REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: FOREVER, ALABAMA by SUSAN SANDS

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Forever, Alabama
Alabama #3

By: Susan Sands

Releasing March 20, 2017
Tule Publishing

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In Forever, Alabama (Alabama #3) by Susan Sands, Ben Laroux is very popular with the ladies of Ministry. However, it seems Sabine O'Connor is immune to his charm. Not being one to back down from a challenge, he decides to see whether he can win her over. But with Sabine keeping secrets, will Ben give up on their growing relationship when he learns the truth, or will he help her finally break free of her past?

 

When I started this book, I had a really hard time getting into it, but in the end I really enjoyed it, due to the main characters back stories, especially the heroine's. Her past is painful, because of the loss she suffered, and what both her father and her husband (soon-to-be ex hopefully) put her through. How can she possibly break free from her past with a husband like hers? How far would he be willing to go to make sure she doesn't divorce him? Moreover, the heroine's low opinion of the hero annoyed me a little at the beginning too. He didn't deserve it when all she'd had was secondhand information on his dating life.

 

The dialogue was intriguing because of the hero and heroine's pasts. It's no wonder Ben doesn't do relationships after what his ex and best friend did to him. They destroyed his reason to trust in getting involved with a woman. Luckily though, Sabine has her own reasons for not trusting after what her soon-to-be ex-husband was doing and what her father's criminal activities did to make her and her mother do something so desperate that the press wouldn't be able to find them. Moreover, I liked how Ben turned to Sabine for help when he needed it. Certainly, he needed to find it in himself to forgive those that wronged him.

 

Sabine is a wonderful heroine. She's strong, brave and I liked how determined she was to move on from her past and finally go after what she wanted most, which was a divorce. I also liked the fact that she placed her trust in Jack by telling him everything about her past, so he could help her. Because really, she did need his help in the end because her soon-to-be ex-husband would do anything to keep her by his side, even if it meant doing something that could have him arrested. While Jack, he goes through quite a bit in this book with what he learns about the women he's dated. Is he really so emotionally unavailable? Moreover, I liked how determined he was to help Sabine when he learnt the truth about her past, because she needs someone on her side; someone besides her family.

 

Overall, Ms. Sands has penned a good read in this book where the chemistry between these two was intense and had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, because if anyone deserved it, it was these two after everything they've been through in their pasts. The way this story ended had me concerned for the heroine with what she goes through with her soon-to-be ex-husband, but I enjoyed how everything turned out. Jack is a good guy, and it's palpable that he will always be there for Sabine. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, as I discovered how things were going between Sabine, her mother, her sister and her father. Have the three women been able to forgive him for all that he put them through? I would recommend Forever, Alabama by Susan Sands, if you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors Katherine Garbera, Nicole Helm or Kat Latham.

 

OVERALL RATING:

  

 

 

 

 

 

BLURB:
Everybody loves local attorney and favorite son, Ben Laroux.  Well, at least everybody of the female persuasion–until he meets Sabine O'Connor. She loathes him and makes no secret of her feelings, even when he pours on his famous charm hoping to thank her for helping his family. Ben has never been told no, and if there's one thing he's never walked away from, it's a challenge.

Sabine hopes she’s finally found peace and safety in the small town of Ministry. She’s changed her name to escape her painful past and her shameful family secrets. Ben Laroux is a gorgeous and sexy complication she can’t afford, but also can't resist. However, when her past threatens to derail her present and future, Ben might be the only man she can trust.

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She fought the urge like mad to scoot closer to her potential client and find out what lay beneath those blue plaid boxers. Her good sense and professionalism warred with her very long-ignored womanly needs.

“Are you having sexy thoughts about me?” Ben asked, breaking into her sexy thoughts. Because his sexy had returned.

“Huh? Of course—not.” Her eyes were unfocused.

“You are. You want to sit on my lap again,” he accused.

“That—wouldn’t be wise.” But God, it would feel so good.

“Stop it! I’m asking for help, here, and you want to climb the tower of Ben.”

“Okay, this isn’t headed anywhere good,” Sabine said.

“Make you a deal.” He appeared deadly serious.

“I’m listening.”

“You stay here tonight—” He held up a hand to stop her shocked protest. “Listen. I’m suggesting I sleep off my beers, make a call to my buddy to have your car cleaned, and we discuss plans for my therapy. And I’ll make eggs in the morning. If you still look at me like that after I’ve sobered up, then, I’ll have no choice but to kiss you again.”

She couldn’t really see a flaw in his plan. Certainly, there were many, but right now, she was seriously charmed by a stinky, post-vomitous guy with a great house. “Um. I’m not sure that’s wise.”

“Why?”

 “Because I’m a little distracted by your sitting there in your underwear.”

His eyes changed, the atmosphere between them became charged. “I knew it.”

“Go take a shower and brush your teeth.”

Both laughed at that. Sabine had no idea where this might lead, but either way, she was certain it was a bad idea. Bad.

 

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Susan Sands began writing on her fortieth birthday. Better than a hot young boyfriend or a red convertible as mid-life crises go. Her first Southern women’s fiction title, Again, Alabama, was published a mere eight years later, with the second, Love, Alabama, and her latest, Forever, Alabama, following closely behind. Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Susan's passion for reading sparked her interest in writing. She now creates stories about the quirky characters and fascinating relationships that are uniquely Southern.

Susan holds a degree in elementary education, and has lived in the Johns Creek/Alpharetta suburb of Atlanta with her husband and three children for over twenty years.

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