Blog Tour and Giveaway: Forever with You: Laurelin Paige
Alayna Withers relationship with Hudson Pierce has tested both her and his ability to trust. They decide that the only way they can move forward together is with open doors and transparency. It won’t be easy for the scarred lovers, but they’re committed to each other more now than ever. Alayna, in particular, has grown through their trials, and has emerged more confident and faithful to the man she loves.
But while the pair is focused on the future, their past shows up again to threaten their fragile bond. Promises that were made are broken, and Alayna learns that Hudson still has very potent secrets—secrets that will tear them both apart. As much as she feels for him, her ability to forgive and forget is tested beyond her limits.
Even though she found the only man who could fix her, a forever with Hudson seems more and more out of reach.
"Without struggle there is no progress."
This begins right after the end of Found in You. Hudson and Alayna are still working through some of their recent issues, regaining their fragile trust, and trying to reconnect. There are people who still want to come between them causing anxiety, especially for Alayna.
In the first part of this book, I found myself kind of frustrated with both of the characters. I was naively hoping that things were just going to go so well after they made headway in book two, but of course these two are always a bit of a mess. Alayna is sometimes jealous, accusatory, and a bit edgy. She wants to believe in them and be happy, but her past, people talking in her ear, and Hudson do not always make it easy. Hudson seems a little detached at times and even more secretive. But of course he is still sexy, bossy, generous, and caring. He says the right things and does the right things often, but sometimes I was not feeling the big emotional connection we got at the end of the second book. Their chemistry is there and they explore it often. They are working on things but there are little things building up and getting in their way.
Hudson definitely has more secrets and trying to keep them buried causes difficulties for them. He says he needs her complete trust, but he is not willing to share certain things even when confronted. So that makes Alayna's thoughts spiral even more. I could understand where Alayna was coming from. And actually Alyana has gained confidence and strength along the way. And she is getting better at talking herself down and coping. But it comes to a point where they reach a wall that puts space between them and seems to not have a solution since both are stubbornly sticking to their guns. And Alayna's obsessive type personality makes it hard for her to let it go.
"We both have to change. We have to put everything out on the line, Hudson, as much as possible. We know now that we're together, thick and thin, right? We have to trust that more than anything. We can't be afraid of our secrets and our pasts. Both of us. Honest, open doors, transparency."
"Because there are some things that I can never tell you. And now we're at an impasse, as you said. Because you say you can't go on not knowing and I can't go on without your trust."
As the mystery kept building, I found myself obsessing over trying to figure out the big secret and why he was trying so hard to keep it hidden.
Through it all I still really liked Hudson and Alayna. It is just hard to see them keep struggling with communication and their personal issues that cause them stress, pain, and anxiety. And as much as I adore Hudson, sometimes I wanted to smack sense into him.
And finally it all is revealed and what a surprising turn of events! Something that Alayna does not think she can forgive. This was about 75% and the rest of the book really took on a more desperate and emotional quality. As mad as I was at Hudson, I still wanted Alayna to forgive him. And I was hoping the incredible Hudson Pierce could pull off a miracle and somehow make it right. So my own tension and anxiety kept building, my heart was breaking, and I was reading with baited breath.
In essence this one has as many fears, insecurities, secrets, lies, miscommuncations, and drama as the other books in the series. But eventually everything is out in the open and they have to figure out what they can and can't live without. It's about honesty, full disclosure, and trust. And also about facing down their past and demons and deciding whether to let them bring them down or fight. These two did not have an easy road--nothing abut their relationship was ever simple except maybe their sexual chemistry and compatibility. But their relationship made them both strive to be better, try to be more open, and to make healthier choices. We have seen many changes and a lot of personal growth with Hudson and Alayna through the series. They had times when they were happy and then times one or both was left heartbroken, hurt, disappointed, or angry. But all along, I felt that they belonged together and were good for each other despite their differences and complicated issues. They were two broken, damaged people that could relate to that in each other and somehow provide understanding and healing. And their progress was not immediate or even consistent, but took work, inner strength, and commitment for each of them.
The mystery and suspense slowly built, and the story picked up the pace, emotion, and romance as it went on. When everything is out in the open and trust is in question, the only choices are to dig in and fight or walk away. These were two very stubborn, troubled, tenacious people so no decision they make will ever be simple or without doubt. But that is the crux of their relationship--they are very complicated.
I liked this final installment of the trilogy and still love these intense, damaged, healing characters. This one did enlighten us more about Hudson, gave them more to face personally and together, and concluded their story. It has mystery, suspense, secrets, lies, steam, romance, emotion, humor, and drama. She really tied in all of their issues and brought it all together in this one and gave us the answers we have been seeking. I still adore Hudson even though he is far from perfect, and I loved the epilogue in his point of view! I completely recommend this trilogy as it is well written, unique, has depth, plot twists, and encompasses complex characters that will stick with you long after you finish.
Thanks to Laurelin Paige for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Other books in this series:
Fixed in You (book 1):
Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither’s past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out—move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan.
But what Alayna didn’t figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He’s smart, rich, and gorgeous—the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson’s fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it.
Avoiding him isn’t an option after he offers a business proposition she can’t turn down and she’s drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she’s fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.
Found in You (book 2)
Found in You (book 2)
Alayna Withers has only had one kind of relationship: the kind that makes her obsessive and stalker-crazy. Now that Hudson Pierce has let her into his heart, she’s determined to break down the remaining walls between them so they can build a foundation that’s based on more than just amazing sex. Except Hudson’s not the only one with secrets.
With their pasts pulling them into a web of unfounded mistrust, Alayna turns to the one person who knows Hudson the best—Celia, the woman he almost married. Hoping for insight from someone who understands all sides of the story, Alayna forms a bond with Celia that goes too far—revealing things about Hudson that could end their love for good.
This is the first relationship where Alayna hasn’t spiraled out of control. And she might lose Hudson anyway…
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USA Today Bestselling Author Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Mad Men and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine. She is represented by the wonderful Bob Diforio of D4EO Literary Agency.
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