More

by Keren Hughes

Drake Anderson is all the man Annalise Duncan ever wanted…

Annalise has it all. The perfect husband. The perfect son. The perfect life. After the father of her son Ayden abandoned her to be a single parent, she finally felt like she hit the romance jackpot. Her boss, Drake Anderson, turned out to be more than just a friend. He’s the love of her life, and an amazing stepfather to her son.

But the picture perfect marriage is merely an illusion…

After seven wonderful years, Drake leaves. He doesn’t give her a reason, or even the courtesy of a return phone call. Six months go by without even a single acknowledgement. Annalise is devastated. Her heart and soul belonged to Drake, and he was the only father Ayden ever knew. She’d dedicated her life to him and the family they built together, and she isn’t willing to let that dream go easily.

When Annalise spots Drake out at a café with a woman, her heart shatters all over again. But it’s not what Annalise thinks. He isn’t cheating on her. There are things about leaving that Drake just can’t or won’t explain. Some things should remain a secret.

He wants his old life back, but Annalise won’t accept anything but the truth…

Drake has to find a way to convince his wife, his Cariad, to take him back, but it may mean facing a truth he wanted to keep hidden. He must prove to Annalise that despite his past, he wants her…

More.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

I live in the UK and can usually be found with my eyes glued to my laptop or my nose in a good book.

I write contemporary romance and MM romance, published by Black Velvet Seductions.

If you need swoonworthy heroes, I have plenty for you to choose from. Kick-A heroines? I write those too!

Visit my author blog here: www.authorkerentshughes.wordpress.com
Facebook Profile: www.facebook.com/keren.hughes.92
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/kerentshughes

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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Blurb:
Drake Anderson is all the man Annalise Duncan ever wanted…

Annalise has it all. The perfect husband. The perfect son. The perfect life. After the father of her son Ayden abandoned her to be a single parent, she finally felt like she hit the romance jackpot. Her boss, Drake Anderson, turned out to be more than just a friend. He’s the love of her life, and an amazing stepfather to her son.

But the picture perfect marriage is merely an illusion…

After seven wonderful years, Drake leaves. He doesn’t give her a reason, or even the courtesy of a return phone call. Six months go by without even a single acknowledgement. Annalise is devastated. Her heart and soul belonged to Drake, and he was the only father Ayden ever knew. She’d dedicated her life to him and the family they built together, and she isn’t willing to let that dream go easily.

When Annalise spots Drake out at a café with a woman, her heart shatters all over again. But it’s not what Annalise thinks. He isn’t cheating on her. There are things about leaving that Drake just can’t or won’t explain. Some things should remain a secret.

He wants his old life back, but Annalise won’t accept anything but the truth…

Drake has to find a way to convince his wife, his Cariad, to take him back, but it may mean facing a truth he wanted to keep hidden. He must prove to Annalise that despite his past, he wants her…

More.

[Lisa Aiello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second book in a row where the story was so much bigger than the writing, so I have very mixed feelings.

On one hand, this is a truly tragic tale, which is usually like a unicorn wrapped up in glitter farting rainbows to me...but so many of the elements were contrived just to move the plot where the author wanted it to go. I don't truly "get" Drake's secret, or why it was so shameful to him, and why he chose not share it with his wife. Furthermore, I don't get how what he did to his family because of his shame was so easily forgiven. Then that ending - arggghhhhhh. I should have been in tears, but it just didn't give me the impact that I suspect was what the author was going for. This also could have used a good editing because there was a lot of repetition of words, phrases, passages.

I think this story has good bones, it just didn't give me what I was looking for.

[Melinda Ruyten · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself was quite good maybe a little unbelievable.
But what annoyed me was the story repeating itself over and over.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Keren Hughes book I have read and I absolutely loved it. This is a beautifully written book that will pull at your heartstrings. From the first page you can tell that Keren Hughes has put her heart and soul into this story. If you're a cryer like me then make sure you have tissues handy!

Annalisa and Drake have the perfect little family ....or so Anna thinks, but Drake is hiding a secret and one he believes will tear his family apart. Drake isn't one to burden Anna with his problems and he doesn't want her to worry about him. So he decides its time to face his problems and vanishes into thin air leaving Anna completely heartbroken. Drake must cut himself off from everyone he loves to be able to concentrate on getting his life back together.
I'm not going into the story because there is so much more to say and I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I promise you, you will not be disappointed in this book.

A fantastic 5 star read and I will most definitely be reading more from Keren Hughes.

[Lucii Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

Yup...I full on ugly cried at this book. TWICE!! This is definitely an amazing story. It captures your attention from the get go and storyline keeps you intrigues and guessing til Drake's secret is finally revealed.

Anna is one of those girls that every man wishes for; big heart that she wears on her sleeve, caring and nurturing. Ayden is the cutest little lad I've read about in a while. His mind is older than his years and he's such a sweety!

Drake is the main main main character of this book, it's mainly his story and what happens with him and how he feels about things that have happened. I feel for him, I do, but I did shout at my kindle to tell him he was a complete knobhead for not letting Anna and his family in, keeping things secret. But I'm glad at the outcome there.

This isn't your typical HEA, thank god, it's refreshing to read a book that isn't a HEA!! And I'm so damn glad I haven't put make up on today!

Keren Hughes is an exceptional author, I met her at a Birmingham signing last year and she's the most exceptional woman I have met. Strong, brave and beautiful! I couldn't wait to get stuck into her books and I'm so glad I have. She has amazing talent and if I could scream this from the rooftops, I would!


Highly recommended!

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue of this book shows us Annalise and Drake's life together and when they separated. We do not know why, just that he said they needed to talk and she said, "Get out!" How do you explain to a 6 1/2 year old child that his father has walked out? In Chapter One, we go back to when Ayden is 4 years old. We see how happy life is for Anna and Drake. We find out that Ayden is not Drake's biological child, but he raises Ayden as if he is. When Drake's father dies unexpectedly, it hits Drake hard. What happens to Drake and the rest of the family at that point? Why was Drake so surprised when he found himself dating and marrying Anna? I had thoughts that went through my head when Drake walked out of Ayden and Anna's lives that night after coming back from the ultimate family vacation. Just before getting half way through the book, I find out that one of my two thoughts was correct. When we see things from Drake's point of view again, why can he not contact Annalise and let her know where he is? The person talking with him is right and he knows that she's understanding. He expects her to move on, but little does he know she cannot bring herself to even try to do so. She goes out with the girls one night from her new office and a guy hits on her. What happens? I cannot help but to cry as I read Drake's journal entries. The fact that he seems to feel he cannot share his burden with his wife that loves him to pieces breaks my heart. He's putting himself in self-imposed isolation for nothing. I cannot stop crying as I read. When Drake FINALLY has the courage to face Anna, and tell him what had been going on since he walked out the door and even before that, his worst fears do not come true. That's a blessing. He finally tells her about the straw that broke the camel's back too. He finally sits down with Rachel at a cafe and as he's leaving, something happens. This book is definitely full of ups and downs. There is not a true HEA for this book. Just be prepared for that.

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.

[Hannah B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished More quite quickly, and I feel like the storyline was thought out but, it just didn’t work for me. I’ve been asked to refrain from spoilers so I can’t really go into detail but I wanted a bit more. Anna and Drake are the perfect couple, with a perfect son, only not everything is as it seems and one day Drake ups and leaves. He never tells Anna why and just as she starts to move on with her life, she runs into her husband and old feelings come to the surface.

The book is told from a dual point of view, and flits between the past and present. I enjoyed Anna’s voice, when she isn’t being the perfect wife, she’s actually strong and independant. I like how she didn’t let Drake’s departure ruin her. I enjoyed reading about Drake’s love for his wife and the things he’s grateful for.

I struggled with Drake’s storyline, I didn’t really find it convincing or developed enough for me, but I think my own personal experiences may have tainted my viewpoint. I felt if we hadn’t had Drake’s perspective early on with his heavy hinting, his storyline would have come out of nowhere.

I found it hard to connect with the book in the beginning as there is this huge focus on perfect wife/husband imagery with lots of sex and flipping between the present and past events. It just felt a bit lost to me and it felt like Hughes was ramming it down my throat how perfect Anna and Drake were, so she could turn around and point out they weren’t – but that was already obvious. I also found that certain parts of the storyline developed very quickly and if you’re a fussy reader like me then I’m sure you’ll know what I’m talking about when you read it.

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me, but I would keep an eye out for Hughes’ next book because it was well written – I just didn’t connect with the storyline. However, if you’re after a fairly quick read with steaminess, that puts you through the emotional ringer and has a few twists and turns then this is the book for you.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5*

'More' needed to be more. The blurb gave a different impression of the book for me than I felt I got.

Drake and Annalise are happily married but Drake is keeping something from Annalise. When he ups and leaves her and her son, she is devastated especially as she has no idea where he has gone or why. When he returns, can he be open and honest about where he has been and why?

For a couple so much in love their ability to communicate with each other was lacking. I felt frustrated by Drake and Annalise and their actions or lack thereof.

It was cleverly written, keeping you guessing as to Drake's secret for as long as possible, giving insight into both characters.

***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***

[Laura R (Red Hot Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical love story. I immediately drawn into the story.
It's well written, emotional, relatable and at times quite heartbreaking.

Anna is happily married to Drake who she fell in love with before her son was born. Two became three and life was perfect for a while.

But............ Drake just disappeared, no letter, no call nothing just gone.

Anna tries to carry on but can love break through the hurt? Can Drake come back and fix everything? Or has he moved on?

For me, More is Keren's best work. If I could rate higher I would.

[Amy Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

My biggest issue with this book was the writing style. It was almost clinical. It made me completely indifferent to Anna and Drake. I also felt like Drake’s secret was not as big of a deal as he made it. If he really felt loved and secure in his relationship he would have shared it with her. I was so unconcerned with them that the ending didn’t bother me at all.

[JudyCa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This didn't really work for me. I skimmed a lot. And the ending totally sucked. I probably should have dnf'd it but also wanted to see it through. Sorry KH, not my cuppa.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐
Odié el final, fue tan repentino y cuando las cosas se estaban saliendo bien.

[Marie Calzada · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wtf what's that end?
Sorry but this is the worst thing I have ever read. I feel so mad.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

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This is a passionate love story, told from both points of view, so there is plenty of dramatic irony, where we know what is happening but the other person doesn’t. This is an intensely personal story. You share every moment of passion, cry every tear and join in with the laughter. If you enjoy a poignant romantic read, then this is definitely worth reading,
Annalise and Drake are both good people, they don’t always make the right decisions but their intent is always honest. This isn’t a glamorous story, their lives are normal and when tragedy strikes its impact is greater because of this.
I liked the honesty of this story and the unexpected twists but its intenseness makes it difficult to read at times but definitely worthwhile.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Keren Hughes

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was very little I enjoyed about this book. I wanted to like it but it was so repetitive. If it wasn't for the fact that I have this OCD about finishing a book once I start it, I definitely would've DNF.

[Anne McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Ana and Drake.
it`s one of these books that has so many twists and turns your never sure where it`s going so
has you hooked.
if you want to ugly cry this is the book for you the ending was so unexpected.
a must read tugs at the heart strings.

[Candice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wtf?