4.5+ stars
This is a beautiful story of friendship, loss, reconnection, and second-chances. Teagan and Derek were unlikely friends to begin with. She was the cool girl in school, cheerleader with the football captain boyfriend and pack of mean girls around her. He was quiet and a bit nerdy. But when paired together for tutoring, they somehow clicked. They became the best of friends, confidantes, and each other's biggest support. But they also hid their true feelings for each other and their lives took converging paths. And when she really needed him, he was forced to make a difficult choice and let go.

Teagan is now a single mom to her sweet and smart teen, Chastity. Teagan found herself stuck in their hometown, working for her parents, and just surviving. She still feels anger, loss, and disappointment, and has trust and abandonment issues from losing her friendship with Derek. But she has never really had to face it...but that is about to change.

Derek is back with a teenage daughter of his own named Everly. He has suffered over the years in various ways after leaving and is guiltridden and full of regret. He has his hands full dealing with a surly, mean girl teen and helping his family, and is a bit overwhelmed.

Now Derek and Teagan are back in the same town and forced to reveal their secrets, issues, guilt, and deal with the ramifications of the past. And they are dealing with their girls who are opposites and are making each other's lives difficult.

Derek knows what he wants. She makes him feel alive for the first time in years. But Teagan is scared, untrusting, and dealing with self-worth issues. She needs a real and solid reason to believe that she can finally have something go right in her life.

They might have found what they have been missing for years, but is it their time to finally find their happy ending or will their lives get in the way again?

This is an intense and heartfelt story about choices, hope, risks, timing, and second chances. I really loved Derek and Teagan together. My heart broke for them so many times over their impossible choices and failure to communicate. I wanted to shake sense into their girls at times. Being a single parent is not for sissies and meshing the needs of the adult and child is sometimes challenging. This alone makes the storyline more realistic and current. The judgmental small town and some family dynamics added more depth. All of the characters had opportunities for growth and change. I loved this story and devoured it in one night.

This second chance romance has all the feels! Pretty emotional right from the start, these two former best friends have spent years apart. Teagan is a single mom who has been on the struggle bus for years, in lots of ways. And Derek hasn't been living a sunny, easy life either. Now that they're around each other again, and dealing with all these old feelings, you would think at least their kids would get along but nope. Nothing easy here.

But I was so invested in them. And I felt all the moments I read about. I loved the end, I loved the cover. This was a good read.

All I Ask by Corinne Michaels is a second-chance romance between two single parents, Teagan and Derek. Teagan and Derek were best friends in high school, but haven't spoken in nearly thirteen years after Derek abruptly cut Teagan out of his life when she needed him most. Now Derek is back in town, forcing Teagan to decide if she can trust Derek and what she wants out of her life.

This story instantly drew me in; I needed to find out what exactly had happened between Teagan and Derek in the past. As they worked through their shared hurt and love in the present I could feel all of the emotion on the page. I also loved the parent dynamic both MCs had and it added a whole new dimension to the story. I'd recommend this romance story to those looking for a more emotional story and who enjoy the second-chance/single-parent tropes. Where this one lost a half-star for me was just that it felt a bit rushed at the end as it came towards the resolution, especially after so much well-done anticipation and buildup.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I have been on a bit of a romance kick. I read a lot of all types of books but sometimes I just want to something that is going to end well. This one did not disappoint.

Teagan and Derek were best friends through high school and college. They were also secretly in love. They have been apart for years but now have found their way back to each other. And you can just feel the regret of the time lost and their desire for each other. I know they were both battling things, but I wanted to just push them together faster! Both Teagan and Derek are great characters, very like-able.

I found that there were a lot of super relatable topics; teenage angst and bullying, single parenting, and family drama. Teagan and Derek were both working through professional success and personal happiness - and trying to discover if they could have both.

I will be reading more Corinne Michaels in the future!

Teagan and Derek were unlikely high school best friends who secretly were in love with each other but never told each other so. The two part ways and lose touch for thirteen years. Derek is bought back to town and they are forced to reconnect. The story has a unique feel to it. Teagan is single mother raising her daughter and feels she has failed at life because nothing has gone to plan. She loves her daughter and is proud of the job she has done parenting. Derek is trying to figure out parenting and help his father with his practice. He knows that he wants Teagan and that it always should have been her. I loved how Teagan found her strength to forge her own path as well as was aware of her worth. The story had great supporting characters. This was a great mix of small town romance, friends to lovers, and second chance romance! Read the story, you may cry, and laugh but you will for-sure love the characters and the story!

"She's my something real. Hell, she's my everything that matters."

Teagan and Derek have the relationship that everyone is envious of. They are best friends who put each other first regardless of what life throws at them. That is until Teagan becomes pregnant by her high school boyfriend and Derek marries his college sweetheart. After 13 years of complete utter silence, Derek moves back to his hometown and has to face Teagan head on when their daughters become instant enemies at school. There are so many unanswered questions surrounding why Derek suddenly stopped all contact and Teagan doesn't know what is worse- living with the unknown or facing the truth behind the silence.

Ugh, these characters were flawed and real and their mistakes are what made them imperfectly perfect for each other. I've became a big fan of second chance romances and Michaels portrayed this one with so much emotion.

Thank you NetGalley & ForeverPub for a copy of this book!

I am a sucker for single parent books. But when you add in second chance... gah! I was sucked into this book right away. Corrine Michaels definitely has a way with words.
The story follows to single parents who were best friends that used to be secretly in love with each other. Being young and making mistakes resulted in choices these two had to make that involved years of no contact.
If you love second chance romances then this book is for you. It has the sweetness you crave in a romance.

This was an emotional book that I made the mistake of reading in the plane. Fun times as I had all of the feels ending this book.

I loved that this book feature single parents which is my catnip. I love the heroine's character growth throughout the novel. i loved how the hero grovel his way back to the heroine's heart.

I can't wait to discuss this book with the author for an upcoming podcast recording.

Teagan and Derek were unlikely best friends growing up, but one day he cut ties with her while she was pregnant (not his) and after he was married without explanation. She has spend the next 13 years raising her daughter and dealing with life as a single, non-college graduate mom, while he was raising his daughter and trying to keep his marriage together. They always had a connection and loved each other but never voiced their feelings. Derek is now back in their home town and they need to work on seeing if they can forgive the hurt and figure out if the love is still there - with the added bonus that their daughters hate each other. This was a very touching story of two people meant to be together but initially it wasn’t the right time and seeing if they can find their way back to each other. Another fantastic story by Corinne Michaels with all of the feels!

I don't normally gravitate towards single parent romances, but after being recommended this book by several friends, I knew that I needed to check it out. I really enjoyed this childhood friends to lovers, second chance-ish, single parent romance. Derek and Teagan's story sucked me right in and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened between these two.

There is a lot of heartache and pain along Derek and Teagan's journey, but I could understand how confusing and hard it would be to lay your heart on the line at that age given the circumstances. Sure there were times I wanted to scream "Just tell each other the truth!", but I also understand how important timing is, especially in love. I appreciated that once these two reconnected, there wasn't any wavering or OW/OM drama. They take time to get to know each other again as adults and special considerations are taken for each of their daughters. I loved Teagan and Chastity's relationship. She always put her daughter first, even at her heart's expense. I would have loved a few more chapters from Derek's POV, but I enjoyed the flashbacks and seeing the start of their friendship. The ending was sweet enough to give me a cavity and I would love to see the steadfast and romantic Nina get her own book one day, because everyone deserves a happily ever after.

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Ahhhh what a sweet second chance romance story!!!!

I have to say this is like no other second change story that I have read. Michaels sure does know how to weave a beautiful romance story.

Let's meet Tegan and Derek who went to high school together and secretly in love with one another. The two part ways for 13 years but Derek is brought to town and they're forced to connect again. Tegan is a single mother raising her daughter and feels like such a failure. The two soon become connected in story that unfolds that is pure love, bliss, and happiness.

I absolutely loved how Tegan found herself throughout this novel and she became aware of her worth and what she has always deserved.

This was my first novel by Michaels but she has become someone that is going to be on my radar for sure!!

4 stars!

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 3/17/20
Published to GR: 2/18/20

I have been looking forward to this story for quite some time. I find myself seeking out second chance stories, as well as stories with single parents, and All I Ask was everything I love wrapped up in one. I definitely thought the story would have a bit more agony when Derek and Teagan shared their unrequited love with each other, but I was happy to have the drama level stay low. While I didn't love Teagan as much as I hoped to, I did love Derek and how he knew immediately that he wasn't walking away from Teagan, or letting her get away either. The writing was solid and the pace of the story worked well. Being perfectly honest, I didn't care for the sort of twist at the end, and would have liked a bit more resolution with Chastity's father. Overall, I really enjoyed my time spent in this world.

Absolutely lovely kind-of-second-chance romance!! Teagan and Derek were the very closest and best of friends throughout high-school and into college. Their love was deep but neither realized or admitted to just how deep until it was too late. Even though their lack of communication was annoyingly frustrating, their reasons are written so well that a reader can't help but understand and empathize. That just makes their journey back to each other even more beautiful and realistic. Even the secondary characters are so alive, they could jump right off the pages! Especially the two daughters, Chastity and Everly, whether kind or cruel, a reader truly understands the reasons behind each of their personalities and one's heart cries for both.

In fact the entire story is paced so perfectly that it really didn't need the re-herring conflict at the end! The weird decision that was almost made didn't make sense considering all the options that could have been explored. Still, this one is a keeper, folks! One that any romance lover will happily swoon and sigh over!

All I Ask is a breathtaking second chance romance like no other. Corinne Michaels will draw you in and make you feel every single emotion in All I Ask.

Teagan and Derek were best friends in high school and into adulthood until suddenly, Derek cuts all ties. Fast forward 13 years and the two single parents are reunited in the most unexpected way and their new journey is one a lifetime in the making.

This story was packed full of emotion. From loss to anger to friendship and love, I truly enjoyed every aspect of Teagan and Derek’s story and I think you will too! I hope you pick up a copy!

This was a very interesting story. It tells a bit of a tragic story and gives the audience the idea that you need to face you future and past with truth.

In this story we need two very close best friends Derek and Teagan. We meet Derek on his wedding day to Meghan. Teagan is in love with Derek but she is also pregnant and Derek and Meghan are pregnant as well. The story then picks up 13 years later and we meet her daughter and we meet Derek's and learn that after the wedding Derek dumped Teagan very coldly because Meghan demanded it.

As the story picks up in the now, we meet both 13 year old girls and they HATE each other. HATE! and this story then delves into bullying and trying to get the two girls to get along. In this now we find out meghan died and that is why Derek came back home and he wants to get to know T again.

But T feels that she doesn't need him breaking her heart again so makes Derek really work for it. This was a very interesting story. At times my heart broke for all the characters in this story. But I did love the authors storytelling and how she explores the love both characters feel for each other.

All I ask is a GORGEOUS story of second chances and finding love a second time around. Corrine Michaels writes the most beautiful romances and each time I read one I slowly fall in love. I feel like I'm able to not only connect with the characters but feel them deep in my soul. Teagan and Derek became real people to me and I followed their story with a heart full of hope and longing.

If you're a romance reader and haven't read a book by the talented Corinne Michaels yet then this would be a wonderful book to start with. I honestly cannot recommend it enough!

Corrine Michaels isn’t one of my “go to” authors. I don’t see her books and say “I gotta have”, and I don’t know why because everyone one of her books I’ve read I’ve really enjoyed!!!

Teagan Berkley was the “IT’ girl in high school. She was popular, smart, beautiful, she was going places; she was also one of the mean girls. What people didn’t realize about Teagan, deep down she was insecure, unsure and felt guilty about anything she horrible she did to keep her social status. She was even voted most likely to succeed. If by succeed they meant have an unplanned pregnancy in college, have the father of your child leave you high and dry while he went on to become a beloved NFL star, live in the apartment above your parents’ antique store, raise your teenage daughter and struggle every day of your life…then she was KILLING IT.

Derek Hartz was not the high school heart throb by any stretch of the imagination. He was dorky, dressed strange and didn’t give two craps about what anyone thought about him. The joke was on all of those people who made fun of him because he grew into his own and was now a successful veterinarian, who also happened to be a hottie.

This unlikely pair became the best of friends towards the end of high school and stayed thick as thieves. During their friendship their feelings began to evolve but neither was ever in the position to act on their feeling as the other was always “unavailable”. They continued to support each until circumstances ripped their friendship apart. They haven’t seen one another in thirteen years but now Derek is back in town, a single dad struggling to raise his own daughter and now he and Teagan have to face the past and come to terms with their true feelings for each other.

One thing Teagan and Derek have in common is their thirteen-year-old daughters who happen to hate each other. No matter how much they may want to avoid each other the bickering girls manage to throw them right in the middle of each other’s lives.

I started this late on a Monday night intending to read only the first chapter to get a feel. I finished it midday Wednesday. I couldn’t put this book down. I even snuck and read most of the day at work. The story starts off with a flashback of a younger Teagan standing by her best friend Derek as he takes his vows and is then told through flashbacks of both younger Teagan and Derek as well as present day. I’m not really a fan of flashback story telling but for this book it worked. I didn’t think I was going to like Teagan very much, I quickly changed my mind. I liked all of the characters and the connection was almost instant.

As the two learn of the attraction they had for one another it both complicates and levels out their current situations. Teagan’s fears lie within her abandonment issues and Derek’s with dealing with his daughter who is struggling with the recent loss of her mother. I think what I also liked about this book was there were real life responses. They weren’t said to romanticize the situation, they were raw and could have hurt someone soul. Like Derek’s response to learning how Teagan felt about him, and the last sentence basically sums up the relationship.

“I loved her, in my own way. She gave me Everly, and for that, I wanted to try. After a while, it was just what I thought I needed to do. She worked a lot, so did I, and we became…roommates. Also, God this is going to sound bad,” Derek warns. “I knew if I saw you again, I’d struggle with the idea of staying with Meghan and forgoing all I was doing for Everly. If you were single, that would’ve been all I needed to know, and I would’ve left my wife...All of my life I’ve wanted to hear that from him, and it bittersweet in every way. “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.” The breath escapes his nose and he leans back in the sand again. “I would go with both because it’s pretty pathetic and also a little romantic.”

The uncomfortable circumstances of the relationship between Teagan and Derek does not stop the light heartedness in this story. I love great banter, and everyone has it. Especially Teagan and her daughter….

Chastity rolls her eyes. “I can’t wait for college.” “You’ve got a few years there, sweetheart.” “I could get in early.” “You’re no Doogie Howser, settle down.” Her eyes narrow and she looks at me like I’ve sprouted two heads. “Who is Doogie Howser?” I feel old.

Teagan and Derek had quite a few moments themselves….

“Well prepared to be outdid…I haven’t had sex for seven years.” I gasp. “What?”“Seven. Long. Fucking. Years.” “You…haven’t had sex…for seven years?” “Nope.”“But you were married!” Derek nods with purpose. “I’m aware.” “Did you enter the priesthood or something?” He laughs. “Not even close.” I want to feel bad for him and drink, but I really hate losing. I don’t even know what to say to him. “Okay, does your equipment not—” “No!” he says quickly and nudges me. “My dick works just fine.” Great. Now I’m picturing his dick. He had to say it. “All right then.” I look at my drink, trying to understand why the hell he and Meghan didn’t have sex for seven years. That’s a really long time. “Go ahead and ask…” Derek pushes. Don’t have to ask me twice. “Why the hell didn’t you have sex with your wife in seven years?” He grabs his beer and drains it. “Because she and I were basically separated. We were roommates, trying to make things normal for Everly, but they weren’t working. So, it was…hard.” “Or not,” I joke.

Aside from the struggles of seeing Derek again, Teagan also has to deal with a critical mom, and the small-town gossipers that basically villainizing her over trying to “trap” the HS Football God who turned pro.

Once again Corrine Michaels has written a story that makes you laugh and tugs at your heart all at the same time.

Another great romance from Corinne Michaels. I loved that the main characters, Teagan & Derek, have been best friends since high school and secretly in love with each other, but circumstances forced them to make different choices and kept them apart. Now they are both back in their hometown, after not having spoken in thirteen years, and they both have secrets to hide. I definitely enjoyed the love between these two, and the mother/daughter relationship between Teagan & Chastity. The ending seemed slightly rushed to me, and some of the back & forth between Teagan and Derek became repetitive in my opinion, but overall it was a great book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Teagan and Derek were best friends through high school and college. They were also secretly in love. They were separated for 13 years and brought back together after the untimely death of Derek’s wife. The lovely book takes you through their heartbreaking story, past and present tense with dual POV. This is a story of first love, forgiveness and trust all while raising teenage daughters.

This book gave me all the feels! So much emotion was packed into Derek and Teagan’s story. Both characters were genuinely love able. You could feel their pain, regret at time lost and desire for each other through her words. I found myself rooting for their happiness.

There were some super relatable topics for me of teenage angst and bullying, single parenting, and family drama. Deciding between professional success and personal happiness - and discovering that you can have both. 💜


A giant Thank You to Forever publishing and Netgalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Full review will be posted on my blog closer to pub date.

This one gave me all the emotions in a good and bad way- and that in my book makes it a hit! Corinne Michaels is a go to author, guaranteed to make you think, feel and being thoroughly entertained with her writing.