Review + Giveaway: Learning to Love by Sheryl Browne

Learning To Love by Sheryl Browne

Release Date: 14th June 2016
Publisher: Choc Lit

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places … 

Living in a small village like Hibberton, it’s expected that your neighbours help you in a time of need. But when Andrea Kelly’s house burns down, taking all her earthly possessions with it, it’s the distant and aloof Doctor David Adams – the person she would least expect – who opens his door not just to her, but to her three kids and slightly dotty elderly mother as well.

Andrea needs all the help she can get, dealing with aftermath of the fire and in the suspicious absence of her husband, Jonathan. But, as she gets to know David and his troubled son, Jake, she begins to realise that maybe they need her help as much as she needs theirs … 

Previously released by the author.  Revised, edited and republished by Choc Lit in June 2016.

EXCERPT

I don’t know how you feel, David, do I? I don’t know you, other than what you’ve told me.’

David looked at her levelly. ‘The truth.’

‘The truth?’ Andrea was really incredulous now. ‘Apart from the one or two inconsequential little things you forgot to tell me? Or was it more than that, David? Three? Four? A hundred?’

‘Two! Twice. Bloody hell, Andrea …’

And that made it all right? She forced back the tears she desperately didn’t want to cry in front of him, again. ‘And I thought Jonathan was being devious. You take the biscuit, David, you really do.’ Shaking her head, Andrea moved to walk past him.

‘I’m nothing like Jonathan, Andrea,’ David said quietly. ‘I care about you.’

Andrea turned back. ‘And Jonathan doesn’t?’ She knew in her heart that her relationship had been floundering long before the fire that had blown her world apart, before David … She didn’t believe Jonathan’s tale about why he hadn’t been able to contact her any more than his claim to have found Dougal in the park. He’d been piling lie on top of lie since that dreadful night, and she would tackle him. Right now, though, she was more interested in what lies this man might concoct to extract himself from his mess.

‘Did he tell you the assessors had been?’

‘I haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet.’ Andrea walked on.

‘He’s hiding something, Andrea,’ David called after her. ‘I’m not sure what, but the fire, his preoccupation with Dee’s mental state, his story … It just doesn’t add up.’

Disbelieving, Andrea whirled around. ‘You’ll stop at nothing, will you? You paint yourself as a poor wounded hero, torn apart by grief and guilt and the havoc you created, and then you have the nerve to point out other people’s failings? Why?’

‘Andrea, I … I don’t know.’ David shrugged hopelessly. ‘I just want you to be careful, that’s—’

‘I mean, I’m no great catch, am I?’ Andrea went on, her fury growing. ‘Was what just happened between us another one of your mistakes, is that it?’

‘No!’ David fixed angry eyes on hers. ‘Dammit, Andrea I do care about you. I—’

‘I’m going.’ Andrea turned away.

‘Andrea, don’t.’ David caught her arm. ‘Please. The kids …’

‘Don’t you dare, David,’ Andrea warned him angrily. ‘Don’t you dare try to manipulate me through my children!’

‘They’re getting ready for bed, Andrea. There’s no point in upsetting them tonight.’

‘Me upsetting them?’ Andrea was flabbergasted.

‘Jake …’ David swallowed. ‘Give me a chance to speak to him, Andrea. Please, I’m begging you.’

Andrea felt her heart break inside her afresh, for Jake, for David, too, who was going to have to live with the devastating consequences of his actions; for Sally, who would surely need her friendship now, but which this man had made impossible. For herself.

‘Stay,’ David implored. ‘Please? For tonight, at least.’

Andrea studied his face, saw the desperation in his eyes; eyes where so many conflicting emotions played out. How little did she really know him? She could have loved him. Did, still. Yet hated him.

‘For Jake’s sake,’ she said, dropping her gaze to his hand still on her arm.

Relief flooding his face, David released his hold. ‘Thank you,’ he said, closing his eyes.

BUY LINK

Amazon Link: http://lrd.to/Learning-To-Love

Doctor David Adams has moved into the quiet village of Hibberton with his young son. He appears to be a deep and moody character beneath his sexy good looks. He has moved opposite Andrea Kelly who isn't that keen on the good doctor. She's worried about his son, who appears less than happy in the company of his father. Is there something else going on there?

 

Andrea herself however doesn't have an ideal home situation either. She is juggling a teaching career, caring for her family, which includes her mother, and a less than supportive man! Andrea wants to find some time for herself and that means a career change. However, that's not going to be an easy dream to achieve, particularly without the full support of her man. Circumstances conspire to make life as difficult as possible for her and she and her family find themselves having to rely on Doctor Adams when their house burns down. Is the dishy doctor all he seems? 

Yet again Sheryl Browne has penned another hit book. Regular readers of the blog will know that I am a huge fan of Sheryl's work and that is simply because all her books never fail to keep me glued to the pages and entertain me throughout. Learning to Love is just such a book. The characters in the book are all so likable, particularly Andrea's mum who I just loved! Some of her one-liners had me laughing out loud and the dynamics within Andrea's family are hugely entertaining and sometimes a little sad. It sounds like a total madhouse in the Kelly home and so true to real life! Such dynamics and the interaction between characters make this such a good story. Its a book about love, fear and trust. It's about making that leap and taking a chance on another person when you are so afraid of a broken heart.

Andrea is a strong character who is doing what lots of women do and try to multi-task to superhuman levels! This book contains that magic mix of ingredients for a good rom-com - fun, laughter, romance, love, passion and that feel good factor! Plus heaps of real life thrown in! I couldn't help but swoon after the hunky doctor and some parts of the book left my pulse racing just a little! This book will have you smiling, grinning big soppy grins, going all mushy, gasping and laughing your socks off!  It'll also leave you feeling as desperate and frustrated as Andrea. Loved it! I'd highly recommend this book! Well done Sheryl Browne..............again!

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ABOUT SHERYL BROWNE

 

Heartache, humour, love, loss & betrayal, Sheryl Browne brings you sassy, sexy, heart-wrenching fiction. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association, Romantic Novelists’ Association and shortlisted for the Best Romantic e-book Love Stories Award 2015, Sheryl has several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where she completed her MA in Creative Writing.

Recommended to the publisher by the WH Smith Travel fiction buyer, Sheryl’s contemporary fiction comes to you from award winning Choc Lit.

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