Cover Image: All I Ask

All I Ask

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Member Reviews

4.5 Stars / 2 Steam Fans

I may be a little bias with my love for this book because I have yet to find a storyline that Corinne Michaels doesn't please my emotions. Teagan is a single mom of an introverted but amazingly natured teenager living in a small town that treats her like crap. Teagan's relationship with her mother isn't the best but she does what she has to do to give her daughter the best life possible. When Derek, her childhood best friend, and his teenage daughter move back into the small town that knew them as inseparable, old wounds opened, new scars created when dealing with adolescent girls bullying each other, and secret feelings finally hashed out. The only thing I didn't like about this story is that I think it flashed back one too many times. I really liked the special mentions that were included. I think you will to especially if you have read other Corinne Michaels books.

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Tragic-second-chance-romance anyone? Wow, these two high school besties royally screwed things up and you may even go into this wondering how they could ever have a HEA. This book actually made me think what it must have been like to be parents, or close friends of these two, and be on the outside looking in. I would have gone crazy wanting to intervene and push them together. Their journey is riddled with heartbreak, but man a journey it is. Corinne Michaels does romance in way that sucks me right end, from beginning to end, and this was no different. I would definitely recommend this one!

Thank you so much to Forever Pub for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I can always count on Corrine Michaels to wreck me, and wreck me she did with All I Ask. As I sit here typing out this review, I can honestly say my heart is still physically hurting. If I recall correctly, I remember hearing Corrine wrote this book because she needed an ending to Thomas Rhetts ' Marry Me' music video, and I had the same thoughts the first time I seen it. With that being said, I am so glad this author gave her version of the story and an ending that was better than I could have imagined. All I Ask is a book that gave me all the feels when it comes to what you think is unrequited love, and second chances. All I Ask was incredibly written and was beautifully thought out with so much depth and emotion. I can tell the dialogue was done with such patience and perseverance because it showed with each and every line written. I don't think I have ever wanted an HEA as bad as I wanted Derek and Teagan's. I could never explain in words how much these two characters are made for each other. I can't even explain the chemistry because it's better explained as destiny. The secondary characters were also warranted so well throughout the story line. I am so glad this author made their voices heard, because it made this story more relatable. Some of my absolute favorite things about this book are as follows, : The reality of what could be. The honesty, rather that be more hurtful than anything, and the will to never give up.

Teagan is s single mom that gave up on her dreams to be a good mom. She has a thick shell, and doesn't care what people really think of her. She is not the girl she once was, in it's place is a kind hardworking mom just living life as she knows how.

Derek is a dedicated dad that will do anything to give her the life she wants / needs. This once nerdy kid is all grown up with a lot of weight on his shoulders.

Can Derek and Teagan finally be something besides friends?

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This book was received as an ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read many romance novels and they all ended up being exactly the same. I am a fan of Colleen Hoover and how she approaches her books with a realistic twist, so I had to give All I Ask a try and I must say, I am now a fan. This is not your typical cheesy romance novel which is the thing I loved about this book the most. Teagan is forced to raise her teenage daughter after her boyfriend Derek abandons them both. Now, Derek has returned and is determined to make things right but it will be hard to earn Teagan's trust and rebuild their family. Now with more at stake than ever before, the past comes back to haunt them and their relationship that they rebuild will crumble right in front of their eyes with no turning back. I could not stop reading this book and loved every page I have read. I know our book club will spark an insightful discussion with no problems.

We will consider adding this title to our Romance collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

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Corinne Michaels knows how to break your heart. The what if's, what should of been and all the time lost. So heartbroken by the choices that Derek and Teagan made.

I was sweating and prepared to be royally pissed because I thought we weren't going to get a proper ending. But, she didn't leave me wanting to yell and scream. I was happy with the ending and glad Derek and Teagan finally got it right. Took them freakin' long enough, just saying.

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Teagan and Derek were best friends in high school. They secretly loved each other, but spent years apart when Derek married another woman, and Teagan found herself pregnant with another man’s child. Teagan is shocked to find out Derek is back in town, as she never thought she’d see him again.

Second chance romances is probably my forever fav trope! This romance is a sweet one, which has a unique twist in that both Teagan and Derek are parents of teenagers. I enjoyed how the author portrays the relationship each of them has with their daughters. The small town setting was adorable too!

Admittedly, I didn’t love derek’s character. I don’t want to spoil it, but I found his reasoning for why he left town and married another woman was a little selfish. I understand people make mistakes, but I guess I wish there was another push factor for him. I also found there to be a lot of repetitive internal dialogue.

Overall, it was a sweet read, but not overly unique (which is fine by me). But I didn’t love it!

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Something I'll never get tired of is second chance romances from Corinne Michaels. She brings something new and unique to each story. I love that this story has not only single parents but single parents of teenagers. That's something I rarely come across. Teagan and Derek were estranged best friends. Watching them try to repair their relationship and overcome some obstacles was trying at times. But so worth it, I couldn't help but root for them. This book is fantastic it's got it all
Single Parent ✔️
Second Chance ✔️
Friends to Lovers ✔️
If you enjoy any of those tropes, grab this, you won't regret it.
I'm hoping we get a story about the best friend Nina in the future. I'd love for her to get her HEA.

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This is my first novel by Corinne Michaels but I am HOOKED! This second chance romance in a small town gave me total heart-eye vibes as Teagan and Derek find their way back to one another. There was a perfect combination of mess ups, laughs, and tears.

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<B>Letting go ⭐️</b>

I feel like I’ve had the best possible start of a pink fairytales year, by reading already 14 amazing books, but this one tops them all. I just found my absolute favorite of Corinne Michael’s!

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<P><b><i> “To those who love someone enough to let them go. “</b></i></p>
This is how it starts. <u>This is the first crack in your heart.</u>

Meet Teagan Berkley and Derek Hartz.

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Their story begins in high-school, when she was the popular cheerleader dating the football captain and he was the weird dorky nerd who loved animals better than people. They become best friends, falling secretly in love with each other. Secretly meaning they didn’t know how the other felt, because they’re both scared admitting their feelings!
Fast forward a few years and she gets to be his “best woman”, standing besides him while he marries someone else. <B><I>Second crack!</i> </b>
<p><b><i> “The ring slips on her finger, sealing their love, and I try not to feel the pain that’s threatening to overtake me. I would give anything to be the friend he believes me to be. The one who loves him like a brother, wants him to be happy, and stand beside him on the biggest day of his life. Instead, I’m dying inside. I know I will never—we will never—recover from this.”</b></i></p>
Suddenly after the wedding, Derek cuts all ties with Teagan. Their long time friendship just gone with a single phone call.

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Fast forward 13 years and he’s back in town as a single dad, full of guilt, but with high hopes for a better future, one that has to include Teagan.

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And that’s all I can tell you about this story, without spoiling your fun, but I’ll let you know my feelings about it. ☺️
This second chance/small town/friends-to-lovers romance <b>IS EVERYTHING!</b>
Welcome to Chincoteague, Virginia!

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With single mom Teagan working in her parents Antique Shop and having this smart and funny best-friends kind of teenage daughter, plus the whole small town vibe, her friend Nina, her relationship with her parents, all these made me think of the Gilmore Girls, which only makes this book even better! 🥰

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Confession time: i loved Teagan waaaaay more than Derek, which usually doesn’t happen. I fall in love with the hero and put the heroine under the microscope trying to decide if she’s good enough for him, but in this case, Derek disappointed me a bit with something he said <i>(won’t say what - it’s between him & I)</i>.
I liked him a lot, don’t get me wrong. Watching him struggle with his bitchy-evil daughter, trying to win Teagan back and everything else, wasn’t easy.

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This novel will most definitely make you cry, but don’t worry. You’ll also get to laugh, swoon and basically fall in love with all the characters!

<B>All I Ask</b> is that you READ THIS BOOK!
Please trust me, you won’t regret it!

<i>”ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”</i>

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I'll tell you something real. I absolutely loved this book!!! The characters were wonderful, the storyline was fantastic and the pace of the story was just right. This was an amazing friends to lovers romance read. It's a story that will give you all of the FEELS and if you love angst don't worry, it does not disappoint. Have you ever heard the saying opposites attract? When it comes to Teagan and Derek there's no fighting what destiny has planned for them. Life has taken them on different journeys, but one thing that's real is that their paths will eventually meet up again. This second chance story was everything and one I think all romance readers will love. I definitely did! I already looking forward to my next read from this author and will be recommending this one to all my family and friends. I cant wait to read what story this author comes up with next.

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