Every time I pick-up a Marina Adair book I am always blown away with how well she develops her characters, setting, and story.  Most authors can do one and maybe two of those well, but Adair finds a way to do all three every time.  This book is no exception.  Hawk and Ali are very well developed and even the secondary characters like Bridget are well developed and not just one dimensional.  I had read the previous book in this series and had forgotten how much I love this town, which I know is all due to Adiar's ability to describe and write about it. I recommend this to anyone looking for a easy summer read with a little substance and a great love story.

She's strong & independent; he's had it all (career & marriage) and lost it.  This book is about not seeing what's right in front of you & being afraid to reach for it when you do see it.  I really liked the plot & characters, both were well-developed with just enough romance, but not overkill.  I can't wait to read more by this author.

First of all, I love Marina Adair. I always get super excited when her books pop up on Netgalley, and I own several of them. I can't say this is my favorite of all of her books, but it definitely has heart. I found myself tearing through the book to find out whether the main character would get her happily ever after. It's a sweet, sexy, read.

I would like to thank Marina Adair, Forever and Netgalley for giving me this book for my honest review.
Review By Stephanie
4.5 Stars
I am a fan of Marina’s Destiny Bay Series so I was excited when I was given Feels Like the First Time. This book is about Ali Marshal and Bradley Hawk, Ali has been in love with Bradley for ever so you could image how heartbroken she was when he married her sister!!! Well the marriage ended and this sexy former NHL star is back on the market. But could Ali finally act on her need for this very hot man she has been in love with forever??!?!
I loved this story! I loved the journey Marina Adair writes for these two! Ali and Bradley’s love story was super fun! I think they are totally my favorite couple!!! I cannot wait to read more from Marina and more of the Destiny Bay Series!

Once again, Ms Adair not only entertains us, but gives us a touching story about family, responsibilities, expectations, and love.
This is the second story of the author’s Destiny Bay series, and rest assure, it’s a stand alone.
This one centers around Hawk , an ex-hockey player, owner of a bar, and ex- brother-in-law, and good friend of Ali. Ali, is a metal sculpture who has always loved  Hawk from afar and considers him a good friend. She is an independent gal, but also one that loves her  dysfunctional family to the point that at times , they take advantage of her. She gives her all to everyone, but if not for Hawk’s friendship, no one would be taking her feelings into consideration. 
The story reminds us that our childhood , does in fact affect how we feel  and act as adults. That when a parent is self-centered, and child-like, the child feels he/she needs to be the adult, and that childhood is forgotten. 
It’s a story that will touch your heart, and will make you fall in love with Ali and Hawk. I love a quote from the book “…you are the funny parts, the loud parts, the quiet moments….makes me laugh when I do cry…”
 Can’t wait for the next book in this series.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Fantastic second book in this series!  It's a friends to lovers story with a bit of a twist.  Ali and Hawk have known each other a long time.  She had a huge crush on him when she was younger but then he started dating and later married her sister Bridget.  Everything was going well until an injury ended not only his NHL career but his marriage as well.  He's happily back in Destiny Bay, living next door to Ali and trying to put his past behind him and trying hard not to follow through on his attraction to Ali.  A fight he's having a hard time with.  Ali grew up to be a sexy, fun woman and her devotion to family warms his heart.  Then they get caught up in a fake relationship scheme and everything begins to change!

Definitely a book for the must read list.  I highly recommend it.

In Marina Adair's second book in her Destiny Bay series, "Feels Like the First Time", we get Hawk and Ali's story which I was very much looking forward to reading.
Ali has always had strong feelings for Hawk and cherished their friendship, but there was a time he was married to her sister Bridget. Now her sister is back in Destiny Bay and newly engaged. Not wanting to show up alone to the engagement party, she tells a lie and announces that Hawk and her have been dating! But after a couple steamy kissing moments between Hawk and Ali, they're both wondering if there can be more between them than just a friendship. There's definitely some obstacles for these two to their HEA and I really felt for Hawk and Ali and what they had to go through both personally and together.
Marina Adair is great at getting you sucked in to the story and caring about her characters. It's why she's always been one of my favorites.

I'm in love with Marina books. This is one of those must read books.

Feels Like the First Time is written with all the amazing delights that go on to make wonderful TV.   Adair writes feel good novels with mastery.  Passionate and genuine characters sweep you into their tormented lives filled to the brim with desire and angst.   Be charmed and then some.  Read Feels Like the First time!

Bradley Hawk thought he had found the kind of love that lasts forever, but his happily ever after came to a screeching halt when his wife decided that their marriage wasn't built to last forever. He suffered an injury on the ice, and his NHL career was suddenly over, and not long after his wife decided that their marriage was over too. So he decided to move home to Destiny Bay, where he could heal in peace, and possibly discover a new path in life... never expecting that new path to lead him to his ex-sister-in-laws door!

Ali Marshal fell hard for Bradley Hawk the first time he walked into her life, they became fast friends, and she always hoped it would lead to love... and it did, but with her sister. Watching her sister have the life with Hawk that she had always dreamed of was excruciating, but then her sister did something totally unexpected and walked away from him. Now he is moved back home to Destiny Bay, and they have fell back into their comfortable friendship, and while she is thankful for his friendship she can't help but want more... no matter how wrong it maybe. When her sister comes breezing back into town with life changing news, Ali's instincts kick in and she comes to Hawk's aid, claiming to be his girlfriend. She knows her sister news has the power to crush him, and she isn't about to let that happen again, even if it means lying to her family. But soon the lies start to become the truth, and Ali finds herself getting a little closer to the dream she has had for so many years...

As soon as I swiped the last page on "Last Kiss Of Summer" I was left aching for more, I just wanted to spend a little more time with the folks from Destiny Bay, and stay wrapped up in their enchanting little world. So, when I had the opportunity to meet Ali and Hawk, I jumped at the chance, mainly because I knew just what I would be getting myself into... some seriously good reading!! Nobody does romance quite like Ms. Adair, she has a knack for creating story lines that have just the right amounts of sass, heartfelt emotion, sexy-fueled banter, and toe curling romance sure to steam up your screen!! Ali and Hawk were quite the pair, they had me laughing one moment, feeling the emotions and near tears the next, and then soon after blushing with their steamy between the sheets action... their story was AMAZING! Highly recommend you meet these two, their little journey to finding their forever love is sure to score a special place in your heart!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

In most fake relationship stories, I usually find that only one character has really great growth while the other (usually the person roped into the relationship) sits by the sidelines. But that wasn't the case here. While I would say Ali was the main focus on character development, Hawk had fabulous development. Both have to come to grips with the past in order to move forward. I felt like I had nice full characters to read about and I loved that.

While the "fake dating trope" is a common one, this story was very unique. Their circumstances (ex-husband of sister but childhood friends) is fresh and exciting to watch unfold as a reader. 

Add to that all the joys of a small town. Nose-y neighbours, dramatic family members and complicated histories all play a positive role in this story. It's a lot of fun and you immediately feel like you've been in Destiny Bay all your life.

This is a great read for romance fans who adore small town settings and enjoy more character based stories. It's light on the sexy times but there is plenty of tension and romance to be had!

There is something about Marina Adair's writing that draws me in. But once I'm there, I'm confused. It feels like I'm missing something, I'm not sure what??? I enjoy her characters and her plots. This particular story had the added oooggg of the heroine hooking up with the heroine's sister's ex-husband. Did you get all that? I typically don't read those types and once I start, I remember why. Now, I can't say I hated this book. The author did a good job of not reminding me that the hero used to do the heroine's sister. That doesn't mean I didn't cringe now and then...

The last story I read, which had a heroine falling for her sister's ex-husband was a fantastic read, and it's a storyline Ms. Adair has penned superbly also. Right from the start, this book was entertaining, fast-paced and one I could not put down, because Ms. Adair has a way with words that immediately had me -- as a reader -- invested in the characters. The way this story started had me smiling at the hero's dilemma. What is Ali doing that he has a problem with? Will he be able to talk her around? Why does she give him a hard time about his stick?




Both the main characters are compelling and I loved every moment they interacted. There were some really good light-hearted moments where Ali certainly knows how to push Hawk's buttons, but the story was also intense due to the main characters back stories and this story encompassing the forbidden relationship trope. Ali's mom isn't the best parent, and indeed, I found her a little self-absorbed, so I could understand why Ali was afraid to be in a relationship. How could she trust that Hawk would stick around if they decided to give a relationship between them a try?

 

Ali was resilient, hard-working, and I liked the close relationship she had with her father. He's the only family member she's ever been able to rely on, and I liked the way she nagged him, because she didn't want anything to happen to him. It was a tad amusing, because her dad knew just what to say to her when needing to defend himself and also knew that her concern for his well-being was out of love. But what I liked most of all about the heroine was how she stood up for herself against her sister and mother when she needed to. No way was she going to allow them to spoil her moment to shine. 

 

While the hero, he has a lot of tough decisions to make when it comes to Ali and her family, and I liked the decisions he did make. Ali's dad is like a father to him, and he would do anything for the man, even if it meant having to spend time in Bridget's presence, which wasn't easy for him. Yet, in my opinion, his divorce was the best thing to happen to him, as it finally made him realize that Ali is the right woman for him and always would be. Also, I liked how he was there for Ali when she needed him, especially when it came to her sister and mother. They were times where Ali found it hard to deal with them, because both only thought of themselves. 

 

Overall, Ms. Adair penned a delightful read in this second book of her Destiny Bay series where the romance between Hawk and Ali did justice to their intense chemistry. The way this story ended had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, as these two were so right for each other that there was no way they weren't meant to be together. Ali needed to find the perfect way to win Hawk back and she definitely does that. Moreover, I liked how things were made right between Ali and her family to bring them closer together, because there's nothing more important than love and family. I would recommend Feels Like the First Time by Marina Adair, if you enjoy the forbidden relationship trope, the friends to lovers trope or the fake relationship trope.

I was not sure if I was going to like Feels Like the First Time before I started reading it.  I have enjoyed Marina Adair books in the past, but sometimes, books about situations like the one in the story, turn me off.  It's a little weird when a guy falls for his ex-wife's sister.  Thankfully, this book had some great characters and lots of humor.  Destiny Bay is such an interesting place!  

Ali was such a clueless character when it came to Hawk.  Everyone could see how he felt about her.  It amazed me that she couldn't see it.  I guess she just couldn't understand how someone could be more interested in her than her sister; but, her sister wasn't all that great.  Ali and her dad were so down-to-earth compared to her sister, Bridget, and her mother.  Hawk was also quite down-to-earth even though he used to be an NHL star.  He and Bridget simply did not match.  They were so different, whereas he and Ali were so much more alike with enough differences to keep things interesting.  And - they definitely kept things interesting.  I think most women would be very thankful to have a Hawk in their life.

Marina Adair’s latest installment in her Destiny Bay Series, “Feels Like the First Time” sparks are flying between local artist Ali Marshal and Bradley Hawk. Ali has been in love with Hawk for as long as she could remember, even when she was nursing the heartbreak she experienced when he married her sister. What starts as a fake romance between to best buddies soon ignites into something more with each one of them wishing for more. Marina Adair casts a spell with her storytelling abilities that make the reader feel as if they are part of the town of Destiny Bay. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Feels Like the First Time was my first Marina Adair book. I didn't connect with the first chapter at all. So much as that I wasn't sure I wanted to continue actually. I put the book down and picked it up a couple of days later when I had more time to relax and read. I instantly connected with Ali in Chapter 2. She's my kind of female character - strong, no BS, independent. Hawk grew on me with his quick wit, even if he is sometimes not quit to realize what is standing in front of him (in a variety of meanings).

After Ali was introduced, the writing seemed to flow easily. I enjoyed the ups and downs of the plot and not being able to always guess what would happen next. The steamy parts were steamy but not overdone, which was appreciated. The secondary characters were believable and added to the plot in a meaningful way without distracting from the main storyline.

I'd recommend this book to those that love romance and happily ever afters. My second Marina Adair book is already on my shelf waiting for me!

This book is hard to review because going in I did not have a big description. I knew I liked the authors writing and I had never read the 1st book in the series. I had been hearing about it and it sounded good. First the positives are I liked the writing. It flows easily and it was a very easy read.

Our main characters are Hawk and Allie and I liked both of them. At first I thought they were enemies but as you keep reading, they are very close friends who have lets say friction. One of those major friction issues is that Hawk was married to Allie's sister, Bridget.  Years before, and they were married for 5 years when she dumped him for her next meal ticket. But she never leaves him totally alone and he really loved her and she does own a part of his heart.

Allie, I felt really bad for. Bridget is a class A bitch of the highest order. Allie has a terrible home life except her father and she was once close and good friends with Hawk. In a way Bridget got in a the way of that because she always gets Allie to do her dirty work for her.

I liked to main leads alot. And I liked the writing BUT I abhor, HATE all these sibling romances. So going in I did not know that and when I did I cringed, I hate this plot device and authors seem to be doing these type of storylines a lot. Now in some stories you can over look it because the sister is never around, or she is hated so much or they were never in love. But this is not the case here. It turns my stomache how authors are using siblings exes to create drama in stories. In this case it was much worse in that Hawk truly loved Bridget and he would have done anything to keep her and even years later he still has a thing for her.

So I know I have not gone into the plot because well the plot was on the silly side. Hawk and Allie pretend to be engaged as Bridget plans her wedding and inserts herself into Hawks life yet again. The real plot is Hawk and Allie connecting and falling for each other and them being BIL and SIL's.

Would I recommend this story? No!!! Because I cannot understand how sleeping with your sisters former husband is sexy and hot and not icky and gross and thats why I hated this book. Personally, a cousin would have worked better but to take a sister relationship it just grossed me out.

Swoon worthy read !

When Ali convinces Hawk to enter a faux romance she doesn't expect it to become so real so fast that they don't know where fake ended and real began. 
Ali feel in love with Hawk when she was seventeen, and had to watch him marry her sister. Will he choose Ali this time or will she lose him to Bridget again. 
This book was a swoon worthy read. I loved the relation between Ali and Hawk and how it developed from friends to kissing friends to finally sexy friends. Ali and Hawk had me rooting for them from the start. I loved the bond Ali shared with her dad. I tried not to like Bridget, but I think she is just lost and would love to read her HEA. 
Another feather in cap for Ms. Adair.

When the guy you’ve loved for years just happens to be your sister’s ex-husband, just what the heck do you do when you realize that he might just be attracted to you? For Ali Marshal, when said sister comes back to town and it could possibly mess with said ex-husband’s head….why you pretend to date him so it can appear to said sister that said ex is really over her…unfortunately for Ali, the fake attraction between her and Bradley Hawk is anything but fake. 
Some of the darkest days in Bradley Hawk’s life were when his NHL career ended and his wife left him. In the divorce she got it all, the hefty alimony, the house, the cars and their friends. The only thing he wanted was Destiny Bay…as long as she stayed out of their home town and let him live his life he’d be fine. Though he knew he’d have to see her occasionally since her sister and her dad still lived there but as long as she kept the visit to a minimum he’d deal. Of course with everyone in town (including Ali) believing he was still hung up on her, it made moving on a little bit of a challenge. Now Bridget is back, with a new fiancé in tow and all Hawk wants is for Bridget to get married then get lost because he’s realized that the Marshal Sister he’s hung up on is Ali. 
Although the situation seems a little weird, I enjoyed Ali and Hawk’s story. I just wish there were a little more background on Hawk. There was some background provided in the previous book in this series but it would have been nicer to get it directly from Hawk. Other than that, this was a pretty good read. It might not be one of my favorite or best reads from Marina but I liked it just the same. As usual the humor is there in the right places and the supporting characters always make for very interesting experiences. A bunch of old ladies wanting to catch a glimpse of Hawk’s stick and posting it on Instagram is nothing short of hilarious!

I always love Ms Adair's work, so the fact that I couldn't finish this story is purely a reflection of me and not her writing. But I made it to 64% (I use a kindle) and the main man was still harbouring significantly serious feelings for his ex-wife. I understand that it's showing progression, and he'll eventually find he's in love with her sister... but that's a little toooooo long to be pining over another woman in a romance novel. It was off-putting and didn't give me any real feelings for Hawke, except pity at his confusion. It made him appear wishy-washy, and no one loves an indecisive man.