Lilian T. James

Madison gave her heart to a boy at the age of sixteen, but all she got in return was a broken heart and a swollen belly. Alone with a baby and desperate for the love and affection she hadn't found, she turned to a man who sealed his claim of devotion with a diamond ring. He promised her a family. A life. A future. But his lies had only been a cover for the personal hell he introduced her to daily. Now, at twenty-five, Madison has long since stopped believing in love. It's simply not a square on her bingo card. Balancing single parenthood, three jobs, and online courses, she doesn't have the time anyway. So when the broody neighbor living in the other side of her duplex leaves a rude note on her door, she's not interested. Not in his dark hair, not in his physique, and definitely not in the dimples she's only seen a hint of. She's one hundred percent, absolutely, not interested. Not even a little.

Meet Me Halfway

Delayna Morrow

“There was nothing crueler than wanting to give someone everything and knowing you couldn’t”

Nialani Thompson

I love this book. Every character had such a great development, story, personality, etc.. Jamie was the best kid ever, so cute and hilarious. Maddison was such a great mom and I love that she tried her hardest for Jamie but still found time for herself. I love the “enemies”-to-lovers thing every single time. Garrett was the best. I loved his softer side with Jamie and his rougher, darker side with Maddie but also being sweet with her. I love the dominance he showed but not in a toxic way, he was portrayed really well as someone who wanted to protect Jamie and Maddison. I love how he showed up and made a habit of prioritizing Jamie in his life, whilst getting closer to Maddie. Their love was a whirlwind and they fought for each other as well as their lives together, it was so cute.

3.5 ⭐️ (single mother/ neighbors/ age gap)

Maddie works three jobs, a mother of an eight-year-old boy, and she studies at the same time. She moves to this new home with her lovely kid (Jamie). She meets Garret who (in my opinion) is jobless because he is there all the time, the book is good but not particularly amazing or anything, the good thing is if u like it you can read (one percent of you) because they’re nearly the same.

Samaa

3.5 ⭐️ (single mother/ neighbors/ age gap)

Maddie works three jobs, a mother of an eight-year-old boy, and she studies at the same time. She moves to this new home with her lovely kid (Jamie). She meets Garret who (in my opinion) is jobless because he is there all the time, the book is good but not particularly amazing or anything, the good thing is if u like it you can read (one percent of you) because they’re nearly the same.

dija

Loved this one! Was super cute, usually i see single parent trope but only single fathers but i figured that i like single mothers best 🤔 love all the MILFs 💞

Razika Kamran

Jess Griffin

a good story but the ending felt a bit rushed

Meghan Thompson 

4.75⭐️

if there is one thing i absolutely adore it is small town single parent romances
now if said book with said tropes happens to be a slow burn my next fav thing is when they become really close friends before they fall in love. this was so good ugh

Garrett is now one of the new loves of my life. my fav thing is when the MMC wants to do nothing more than to take care of/help the love interest. on top of that make him a brooding older fellow and suddenly i've been knocked down to my knees. he was the sweetest most protective mmc on top of that he was just always there and patient with her and what more can you ask for. he's literally a great stepdaddy because this man loves Jamie like his own. i could physically cry just thinking of this man. 

now ms. Madison has been through actual hell and back but she is the most involved and patient mother ever. ofc Jamie is a gentle soul which makes being his parent quite easy. however Madison wanted nothing more than to care and protect her son and I loved every second. now there were times this women tested my patience bcs like girl you can only say no to help so many times but in the end she got her shit together. 

honestly this book was the warmest hug with some very traumatic content but idc bcs GarrettxMaddie for life baby.

lilygriffiths 

Vajas Johanna 

the story was so well written and to be a slow burn type of book, it was boring in fact it was the opposite. 

the tension between garrett and madison was palpable. I really loved that it didn’t matter hard things got, he was always there for her and jamie. 

I 100% recommend this book to everyone. one of the best reads of this year. 🤍

alice 

this book was everything! 💌

the story was so well written and to be a slow burn type of book, it was boring in fact it was the opposite. 

the tension between garrett and madison was palpable. I really loved that it didn’t matter hard things got, he was always there for her and jamie. 

I 100% recommend this book to everyone. one of the best reads of this year. 🤍

tish

No sé muy bien qué decir sobre este libro...

Para comenzar, no tenía mucha idea de qué iba, pero por la sinopsis me di cuenta que quizás sería una historia un poco dolorosa de leer, aunque al final no lo sentí así.

Siento que una de las razones por las cuales me gustó este libro, y decidí ignorar los detalles o cosas que no me "cuadraron", fue más que nada por la nota de la autora y la explicación de por qué había escrito el libro en primer lugar.

Se nota mucho la inexperiencia de la autora, y no lo digo en el mal sentido, sino en la manera en que ella se metió en la historia (aunque también hay partes que me parecieron relleno, diálogos ridículos, y otras cosas que se me hicieron muy convenientes para la trama). Normalmente, uno puede ver lo mucho que un autor dio de sí mismo para crear una historia, la investigación que hace para asegurarse que cada detalle sea correcto o lo más fiel posible, entre otros factores; pero acá, lo sentí más como que, la autora realmente metió mucho de sus pensamientos, deseos, fantasias, dolor, frustraciones y otras cosas, que me hacía pensar que estaba dejando partecitas de su persona o experiencias de su vida en cada capítulo. Y está muy chévere que haya planteado esta historia, como algo que le hubiese gustado leer, pero también hizo que se me hiciera un poco difícil conectar con la protagonista y la historia en sí, porque parecía más algo más personal y específico, que algo generalizado (ojo, lo digo desde mi perspectiva, puede que esté totalmente equivocada).

El romance está lindo, pero lo sentí más como que una historia Chick Lit que cualquier otra cosa. Claro, Garrett me pareció un hombre tremendo, algo prejuicioso y desubicado por momentos, pero igual uno puede agarrarle cariño y suspirar por él.

En fin, sí que recomiendo este libro, pero más que por ser una joya literaria o porque el romance sea lo más, considero importante darle más visibilidad a este tipo de historias, o al menos al mensaje que la autora desea compartir.

Rebecca okeefe

I don't normally do slow burn. But man am I happy I did for this one. 

So cute and fun. The characters were lovable...except the one I'd through under a bus...grrr. Lilian built such a great world.

Garrett is working at being a book boyfriend and I love him for that. 

Madison has had so many set backs but is amazing and graceful. She was such a fun character, I'd love to do drinks with her. 

Maybe not on the porch though....iykyk.

🏹 “I knew tasting your lips would be amazing, but if I’d have known it’d be fucking life altering, I’d have kissed you a long time ago.”

🏹 You’re a fucking treasure, Maddie. A goddamn crown jewel, and everyone who meets you sees it, including your bar friend. I saw you sitting out there tonight with him, and my jealousy got the best of me. I can’t stand the thought of another man claiming you before I’m able to make you mine.

🏹 You know, your ears turn red when you’re embarrassed.”

I fidgeted, still not looking at him. “They turn red when I feel anything other than apathy. I know. I’ve lived with them for twenty-five years.”

Like a deer in headlights, I stared up at him, slack jawed and completely caught off guard. “You want to kiss me?”

“I wanted to kiss you the moment I opened my eyes and had to bat your wild hair out of my face to see you snoring beside me.”

🏹 But why? Literally nothing he’d just said was attractive. He tilted his head to the side, his tongue pushing into the inside of his cheek, and I realized I’d voiced my question out loud.

“It baffles me how a woman as beautiful and amazing as you can see herself in such poor light.”

“I want to do a lot of things with you.”

🏹 The man had been working on the baby blanket for me while he waited for me to get off work. God, I was such an asshole

🏹 He caressed his thumbs across my cheeks and down the line of my jaw to press on my chin, forcing my lips apart. “But outside this room, Maddie, you fucking own me. I will worship the very ground you walk on if you’ll only let me.”

I hesitated momentarily, scared to admit it out loud. But in this case—in a purely physical sense—I felt safe admitting at least that truth. “I want you.”

I smacked at his chest, “Just fuck me already.”

“Goddammit, I’m yours, I’m fucking yours!”

🏹 “I’m not going anywhere, Maddie. I want you; I want everything about you, the good parts, the bad parts, and the annoying as fuck parts, I want it all.”

🏹 I’m not girlfriend material, Garrett. I’m a walking disaster.”

He chuckled, his eyes drifting to watch his thumb wipe a stray tear from my cheek, “Yeah, you are.”

I hiccupped. “Then why are you pushing this? Why do you want it? Have you met you? You could have literally anyone.”

His eyes clashed back with mine, heat and intensity staring into me. “Because I love you.”

“I mean, I’m in love with you, and I’m done pretending I’m not.”

“But you said you wouldn’t catch feelings.”

🏹 “No, baby, I won’t wait for you.”

“Waiting indicates I’d willingly watch you walk away with the blind hope you’d come back. I won’t do that.”

He tilted my head back, forcing me to stand flush against him. “But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.”

🏹 Tell me again that you want this, Garrett.”

I smiled against him, tearing that barrier down piece by piece with both hands. “Tell me you want me.”

shar

🏹 “I knew tasting your lips would be amazing, but if I’d have known it’d be fucking life altering, I’d have kissed you a long time ago.”

🏹 You’re a fucking treasure, Maddie. A goddamn crown jewel, and everyone who meets you sees it, including your bar friend. I saw you sitting out there tonight with him, and my jealousy got the best of me. I can’t stand the thought of another man claiming you before I’m able to make you mine.

🏹 You know, your ears turn red when you’re embarrassed.”
I fidgeted, still not looking at him. “They turn red when I feel anything other than apathy. I know. I’ve lived with them for twenty-five years.”
“It’s pretty fucking cute.”

🏹 Then can I kiss you now?”
Like a deer in headlights, I stared up at him, slack jawed and completely caught off guard. “You want to kiss me?”
“I wanted to kiss you the moment I opened my eyes and had to bat your wild hair out of my face to see you snoring beside me.”

🏹 But why? Literally nothing he’d just said was attractive. He tilted his head to the side, his tongue pushing into the inside of his cheek, and I realized I’d voiced my question out loud.
“It baffles me how a woman as beautiful and amazing as you can see herself in such poor light.”


🏹 “You want to have sex with me?”
“I want to do a lot of things with you.”

🏹 The man had been working on the baby blanket for me while he waited for me to get off work. God, I was such an asshole

🏹 He caressed his thumbs across my cheeks and down the line of my jaw to press on my chin, forcing my lips apart. “But outside this room, Maddie, you fucking own me. I will worship the very ground you walk on if you’ll only let me.”

🏹 “Tell me you want this.”
“I want this.”
“Tell me you want me.”
I hesitated momentarily, scared to admit it out loud. But in this case—in a purely physical sense—I felt safe admitting at least that truth. “I want you.”

🏹“Tell me you’re mine.”
I smacked at his chest, “Just fuck me already.”
“No.”
“Garrett, please.”
(...)
“Tell me you’re mine, Madison.”
“Goddammit, I’m yours, I’m fucking yours!”

🏹 “I’m not going anywhere, Maddie. I want you; I want everything about you, the good parts, the bad parts, and the annoying as fuck parts, I want it all.”

🏹 I’m not girlfriend material, Garrett. I’m a walking disaster.”
He chuckled, his eyes drifting to watch his thumb wipe a stray tear from my cheek, “Yeah, you are.”
I hiccupped. “Then why are you pushing this? Why do you want it? Have you met you? You could have literally anyone.”
His eyes clashed back with mine, heat and intensity staring into me. “Because I love you.”


🏹 “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m in love with you, and I’m done pretending I’m not.”
“But you said you wouldn’t catch feelings.”
“I lied.”

🏹 “No, baby, I won’t wait for you.”
(...)
“Waiting indicates I’d willingly watch you walk away with the blind hope you’d come back. I won’t do that.”
He tilted my head back, forcing me to stand flush against him. “But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.”
My heart was gone, my ribcage empty.


🏹 Tell me again that you want this, Garrett.”
“I want this.”
I smiled against him, tearing that barrier down piece by piece with both hands. “Tell me you want me.”
He leaned my head back so I was looking at him, and he smirked, fire licking around his irises. “I want you. I’ll tell you every fucking day if you want.”
Rising up onto my toes, I brushed a featherlight kiss to his lips, “Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.”


🏹 Damn, still only a nine? What would make it a ten?”
“Tell me you love me again.”
His hands continued sliding over my ribs, and he smiled against me. “That’s easy then. I love you, fuzzy socks and all.”
My reply poured straight from my chest, no nerves, no second-guessing, no over-thinking. No wall. He was mine. And I’d only ever be his. “I love you, too.”


🏹 His head reared back, and his hands shot up to grip my face and tip it. His chest rose and fell heavily against me, and his eyes were two glittering hazel pools.
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Garrett Rowe.”
He crashed his mouth to mine, sealing my words between us like he needed to taste them on his tongue”

lana ✨

terrible book. wish i could erase it from my memory and then contact the author to ensure they never write again.

macy

fer ❀

jupiter

this was prob a 3 star read idr why i gave it two stars

samantha youngclaus

this was like a mariana zapata book if someone cut out the 200 pages in the middle where the characters got to know each other and also the love interest was never redeemed so he was forever creepy, self-absorbed, aggressive, non communicative, and never apologized despite the fmc’s past with creepy, self-absorbed, aggressive, non communicative men who never apologized so no thanks

PERFECT. AMOUNT. OF. SLOWBURN. 
It wasn’t Mariana Zapatata slow but it was slow enough to keep tension and build up and ugh it was just so freaking perfect.
Garret was next level amazing
I love the single parent trope
The smut scenes>>
I loved her three jobs I loved the whole sugar daddy bit I loved his jealousy , everything was just so amazing.
AND JAMIE AND RUGPANTS ARE THE NEW LOVES OF MY LIFE 
I’m serious this book was just freakishly good and if my review isn’t enough for you to read it maybe this is:
“In here I will take control because you and I both know you need it that way in order to turn your mind off. I will learn your body better than my own and have you writhing and begging me for more. But outside this room, Maddie, you fuck1ng own me. I will worship the very ground you walk on if only you let me.”
Or
“I thought the agreement was no feelings involved?”
“I lied.”

Legit only took 2 hours to read thats how good it was

Sydney Dennisseur 

I loved this book with my entire being. It was the perfect balance of slow and burn. I’ve always had a thing for the single parent trope, especially when the kids tell it like it is. On my top 20 of the year for sure. Also, the fact that she told us what he did to Aaron after he drove him away? Godsend. I am officially a Lillian T. James stand. Especially now that I know this book was loosely based on her. 5/5 stars! You go Lil!❤️‍🔥

Meet Me Halfway

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