Everything to Lose

Newberry Springs Series, Book 1

De: Harlow James

Narrado por: Angelina Rocca, Dane Anderson

You’ve heard the story about the best friends since childhood, the boy and girl who secretly love each other but are too scared to admit it, right?

Well, have you heard the one where the twin brother of the boy steps in and kisses the girl to make his brother jealous?
No?

Then let me enlighten you.

Wyatt Gibson has been my best friend since we were in diapers, and I’ve loved him since we were ten.

But when Wyatt left for college and I stayed back in our hometown of Newberry Springs, Texas, I gave up on the idea of us ever ending up together, even though he kissed me the night before he left.

Flashforward eight years and now I’m helping him run his business as I dance around the fact that I’m hopelessly in love with him and probably always will be.

But giving in to those feelings means risking everything dear to me in my life—his family, which is very much my own, and a lifelong friendship that I cherish more than wondering what it would be like to be his in every way.

Life was normal until Wyatt’s twin brother, Walker, decided he was tired of us tiptoeing around each other, and devised a plan to make Wyatt admit his feelings as well.

So he kissed me.

And even though I knew it would hurt Wyatt, it felt good to play with fire—to go against the safe boundaries that I’ve lived my life within out of fear of everything changing.

But everything did change.

Everything became hazy and dangerous all at once.

And suddenly, I went from having everything…to having everything to lose.

©2023 Harlow James Publishing LLC (P)2024 Harlow James Publishing LLC

Great start to this series

This is book 1 in the Newberry Springs series. The series follows the Gibson brothers.

We start with Wyatt Gibson, the youngest, by only a few minutes. Although he's a twin, his best friend since he was a child, is Kelsea. She's grown up with the Gibson brothers, almost like one of the family.

Now they are 26 and the feelings they both have had can no longer be denied. Can you love your best friend or does it ruin everything? Not so Spoiler Alert: It makes it better.

Wyatt and Kelsea work together, they spend much of their off time together, Kelsea is invited to his family's home just as much as he is. As intertwined as their lives are, is anyone surprised to find there's more there?

There's a good amount of fun banter with all the brothers, and Kelsea's friend Evelyn. There's a nice amount of heat and spice, and some emotions to hit you when you're not looking.

The narration you ask? The narration was amazing!! They totally wrapped you up in this story and took you on the ride with them.

Friends to lovers

Welcome to Newberry Springs. Wyatt and Kelsea have been friends since early childhood, inseparable. That was until Wyatt went off to college. Fast forward he has a successful bar/ restaurant and Kelsea works for him and still in the friend zone. Wyatt is kind of forced to see what’s in front of him, and finally admits his feelings for Kelsea. But now Kelsea has a decision, just when she has decided to go and do something for herself, Walker finally confesses his feelings. Oh my goodness the push and pull but so worth it. I had the pleasure of getting an ALC narrated by Dane Anderson and Angelina Rocca. They did a fantastic job with all the characters in this series. This was a perfect duo match for this series.

Loved Wyatt & Kelsea!

I listened to the audiobook of this and the narrators did such a good job. Dane Anderson’s voice is so deep and growly and perfect. Angelina Rocca has the sweetest voice and they both did so great bringing the characters to life. I have never listened to anything by either narrator and I was pleasantly surprised.

Wyatt & Kelsea have been best friends since they were kids. They both secretly crushed on each other for a while but both were too afraid to admit it. Wyatt's twin brother, Walker, decided he was tired of waiting around for them to realize their feelings for each other so he wanted to help along the process. So what did Walker do? He kissed Kelsea right in front of Wyatt. And boy did that get things rolling! This was the perfect example of a friends to lovers story. Their deep love, history and connection for each other really helped when it came down to a romantic relationship. Their love story was so beautiful. What's better than being in love with your best friend?

I wouldn't say there is a 3rd act break-up... just a 3rd act miscommunication. I hate miscommunication tropes so it kind of annoyed me but Wyatt got his act together and they figured it out.

Thank you to Harlow James & the Author Agency for this ALC. This is my honest review!

Friends to Lovers!

Everything to Lose by @harlowjamesauthor

Newberry Springs Book 1

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kelsea has been in love with her best friend since they were kids. The problem is if things end horribly she won’t only lose her best friend but her second family.

I really enjoyed reading Kelsea and Wyatt’s story. I always have trouble trying to figure out how to show you why I enjoyed a book without adding spoilers, so I will just give you the tropes that go along with the book.

Tropes:
•Meddlesome Twin Brother
•Workplace Romance
•Small Town
•Forced Proximity
•Childhood Friends to Lovers

I can’t wait to read Forrest and Walker’s stories, especially the grump that is Forrest!

The perfect small town, angsty second chance.

This was the sweetest, most heartwarming friends to lovers story and I absolutely loved Wyatt and Kelsea's journey. Harlow James does romance like a boss!

Wyatt and Kelsea were childhood best friends that fell in love with each other at a young age, neither realizing at the time what that would come to mean many years later, they are the very definition of soulmates.

I'm usually a jump right into the fire type of reader but the slow burn and angst between Wyatt and Kelsea was absolutely perfect for their story because when the chemistry hit it's breaking point the fire burned bright. I wasn't expecting Wyatt to be such a possessive alpha but I was here for it! You'll need a fan for that shower scene! Whoo Weee!!!

It came down to who was going to break first because the feelings they had for each other were clear to everyone but them. Walker was a genius with his little plan to push his twin brother to finally get his girl. The growling from Wyatt was priceless and HOT!

Throwing caution to the wind and going for it was hard for Wyatt and Kelsea because they were both scared of losing their friendship, but they finally realized they had everything to gain instead of everything to lose.

Angelina Rocca and Dane Anderson were fantastic as Kelsea and Wyatt. The narrator choice always makes such a difference for me in telling a story and they were perfect for this small town, angsty friends to lovers romance.

Newberry Springs is everything!

Everything to Lose is everything you need to read!

I'll admit friends to lovers is a tricky trope to get behind. The way this story was written though with the push and pull of will they or won't they made sense and worked perfectly! Wyatt and Kelsea were childhood friends and basically family while growing up. Now as adults both are too worried about rocking the familiar and safe to act on the crush they both have.

The angst of these two was so real. You just know the moment is going to happen and when it does whew, Wyatt does it well. Really there is so much more to their story; found family, chasing your dreams, dealing with the shift of friends turned into lovers. It was emotional and beautiful and you'll cheer for Wyatt & Kelsea just like the rest of Newberry Springs!

Loved the start of this new series and looking forward to more. I'm sure Walker & Forrest have amazing stories to share!

Friends to Lovers with a meddling twin... sign me

Series Starter, you don't need to know anything going it. This is my first book from this author and I really enjoyed it. I will be exploring her back list for sure.

In this story we have Wyatt and Kelsea, friends since before they could walk, best friends that pined for each other since the hormonal teen years (or earlier), and completely unwilling to do anything about it for fear of losing their friendship (or in Kelsea's case, her entire found/extended family). Wyatt's twin brother Walker decides to play cupid (or the devil depending on how you look at it) and stir the pot to help these two face their feelings. He shows Kelsea some attention and makes Wyatt realize it's time to make a move, or potentially lose Kelsea forever.

This is a great story of family (blood and found), friendship as a foundation for more, the power of brotherly competition, fighting for and chasing after your dreams. We also get some top notch steam, some deep feels and inner turmoil (the chasing dreams kind) and when it's necessary amazing grovel and grand gestures. I experienced the beloved 4am tears reading the last 15% of this book.

Performed by Angelina Rocca and Dane Anderson. They bring a fantastic continuity to the series since they do the whole shebang. I adore Angelina's performances, she brings such depth of emotion to her characters and you can feel the turmoil and vulnerability. Each woman has their own flair/flavour that is carried through the series. Dane has a deep rumble to his voice that makes all the swoony dirtiness these men say to their women just melt your earbuds. He made each brother distinct and recognizable.

I felt the emotional peaks and because of when I was listening, I started my day with the emotional climax of the book and it just flattened me. I absolutely LOVE when a performance makes me FEEL in that way. Especially when I'd already read the books and knew exactly where the stories were going, it still hit me with all the feels.

Thank you so much to Harlow James for letting me listen early. I requested and was provided advanced copies of the audiobooks, these are my honest opinions.

The love for these two...

Story: 9/10
Spice: 2/5
Spice Hierarchy: Spicy
Narration: 5/5, dual

Wyatt and Kelsea have been best friends and more like family since childhood. And they have loved each other for almost as long. But both have been too afraid to act on it because they could lose everything. Needing a little nudge to see what life without Kelsea would be like, Wyatt’s brother convinces Kelsea to pretend to date him (for a hot minute). It was just the nudge Wyatt needs, but what happens next? Could they gain everything they have always wanted or do they stand to lose it all?

I have been wanting to read this story in the Newberry Springs series since I read book 2 last fall. Wyatt and Kelsea are the ultimate story of friends to lovers. Kelsea has already lost her family, her fear of losing her found family is so profound. Plus she is deciding to finally go after her own personal goal, but then along comes boyfriend material Wyatt. Does she lose herself, her family, her dreams? And then there’s Wyatt. The mouth on this man 🥵 And the way he was jealous/possessive once he tells his brother “She’s mine,” I was done for.

Hearing Angelina Rocco was able to bring Kelsea to life with her internal monologue, fears, and strength. Once Dane Anderson opens his mouth as Wyatt, I melt for every chapter. His possessiveness, yes sir 🫠

friends to lovers

This was a delightful start to a new series. It started a little slow for me as we met all the characters, but I loved the angst between lifelong friends Wyatt and Kelsea.

This friends to lovers book really made them work for it and it was almost painful at times how obtuse these two were. I loved how the entire town, all their friends, and his family all knew what they were afraid to admit. I loved the unique way they finally got together.

I also loved the importance of the themes of chasing dreams and family were in this book. I think it was a perfect balance. I was thrilled that no one was expected to give up anything.

These narrators did a fantastic job with the angst and chemistry in this book. I really felt immersed in the story.

I'm also looking forward to who Walker and Forrest end up with!

I received an advanced listening copy of this book through the author. This is my honest review.

Sweet story of life long friends to lovers

There's nothing I love more than a sweet, small-town romance that has friends who've grown up together since birth. Being a small-town girly myself, everything about this trope elicits fond memories from my own childhood. Harlow brings everything you want in a angsty, comfort read from the characters, to the picturesque small town life, to a burn that's as slow as the setting sun.

Wyatt & Kelsea have been best friends as long as they can remember. Kelsea has spent so much time with Wyatt & his family, she's basically considered one of their own. Now adults & both working in Wyatt's brewery, the tension between the two could be cut with a knife. I gotta say, I wanted to scream at Wyatt. That guy had me going crazy. He's the only one who doesn't realize that he and Kelsea are destined to be together. In his defense, he's doesn't want to risk losing her as a friend but WYATT!!!! C'mon, read the room! "Boys are so dumb sometimes!" So in order to shake some sense into him, Wyatt's twin brother, Walker, decides to ask Kelsea out on a date & well.....let's just say, Wyatt be gettin' possessive! The man drove me nuts!

The burn is so slow with these two but once Wyatt gets his head screwed on straight, these two crash into one another & it's small-town romance at it's best. When Wyatt finally breaks, it's 🔥🔥 Late nights talks, walks by the creek & breakfasts at the local diner. Lots & lots of pancakes😉 These two have such a sweet friendship that turns into forever. The perfect amount of sweet & spice in this story. There is a lot more to this story than just best friends falling for one another. Found family, hilarious situations, figuring out what & who you should do & become, & amazing friendships all around. It's really a heart-warming book with all the feels.

🎧Let's talk narration: Angelina Rocca is fantastic as Kelsea, a real sweetheart who would literally do anything for the people she loves, putting everyone before herself. Kelsea is gentle, a little naïve, unsure of herself & worships the ground Wyatt walks on & Angelina nails it🙌. A character you can't help falling in love with & root for. One of my favorite chapters she performed was her voicing 10 yr old Kelsea.💕 Dane Anderson is a newer narrator to me & he's terrific as the possessive twin brother, son who takes care of his family & then goes alpha on Kelsea😂