Hagen Wylie has it all figured out. He’s going to live in his hometown, be everybody’s friend, explore new relationships, and rebuild his life after the horrors of war. No muss, no fuss is the plan. He’s well on his way—until he finds out his first love has come home too. Hagen says it’s no big deal, but a chance encounter with Mitch Thayer’s two cute sons puts him directly in the path of the only guy he’s never gotten out of his head.
Mitch returned for three reasons: to raise his sons where he grew up, to move his furniture business and encourage it to thrive, and to win Hagen back. Years away made it perfectly clear the young man he loved in high school is the only one for him. The problem? He left town and they have not talked since.
If Hagen’s going to trust him again, Mitch needs to show him how he’s grown up and isn’t going to let go. They could have a new chance at love… but Hagen is insistent he’s not reviving a relationship with Mitch. Then again, you never know.
Kryptonite. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Hagen and Mitch. Mitch is Hagen’s kryptonite. He is his weakness. He holds immense power. He is his biggest threat and most treasured gift.
This is a story about second chances.
This is a story of ultimate love.
This is a story that demonstrates when two souls are meant to be together…they may drift but will always gravitate back to where they are intended to be. Hagen and Mitch were meant for one another. They fell in love early and hard as only first love is capable of. But then they are ripped apart. The most painful part is it was by the force of one of their own hands. Seventeen years have passed, how can they possibly overcome everything time has brought between them? Well, only Mary Calmes is suited for such a task.
Calmes has the talented ability to bring her men to life…quickly. It begins with a slow beat and then suddenly they are pounding with great force. I adored the early moments when they were riding the wave of pure bliss. They were SO happy. I felt it and I bought every word of…how they were. But we are in the here and now, and that innocent joy is long gone. Hagen is a changed man. He’s a soldier and he has been to war and luckily, come home from war. But his scars are deep and still seeping. Mitch forged ahead with his football career and rubbed shoulders with superstars. But here’s the thing, I can tell you that this story will only work for you if you can see past Mitch’s masks. If you don’t, well, I’m afraid you won’t find this tale as wonderful as I did. Because Mitch has worn a lot of disguises and if you’re fooled, you won’t understand him the way Hagen and I do. I believe that’s the cusp of how successful this book will be for each individual. Hagen can forgive him because he can see through his facades and knows his true heart. Which is what takes me to….
I absolutely love it when two hearts are created for each other. I have no doubt that Hagen and Mitch were meant to be together. When Mitch slips back into Hagen’s life after so many years, it’s clear things are different. Hagen has moved on. He’s seeing someone else. Movie star Ash is quite likable. It’s difficult to wish him out of the equation…at first. I understand how this piece of the puzzle might be a frustration for some readers. But I also believe this road of forgiveness is purposely filled with obstacles to push Mitch to the limit. How hard will he fight to regain Hagen’s heart? Will he prove himself worthy? First-time love doesn’t last, that’s only in fairytales, right? Wrong. What Hagen and Mitch have stands the test of time, broken promises and the blessings of second chances. And my face hurts from smiling as I finished the final pages.
A cocky ex who breezes back into town with big (hopeful) expectations. Two adorable kids with a perplexing mother. A veteran struggling with the aftermath of surviving the horrors of war. And very little page time with Hagen and Mitch as a couple.
If you adore Calmes, have a weak spot for second chance love stories, and can look past the fear that is camouflaged as arrogance, I’m confident this book is for you.
TITLE: You Never Know
AUTHOR: Mary Calmes
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 212 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2017
BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon
