Rose's Food & Book Blog: Blog Tour - Not at First by Phalla S. Rios

Falling for two men at the same time was something Angel Mabbott never expected to happen.

Leaving a past full of pain and loss in California, Angel is determined to make something of her life when she starts college in Minneapolis. But life takes a turn when she finds herself torn between Kevin and Roman.

Kevin Hawken is a domineering man who forces himself into Angel’s life and changes everything she thought she knew. But how much can he be trusted when he is so secretive about himself?

Angel was instantly intrigued when she first laid eyes on Roman Conti, an Investment firm owner. He was everything she ever wanted in a man: romantic, loving, and protective over her.

As Angel begins to weave a bitter web of desire and deceit, will she find herself consumed, or will she be able to find her way out and follow her heart?

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Two men, one girl caught in the middle, a love triangle unlike any other. Just when you think you've read it all, Phalla introduces us to two men who are commanding and will do anything to get the woman they love. Angel tried to kill herself two years ago. She blames herself for the death of her father and finally it's too much to bare anymore. Left in a coma at the hospital, the only family that comes to visit her is her uncle and a mysterious man. The rest of her family didn't come they still hate her, so she's left with no one. This mystery man says he loves her and will follow her wherever she goes. Her uncle tells him she's going to Minneapolis and he reveals he will follow her anywhere even it means returning to the one place he swore he would never return to.

Two years later, Angel arrives in Minneapolis to live in a house with her new roommates Lola, Zoe, and Aubrey. They seem to all get along, but Lola warns not to cross Zoe or Aubrey which seems easy enough. Lola takes her to the hardware store and it's here that she meets a man that captivates her attention, she later discovers that her new lab partner in her college class is none other than the same man, Kevin. Kevin is what appears to be a tattooed bad-ass who says whatever he feels like and appears to be an overall ass. Right from the start I didn't like Kevin, but as time went on the more time he spent with Angel, the more he started to grow on me.

That is until she gets to the bus stop to go home and meets a man named Roman. Roman is sweet and kind, always saying that women should be treated a certain way and showing that he's better than Kevin in any way that he can. Roman right from the start is very protective of Angel, not wanting her to ever be alone and always away from Kevin. Slowly Roman worms his way into Angel's heart, becoming her boyfriend.

But while Roman commands her body, Kevin has stolen her heart. Kevin appears to be a downright ass, but he has secrets that he never reveals always telling Angel that she can ask all the questions he wants but that he will never answer. He's always open with his displays of affection towards other women, even starting to date her roommate Aubrey which for some reason bothers her more than she cares to admit. As time goes on, Roman gets more and more possessive keeping Angel away from her friends and Kevin whenever he possibly can, but Roman can't be with her all the time, frequently making trips back and forth to Italy for business. Throughout the story there was something about Roman that I couldn't put my finger on. The amount of possessiveness he displayed was almost downright scary at times. Kevin may have stolen her heart, and she may have stolen his, but both belong to another. Kevin says that Aubrey doesn't matter, that he wants to be with her but in order to do so she must choose between him and Roman. This isn't easy for Angel, and as time goes on there are so many things that complicate their situation. An accident leads Angel to remember events from her past, but will it be too late when she figures out some of the truth?

Both men have secrets, both men are hiding things, but which of them is the mystery man from two years ago? This is a question that will keep you hooked and reading. Just when you think you know the answer, expect the unexpected that's all I'll say. This book had me from Oh. My. God. I want one to WTF just happened?!?!!! It was an amazing journey to the reveal of the true personality of these men. This book was nothing short of genius. This book leaves you wanting so much more and makes you wish that the next installment was out already. I know I can't wait for it, hope the wait won't be too long. But believe me ladies the wait is worth it. There's just so many things unanswered. Who are these two men beneath the surface? What happened in Angel's past to make her the way she is now? Just what will happen? The wait is going to kill me, but this book just left so many unanswered questions that I need to answers to. What a great debut for this author and look forward to reading more of this series and future work by Phalla S. Rios, 5 stars!

***ARC provided by author in exchange for a honest review***

Phalla S. Rios lives in California with her husband and two goofy pit bulls. She loves to read and write drinking her favorite tea, Joy, from Starbucks. During her spare time she is usually at the movies or looking for the next best place to eat. She often refers to herself as a foodie.