This was a sweet story.  High School is over and the three friends have gone their own ways. Hannah is still best friends with Jase, but it seems rather one-sided as she uses him to get her out of jams and as a plus one. But Jase wants more and always has. 

He was always romantically interested in Becca, not Hannah, but one small lie led Jase to believe she did not return those feelings and both moved on but never lost that feeling that they could have been something.

Can this homecoming Christmas fix the past and lead to love? It just might!

Netgalley/Swerve     January 30, 2018

"Should Have Been You" by Nicole McLaughlin
A romantic contemporary novella that kept me engaged from start to end. I was gifted a free read via NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with this story. Sometimes little lies can be the catalyst causing big differences in people's lives. I hope you enjoy this story, too !

This is a cute and easy romance. Mostly sweet with some steam mixed in. Very enjoyable read. Thank you St. Martins press for this arc in exchange of an honest review

4.5☆
This is my first book by Nicole McLaughlin.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Man Enough
Standalone
HEA

What I didn't like:
Hannah

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchangev for my unbiased opinion.

Jase Beckford has been best friends with his next door neighbor Hannah since they were kids, to the point that everyone thinks they are a couple, even though they have never crossed that line. Jase has always had a thing for Hannah's twin sister, Becca Walters, but he knew he had no shot with her since she was always so aloof. Becca always had a crush on chase but did nothing about it since he was “Hannah's.” When Hannah gets engaged to someone else, however, Jase and Becca finally have the chance to clear the air between them.

This story followed pretty much exactly the plot you would expect based on that setup. During the first half of the book, I felt as though I was being beaten over the head with how much Jase and Becca liked each other but knew they had no chance. If you like the typical romance novel, you will like this book. If you're looking for something more, this isn't the book for you. There are explicit sex scenes, so if those are not your cup up tea, this book also isn't for you.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Sometimes the path life takes us on is far from the path we thought we were in control of. SHOULD’VE BEEN YOU by Nicole McLaughlin is the story of finding who and what you need, even when it has always been there, just not on your radar. Jae discovers that his best friend’s twin may look like her sister, but she holds all that Jace never knew he needed.

Becca has always had a secret crush on Jace, but now that she has come home again, that crush is not only re-kindled, it burns like a raging inferno. She has always assumed Jace wanted her twin, Hannah, but perhaps that couldn’t be further from the truth. Will the right twin get the right man?

In a tale of mixed messages and a semi-love triangle and that complete failure to communicate, Cupid certainly had his work cut out for him. A quick read that was a little jumbled up in emotional confusion, who is getting engaged to whom, who shouldn’t be getting engaged to whom and Holiday celebrations all bring this tale to life with characters that aren’t as strong as I would have liked, but, the heart knows what the heart wants, it is getting the head to listen that can be tough. Tension and confusion for the characters, only luke warm fuzzies for me.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.

Series: Man Enough - Book 3
Publisher: Swerve (January 30, 2018)
Publication Date: January 30, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 250 Pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book. A story with a difference involving multiple characters. A gentle romance.

Cute, holiday story (I’m calling it a holiday story because most of it does take part around Christmas) that hit all the right spots for this reader.
Jase Beckford wants to live a quiet life. His childhood friend and neighbor Hannah is still his best friend, but when he walks into the Walters house one morning just before Christmas and sees her twin sister Becca for the first time in five years, he wonders if he missed out on something special. Jase doesn’t know that Becca has nursed a secret crush on him since childhood. And this Christmas, Becca and Jase find themselves spending more together.
Should’ve Been You is the third book in the Man Enough series. I have not read the previous books, but that did not stop me from enjoying this book. There are characters and other relationships mentioned here that were probably detailed in previous books, but enough info is contained here that I didn’t feel I was missing anything. I liked what I saw of these other characters and will be adding the other books to my TBR.
My biggest pet peeve about romance novels is how fast the couple usually seems thrown together. That was not the case here! Jase and Becca grew up together, so there’s already a solid relationship that could flourish, and flourish nicely it did.

Clocking in with 250 pages, Should’ve Been You is shorter than most books, but I didn’t feel I was shorted at all. I felt I had a full and complete story and look forward to seeing what’s next for Jase and Becca. Their ending was satisfactory for this reader, but knowing this book is part of series tell me they’ll be mentioned in additional books and I’m eager to check in with them again. I also look forward to getting Hannah’s story, I hope her love story is next.

Romance fans will love this one!
“This is a lot of work,” she said. “Amazing things always require a little work,” he said, grinning up at her.

Retired serviceman Jase Beckford just wants to raise cattle and live quietly with his mother and enjoy life with his good friend Tim Walters and his daughter Hannah. He and Hannah have a not quite boyfriend / girlfriend relationship.
As a teen he was strongly drawn to her sister Becca, but Hannah told him Becca didn't like him, so he kept away.
Becca was always drawn strongly to him, but Hannah told her, he didn't like her.
When Hannah gets engaged, Becca is in town for the holidays and mourning the fact her boyfriend didn't give her a ring like she thought he would.
Thrown together a few times and the attraction between Jase and Becca gets red hot and Brian becomes an ex on her visit back to see him, freeing the couple to explore their feelings further.
Smokin hawt western themed love story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley to peruse and offer my opinion on.

**I received a copy of Should've been You from St. Martin's Press in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Should've been You by Nicole McLaughlin was a quick easy read. I haven't read her previous books before but even with no background this was easy to read as a standalone story.

Becca and Jase have been dancing around each other for years first as childhood neighbors then during her Christmas visit home to see her father. But it's her twin sister Hannah who has laid claim to him for years although they're completely platonic. When the girls return for the holidays there will be changed for Becca, Hannah and their dad Tim, b but who will leave with a intact heart? Can Jase convince Becca it's always been her he's dreamed of (As well as her)

Jase is home after serving in the Army, with the help of his neighbor he buys a prize bill to bread his female cows and leases plumb from Becca's family. Years ago Tim help save Jase from abuse by his dad. Between his National Guard duties and trying to start his own prize winning herd . Can he convince Becca that she's the only one for him?

When an opportunity to lease Becca's father's pasture when he decides to move in with his lady friend there will be an addition surprise for Jase that could lead to a forever love for both of them.

Let's talk about romance catnip, shall we? Here we have a book that is a cross between a second-chance romance and an "un-unrequited" love story and, honestly, this is the most catnip-y idea I've come across.



And this book does deliver, on some levels. The basis of Jase having a secret crush on Becca, but also telling himself he's in love with Hannah, while Becca has a secret crush on him and Hannah feels possessive towards him is tantalizing, and McLaughlin sets it up well. I also felt that both Becca and Jase were realistically conflicted about this situation, which is necessary for this to work.



I enjoyed the world that McLaughlin creates. This is the third book in a series that I had not read, which made me apprehensive. I'm "that" reader who needs to starts series at the beginning, but this book did a fairly good job of standing alone. There was only one scene, including Jase's friends (whom, I assuming, were subjects of earlier books) that I felt I was missing something--and even that was minor.



There were, however, things that bothered me. I found Jase's and Becca's feelings, which were hidden from each other for almost two decades, a little hard to believe. On Jase's side, it worked a little better as it seemed that he had directed his feelings about Becca to Hannah, but Becca came off a bit desperate to me. I also felt that the characters were unrealistically self-aware. By that, they seemed to have an usual awareness of what their feelings were and why they had them. Yes, there are people like that--but those people would never find themselves in Jase and Becca's situation. I also felt that, because these characters were that way, McLaughlin lost out on some interesting story opportunities when she opted to tell instead of show.



All in all, though, this was a pleasant book to read. Nicole McLaughlin is a new author to me and I'd welcome the chance to read more of her books.

WOW! I'm not even sure how I managed to get to the end. I didn't like this at all. Too much drama, too much triangles and cheating.
Sadly this was a massive disappointment.

This is about twin girls and a boy down the street. They get their selfs all tangled up in different emotions. And just when they think they have things figured out-oh boy! Nice book

Enjoyable love story. I enjoyed the characters - lots of emotion, past secrets, misunderstandings, and love! Fun read!

An amazing friends to lovers. Lets start off with Hannah. I have so many mixed feelings about her and how she treated Jase and her twin sister Becca. But as the saying goes timing is everything. And sometimes misunderstandings happen. Becca is so sweet. It is hard not to like her. I love that Jase is close and finally figures out what and who he wants. This is somewhat of a quick read. Its cute and full of family drama love.

Should've Been You by Nicole McLaughlin
Book starts out with Jase and he's tending his herd as he reminisces as to how he got to this point in his life.
Becca is back for a day or two and her father isn't home yet. Her father had rescued Jase from the beating his father had given him one Christmas eve. Since then her family had taken care of him and the others in his family.
Twins: Becca and Hannah-both so different but he's been close to Hannah but she's now engaged to be married.
Becca hopes to be engaged to Brian soon.
Jase left for the army then realized what he wanted in life so headed back to start the cattle farm.
She was a mid school history teacher in town.
Love how the story follows them each and their separate and together moments over the years.
Steamy sex scenes. Misunderstandings and moving forward. Love the holiday celebrations and how they are carried on.
I received this review book from St. Martin's Press via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion
#Should'veBeenYou #NetGalley

Should've Been You is my first book by Nicole McLaughlin. Ms. McLaughlin has delivered a well-written, smooth read. Jase grew up in a home filled with violence. Becca has loved Jase forever but thanks to her sister's shenanigans, they were never able to get close. Their story will warm your heart. Jase and Becca's story is loaded with drama, spice and humor. I enjoyed reading Should've Been You and look forward to reading more from Nicole McLaughlin. Should've Been You is book 3 of the Man Enough Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.

Love stories like this with childhood friends not "seeing" each other in that way (or one of them not seeing the other that way) are always a favorite of mine. I enjoy the connection they share as kids and the sweet puppy love they secretly might share for the other as teens and then life gets in the way and they end up back at square one.

Thankfully we get to start with them on their journey to finding love. In this case, Becca Walters has always harbored an unrequited crush on her neighbor Jase Beckford. Jase had a terrible homelife and takes refuge in Becca's family home. Becca has a twin who we learn done quite a bit of manipulating through the years. Not only to make Jase think Becca looked down on him or didn't like him but also to twist Jase around her finger so tightly he couldn't see anyone but Hannah. Thing is, Hannah just (to me) wanted Jase just to keep him away from Becca- so she didn't have him. This was a big sticking point in the story for me as a jealous sister causes years of hurt.

Becca is in a 2 year relationship and hopes to get engaged at Christmas (her boyfriend doesn't know this major detail). So what happens instead- yeap- the popular sister gets engaged and not to Jase. So both Becca and Jase are shocked. Jase is a little relieved because the constant hang up on Hannah can be done and really he didn't want anything beyond friendship anyway it was just a needy relationship they allowed to dominate their lives.

Jase and Becca are on the farm and spending time together and realize what the other thinks and feels could be recipricated. Problem- Becca still has a boyfriend potential fiancee- until she confesses a simple kiss to him and realizes NOPE there is not potential there at all- it's done and over!-? (right)

As Jase and Becca explore their new found feelings and more unforeseen problems pop up that make it difficult for these two to have anything how will they cope- or can they. Jase wasted all those years with Hannah and when all along is should've been Becca.

Jase has always been close to Hannah. Even though they have never had a romantic relationship it always seemed like they might end up together. Until she gets engaged to someone else.

Becca, Hannah's twin sister, has had a crush on Jase for years but always thought he preferred Hannah so she never said anything. She is even hoping her own boyfriend might propose over Christmas.

Feelings don't stay buried long, though, as emotions, secrets, and more come to light. I found Becca to be relatable as she struggles through the holiday season and her sister's engagement.

This series keeps getting better. Reeve and Tyler make appearances as do Emily and Lia. I really enjoyed getting to read Jase and Becca's story. I only wish it were a full book instead of a novella!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Becca Walters has been harboring a serious crush on her twin sisters best friend Jase for years, but in all that time he has seemed oblivious to her existence, and it hurts more than she cares to admit. She has constantly wondered what it is about her sister that he loves so much, they have always had this bond that seems to overshadow everything else around them, including her, and just once she would like for him to see her, like really "see" her. But then fate hands her a little gift... her sister finds her "one," and it's not Jase, so suddenly that bond seems to have become fractured, which means she may finally have her chance with him. Little by little they begin to find themselves spending more time with one another, and soon her secret wish of him finally seeing her starts to happen... as well as some unexpected sparks being igniting too! But can she really step in and take her sister's place in his life...



Former National Guardsman Jase Beckford has moved home and is taking over the family ranch, it has been a dream of his for the last few years, and he is more than ready to make it a reality. He has the makings of a perfect new life, his dream job, a nice place to live and settle down, now all he is missing is love... not that he is quite ready for it, but it's definitely on his list of maybe's. When he runs into an old friend he begins to see her in a whole new light and starts to think that all the years they spent growing up together, he wasted an opportunity of really getting to know her... probably because he was always spending time with her sister instead. But now things are a little different, and he wants to see where this thing brewing between them can go, but she has her reservations about wandering into someone else's territory.

Should've Been You is a delightful little tale that is brimming with passion, desire, hope and drama! The story line captivated my attention right away and had me flipping the pages just as quick as I could read through them, it's one of those stories that will tug on the heartstrings and have you blushing a time or two!! I really enjoy reading second chance love stories and I have to say this one hit the mark, it was well crafted and the characters had amazing palpable chemistry that could be felt throughout! I highly recommend you add this one to your reading list, it's sure to warm your heart and leave you with a smile on your face!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.