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BOOKWORM REVIEW: Everything He Couldn't by Harlow James

 

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

Evelyn has had it rough. Now a single mom after her baby's father John unexpectedly died while on the job as a firefighter, she is tangled up in a custody battle with John's parents with no support from her own family. Her only hope is to demonstrate some stability and that road goes through John's friend Walker. 

Walker has harbored guilt over John's passing, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect Evelyn and her daughter. Even if it meant marrying her. 

I had loved Walker since his shenanigans in Everything to Lose. To have him the center of the story, especially how sweet he is? My heart is absolutely full from this story. 

Harlow James is the master of finding the right tone to establish the connection between her main characters. It becomes even more complicated in this read with the death of John looming over their head, yet she finds that sweet spot for Walker and Evelyn's chemistry that has us readers investing in their HEA.

And the spice? The spice in James' books are always on point, and this is no exception. 

This can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading the first Newberry Springs book to fully understand why Walker is so freaking adorable.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Harlow James and The Author Agency for providing an ARC. **

ABOUT THE BOOK

One of my favorite songs growing up was Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield.

Ironically enough, I never realized I’d be living out those lyrics in my own life when I fell for my best friend’s girl—and then my best friend, John Schmitt, died.

Add on the fact that she was pregnant with his child and that I’d been harboring feelings for Evelyn months before all of this happened, and well, now?

Now the lyrics to that song don’t sound so bad anymore.

The worst part is, I’m the one to blame for his death which made facing her an even harder pill to swallow, so what did I do? Pretend like she didn’t exist anymore, even though it was virtually impossible because she was everywhere in our small town of Newberry Springs.

Flashforward six months and suddenly Evelyn finds herself in a legal battle she never saw coming, and I can’t just stand by any longer and pretend like my heart isn’t in shambles.

So I suggest the unthinkable.

I offer to marry her, help her prove that she’s a fit mother and her daughter is being raised well despite John not being in the picture.

But Evelyn doesn’t know that being near her gets my blood pumping, even more so after avoiding her for months.

She doesn’t understand that doing this favor for her is a way for me to gain retribution for John’s death and take a chance to find out if she can reciprocate my feelings.

And she doesn’t get that by being there for her and loving her and her daughter that I’m doing everything that my best friend couldn’t.

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MEET HARLOW JAMES

Harlow James is a pen name I use to protect my identity as a high school teacher. Keeping those two roles in my life separate is necessary, but also fun! It’s like a live two lives, and anonymity gives me the opportunity to be bold and take risks in my stories.

I stumbled upon romance novels in 2018 when I picked up Driven by Kristy Bromberg, and I was obsessed. I had just lost my grandmother too, so reading offered me an escape from reality and a chance to grieve on my own terms.

About a year later, I got an idea for my own book and started writing. I researched self-publishing and jumped in with both feet. I had no idea what I was doing!

But now I’ve built a business and hobby that I LOVE! I have an outlet that’s just for me. When I write, I’m not a mom, a wife, or a teacher…I’m a woman who gets to tell stories that no one else can.

My books are the perfect blend of heartwarming moments, full-bellied laughs, and PLENTY of steam to melt your Kindles 😉 And there are always elements of me sprinkled in to every character and story that I write.

When I’m not writing you can find me reading or spending time in my kitchen. I love to cook and feed my family and friends. Otherwise, you can find me watching comedy specials with my husband, camping with our kids, or taking naps. I live for naps 😉

Connect with Harlow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarlowJamesAuthor/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/494991441142710/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlowjamesauthor/
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