I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed reading this. I felt like Holly was genuine as a character and it got into the story fairly quickly. Although there was information bout past events, it didn't feel like a dump of back story like it can in some books.

There were plenty of moments of humor and even though it was a little predictable, it was still enjoyable. I liked Ciaran and Holly together and enjoyed their exchanges.

My one complaint is that the end of the novel was tied up reaaaaaaaly quickly. I mean, one minute there is action, and then next minute they are fast forwarding a month or so. It was really weird. And I didn't feel like I got to see enough of them really developing because a lot of it was from third party report of other characters like Penny and Mary. I wanted to hear some of the long conversation they shared that was alluded to.

Overall, it was a pleasant book and a quick read. I left it on the plane to Oregon, so hopefully someone else will give it a chance now :)

First of let me say that I loved this cover. Nine times out of ten I will buy a book or just select a book off a bookshelf at the bookstore due to the cover. Awesome cover but just an average romance book to read.

This book centers around Holly Jefferson. Holly owns her own bakery and is still reeling from the death of her husband Charlie after a horrible accident. It has been really hard on Holly to get on with her life knowing that her and Charlie had so many dreams that were left unfulfilled. Due to one of her clients Holly meets Ciaran Argyll. Ciaran inexplicable falls for Holly and the entire book really is about Holly trying to let Ciaran in to her life.

The good parts of this novel for me was definitely the writing. The way that Anouska Knight slowly lets the reader find out that Holly's husband Charlie has died was well done. Also we have intermixed dreams of Holly where she is still with Charlie and happy. Those parts of the book just broke my heart. Also Holly admitting why she hasn't fixed up her home and how right now she is just going through the motions so her sister and brother in law don't worry about her.

Though those parts of the book I found to be written quite well the entire courtship of Holly by Ciaran just didn't ring true at all. Not be all "Fifty Shades of Grey" about it but a millionaire playboy that can have any woman in the world picks a random woman who runs a bakery?

And no I am not saying that a millionaire playboy won't just meet a random woman and be totally into her but you have to make me believe that it can happen while reading your book. It drove me nuts that most of Holly's personality just read as bland to me. She has an assistant named Jess that is behind the most creative cakes her bakery does so I can't even say that Holly is somehow a baking genius. She describes herself in fairly ordinary terms and just leaves it at that. I am not saying the woman must be drop dead gorgeous but her personality was boring and besides her being a challenge to Ciaran I really didn't see what about her appealed to him.

That said Ciaran also reminded me of Christian Grey by being at times a stalker and also just pushy about everything going on in Holly's life. There is an incident where Ciaran decides to take it upon himself to change something quite huge in Holly's life and gets mad at her for rightfully being mad that he inserted himself into something that she didn't ask him to. I don't find pushy jerky men to be attractive in my romance reads. It just sets me off since makes me hope that the hero gets hit by a bus so the heroine can go off into the sunset.

I think the overall point of this book was a good one. How do you go on with your life when the love of your life is gone. I just wish that I had seen more of a personality from the main heroine and that the main hero didn't just give me bad "Fifty Shades of Grey" vibes.

Please note that I received "Since You've Been Gone" for free via the Amazon Vine Program.

"A thrilling debut"?? A harlequin romance

This book was maddening.

I must begin by saying that I tried and tried and tried and then tried some more to get into this book. It just did not pull me in. Not at all! I was so disappointed. It was outright boring. It took too long to draw my attention, and I could not even make myself want to go further. This has happened to me so few times, but seriously, this was not my cup of tea. Sorry but no.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to review this title via NetGalley. The critique I have offered is honest.

Rating: Unable to rate
Status: Attempted read but (unable to finish)
Recommend: No
Bookshelf Worthy: No
Other: Laborious read; great cover

I have been gravitating towards books that focus on bakeries or any type of sweet shop. I find these stories charming and sometimes there are bonuses with yummy recipes in the back of the books. Well this book started out ok. I went along reading the book and got about half way when I was like what am I reading. There was no redeeming qualities about any of the characters, the storyline was nothing special and I was not feeling any chemistry between Holly and Ciaran what so ever. They were both off putting. Holly for being condescending to Ciaran and others that were of higher status then her. Ciaran for having the attitude of wealth and just thinking that he can make any comments he wants and get away with it. No thanks. I felt no need to continue with this book.

3.5 stars, it was sweet, I found the MC much more appealing and interesting as a character than the love interest, who fell totally short and dull for me. But, i wanted them together because she wanted them, if that makes sense. She pulled the story through for me, and i read it for her and her perspective.

Meh. Cute, but somewhat unbelievable.

It was a cute, fast read. I enjoyed the characters (especially the minor ones like Jess and Penny). If you are looking for something to take your mind off of life for a bit that is fun and doesn't insult your intelligence, its a nice read.