Very good addition to the series :)

4 stars

This was a very good story. I wasn't sure if I'd like Cher and Merry as a couple but once I started reading I found that I really like them together.

Cher has had a rough life but has made the best she could out of what she has. Cher got pregnant at a young age by her boyfriend who then took all her money and ran out on her. She didn't have much so she became a stripper in order to give her son, Ethan, the best life she could. Then she fell for a man that she thought was good but ended up being a serial killer (see book #1 in the series, For You). While that sucked, she found friends and a better life as a result but she didn't have a man and figured she'd never be lucky enough to actually find a good man that would love her.

Merry is a police officer and the brother to Rocky (the heroine from book #3, Golden Trail). He was married but divorced his wife, Mia due to some issues left over from childhood trauma. The whole town thought that Mia was Merry's "one" and many thought they'd eventually get back together.

When the story begins, Merry is in J&Js (a bar that Cher works in) drinking after hearing that Mia is engaged to marry another man. Cher is working and her and Merry are friends and have been for years. She is supportive of him and makes him realize that maybe the issues with his Ex weren't all his problem and maybe they weren't such a perfect match after all. As a result, they end up spending a night together and have a night of awesome sex. The problem is that Merry thinks that Cher will be ok going on as just friends (and I wasn't too happy with Merry because of how he handled things at first). Cher has loved Merry for years but is sure a "woman like her" won't get more so she tries to be the best friend she can be to him.

Something changes though and Merry decides that maybe he wants more with Cher after all...the problem now becomes that Cher is stuck in the mindset that Merry only wants her for sex and nothing else. Merry ends up having some problems trying to get her to believe they could have more. With some time and a good amount of effort, Merry gets in there but it's not easy and they both are broken in certain ways so they have to work hard not to screw things up between them. Their situation isn't helped by (among other things) the fact that when Mia realizes that Merry is moving on, she's not happy about it and does her best to impede their growing relationship. Regardless of their issues (both internal and external) Merry and Cher do their best to work through things together and make things work between them. They have some drama and a bit of danger to deal with but in the end, they get their HEA together.

I enjoyed this story very much. I really liked Merry and Cher together. As secondary characters in previous books, I liked them alright but I wasn't as excited for their book as I have been for others. Once I got the feel of them together, I found that I really liked them as a couple and was rooting for them to get their happy ending. While not perfect, the story was pretty good and gave a good platform for Merry and Cher's growing relationship. I'd recommend this story. :D

16 people found this helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

Great finale to this series. Cher & Merry NEEDED their own book. I loved this couple but I loved Ethan the most. I have a soft spot for Kristen Ashley after this series especially since I love single parent mature books and she is amazing at that for sure. The epilogue was PERFECT!!! I loved getting the future scope on all the couples and their children. I feel like they are family and I didn't miss out on anything!

The narration was good, she was exactly what Cher & Merry were in my head.

7 people found this helpful

I seriously Cannot Love Kristen Ashley Books More

You know when you hear about a book or movie coming out and get are really excited because you are sure it is going to be something you enjoy. Then when if finally comes out, there is a bit of apprenetion because you are not sure it will live up to all the expectations you have set. Well I am here to say, I did that for this book and it still exceeded my expectations, and the bar was really high. This is a repeat list for me for sure. I savored this book, since it is the last, and in some ways my favorite of the 'burg stories. I highly recommend this one and anything else with Kristen Ashley's name on it. You cannot go wrong here.

7 people found this helpful

Yes!!! 5 plus stars...

The novel is good, it's great actually. But the epilogue is over the top, absolutely wonderful. For the true burg fans it's all you could ask for! I listened to it twice & cried and laughed both times! Thankful for KA and her amazing gift.

5 people found this helpful

Just as I adored the written version, I LOVED the

The narrator of Hold On was perfect for me. Erin Bennett’s intonations were spot on. She handled male and female voices with care, avoiding caricatures. There are many characters in a KA book. The narrator didn’t get hung up on that. She didn’t try to “sound like a man” or completely alter her voice during a dialogue to designate a different character. Rather, with a slight tone change she fluidly went through the dialogue and continued the story. With one exception. Ryker. He was portrayed on one tone, one emotion – anger. While he is a force of nature, and intense, I didn’t *read* all of his parts as anger. So this was a different take on his character.

The audio experience gave clarity to some of the written word that I found confusing as I read.

The narrator was hilarious! She accurately portrayed in her voice the humor written by Kristen Ashley. As well, she captured the emotionality of the story perfectly!

4 people found this helpful

Once Again KA!!

I have read/listen to most of KA's books and I just love her writing. I love the way she ties all of her characters together. Her characters are people (human, flawed and real). I am so going to miss her until the next book.

4 people found this helpful

Tugged at the Heartstrings *sigh*

Any additional comments?

I LOVED this whole series and Kristen Ashley never disappoints me. Hold on, is a perfect end to the burg series! I recommend everyone to read it. it was as Kristen Ashley said "Based in my hometown of Brownsburg, Indiana, The ‘Burg Series is six books following the interweaving tales of friends, family, love and crime in a small town." You will fall deeply in love with the characters and go through a roller coaster of emotions and come out inspired!

3 people found this helpful

Pure Kristen Ashley Gold

Hold On was outstanding. Easily a 10-star read. Pure Kristen Ashley gold. Absolutely LOVED it.

The epilogue was pure magic and totally amazing.

2 people found this helpful

Dusty vs. Cher

Overall good story. Loved hearing about how other characters in the series are doing. Only complaint is that Cheryl's character was so close to Dusty's character that I sometimes got confused.

1 person found this helpful

Signed, Sealed and Delivered...

It is as I stated it in the title of this review. I don't know which is fabulous, Merry and Chers' story, or the stories of all the characters from the previous books and the children they are blessed with. Even though, the drama is still ever present, bad men abound, murder and mayhem too, but the romance is thick in the air. There is also one theme I adored in KA's books, the absolute loyalty of her heroes to the heroines. There is always, almost no cheating on the part of the Hs. They never give room to it. They shot it down firmly. No give.The epilogue is like another story. It is like 15-17 years down the road. The kids are now getting married, or dating. Even Jack Colton, Feb's and Colt's son. Lastly Ethan, mama's boy got married. This is why reading is my passion. I got to lead a charmed life through my favorite characters. Thanks KA for another memorable journey. 'Merci'.

1 person found this helpful