Everything but You

Newberry Springs, Book 3

De: Harlow James

Narrado por: Angelina Rocca, Dane Anderson

“Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

I hate that part in a wedding, where everyone waits on pins and needles to see if someone has a reason why the couple shouldn’t get married.

So, when I ran into my high school sweetheart and found out that she was engaged, I said my peace before she ever walked down the aisle.

Shauna and I crossed paths when I went to Las Vegas for work, and sharing one meal with her was enough for me to remember why no other woman has even come close to affecting me the way she did.

But then her fiancé showed up, surprising us both, and I thought I’d lost her for good.

Every dream of our future was sucked from me once more, because this wasn’t the first time she slipped through my fingers. At nineteen, she made decisions that tore us apart, and I was too stubborn to understand why back then.

But it turns out my twin brothers aren’t stupid after all when they convinced me to take one last shot to win her back.

So, I flew back to Vegas, intent on stopping her wedding and telling her how I feel, but it turns out, history was damned to repeat itself again because she walked down the aisle anyway.

Or so I thought.

Because six weeks later she shows up at my parents’ house for a job and there’s one thing that’s noticeably different on her—there’s no ring on her left hand.

I saw my future with her.

I know that’s what I still want.

But it’s hard to face the past when the future is uncertain too.

Can we heal the hurt? Can we find our way back to each other?

And most importantly, can I finally tell her: “I had everything but you.”

©2023 Harlow James Publishing LLC (P)2024 Harlow James Publishing LLC

Second Chance

This was such a cute second chance romance. I’m a sucker for the “it’s always been you trope” and that was the case for BOTH of them. Forrest was so grumpy with everyone, but Shauna brought life back into him and got him to smile again. Forrest did so much and gave up so much (willingly and without her asking) for Shauna, and it just showed how much he really loved her. And the tattoo! Ugh, it was so cute – the way all three of the brothers had a tattoo for their wives/girlfriend.

Anyway, this was different because in this instance, it was the FMC who groveled rather than the MMC. And Shauna pulled out all the stops, refusing to give up no matter what, for that second chance. It helped that his family loved her and meddled.

Narration style: Dual

Second Chance, but make it count (& communicate!)

Book 3 of the series, you can read it on it's own. But for the biggest impact and emotional payoff, I recommend reading the series in order.

Forrest and Shauna's story is one that really shows the power of communication. But also, that if it's meant to be, it will be. After planning their whole future while still in high school, Shauna makes choices without telling Forrest the whole truth that put them on a course that ends with them no longer together. 15 years later, they cross paths 2 weeks before Shauna is set to marry someone else.

I loved how Forrest took a chance and put himself out there to go after Shauna. Even if it took him until she was ready to walk down the aisle to make it happen. It was the push Shauna needed to get off the fence and admit to herself (and everyone else) that this wedding was not what she wanted.

It was frustrating, but understandable, for these two to go slow once back in each other's orbits. But again, they need to communicate their thoughts and feelings before they can move ahead. They've created a catch 22 situation. It's a long time before they realize that, the lights finally go on and the real conversations start happening.

There were a lot of super cute moments that prove that even though some things change, some things never will and you just need to be open and honest (with yourself and others) in order to be able to move forward in life. Life finds a way, fate finds a way and if you let something go that was meant to be yours, it will come back.

Performed by Angelina Rocca and Dane Anderson. They bring a fantastic continuity to the series since they do the whole shebang. I adore Angelina's performances, she brings such depth of emotion to her characters and you can feel the turmoil and vulnerability. Each woman has their own flair/flavour that is carried through the series. Dane has a deep rumble to his voice that makes all the swoony dirtiness these men say to their women just melt your earbuds. He made each brother distinct and recognizable.

I felt the emotional peaks and because of when I was listening, I started my day with the emotional climax of the book and it just flattened me. I absolutely LOVE when a performance makes me FEEL in that way. Especially when I'd already read the books and knew exactly where the stories were going, it still hit me with all the feels.

Thank you so much to Harlow James for letting me listen early. I requested and was provided advanced copies of the audiobooks, these are my honest opinions.

Great small-town second chance romance

This is the third & final book in The Newberry Springs Series & this was my favorite story of the 3 Walker brothers. I am really a goner for second chance romance, probably because that's my own real life trope. Forest & Shauna's story made me so happy. Two people who fell in love at first sight but are separated by life's decisions & make their way back to one another. Does an HEA get better than that? Not really.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole Gibson Gang. From the twins, Walker & Wyatt, to Forest, to Mama G & all the sweet FMC's these boys end up with. I will say...these Gibson brothers are slow to learn, thank heavens they've got such a wise mother in Mama G 😂 Newberry Springs is the quintessential small-town romance series for the people. Something for everyone to love in them.

Like most small-town romances, this book delivers emotion, heart-warming found family & angsty love. Forest is a grump! Plain & simple. He lost the love of his life & he's been in a bad mood ever since. Shauna truly loves Forest but decides she needs to move away from Newberry to spread her wings, figure things out on her own & try to form a relationship with her Dad. Years later, these two run into each other unexpectedly & the attraction they once had for each other hits them smack dab in the face!

With all the Gibson brothers, love moves slowly. There's baggage each of them needs to unpack before committing to a life together. Happy to say, they both figure things out with the help of the wise Mama G😉 & these two finally get it right!🙌 This last book gives us a glimpse into the lives that the twins have built & what their parents are doing & it's just awesome to see everyone so happy & livin' their best lives.

🎧Let's talk narration: Angelina Rocca & Dane Anderson have been fantastic portraying the characters in this series. Dane was terrific as Forest voicing his grumpy yet vulnerable side. The grumpy ones always get me! Angelina brought Shauna to life, showing us her confidence & the persistence she had in winning back Forest. I've absolutely adored Angelina in her small-town vibe!

I looooove this series

We finally get the oldest Gibson brother's story. Forest.. well he's just grumpy isn't he?
And now we know why, and it all makes sense.

Forest had his life planned with Shawna, his high school girlfriend. Go to college, play football, get married, have kids, run a ranch.

But just before the end of High School, Shawna decides to go to Las Vegas for college, 2 years later, they are done, he's out of football and his life doesn't have a direction.

Now in their early 30's a chance meeting a week before her wedding causes everything to halt once again. An interrupted wedding, Shawna working on the ranch, some old secrets on all sides coming out, a revealing elf costume, a surprise guitarist, a dream home, and a hidden tattoo make this story touching and charming.

The narration was once again fantastic, having the same narrators in the series really connected it and made it flow. Grumpy Dane really hits in a real way, and I really love how he used the same distinct voices for Forest and the other family members throughout the series.
Angelina Rocca did such a great job with Shawna, the sadness in her story lended well to Rocca's style.You really felt her heartbreak and sadness.

Oh and there was a cameo by a Ladies Who Brunch couple! I love that they all interconnected in these two series, that was a fun Easter Egg.

My fav of the series!

What a great ending to a great series. IMO, we saved the best for last. There's nothing like a grumpy MMC! Forrest and Shauna were high school sweethearts. They had big plans to get married and take over his family's ranch. Unfortunately, life didn't quite turn out that way for them. Fast forward, years and years later, they run into each other in Las Vegas. But surprise! Shauna has a fiance. Forrest's brothers convince him to try to stop the wedding. Will they get a second chance?

I'm obsessed with Forrest. He was grumpy but underneath that tough exterior, it was just because his heart was broken. The way he loved Shauna was 😍😍😍 I loved to see the woman grovel for once. I appreciated that he didn't give in so easily since his heart was broken multiple times but once he did it was fireworks. I loved seeing them work through all their pain and heartbreak and find their way back to each other.

Once again, Angelina Rocca and Dane Anderson did a fantastic job narrating. They seriously nailed it. Dane has such a deep, growly voice and Angelina brings the sweetness.