlin
McMillan

Contemporary Romance -- Release Date: January 30, 2018

Becca Walters is at her childhood home for Christmas, looking forward to spending time with her widowed father and twin sister, Hannah. She is shocked when neighbor Jase Beckford comes into the kitchen finding her half hidden behind the open refrigerator door wearing only a tank top and pink panties.

Embarrassed, she runs upstairs to pull on jeans and a tee-shirt and returns to make breakfast. She hasn't seen Jase for years, for he's been in the service, but now is back and starting a business raising cattle. Becca has secretly harbored a crush on him since she was ten, but Jase seems to be in Hannah's pocket as the two are very close. As much as she longs for closeness with him too, they both act somewhat aloof around each other.

Jase's relationship with Hannah is more of a co-dependency as she turns to him with her problems. He's more like a big brother than a lover, though Becca doesn't know this. Hannah, the bubbly, outgoing type, always seems to overshadow the quiet and introverted Becca. Also, Becca, dating a guy for two years is expecting an engagement ring, hoping it will spark the staleness they've been facing.

When Hannah becomes engaged to a musician, Becca and Jase are thrown together. Becca feels guilty for her adoration of the rancher, and after they kiss, she knows she needs to confess to the guy she may marry. The tables turn when he confesses to "fooling around" with a colleague.

Seductive and steamy, this addition to A Man Enough Romance series is sure to curl toes.

The storyline was well written and the characters well developed that I was totally captivated until the very last page!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

4.5 Stars!

Should've Been You by Nicole McLaughlin is a well-written novella. I had a hard time putting it down, because the characters were so engaging and genuine. This is love story between middle school teacher Becca Walters and Jase Beckford, a National Guardsman and rancher.

Jase and Becca's twin sister Hannah, have been best friends since grade school. Due to Jase's violent home-life, he spent a lot of time with the Walters family during his childhood. In fact, Becca's dad rescued him after an especially brutal beating at the hands of his father. Becca has always crushed on Jase, but kept it a secret because she thought that he and Hannah would eventually get married some day. With Becca back in town, Jase sees her in a new light, which evolves into much more.

I truly liked this novella. The primary characters are tangible and the secondary characters have personality and wit. I found myself cheering for Becca and Jase to work through their misgivings and find their happily ever after with each other. This is the third book from the author's Man Enough series, and it can enjoyed as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

An endearing novel about twin sisters and their childhood friend who becomes a love interest. He was a childhood family friend and a best friend to one of the sisters, but things are changing. Can you see the plot forming? Jase, Rebecca and Hanna’s lives are all intertwined in this heartfelt romance. Which sister does Jace want to be more than a friend? Which sister has been pining for Jace since childhood? Secrets, lies and new discoveries dance in this beautifully written novel by Nicole McLaughlin. A very delightful read. I was graciously given this novel by St. Martin’s press for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was really good as was the story line. Jase and Hannah go way way back. They are best friends. The same can’t be said for her twin sister Becca. What Jase doesn’t know about is the crush Becca has always had on him. When Jase moves back to town, sees Becca again, something is different. All bets are off with these two moving forward.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

This was a cute novel about twin sisters and the next door neighbor. I wasn’t bowled over by the story as this was a simple romance. There was not much else to the storyline and although there was some minor conflict about who Jase ultimately wanted, it was a sweet story. I am not sure I have read this author before, but it was well written and enjoyable.

Favorite Quotes:

Turkey Bacon… I have an open mind about many things, I’ll have you know. But the sanctity of pork fat is not one of them.

I was just thinking that if you’d been my middle-school teacher, I would not have been able to focus… All men— no matter their age—can appreciate a beautiful woman. Even teachers are fair game for the spank bank.

Aiden was a big guy. Goatee, shaved head, enough muscles for three men.

Sometimes I miss having a man around. I mean . . . obviously they have their uses.

My Review:

I enjoyed this quick and entertaining tale of a recent veteran who had returned to his small rural Kansas community while continuing to serve with the National Guard while establishing his new venture into cattle. His human relationships proved to be a bit trickier and considerably more complicated. I had not read the previous books in the series and apparently did not need to as was never confused, although I was feeling the prickling of curiosity as his fellow guardsmen sounded interesting and quirky. The premise was interesting and relevant, the storylines were easy to follow and engaging, and characters were likable and endearing. I was satisfied with the happy for now ending to the blossoming romance and would be interested in continuing the series with all the previous and future installments.

Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin, book three in her A Man Enough Romance series is a girl next door story. I really enjoyed this story about a guy, Jase, finally opening his eyes and seeing the girl next door, Becca, and wondering what he missed by spending time only with her twin sister. It didn’t hurt that Becca had crushed on Jase since they were kids. It isn’t until secrets and old lies are revealed as well as an unhealthy relationship is ended before these two have the opportunity for their own happy ever after.

I loved reading this story. Ms. McLaughlin is an excellent storyteller, keeping me interested in this story so that I had trouble putting it down. I highly recommend this outstanding book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Thanks to author Nicole McLaughlin, St. Martin's Press, Swerve and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of SHOULD'VE BEEN YOU: A Man Enough Romance.
This novella in A Man Enough Series is about childhood neighbours getting a chance at love. National Guardsman Jase Beckford has always liked the Walters twins, Rebecca and Hannah. He and Hannah were best friends and were always hanging out, but when Jase saw Becca for the first time in five years, something happened! Secrets are revealed and love is in the air!
3 stars

An enjoyable romance with well developed characters and a well written story.

I received a copy from NetGalley and voluntarily leave my own thoughts

Jase grew up next door to Becca and Hannah. He's been gone for 5 years but, has always been close with Hannah because she was always the needy and selfish one of the twins. When he comes in unexpectedly one day and, sees Becca's pink bikini clad bottom sticking out of the fridge, he starts looking at her differently.
Becca has always had a crush on Jase but, always felt that he avoided her at all costs. Now that he's suddenly paying more attention to her, she believes it's because Hannah is getting engaged.
The level of confusion and misunderstanding between these two is, at times funny and, at times sad. It shows how easily you can be misunderstood by actions and words. Whether they are meant to hurt or not!

This is the third book in the Man Enough series and even though this is my first read by this author it was pretty easy to pick up on what was going on with the characters. Becca and Hannah are twins and Jase Beckford is the neighbor that Becca has been crushing on for years but he has no idea and Hannah is his best friend. He goes to Hannah with his problems and just to talk it has never evolved into anything romantic. Years ago Hannah told Jace a lie about Becca and he thinks he's not good enough for her,(Becca) but that's not how she feels at all. I did like the pacing of the story and I few times I though Jace may end up with Hannah as she was jealous of Becca. The story starts to straighten out after Christmas though as Hannah gets engaged and it's not to Jace to Becca's surprise and Becca doesn't become engaged like she though she would. Secrets are revealed after talking it out and reality becomes a sweet romantic story. I need to read more of by this author.
Pub Date 30 Jan 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.