Amazing Best Friends Romance

Ok, I know another Becker brother had stolen my heart, but Manhattan is now my favorite book in this series. I adored Kylie and Michael. They were really great friends and Kylie was seriously the best person ever. She cared so much about Michael and his family. The love she had for him ran so deep. Even though all his pain and seeing him with another girl and getting his heartbroken, she stayed by his side. This story was just so darn cute and I loved it. I can't help it.

Chelsea Hatfield was great as Kylie and something about her voice just felt so homey and small town. I felt like I really listening to the real Kylie with her innocence and chipper personality. I could feel myself listening to that bright, sweet, and gentle girl. Edward Thomas was awesome as Michael. Loved his voice for sure.

This was a stellar listen and I am tempted to listen again considering I finished this audiobook in one day.

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Bittersweet and slow-burning

It was a treat every time I pick up a Kandi Steiner book. As per usual, I patiently waited until the weekend before I dare to dive into Manhattan because I knew I would be totally consumed and rendered useless to the world once I started. This bittersweet slow-burning friends to lovers romance didn’t disappoint and gave me all the feels. There were no twisty drama or life/death moments, yet this book had simply captured my heart with beautiful words and realistic characters that evoked an abundance of emotions in me. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, and I swooned throughout the entire book. Mikey and Kylie’s story was pure and heartfelt and I loved every minute of it.

Mikey, the youngest of the Becker brother, was young, heartbroken and lost. My heart ached for him; losing your first love was definitely painful. It was grateful that he had a loving mom, supportive brothers and an selfless best friend, Kylie. Kylie was a beautiful soul. I felt awful that she was in love with her best friend but he was oblivious of her affection. I admired her strength and determination to help Mikey find his true self before he made a life changing decision. I loved the dynamics between the couplethey were candid, natural and real. There were no awkwardness when they shifted from friends to lovers, only righteousness.

As for the ongoing side plot within the series, we moved forward a little in solving the mystery of the Becker father’s death. Jordan might be the key to solve the great mystery and I’m so excited for his book that would be coming up next.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Kandi Steiner. She has the gift of using her words to make me feel the love, the pain, the longing, the sweetness, and the joy of romance. If you haven’t read any work from Kandi, start with the Becker Brothers series and you’ll not be disappointed.

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Time to binge read a new author!

5 stars!

My first book by this author and I’m so ready to binge read her backlist!

I started with book 3 and apparently there is an ongoing mystery throughout this series regarding the death of the Becker brothers’ father. Despite starting on book 3, I didn’t feel lost at all.

Manhattan was the perfect best friends to lovers story! Fresh out of high school, Michael Becker is determined to leave his small town and head to the Big Apple (New York) in order to escape memories of his first love. Kiley, Miley’s best friend, has been secretly in love with him her whole life and is determined to convince him to stay.

What follows is a summer of adventures, trips down memory lane, revelations, and romantic love. Throw in a dash of drama, some hallmark worthy groveling, and we have a winner!

Loved.

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audio books 1 through 3 have been great.

love the Becker Brothers now on to book 4 . great story can't wait till the ending of what happened to their father

More of a YA book

I have enjoyed this series but this one felt more YA to me. I had to scroll past the sex parts because it seemed weird to read about 18 year old having sex, yes I'm old. I am excited about the last book in the series and to finally find out what they found on the laptop. Good series, good writing.

Not for me

I knew from the blurb that I wasn't going to like this story, but I couldn't miss it, because I've read previous 2 book, and I'm interested in reading Jordan's story, so I felt obligated to read this.
I don't like when main characters in my books are in love with someone else, and that was the case here. I don't like when the girl saves herself for someone, and that someone isn't interested in her. More than the half of the book, Michael was pining after his ex. And when he and Kylie got together, I didn't buy their love. I wasn't rooting for them, and I'm so sad.
I didn't like Kylie, and Michael was too weak for my taste. l especially didn't like the drama near the end. I knew something had to happen, but I think there was a better way to handle it.
I loved both narrators, they were great.

Mature readers will also enjoy- best of series!

I am a mature reader and wrinkled my nose when I saw book #3 was about the youngest brother - I had hoped the author would let him grow up a bit first. I decided to listen anyway, because I enjoyed the first two, and wanted to continue in the series. I was surprised, even though I usually don't like books that feature "barely adults," this was my favorite of the series so far! However, I think part of the reason is because these two don't act like young fools. They've been through a lot in life, so they have a maturity beyond their years. The writing is actually a bit mature for the characters, but it worked for me.

What I really liked - This is a very sweet (I don't mean PG, there are some R scenes) story about friendship turning into more. The long-term friendship of two kids who bond over their common experience of losing a parent is touching. The characters are both really likeable and believable. She's a bit of a nerd wallflower, he's a musician. It's also about that first love that captures your heart and makes you act stupid.

What I didn't like - If I had a critique, it would be how mature these two act. The deep conversations they have, the self-awareness, the emotional intelligence - it's not that of 18 year olds, even very mature ones. The book cover presented also makes them look 30ish. The story fits early adult, but the characters fit 30ish. Again, since I'm a mature reader, it actually worked for me.

Narration - Pretty darn good.

Adult content - Light but there. I only recall one truly descriptive scene of intimacy. It's written in a lovely manner. Two young people, in love, exploring and learning in a way that is planned, respectful and passionate. Contains mature themes, such as dealing with the loss of a loved one, getting over a broken heart, and having to chose between your needs and those of others.

Well done Kandi!

For every girl who swore she wasn’t the girl that gets the guy

I didn’t expect this new adult story to tip at my heart in a very adult way. In a lot of places I wanted to slap Mikey upside the head, to tell Kylie to chill even the slightest, but that’s the thing about immaturity - you don’t have the scars yet. You don’t have the knee jerk reactions to pull away and protect. And when the person who delivers those injuries that cause those scars is your best friend, the wounds are so very much deeper.

Mikey and Kylie both had so much to learn (they still do) and it hurts to live through learning with them - but it hurts in a hopeful way because you know that’s why you read this genre. Things WILL be ok. And they are more than ok. I wish we all had the amazing supportive families these characters do; they see their families as perpetually broken, split by losses from a decade ago that caused hollows that will never be filled, even if the sharp edges dull the slightest bits over time. But I see them as survivors with the strongest bonds and hearts a person could ask for.

Maybe it’s the highest compliment to tell an author I did not read this book; I lived it. And I’m better for it.

ok

Manhattan is the third book in the Becker Brothers series, but can be read as a standalone. I was wondering where Kandi was going to Michael and his story. I do recommend reading the other books as it will bring context around Michael and his previous relationship and also everything going on with his dad. This one hit me a little harder since it does deal more with the father of the boys. It is approaching ten years since the death of their father. This weekend is the 17 years ago when I lost my own father. I think I just connected with this one more than I did book two. I do wish we could have gotten more of Michael falling for Kylie. We really see how much Kylie has always loved him. One day he just decides he wanted more. I would have liked a little more build up around his emotions about everything that was going on. This series has been pretty good, but I feel something is missing compared to every other Kandi book I have read. So far, I feel all three are pretty similar and did not bring anything that was not expected. I just expect more. Do not get me wrong, I am still enjoying them! I just usually an blown away and these are just not taking me there. I am excited to see what happens with Jordan and his story. He may be the brother I am most looking forward too!

Young adult romance

I liked this book but the characters, Mike and Kylie were young. This is definitely a New Adult kind of book. Mike just broke up with his love and Kylie and he were best friends forever. She's been in love with him forever but he didn't see her that way. Until he does. But can they take the risk to their friendship? I loved their relationship and their growth but again, these characters were young and I hoped that their romantic relationship would have begun when they were more mature. But it was great to see them evolve and I loved the glimpse into the other family, as well as more info about the mystery behind the Becker Brothers' dad's death.

I listened to the audiobook and the cast was great. The male narrator, Edward Thomas, sounded young enough to play Mikey and Chelsea Hatfield did well too. They played their characters and others well enough to keep me interested in listening.