Reviews

“Awake and Second Chances are sooo good! I love the relationship between Lori and Brandon and the continuous growth throughout the two books. Lori finding her independence in the second book is brilliantly done as her life unfolds with the chance of a new life with Brandon. Overall, I love the story and the pace of both reads. Battalia is a great writer and storyteller and it is shown throughout both reads. Readers of romance will love this book and find themselves wanting more after the second book! Add this to your TBR, you won’t want to miss out on this one!” See review and author interview >

★★★★★

This story is sexy and romantic. I love the characters. The characters are full of depth and definition… I got to experience and see Lori’s growth from pampered, stay at home mom to the trials of life as a single mom. The fears and tears. I liked Brandon’s character. He is well-rounded and has learned to take care of his daughter while working. He has also learned to be ok with what he has. I loved the story, it was very emotional and the characters were full of depth. I highly recommend.

★★★★★

This cozy romance read is perfect for the winter season. We follow the main character- Lori and her story. The character development is wonderful. The elements are induced at the right time and it all develops very seamlessly. I absolutely loved this book.” See full review and review of Second Chances >

★★★★

Passion is not exclusive to the young. It’s refreshing to find a romance with characters I can relate to on so many levels. It was so easy to connect with Lori and Brandon. I’ve been that single parent dealing with divorce. I’ve also been that same single parent trying to navigate life and make the right decisions for my children as well as myself, and I’ve been that woman who found the other half of her heart living miles and miles away. There were definitely some differences, but there were many similarities as well, and this story pulled me in and held on tight. Another refreshing thing about this book is that it’s not just an erotic romance – there’s a lot of story here, and it doesn’t depend entirely on the sexual side to move things forward. I’m excited to move on to the next book to see how things come out for this pair. The writing is top-notch and the pacing is steady, making this one hard to put down.

★★★★

This was a truly heated and engaging erotic romance novel. The author did an incredible job of capturing the passion and emotional atmosphere that brews between this new couple. The reality of life after divorce or being a single parent was explored thoroughly here and added a level of tension that spoke to the growing relationship between the protagonists.” See full review and interview with author >

★★★★★

A sizzling steamy page turner. This story surprisingly has real emotion. It’s also fast paced. I was done before I knew it. You will find both Lori and Brandon on similar paths… It’s fun and sexy to watch them work through their past and try to figure out their future. I like how his family is a big part of him and Lori being together. I liked the different family dynamics and seeing it from different points of views… I look forward to continuing their story in book two. I enjoyed the writing style of Lisa Battalia. She taps into the raw emotion and vulnerability of being left by a partner and the excitement and attraction of meeting a new someone special. And then to showcase the difficulty of being intimate when families with teens are involved. I really enjoyed the torrid sex scenes and the heart bumping role playing in the book. Never did it feel nasty just yummy.

★★★★★

Battalia has an incredible writing style that approaches older adults that can relate to the story. I really enjoyed the storyline of this book and finished it so quickly. It’s a short read with a very fast pacing. This book was told from a couple’s perspective and how each has to navigate through their life… The romance was great and steamy which was perfect for this book. The ending was well done with the reader wanting to read the second one right away. I totally recommend checking this book out because it’s a great read and I know that many readers out here can relate to the book.

★★★★

I have to commend the author for going with characters who were the typical age for romance. It’s refreshing to read about a couple who is closer to my age range. What I also appreciate is the fact that both of these characters felt relatable. What they’re going through is something that so many of us do. Dealing with a divorce after a long relationship that includes kids is a reservation for the struggle bus. I felt connected to Lori as she navigated her life post-relationship. There were those honest and heartfelt feelings shared. Her inner dialog felt solid and honest. Something that isn’t always conveyed with stories like this. I felt for her and she navigated it all. Then also with Brandon and him having to make hard choices. The insight into what it’s like for the male side and having to deal with or manage his life the same. Coming back together and trying to solidify their new lives isn’t easy. But it felt real and not just put out there and fixed with a band-aid. Instead, they have to figure it all out together too. Having put so much on hold, I was rooting for Lori to find her happiness within herself. I thought this was a well-done book with an interesting look into midlife romance indeed. I’m looking forward to book 2, to see how their love affair continues.

★★★★

This second Midlife Romance book is just as delicious as the first, and I love that these characters are so relatable. I don’t find that often, and it made it pretty easy to just get lost in the story. This is an erotic romance, but Lisa Battalia doesn’t skimp on the feels. Character growth is another area where this author excels. Lori and Brandon have so much to work through, both together and separately, and the growth was so familiar to me. I remember being in those shoes and so many times feeling like I was barely keeping my head above water. So, in case it isn’t obvious, I was completely invested in the couple. I wanted to see them find their happy ever after in each other as well as Lori finding her inner strength. I won’t go into the details – you’ll just have to see for yourself. I’d certainly recommend both Awake and Second Chances. You really need both to get the full impact, and they are so worth the read.” Full Review >

★★★★