Jase Beckford wanted to get out of his home town of Pierson, Kansas for a lot of reasons after high school. Pierson, was a SMALL small town and didn’t even have a grocery store, but most of all, it was living with an abusive father. He immediately joined the Army and went where they sent him. After serving he realized, much to his surprise he missed ranching and his home. He returned, his dad was dead, he lived with his Mom and set up his cattle breeding business on leased property from his mentor, savior, and next door neighbor Tim Walters. Tim and his family took Jase under their wing, when his dad beat him unconscious. Jase was friends with his daughters Hannah and Becca.

Hanna was “the life of the party” sister, while Becca more quiet and willing to sit in her sister’s shadow. Except when it came to Jase. She had a huge crush on him, especially after his injuries. But Hannah claimed him, and they have been a couple ever since. “She was the woman in Jase’s life “sort of.” He was always her + one, but no sex, no commitment he just was there for her. Becca has been away since College, now a teacher in a town a few hours away. She was home for the holidays, hoping for an engagement ring, and helplessly comparing her boyfriend to Jase. A misunderstanding had pushed them apart as teenagers, but after figuring it out, and letting the past be past, they realized their feelings for each other had gone deep.

A very entertaining contemporary romance with a lot of heart.
I received this novel from the publisher and Netgalley for review.

Pat Fordyce

Should've Been You (Man Enough, #3) by Nicole McLaughlin This was my first book by Nicole and I was so lucky to get to preview it through #NetGalley . I plan to go back and read the first two in this series. This is Jase and Becca's story. They grew up as neighbors Jase was beaten and abused by his father...Becca's father saved him....Hannah is Becca's twin and was always closer to Jase. There are lots of feels with them working through relationships...a very enjoyable journey to their HEA.

I truly adore this book and am anxious for Aiden and Hannah. You start off thinking it will be one sister but very quickly you realize that he is In love with the other sister. I loved a story that finally reveals the guys thoughts on unrequited love. Or supposed unrequited love.

A love triangle/second chance romance (well, sort of) with twins! Jace, Hannah, and Becca have known each other forever. Jace has been kicked around (romantically) by Hannah, who is really a snot, IMHO. At the same time, Becca has been in love with him the whole time, despite being involved with another man. When things go cockeyed and Hannah gets engaged and Becca dumped, well that's when things heat up. There's some steamy stuff, there's some gushy stuff, and all in all, it's a light, entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

It took me a little while to settle into this. Jase grew up in Tim's house when he rescued him from an abusive father. He has a big brother type relationship with Hannah that never developed into anything more romantic. She seems to use him as her 'fallback' guy. There is a spark between Jase and Hannah's sister- but circumstances have prevented that going any further.
Once the Christmas celebrations begin the book gets a lot more interesting, romance mingled with family traditions in the family home. You could smell the cinnamon cooking.

This is the first I have read of the Man Enough series.

This one was just meh for me. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it.

It is a quick and sweet enough read, however the characters frustrated me so much it took some of the enjoyment out of it for me.

It is not really a love triangle, but the main characters are all closely linked.

I hate hate hated Becca's sister Hannah. Ugh, she came across as a self centred thing that I just wanted to slap some sense into. With a lump of 4x2. How her sister and Jase didn't let her have it is beyond me!

This could just be me though.

I liked the story, enjoyed the style of writing, I just couldn't really get into it.

I will be going back and checking out the earlier books though in the future.

This was a great romantic story. It was very easy to get into the book and I was engrossed in the plot almost immediately. There are several plots going on in the story. Of course since this is a romance book, there is that major plot going on. Becca and Jase had a rocky past, with Becca’s twin causing some friction between them, but they were meant to be together and found that out eventually. (I especially love romantic stories of couples finding love after they gave up on it.)

Becca and her twin, Hannah had a rocky relationship also, but during the story they find that misunderstandings can be forgiven and a new bond can be made.

Their father, Tim is moving on with his life, after many years since his wife had passed away. Evelyn will help to bring joy to his life.

Jase had an awful childhood, but with determination grew into a strong, kind man. The man he became had a lot to do with Tim, his wife and their twins.

This was the first book that I read by Nicole McLaughlin. I loved her writing style immensely. I am a big fan of Susan Mallery and I believe this book would be enjoyed by her fans. The characters were well developed and true to life. They all have good and bad qualities and I cared about them and wanted a happy ending. Since this is a romance book, it gave me what I was seeking. I was able to escape real life for a while and enjoy a world where there is truly a happy ending.

I was given the ARC for this book by St. Martin’s Press and thank them for the wonderful gift of this story and also introducing me to a new author.

This was an ok story to me. It was cute and had some sexy moments but I didn't really care for Jase and Hannah's relationship. It kind of bordered on unhealthy to me which almost ruined Jase and Becca's relationship. Yes, Hannah is not the heroine of this story, her twin sister Becca was. Overall, it was a very enjoyable story. I just couldn't relate to the characters as much as I would have liked.

*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

Should've Been You (Man Enough, #3)
by Nicole McLaughlin


A nice read. A shoulda coulda woulda type of book. This is my first novel by this author. I was unsure if I should read it or pass on the opportunity. I am so glad I did not pass. While this is not to perhaps many people a great read, it is a very enjoyable read. One of love and longing and growth and passion in the end. One where your heart is touched and you wonder how and why we do not notice in life the real love that another has. Each element of the book touched me in different ways. I must say the plot and the characters are well formed and interesting. I found the authors way of writing had me enjoying even the parts I would not normally of enjoyed. While this is not my normal reading, it is an author that I will now place on my watch list for I know I shall enjoy her writing. I was given this book in return for an honest review via NetGalley. Regards, Anna

Yet another book who failed to catch my attention enough to finish it. There wasn't a lot relatable or likable in these characters

A wonderful story from Nicole McLaughlin that gets our hopes up for love finally found for 2 people who have been kept apart for 18 yrs. The way the author tells this story has us feeling both sad for Jase & Becca & angry at her sister Hannah who started the problem 18 yrs ago. We see how Jase & Hannah's relationship has been used as a fall back for Hannah throughout the years & how it’s also affected Becca & her relationships throughout the years, as well as Jase & his secret affection for Becca. When truths finally come out at an impromptu engagement we can only hope that Jase & Becca are finally going to get their chance but the problem of Becca’s current relationship stands in the way & the ups & downs for Jase & Becca are sad & heart wrenching. I enjoyed how Nicole McLaughlin brought this story around in circles for a while keeping us wondering if Jase & Becca or Jase & Hannah we’re going to get together. In the end the right pair made it.

I received an arc from Netgalley. I enjoyed the storyline of this book but it ended way too quickly for me. I would have loved more details of the relationship between the sisters from years past. Feeling more of the strain between them I think would make the change years later between Becca and Jase all the more dramatic and heart tugging.

I am glad the father also found happiness in the end. Definitely a HEA read for a hot summer night.

There was definitely chemistry between Jase
and Becca but Becca’s twin put a wedge
between them when they were very young.
Will they be able to put the past behind them
to move forward?
The main characters were well fleshed, realistic
and relatable main characters. The supporting
characters were well written adding flavor to
the story.
This is intricately woven story that will delight
and entertain the reader.
A magical, heartwarming story!!!
I volunteered to read Should’ve Been You.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press via Net Gallery for
the opportunity. My opinion is my own.

Should've Been You by Nicole McLaughlin is a lovely story of love, misunderstanding, and finding the person just right for you. Jase Beckford, veteran of Middle East wars, National Guard member, and budding cattle rancher, is back home in Pierson, Kansas. Neighbor Tim Walters has leased Jase his pasture land. But more than a neighbor and a friend, Tim Walters had been a savior to a young Jase who was brutalized by his abusive father. As soon as Jase was out of high school he joined the military to escape from his horrible home life.

But Jase is home now. His father has passed away and his mother dwells in a dark world from the abuse she endured. Although Jase lives in his childhood home, he does not live in his old room, but rather has converted the sunroom into an efficiency of sorts. He is there to watch over his mother and close to his cattle, and for now that is enough.

It was enough until Christmas vacation when Becca Walters comes home for the family celebration. Jase had been given the false information that Becca didn't like him, as Becca had been told that Jase didn't like her. This falsehood has been the backbone of their growing up years. But Becca's twin, Hannah, had been best buds with Jase, creating a most unusual relationship. MWhen Becca and Jase make this discovery, their mutual desires become apparent. But is Becca already spoken for? And what does Jase really have to offer?mand how does Hannah play into all of this?

This was a very engaging story. Jase is an endearing character that makes you root for him. I did enjoy this story and do recommend it

This was an engaging story about mistaken conceptions of the past, with hope for the future. It was however, in my opinion, ruined by coarse sexual descriptions. The story could have stood wonderfully on its own, but was virtually ruined by the language.

Jace and Becca have been crushing on each other since they were kids, but misunderstandings and miscommunication kept them from doing anything about it. Now years later they have been given a second chance. Becca is in town for Christmas and Jace can’t help but act on his attraction towards Becca.
Should’ve been you was a sweet, cute and entertaining read. There were a lot of twists and turns with love triangles, engagements and (ex)boyfriend.

Should’ve Been You by Nicole McLaughlin

A sexy cowboy romance. Sweet in an “old crush” finally happens way. A couple of hot bedroom scenes and the happy ending you want. The epilogue adds the endearing ever after.
3rd in the series. Stands alone.

Jase and Becca have known each other since their teenage years. While Becca has had a crush on Jase since their early years, it’s Hannah, her sister, who is best friends with Jase. Because of a lie, Jase thinks Becca doesn’t even like him. Time to get that all straightened out.

As I was reading this book, I wondered about Hannah. Had I missed her story? Was she really that flighty? Did she tell that lie deliberately? Is she really in love with this band guy? Many of these questions are answered and she totally redeems herself, but I want to know she settles down too. I will have to watch for the next few books in this series.

Bottom line - a feel good, comfy and easy romance.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Becca came home for Christmas expecting her boyfriend to propose to her, but instead she finds her childhood crush, Jase. They clear up some old conflicts that Becca’s twin sister, Hannah, caused. While Becca ends up breaking up from her boyfriend, and taking time to find out who she is, Jase hopes she will find her way back to him. This is a sweet romance that has you hoping the characters can work out their issues in order to have their happily ever after.

Quick read! Becca and Jase missed out on eavhnother growing up but found each other anyway. Love conquers all!

Slow moving romance with likeable characters. Hannah is a horrid character and easy to hate. The writing style makes it an easy read