Manhattan

Becker Brothers, Book 3

By: Kandi Steiner

Narrated by: Chelsea Hatfield, Edward Thomas

Manhattan is a stand-alone, small-town country romance in the Becker Brothers Series.

Everyone knows not to fall in love with your best friend.

But when your best friend is Michael Becker, it’s impossible not to.

He’s everything our town knows a Becker brother to be: devastatingly handsome, charming as a thief, and the icing on the cake - a sentimental musician who’s never without his guitar.

And he was mine. At least, that’s what I’d convinced myself.

Our bond was born in elementary school, strengthened by circumstance and the promise to always be there for each other, no matter what. And the best thing about my life was being friends with Michael Becker.

Until it was the worst.

I watched him fall in love with someone else, and helped patch him back up when she left him behind. But when he drops the bomb that he’s moving to New York, I realize it’s my last chance to tell him how I feel. And I ask him to make one more promise.

One summer. One list of adventures to remind him that our small town has more to offer than memories of the girl who left him behind.

One last chance to tell him I’m in love with him.

And I’m just dumb enough to believe that maybe he could love me, too.

©2019 Kandi Steiner (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Sweet

I love this series but this one was not my favorite however still a good story. Predictable. I had to doc the performance because the male narrator did not annunciate his words. Inportin= important It didn't ruin the book for me but it's uncommon to hear a narrator not annunciate.

AMAZING!!!

I have loved this series! This book was the most amazing of them all! I have never listened to this author before but definitely a fan now! This book gives you all the feels! I cried, laughed and swooned! A favorite for sure!

Perfect!

I absolutely love this series and Manhattan did not disappoint. It was a great third book to the series and the narration was fantastic. I can't wait to start the next one!

Mature readers will also enjoy- best of series!

I am a mature reader and wrinkled my nose when I saw book #3 was about the youngest brother - I had hoped the author would let him grow up a bit first. I decided to listen anyway, because I enjoyed the first two, and wanted to continue in the series. I was surprised, even though I usually don't like books that feature "barely adults," this was my favorite of the series so far! However, I think part of the reason is because these two don't act like young fools. They've been through a lot in life, so they have a maturity beyond their years. The writing is actually a bit mature for the characters, but it worked for me.

What I really liked - This is a very sweet (I don't mean PG, there are some R scenes) story about friendship turning into more. The long-term friendship of two kids who bond over their common experience of losing a parent is touching. The characters are both really likeable and believable. She's a bit of a nerd wallflower, he's a musician. It's also about that first love that captures your heart and makes you act stupid.

What I didn't like - If I had a critique, it would be how mature these two act. The deep conversations they have, the self-awareness, the emotional intelligence - it's not that of 18 year olds, even very mature ones. The book cover presented also makes them look 30ish. The story fits early adult, but the characters fit 30ish. Again, since I'm a mature reader, it actually worked for me.

Narration - Pretty darn good.

Adult content - Light but there. I only recall one truly descriptive scene of intimacy. It's written in a lovely manner. Two young people, in love, exploring and learning in a way that is planned, respectful and passionate. Contains mature themes, such as dealing with the loss of a loved one, getting over a broken heart, and having to chose between your needs and those of others.

Well done Kandi!

Time to binge read a new author!

5 stars!

My first book by this author and I’m so ready to binge read her backlist!

I started with book 3 and apparently there is an ongoing mystery throughout this series regarding the death of the Becker brothers’ father. Despite starting on book 3, I didn’t feel lost at all.

Manhattan was the perfect best friends to lovers story! Fresh out of high school, Michael Becker is determined to leave his small town and head to the Big Apple (New York) in order to escape memories of his first love. Kiley, Miley’s best friend, has been secretly in love with him her whole life and is determined to convince him to stay.

What follows is a summer of adventures, trips down memory lane, revelations, and romantic love. Throw in a dash of drama, some hallmark worthy groveling, and we have a winner!

Loved.

Young adult romance

I liked this book but the characters, Mike and Kylie were young. This is definitely a New Adult kind of book. Mike just broke up with his love and Kylie and he were best friends forever. She's been in love with him forever but he didn't see her that way. Until he does. But can they take the risk to their friendship? I loved their relationship and their growth but again, these characters were young and I hoped that their romantic relationship would have begun when they were more mature. But it was great to see them evolve and I loved the glimpse into the other family, as well as more info about the mystery behind the Becker Brothers' dad's death.

I listened to the audiobook and the cast was great. The male narrator, Edward Thomas, sounded young enough to play Mikey and Chelsea Hatfield did well too. They played their characters and others well enough to keep me interested in listening.

More of a YA book

I have enjoyed this series but this one felt more YA to me. I had to scroll past the sex parts because it seemed weird to read about 18 year old having sex, yes I'm old. I am excited about the last book in the series and to finally find out what they found on the laptop. Good series, good writing.

Bittersweet and slow-burning

It was a treat every time I pick up a Kandi Steiner book. As per usual, I patiently waited until the weekend before I dare to dive into Manhattan because I knew I would be totally consumed and rendered useless to the world once I started. This bittersweet slow-burning friends to lovers romance didn’t disappoint and gave me all the feels. There were no twisty drama or life/death moments, yet this book had simply captured my heart with beautiful words and realistic characters that evoked an abundance of emotions in me. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, and I swooned throughout the entire book. Mikey and Kylie’s story was pure and heartfelt and I loved every minute of it.

Mikey, the youngest of the Becker brother, was young, heartbroken and lost. My heart ached for him; losing your first love was definitely painful. It was grateful that he had a loving mom, supportive brothers and an selfless best friend, Kylie. Kylie was a beautiful soul. I felt awful that she was in love with her best friend but he was oblivious of her affection. I admired her strength and determination to help Mikey find his true self before he made a life changing decision. I loved the dynamics between the couplethey were candid, natural and real. There were no awkwardness when they shifted from friends to lovers, only righteousness.

As for the ongoing side plot within the series, we moved forward a little in solving the mystery of the Becker father’s death. Jordan might be the key to solve the great mystery and I’m so excited for his book that would be coming up next.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Kandi Steiner. She has the gift of using her words to make me feel the love, the pain, the longing, the sweetness, and the joy of romance. If you haven’t read any work from Kandi, start with the Becker Brothers series and you’ll not be disappointed.

"We're going to be amazing"

What a cute friends to lover romance. It was just perfect! Kylie has been Mikey's best friend forever and she has been secretly in love with him for just as long. Mikey has recently went through a break up and it is Kylie's mission to get him out of that funk. They go through a lists of things that Mikey love in the process the love between them develop into something real. I thought the chemistry between them where perfect and the book had smiling throughout it. Kylie was perfect she was sweet and caring and had a heart of gold. I am excited for the next book!

Boring

I skipped most of this story because it was so boring. I had a hard time finishing this story. However, the writing was good. It’s the reason I did not give low rating. I love listening to Edward Thomas. He was the reason I chose this story. Chelsea did a good job too. It’s good to listen on a lazy Sunday. The story will make you fall to sleep.