REVIEW: I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND by MARIE FORCE

Series: Green Mountain #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 6/3/14
Format: ARC
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 stars

GoodReads  |  Amazon  |  B&N  |  iBooks  |  Kobo

For the Abbott siblings, the Green Mountain state has always been an idyllic place to call home. But it isn’t until they open themselves up to love that they’ll truly discover how fulfilling life can be…

Almost seven years after losing her husband in Iraq, Hannah Abbott Guthrie isn’t sure she’s ready—or able—to move on, but the attentions of a lifelong friend are making her think about it for the first time. The memory of the sweet kiss she shared with Nolan Roberts hasn’t strayed far from her thoughts, but she also fears that pursuing something with him would mean betraying her husband’s memory.

Nolan has loved Hannah for years, but he’d been giving her the space she needed to heal from her devastating loss. Now, when an opportunity arises to show her how he feels, Nolan can’t resist, but he knows earning her love will take more than a kiss. Somehow he has to prove to Hannah that finding love twice in a lifetime is possible—and well worth risking her heart.

My Review

All You Need is Love was such a happy surprise for me, and left me eager for more of the Green Mountain series, with its ten Abbott siblings. I knew I Want to Hold Your Hand would be a heavy, powerful story, considering its heroine and her story. It was, but it was also very romantic and fulfilling.

Hannah Abbott Guthrie lost her husband, the only man she's ever loved, seven years ago, in Afghanistan. Though she's accepted the loss, and worked to make a quiet life, Hannah's never fully moved on. Sweet and endearing Nolan Roberts has been a fixture in the Abbott family, was even Hannah's husband's best friend. He's held a long-time torch for Hannah, but never felt comfortable making a move. Due to a bit of scheming from well-meaning relatives and some good timing, Hannah finally seems open to exploring a relationship with Nolan. Guilt over moving on, fear of another unbearable loss, hesitation at changing the dynamics of a life-long friendship are all issues and questions that Hannah and Nolan face.

I never questioned the outcome, honestly. But that's okay. I liked how Nolan and Hannah honored Caleb, always acknowledged how much they would always love and miss him, and that he would truly want them to move on together. What did surprise me was the low-angst factor. I thought the majority of IWtHYH would involve Hannah's reluctance to move on, along with pushing Nolan away repeatedly. That didn't happen, not that there weren't moments of hesitation and wariness. What did happen is, Nolan and Hannah just sort of...drift together. It was sweet how they become a couple, and I adored that they never stopped loving Caleb and honoring his memory. They acknowledged that he would always be a part of them, but that they could move forward, too.

I love the Abbott family, though the overprotective men would drive me bananas too. They're caring, supportive and hilarious. I love the strong connection between twins Hannah and Hunter, who's still so hung up on Megan, who's been hung up on Will, who's so in love with Cameron. I loved that Will and Cam are still very much present, even after their happy ever after. I also love the two family patriarchs, Lincoln and Elmer, and their continued scheming to help the kids find true love. Colton Abbott's book is next, and guys, I cannot wait!

Green Mountain is just an all-around enjoyable series. I adore the family, the setting, and the romance. If you enjoy those elements as much as I do, I recommend this series.

 Favorite Quote

  "That's a beautiful thing," he said softly, gazing down at her with unabashed affection. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and ran his finger over her cheek, making her nearly swoon from the sweetness of his gesture. Then he zeroed in on her lips, making her body heat from the memories of what had transpired between them during the night.
  Hannah licked her lips, and his eyes burned with desire as he gazed at the slide of tongue over her lips. "What's a beautiful thing?"
  "That smile. I'd do anything to see it every day."

The Green Mountain Series 

   

(covers lead to GoodReads page)

My review of All You Need is Love 

About the author

With more than 2.5 million books sold, Marie Force is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 contemporary romances. Her New York Times bestselling self-published McCarthys of Gansett Island Series has sold more than 1 million e-books since Maid for Love was released in 2011. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the Treading Water Series and numerous stand-alone books. All You Need is Love, book 1 in her new Green Mountain Series from Berkley Sensation, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller in February. The second book, I Want to Hold Your Hand, will be out in June, and the third book, I Saw Her Standing There, is coming in November. In 2014, Marie will have eight mass-market print releases—the first five Fatal Series books from Harlequin and the first three Green Mountain Series books from Berkley. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie. Join Marie's mailing list at http://marieforce.com/ for news about new books and other possible appearances in your area.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads  |  Newsletter  |  Postal Mailing List.