Take a Chance: A Rosemary Beach Novel (The Rosemary Beach Series Book 7)

It’s the bad boy and the good girl trying to deny an undeniable attraction as they consider risking it all to take a chance at love. “If you think she could be the one then it’s time you take a chance.” What is it about Abbi Glines books that are so insanely addictive? As soon as you start, you’re pulled into the delightful drama she inevitably stirs up. I’ve particularly loved this Rosemary Beach series … each book entrenches you even further as we get to know the bad boys in this seaside town. At this point, I’ve read the six available books in the series and it’s impossible to not be instantly gripped by the stories and their alluring characters. Because if there’s one thing we’ve come to expect amongst this group of delectable bad boys and their fiercely loyal girls, it’s that passion burns bright, tensions run high and love runs deep. This is Grant and Harlow’s story and they couldn’t be more divergent in every possible way. Harlow Manning is quiet and introverted. She’s kind, but she’s also strongly vigilant over her own heart. For as much as her thoughts are plagued by insecurities, she’s not one to take crap from anyone. She’s clung to her heart, and to her virginity for that matter too, out of fear that no one could possibly fall for a girl like a her … an introvert who would rather retreat into the pages of a good book instead of the arms of man … until Grant Carter came long, that is. “I’m sorry Grant. But I can’t. I’ve been protecting my heart for years. I can’t stop now. You’re dangerous. That sexy smile and those sweet words are hard to resist, but I can’t let something that could possibly destroy me into my life.” Grant is a playboy, finding escape in the short-lived pleasure of a one-night stand. He’s a fixer. There’s an intrinsic need to fix what’s wrong whether it be with people or situations and it’s that driving need that explains his affinity to Nan. Because let’s be honest, who truly likes Nan? (Um… no one.) But to Grant, Nan needs fixing. She’s constantly broken and in need of help and for Grant, this tendency to fix the world is really rooted in feeling wanted. He wants to be wanted … needs to be needed … needs to feel like the hero. In Grant’s life, he was largely ignored by his parents and with some of his friends already finding their happily ever after, I think it felt good for him to be the guy that rushes in to save the day … and Nan needed saving constantly. Grant isn’t your typical Rosemary Beach bad boy either. In my opinion, he’s a little rougher around the edges, not instantly charming, but at the same time, he’s fiercely protective. He’s just not willing to lay it all on the line for anyone … but once he has the first taste of Harlow, the touch of her lips is an unforgettable high. “I don’t handle it well when one simple kiss makes my f*#@^ing head spin. You make me want things and feel a certain way. I’m not ready for that.” The chemistry between Grant and Harlow is unstoppable. The connection between them thrums powerfully any time they’re together and with Grant whispering not-so-sweet nothings in Harlow’s ear, Harlow’s resolve to stay away wanes. After all, it’s hard for Harlow to be around someone that had a relationship with Nan, who despises her with ever fiber of her b*itchy being. But with each touch and each moment where Grant is actually kind, she can’t help but relent and let herself be affected by him. And as soon as she gives her heart away, giving it all to him, Grant is gone. Devastated by the loss of his friend and seeing Bethy so utterly destroyed, he’s suddenly acutely aware how people can be so wholly shattered when you lose the person you love. It’s a powerful truth he knows he can’t handle. “What if I let myself be completely owned by Harlow? I knew now how easy it would be. She was the one for me. If I let her, she would be the one to own my soul. I couldn’t do it.” Grant’s behavior vacillates between scorching and non-existent. When he’s physically there with Harlow, he makes promises he clearly can’t keep and when he’s gone, it’s as if she doesn’t exist. Grant makes some major mistakes out of fear and desperation. Mistakes, frankly, that I even found tough to get past. Grant was allowing fear to control him. To consume him. To ruin the first honest chance at something real. “Harlow scared me. What I felt for her scared me. I had fought going back to her. I had been tormented with the memories of how her smile made my chest swell, and the way she made those innocent little sighs of pleasure. Then that night … that one incredible, mind-blowing night. I was afraid I would never be able to wash it away and move on. That was a power I had never allowed anyone to have over me.” This book is brimming with addictive angst, mercurial behaviors, sizzling chemistry and a group of friends fiercely loyal to each other. I loved that Rush and Blaire had a rather significant part too! I’ve watched each ‘episode’ of this series play like a TV show … I can literally visualize it all playing before me as I’m glued to what’s happening before me, entranced by the high drama that unfolds. Despite Grant’s apprehension to let himself fall in love, Harlow also has a secret. A secret she closely clutches to her heart. A secret that can unravel everything. So what can you expect? Expect to be hatin’ on Nan more than before. Expect lots of steaminess. Expect a cliffhanger. Yup. A cliffhanger. Book 2, One More Chance will be out July 1st and I can’t wait to see what happens, in the meanwhile, I know you will enjoy immersing yourself in the tumultuous relationship of Grant and Harlow.

Rating: 3.5 stars Grant was always the guy I wanted to know more about during the first five books of the series. I wanted to know how he fit into the tangled web of Rush and Nan’s family. His bond with Rush is so loyal and strong that I don’t understand why he is afraid to love. They may not be brothers in blood, but they are in all other sense of the word. I loved seeing him be such a huge part of Rush and Blaire’s life. The one thing that is obvious, is Grant’s feeling for Harlow. I knew from the beginning that this girl was different than any other he had met. It just took Grant a while to accept that instead of living in denial. But, then there was Nan. I think the burning question I had was why in the ever loving world would Grant find any redeeming quality in Nan. I’m so glad I got my answers. I keep thinking that *maybe* Abbi would show me a side I’ve never seen of her. Maybe it would explain why Grant kept running to her rescue. Yea, nope, didn’t happen in this book, which is fine, I’m happy to keep hating evil Nan, but the problem was, it made it THAT much harder to understand why Grant felt something for her. He explains his reasoning perfectly, but even though I get it logically, it still made no sense to me. Nan is the cause of most of the problems with Harlow and why he choose to continue make a mess of things when it came to her, I have no clue. I loved Harlow from the minute she entered the Rosemary Beach world. She doesn’t get caught up in her father’s famous rock star status, instead she does the opposite, she stayed secluded in her books and away from her sister, Nan. Harlow has this air of innocence and simplicity about her. However, don’t be fooled, this girl is strong and if anyone can stand up to evil Nan, Harlow can. She definitely fits in with the women of Rosemary Beach and rounds out Blaire and Della well. Although I really enjoyed being in her head and learning more about her, I was left feeling confused by who Harlow really was. On one hand she is this sweet, innocent and almost naïve girl who has been sheltered her whole life. But, then on the other, she was this sexy vixen that asked for what she wanted and knew how to stand up for herself. I liked both sides to her personality, BUT at times, it felt like she was behaving out of character and it had me scratching my head going “where did that come from?” It made it harder for me, as the reader, to really figure out who she was as a person. Grant and Harlow’s story is less clear than Blaire & Rush’s and Woods and Della’s, mainly because they met during other people’s stories. Because of that, it was a little harder to understand their connection. When the book starts, you get a glimpse into the past, beginning when Grant goes to LA to find Nan, only to stay to get to know Harlow. Honestly, I have NO IDEA how Harlow was able to overcome the Grant & Nan issue. At the beginning, Nan was his kryptonite, she called, he ran. I wouldn’t have touched him with a ten foot pole, so I admire Harlow that much more for learning to trust him and get over that tidbit. In all honesty, I didn’t feel Grant worked hard enough to win over Harlow. I think she gave him too big of the benefit of the doubt, and not because he had once been with Nan. It’s because HE KEPT GOING BACK TO NAN after meeting Harlow. This was probably one of the most frustrating things for me and really makes me question Harlow’s sanity. This proves Harlow’s beauty though. She doesn’t hold his past against him and she focused more on the way he makes her feel. Don’t get me wrong, it is painfully clear how much Grant cares for Harlow and how his loyalty to Nan becomes null when Harlow becomes someone important in his life. He really did try to make up for his past. I just…didn’t buy it. I don’t think he proved himself to fully deserve her trust. I hope this changes in his next book, because I do like Grant. But I want him to redeem himself in the way Rush and Woods redeemed themselves when they screwed things up. Now on to the ending. It wasn’t as big of a cliffhanger as I thought it was going to be which was a pleasant surprise. I was not bothered by it, nor do I feel like the book was cut short. I actually think it was a really good place to end this book, because I needed a break to process everything that was revealed Believe it or not, I was a little disappointed in Harlow at the end of the book, not Grant. So here’s the crux of my problem, I was left feeling upset with Harlow and disconnected from Grant at the end of this book, leading me to not really love either one of the characters by the end. This book is a hard one to rate. Grant and Harlow’s story is addicting and I couldn’t put the book down. But, by the end I was left going “eh” to Grant and shaking my head in disappointment at Harlow. As much as I love the Rosemary Beach series, this one is not my favorite story and they aren’t my favorite couple. However, I did enjoy the ride and am looking forward to reading the next book in hopes that these two characters learn from their past mistakes. If you are a fan of this series, like I am, I really think you should read this book. You will get glimpses into Rush and Woods’ lives. It will give you a reminder of why you love this series and these characters. Abbi Glines delivered another story with story lines that take you by surprise and I’m so thoroughly invested in it.

This is the first book in a 2 part story about Grant and Harlow. They have featured in the previous books in this series and now it is their turn to have their story. Loved it just as much as the previous ones, and I really like the fact that each story is different but they all have the same passion, drama, angst and excitement that I crave in a book. I love the way this author has all the male characters possessive and jealous and fight really hard for the woman in their life. I love that they break up and eventually make up as it keeps you wondering what is going to happen and how it will get the happy ending I always want. Grant is really protective over Harlow when he eventually gets to know her but she is hiding a secret from him and is frightened to tell him because of what his reaction may be. There are lots of other secondary stories going on in this book and I love the way all the characters interact in each story and you still get to know what is happening with them. I'm now onto the second book 'One more Chance'. Great story, great series. My only slight gripe is that the Kindle books, in my opinion, are a little pricey at £4.99 each compared to other books written by quality authors.

So I fell in love with Grant from the moment Blair discovered he'd filled her truck up with gas & I've loved him since. I put off starting this book because I was scared he wouldn't live up to the man I'd made him to be but man Abbi Glines do you know how to write a sexy hero. I should never have had any doubt. Although Grant had made some bad choices (namely that evil bitch Nan) he totally made it up to me. The other wonderful thing that Abbi does is write amazing heroines. Unlike most books where the leading lady really annoys me Abbi's girls make me want to jump into my Kindle & become their new BFF's. Harlow was no different. I loved her. She's perfect for Grant. Kiro made me cry. God that part of the story had me in tears. I loved seeing Rush as a dad, & my heart still breaks whenever they mention Jace. I don't know how I'm going to handle the wait for book 2 so please hurry Abbi.

I Love everything that Abbi Glines write she has such a talent to write great books that want to make you cry and scream at the same Time . Cry because it is such a sweet story of Love and Forgivnis . And scream because of Nan I must say I hate that stupid b**** I somehow understand why she act the way she act . But nevertheless I want to slap her because the way she treat Harlow . I love Harlow she is soooo sweet and shy you just have to Love Her . But the best character at this book was Grant Holly Hell he was great soooo possessive and Loving . Yes he made mistakes and he blame him self for them . But as soon he understand his Feelings for Harlow he done everything to make it alright. This books was just great , read it I promise you would be disappointed

Leggendo di Grent nei capitoli su Rush e Blaire ho subito sperato che l'autrice scrivesse qualcosa su di lei, e legarlo ad Harlow è stata la scelta migliore che potesse fare. Letto in un giorno solo!

Man can this women write! I can never get over Abbi's ability to completely take over my life when I'm reading one of her books! From alpha male awesomeness with dirty words to the sweet words uttered with so much conviction Abbi's has created some of my most favourite male characters ever! Grant is no exception! I love him. She also creates wonderfully strong female characters that never piss me off for being too annoying and needy (other then Nan of course). This book was one of my favourites! I smiled, felt swooned and of course cried! I cannot wait to see where Grant and Harlow end up;)