Don't Deny Me, Part One

Don't Deny Me #1

by Megan Hart

He’s back, and the heat between them cannot be denied…
Part One of Don't Deny Me, the passionate new e-serial novel from bestselling author Megan Hart.

Alice and Mick had it the happy days, the heartfelt evenings, the hot, slow nights. But Mick couldn’t give her what she needed, and in a moment of crisis, they lost everything. Torn apart, Alice tries to pry him out of her life and move on—until a not-so-chance meeting at an old friend’s party brings them face-to-face once more. Now they’re talking again, Alice can’t escape the burning in her chest whenever he’s near, the way his eyes still follow her around the room…but she won’t repeat the mistakes of her past. Passion alone is nothing to build a life on. Or is it?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Short Stories, Erotica

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2015

About the author

Megan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.

--from the author's website

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here

Reviews

[Glass · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Megan Hart novel is always a great reason to spend money - I am huge fan of her work, so it's no surprise that I was head over heals happy when I saw Don't Deny Me. This three parts serial novel will be published in January during three weeks span. But don't worry, it should be available as the complete book as well - Don't Deny Me comes out on March 10th.

So, what did I think about it? After some of the most amazing books I have ever read like Broken, Tempted, Precious and Fragile Things, her new release comes as disappointment. It is not a bad story, I read it really fast and it was entertaining, but there was no originality or depth that her others novels have.

Don't Deny Me is a second chance romance, and rather predictable one. You know from the very start what will happen. It was sweet, but I had hard time connecting with characters and in the end I didn't even care much about what happened in the past that had caused their break up (I do have few theories so we will see if I'm right).

I truly hope that other two parts will change my mind about this story.

Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25 stars!

“Don’t Deny Me" is a three part book. In this first book we meet the MC Alice and Mick once upon a time they were together but for unknown reasons they broke up. After ten years of not seeing each other they reunite during a mutual friends party.

I usually don’t like multiple POV not even dual, but with this one I was glad to get both Alice and Mick thoughts. It was easy to see how much they still loved each other even if we don’t know yet why they broke up. Plus between the chapters we see notes they wrote to each other some were sent some weren’t. It was sad to see how much they both were affected with their breakup.

Honestly I’m not sure what went down in their past, but I think they’re going about it all wrong. So far they’ve had some sexy times but haven’t talked much just a lot of assuming and some push/pull going on. Since this is the first part I’m hoping they will communicate more before they are officially back. There’s no doubt they really want to be together I just don’t think is gonna be easy. Part two....♥️

[Geri Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Off to a good start stars!

The book opened with Alice and Mick seeing each other again at a friends party for the weekend. It becomes obvious then that Alice and Mick were in an intensely passionate relationship which ended badly. How the relationship started or how it ended wasn't revealed yet except that Mick couldn't give Alice what she wanted. Again, it wasn't revealed what exactly what Alice wanted but the readers can pretty much guess what they are.

This was a pretty good start for what promises to be an emotional serial about two people finding each other again. I'm a sucker for a good second chance romance, so it's no surprise I enjoyed this. This was fairly short but it feels longer to me because Megan Hart is a great story teller that she managed to pack just enough details to satisfy our curiosity but at the same time leave us wanting for more.

An ARC was provided by St.Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review.

[*P*u*r*p*l*e* Masochist · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Arc provided via St Martin's Press in exchange for honest review~

St Martin Press has just sent me the upcoming novel by M. Hart who is one of my fav authors!
Is it Christmas already???*o*


This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.

"I wanted to drink in the memories of you, absorb and consume them. I sat unmoving. Breathing, breathing, trying to keep myself covered in the way you felt. Trying to hold on tight to the memory of how it had been, that first time I saw you. It was like trying to grab glass out of a sink full of soap. Slippery, sliding, and ultimately, the choice became hold too tight and shatter it in my fist..."



4 Emotional, Bittersweet & Steamy stars!

It was one of those right-in-the-feels stories and we all know that M. Hart excels at those. In the first part of the novel we are introduced into the life of the MCs, the ex couple Alice & Mick, who meet again on their friend's party after 10 years of no contact. Except little clues, the readers are left in the dark in this part about the situation that led to their break up, but it's obvious that there are still so much deep, suppressed feelings and longing between them, that there's only a matter of time when those feelings will come to surface.

I think that many of us can find ourselves in this touching "the one that got away" story. At least in my case- the story hit close home. That's probably one of the biggest reasons I was able to connect to it and its characters and enjoy it this much. It was almost a perfect, bittersweet treat for the masochist in me. One of my favorite parts were the thoughts or sent and unsent messages from Mick & Alice which were at the beginning of every chapter. I loved those, even though some of them had me on the brink of tears.

The writing was superb. It was Megan Hart and her sadist pen at her best! The rating would have been even bigger if the story was longer.

"How many times do I let you break me, before I decide I've had enough?
We spin and spin so much we've created our own gravity. Like no matter how hard we try, neither of us can break away. We are in orbit. Caught. How many times do I let you break me?
I guess the only answer is, every time."

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really curious about this serial by Megan Hart. She has given me some of my all time favorite books... and . Her writing can be blow-your-mind evocative. On the other hand, I was less than thrilled with her last serial that I read, seeing as how it seemed to conform a bit too much to the weirdly New Adult/BDSM/Erotica thing that's so ever-present lately. Just didn't do it for me.

I'm happy to say that I was immediately sucked into this story. It's only fifty pages on my reader, but it sure packs a punch. Told in alternating points of view, this is a story about two old lovers who have been apart for ten years. They reunite at a mutual friend's anniversary party, and although old hurts are alluded to, it's the depth of their passion for each other that is most prevalent. I was left to wonder what happened that was bad enough to break them apart. The question wasn't answered in this installment, so I'm aching to move on to part two.

This was really well done. The fact that this couple has such a history means that the insta love that comes with shorter stories isn't a problem. They already have some very deep, strong emotions, and those come through on every page.

Advance copy provided for review

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This ARC kindly provided by NetGalley on behalf of the publishers

had promise, but sadly I was bored throughout the majority. I didn't really like or understand the messages between Alice & Mick... are they before/after/during the events in the book?? they really threw me off as they seemed to say one thing whilst the story was saying another.
still interested in seeing where it goes...

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

In book one, we meet Mick and Alice. It’s been ten years since they broke up and ten years since they were in the same place. When two old friends celebrate their anniversary, neither of them want to miss a chance to share in the good times with old friends just because of the awkwardness that might accompany their reunion. But in the end what they find is that ten years hasn’t lessened the attraction or the feelings that they had for one another.

In the first installment you get the present day situation with a bit of the past filtering in through notes that they shared (and some not shared) between these two lovers. Ones that showed the way they felt about one another when things were great and ones that described the destruction that was a result of it.

I had a hard time with this series. I spent way too much time trying to place Alice & Mick into specific age groups. There was very little to aid me when it came to trying to picture these two. I found it hard to get too involved into their story without having something as key as an age to really hold in my head. This left both Alice and Mick as shadows that lurked in my head and ultimately did not allow me to get fully into the story since it was too difficult to picture things in my head as I read along.

I did like the conclusion of this installment and I am looking forward to seeing just what it was that split these two up and kept them apart for the last ten years though.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just an OK read.

Two lovers – Mick and Alice - meet again 10 years after their break up. And surprise surprise – they are still so attracted to each other that they can’t resist the temptation.

Well, actually, the story was supposed to convince me that they were still in love with each other but no such luck.

Still, it was enough to make me read the second novella. Which I now regret.

I have read much better books by Megan Hart.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

received an arc for review

Blah, blah, blah. It was so slow and boring. Finally on the last page it was good. I hope the next part is better.

[Beanimous · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first word I can think of to describe this book is 'angst'.

This book, for me, is filled with angst and longing.

To be honest, after reading the story of Alice and Mick, I feel emotionally drained. Yes, there is a HEA, but to me, it still feel like their relationship isn't all that stable. They essentially miraculously 'fixed' their failing relationship with one argument and with one "I Love You" from Mick. Can't say that I am completely convinced...

Towards the end, I was not as attached to the story as I would like. I skip and skim a little, couldn't wait for it to end. In my opinion, this book is at least 3 chapters too long.

Other than that, the week is well written and described the intricacy and delicacy of a relationship very well, for that, kudos to the author.

[☾ Dαɴιyα ☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"This is how it works, at the end of things. You stop finding reasons to talk. You make excuses to avoid each other, or worse, to fight. All the funny quirks and flaws you used to find endearing and charming¸ the bits and pieces that made you fall in love so hard and fast, they all start to curl your lip. In the beginning, you never want to leave, and in the end, all you do is struggle to stay.

And eventually, you stop struggling."

With that I was hooked.

Don't Deny Me is a novel told in three parts. Having only read the first one, I don't have much information about the whole story to form an opinion about it. Right now I mostly have questions. Questions I'm eager to have answered in the sequels. What I can say about the first part is that the snippets — I'm guessing letters — from Alice and Mick's past, including the quote I used, were my favorite. They were beautifully written and sad, and that is a combination I love. The present time, in which Alice and Mick meet again after ten years, brought less angst than I expected. Second-chance romance written by Megan Hart — of course, I expected buckets of angst, longing, and sorrow. Alice and Mick, however, were more focused on the attraction they still felt for each other than any deeper feelings. One of them couldn't even admit to missing the other, but the attraction, they so readily and easily acted on it.

This was a quick read that left me wondering, so I'm off to part II to find my answers.

[KathyAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part one of a three part novella series...
I like stories that revolve around older characters and this is off to a pretty good start. Mick and Alice broke up 10 years ago and are brought together again when they gather to celebrate the anniversary of some friends. Old feelings start to come back to life... but, will Alice give Mick a second chance?? Guess I'll have to read on to see... Full review coming after I finish all three installments.

On to part two... :)

ARC provided by St. Martin's Press

[Ladynikiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How many times do I let you break me, before I decide I’ve had enough? We spin and spin so much we’ve created our own gravity. Like no matter how hard we try, neither of us can break away. We are in orbit. Caught. How many times do I let you break me?
I guess the only answer is, every time.”

I mean...ASDFGHJKKLL

[Angie Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Angela Cramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb:
He’s back, and the heat between them cannot be denied…
Part One of Don't Deny Me, the passionate new e-serial novel from bestselling author Megan Hart.

Alice and Mick had it all: the happy days, the heartfelt evenings, the hot, slow nights. But Mick couldn’t give her what she needed, and in a moment of crisis, they lost everything. Torn apart, Alice tries to pry him out of her life and move on—until a not-so-chance meeting at an old friend’s party brings them face-to-face once more. Now they’re talking again, Alice can’t escape the burning in her chest whenever he’s near, the way his eyes still follow her around the room…but she won’t repeat the mistakes of her past. Passion alone is nothing to build a life on. Or is it?

Review:
*** I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley for an honest review. Expected publication date: 1/13/15 ***

Oh. My. God. That was my thought repeatedly as I read this story. I’m not sure what I expected as I began reading this novella. I’d only read one of her novels in the past, but this book surpassed what I had remembered of Ms. Hart’s work. So, if you hate reading reviews or blogs that list spoilers, stop reading now. I don’t have many, but there are a few that made such as impression on me I had to make note of them. If you don’t care, please continued reading.

From the moment I began reading I couldn’t put it down. I had to find out what was coming next. To me, a great story is when it makes you laugh, cry and get all hot and bothered right along with the characters. Ms. Hart did an excellent job of connecting me to Alice and Mick. My heart broke when Alice came to terms with her relationship with Mick. I did an internal happy dance when Mick realizes Alice really is his one and only, but was it too late? In my head I’d smack any good friend who got back with someone like Mick, yet I couldn’t help wishing the best for Alice.

I think we all have a friend, whether it be platonic or a former lover that we just can’t seem to get out of our system. Watching Alice work her way through the past loss, the ups and downs as she and Mick rekindled the physical side of the former relationship, was a bit like watching an addict struggle to stay away from whatever they are addicted to.

In the end Mick realizes he’s an ass and seeks best friend Jay’s help to rectify the situation by any means necessary, even willing to grovel at Alice’s feet. Right where he should be in my opinion.

I think toward the end sums up the story quite well. Alice says the thought of never seeing or talking to him again, or worse seeing him and knowing he would never touch her again was too much. Alice got to her feet, opened the door and Mick step through it. He took her in his arms and kissed her. But, for a woman who’s already been through the ringer will she take a leap of faith? The answer is: WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PART TWO!!!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part one of Don't Deny Me, draws you into the story pretty quickly ; I found myself reading the alternating story line between the two main characters waiting for the reveal as to what caused their initial separation .
As you read it becomes more than obvious that Alice and Mick previously had an intense relationship that did not end well, but neither person has really been able to succesfully move on; and to spite Alice's intentions of being friendly but not getting involved with Mick again while at their mutual freinds weekend anniversary party these two are no less drawn to one another.
Mick , though he wants to be back with Alice and makes the first move; is what I would call feeling admission phobic , because after all putting your feelings out there you may get hurt and trampled, but his failing to do so only leads to c Alice running , and cutting the weekend bisit short, leaving Mick anxious and thinking about how empty his lif is.


""There was no other real explanation , other than faced with the rarity of seeing her, all he could think about was of how much he didn't want to loose the fantasy. But faced with is empty bed,,the empty room....his empty fucking life, Mick thought as he sank on the bed. Without Alice , everything was empty .""

You would think a man who realizes this would move quicker to make up, to apologize, to express his feelings before Alice reaches this stage :
""Enough," Alice said loud enough to make her cat meow at her . " Enough, Alice. This is enough. No more of this. No more of him....ten fucking years she gasped out on a sob, the tears coming hot and fierce and fast enough to drown her. " You're over him!" that was the problem though, wasn't it? She'd never be over him.""

So by the end of this part you are left still wondering why they split originally , why the two just can not open up emotionally to each other and honestly; so strap in I think we are in for an intresting and rocky ride through the maze that is Alice and Micks relationship and second chance at it!


Arc graciously provided by St Martins Griffen via Netgalley for an honest review.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prepared for a stomach clenching story, I start Ms. Hart's "Don't Deny Me Part I". I have a love-hate relationships with Ms. Hart. I hate how devastating she creates the relationship between lovers. I love the anguish Ms. Hart puts me through. In Don't Deny Me, Ms. Hart creates a serial story in three parts. In the first act, the readers are introduced to Alice and Mick. Alice's friends haven't seen her for a long time because of her terrible break up with Mick. Even though the friends were Alice's first, she loses out to Mick.

This first part is frustrating as Ms. Hart sets up Alice's conflict and strained relationship with Mick.

"There is nothing crueler than the person who doesn’t want you enough to keep you, but who doesn’t love you enough to let you go. "[Alice to Mick] (Kindle loc. 1046-1047)

This is the heart of this story. Mick won't let Alice go and for a reason she doesn't understand. The characters here show how two people speak in different love languages. Lack of communication is always a killer and this story sets it up well. Part of me is frustrated because if Alice and Mick would just get over themselves and really listen to each other, they wouldn't be in the situation they are in. It will be interesting to see how this continues on in the second part. Recommended for romance lovers who seek "it's complicated" relationships.

*provided by NetGalley

[Veronica of V's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this contemporary adult novella.

Alice and Mick had a passionate love that waned. Alice left him ten years ago because Mick couldn't be there when he needed her, and she couldn't get over it.

They still have a deep attraction, however, and they are sharing a lake house with friends to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their mutual friends, and hosts, for the weekend shindig. They both knew they would see each other, but they had no idea how incendiary their reunion would be.

It's a very short read--but packs a lot of heart. There is so much baggage between them, the bulk of which is an extreme lack of communication. Alice is too afraid to risk her heart, and not have Mick be sensitive enough to share his feelings. And Mick cannot share his feelings. He relies on that old "dudes don't talk" chestnut, and gets called on it over and over again.

There's another tearful separation and the possibility of full reconciliation, but that's to be expected.

I think I'd have liked this more if I had a better sense of the history. This amorphous 'he wasn't there' and 'men don't talk' business seems too simplistic to keep people who care for each other separated for so long, especially when they have many mutual friends. I'm interested in reading more, however.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Belen (f.k.a. La Mala ✌) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extrañaba a Megan Hart.

Novelas eróticas con "clase". O, al menos, con más seriedad y realismo de la que uno acostumbra.

Lamentablemente, es una novela en tres partes (y tres partes muy cortas, de 55 páginas cada una), así que todo se relata un poco a las apuradas (aunque no tan terriblemente como el otro serial que escribió). Siendo lo que es, tiene los defectos de esperados: la frustración de que sea tan corto, el hecho de que la historia se apure (como dje previamente), y personajes secundarios al pedo y, ciertamente bidimensionales, que no aportan a la trama más que comentarios e historias propias trágicas que, en la brevedad de la trama, son más ridículas que interesantes. Es decir, resultan ridículas porque se usan dos páginas para el desarrollo de sus tristezas pero estén seguros de que, si tuvieran una novela propia, una oportunidad para desarrollar sus amores, resultarían muchísimo más interesantes.

A pesar de todo, es Megan Hart, así que todos los romances que escriba me vienen bien sobre todo cuando mis noches son tristes.

3.5

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Harlequin via NetGalley

I'm not sure what is it that was a miss with this book. MH usually starts her books in the middle of hte story, but this time I just had a hard time connecting with the characters, I read through, and there were some things that I really liked and enjoyed, however, I have to say that it was not the case for the book overall. There feels like there is something missing between Mick and Alice, I get that they are super attracted to each other but I don't feel it, the hot and cold was not working for me. I will say that I have some hope for the next book , but I really dont understand what is going on between them, or what went on between them, and I'm starting to suspect it didn't need a 10-year break cause it doesn't feel like infedelilty (which is the only reason for a 10-year break, yes I said that) but we'll see...

[Lisa]

I'll be honest and say I didn't finish this book. The writing style really irritated me with the constant going back and forth to these emails that he never sent her. Yet they're making out and having sex. Weird. I couldn't get into it and the way the story was told I couldn't get into it.

[Joan (official heroine hater) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent. Interested enough to want to see what happens in the next two installments.

[Sheryl C. Nash]

*NETGALLEY*

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan Hart is life. Amazing start to this series. @SMPRomance

[Vania Nunes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only one review for 3 parts >
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Deny Me Serial- a novel split in three parts by Megan Hart is one of those serials you don’t want to miss. It is a story of uninhibited passion, emotional depth, honest insights into the human psyche, and the perfect portrayal of what the true meaning of love is.

I have read all three parts to the Don’t Deny Me serial and can honestly say it was quite an emotional reading experience. Megan Hart has a true gift of creating characters that are very real and easy for the reader to relate to. Her writing is flawless and flows with a very effortless smooth transition in each passage. She has the gift of digging deep into the minds and emotions of her characters and presents their whole persona to the readers without causing the reader to instant love or hate them. She gives them a natural balance that all readers can understand and grasp.

Megan Hart is a pioneer author in angsty, emotional, and extremely erotic books. She was giving us the “true grit” , “emotional angst”, and “sinfully steamy romances” long before the 50 Shades of Grey frenzy took readers by storm and made them want more than a fluffy romance. Megan Hart is a superb writer and a master of her craft.

Don’t Deny Me- Part One begins with Alice going for a weekend anniversary party of old time friends. She has not seen her friends in ten years. After her toxic breakup with Mick, she couldn’t bear to be around their old friends or him. She dropped out of their social circles and moved on in her life. She figures that ten years has gone by and she has come to terms with how her life has progressed. She has led a pretty fulfilling and happy life. She has had more than enough time to heal and forgive. She’s ready to reconnect with her old friends once again. A weekend anniversary party is the perfect way to reconnect. She knows that Mick will be attending the party as well. She feels that time has given her maturity, wisdom, self respect, insightfulness, compassion, and the gift of learning how to forgive. She will never forget the emotional roller coaster relationship she once had with Mick. She will also never forget the toxic ending. But she can forgive Mick because she now realizes that she is just as responsible for the hurt and pain their relationship caused.

The one thing Alice didn’t count on was the immediate and irresistible attraction she still feels towards Mick. She realizes that although their relationship ended, she is still very much in love with Mick. Mick also has the same reactions to Alice.

Can these two forgive each other, learn from the past to move forward? Is there a second chance for their love to fully bloom or will it end in brutal emotional destruction? Or do they have a weekend fling and remember the best parts of their relationship?

Don’t Deny Me – Part One reveals the emotional devastation that both Alice and Mick went through when their relationship ended. It also shows that very clearly that Mick and Alice are still deeply in love with another. Through letters from their breakup to the present day weekend affair , the readers quickly become invested in Alice and Mick’s relationship.

Don’t Deny Me- Part One ends on a cliffhanger that is about to reveal their complete past. It has readers anxious to see where they started and how they ended up in the situation they are now living.

This was a very raw and emotional read. Don’t Deny Me – Part Two will be out in one week. There is not a long wait for the next part of Alice and Mick’s story.

[The Literacy Advocate · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN INTRIGUING, COMPELLING NEW SERIAL BY A MASTER OF EROTIC ROMANCE

I freely admit to the bias of loving every Megan Hart title I've read. A couple of them have broken my heart, and more than a couple have stayed with me in a vaguely uncomfortable way which I've come to expect from the best of Megan's books...she brings feelings and vulnerabilities to the surface of her characters which are so resonant they leave the reader exposed, moved, and feeling that something real, poignant, and almost tangible has happened in the pages of her books.

Considering the above, it was no surprise to me that DON'T DENY ME, PART ONE was one of the most satisfying serial book entries I've read. The e-serial is a very popular book vehicle nowadays, but I've not started any series with a more satisfying and impactful first episode. True to her style, Hart's characters nearly jump off the page, immediately making the reader feel that they are flawed, searching, and very real. The protagonists in this story, Mick and Alice, were lovers within a tight group of old friends, each of whom clearly have an interesting story to tell. While giving us interesting and provocative snippets of the lives of this band of friends as they eat, drink, and be merry (think "The Big Chill" a la Megan Hart), Hart focuses on the passionate but seemingly volatile relationship shared ten years ago by Mick and Alice, who are reunited at a special anniversary celebration of the group. The chemistry between them is as electric as it was during their affair, and the reader gets to wonder along with Mick and Alice if there is any way, after a painful parting, they can find their way back to each other.

Hart's depth of characterization, her skill at developing her entire cast of characters, and her uncanny ability to hone right in on the deepest regions of the heart, especially the less "tidy" aspects of love and desire, set her apart from other erotic fiction authors. She writes with an edge that reminds us that in real life, there really aren't usually silver linings, and that happily ever after does not come without some cost. I get the sense of all of these elements in this first part of Mick and Alice's story, and the potential for the same in the stories of a few of the secondary characters in Don't Deny Me...and I can't wait to read more!

All of this potential, set up masterfully in only 96 pages? Also, one plus which is not in many of Hart's earlier stories: dual perspectives written from both Mick and Alice's points of view; love it! I have never been quite so enthused about rushing to the next part of an e-serial book, but if you'll excuse me now, that's precisely what I am going to do next.

**I was given a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.**

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from St Martin's Press via Netgalley for an honest review

What would you do if your lost love came back into your life a decade later?

This is the premise of the Don't Deny Me series.

When Alice and Mick meet up again 10 years after their break up, you can tell that things are going to be interesting. You get the feeling that things were pretty intense when they were together before, but will they again?

We don't know what happened in their relationship, only that their breakup was pretty hard on Alice, and Mick couldn't give her what she needed. It is passionate, but is the passion still there?

The attraction and tension between the duo is off the charts. The sparks fly and god help anyone who gets caught in that crossfire.

This book did move along quite slowly for a little while in the middle before BAM it all came to a head at the end, ending on a bit of a cliffy.

This was a good start to this serial series (3 parts in all, each realeased a week apart), and it is going to be intersting to see where things go in the next installment.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Megan Hart’s books and couldn’t wait to read this very intriguing serial type series. A complete novel in three parts was very appealing for a quick insight into the characters and the world created by Ms Hart. Though that being the case, I did find I needed more answers in this one, but I really loved the concept.

Alice Clark hadn’t been back to her friends place for ten years. When she arrived, everything felt and appeared the same. Bernie was in the kitchen cooking up a storm and they knew not to let Alice help. It was Bernie and Cookie’s twentieth wedding anniversary and Alice could see they still love each other with such fierceness that it made her envy them. That’s the kind of love she wants……

Mick McManus was kind of nervous about seeing her again. He did see her from a distance a couple of summers ago, but was too chicken to approach her. Now to actually interact with her, well it would certainly be interesting. Arriving at Bernie’s, Mick went to say hi before the rest of the crew turned up for the party. He found Alice in the garden and their feelings for each other haven’t diminished in the least, but now they are older and hopefully wiser, the pair can behave like adults and make conversation normally.

When the drinks started to hit their system, their inhibitions were decreasing. Mick couldn’t help himself, they gravitated towards each other all night and when she came out of the powder room, he grabbed her and kissed Alice silly.

Will Mick and Alice get back together? Is their love strong enough to move forward from what happened ten years ago? What really did happened back then?

I loved the letters at the beginning of each chapter by either Mick or Alice. It was a great insight into their feelings and what Mick wanted to say but couldn’t. Don’t Deny Me part one was enjoyable and the characters interesting. I am looking forward to part two.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite a few reservations about releasing a novel in three parts, I’ve now read the entire book and each piece makes complete sense, and Megan Hart has created a compelling and engaging story that will pull at the heartstrings of every reader who wondered “what if”.

Alice has been single for the past ten or so years, after her relationship with Mick ended rather spectacularly. These two are part of a group of friends, and have managed to avoid seeing one another since their breakup, But, the ‘ringleaders’ of the group are celebrating their 20th anniversary, and want all their friends to share in the fun.

I loved the alternating point of view in this story, bringing in perspectives and information about their friends and their very public reuniting, as they both play with feelings of familiarity, comfort and attraction that never really left. The characters are all very solidly real and well-developed, and even though the desire for a relationship isn’t necessarily there in the forefront, we do see from Alice and Mick that love, real love, is often the hardest connection to break.

Alice and Mick both have solid and definable voices that feel honest and real: love and attraction are confusing emotions, especially when there is a spark of hope for something more or different. Alice is most certainly a touch passive aggressive with her “I won’t until he does’ stuff, and Mick – well – he just doesn’t. It’s not that he doesn’t think of saying something, but his own Y chromosome seems to blunt the thought – to – speech pathway.

Of course, this is the first of three parts, and exes are an ex for a reason. But this lead in to the story of Alice and Mick and their friends is a wonderful start.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility