Natasha Anders always brings the angst and emotions. This one didn't disappoint. I get completely wrapped up in her books.
This is a second chance romance for Tina and Harris after a really bad one night stand ten years before. That night left Tina broken. Harris is a really likeable guy, so it drove me a bit crazy that Tina kept pushing him away for some long. When you find out why? Heartbreaking. Even with the seriousness at times there were also a lot of laughs out loud moments that's were adorable.
You also learn a lot about Libby and Grayson. So help me Natasha Anders I seriously need more of those two please! ❤
Arc recieved from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Natasha Anders has been in my Must-Read category of authors ever since I read her first book. I like her way of storytelling and no one can write angsty love stories like her. But, though this defiantly was supposed to be one, it sort of missed the mark.
When it comes to our main characters, there was nothing extraordinary about Harris or Tina as individuals. While Tina is an introvert and her tragedy made her withdraw even further, Harris is a fun-loving, hard-working, social butterfly. But as a pair, they were cute together. Harris was adorable when he is with Tina. It is nice to read a book where the hero is a nice guy (except for a certain night). Tina is a good example of what happens to people who have little to no emotional support during tough times. She had a lot of issues to deal but towards the end, you see a new version of her with Harris was the perfect partner for her. However, the story did drag at a few places.

What really got my attention from beginning to end were Greyson and Libby. God, I can't wait to read their story.

Just because two people belong to the same social class doesn’t mean they should be together. This is a lesson hard learned by Martine (Tina) Jenson. The only daughter in a family of over achievers, Tina never seems to live up the example her older brothers have set and physically she knows she less than appealing. She’s crushed on her older brother’s best friend Harrison for years and when she finally gets a chance with him, it ends in disaster and sends Tina on a spiral that lasts for years.
It took my quite a while to finish this book. While I think the concept was really good the actually storytelling just didn’t grab me the way I wanted. There were parts of the story that seemed to drag on a little too long. It was hard for me to connect to the main characters immediately. I like Harris, but it took me almost to the end of the story to like Tina. There seemed to be a lot of inconsistencies with her personality (although that could be a symptom of everything she went through). For the one night that Tina and Harris spend together there were a lot of consequences. There were situations that made me really hurt for Tina, but the story just didn’t’ take me where I wanted to go.

While I might not have liked Harris and Tina right away, Harrison’s twin brother Greyson and Tina’s best friend Libby, who happen to be married and are going through issues of their own, immediately grabbed my attention. Since this is the first book in a series, I’m really hoping their story is next. Their story seems like it could be really good.

Reading this book did make me realize that I’ve read another book by this author and I wanted to read the other two books in that series. I’m wondering is this series is a spin-off from that one. Definitely going to check them out then maybe try reading this story again.

I really enjoyed my first read from this author which is The Unwanted Wife. So I was hoping for an angsty read.

It was angsty alright but somehow it didn't deliver the "omph factor" in it. Why? Because it was going around in circles.

What Harris did to Tina 10 years ago, the push and pull which originally doesn't bother me, yet somehow it did. And most especially, the how can you love me? I don't deserve your forgiveness blah blah.

It's tiring. I doze off on more than one occasion even if I was reaching the end because it wasn't holding my interest anymore. A miracle I was able to finish it but I'll admit, I did some skimming 🙁 just so I wouldn't add this to my dnf.

Another it's not you it's me.

Natasha Anders is a talented writer and this was not her best. It was a struggle to read, much less finish. I felt the characters fell flat and even the plot was a bit messy, meaning I didn't see an end point.
Tina was tough to like the way she was portrayed. Ten years have passed since an incident that set the course for what we now see as her present day self. Her teenage crush on Harris, her brother's best friend and their families run in the same social circles. Wealthy, unlikable and uptight. Her family is dysfunctional as hell. Her best friend is the "helps" daughter, Libby. Libby marries Harris' twin brother and is pregnant and husband is totally absent. Harris steps in to help Libby which places him in proximity to Tina. There's a lot of overdone drama here, the long-suffering Tina who looks like a martyr with her baggage that overwhelms the story. It was all just too much. Harris was likable enough, and I understood his frustration with Tina and the situation he found himself in. There were too many plot holes, droll inner dialogue and this story is at best easily to get frustrated with quickly.
In short as much as the characters failed to communicate, so did the author in telling this story.
It's a 2.5 for me sadly.

arc from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review

More Than Anything, The Broken Pieces Book 1, Natasha Anders

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, General Fiction (Adult)

I've enjoyed a few of Natasha's stories now. Sometimes I just want an easy, non taxing romance with a HEA and her books usually fit the bill. I didn't enjoy this one much though, it wasn't a bad book, I just found I couldn't really relate to the characters or their problems.

I love an under-dog, and Tina seemed just that. She had an awful experience at 18, but unless she was incredibly naive I find part of that plot hard to believe. Likewise staying celibate for next ten years? Why? Still hating Harris for what happened even though as a close family friend they seem to be in constant contact some way? Then there's the crux of that issue, her weight, but she doesn't seem to be anything more than an attractive, curvy lady.
Though I like the underdog character I want them to have some spirit and Tina just came over as whiny at times, no backbone, just constantly blaming everything on Harris, when they guy didn't know half the story.
Harris, I didn't understand why he didn't ask why Tina was so cold to him after The Event. He knows what happened, its not hard to guess why Tina was friends before and blanked him after. Why didn't he just apologise, ask her why she was so different? I just found the idea of adults holding a ten year grudge hard. I'd just move totally away if I felt that strongly, but Tina seems to have had contact via family but kept on silently with the recriminations.
Then after a ten years of holding in that grudge its over quickly, and that didn't feel right. Her friend Libby and Greyson too, their issues being the secondary plot-line, was kind of over and done without any real justification of the resolution. If I was Libby I'd have been gutted at what happened, it would take a lot of hard work to forgive and I'm not sure that kind of accusation could be got past.
I didn't understand why her family were so harsh on her, it seems to have been almost since birth, and the failed businesses were just an anomaly in the book IMO. They didn't add anything to the story, just filled pages and gave her supposed close family something to beat her with.

There's another part of the story that did make me feel really sad for her, and having experienced something very similar I could understand a bit of her reaction. Again though, she has the money, she's been to counseling, and when its affecting her friendship with Libby it needs dealing with.



Stars: Two and a half. I liked the premise, usually enjoy Natasha's stories but this one just didn't cut it.

Arc via Netgalley

2.5 stars

I wanted to really like this one but there was something missing. It could have been because I wasn't a fan of the characters - any of the characters, really - or I was just over how much the heroine allowed certain events to completely destroy her life and turn her into a hermit/recluse. While I felt for her and what she went through, I hated how she let how Harris treated her dictate how she lived the rest of her life.

Harris wasn't a bad character. He did try over the years to try and make things right between them, but he lost me when he talked about how he always thought of her and he wanted them to be more way back when...all the while moving on. Makes me roll my eyes.

Overall, it was an okay read. I just wish Tina was written with a bit more of a personality for me to like her more.

2 - 2.5 Stars...With a Caveat

It really bums me out to rate a Natasha Anders book anything less than 4/5 stars. Truly. She has penned some of my all time favorite reads (The Unwanted Wife, A Husband's Regret, A Ruthless Proposition, to name a few)...but unfortunately, I really struggled with this book.

Although I think it was totally on me.

The book is written around the premise that Tina hates Harris because of an incident that occurred when they were younger...and that incident revolves around Tina's weight. Unfortunately, due to past personal issues, I find that books in which food and weight issues are featured prominently present the shadowed beginnings of a trigger for me. Thus, being that Tina thought about/discussed her weight a lot on top of the traumatic incident featuring Harris seemingly belittling her for it...

I just didn't enjoy it.

And Tina would NOT let it go. For the almost the whole book.

Also, I found myself much more interested in what was going on with Libby and Harris' asshole brother - and I REALLY hope they get a book next.

In short, I feel like this in an unfair review as my own personal history rendered me completely unable to enjoy it or to view it objectively. As such, take this review with a grain of salt. I'm sure other readers without said personal issues will enjoy this book and I can't wait to see what Ms. Anders offers us next.

Crossing my fingers for Libby and Asshole!

The story drew me in, although I wished that they would have been able to have more communication during those 10 years. Loved hearing about the side story with his brother and can't wait to read that book!

I love a good second chance love story. This on didn't disappoint!! Tina and Harrison grew up together in the same circles. Then something happens and poof no more friends. Now it kind of turns into an enemies to lovers story. In trying to get them back together, there is build up, fighting, humor romance- it has it all. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster. Also Tina kind of annoyed me a bit, All in all it was a good story and I definitely recommend, I hope we see a Libby and Greyson story!!

I struggled with this book. I didn't care for our heroine at all. She was so up in her head that the inner monologue drug on, and on. It made it difficult for me to stay engaged in the storyline. I was desperately scanning for dialogue. While the storyline its self was an interesting one I found I cared more about what was going on with the secondary characters than the main characters. Natasha Anders has written some amazing books in the past but, overall this book just wasn't for me.

I LOVED this book! I was so lucky to get an arc of this book because it just blew me away. There wasn't anything that I didn't love about this book. The heroine, Tina, was a strong woman who you wished was your best friend. The hero, Harris, was so loving with the heroine you instantly fall in love with him. This book made me tear up which doesn't happen very often but the story between the H/h is just awesome. I recommend you run to read this book when it comes out in June. You will love it!

Natasha Anders is RELENTLESS. The emotion and the push and pull in her stories never, ever stops. More Than Anything was pages and pages and pages of complicated heartache warring with jubilant hope and it wreaked havoc on my heart the entire way through. 

This began as a friends to lovers romance in a way, what with Harrison Chapman and Tina Jensen having grown up together. She was the little sister of one of his best friends and their families were part of the same social circles. But it evolves into an enemies to lovers type of romance when one night ten years ago twisted their dynamic into something ugly, something devastating, something neither of them know how to come back from. Years later, their second chance romance flickers to life but it's slow burning and super ANGSTY and it seems like things will never fall into place for them. It is difficult, this road. Gut wrenching. Heartbreaking. Sexy. Sometimes funny. Always addictive. Completely unputdownable. 

There are moments on these pages that were so devastating, I cried. There were moments so adorably funny, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. There are parts so maddening, so unbelievably frustrating, I wanted to shake my kindle and these characters for not getting on the same page once and for all. There are bits of dialogue, scenes so beautiful and romantic and delicious, I could barely catch my breath. 

I'm unapologetically obsessed with Natasha Anders. Her stories are always refreshing and sexy and romantic and SMART but they never fail to pummel my heart on the way to that unforgettable HEA. That's precisely what she serves up in More Than Anything and it was so freaking good. I could read this author's work all day everyday and never get bored because each page evokes a different emotion than the last... you never know what'll come next. I'm so excited for more in this new series, especially for more from Greyson and Libby! This was such an enjoyable, bumpy road and I highly recommend it!

Tina Jenson worshipped the ground that Harris Chapman walked on but he never seemed to notice her until one night at his party where it seemed as if all her dreams would come true. But things don’t work out and everything seems to be tarnished after that event. Harris has bitterly regretted that night but can’t seem to get Tina to forgive him. Now they have been thrown together he’s hoping for one more chance to put things right.

Hero-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heroine-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Supporting characters-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story telling-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Would i recomend it ?- absolutely.

First of all i would like to thanks netgalley for providing me with this wonderful arc. I was really excited about this one since i have read anders's books in the past a thoroughly enjoyed them. This book was simply awesome. There's nothing that i didn't like about this book starting from the gorgeous cover to the beautiful story narrated in a heartfelt way. Though i was expecting it to be a light read, believe me it was anything but that. The story starts with the incident that took place 10 years ago that was responsible for everything that happened after. Basically the heroine tina(short for martine) slept with the hero harris on his 20th birthday. Later she found out that it was all a bet and assumed that the harris took advantage of her and it just broke my heart. But don't worry folks she broke his nose( proud of her).
Fastforward 10 years later they met again when harris's twin Greyson and tina's bestie Olivia had a beautiful baby girl and both of them had to come face to face. This time readers actually come to realise that tina has developed a fear of children . She refuses to hold them and has panic attacks whenever she is near them . But she loves( olivia's daughter) very much. We came to see that in the last 10 years she changed a lot . The girl who became a doctor quit college and had a strings of failure ( both personal and professional since then) . As much as i want to say that harris was a cold hearted son of a gun,I can't because he is not that at all. He was very sweet,passionate,kind man and was always apologising to tina for that one incident. And he had cute habbit to say the wrong proverb😜

“Your nose is clean as a syringe.”

“A syringe? Syringe? That’s the weirdest one yet. You know it’s whistle!”

And another one

“I’m an all or everything kind of guy.”
“Is English even your first language?” she muttered, looking completely put out with him, and he laughed.

I think this habbit of his was really cute. Though his twin was a real piece of work who accused harris and olivia having an affair and rejected clara. Though he worked very hard to make olivia or "libby" to come back to him but it was so far a lost cause in this book. I would love a second book just for them.
I won't spoil the mystery but this book contains some serious and sensible matters consisting of death and loss of a person forever whom we can't get back. My heart absolutely broke for tina and later for harris. It was the secret that bound them togather for so long. It reminded me of " A ruthless proposition" but I liked this one more.
This book saw the transformation of the main character tina who changed from being a shy , introvert, self doubting, people doubting grief stricken woman to a independent woman who learnt to let go and embrace her past and decided to live her life freely. Alk the characters such a greyson, libby , tina's brothers and harris's parents changed a lot too. I can't gush more about the harris. He was perfect and completely in awe of tina.

“You were seventeen when I first looked at you and saw,"

Swooonnnnn factor😍

I can say that the author did a wonderful job with the book and hope you all enjoy it when it comes out ..I promise you won't be disappointed.stay tuned.
#netgalley#natasha anders#second chance romance#harris and tina# bean and lovebug😻

3.5ish: I feel like the cover copy was a bit misleading for this book—the bet is more of a misunderstanding/the foundation for later events—but I did like how the story addressed the long-term repercussions with overcoming tragedy and regaining confidence in oneself, even if I didn’t necessarily feel we got to *see* that journey for Tina very much?

I know also Libby and Gray’s story is book 2 but having so much of their story take up this book was TBH distracting so I do wish the timelines hadn’t intersected *quite* so much (though yes I will be reading when it comes out). This did remind me I want to go back and read Lia and Sam’s story though!

I know I mention mostly negatives, but I did enjoy this one for the most part—it’s pretty classic Anders and the hero is NOT an irredeemable asshole which is a delight (Gray, he’s another story...). I was very much here for the pining is what I’m saying.

Harris and Tina grew up together. They had a big falling out - complicated, messy circumstances. Then they're thrown together again.. things get extra messy!

Overall, I liked the premise of the story. I really like the story of the supporting characters - Libby and Greyson - and found myself wanting more on their end. I don't love that I didn't get anything conclusive for them. It's making me wonder if there will be another book focusing on them.

I really liked that More than Anything has a more complex background for the main character than most romance books. I love the characters - including the ones we don't get to meet much (Daff, Lia, etc).
I didn't like the clunkiness of the writing (transitions between characters were confusing and sloppy). I also didn't like that I felt we were coming to an ending multiple times only for Harris and Tina to fall apart again. I found myself skipping chunks of text because I was getting bored.

I was so stinking excited to see Natasha Anders was coming out with a brand new series!

More Than Anything centers around Tina Jenson and Harris Chapman, who grew up together. Tina had always had a huge crush on Harris and shortly after she graduated high school, Tina thought she finally had a real chance to take their friendship to the next level. Tina’s hopes ended up in utter humiliation and heartache!!!! Now 10 years later, the two find themselves in each others company often and as much as Tina tries to ignore Harris, she just cannot. Tina begins to let down her guard, but is she ready to form a friendship again with Harris?!?! Even crazier yet, could they eventually be “more”!?!?!

Natasha Anders does such a fantastic job with creating leading men you initially hate, but somehow or other, you end up loving by the end! I really loved how organic Harris and Tina’s relationship developed. I also enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters and I really hope we will get Greyson and Libby’s story in the next installment. As always, I devoured this Natasha Anders novel and I can’t wait until I can dive in the second novel of the Broken Pieces series.

Three and a half stars.

Ten years ago Tina Jenson and Harrison Chapman had a one night stand, the culmination of all her hopes and teenage dreams about the handsome sexy older guy, Tina is devastated to find out that Harris only slept with her as some kind of sick bed the fat girl bet with his mates.

Cut to the present day, Tina's BFF Libby is married to Harris' twin brother Greyson but things have gone badly wrong. Tina has spent the last ten years bouncing from one dead end job/big scheme to another, her family of slim, perfect, successful people look on her as the family failure and constantly belittle her. When she and Libby decide to open a restaurant in the small South African town of Riversend she sees it as her last chance to turn her life around.

Harris has spent the past ten years trying to apologise to TIna for that night, he was drugged and out of his head but he loved every second that he spent with Tina and has always carried a torch for her. When his brother tries to win back Libby Harris accompanies him to keep an eye on his brother and his friend, but mainly to try once again with Tina.

Can Harris and Tina uncover the secrets of that night and can they cope with the fall-out?

I like Natasha Anders, she has a fresh writing voice and I like that the novels are set in South Africa, although TBH there isn't much in this novel that screams South Africa. Harris was a saint. he has spent 10 years trying to apologise to Tina, putting up with her ignoring him, scorning him and blaming him for everything that has gone wrong with her life in the past decade. He just keeps coming back for more, apologising and putting up with her attitude.

Tina on the other hand is crippled by the aftermath of that night, so much so that she has panic attacks and pretty much self-sabotages. Now I understand procrastination but not looking at your takings when you are running a restaurant, avoiding fixing mistakes and basically hiding under the duvet like a five year old when you are the boss seems a bit pathetic. I just didn't understand what Harris saw in Tina, it seemed like a case of Tina has a secret which excuses her bad behaviour to everyone - sorry that just doesn't wash with me.

So overall, I liked it but I didn't love it - I am however champing at the bit to read Libby and Greyson's novel.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

After reading the description for the latest Natasha Anders book More Than Anything I was hooked. The story line centers around Tina (Martine) Jenson and Harrison Chapman and a long held secret. This is the seventh Natasha Anders book I've read to date and while not my favorite this is a solid 3.5-4 star book.