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Lucas Beck crawls through Melinda James’ window every night. Each time, he gains a piece of her heart and leaves a bit of his behind. Lucas is in love with the girl next door, but he ruins any chance he has of making her his. So he moves on without her. Lindy gives her heart to the boy next door, but he leaves her humiliated and heartbroken. So she starts a new life without him. They both head off to college, leaving the other behind. Lucas finds success, then misery, on the football field. Lindy finds new love, but it never feels quite right. Years later, Lucas and Lindy find themselves back in their hometown. With danger lurking around Lindy, will she open her window again and give Lucas another chance?***This novel contains adult situations and foul language. It may not be appropriate for readers under eighteen.

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2013

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About the author

Emily Minton

39 books2,121 followers
USA Today Bestselling author, Emily Minton is a Kentucky native. She is proud to call the Bluegrass State home. She claims she bleeds blue–Wildcat Blue! She has been married to her husband, David, for over twenty years. They share two wonderful children.
Emily loves to read and has more books on her kindle than most people could read in a lifetime, but she intends to read every single one. She has published nine books, but there are many more are floating around in her head. She hopes to get them all on paper before long. She loves sharing her dreams with her readers.

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5 stars
521 (28%)
4 stars
570 (30%)
3 stars
457 (24%)
2 stars
175 (9%)
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121 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
Profile Image for Sonia.
1,155 reviews1,742 followers
Shelved as 'not-for-me'
March 6, 2024
Note to self. SPOILERS- H and h have been friends for years. He drunkenly takes her v at a party. She’s upstairs, gets dressed, and is going downstairs when she hears H talking to h’s bully. h’s bully asks if he was f***** Piglet in the bathroom (h is overweight and gets called pig because of it). H says “no way. My d would fall off if it got too close to that fat a$$” 🤬. h gasps, H sees her there and doesn’t apologize.

She leaves for college. 4 years pass. She hasn’t smexxed anyone cause she still wants H 🙄. H has been smexxxing it up with women, INCLUDING h’s bully, but he loves h (sure buddy). There’s a welcome home party for h and H brings h’s bully to THE PARTY FOR THE h!!! OW continues being a b to h.

Basically, h forgives H quickly 😑🤬😒. No grovel needed apparently 😤.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for sraxe.
394 reviews461 followers
Shelved as 'do-not-read'
February 7, 2016
The sample was all I needed for this crap book...

So, he proceeds to drunkenly take the h's virginity at a party, and then is all "whoops sorry" and leaves her there, naked and alone. She doesn't mind so much because she's been in love with him for years. Anyway, so she gets dressed and heads downstairs...and sees the H (Lucas) hanging out with this mean girl who always makes fun of her. And this happens:

"I know what I heard. You were doing Piglet in the bathroom," [Kelsey] says while looking at Lucas.

"Luke, did you really fuck that pig?" asks Daniel with a disgusted look on his face.

"No way, man. My dick would fall off if it got too close to that fat ass," Lucas says, and they all start to laugh.

I gasp, and Lucas turns to look at me. There’s anguish in his eyes, but he doesn’t apologize.

This is a second chance, so she leaves and years pass blah blah blah.

In Chapter One, we're told that the h dated a few guys, but she only got serious with one--Chad. However!

We did a lot of sexual things. We fooled around, experimented a bit. It was fun, but for some reason, I couldn’t go all the way with him. He kept asking when I’d be ready, each time making me pull away from him more. I finally told him the truth; I wasn't sure that I would ever be ready for sex.

Meanwhile, the H has taken up with that mean girl, Kelsey. (But let's be honest...he probably hooked up with others, too.) He refers to her, and other women, as "bitches" and other misogynistic slurs. She even got pregnant at one point but had a miscarriage...to which:

If fucking her wasn't bad enough, I just had to go and knock her up, too. It broke my heart when she called to say that she lost the baby, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to feeling a little relieved. I can't imagine someone like Kelsey having my child.

"If fucking her wasn't bad enough"?? Well no one asked you to fuck her in the first place, nor continuing doing so for years afterwards, you fucking piece of misogynistic shit.

Don't you just love when guys fuck women but look down on them and think things like this?? What hero material!!

Profile Image for Paula M.
556 reviews629 followers
November 17, 2015
description


Review copy from Rockstar PR.

I was in pain the whole time. Part of me is whining saying 'Stop now please! Stop punishing yourself' and the other one is stupid telling me to just push through. Thank goodness the whiny part won. DNF-ed this at 60% and just skimmed the rest.

Let's start with Lucas. This guy can't seem to form a sentence without a b*tch, f*ck and/or any other cuss word. And he's a pig. This guy has no respect for women at all. He was always like..

'ARE YOU MY WOMAN?'
'I'M A BIG MAN AND I PROTECT MY WOMAN.'
'WOMAN YOU'RE MINE SO BE OKAY THAT I'VE BEEN THE BIGGEST JERK TO YOU WHEN WE WERE KIDS AND I WANT YOU TO HAVE MY BABIES.'


(not actual quote from the book but that's my interpretation from all the crap he's saying)

Think Travis from BD but 50x worse. Then of course the heroine, Lindy. I expect so much from this character. But wow, she's incredibly dumb. She keeps saying that she's a woman but acts like a 15yrold.

Let me ask you something, if a guy had sex with you for 10 mins in a bathroom floor (and it's your first time), left you, ridiculed and embarrassed you, will you forgive him?

Maybe you will, i mean I know I will BUT I'll make sure that he deserves my forgiveness.

Well, Lindy's not like that. And yes, I'm judging her.

Nothing new with the plot. Same old same old. About best friends falling inlove and all that. But this one is so poorly executed. There's also A LOT of slut shaming here. Like, a lot.

"She looks like she should be wrapped around a pole instead of sitting on a floral covered couch."

And that's just one line..

I don't know why and how I got through until 60%. Must be the masochistic side of me. But, I REGRET EVERYTHING. I'm sorry, but I really do.
Profile Image for Kirsten.
135 reviews
October 2, 2013
I'm sorry to say that I really didn't like this book. I love the whole best friends who become more premise so I was so hopeful but ended up extremely disappointed.

I really don't understand some of these 4 star reviews.

The writing was really bad - dialogue was often stiff and clunky. Contractions are a great thing - please use them!

*spoilers

The main character, Lindy, is very wishy washy and I just couldn't feel anything for her. Lucas was an immature ass and I have no idea why Lindy would like him. He calls his exes bitches constantly and yes, some may very well be but it's just not necessary. He was a caveman who thinks he doesn't have to help out in the house because he cuts the lawn and takes out the trash and has a dick- what??? Lindy's response was just to say that she was going to give him heck over that comment later but she was just too tired - huh??

The sex was just not sexy. It was mechanical and flat with no heat. And don't get me started on the stupid 'I'll pull out crap' that Lindy goes along with because he convinces her that he's clean. I can understand one time passion overcoming things and making a mistake but not multiple times. Am I really supposed to believe that the town manwhore who has always used a condom suddenly can't find one?!? Which brings me back to the possessive caveman thing... Lucas seemed a little too happy to get Lindy pregnant (not caring that she was just starting her career and that they had only been together for about 5 minutes) - probably because he knew she'd wake up one day and actually realize what a jerk he was.

The only character I was rooting for was Chad - he seemed like a decent guy who was patient. kind, and selfless. He unbelievably gave up on his love for Lindy so fast that I had whiplash but she didn't deserve him so he was lucky to get out.

I would not recommend this book.
351 reviews13 followers
October 2, 2013


Sorry for my harsh review. I just was not feeling this book.
This is SOLEY my opinion, and this in no way reflects the writing of the book.. just the story line that completely PEEVED me off.
But honestly have a go at it, a lot of other people rated this book a lot higher than me.
Profile Image for Tmstprc.
1,213 reviews142 followers
February 2, 2021
So I reread this hot mess after it popped up in a FB group.

NA isn’t my thing and this won’t make it my thing.
Profile Image for Jodie Squelch.
463 reviews5 followers
September 27, 2013
Simply Awesome…..this is a sweet book of friendship, love and betrayal.
Meet Lucas, Lindsey and Tara, the ‘three musketeers’, children of cop fathers.
Their friendship bonds solidify when at the age of nine Lindsey father is murdered in the line of work.
“I’m sorry your dad died.” Lucas says.
Lindy wipes the tears from her face. “Me too.”
“I’ll share my dad with you.”
The tear jerking prologue tells us what happens to the three musketeers once they hit high school……..
Lucas becomes the high school ‘Mr Popular’, the star quarter back ensuring he has girls dropping at his feet.
Tara becomes the sexy cool band geek.
Lindsey is sweet, kind and super intelligent, but held back by her being overweight. She is bullied and nicknamed ‘Piglet’. Tara reminds her best friend in and out of school but Lucas keeps their friendship a secret by climbing through her bedroom window at night.
Lindsey accepts whatever Lucas offers as she is secretly in love with him.
Tara persuades Lindsey to attend her first ever high school party on the eve of their college departure……OH MY GOD….Lucas does the unthinkable to Lindsey!!!
I was totally feeling Lindsey’s pain and was proud she locked Lucas out.
Tara and Lindsey spend the next four years away at college….. Only coming home for Christmas with no contact to Lucas at all…..
FAST FORWARD FOUR YEARS……….
College is over and Tara and Lindsey return home…..
College was good to Lindsey, the diet of ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches helped her drop sixty pounds and become a hot, sexy women.
Lucas dreams of professional football took a massive nosedive when he injured himself in his sophomore year…..he’s been at home since, loosing himself in alcohol and women. He retrained and is now a hot tattooed motorbike mechanic.
The reunion of the ‘three musketeers’ is painful emotional and had me gripped, breaking my heart a little.
Even through Lucas was a serious douche bag in high school, I routed from the start for him to love Lindsey back!!!!
Lindsey and Lucas’s friendship picks up from where it left off as he starts climbing through her bedroom window again but this time making it clear he wants more than friendship and always had. He needs to prove himself worthy of Lindsey.
The new improved older Lucas is swoon worthy!!!
There’s a crazy ‘Mirror Man’ on the loose in there small home town breaking and entering single women’s homes…..when Tara and Lindsey move in together, their over bearing cop fathers insist Lucas moves in with them for protection…..
It’s not long before Lindsey and Lucas becomes an item……but nothing is simple and straight forward for them.
We meet Kelsey…. She was the high school cheerleader captain; she made Lindsey’s life hell back then. This girl is all kinds of crazy and still acts like she is still in high school.
Lucas has a drunken one night stand with her……this causes him endless issues and lots of regret.
She is the ugly thorn in Lindsey and Lucas’s happy reunion………..
Without giving too much away it’s a long emotional road to get them to a happy ever after���…..
I couldn’t put the book down…..it will take you on a ride full of twists and turns, most of which I didn’t see coming but kept me wanting more.
This book lets you become part of the beautiful, sweet and hot relationship of Lindsey and Lucas.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a rocky romance with a happy ending!!! Emily Minton as once again delivered a heart-warming, tear jerking A class novel.
I cannot wait for Tara and Daniels story…..
Profile Image for Kristina.
423 reviews139 followers
September 6, 2015
Terrible. The manwhore jerk never redeems himself or tries to makeup at all for his disgusting behaviour throughout his relationship with Lindy. He emotionally & phsyically mistreats her, humiliates her, screws around like the sleazedog he is & yet, she loves him...what the hell exactly does she love about this unreedemable arsewipe?? Frankly, she deserves him. She's pathetic!
Profile Image for Mairi Swan.
307 reviews24 followers
July 23, 2024
Well the hero seems to be a rare gem (note the sarcasm). He mistreats the heroine in the beginning of the book, fast forward he never grovels and the heroine just falls for him just because he said I love you. Kind of immature both characters.
Profile Image for Kathleen Lemke (Page).
588 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2021
My rating: 2 1/2 stars.

What I liked: I liked the drama and how the ow got what she deserved.

What I didn’t like: I needed more of a grovel especially after bringing the chick that bullied the woman that he supposedly love with him to her coming home party. Another thing that bothered me was how Melinda(h) didn’t have sex with anyone else during the 4 years she was at colleges but of course Lucas(H) does and to the ow who made fun of the h (why do authors do this!!).

How hot was it: 3 out 5

Triggers: OW drama. The h is made fun at school. Her one friend (H) that she is in love takes her virginity at a party on the bathroom floor. Afterwards (when ow confronts him about it in front of everyone) denies it and says “My dick would fall off if it got too close to that fat ass” and h over hears it. Also, the H brings ow to h’s coming home party.

Final thoughts: Unfortunately this book is a no for me. I wish the h would have made the H work for her forgiveness more. As soon as she comes home she is talking to him and being friends with him (there is no way I would be ok with being friends with a jerk who said mean things and who brought the mean girl to my party without him earning my forgiveness)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Skye Stewart.
389 reviews106 followers
August 23, 2013
***BETA read 23/08/13***



“I’m sorry your dad died.” Lucas says.
Lindy wipes the tears from her face. “Me too.”
“I’ll share my dad with you.”


What happens when you grow up as part of the 'Three Musketeers' only to get to high school and have Lindsey, even with her beautiful blond hair and grassy green eyes, she is an very overweight, socially awkward, extremely intelligent, bottle cap glasses wearing geek.

Tara, a size 6 Band 'Cool' geek who is very attractive and super sweet.

Lucas, hot as hell quarterback, black haired with baby blues that have all the girls wanting him and all the boys wanting to be him.....
Read 'Windows' to find out!!

You know it's going to be a GREAT book when the prologue has you a little teary!

After growing up together as children of police fathers, they have a special bond especially when Lindys dad is killed in acton when she is just 9 years old, however these three drift apart in school, the girls stick together, however Lucas starts pulling away to the point of no longer talking to them at all in public! Douch right!! Well it gets even better / worse, he sneaks into her bedroom through the window of a night to talk and make sure she is ok!! Somehow thinking that will make up for him calling her a fat piggy etc..... Argh I hated him!!! I wanted to punch him so hard in the face no one would find him attractive anymore!!
( did I still secretly want them together....YES!!)


After a DESPICABLE act at a party the night before leaving for collage the girls no longer have ANY contact with Lucas.



Fast forward 4 years.......

Lucas, after an injury his
Sophomore year forces him off the field and therefore out of his scholarship he moves home and after some ups and down starts work at a motorbike shop.

Lindsey, after headaches force her to have laser eye surgery, and the struggles of being a student leave her with a diet of ramen noddles and peanut butter sandwiches, well yep you guessed it, this blond haired, green eyed girl is now glasses free and a tinny tiny size 7! Can you say KNOCKOUT?!? She is Also a fully qualified teacher.

Tara is still besties with Lindsey after being at collage together she is now a nurse and they are living together back in their hometown .


These first few parts from both POVs of the return home are RAW! I had quite a few teary moments and then this, had me in full tears!

"He hurt me mom. He hurt me worse than all those stupid high school bullies put together. I loved him, and he broke my heart."

"He said something that showed me all those years of friendship was just a lie. It also proved that all those kids were right. I am nothing. Just the ugly piglet.” Her voice breaks, and I can hear her crying.

"It wasn't a lie."

Gosh, utterly heart wrenching!!

Struggling to pay rent in the big house the 'Dads' decide Lucas is moving in with them, not only to help with rent, but all being police officers, they want their babies Protected!

Kelsey is a horrid horrid person! She made Lindsey's life a living hell throughout school, and now as an adult. I did feel
bad for her in regards to what happened between her and Lucas at first. I just though she was a little out if it, hell was that an understatement!!
I won't give to much away, but I will say this girl brings a lot to the novel!!

Kelseys father wow, we know where she gets her crazy! George Reynolds and his daughter are two peas in a pod!



There were some parts that made me lol!!

“Sure, the TV vampire could get his soul back and come down here to marry you. That kind of shit happens every damn day.” I say, as I start to laugh harder.


The 'Mirror Man'
Creepy!! Slashing mirrors in young ladies houses and assaulting them! When all is revealed, I'll just say it wasn't who I first thought!!

I loved the relationship between Lindsey and Lucas.

It wasn't forced, it just flowed beautiful. From where they started to where they ended I will
Say they took the long way around, for something that could have been so so simple!


I LOVED the quotes from when they were kids!

“When I get married, I’m going to wear a pink wedding dress.” Lindy says.
Lucas shakes his head at her. “You can’t. Wedding dresses are white.”
“I don’t care. I like pink.”

The reference to one of my ALL TIME favourite books 'Beautiful Disaster' *sigh*

The epilogue, gosh what can I say besides beautiful!

I can't not wait for Tara and Daniels story.

Thank you Emily for asking me to beta your first solo baby. It truly was my pleasure.




Profile Image for  B.E.Love.
1,330 reviews131 followers
October 13, 2013
3 1/2 stars. I would have rated this book 4 stars except the writing style didn't flow as well as I like, but this was still a good book that kept my attention from beginning to end.
Lucas and Lindy have been neighbors and friends since childhood but as they got older Lucas became popular and Lindy didn't so they spent less and less time together except for at night when Lucas would come into Lindy's room. Lindy has always been in love with Lucas so when at a party the day before she leave for college Lucas kisses Lindy, she couldn't be happier. Then it goes further and Lindy gives her virginity to Lucas, only to have Lucas run out of the room after and then the final blow Lindy hears Lucas talking about her and the words are so hurtful she leaves without ever speaking to him again.

Four years have gone by and a lot has changed Lindy has lost tons of weight and graduated from college, Lucas was hurt in football and lost his scholarship and now lives at home while working at a motorcycle garage. When Lindy and her best friend Tara graduate they move back home, and are welcomed back home to a welcome home party. Lindy knows she will have to see Lucas sooner or later but she is hoping for later. Lucas got wrapped into coming to the welcome home party and can't believe his eye,s Lindy is more beautiful than she was in high school and he know's he will do what ever he has to to get her back not only as his best friend but so much more.

As Lindy and Lucas spend more time together Lindy can't deny that her feelings for Lucas never went away and when the "mirror Man" continues to break into homes of single woman, the men in Lindy's life decide that it is best if Lucas moves in. Now with Lucas and Lindy spending so much time together they both find themselves not only falling back in to there old friendship but falling in love as well. When They find out the connection between the "Mirror Man" and Lucas they all realize that Lindy may be in danger and Lucas will do anything to keep her safe so that they can have a future together.

I really liked this story the characters were great and Emily Minton did a great job of making me invested not only in Lucas and Lindy but their entire family. I hope with the more books she writes her writing continues to mature. I really hope that we get Tara and Daniel's book, I really want to read about their story after reading the epilogue. Overall this was a really good book by an author that I can't wait to see how her books progress.
Profile Image for Jenee -Jenee's Book Blog.
154 reviews160 followers
September 24, 2013
The prolog had me in tears and I am dying to read the rest! Emily Minton is extremely talented!

This book was SOOOO GOOD! The prolog had me crying and hurting for Lindy and the way Lucas treated her after one of the most important moments of a young woman's life. I wanted to hate Lucas but I knew deep down he would redeem himself. And trust me, he does. There are no cliffhangers in this book but keep a box of tissues on hand. ;)

Lucas and Lindy were best friends, but only when climbing through her window at night. At school Lindy was teased and tormented because of her size and Lucas didn't exactly stand up for his friend. Lindy was completely in love with Lucas and Lucas secretly loved her but was too embarrassed to admit it to his popular friends. But the night he hurt her, he lost the best thin he never had. She left and never came back or accepted his phone calls for 4 years.

When she returns she has definitely changed! She lost the weight and now has the attention of any and every guy but she still holds a special place in her heart that only Lucas can fill. Lucas lost his dream of playing football after he was injured in college. He came home broken and missing Lindy. He slept around and made the mistake of sleeping with the one girl who hated Lindy the most in high school and made her life a living hell.

Lucas and Lindy begin rebuilding their friendship and trying to become more, but some of his one night stands come back trying to destroy the fragile bond they have developed. One girl in particular has a HUGE secret to reveal that could send Liny running again. And to make things even more difficult, there is someone attacking young women in town and they all seem to be someone Lucas was previously involved with.

Will Lucas and Lindy be able to stay strong and trust each other enough to move forward or will secrets and past flings tear them apart once again? This book was action packed and had amazingly hot chemistry between Lucas and Lindy. I love the friends to lovers stories and this one was incredibly sweet. I'd rate it at a solid 4 Stars and I'd recommend it to all my friends and followers! ;)
Profile Image for Lu Bielefeld .
4,301 reviews581 followers
October 14, 2015
==> Re-Read in October, 2015
==> Read in January, 2015

Review in Portuguese and English

O livro conta a história de amor do casal que começou na infância e se solidificou ao longo do amadurecimento dos dois.
Os dois são melhores amigos na infância, mas quando chegam na adolescência cada um enfrenta as pressões dos amigos e da sociedade e acabam se separando. Se reencontram já adultos e reconectam a amizade e o amor deles renasce.
Temos também uma trama que envolve o assassinato do pai da mocinha e uma série de ataques contra mulheres.
Gostei muito e a autora é uma das minhas favoritas
Amei e recomendo!
-------------
The book tells the love story of the couple that started in childhood and solidified over the life of the heroes.
The two are best friends in childhood, but when they arrive in their teens each faces pressures from friends and society and end up breaking up. Then adults they reconnect the friendship and their love is reborn.
We also have a plot that involves the heroine's father's murder and a series of attacks against women.
I really enjoyed and the author is one of my favorite
Loved and recommend!
21 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2017
I almost could not finish this book because the writing and the flow of the story was very choppy. I'm not sure if choppy is a word but for some reason that's what comes to mind when I think back on this story. The blurb that was on the back indicated that the hero would actually have to fight and grovel to win the heroines love back after he was particularly cruel and humiliated her in high school. Unfortunately he was able to accomplish that all in one page. the rest of the book revolved around a suspense/thriller trope of the heroine being in danger.
One major problem I had was the way the story would jump around, sometimes days to weeks to months. To me it felt like the story just didn't have enough meat in it, kind of felt like I was just reading the highlights of a book. Another thing that kind of annoyed me was the way that the characters interacted with each other. I feel like grown people just do not act and talked the way that the characters did in this book. But it did keep my attention somewhat till the end so therefore, that alone, I rated it 2 stars.
Profile Image for Deserie williams.
606 reviews6 followers
Shelved as 'just-not-for-me-stay-away-hell-no'
March 30, 2016
self note: sample makes this a hell no for me. reminder to look at sraxes review so I don't have to read the sample!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,865 reviews55 followers
March 25, 2023
We get a little of everything in this book. Anger, suspense, tears, and betrayal. However I think she forgives him way to easy.
Profile Image for Jac K.
2,401 reviews390 followers
Read
September 1, 2024
What can I say about this book. It was a VERY fast read. The H was INCREDIBLY cruel to the h in the prologue, so mean that it made it hard to believe that he pined for her for four years and made me feel like if she hadn’t lost the 60 pounds… we’d have been reading a different book. With that said, if like the h you can forgive him for being a stupid 18-year-old and believe he truly loves her for her and will continue to do so if the weight creeps back on… you might be ok.

For me, the romance took a backseat, so I didn’t really care about Lindy and Luke. I was there for that psycho Kelsey because she was certifiable. DAMN the girl was nuts.

The rest was very predictable the “mystery” was so predictable I’m not sure how the police force stays afloat. They were all clueless or why no one got a restraining order.

Bottom Line- This was a mess. It wasn’t necessarily good, but it was so OTT it was sort of entertaining. This author writes some messed up stuff. 🤣 I will say by the end she did have me sold on Luke; I did think he loved the girl.
Profile Image for Dianne.
6,800 reviews607 followers
April 23, 2014
Three young children, each the child of a cop, Lindsey, Tara and Lucas were close, then came the fateful day when Lindsey was told her father was never coming home, he died in the line of duty. Lindsey suffered through her loss and the grief by turning to food, became overweight and the butt of the cruelties of her classmates. As they become teens, the magical bond these three shared is no match for popularity and fitting in and Lindsey loses her best friend, Lucas to the call of the cliques, sports and fitting in. Fast forward as life goes on and college is takes Lindsey and Tara far from home where she remakes herself while not under the pressures of her town. She returns a butterfly risen from her cocoon, sending Lucas into the past, before the horrors he took part in against Lindsey, but the damage has been done and he has to earn the right to once again have Lindsey’s trust, as her biggest secret is that she has always loved him. Lindsey isn't the only one with secrets. The secrets of others could get her killed.

Can Lindsey trust that Lucas is still the boy she once knew under his playboy exterior? Will taunts and cruelty from the past undo all of the self-confidence Lindsey has acquired? Can their days of climbing in bedroom windows to share in one another’s company be possible? Meanwhile, young, single women are be attacked in their homes and there is an evil cloud hanging over the town. Is it because of Lindsey that others must suffer? Can Lucas keep her safe or is this, too part of the nightmares of Lindsey’s past?

Romance, intrigue and danger are well – portrayed in this emotionally barbed tale of romance. Well cast with characters that will evoke definite feelings from readers, each scene feels real as we are plunged headfirst into Lindsey’s story. Lindsey is, without a doubt, a wonderful, caring character who has grown beyond her years in many ways, but Lucas is hard to like, as I wondered if a he was genuine or not. He seemed to flip back and forth and I often found I wanted him to be less human and more over-the-top. Filled with supporting characters who hide their own secrets, this tale twists down a long and spidery trail to its conclusion, as it grows ever darker. The author has done a marvelous job of creating tension and intrigue on each crisply written page.


Series: Coming Home - Book 1
Publication Date: January 17, 2014
Genre: NA/Adult contemporary Romance
Print Length: 186
Available from: Amazon


Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews161 followers
October 6, 2013
Lindy has been cut deep so I understand her not wanting to come home, "you try losing your virginity on a dirty bathroom floor, to a guy you've been in love with for your entire life. Then have him unr out of the room and call you a fat a**, and we'll see how you act." Lucas after four years still has the guilt of what he did and the love for his Lindy Lou, "I didn't even pass out when I blew my knee, but the thought of Lindy marrying someone else has me on the verge of going down." Lucas's dad I loved him, he was so funny, "well, that's settled then. Pack your s*** and get out. You mom won't let me touch her anywhere but the damn bedroom when you're living with us. She's always afraid your sorry a** is gonna come home. I am too old for that s***. If I want a piece, I should be able to get it wherever I want," Paul says and slaps Lucas on the back." Lucas he really does have a lot to make up for, and I thought he was doing a good job, "I'm not mad at you, baby. Not at all. I am mad at myself for making you feel this way. Please, take the shirt off." He's a bossy a** in the bedroom that was quite a turn on, "you need to get on birth control. I will wrap up if I have to, but I don't want to. I do not want a damn thing between you and me." He likes to take care of Lindy, "I know that, baby. Who do you think paid it last month?" he asks, then walks to the counter and sets the steaks down. "I live her now. So I take care of us." If he has to watch a show she likes and he ends up hating it apparently he has a rule that he gets rewarded, "then I'll watch it with you. Who knows, it may not suck. If it does, I will still earn a blowjob for watching it." Well that's one way to get quality time. I'm hoping Daniel and Tara get a story next.
Profile Image for Maureen Mayer.
Author 7 books372 followers
September 28, 2013
I couldn't have been happier when Emily asked me to beta read Windows because this was such a wonderful book!

From the very beginning, I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to love or hate Lucas. He and Lindy appeared to be such good friends behind closed doors, but when Lindy found herself getting picked on in high school because of her weight, Lucas did nothing to stand by and add fuel to the fire. One night changed everything when Lucas hurt Lindy in the worst way possible, pushing away the girl he has secretly loved for years.

After being gone for 4 years, Lindy returns home glasses free and 60 pounds lighter! A rush of feelings flood back to both Lucas and Lindy when they see each other again, but there are still some unresolved issues between them. To make matters worse, someone from Lindy's past is continuing to torment her and put her life, as well as others, in danger.

Will Lucas and Lindy be able to learn to trust one another again, or will ghosts from their past continue to keep them apart?

I loved this book from beginning to end, and thought the epilogue was absolutely perfect! I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading Tara and Daniels story!
Profile Image for All Romance.
420 reviews96 followers
April 10, 2014
I recovered an arc for an honest review and that's what I'm going to give.

No idea why this book got so many 4 star ratings.

The author was just lazy in my opinion. The idea of the book was interesting but every single piece of this was underdeveloped.

Lindy was a wet blanket. Lucas was a dick. Chad was a limp dick.

Seriously. There were so many good ideas but it's like the author took no time to develop any of them. Even the interaction between Lindy and Lucas was lacking. They'd get in a fight and 30 seconds later be like " I forgive you and love you. "

I was so close to having this be a DNF.

The only reason I gave it 2 stars and not 1 is because the storyline was creative but the execution was horrible.
85 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2013
Sorry, but I hated it. Lucas' personality was super unattractive to me: constantly referring to girls (even if they are crazy) as bitches and acting like a caveman all the time. That's all after the way he acted at the beginning of the book, to the supposed love of his life.

I know some books are predictable but I don't like being able to predict every "twist." Think the only thing I didn't predict was the Travis Maddox reference, which only made me hate it more.

Some good writing, the story just wasn't for me.
Profile Image for seton.
713 reviews319 followers
December 28, 2013
Setting: Alabama

Sensuality: R

Wow, it's been a while since I've come across such a trailer trash d-bag H. I cant say that the heroine deserves better since she took him back so easily.

DNF since I didnt like either H/h and didnt want to waste any more time.
Profile Image for Dani.
464 reviews14 followers
February 7, 2024
Meh. This was just ok. Very fast paced and predictable. Knew exactly what was coming so the fun was taken out.
Profile Image for Chu.
1,459 reviews71 followers
December 16, 2013
some_text

Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak

They were friends since they were in high school, but unlike the usual type of friendship – Lucas Beck was close to the chubby, nerdy Melinda James at home as he crawled through the window at night, but at school, they were almost strangers.

some_text

Due to social hierarchy at school, Lucas would commit social suicide if he ever decided to be friends with her in public. Nevertheless, he had been in love with her since then.

One night, changed it all. It was supposed to be special for Melinda, but Lucas broke her heart, humiliated her beyond repair and has ruined any chance he might have with her. She left town immediately, and so did he.

They went off to college started their lives without each other and have tried to moved on. Lucas lost his dream in becoming a pro player when he suffered an injury. Instead of continuing in the university, he decided to go home and be a mechanic. Not just an ordinary mechanic though, he become one of the few who specializes in the customization of big bikes.

Years later, Lindy was back in her hometown. She graduated, and is ready to start working as a new teacher in their elementary school. She’s way different from the old Lindy they used to bully. Deep inside, though, she was still the same. She might have found love in college, but her feelings were never as intense as they were with Lucas. Seeing him years after just brought those old emotions back.

LUCAS in high school –

some_text

Lindy was kind enough to consider him as a friend after he allowed his friends to bully her. He might not join them, but he stood there watching them torment her. I hated him then. Years later, he grew up – and became an ALPHA MALE: sexy, possessive, and he knows exactly what he wants and is not afraid to act on it. He didn’t stop until he got Lindy, and he didn’t stop protecting her until they caught the assailant that has been breaking houses.

Lindy is a kind, smart and beautiful girl who had been a lot in her younger years because of her size. Growing up, she decided to shed off some of her weight and became more confident with herself. I like her goodness; she’s the heart of the story. She’s braver, fiercer and stronger. Only one person can make her knees buckle – and it’s Lucas. One look, and she’d done for.


I can’t stop myself from finishing this in one sitting because Windows is a love story coupled with some thrilling suspense and mystery – it’s the complete package. I might have sense what was happening or who was behind it, but there were still some surprises that the author had caught me off guard. I enjoyed reading this book, and would gladly recommend it to friends.

★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★
Profile Image for Sara.
733 reviews349 followers
October 1, 2013
Kind of a cute, quirky, cheesy story.
The prologue is way cheesy with what happens between Lucas and Lindy. It happens so fast, and is over so fast and really didn't make sense.

Lindy and Lucas have grown up with each other. Their families are extremely close. Her dad and his dad were partners on the police force. Tara is her BFF who is just as close with her and her parents because Tara's dad became Lucas dada partner when lindys dad was killed in the line of duty. ***whoo** did you get all that??
These three families are bound to each other. It was quite endearing. Lindy was a overweight girl who was maliciously picked on. Lucas was popular and they remained friends. Mainly when he snuck in her bedroom window. Not so much in public arounds peers. It was very sad for Lindy, but Tara remained a steadfast friend. Lucas conformed to the popular idiots and acted like a jackass.

The prologue happens, hearts are broken and then the story picks up 4 years later as Lindy and Tara return to their hometown from college.

Lucas is still there. He's all manly now and looks gorgeous. Lindy is grown up too. Lost the glasses and slimmed down. Lucas is blown away by the new Lindy. But I have a feeling he would've felt the same if she was still chubby. What I didn't care so much for was the rush of events. Things seemed to happen so quickly. She insisted she was done and too badly hurt, but saw him and was pretty much over it. Confusing since it took her 4 years to even face him. Lucas was ok but some of the things he said made me feel like he was a hillbilly! Don't ask me to explain! He just didn't sound like I pictured. Tara was a really great friend and from the epi I would figure she may get her own book.
The crazy stalker Kelsey was an interesting twist in the story. It's too bad it was overbearing and predictable. You could see the story unfold a mile away. No surprise there and it didn't add and mystery or angst for me. More like a filler.

What I really liked was the way these families took care of each other and provided support.
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