*~*Love Notes: Manning to Lake – Something in the Way Series by Jessica Hawkins*~*
An epic, three-book saga of forbidden love coming 2017.
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents’ house. Under the sweat and dirt, Manning Sutter was as handsome as the sun was bright. He was older, darker, experienced. I wore a smiley-face t-shirt and had never even been kissed. Yet we saw something in each other that would link us in ways that couldn’t be broken…no matter how hard we tried.
I loved Manning before I knew the meaning of the word. I was too young, he said. I would wait. Through all the carefully-chosen words hiding what we knew to be true, through his struggle to keep me innocent, and through infinitely-starry nights—I would wait. But I’d learn that life isn’t always fair. That no matter how much you achieve, none of it matters if you suffer the heartbreak that comes with falling for someone you can never have. Because even though I saw Manning first, that didn’t matter. My older sister saw him next.
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If I closed my eyes, I could still see them—all blonde sunshine, ocean-blue eyes, and long limbs. The glint of Lake’s gold bracelet. Pink cotton candy on Tiffany’s tongue. My scenery may have changed from heaven to hell, but some things never would: my struggle to do right by both sisters. To let Lake soar. To lift Tiffany up. The sacrifices I made for them, I made willingly.
A better man would’ve walked away by now, but I never claimed to be any good. I only promised myself I’d keep enough distance. If I’d learned one thing from my past, it was that love came in different forms. You could love passionately, hurt deep, die young. Or you could provide the kind of firm, steady support someone else could lean on.
Lake was everything I wanted, and nothing I could ever have. I was nobody before I knew her and a criminal after. The way to love her was to let her shine—even if it would be for somebody else.
Book two in the Something in the Way series.
The highly anticipated conclusion to the Something in the Way series, a forbidden love saga.
Lake
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents’ house. If I’d known then what I do now, would I have kept on walking? Manning was older, darker, experienced—and I’d trusted him when he said the story would only ever be about us. I’d held those words close and challenged fate, but I had lost.A part of me is still that sixteen-year-old girl squinting up at Manning, but no matter how far I fall or high I soar, I’ll always be a bird without her bear and nothing without him.
Manning
When I close my eyes, I can no longer see her. The decisions I made were to push Lake in the right direction—away from me. But now that she’s gone, would I have made those same choices?I’d walked away like I was supposed to. I’d kept my distance. I’d bent over backward to keep Lake pure, but she’s no longer that girl, and I don’t know if I can stay away anymore. I only know I don’t want to. She’s still everything I want and nothing I should ever have, but if anyone can move the stars, it’s her great bear in the sky.
The final book in the Something in the Way series, a love saga.
Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .
A home he built us on the unshakeable foundation we fought for.
A life of laughter carved out of heartache and betrayal.
A love story to stand the test of time.But between a trust that can’t be broken, joy that can’t be bridled, and passion that would scorch the sun, the empty spaces are becoming more and more difficult to ignore . . .
Fears that keep Manning up at night as he slips from our bed.
Our complicated relationship with a man he respects and one I don’t know how to forgive.
And a sprawling, beautiful home with one small room I’m afraid I’ll never be able to fill.Manning and I have what happily-ever-after is made of . . .
But I’ll beg the heavens for just one thing more.
Manning’s note is fantastic…love it so much!
Keep reading to see the full Love Note!
Lake,
You and I have encountered angry oceans. Bottomless lakes. Endless skies. We’ve stood side by side and felt miles apart from each other.
But I like to think nothing else could’ve prepared us.
Only the vastness of the universe—of an angry, bottomless, and endless existence. Only an elusive fate and unshakable destiny. They’re why we are who we are today. We needed greatness to test us and to help us comprehend the love between us. Because it’s too big. At times, too hard. And undoubtedly, it is worth living and dying for.
If it were easy, we wouldn’t be us. Maybe you still would’ve soared without me, but me? You were my only chance at happiness. Just as I whispered to you in front of friends and family years ago: you saved me, Birdy.
I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Manning
Jessica Hawkins is an Amazon bestselling author known for her “emotionally gripping” and “off-the-charts hot” romance. Dubbed “queen of angst” by both peers and readers for her smart and provocative work, she’s garnered a cult-like following of fans who love to be torn apart…and put back together.
She writes romance both at home in California and around the world, a coffee shop traveler who bounces from café to café with just a laptop, headphones, and coffee cup. She loves to keep in close touch with her readers, mostly via Facebook, Instagram, and her mailing list.
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I just wanted to say Jessica I love this series, I love Lake and Manning and gave me inspiration, I cried I laughed I was sad I was angry I wanted to punch somebody but all in all it was a lovely story of Faith courage and Triumph, and I’m so glad I got to read these books and now I’m waiting on for the last one to come Lake and Manny
One of my favorite couples! Love them
I love Lake and Manning SO much ??
My favorite couple… My favorite book bf and book gf… 🙂