Forbidden Lovers – Kimberly Troutte

I was fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley.com as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Again, not a typical read for me, but occasionally, I need the break from the tedium of mystery stories, and police procedurals, to sneak in a quick romance or two.

Matt Harper is an Air Force veteran, turned pilot, hoping to start up his own airline soon. Raised by a dysfunctional family and forced to leave Plunder Cove – his home - for the Air Force Academy at a young age, he is returning home for the first time in 10 years to full a demand by his father, RW Harper – but he has no intention of staying. There is nothing there for him – not after the love of his life Julia, up and married a different man a scant few months after he left town.

Julia Espinosa was a young girl who lived in the village, controlled by Matts father, RW. Orphaned at a young age, she was raised by a trio of sisters, whom she calls aunts. When Matt met Julia it was love at first sight – and a forbidden love. When RW Harper discovered the love affair, he tried to forbid it – and then sent Matt away – leading Julia to believe that he had been killed in action a short while later. But unbeknownst to any of them, Julia was expecting a child – a child raised believing his father had died.

Now Matt has returned, and he is drawn to Julia once again, each believing that the other had left them behind. As the two rejoice in one another and gradually uncover the deceptions that forced them apart, another danger lurks in the background, threatening all that Matt & Julia hold dear…

A cute romance, with lots of sensuality and just enough drama to reel you in – now I will impatiently have to wait for the next installment of the Plunder Cove series to learn of Angel’s fate…

I enjoyed reading this book! It was a quick, light read. I was able to read it in one evening. I would definitely read more books from Kimberley Troutte. And will be on the lookout for the next book.

I rated this book with two stars, as I was disappointed with the story. The premise was interesting and I had high expectations for the book but was frustrated with the actual story. The main characters were mainly likable people but there was a cast of secondary characters that hindered the plot. It was almost as if a second story was taking place but the author did not provide enough information about that plot to make it work for me. While reading, I wondered if this book was a second book in a series. Was there a first book about the secondary characters? I am not sure. Anyway, I muddled through this one and would not read it a second time. It was a quick read that will not leave any residual thoughts in my mind.

A beautifully written second-chance romance with unforgettable characters, family drama, mystery, suspense, and so much more. This is a can't-put-down book by new-to-me author Kimberley Troutte and I really enjoyed my first visit to Plunder Cove on the California coast. I loved the attraction and sizzling chemistry between Matt Harper who is called home after ten years away and Julia Espinoza, the girlfriend he left behind when his father forced him to leave. This is a must-read for fans of well-crafted contemporary romance. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review. I can't wait to see what happens next in Plunder Cove.

This was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Julia & Matt’s story started off a little confusing but after a couple of chapters, I was hooked & needed to know more. Julia had thought Matt died in Afghanistan while Matt thought she had gotten married & had a child. Wondering if they could get this tangled web untangled kept me reading & wanting more. Highly recommend this book!

This wasn't really a second chance, but a continuation. Matt had been forced to join the Air Force 10 years ago and leave his Julia. When he returns, their love is just as strong. Lots of mystery in ths book with some happy endings, but not all. I'll have to read the next book to see what happens next. I would call this a good mystery, romance book

Forbidden Lovers by Kimberley Troutte has it all, pseudo-secret baby, billionaire and girl next door, missing parents, dead lover, estranged family, all those tropes we love to devour. In Troutte’s capable hands these tropes all merge into a single cohesive storyline. I very much enjoyed the visit to Plunder Cove and can’t wait to go back.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

It was definitely cute. The chemistry between the hero and heroine wasn't too bad - it's a pretty normal Harlequin romance in many respects, including the pacing of the story. I'd read another book by this author.

Forbidden Lovers by Kimberley Troutte is the First book in the Plunder Cove series. This is the story of Julia Espinoza and Matt Harper.
Julia and Matt were young teenager who loved each other but from different sides of the track and pulled apart by family. But now about 10 years later Matt is returning home for a quick time frame is what he thinks...but things change when they meet again.
Great second chance at love story...one you can't put down for sure!

Forbidden Lovers is a well written book with a strong plot. Although it is not a unique story it is a steamy romance with a lot of characters (that will have their own future stories). This particular book is about a young wealthy man in love with a poor Latina girl. The rich parents interfere, preventing the young lovers from being together. The story hinges on lies and misinformation, but also includes the opportunity for second chances. Matt and Julia get their HEA ending while the reader will have to wait for the author's next novel to find out if RW and Angel's love can survive the dangers that surround them to find their Forever After. Kimberley Troutte has done a very good job in setting up this new series.

This is a standalone book but the author leaves you anticipating the continuation of other books and characters.

This story was just a little bit too unbelievable for me. I usually enjoy the Harlequin romance/suspense novels. Julia didn't recognize him when he returned, he had no idea that she missed him all this time... everything is forgiven and forgotten quickly, both between them and his family.

Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This was a great second chance romance! The author possesses a romance novelist’s heart. Thanks to Harlequin and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a second chance at love story. Matt and Julia love each other but he is told to let her go or his father will destroy her family. Julia is left thinking he never cared and he went into the military and was killed. He was told she got married. When a chance meeting happens 10 years later. They have to sort out the truth from the lies and find out if their old love is strong enough to bring them back to each other.

My rating is 3.5 stars for Forbidden Lovers by Kimberly Troutte. Ms. Troutte is a new to me author and while I felt this book had some good bones, it failed to grab my attention completely.

Matt Harper is returning home to Plunder Cove after leaving, without a choice, 10 years ago to join the Air Force. He left behind his fiancée, who rapidly remarried (supposedly) 3 months after he left, estranged parents and a home comparable to a compound.

Julia Espinoza lost the love of her life after her fiancé was killed when his plane was shot down in Afghanistan 10 years ago. She doesn’t know her mother and has lived with extended family since she was small. She isn’t wealthy like Matt was but he never seemed to care. She never got to say goodbye when he left, but he left her the most precious gift of all before he enlisted.

Matt returns home after being summoned by his father, along with his siblings, to some big announcement. Reconnecting with Julia, who at first doesn’t recognize him believing he was dead, was an added bonus. Will they be able to pick up right where they left off?

While this story was interesting there was just too much I didn’t like about it. Mostly, the flow and sentence structures. For me, it was too jumbled and while it was short it was very unnecessarily wordy. I voluntarily downloaded a copy from Netgalley without expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.

So Matt and Julia fall in love as teenagers. Matt is filthy rich and Julia is not. As a matter of fact Matt's family runs the business that employees most of the people of their town. When Matt is told to break it off with her and leave or her family secrets would be exposed, he feels he has no other choice, so he joins the military and leaves.
Julia is devastated, and learns she is pregnant and soon is told he died in Afghanistan.
This story had so much potential and I feel we just didn't get enough information on our characters to really dig in and understand everything. I feel like much was glossed over and kept me from really enjoying the book. Not a bad read, just feel it could have been better.

Oh wow this is my first book from Kimberley Troutte and I really like it.
A sweet second chance romance mix with mystery.
He thought she's already moved on and she thought he's already dead. When fate bring them back together again, will the sparks still there or will the broken heart that makes them put the wall around their heart scared them. Oh yeah love the story and with the mystery thrown in every chapter, I can't put it down. It might be a bit rushed at the end, it left me with a lot of confusion and still so many questions need to be answered, so yeah, can't wait to read the next book.

As for characters. Love Matt and Julia. They're so perfect for each other, although they're frustrating sometimes, still the sweetness they bring totally warm my heart, it's like they're match made in heaven.

If you like second chance romance, I think you'll like this one.

*I voluntarily received a review copy of this book

the thing about forbidden lovers is that you have to believe that the heroine is so gullible so as to believe that her ex-boyfriend and father of her child is not the man standing before her. ok, she was told he was dead, but then all she says is you look like someone i used to know. and i don't think she even says it that directly to his face.

this is a nice second-chance-at-love story, although the craziness going on with his dad and angel and the links to her past and his siblings is all a bit much. bur having julia and matt reconnect and figure out the lies that brought them to this point is still enjoyable.

**forbidden lovers published on august 1, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/harlequin romance (desire) in exchange for my honest review.

This was a perfect star-crossed lovers romance!

Matt and Julia were high-school sweethearts from opposite sides of their small community. Ripped apart by forces beyond their control, each spends the next ten years believing the other is lost to them for good. Until Matt's dad calls all his children home for a shocking announcement to the entire town.

The love these two have was rock solid, but their reunion was continually obstructed by the many secrets and lies told over the years, making their eventual HEA all the more sweeter for the trouble. The secondary characters were superb, adding layers of humor and heartwarming wisdom. The complicated backstory was teased out patiently, and the surprise twist at the end was jaw-dropping even as it was satisfying. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

For Matt and Julia love was their greatest gift but their worst obstacle. How can something that began so beautifully have ending in such a heartbreaking way? Manipulated by forces beyond their control and secrets too big to hide, things are about to explode. He's a ghost from her past.. She holds the key to his future. Both crave a second chance, but danger could be looming on the horizon. Forbidden Lovers is romance at it's most heartbreaking. A breathtaking beginning to a complicated series.