A friends to lovers story always is a one-click for me. But this one has that theme with a little twist, usually its all coyness and discovering feelings, in this book we learn the friends have "benefits" and that they are smoking hot. So a relationship well how much more hot could that be, well let me tell you the intimacy level gives a whole new level of hotness. This story may have the word marine in the title, but that to me was a side story, yes Holden is all kinds of alpha hotness but this contrasts well with Avery and her sparkyness. These two have a lot of history and i liked that. A first time author for me, but really great sunday read curled up on the lounger. 
 http://books-and-thebigscreen.co.uk/books/one-week-with-th…ne-allison-gatta/ 
review is on goodreads under the name kimothy

I often turn to Entangled’s Brazen imprint when I’m looking for a quick and sexy read. More often than not, I tend to stick to authors whose work I’m familiar with, but every now and then the blurb for a new (to me, at least) author’s book will sound so good that I just can’t pass it up. That’s exactly what happened with One Week with the Marine by Allison Gatta. I’m a total sucker for the friends first trope and when you add in friends with benefits and a hero that’s all in when the woman is resistant, well, I couldn’t pass it by. And I’m glad I didn’t.

I really enjoyed this book. As I said, I’m a big fan of the friends first trope, so Avery and Holden hit the spot. I enjoyed their chemistry and the underlying feelings neither of them was quite ready to deal with. There was no slow burn in this one, seeing as how they’re friends with benefits. They got right down to the hot and dirty with little time to waste. That was all fair and good — and don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the sexy times — but I found myself more interested in seeing what would happen when they let down their walls a little. Or, I guess I should say, when Holden knocked down Avery’s walls. Did I mention I love it when a guy is 100% in, bound and determined to get the girl? Well, I do… and that’s just part of the reason I loved Holden.

In actuality, One Week with the Marine was probably closer to a 3.5, but I’m rounding up because I don’t do half stars and it was more than a 3 star read for me. It held my attention, I liked the characters and the friends-to-lovers romance was great. This was my first Allison Gatta book, but it won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes the Love on Location series and the secondary characters I met in this book.

One Week With the Marine by Allison Gatta, is one hot and sexy romance. The hero, Holden Morris, is a Marine with a bright future in public service. He is presently a captain, and with his next deployment he will be promoted. Holden hails from a family of military men and his uppity parents are constantly in his face about how each deployment will earn him more money and prestige. The heroine, Avery Forrester, is a photographer and a commitment phobe.  She and Holden have been best friends since high school and established a friends with benefits relationship from the moment Holden enlisted. Although she won't admit to it, Holden is her one and only.

Holden has decided that he wants to settle down with Avery. They are in love, even though the sentiment has never been spoken. Holden has his work cut out for him, and overtime he shows Avery that they can be much more than an on again off again liaison.

I enjoyed this book. Both Avery and Holden are likeable characters with vulnerabilities that are easy to identify with. They are a beautiful couple and their sexy times are passionate. The chapter where Avery cooks for Holden is absolutely hysterical, and I had tears rolling down my face from laughing.  With Holden's snooty parents, Ms. Gatta is able to execute pompousness perfectly.  Overall, this is a very steamy read with good character development.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

>>>>I voluntarily requested and received an Advance Review Copy via Netgalley. 
This is my honest review.<<<< 
Avery Forrester and Holden Morris was high school classmates with Holden having admiration for Avery for years. Holden was considered Avery back up plans for dates when many others refused to come through. Avery and Holden was from opposite side of the tracks with Holden a Marine, who family was well known with a history of politicians with a future ten years life planned (retire from military, marriage, kids, politics). Avery's mother was a free spirited, outgoing,single parent from the trailer park. The heroine was indecisive and confused with her feelings for Holden. Her reaction was immature and irrational at times filled with unorthodox bickering about out of the world topic. She spent too much times second, third, fourth, fifth thoughts whether or not she wanted a relationship. Holden came around and finally stated " why was he doing all the chasing, begging, and hoping" for someone who appears to be nutty and unsure what she wanted, I totally agreed with him. I was disappointed in the heroine and had hoped she would've been excited about Holden but fell short. The story is lacking that extra zing.

Everything is perfect ‘til things get complicated... 

Holden and Avery have been each other’s constant for more than five years. Their history is bittersweet, with him being the golden boy destined for a coveted military career and Avery being the wild child from the wrong side of the tracks. Even with life and family pulling them in separate directions, they manage to hold on regardless.

Because of her messed up family life growing up, Avery has huge hang ups about marriage, commitment and the idea of settling down to one person makes her break out in hives. She is seriously panicked at the mere mention of serious dating.

For the last five years, she and Holden have had a “friends with benefits” set up. Its easy and fun and with his overseas tours, their time has always been limited and fleeting. It made life easy and it was simple to pretend nothing serious was going on.

Holden has been half in love with Avery since she was still in high school. She has been all he can think about in forever and now that he is home and contemplating whether or not another tour is in his future, he realizes that it’s only ever been Avery for him. He’s not a kid anymore and although it’s been fun and exciting, their arrangement isn’t enough for him anymore. He’s ready to take that next step with Avery. Claim her for himself, once and for all. 

Now he just has to convince the love of his life that he isn’t going anywhere without her and that finally making their relationship official isn’t the tragic ending she’s predicting.

What I liked: 
Avery and Holden were great together, they were funny, laid back, flirty, tender and smoking hot! I loved that they had history, that they were friends before they became lovers. That they each fell in love with the other innocently at first and managed (even though Avery wouldn’t acknowledge it) to hold on to that feeling and nurture it even though they were apart. That was freakin’ romantic and convinced me what they had was special, real and would stand the test of time.

Avery is great at the whole avoidance thing so it’s not surprising that she holds out as long as she did when it came to making things official with Holden. It was a little frustrating that she kept rejecting the possibility of a HEA for herself. Her fear of ruining the one thing that means everything to her showcases just how deep of an emotional scar she bares from her past. 

It was funny to see how all the reasons she quoted for why this commitment thing wouldn’t work, she’d already proven false with her unconditional love of Holden. Is she had taken a step back and seen what Holden sees, Avery would have realized that she was already in a committed relationship with Holden and the only thing that was changing was her acknowledgement of their title as a couple.

Favorite Line: 
Their first time…
“You can’t leave without taking a part of me with you.”

Memorable Moments: 
1. Avery’s sarcastic journal entries. They were funny but honest. It gave an intimate more vulnerable look inside Avery’s head.

2. Avery’s congratulations celebration/tradition. It broke my heart to see this side of her. Up till than she’s been a cocky, confident, all or nothing character. But that scene, her simple enjoyment of the moment and her excitement of sharing that with Holden showed her soft center. Loved Holden for seeing and understanding that about her.

* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *

3.5☆
Allison Gatta is one of my go-to authors.

What I liked:
The writing style
Holden
The humor
Standalone
HEA

What I didn't like:
Avery (I had a like/dislike relationship with this character)

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I voluntarily received an ARC from NetGalley

Ms. Gatta is a pro at standing out. Her stories range from sweet, salty to naughty. One Week With a Marine falls into the naughty category with a number of sweet moments. What woman wouldn't want a man whose willing to fight for her heart? Holden never ran from a battle and he was in a fight to the finish for Avery's heart. If it ain't broke don't fix it, would be a good way of describing the appeal of Allison Gatta. Be careful! She just might run away with your heart.

This was my introductory book for this author and I was pleasantly surprised with her. I enjoyed the plot, and the characters were well developed. The only problem I had with the characters was with Avery and her qualms with relationships. Seriously who would pass up on Holden. Military men are hot!!!!

Regardless this is a pretty solid book and I'm looking forward to more from this series.

Holden and Avery have been friends since childhood. Before Holden leaves to the Marines Avery and he come to an " understanding" to become friends with benefits. She is a girl from the wrong side of town and Holden comes from an upstanding family. It's a must read.

I didn't like Holden, which ruined the book for me.  He was selfish and didn't stand up for the woman he supposedly loved.

I have so much love for this book and this plot. I connected with the characters, especially seeing as my brother is a Marine and I understand that life. I was shouting for Avery to just say yes and admit she loved him the whole time. I laughed and even cried reading this book. I can't wait to read more from this amazing author. (Full review will be on my blog next week.)

Avery Forrester doesn't do permanent, she prefers to keep everything in her life string free, that includes her relationships with men. She just isn't ready or willing to settle down with one man, and after watching her mother crash and burn so many times with men in the past, it has left her with some deep rooted intimacy issues. So, her relationship with her best friend turned friend with benefits Holden is damn near perfect for her... well that is until he returns home from his latest deployment with marriage on the mind... 

Marine Holden Morris loves what he has with friend Avery, but now he wants more, a whole lot more, the rings, vows, kids, the whole nine yards, problem is Avery doesn't do permanent. She is a free spirit, that doesn't like to be tied down to anything, but he is about to change that. He knows it's going to take some serious convincing, and there's chance he might lose her for good, but it's a risk he's willing to take.

This sexy little first time read had the perfect blend of everything you'd want in a romance story, it was heartwarming, funny, engaging, and packed with some serious sizzle! The story line had a nice flow to it, and Ms. Gatta's detailed character descriptions help to paint each one of them quite vividly for me, giving them a very palpable feel. The chemistry between them was undeniable from the start and their intense attraction to one another kept things consistently hot throughout the entire story... their steamy encounters managed to have me blushing a few times! Highly recommend this one, it's a spicy little page-turner that is sure to keep you captivated from start to finish!

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

3.5 Stars!

This author is new to me and I find that I really like her writing style.  For such a short read, it was maturely written, fast paced and a good storyline.  

Holden was a great Hero.  He knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go for it.  Avery, I had a harder time with.  I liked her character but I didn't like how she ran from issues.  It was very prevalent in the story, which dimmed some of my excitement of a really good book.  

If you wanted me to list my dislikes, that would be the only issue I had.  Everything else was really good and I look forward to reading more from this author.  ARC provided by NetGalley.

Entangled Brazen books always provide a scorching HOT read and nothing left to the imagination, however while I like this type of story, some plots seem to be constantly recycled.

Personally, I had trouble warming to the lead characters, Holden and Avery; they just didn’t click. Maybe a little more background, or insight into their psych, would have made them more appealing.

An OK read, but nothing earth shattering.

I liked the storyline, one of my favorites. The couple were so so.

Wow! What a great book. Holden is just a sweet caring military guy who is over time deeply in love with Avery. Avery wants to only be friends with benefits with her best friend. But things change and they start getting serious. But can she handle being with a military man? Great summer reAd. Lots of romance and hotness.

Avery and Holden has been best friend with benefits for many yrs and when he goes off to war she hides her sadness. But this last time holden was determined to set things straight and make Avery his and only his but the journey is long and painful.

One Week With the Marine is fabulously written. good plot. thanks!