The Rest of My Life (Choc Lit)

Adam was an odd character he's one of those people that likes to ask rhetorical questions, "are we undressing?’ he asked, peeling off his T-shirt." I'm not sure if self conscious is the word I'm looking for but Adam he apologizes a lot, "I’m rushing,’ he said. ‘Sorry,’ he repeated. ‘I need to … Want to make love to you." He has some stamina when he's not fiddling around and fussing, "okay, four .’ He laughed. ‘Roll over on your side,’ he said, a definite twinkle now in his eye. ‘Tuck that gorgeous bottom into me. That should hurry things up a bit." I liked this book, the setting was good the other characters were good it we really enjoyable.

When I first started reading this book I couldn't see how Adam was going to be likeable at all! He really seemed to be completely immoral, a Casanova happily sleeping with any woman who came his way - and it seemed there were plenty! Sienna, an aspiring screenwriter, is hugely attracted to him and he sounds like a bit of an Adonis to be fair. Sienna has been hurt in a recent relationship and is still being hounded by her ex. She has come to the riverside cottage for peace to work on a script which her editor has suggested needs spicing up a little. But with no experience on that front, how can she write something convincing? It seems that Adam may just provide the perfect inspiration.

I enjoyed this story more and more as it went on and it becomes clear that Adam had his reasons for being a commitment-phobe. There was such a sad story in his past and I began to realise that he was much misunderstood. Sienna too has a similar sad story in her background. As Sienna comes to know Adam better, she realises that there is more to him than everyone thinks and he is a much better person than everyone seems to believe. If only she could convince her friends. As for Adam, he feels that Sienna could be that special someone in his life but can he commit?

The Rest of My Life is an entertaining love story where, inevitably, the path to true love doesn't run smoothly. There were a few really funny moments in the story too such as when Adam was on the phone to Sienna on several occasions being, shall I politely say amorous, only to discover that her PE instructor father was listening grimly behind! There's a hint of magic in this book, with a ghostly presence guiding some of Adam's decisions. I learned a fabulous new word too - gongoozler: someone who enjoys watching activity on canals.

The Rest of My Life was a great fun, really enjoyable read and it turned out that Adam was a true ChocLit hero after all! Definitely recommend this one for summer holiday reading.

Multifaceted book that will appeal to anyone looking for a fun and slightly racy read. Set on the coast it's in part a seafaring tale about Adam and Sienna, both hurt by previous unfulfilling relationships. At first Adam sets himself off as difficult to like - but this turns out to be more a case of misunderstood. Oftentimes with books I find that characters are found to be one, or two dimensional with plots poorly crafted and questions unanswered in the readers mind. Not so here. Sheryl Browne has developed a well rounded novel that, once the final pages has been read addresses both the plot and subplot outcomes. Well done

This was torture! I was so rooting for Adam and he kept screwing up!! I felt like shaking the man at times. Sienna was a lovely a character and the perfect innocent foil for Adam.
The best character by far for me, was Sienna's father, David. He was absolutely perfect as the protective, but understanding father! Reminded me strongly of mine, but maybe my Dad wasn't quite so understanding.
I felt so sorry for Adam as his actions resulted in some very painful experiences (physical and emotional). His friend Nate was brilliant - very supportive but close to the end of his tether! Can we have a second book about Nate please?
Great read - Choc Lit NEVER disappoints!

4.5 Stars

The Rest of My Life is a very sweet romance, between perennial womaniser Adam Hamilton, and the innocent screenplay writer Sienna Meadows. Adam lives on a house boat and Sienna has just moved to a house that over looks where he has his boat docked. Sienna needs to write an open doors sex scene for the script she has had accepted but is struggling for inspiration, and words, as she in rather inexperienced.

However she has noticed that Adam tends to have a steady stream of women on and off his boat, so she decides to proposition him, with sizzling results.

Adam however has a very chequered past, and as readers we get to hear about the details relatively early into the book, or at least enough to have some sympathy with Adam, and why he acts the way he does. There is though even more to him than the initial revelations reveal, and I found Adam to be a very well rounded characters, he is just running scared and doesn't always think before he speaks or acts.

Sienna however I found a bit harder to like, I think it may just be her naivety with regards men, I was very fearful for her getting hurt, however she is lovely, and I loved the her dog, Tobias who can't swim. The image that he should perhaps wear a lifejacket near the marina, just made me laugh.

I loved Sienna's dad, he initially comes across as over protective, and then just as big and scary and then, as he communicates with Adam, you start to get the feeling that he is a real softie. And a special mention of Lily-Grace, who is adorable.

There is a real chemistry between Adam and Sienna, no matter how much either of them may try and deny it. You can sense something simmering each time they are near each other.

There are some fantastic sex scenes in this book, although I'm not 100% positive whether it was the heatwave while I was reading this, or the scenes that were making me hot and bothered!

I loved The Rest of My Life, and I finished it with a huge smile on my face. In places it was comical, and others very tender and loving, and the hidden depths to Adam especially I loved learning about.

Thank you to Netgalley and Choc Lit for my review copy of this book. This was my honest review.

Loved it!
I'm a fan of Sheryl Browne's work and 'The Rest of My Life' is my favourite book of the author's so far.
It's clear from the beginning of this character driven story that Adam is a man you shouldn't really like so much, but you end up falling in love with him anyway, despite his womanising ways. Because threaded through the plot are the heart breaking reasons behind this.
Sienna can see past his flaws and recognises him for the nice guy he actually is - when he isn't consumed by hurt and alcohol. And his skills with the ladies might be quite beneficial when it comes to hands on research for the script she desperately needs to spice up. This is a sweet story with a little pop of heat! The interactions between Adam and David, Sienna's protective father, add fun to this wonderful story, providing light to the shade of the sadness running through the plot. If you don't fall for Adam at the beginning, then you certainly will at the end.
Thank you to Choc Lit and Sheryl Browne for this brilliant read!

What a wonderful setting- on a houseboat on the Severn Valley. Sienna lives in a house overlooking the boat and has seen a steady succession of ladies visiting Adam.
She’s got to write a sizzling sex scene for the script she’s working on and being fairly unexperienced she decides that she needs to proposition Adam! They have a draw between them and need to see where a relationship would lead. Adam thinks that Sienna could be the girl to make him want to change his ways.
Great characters-will we grow to love Adam or is he just a Cassanova?
A really enjoyable read.

Sexy, heartfelt and gorgeously written, 'The Rest of My Life' is a definite five-star read!

Sienna is a heroine that you will root for straight away. I think many young women will relate to Sienna, and will see a lot of themselves in her story. Seeing how determined she is to be independent and make her own choices and mistakes was so great to read, especially when we see how down-trodden she is by her best friend/housemate at times. Seeing how her innocent nature makes her best friend and even those she doesn't know well feel protective of her, was what made her independence all that more exciting to see, especially in her reactions to Adam.

Adam was on shaky ground when we are first introduced to him, and getting to see his perspective on life, and his way of protecting himself from future emotional damage was what really made me warm to him. Sheryl Browne did a brilliant job at creating such a well-rounded and emotionally developed characters. When rating a book, I always take into account the emotions that were invoked in me as I read, and with this book, my heart ached as we see Adam taking one step forward and two steps back, in both his own life and his relationship with Sienna.

And what took me really by surprise: This book is 'HOT! HOT! HOT!'. A steamy, heart-pounding romance, with two characters that you will root for from the beginning.

5 Stars!

**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**
Adam slept with Lisa, who was a married woman. Nathanial was Adam's only friend. Nathanial was the marina's manager. Sienna is renting a cottage with her best friend Lauren. Sienna had to re-edit her romance script. Sienna wasn't sure if she believed that love conquered all anymore. Even though he was a womanizer, Sienna was attracted to Adam. He was also attracted to her, but knew he should stay away. Sienna was naive as far as passionate experiences went and her ex-boyfriend made her question whether or not she was frigid. She was a kind, warm and loving person trying to get a little breathing room from her dad. She loved her dad and even understood. I really loved her character and her defending of those she cared for. Adam had been messed up from a previous relationship and saw his ex-fiance's ghost a lot. He had affairs to take away the pain and loneliness and drank for the same reason. However, he was kind and caring, even as a womanizer. He grew and changed and had a lot of good changes, so did Sienna. I rooted them both on as the story progressed. I loved the story with the plot and characters. I definitely recommend to anyone that likes this genre.

This book was delectable! Like the publisher, ChocLit, you will totally devour this story. The characters are portrayed in ways that made you feel as if you know them and the content has a wonderful mix of romance, adventure, action, heroism, drama, and humor. This is a must read!

From the first moment Adam appeared in this book, I absolutely adored him. There's something about a damaged hero that's always appealed to me. Sheryl did an amazing job of teasing out his background - the reasons behind his boozing and womanising. Sienna found herself drawn to him from the first moment they met, even though he wasn't in the best of moods - wet and bedraggled after rescuing her dog from the water. With Adam's history it was evident all would not be plain sailing - especially for him when he found himself confronted by the angry husband of one of his lovers. However as the book progresses you can see where his problems have come from and how he has tried unsuccessfully to bury them. Sienna is not about to give up on him. She's feisty and very loyal, despite the fact he is the scourge of the area! A wonderful read, great characters - more please!

Haunting story with intriguing characters and great twists and turns in the plot.

Great book really enjoyed it.

I was fortunate enough to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which I'm more than happy to give. With grateful thanks to Sheryl and Netgalley for the opportunity.

The Rest of My Life was for me an addictive read, once I started I literally couldn't put it down. Sheryl Browne certainly knows what buttons to press when putting pen to paper - I just love her writing style. I literally fell headlong into this book just as I have with her others. She had me hook, line and sinker absorbed and fully engaged with the characters from almost the first page.

Sienna and Adam, the two main characters in this book at first seem polar opposites. First impressions of Sienna is of a quiet, wear your heart on your sleeve, simply lovely girl, who later reveals a feisty side. Whereas Adam gives off mixed signals from the off. That of a hunky, heart palpitating, heart throb to that of a grumpy, miserable excuse of a man with a bad temper to go with it. Although, it wouldn't be giving the game away to say my opinions on characters changed many times as the story unfolded. Sometimes, as in real life we display a persona, wearing it like a suit of armour to protect us and get us through certain times in our lives. Altering it as we think fitting to the scenario and people around us.

Sienna is renting a house overlooking the moorings where Adams boat is berthed. She and her gorgeous dog Tobias encounter Adam where he tries to rescue him from the water and when he eventually makes it back on dry land sparks really start to fly. He has formed an opinion of her and she of him. Neither of them very good!

This is a beautiful story that can't fail to touch your heart. With each chapter read a little bit of both Adam and Sienna's characters is chipped away, revealing a vulnerability in both that is well hidden from the outside world.

Despite the many fiery encounters there is something there that keeps drawing them back to each other time and time again, each swearing that it won't happen again. Advice from friends and family falls completely on deaf ears and situations arise that challenge both of them. Making them look deep within their characters, challenging them - can they step up to the bar and lay their hearts on the line for each other?

Ultimately this is a love story but, it isn't just a glossy, hearts and flowers read. It has a heart breaking story at it's centre that will make you think and will definitely pull at your heart strings. That being said I think I went through every emotion reading this. I smiled and laughed. I cussed and cursed, oohed and ached and was even close to tears - left with a feeling of utter desolation - the pain and anguish lifted off the page as I devoured the pages. Sheryl's characters and stories are so vivid they could be real - who knows? Perhaps they are!

I highly recommend this book to all Sheryl Browne fans but in particular to those that haven't discovered this amazing author yet. A woman with multi faceted literary talent who can switch between genre's with such ease I'm convinced she has a twin.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Sheryl Browne's writing! Her characters are larger than life, likeable and vulnerable.

I look forward to reading more of this author's books.

This book was absolutely amazing. I loved everything about it

Sometimes horrible things happen to really good people. And sometimes those events change a basically very good person into someone no one recognizes or even likes much anymore. Sometimes they get a second chance at a good life, trouble is they have to decide to reach out and grab it with both hands and hold on tight.

Adam has had some really crappy things happen in his life these past few years. Things that could destroy a man and any dreams of normal or happy are blown out the window. Adam now lives on his houseboat docked at a friend’s marina. He is constantly working on it to get it seaworthy enough to head out for the free life of no commitments, no rules – just him, his boat and the wide ocean to escape to. His life now consists of odd jobs (to fund the houseboat repairs), lots and lots of booze and even more willing women who seems to be a never ending line leading up to his boat and his bed. If it’s female, wants no commitment from him and wants nothing more than some hot sex – Adam is all up for that. It doesn’t help his frame of mind that he often feels the ghostly presence of a very sad woman – but of course, that’s nothing more than his drunken, overactive imagination. In truly blunt terms, Adam doesn’t give a rat’s arse about much of anything beyond drinking, screwing around and finding a freedom that he will never achieve.

Sienna lives in a house overlooking the water, and Adam’s revolving door to his houseboat. He’s definitely attractive so the constant women make a sort of sense, but really? How can someone live like that? Sienna is a writer, struggling right now with a script that well frankly needs more sex in it. And how is she to accomplish that when her experience is purely the written word. She even has a stalker of an ex-boyfriend who while screaming frigid virgin in one breath, still wants her back in the next.

Isn’t it ironic that we can view an event (really eavesdrop) and take away a meaning that has little to do with what actually happened? Sienna sees money exchanged between Adam and one of his female visitors and comes to the conclusion that she could pay Adam for the experience she needs to jumpstart her script. And now life for both of them is going to get very interesting.

The Rest Of My Life is a tale of many things. The lengths a man will go to in order to escape emotional pain. The belief that freedom to roam will fill up a deep void in one’s life, instead of simply covering the symptoms. The truth that deep within a currently depraved man still lives the man who believed in happy endings, love and commitment and second chances. The woman who doesn’t see her own beauty. Or the chance at happiness should the man she has come to love could only change around his life for himself and for her.

There is deep sadness in The Rest Of My Life. There is also the moment of discovery of a second chance being handed over and the only thing one has to do really is reach out with their true self and grab it with both hands. I shed tears, belly laughed, mourned and rejoiced during the time I spent with Adam and Sienna. I discovered two wounded people who found what they needed in each other, they only had to admit that they were worth the risk. Add in a sweet aging dog, a ghostly presence, friends that only want the best for you in spite of yourself, an overprotective and charming father to the mix and you will find an amazing romance well worth your risk in reading it. I would highly recommend The Rest Of My Life to anyone who believes in second chances and that true love will win everything in the end.

Sometimes a story sticks with you long after the final word is read. The Rest Of My Life is that kind of story.

*I received an e-ARC of The Rest Of My Life from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Take a chance on love! A second chance…

Wow! There’s so much I want to say about this book, but I don’t want to spoil a bit of it for you! I’ve got a warning for those who don’t like cheating. There is cheating in this book (quite a bit, actually, especially implied cheating and talking about cheating), but the H does NOT cheat on the h. Personally, I LIKED the way cheating was presented in this book, and it’s not anything pretty, with no glorification of it. :) That’s all I’ll say about it.

There’s a special word I’ve learned from this book (British slang) that I’m going to enjoy using on Amazon reviews, because the American version (a**) is not allowed and that word is prat. I LOVE THIS WORD! Prat, prat, prat! Thank you, Sheryl, for gifting Americans with such a lovely word. I’ve got a British addiction at the moment *cough*DanandPhil*cough* and Choc Lit books.

THIS Choc Lit book will have you giggling a bit, crying a LOT (I love books that spot up my glasses with projectile tears), and falling in love with a damaged commitment-phob PRAT ;) who just wants to love and be loved (don’t we all?). The h is a communication-phob. What is a communication-phob? It’s someone who runs from every misunderstanding and jumping to the wrong conclusion. Some would call her TSTL, but I wouldn’t go that far with her. Every runaway moment was well thought out for at LEAST three minutes. Goodness, I want to put another winky emoticon here, but that might just be one too many.

Overall, this book is brilliant and was very hard to put down. It’s one that made me want to forget about necessary real-life things like peeing and sleep. I think I’ll make myself a cup of tea to ease my pounding book hangover.

Thank you to Choc Lit who gave me this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. You can trust Choc Lit for a good, romantic read every. Single. Time.