Review: It’s Gonna Be Everything by Mia Lansford

About the Book:

It started with a deal…

Amber Stone should be happy—it’s Christmastime in New York, her café had a successful opening, she’s finally free of her abusive ex-fiancé. But she can’t help the loneliness that comes with seeing her friends in loving couples. Worse, she’s lost her teaching job, which will upset her favorite student, Tyler.

Tyler’s father, Noah Quinn, is worried what the change in routine will do to his autistic son. He’s known Amber for years, but they’ve never really been friends, so he can’t just ask her to spend time with Tyler outside of school. Can he? Maybe if he offers her something in return, like his expertise from years of owning a bar, to help her dive back into the dating pool.

With her confidence shaken by her ex, Amber has nothing to lose. Plus, she’ll get to hang out with a fun kid—and his sexy as hell dad. As their lessons heat up, Amber isn’t so sure dating is necessary anymore. But Tyler is Noah’s entire world, and he can’t give a woman like Amber what she needs…what she wants…what she deserves…

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/it-s-gonna-be-everything-ram-cafe-by-mia-lansford

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56038045-it-s-gonna-be-everything

My Thoughts:

It’s Gonna Be Everything is the third installment of author Mia Lansford’s RAM Café series. I had no trouble jumping into the story even though I had not read the prior two books. Ms. Lansford’s contemporary romance is a compelling story of trust, love and second chances. The author compassionately incorporates mental health, learning and physical disabilities in her characters. She shows her authors that everyone deserves and can give romantic love.

Amber Stone and Noah Quinn have one important thing in common—Tyler, Noah’s autistic son. Tyler brings these two together in a way that the rest of their commonalities cannot. Amber turns to alcohol to cope with a bad relationship and break up, which leads her, all too frequently, to Noah’s pub. Noah and Amber’s banter doesn’t reflect a hot chemistry between the two, but there is clearly some emotion there. Noah’s been burned by a woman like Amber before, and Amber has no self-confidence left after her last relationship. Tyler is at the center of the bargain they strike. That bargain benefits both of them, and as readers can quickly surmise the benefits end up being much different than originally intended.

Without saying too much about the plot, I loved the growth in Amber’s character and Noah’s devotion to Tyler. I struggled with the angst created by the characters’ refusal to acknowledge and communicate their feelings throughout much of the book. The cast of secondary characters are clearly well established in the prior books in the series. The group of friends felt like a tight-knit, supportive community that anyone would love to be a part of.

I found some of the detailed descriptions unnecessary, but overall, I enjoyed the story arc and pace of the book. I’m looking forward to going back to the beginning of the series and reading the other two books as well.