My Unexpected Love (The Beaumont Series: Next Generation Book 2)

~4.5 Stars~Heidi McLaughlin was one of the very first Indie writers I read, and My Unexpected Love is exactly why she still remains one of my favorite writers. Her books are always heart melting and filled with so much emotion.I remember Elle and her twin sister, Peyton, when they were just kids. I adored them like everyone else did. Now, both are on the cusp of becoming adults. I have to be honest and say I had mixed feelings about Elle. I knew she had been through a lot recently, but I found her to be selfish, especially where her best friend, Ben, was concerned. He has been such a support for her and her family, always rearranging his life to be there for her. She took him for granted, never seeing what was right in front of her. Finally, when Ben has had enough of his heart being broken by her, he leaves. When he pulls away, she is finally forced to take a hard look at herself. She doesn’t like who she sees. It is at this point, that I started respecting and liking her. I realized she wasn’t always this way, but it was what she became after dealing with pain and fear at that bottom of a bottle instead of leaning on her family and friends. Finally, with the help of her family and her own strength she is beginning to crawl out of her pit of despair. It isn’t easy, and McLaughlin illustrates her struggle. I admired Elle’s determination in finding Ben, asking for his forgiveness, and telling him how she really feels about him.Ben is a girl’s dream…handsome, sexy, intelligent, loyal, and sweet. His devotion to Elle was incredible. I wanted them to be together, but I respected him even more when he made that break from her. He deserved happiness, and he deserved someone who would love and appreciate him. It took guts for him to leave everything and everyone he knew and loved and go someplace where he knew no one to pursue his dreams. He tried to forget Elle, but she owned his heart. His ability to forgive her was amazing…thankfully!!!!This was a fantastic friends to lovers romance. I thought the pacing was spot on. The line that Ben and Elle crossed threatened their friendship and any hope for more, so it wasn’t going to be a quick or perfect fix. Elle had to fix some of her own issues before she could even think of a relationship with Ben. That was going to take some time. What I love about McLaughlin, there is always something more than just a romance. In this book, it was about growing up and becoming adults, which is never easy. As always, her theme of family and friendship is weaved throughout every page. My Unexpected Love was another winner from Heidi McLaughlin. Hopefully, we’ll get Quinn’s book soon!***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

Rating 4.5 out of 5I always look forward to reading a new Beaumont book and MY UNEXPECTED LOVE was no exception. Pretty much as soon as I had this book in my hands, I started flipping pages. Elle's and Ben's story is full of angst and heartbreak. They have a moment that seems like their beginning only to become the beginning of their end - before they ever really get started.Ben was first introduced in HOLDING ONTO FOREVER - these books do need to be read together to appreciate the connection and love that Ben has for Elle. While reading HOF, I was already rooting for this couple - best friends to more. Yes, please! Ben's love for Elle is evident and they needed to be together. She just needed to see it. It takes her a while to figure it out and hearts are will be shattered. Mine included.What I loved:Overwhelming sense of family. The Powell-James family are tight. I liked how, at different times, Quinn and Elle share their feelings about becoming a family.Moments with Elle and Peyton - their bond and protectiveness is undeniableElle reflecting on her situation and taking control and making a change. She's the only one who can do it and she has to want it.Getting glimpses of Jimmy, Jenna, and Eden (I can't wait to read Eden's story!)Since Ben didn't appear in the original Beaumont books, I would have liked more of his and Elle's experiences as teens - whether those moments appear in flashbacks or reminiscing about those times. They are there, I just wanted more. This is the young adult reader in me coming out - I live for that.MY UNEXPECTED LOVE made my heart hurt for Elle and she dealt with the aftermath of almost losing her sister and then losing best friend. Her unexpected love. But she had some growing to do and really being honest with herself. And that is what I love so much about these books - all of the love, the imperfections, and ultimately the Forevers.

They say if you love someone, set them free. If the come back to you, they’re mean to be yours. Such was the case with Elle and Ben. Best friends since high school, Ben fell fast and hard for Elle. It was difficult for him to keep his feelings in check, but the night of his birthday changed everything. I devoured this book in one sitting. I loved how close Elle and Ben were, how he was willing to do anything for her. But when it was time for Ben to give up and move on, I was rooting for Elle to get herself together and realize what she had right in front of her this whole time. This heartfelt tale of best friends to lovers is sure to make you desperate for a soul-deep love of your own.

I've read the entire Beaumont Series and while I enjoyed this story and believe it adds to the series, I had a really hard time connecting to and understanding Elle. Don't get me wrong, I get that she went through a traumatic experience with her twin and even believe that she suffered some sort of depression but to not turn to those who love her, and to act out the way she did, just didn't seem like that was necessary. Now Ben, I totally connected with his unrequited feelings and his conflicted emotions because I think we've all been afraid of rejection. His feelings were pretty transparent throughout the story and maybe it's because Elle seemed to do a 180 when she suddenly realized how she felt. I think that part of the story needed a bit more development for me to FEEL it. But I'm looking forward to the next book.

I love, LOVE this series but this book is a total let down & bummer. Elle acted like a rich brat and Ben was like a whipped puppy. I wasn’t even rooting for them. It is bad when you are hoping the H & H DON’T end up together! I could hardly finish.. I skipped paragraphs at a time. 🙄 The only highlight to this book is we get to see the rest of the family thus the two stars.

It was a sweet read but just a little blah for my liking!!

So I LOVE the Beaumont series and Heidi McLaughlin is one of my favourite authors. I was so excited for the next generation and adored Peyton and Noah’s book.‘My Unexpected Love’ is the second book in the Beaumont- The Next Generation Series. These books are not standalones, so I recommend you read the original series starting with ‘Forever My Girl’ before starting the next generation books if possible. However if you don’t get to do that you must read ‘Holding Onto Forever’ the first book in the Next Gen series. Why? Because this story could not have been read as a standalone for the fact that Elle’s behaviours are due to what her sister Peyton went through. I must admit, as I have read over 200 books since I read ‘Holding Onto Forever’ the details of that story are sketchy... so I ended up revisiting it mid way just to remind me of the details.So It sounds like a bit of an effort .... but it’s worth it as it is an amazing story of love, misunderstandings and is a great best-friends-to-lovers romance.Ben has loved Elle since he met her in 9th grade he's the loyal best friend who has stood by Elle since they were young. He's been in love with her since the day he met her but has never told her.Elle grew up the "daughter" of a famous rockstar, always been the popular girl but events from the first book in the Next Generation series have haunted her and she's pretty much gone off the rails. Elle has been partying hard since she almost lost her twin sister Peyton.When one drunken night changes everything between her and Ben, he decides it's time to let her go and live his life without her in it.I truly felt for Ben and his heartbreak. As the story progresses and Elle tames her wild ways & she blossoms. I absolutely fell in love with Ben & Elle and their story, even though it wasn’t easy. Eventually, these two come back together and these best friends turned lovers get the happy ending they deserve. 4.5 Stars...

I really liked Elle's and Ben' story. It was different from the past books. The way the author writes is excellent, you could feel every emotion from the characters, the pain Elle has, and the love and disappointment Ben has for Elle. It's all misunderstandings and lies to protect and not make the other suffer, that made them fall apart, but at the end they were back together. I can say this is my favorite serie ever. I've enjoyed every book, and each one becomes my favorite one.

Loving this book it’s a great addition to the collection. Ben and Elle have been friends for years Ben has a case of unrequited love. Elle’s been suffering since her twin almost died in a car accident. Ben finally takes drastic measures to make Elle see that he loves her. It’s a sad but happy story.

Love the book, a great follow up of the Ben and Ellie Story! If you have been reading the series you will love this book!