Read and Repeat

Breaking up with your high school boyfriend then finding out your pregnant with his baby is not an ideal situation. Unfortunately for main character, Tonya, in Welcome To Your Life, that's her reality. Instead of heading off to college her new future is cramming in as many classes as she can at the local community college as she preps for her child.

Throughout the book I met several characters. Starting with Jake, the ex boyfriend. Immediately the impression he leaves is not a great one. He's drunk and lashes out on Tonya for wanting to leave a party early. Tonya does not tell Jake about her pregnancy right away but he does quickly discover it. Of course he wants to get back together with Tonya. She doesn't feel the same. Jake leaves for school and isn't mentioned until he comes home for break. When he is home all he wants to talk about is getting Tonya back. Rarely does he ask about the baby. He loses even more respect from me when not long before Tonya gives birth Jake asks for more time to get used to the idea of being a father. He needs to either get it together or let them go.

Cami. What's a story without the ride or die best friend. Like Jake, Cami wasn't in the story too much as she was away at school. She is Tonya's go to person whenever she needs advice or a confidence boost. She is easily lovable and a person we wish to have in our lives.

There is a love interest for Tonya and his name is Reaf. He is in Tonya's Saturday art class and they get paired for an assignment. She doesn't like him at first, but she changes her mind as she gets to know him. I don't learn much about Reaf besides little tidbits. That's okay as the story focus isn't about Tonya finding a new love. Do I wish there was more Reaf in the story? Absolutely! He is the guy any girl would be lucky to date. He is the perfect boyfriend, understanding her in ways that Jake never did. I hope him and Tonya work out.

Overall it's a nice story about Tonya coming to terms with her pregnancy. Getting herself out there and living despite a new obstacle in her life. She is happy and it was an enjoyable journey to read.

Because this is a series I want to read the next two books at least. Book two will cover Cami's life and book three is about Jake. I'm especially interested in reading Jake's just to see if he comes around to being a dad or will he continue being a jerk now that Tonya is with Reaf.

A slow burn romance with just the right amount of drama to keep it from being boring. Caden just hit another home run not expecting the ball to hit someone. Learning that the person who was taken to the hospital for injuries was named Murphy, he was in for a surprise to find a young woman being treated. New model Murphy just had her life shaken up. Model contract gone. Boyfriend cheated on her with her roommate(s). The person she could count on was the one who put her in the hospital in the first place. Both Caden and Murphy connected well from the beginning, forming a friendship neither were expecting. Caden helped her get back on her feet after her surgery and taught her his love for the game of baseball. The pair each have issues that come to light, mainly with Caden's three strikes rule. He never takes a women out more than three times. After discovering that his dad walked out on him and his older sister it is easy to understand the rule. Once Caden let go of his platonic feelings for Murphy, that rule went out the window. Caden, especially had great character growth without changing too much. He was adamant about never seeing his father who turned up back into his life to forming a bond he didn't have over the last twenty-five years. The MCs' relationship was cute. They really were happy to be friends and didn't have feelings that one or both tried to bury. Favorite moments were the ones where Caden gave Murphy his hat and she would write the date given to her inside it. She ended up having a decent collection by the end of the story. This story wasn't filled with much drama. Some internal conflicts and a rare fight between the MCs, at least until 3/4 of the way in. That's when Christy brought in Murphy's scamming ex in for his final blow. A sex tape that the ex threatened Caden he would release of her. Oh boy did he. Right in the middle of the game on the jumbo-tron for thousands to see. After an argument with Caden and fleeing for her home state Murphy returns strong and back at Caden's side. It's a great read that keeps you entertained without being long and drug out like some other stories that are slow burn. Definitely want to read the next books in the series because Christy teased enough about the two characters to make you want to read more about them during this story.

Bonus: Screenshot of my favorite lines in the book

Part 1

Rory continuously stared down at the packet of papers that arrived the day before. She knew that this was a great possibility, which is why she gave him a choice in what he wanted to do. Being tangled up in his dynastic plan could lead him to be pushed away further than he already was.

And it did. For good.

It shouldn’t have come as a shock. She could see after that last night he wasn’t going to be with her. Maybe he was waiting for her to give him the option of being together. He was the one with the fiancee and he needed to leave on his own free will if he wanted.

Clearly, his choice was made when Logan hadn’t even bothered to call to let her know his decision. He over-nighted the papers to terminate his parental rights to the child, that gender hasn’t even been found out yet.

Now her growing baby would never know their father. A tear dripped off her face. Rory couldn’t help crying over the situation. This wasn’t how she expected her life to go. Only recently a paid employee, still living at home with her mother and her new husband, in her childhood bedroom that looks like a museum of her glory days.

She hadn’t expected the world of journalism to change. Everything was about click-baits. It didn’t matter the content as long as websites were getting their clicks. Rory struggled to find her place in this new world, following her job on the campaign trail and freelance jobs that took her all over the world.

Then Logan came back into her life, leading her to strike up the Vegas agreement, only keeping Paul as a cover when Logan was set up with Odette. To make matters worse, her grandfather passed away and Rory was just lost. Flittering around trying to make roots somewhere.

One bad decision left Rory pregnant by an engaged man. Now she has to deal with those consequences alone.

Knocking on her mother’s front door interrupted Rory’s thoughts. Pushing the papers aside, Rory stands up. Hand on her stomach, she frowns wondering who would be here. It was a surprise as she peeked out the glass to see three familiar faces. She hadn’t seen them since her final goodbye.

They smile sadly as she opened the door. She knew that they knew of the situation. Finn, being the closest, opened his arms wide, which Rory ran straight into. As her tears poured out, she felt more arms wrap around her.

“We got you, Rory,” Robert whispered. Somehow she knew with her boys, things will be okay.

Her boys were with Rory every step of the way during her pregnancy. It took Lorelei a while to get used to and before long they were part of the family. They helped her move into her new place making sure it was safe for their future niece or nephew.

Robert took over Rory’s diet, feeding her extra fruits and vegetables, much to Rory’s protests. He earned Luke’s approval for properly taking care of his stepdaughter when he wasn’t around to feed her. Robert also limited Rory’s junk food intake. In the evenings when the weather would permit, they would take walks around her neighborhood.

Colin with his crazy buying habits made sure Rory lacked for nothing. She had everything she could ever need, making having a baby shower useless. The day she found out she was having a boy, Colin went into overdrive, giving his credit card a workout. Rory fears that it is only going to get worse once her son is old enough to play with toys.

Finn alternates between being tolerable and intolerable. He was always willing to help Luke and Lorelei in setting up any furniture in Rory’s home, sometimes getting in the way. In his downtime, Finn would come up with a list of baby names. He was terrible at it or at least joking about it. Names such as “Dugal” or “Mort” would be texted to her in the late-night hours. His favorite was Finn Jr.

The day she went into labor, her boys happened to all be over. Each would make sure someone was always with her towards the end of her pregnancy. That evening they were watching a movie and she had not realized that she started labor early that morning until a contraction hit that made her yelp in pain. The boys were frantic, yelling over one another on what to do. Should they call an ambulance? Once she got them calm and her a fresh change of clothes they nearly left her in the house heading for the car.

When Dorian was born the next day a picture was taken. Rory and all her boys.

Part 2

Rory once again found herself flooded with tears. This time for an entirely different reason. Rory is attending wedding number three in four years. Her boys one by one found their perfect matches.

Robert was first after meeting one of Rory’s nurses after she delivered Dorian. Within a year the couple found matrimonial bliss.

Finn wasn’t far behind Robert who already had been seeing someone while Rory was in her late stages of pregnancy. He had everyone they wanted to be flown out to Vegas eight months after Robert’s wedding to tie the knot.

As for Colin, he was happy being single. Marriage wasn’t appealing to him after seeing his father’s many failed relationships in his nearly forty years of life. Which is why this day is surprising to many. He fell head over heels and had no problems proposing. Now they are less than an hour away for him to meet his bride.

“Put the tears away mother. Today is a happy day,” Colin teases fixing his bow tie.

“I know and I’m so incredibly proud. You all are going to be in the married club. You won’t need me anymore.”

Colin thought she was joking until he caught her expression in the mirror. Colin turned around. “Hey, that’s not true. We will always need you especially when we piss off our wives.”

“That’s very true,” the other two agreed.

“Maybe it’s time for you to start dating. Plenty of single men here tonight,” Robert offers.

After what happened with Logan, Rory was not eager to start dating again. Then she threw herself into motherhood, work, and book writing she made excuses when anyone would want to set her up. She wasn’t in love with Logan anymore but avoided him. She was still hurt by what transpired between them.

“I better go get Dorian and see where my mom found seats. Love you guys.”

The three men let things go for now as Logan arrived shortly after to check upon them. They still had their friendship with their old friend only it wasn’t the same after they learned he brushed off his responsibilities. Plus they made sure Logan stayed far away from Rory and her son.

It was during the reception where her boys sat around scotch in their hands and cigars hung from their lips. Finn spoke up.

“I think we should find someone to set up Rory with.” Robert and Colin quickly agreed. The question is with who? This led to an argument on who would be a better match for the woman who took care of them for the last twenty years.

“What about Cas?” Colin suggests. Caspian, a distant cousin of Colin and also works at the same company as Robert.

“Cas!” The men agree with excitement. “So do we just lock them up together somewhere?” Finn asks, earning glares from his friends.

“No. We need to come up with something that doesn’t involve some mild kidnapping,” Robert tells him. He taps his finger on the table, as he eyes the crowd trying to think of a plan of introduction.

“I don’t think we need to do anything,” Colin said, causing the other to look in the direction Colin was pointing discreetly.

A few feet away from them, Rory was trying to stop her son, Dorian from racing off without her. He wanted cake that his Uncle Colin had promised him. Right as Rory reached out to take his hand, her son ended up sprawled out on the floor. He inherited her gracefulness.

“You alright there buddy?” A man stopped and helped him up.

“I’m okay,” Dorian replies ready to take off again. “Thank you,” Rory tells the man, noticing how good looking he was. The first thing she thought was attractive. His pale green eyes are what she noticed first. A strong jawline, with just the right amount of scruff, very few men could pull off. He was a few inches taller than her. A good height. Rory blushed as she realized that she was checking this man out.

“No problem,” the man smiles at her. “Your son?” He questioned.

“Yes. Dorian here got excited about the cake,”

The man smiled wider. “One of the best parts of a wedding.”

“Mommy,” Dorian whined, not wanting to stand there a moment longer. Before Rory had a chance to say anything Finn whisked her son away. “Bye, you two. Go have fun, dance a little.”

Rory stood there dumbfounded, unsure what just happened. That was Finn for you.

“You know Finn?” Rory nodded her head slowly turning her head from her retreating friend. “We met at Yale. He’s been like my brother for a long time.”

“Ah.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Caspian, one of Colin’s cousins. I also work with Robert so I know that whole gang.”

Rory shook his hand. “Rory.” Caspian held onto her hand not letting it go.

“Well, shall we go dance? I believe that is what Finn told us to do?”

Just like that Rory found herself agreeing.

Part 3

Rory stood in front of a floor-length mirror smoothing out her dress. She was alone at the moment, everyone leaving the dressing room to give her a few minutes of peace.

A knock sounded on the door followed by hearing Finn bellow, “Darling, may we enter?”

She chuckles softly, calling them in. Her boys walk into the room and she slowly turned around.

“You look absolutely stunning, Rory,” Robert comments with a grin.

“Thank you, Robert. Colin, are you crying?”

Colin hastily wipes at his eyes. “No. You are losing it, Reporter Girl.” Finn clasps his shoulder. “Good if you were crying we all would be,” she hears him sniffle followed by Robert.

“Damnit, someone hand me a tissue before my grandmother throttles me for ruining my makeup before I walk down the aisle.”

Colin hands her his handkerchief. “It’s not too late to back out you know. We can get a car waiting out back in less than two minutes.”

Rory laughs. “I’m not surprised at that, but I think I’ll keep Cas. We do have children together.”

Rory and Caspian started dating shortly after Colin’s wedding. It was one of the best decisions she made. He got her like none of her other boyfriends. He stayed with her after she told him all about her not so great past. Most importantly he loved her son like his own. He was more than Rory could ever picture for herself. He was outgoing while enjoying a night in. He loved to joke and mock. She could also talk about books and current events with him without him getting bored or tuning her out.

He proposed just after a year together. Caspian didn’t let his failed first marriage stop him from falling in love again. Just four months later, Rory knew for sure she found the love her life when she found out she was pregnant. She was terrified after what happened with her first pregnancy. She was almost scared to tell him. Once she did she had nothing to fear. He was over the moon, happy.

They put their wedding on hold, deciding to wait until after Rory gave birth, much to Emily’s dismay. Now their daughter Lorelei Violet, or LV as they call her is eight months old. Once they wed, Caspian is going to adopt Dorian, making their family more official.

It took Rory a long time, but she finally found all her roots.

At the reception, she danced with her new husband. She felt light and happy.

“Excuse me, may I cut in?” The audience laughed when Dorian asked to dance with his mother. Caspian grinned and bowed out. “Certainly. There’s another pretty lady I want to dance with.

As Rory danced with her son, Caspian returned with LV in his arms swaying her side to side causing giggles to erupt. Rory stayed on the dance floor a while longer taking turns with each other her boys.

The sun was beginning to set on that warm June day. The gang gathered at the Erikson's summer home in the Hamptons to catch up for the first time in a while. The gang's kids and grandkids were currently on the beach getting a fire started. Laughter could be heard from the house as the grandkids ran around their parents.

Marshal, Lily, Ted, Barney, and Robin remained on the porch, playing a card game. They never did learn to play bridge even after all those years. Ted looked over at everyone at the table, stealing a glance at the beach deciding he needed a moment alone. He stood up going over to the railing. The sun dimmed further and Ted looked up at the sky, wrapping his arm around the column supporting the porch roof.

He spoke softly up towards the sky, "Hey beautiful."

It had been over twenty years since his wife Tracey had passed away. He still missed her terribly. Especially moments like this.

"You were supposed to be here. You were the only one to get Lily's front porch approval."

Ted had asked about if Tracey passed Lily's test shortly after their return from Italy. Lily confirmed no doubt that Tracey had a place with them. Definitely with cookies. Only they never made it to their old age together. He lost the love of his life after eleven years with her. After eight years of searching for the one.

Ted had lost all hope of finding her in New York, opting to start new in Chicago. Hours before he is set to leave he finds her. The bassist for the Stinson wedding. He noticed how beautiful she was on stage. Even more beautiful close up holding her yellow umbrella.

He learned that woman was Cindy's former roommate. The same roommate he wanted to meet after learning about her. They crossed paths several times in his journey to get to her. Being in the class he wrongfully taught. How he ended up with her umbrella and him returning it accidently. Their journey was slow, long, sometimes painful, but damn was it beautiful.

It's funny that had Ted not decided he wanted to find his one he would have never met Tracy. Everything in those eight years had a purpose and if one thing was different so would have the outcome. If he never gotten the butterfly tattoo or if Tracey hadn't talk to Barney that night.

Ted was glad he loved Tracey fully each day she had been in his life. He didn't waste a second. Tracey died knowing she was well loved.

He struggled after her death. He was dealing with his grief and sudden single parenthood. Six years it took before he was ready to move on. Him and Robin rekindled their romance only it wasn't the same. Ted was different, trying to cope with truly moving on. Robin realized her heart was still with Barney. They mutually decided it was for the best to let each other go.

After Robin Ted hasn't had another relationship. No one could compare to Tracey and he was okay with that. He still had female companionship with a women he met at a support group, Veronica. She had lost he husband while he was overseas. The two understood each other than anyone else they know in the sense of loss.

The kids have grown up and married. Penny and Luke each have kids living their own lives much like he had done once he left for college. Making their own group of friends, but nothing compared to the family the love returning home to.

"Everyone is doing great, but we miss you so much." He brushes away a tear. "Just remember how much we all love you and I'll be seeing you before you know it."

A gust of wind caressed hi , making Ted feel like Tracey was answering him back.

"Alright beautiful, I got to get back to the game. I'm sure someone has started cheating by now. Love you forever." He stared up at the sky one more time before returning to his seat.

I first started this series on Wattpad, so of course when the books were published I had to get them. The Text Message, definitely stirred up emotions from the beginning once learned that the main character, Emily had lost her twin brother during a robbery gone wrong a few months prior. She took his death hard, even more so when her brother's best friend, Adam blamed her for the death at the funeral. On the first day of school she gets a text message meant for her brother that sent Emily into a whirlwind. That text lead Emily to discoveries about Adam, who didn't know that she now has her brother's number, thinking he was talking to a stranger, coincidentally about Emily. They managed to forgive one another for the hate and blame, entering into a relationship that honestly shouldn't have happened while they were still grieving. Problems after problems occurred for the couple. Not to mention that Emily was hiding a secret about who his mystery texter was. They held onto the relationship, scared to let each other go. To be alone after something so tragic happened. Meanwhile, another guy, Mason was proving he could be there when Emily needed it. Showing that sometimes the relationship you are in may not be the healthiest. This book shows how much Emily struggled with her brother's death that she was making poor choices. Ultimately it led her parents finding another school out of state if she choices to get away, regroup, and to start finding herself again.

No one wants their parents to get involved in their dating life. In this book that is exactly what happens to hockey player Caleb and miniatures artist Zara. For Caleb having his mom get involved was to fix a mistake he made while Zara is helping her dad in another get-rich-quick job. They have to complete five dates, easy enough when they strike a deal. Like any romance story we all know that their deal with their rules is never going to work. The pair fall and don't want to admit it to the other because they know once they complete the fifth date it's over for them. Once they admit their feelings after a bit of struggle and drama they agree to never go on another date again. This is a fun read and you definitely laugh at the scenes with Zara's great Dane. I love the part where her dog would set off the alarm just to get her home.