Holding Out
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4.4 • 38 Ratings
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
She wants him to be her first. He’s willing to help her out. Only now he can’t stop wanting more.
The answer has to be no, of course. No way Griff Ambrose is going to help Becca Drake lose her virginity. Sure, she’s beautiful and hot as hell, but she’s his friend’s little sister. And Griff won’t ever risk being hurt again the way he was the day he came home from war to find his house empty and his wife gone. But he can’t get Becca’s request—or pretty much anything else about her—out of his head.
Becca has turned her life around, and she’s proud of how much butt she’s kicking. There’s just one more demon she has to exorcise: her virginity. Griff is the perfect candidate to do the deed: He’s her friend, he knows how to get her going with a glance, and neither of them wants anything serious. Until Becca takes a job at the veterans’ retreat where Griff works. Now she and Griff can’t stay out of each other’s way. Worst of all, it’s getting harder and harder for Becca and Griff to lie to themselves about what they really want...
“I loved this book. A friends-to-friends-with-benefits-to-lovers romance that is fun, sweet and heartfelt with fantastic characters and a sexy and emotional love story, I was completely hooked!” —Escapist Book Blog
“Wow. This was such a great book! I loved that both Griff & Becca had to work on themselves before they could find their HEA. I also loved that they both saw the best in each other, and had more faith in the other person than themselves. I didn’t want to put the book down!!” —Messy Bun Book Blog
“A wonderfully emotional and captivating romance, Holding Out by Serena Bell is truly a lovely read. It’s well-written, absolutely charming, incredibly touching, and so beautiful in many ways.” —Sincerely Karen Jo
“This was a great story. I loved the banter. These characters so obviously should be together. The pace was good, the heat was such a good build, and goes great with the series.” —Kitty’s Book Spot
“5 Steamy Stars! <3 If you are looking for a great book full of romance and good background stories then I would highly recommend reading this book and any other by the author!” —Jackie’s Book World
“I absolutely loved Holding Out! Griff and Becca’s story was just wonderful. It was sexy, funny, and fun.” —Becky on Books and Quilts
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bell's fourth Returning Home contemporary (after To Have and to Hold) provides a super-steamy pairing of heartsore protagonists struggling to put their painful pasts behind them. Becca Drake, 24, is determined to reinvent herself from an insecure child into a confident, self-assured woman. Part of her transformation includes losing her virginity, but she can't find any man capable of helping her out, until she remembers her brother's best friend. Divorced Army veteran Griff Ambrose has pledged never to lose his heart again, but he's willing to consider Becca's request, not least because he can't stand the thought of some other guy touching her. Then she starts working alongside Griff and his friends at a retreat for veterans with PTSD. Forced into close quarters, Griff and Becca find their one-time arrangement developing into a consuming passion. Though Griff's PTSD is more described than felt, both protagonists demonstrate real emotional growth, making their journey together as personal and profound as it is pleasurable. This sultry novel packs a surprising emotional punch that will please both the author's fans and newcomers. (BookLife)
Customer Reviews
Haolding Out
Griff Ambrose is a former Green Beret, working at a veteran’s retreat started by his best friends. The work is good, and they understand his occasional bouts of PTSD, and help him work through it. While he’s with great friends, their spouses and a family like atmosphere, he wishes he could have the same. His dreams of family were shattered when he returned from deployment to find his wife, Marina, had emptied the house of all her things, a note left for him that she wanted a divorce. He still hasn’t recovered, and tends to do a lot of one night stands with no commitment to forget her, or try.
Becca Drake is young beautiful woman, living in Seattle, but since the salon she works for as a receptionist is closing, looking for a new job. Visiting her sister and all her sisters friends always cheers her up, especially seeing Griff. She has a problem she thinks he would be the perfect person to resolve. She’s a virgin, wants to to move on with her life, and trusts Griff to be the perfect guy.....”one and done” as far as she is concerned. Griff is really attracted to her, but since her sister is one of his best friends, he thinks it would be a big problem. Becca understands, but really wants this done, and says she’ll find someone else. Griff was not going to let that happen!
Griff makes the whole experience perfect, but somehow one and done just doesn’t seem right. They spend more time together and realize maybe committing to another person might work. But the past creeps in and ruins Becca new found confidence.
A wonderful contemporary romance, can be a stand alone, but the series is a great read. The romance is sweet, lots of laughs, and an adorable little guy names Robbie.