I read this book, which is book 1 in the series, after reading book 2. There was enough time in between that I feel reading the second book first didnt really ruin anything. The ending, when introducing the characters book two follows, made me laugh.

Overall, this book was down well. But I feel like it could have been better. In the end, I didnt like the heroine. The choices she made frustrated me. But overall, I enjoyed the couple and enjoyed seeing them together.

I liked this story and found it this an engaging and quick read, that's not to say it was perfect but then what is?

I was fond of the main characters, Sarah and Ian and like that they got another shot at a relationship that clearly meant a lot to them both.

However, there were a few parts of the story that bothered me:
1. what was the point of the girlfriend at the beginning of the book? she didn't add anything
2. the old 'friend', I felt his presence was a bit over done and he really didn't need a second appearance
3. lack of foresight - this applied to most of the characters from Sarah thinking she could be there without seeing/meeting Ian to Sarah's mothers 'mistake'
4. Repeated forgetfulness - really have you not learnt that lesson well enough yet?
5. the deceased fathers role which just became blacker the further through you go but no one really had a problem with him in life
6. i'm not really sure they really got round to working through their issues but just end up it bed together and all was forgiven
7. ending was a bit rushed

Now that I list these issues... i'm kind of wondering why I enjoy this as much as i did. uhm... give it a go and see what you think.

I received a copy of this book for free from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This a great second chance at love story. It s a quick read that is perfect for a quick afternoon enjoyment. I’ve rad several books by Shelli Stevens and all are enjoyable. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

I love the stories written by Ms. Stevens and the story of Ian and Sarah caught my attention and kept me hooked. I really enjoyed this second chance, friends to lovers and siblings friend mix very much.

New series of McLaughlin family with three boys and a girl.
Now oldest of McLaughlin's runs and owns the pub with his brothers and a sister, Kenzie.
Sarah was Kenzie's best friend in high school who fell in love with her playboy brother Ian. They thought their love will last forever, however they broke up after seeing Ian slept with one of her best friend Hailey. Ever since that day, she never thought of coming back to island.
Now she is back after 9 years to take care of her grandmother's house in the island and she has to face Ian. She had a big secret of her own and didn't want to reveal it to anyone not even her formal best friend Kenzie. All she was planning to do was to spend a month in the island and sell the house and move on her way back to North Carolina. Living in small town won't keep the secret for so long plus once Ian hears Sarah is back in the island, he wants to meet her and talk to her.
Both never got their closure to their previous relationship and Sarah's secret is ready to be out to everyone. Ian can't keep his eye off of Sarah and Sarah can't get away soon enough. Once her daughter shows up to surprise Sarah everything changes for both.

It was pretty good start for a series. I am sure there will be more McLaughlin''s story. I would give 3 1/2 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tule Publishing for ARC in exchange for honest review.

** I received copy of this book by netgalley for a honest review**
I love romance and I love second chance small town romance.
I an is typical bad boy and Sarah is our small town,honest to God good girl. It didn't work out well when they were teenagers But now they have grown up and share their child - romance blooms N things have started to change.
This is a fantastic story and to be honest I enjoyed every bit of it..
Well written and great plot. Supporting characters have been written well too.

So I requested this book from Netgalley titled "ONE MORE ROUND" but couldn't find it on Goodreads so I ended up writing my review on my MS WORD after reading it few weeks ago. Yeah, I know I could've find the book easily though it has another title if only I read some of the descriptions of this author's works. But that's the problem, okay? I didn't want to. I didn't have the motivation because clearly I hated this book.

Why I Requested this book?
*it's second chance ROmance and who doesn't like that?
*It's a bad-boy Romance? With a good girl? A perfect package, right?

Unfortunately, I was so disappointed with this book. I expected some angsty story with bad boy hero who somehow is a gentleman inside. I got an asshole, a jerk, a total man-ho. And seriously for me, he's being too much. He's too physical with Sarah. They didn't see each other for 11 effing years and Sarah was obviously intimidated almost fearing him yet he didn't even take some measures to make her comfortable with him. I love erotica. I love obssessive/possessive heroes in Romance but Ian is just too much. He evn has a girlfriend and he's already making out with Sarah.

WTF!!!

And yeah I forgot to mention, they didn't even dated for a year when they were in high school. Just months...

Also this is too cliche... I don't mind cliches as long as as they were well-written that I will still enjoy them. But i rolled my eyes countless times reading. There are lines that are just too cheesy for me, and the scenes were annoyingly predictable.

Another ALSO, there are just so many things going on. I would've preferred if the author focused on Sarah and Ian's romance. I know all the things that happened in the story was related to their love story but for me they weren't really necessary and some were unrealistic. If this is fantasy, why not? But Jesus, this is contemporary. Why not focus on one plot and just developed it. You don't have to add too many plot points and cram them all in one effing story. They didn't add to the beauty of the story, they made it exhausting to read.

Also(Again) it would be better if all of those stuffs helped the development of the characters and plot. No they didn't. Again I say, they were exhausting.

BEWARE of excessive minor plot points.

There was definitely no development on the characters. I'm actually thinking that if the reveal was made earlier than it did, the story would've been better. And then from there of course there would be a clear understanding between the H and h, and then they face the consequences of their past actions and resolve them. I'm sure the character development would be more apparent with that. Right? That's not what happened here sadly, the H and h just fought each other's attractions because of the past and some secrets and deal with anything unrealistic and exaggerated conflicts thrown to them by the author until it comes to the point where they knew what really happened eleven years ago. Which was another cliche.

I'm sorry, I think I'm being so unprofessional as a reviewer now. I can't even give a coherent review . Whatever. I don't like this one, and certainly won't read the next book. I mean the heroine was the....... No thanks.

Oddly, I'm now sad, not anymore annoyed. Sad that I just wrote a bad review. I really don't like writing bad reviews. :( :(

I really had trouble getting into the book initially and getting caught up in the emotions of the characters. The storyline was good, but it just didn’t stand out in my mind amongst other books in the genre. The blurb was great, but overall the book just fell flat for me.

Story didn’t hold my interest. Wasn’t able to finish. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

One More Round by author Shelli Stevens, is a well-written steamy romance. This is the first book from her brand new series, The McLaughlins, which tells the story of a family that emigrates from Scotland, and makes a home on Whidbey Island. This story focuses on Ian McLaughlin, a good-looking guy with a successful car restoration business. Of the four McLauglin siblings, Ian is the bad boy with a heart of gold.

Sarah Rawlings is a graphic artist as well as a single mom. She spent many years on Whidbey Island until her father was transferred to Japan. She and Ian were a hot item back in high school, and their time together was filled with lust and love. Due to a situation with Ian, over a decade has gone by since she stepped foot on the island. Now she has returned in order to take care of her late grandmother's modest estate. Sarah has no desire to see Ian, but she knows that a run-in with him is inevitable.

Ms. Stevens does a terrific job of combining an engaging plot with hot, sexy times. The secondary characters are interesting and easy to get to know. Although this book is part of a series, it can be completely enjoyed as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Loved, loved this book of second chances. Sarah and Ian dated and fell in love in high school and everything changed in one night. Now Sarah has returned home for three months per her grandmother's will. She knows she should stay away from Ian but they can not deny their sexual chemistry.

Both of them secrets from their pasts that will come out in the story, can they overcome them. This is a story full romance and family. I'm so looking forward to reading more about the McLaughlins! I highly recommend this book.

One More Round by Shelli Stevens
When Sarah Rawlings fell for her best friend’s older brother in high school, she knew he was trouble. But she couldn’t resist his pull and the sweetness she sensed underneath his protective bad boy persona. Their relationship was everything she had ever dreamed of, until she was rocked by his painful betrayal. Eleven years later, Sarah must return to Whidbey Island following her beloved grandmother’s death. She knows she must stay away from Ian, but he’s not making that easy and every time she sees him, she’s reminded of what might have been.
One look at Sarah stirs up memories regrets that still linger in Ian McLaughlin’s heart. She was the love of his life and he still can’t understand how he blew it and how she could have also hurt him so badly in return. He plans to steer clear of Sarah while she’s on Whidbey Island, but that’s impossible when she’s often at his family’s pub. Thinking to indulge in a little casual seduction for fun, neither is prepared when the embers burst into flames.
So many years and secrets separate them. Can their powerful attraction also include understanding and forgiveness?
this is Sarah Rawlings and Ian McLaughlin's story.
Sarah Rawlings gripped the cool railing of the ferryboat and sucked in a deep breath.
Salty air that she could almost taste coated her throat. Somehow it managed to be both warm and crisp. Invigorating. Alive. It was early summer in the Pacific Northwest, and God she’d forgotten how much she loved the season here.
Eleven years later, Sarah must return to Whidbey Island following her beloved grandmother’s death.
Whatever Kenzie was yelling at her brother Ian couldn’t reach her ears through the car, but the tone did. Kenzie was livid.
It was unavoidable. She would have to face Ian. The realization that she had no choice became evident when Ian ignored his sister’s protests and strode toward the car.He tilted his head and murmured, “Welcome back to Whidbey Island.”
One More Round by Shelli Stevens is a wonderful well written 4 star book.
I highly recommend reading.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Shelli's Books with Tule:
Protect Me, Cowboy
Marshall Ranch
The 78th Copper Mountain Rodeo

Falling for the Hometown Girl
Marshall Ranch

One More Round
The McLaughlins

Straight, No Chaser
The McLaughlins

Top Shelf
The McLaughlins

Last Call
The McLaughlins

Betrayal at any age is devastating, yet as a teen in love it’s just that tad bit worse. Sarah was in love with bad boy Ian, her best friend’s brother. She was certain that they’d last forever… until she was proven wrong. Now years later Sarah is back on Whidbey Island, settling her grandmother’s estate which requires that she live in the house for a certain amount of time before making the decision to sell or not. Unfortunately, this traps her in Ian’s territory and he’s the very last person she wants to run into.

There are twists and turns, miscommunications and misdirection in One More Round. Yet what is solid throughout is the spark between Sarah and Ian, even after a decade apart that still holds true. While it’s really not difficult to guess at secrets, it is a compelling journey to see those secrets come out and be dealt with. Life is full of shades of gray, if only that weren’t true we’d make a lot less foolish mistakes.

I enjoyed One More Round. It’s intriguing, sexy and full of second chances if one couple can be brave enough to risk it all. I’m looking forward to continuing this series, and would definitely recommend it to any Romance reader.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I LOVE Second Chance romances and this one was fab.

This is a new author for me. But I loved her words. The characters are just brilliant

One More Round by Shelli Stevens gives us the McLaughlin family in Whidbey Island. It is a story of young love lost, hurts, regrets, secrets and second chances. In spite of their immaturity years ago, Sarah Rawlings and Ian McLaughlin turned out better than okay. A decade later, they just may be ready for that love that they felt so many years ago. Of course, neither is thinking that in the beginning.

Secrets have a way of stopping a relationship even when the couple have amazing chemistry such as Ian and Sarah still do. How the secrets of the past come to light and affect the present-day Ian and Sarah is part of this story’s enticing complexity. Intriguing story that holds your interest until the very end. Even then you are wanting more. Thank goodness Ian has several brothers and a sister too. I look forward to reading more.

Wow loved this second chance romance story it really kept my fingers flipping through the pages.
The sparks that fly between Sarah and Ian are almost combustible and the words almost sizzle off the page, this Shelli Stevens can really write and I await breathlessly the next book in this series, Straight No Chaser.
But don’t expect it to be just all sweetness and spice, there is a secret confessed that shocked me to the core.

I really enjoyed One More Round. Set on Whitbey Island in Peuget Sound, this is a second chance at love for protagonists Sarah and Ian. These two fell in love as teenagers but separated after Sarah caught Ian cheating on her. With Sarah back on Whitney Island their romance is rekindled after a fashion - one thing after another gets in the way of their happy ever after.
This story is nicely written, nicely paced and an enjoyable read though fo4 my money the sex scenes were a bit clinical, with the detail no5 entirely necessary to show the strong pull between Sarah and Jack. Nonetheless I did like this story and am looking forward to the next one in the series.

Such a wonderful read. So well written. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a good romance.

Sarah knew returning back to Whidbey Island she would run into the one man that made her heart flutter with a single glance. She knew seeing Ian again wouldn’t be easy. Too many unanswered questions. Ten long years had passed. Will she be able to take care of her beloved grandmother’s house when she desperately wanted to hide. A great story about second chances.