ARC Review: Just One More Moment (The Sterling Family #1)

 Just One More Moment (The Sterling Family #1)
Carly Phillips

Blurb:

She thinks happily ever after only happens in romance novels.

He can’t wait to prove her wrong…

Falling in love is not on Raven Walsh’s agenda. Running from her past keeps her way too busy for that. She can, however, handle a friends-with-benefits scenario with the hot billionaire who co-owns The Back Door bar. But trusting him with her heart? Not a chance…

Remington Sterling has had his eye on the smart and sexy Raven since she started waitressing at his bar. He knows she’s gun-shy where relationships are concerned. But he’s ready to do whatever it takes to convince her he’s worth the risk…

When Raven’s secrets catch up to her in a big way, she must decide if the potential cost of trusting Remy is more than she’s willing to pay—and Remy will need to figure out how far he’s willing to go for love…

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I have been looking forward to this new direction from favorite author Carly Phillips since I learned the inside scoop months ago and I am proud to say that she has managed to segue beautifully from a long-running and beloved series into this new and exciting family that I am looking forward to learning all about.  For fans of the Dare World, we recently got to know Remy Sterling very well as he intermingled with Zach Dare and his siblings, being Zach’s best friend and business partner, but a dangerous individual from an affluent family in his own right. It has been fascinating to learn about his family and see where this series will be taking as we come to understand that even though they have always had money, they haven't had it any easier than the rest of us, dealing with loss, fear, and pain.  I am dying to find out more about everyone in his family and see how they cope with the coming changes in their lives, finding love, and finally learning to forgive others and themselves for their pasts.  The next in the series, Remy’s adopted brother Dex is going to be very interesting and I can already tell will be a killer as we get to reunite with a favorite character from the Dare world and see them find love together, hopefully.  Carly truly never ceases to amaze me as she digs into her heart and imagination to bring these characters to life and make them seem so tangible in our hearts.

Remy Sterling has had his eye on Raven Walsh since she began managing his bar and grill and he knows that there could be something special between them, if only she would stop putting up walls between them.  Raven knows that being with Remy would be a danger to him and all those he loves, despite the fact that she wants so badly to be with him.  When he catches her at a week moment she finds it impossible to resist him, but she has her rules and she is determined to keep him at arm’s length.  Then her it begins to look like her past is catching up with her.  The danger she has been hiding from has found her and is taunting and threatening her mentally and physically and there is no way that Remy is going to stand for that. But as the danger escalates so do the emotions for Remy and Raven, until it becomes clear that they are more than just friends with benefits.  Now they just need to survive long enough to have a chance at a future together.

Raven is one of those women that you just know you can be friends with if she would allow herself to relax her guard long enough in order to make friends.  She has been living on the edge for so long, trying to protect those around her from going through what a past friend did that she hasn’t been able to have anyone in her corner or anyone to lean on beyond her brother.  I loved that she finally found a way to release those walls with Remy and that she came to trust him enough to not only protect her but end her torment once and for all. She is a passionate, clever, sweet, and loving sister, aunt, friend, and lover when she is finally given the chance to let go of her fears and seeing her get that chance once she and Remy defeated her tormentor was beautiful. Remy is such a strong, smart, dedicated and loving character, one that I can honestly say I wouldn’t mind having in my life or my bed.  It was obvious from the very beginning that he was going to be a life changing force of good for Raven, but I don’t think she realized just how much he was going to be changing her life when she agreed to a friends with benefits arrangement with a the dominant but sexy man who had become her friend.  Remy is not going to let any danger come to Raven and he is not going to let her pull away from him now that he finally has a chance to prove to her that they can have a happy life together. There was no denying that he had his own ideas of how to get his way, but he didn’t walk over anyone and he cared deeply for not just his family, but his friends and employees, not the least of which was Raven who had stolen his heart.

Just One More Moment is one of those stories that grabs you by the heart strings from the very first words, then tunnels in and refuses to release you until the very end.   I was transfixed as I watched Remy and Raven navigated this sometimes rocky and terrifying relationship as they found a way out of the darkness they’d been living in and into a world where they could openly live together in the light. Raven has lived so long in the shadows of her past, a past that scarred her and left her with very few allies in life and a fear for letting anyone close every again.  Remy has his own darkness in his past, but he has worked hard to atone and move forward, even though it sometimes still colors his relationship choices.  Together they can conquer their problems and defeats the enemy that is out to prevent them from ever having their HEA, but the trust that they have to share is one that neither of them have ever had in a partner and it has to come quickly.  The passion is there and the friendship is slowly growing, but the love is one that takes a bit of time and when is finally flourishes we know that no evil will ever stop it or knock it down. I loved every moment of this story and cannot wait for Dex’s story (Just One MoreDare) because I know that one is going to be explosive.  Carly has truly outdone herself with this new series and she is just starting!

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.