About The Whole Time:
Title: The Whole Time
Author: Catherine Bybee
Series: The D’Angelo’s #4
Page Length: 363
Publication Date: Nov. 14, 2023
Publisher: Montlake
Synopsis: Salena Barone has broken free of her family and moved into an apartment above the D’Angelos’ restaurant, where she works as a manager—without a husband, thank you very much. But even on a restaurant salary, she soon finds herself strapped for cash. Salena’s never been afraid of living on the wild side, though, so she takes on a side hustle that’ll raise big bucks…and eyebrows, if anyone finds out.
Tattooed biker Ryan is the youngest of the wealthy Rutledge wine family and has never dreamed of rings, forever, or continuing the family business. He’s perfectly happy living his own life and helping out hardworking folks in his own way.
When these two independent singles spot each other at a Rutledge-D’Angelo wedding, the attraction is instant. But as their friendship with benefits evolves into something more, the secrets Salena’s keeping—from family, friends, and Ryan—threaten the happily ever after she never knew she wanted.
Review:
The Whole Time is a great contemporary romance and addition to The D’Angelo’s series. I love the D’Angelo family so much!! If you read the first three books in the series, Salena and Ryan were minor characters, and I was so excited to read about their romance. We really get to know and understand both characters in this book, and their love story does not disappoint!
It’s expected that, as an Italian daughter, Salena will live at home with her parents until she marries. But Salena has other plans. She is determined to live on her own, not wanting to depend on her parents or a man. Salena will do whatever it takes to make ends meet. She’s a strong person, and she lives life on her own terms. I love that about her. Ryan’s great too! The youngest of the Rutledge siblings, he’s a bit of a black sheep in his family since he’s not interested in the wine business. He, like Salena, follows his own path, which is great.
Ooof, do Salena and Ryan have chemistry! Neither are looking for anything long-term, and the closest they want to get to commitment is a friends-with-benefits kind of arrangement. But that changes. I love how Ryan isn’t afraid to say and show how he feels, and he’s super supportive and understanding. Their relationship quickly changes to something deeper than either ever expected, and it is romantic, fun, and steamy!
The highlight of the story for me, on top of the swoon-worthy romance, is the D’Angelo family. I just adore them all. They are so loving and fun and supportive, and they’re the type of family that loves unconditionally. I also like how easily they welcome people into their fold. We saw it in the last book with Emma and here with Salena.
I thought this was a great addition to the series, and I loved the epilogue. It was the perfect ending to a great series. I’m eager to see what Bybee has in store for her readers next!
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!
- The D’Angelos
Tropes:
- friends with benefits to more
- found family
Great review, Julie. I am looking forward to reading this one soon. I also love this series.
I hope you enjoy it, Carla!
“The Whole Time” by Catherine Bybee is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey of love, self-discovery, and overcoming the challenges that life throws our way. This heartwarming story follows Karen Jones, a successful businesswoman who finds herself at a crossroads in her life. When an unexpected job opportunity arises in a small town, Karen decides to take a leap of faith and move there, hoping to find a fresh start. Little does she know that this decision will lead her to meet the charming and enigmatic Zachariah Smith, a local firefighter with a mysterious past. As their paths intertwine, Karen and Zachariah embark on a whirlwind romance that is filled with both passion and obstacles. Bybee’s writing skillfully draws readers into the lives of these characters, allowing us to experience their emotions, joys, and struggles. Throughout the story, the author tackles important themes such as forgiveness, second chances, and the power of love to heal. With its intriguing plot twists and well-developed characters, “The Whole Time” is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartfelt and engaging romance novel.
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