Ali Marshall has had a thing for Hawk since before his marriage to her sister years ago. She has been there for him always. When he was in the hospital recovering from knee surgery after winning the cup, while also delivering the news that her sister was divorcing him. Now on a night that for once her family should be celebrating her achievement her sister has once again come in with her grand ways and made it about her and has announced she is getting married. Hawk seeing this does not let Ali down and they announce to everyone that they are dating. The only one that is being fooled though is Ali and when she realizes that Bradley Hawk had been serious the whole time she now wonders if she can get back the only man she has every truly loved, and stills loves. Hawk is still wondering what he needs to do to prove to her that he was serious when he said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and that he has been over her sister for a long time. Can they work it out and get back together? Read this book and find out. A good story with very good characters.

Ali devotes her life to making others happy. She's selfless, mothering, fierce, loyal, and strong. When she was young, her parents divorced and split the kids between them. Ali may not have had a motherly influence, but her dad surrounded her with love. He supported her and her dreams, while teaching her to be a strong independent woman. Her mom taught Bridget, Ali's older sister, to be a selfish, insecure person with no goals. So Ali and Bridget often clashed, especially when Bridget married Ali's longtime crush--Hawk.

Hawk has spent the last two years recovering from a failed marriage to Bridget and forced early retirement from NHL due to an injury. The only thing he asked for when they divorced was for her to NOT live in Destiny Bay. He wanted to come home and start a new life for himself. Hawk and his best friend own a successful bar in Destiny Bay. Hawk's friendship with Ali has grown and he's finally at a place in his life where he feels he can move on....until Bridget breezes back into town.

In a desperate attempt to "have Hawk's back", Ali tells her family that Hawk is her boyfriend. Bridget is newly engaged, but seems unhappy. Ali knows Bridget is up to something, but doesn't know what it is. So Hawk and Ali agree to be faux-friends, then sexy-friends. When Bridget makes a play for Hawk, Ali doubts Hawk's love for her causing all sorts of problems.

I really enjoyed this novel. I loved how supportive Hawk was of Ali and her dreams. I loved how he "listened" to her and loved her for who she was. I loved that he pampered her without suffocating her. I especially loved it when he called her his sunshine!!! While Ali was strong in nearly EVERY aspect of her life, I was a little disappointed in her willingness to allow her sister to walk all over her in the name of "family". She was the only one who made concessions so that Bridget was happy. What about her dreams? She even let her sister turn her congratulatory party into Bridget's engagement party!!! I wanted Ali to have it out with her sister and call her out on her selfishness! Other than that, I truly enjoyed this novel. It was engaging, funny, sweet, and ended with a HEA. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

Loved this story! From the first scene of Ali and Hawk together, I was hooked! I was on pins and needles waiting to make sure they wound up together. Great characters, a sensitive combination of family and love. Such a great couple!

Aliana Marshal has been crushing on Bradley Hawk since she was a kid. She met him and was immediately smitten, and they were good friends ... and then the worst thing imaginable happened! He met her sister Bridget and fell under her spell instantly. Ali had to stand by and watch the man of her dreams marry her sister ... her selfish and demanding sister ... her wishy-washy sister ... the sister that up and leaves him just as his hockey career in the NHL is ending.

Hawk was crushed when Bridget wanted out of their marriage. He was in it for the long haul ... and continued to let her string him along for a time or two even after it was over. Now he's happy living back home in Destiny Bay, running his bar and brewing his hard cider with his best friend Luke ... and best of all, having his buddy Ali working and living right next door.

When Bridget shows back up in town with news of an upcoming wedding, Ali struggles with how it's all going to affect Hawk. She knows he's still hung up on Bridget, so she needs to protect him. When a make-believe relationship between the two of them comes out of her mouth, they're all shocked. And when the heat that comes off of them during a couple of "fake" kisses hits her, she's blown away ... and so is Hawk ... and all of a sudden he wants them to be dating ... and not for pretend anymore!

Fun and sexy romance. The tension and family drama were well-written and I liked it. I always look forward to Marina Adair.

I have previously read Marina Adair books and enjoyed them thoroughly! This was not a bad book, it was me that had issues with the storyline. The younger sister winding up in a relationship with her sister's ex-husband bothered me. I think that was why it took me so long to read it. I started this book two weeks ago and found myself not picking up my tablet to read it. I will say the characters were well developed! There were some definite moments of humor throughout the story. I will read more Marina Adair books I am sure!

A story with lots of family drama. A lot of frustrating and emotional moments in the book, A very hard book to put down and I loved every minute of it. A heartwarming romance story!

I had mixed feelings when reading Feels Like The First Time.  On one hand I enjoyed  Hawke and Ali’s story, it was heartwarming and sweet but on the other hand the drama in the story tended to take the spotlight off of Hawke and Ali and ended up over shadowing was what made me not love it as much as I had hoped I would.  I mean I am a hockey fan so reading about a former hockey player should have left this book whore extremely satisfied but I wasn’t.  The friend’s to lovers element was an additional touch that just added to all that was going on.

Overall Feels Like The First Time was a heartwarming book, that I liked, I just wish at the end of the day I had loved it.  I do recommend the book still because I think most people will end up enjoying it as well.

This was my first title by this author, so I did finish it.  But I was really not able to connect with the story.  As the rating is low, we have chosen not to run this on the blog or do a formal review on Goodreads.

I do appreciate the opportunity to read the title and will give the author another chance in the future.

Thank you,
Laura

Sexy and fun second book in the Destiny Bay series! Hawk and Ali perfect for each other, even if Hawk was married to her older sister. My heart broke for Ali and they way she always put everyone else's needs before her own. Hawk did a perfect job of showing her she deserved her own dreams. Lots of drama from Ali's family, but a great happy ending.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

I fell in love with the characters of Destiny Bay in last Kiss of Summer. The return to Destiny Bay in Feels Like the First Time was every bit as explosive as I expected. I was so looking forward to Hawk and Ali coming to terms with what they feel for each other and Adair delivers on their story. She creates a story filled with family drama when Bridget, Ali's pretentious and newly engaged sister returns to Destiny Bay. Their strained relationship and family dynamics drives Ali right into Hawks arms. The very Hawk that is Bridget's the ex-husband. What starts as an impulsive move on Ali's part, changes everything about who they are. The plot is well paced and I knew that there would be certain emotions that would permeate the story.

The story opens with Hawk and Ali experiencing a bit of a showdown. Their friendship is consumed by the way they get under each others skin, purposefully antagonizing each other. I'd liken it to kids on a playground - always the ones who like each other. But for all the bickering they have respect for each other and watch each others backs. Hawk and Ali have a long standing connection and as the premise promises, it's messy and only gets messier. The tension builds slowly, the path forward is not going to be easy, and the family connection makes for some heartbreaking moments.

Adair creates complex characters that the reader can't help but to find themselves absorbed in their lives. Ali is independent and strong and hides her vulnerabilities well. Being in her head we come to understand just how deep her feelings for Hawk go, and the extent of her mothers and sisters abandonment. What got to me most was how she sacrifices her own happiness for others and how some people expect it of her. But Ali's feisty spirit wins out. 

We get the same deeper understanding from Hawk, as he reflects on his marriage to Bridget, his relationship with the entire family, but most importantly, his friendship with Ali. His voice is strong and I didn't fight falling for him. He's all around good guy who is finally seeing what's in front of him. Adairs writing is poetic and there's no doubt that what Hawk and Ali have is genuine and unique. Feels Like The First Time is yet another 5 stars read from Marina Adair!

3 1/2 Stars! I love Marina Adair's books. I always enjoy her writing and I do enjoy Destiny Bay. Hawk & Ali have wonderful chemistry. I love the friends to lover trope - and the author wrote that perfectly. This book was written so well. I love their story and their heartfelt connection.

The downside for me is that Hawk was married to Ali's sister, Bridget, before. For five years. If he had dated Bridget for a hot minute, I could see a relationship between Hawk and Ali. But I couldn't get past that Hawk was hopelessly in love with Bridget, married to her and was dumped by her. And then he ends up with Ali - whom he had always been friends with, even before he met Bridget. So the stars are definitely for the friends to lovers story line. I loved that part!

I'm looking forward to the next Destiny Bay installment.

Small-town romance and friends-to-lovers are two of my favorite tropes so I was excited to see that Feels Like the First Time rolled them into one along with a fake romance. Ali was super spunky and fun- I loved that she was an artist with a style all her own. Hawk was super hawt (see what I did there?) and his friendship with Ali went so far back... way further than his marriage to her sister (a character I could not stand). So it was fun to see them explore a relationship and finally admit to each other that they were meant to give it a try. Chock-full of small town charm and family drama, this is a fun read.

absolutely adore a friends to lovers romance. Honestly it is one of my absolute favorite romance troupes. Marina Adair hit all the right buttons for me in Feels Like the First Time.

I love every single thing about Ali Marshall. She is a strong woman who runs her own business and is always there to take care of friends and family. She also knows her own mind and puts her own needs on the back burner to help others out at times, so much so that even though she is insanely attracted to Bradly Hawk, she remains only friends with him since he is her sister's ex-husband.

I have to say the chemistry between Ali and Hawk was pretty awesome from their very first encounter. Even their playful banter was so flirtatious. I seriously bought into them as a couple long before Ali created her fauxmance with Hawk. They had amazing passion and I especially loved that Hawk accepted Ali just as she was and didn't expect her to change at all. 

I did worry how much pressure Ali put on herself to always be there for everyone else while putting many of her needs last. I think her family especially had come to expect her to take up the slack, and it was refreshing to finally see her sister Bridget offer to help, even if she stumbled a bit along the way.

I really enjoyed Feels Like the First Time, which is the 2nd book in the Destiny Bay series. As I missed reading the first book in the series, I can say with certainty that Feels Like the First Time reads very well as a stand alone story. I will also say I have already bought the first book to go back and read, as I hate reading books in a series out of order. I found Feels Like the First Time to be a sexy and emotional romance and a really super fast read, as I couldn't put the book down.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

5 Stars

Feels Like the First Time is the second book from Marina Adair’s Destiny Bay contemporary romance series. One of the characters from the first book Last Kiss of Summer that I was so excited to learn more about was Hawk. He’s a former hockey star who owns a bar in the small town of Destiny Bay. His neighbor and friend is Ali who happens to be his ex-sister-in-law. Yes, Hawk used to be married to Ali’s older sister, but he’s worked hard to move on with his life after the divorce. While Ali and Hawk have remained friends, things definitely get weird when her newly engaged sister strolls back into town. One little lie pretty much begins to blur the lines between two long-time friends.

I adore being whisked away to Adair’s Destiny Bay. Feels Like the First Time is an absolutely enjoyable follow-up to the first book. Ali and Hawk’s friendship is fun and natural, and I loved seeing them struggle in their predicament and slowly realize the truth. Both are strong characters. Ali is super independent and always puts others needs ahead of her own. Hawk is so caring and finally ready to open his heart to love again after his divorce.

If you’re seeking a romance along the lines of friendship turning into something more, Feels Like the First Time is the perfect read to cuddle up to on a relaxing day.

Aliana (Ali) Marshall is a large scale metal and wood artist who makes repurposed art. 

Bradley Hawk, Hawk to most everyone, was married to Ali’s sister Bridget. Ali and Hawk have been friends even after his marriage broke up. He also kept in touch with and looked after their dad as well. That fact that Bridget and Hawk were married comes up a lot throughout the book. Too much. It makes Ali and Hawk’s relationship seem weird and awkward at times. So much drama going on that it overshadowed the strong friendship and budding relationship. There was way too much Bridget and her ridiculous behavior, not enough Hawk and Ali. 

In the few moments that we get just Hawk and Ali, it is obvious they know each other very well and are comfortable with each other. All of Hawk’s pampering was very sweet. I wanted much more of those moments. 

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley.

I fell in love with Destiny Bay almost immediately after diving into the first book of the series. When Marina Adair announced that the next book would be about the elusive other bar owner, I became immediately giddy. Feels Like the First Time is a such a sweet friends to lovers novel that allows readers to escape the everyday stresses and find themselves in a small town, surrounded by people who they’ll grow to love and care about.

“I’m not afraid of going it alone, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be nice to have someone I love by my side.”

Ali was a walking contradiction that I simply couldn’t get enough of. She was so strong-willed and tough that I never expected to see the vulnerabilities that Hawk pulled out of her. There were moments of being unsure that every girl could relate to, and it likened me to her. She may have bent metal into beautiful things as a career, but I thought it was the perfect metaphor for her personality; she was strong and unyielding, yet when faced with someone who was willing to work hard enough, she became malleable to the world around her. From the initial moment that readers get a taste of Hawk, I knew that I would be in for a ride. There was some spark he held, something that even through the words on the page, I could feel his warmth and light. He was fiercely loyal to the people and things he loved, and felt like such a genuine person. It was easy to see how these two best friends could easily fall in love with another as time grew on.

“But it was his smile that got her, kick-started her heart. It was warm and a little crooked. And as if there just for her.”

Feels Like the First Time is a light-hearted romance that will sweep readers away into a whimsical, cute story. There were a couple moments that I wanted to experience a deeper connection to the characters, especially given the nature of their tangled relationship. However, the writing was fantastic with witty dialogue and some thought-provoking scenes. I loved the emotions I experienced from the relationships as well as the transformations I watched happen from beginning to end. Overall, Marina Adair has created a heartwarming town with characters I can’t get enough of. My fingers are crossed for more from this series and I’ll definitely be waiting!

4 stars

Feels Like the First Time was a well written and heartfelt read.
I enjoyed the storyline, it was entertaining and held my interest all throughout the book. 
The drama was well done and just enough to keep you turning the pages.

Ali and Hawk were very likable, relatable and endearing characters. I enjoyed watching them move from friends to lovers, they had amazing chemistry and truly belonged together.

Feels Like the First Time by Marina Adair is a wonderful addition to the Destiny Bay series. 
Each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them both.

*Purchase Links*
Amazon ~ https://www.amazon.com/Feels-Like-Fir...

*Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for the advance copy.*

When Hawk's professional hockey career ended in injury, his marriage wasn't far behind. After moving home to Destiny Bay and building a new life, opening a sports bar and starting up a hard cider company with his best friend.

When Hawk married her sister, Ali kissed her fantasies goodbye, and lost one of her best friends at the same time. She's focused on building an amazing career, but her social life leaves a lot to be desired, and most of the men she's dated have left her feeling flat.

A surprise appearance of her sister at Ali's dad's - with a new fiance' in tow, spurs Ali to make a rash decision to pretend that she and Hawk are an item, and when her sister decides to hang out in town, the two of them are forced to either carry on the charade or fess up. As they start to spend more time together, the close friendship they shared when they were young is easily rekindled, and the attraction between them grows, but there is plenty of family drama built into their blossoming relationship before it even gets off the ground. Can they find a way to make everything work, with the tangled family history between them?

Feels Like the First Time is a beautiful story about family, friendship, love, and support. Marina Adair is a must read author for me, and this is a shining example of the romance that she crafts so beautifully.

I’ve read Destiny Bay’s first in the series, “Last Kiss Of Summer” and thought it was real good. But Marina Adair’s second in the series, “Feels Like The First Time” is even better than the first. And I definitely think it’s the chemistry between the characters.
I honestly don’t know why, but from the first page onwards Bradley Hawk was just this super hunk of a guy with a funny bone and mushy heart, and Ali Marshall is like Tinker Bell. The chemistry between these two is just pure magic, never mind that Hawk is Ali’s sister’s ex-husband…just schematics right?
With her sister Bridget breezing into town with plans of getting married, and her estranged mother making her presence felt, Ali has her hands full dealing with dramatics and with her brain all muddled, Hawk and she end up in a fake relationship. And the fun starts. One lie leads to another, one kiss becomes two and more, and before they know, they are far gone in the game of love.

The dialogues are pure pleasure tickling with humor and sensuality, the chemistry between Ali and Hawk is yummilicious, and the plot is rich with emotions and depth, and it “Feels Like The First Time” to enjoy a spectacular romance from the sidelines.

Ali Marshal remains as one of my favorite characters.