Book Blitz: Everything I’ve Ever Wanted to Say by Lauryn Norwood

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Hello everyone! I am here to participate the book blitz of Everything I’ve Ever Wanted to Say by Lauryn Norwood! Thank you Xpresso Tours for having me as a host! Without further ado, let’s go!

Book Details:
Everything I’ve Ever Wanted to Say
by Lauryn Norwood
Publication date: September 14th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
Collette “Coco” Rose returns to her small hometown for the summer, hoping to repair her turbulent, on-again-off-again relationship. Instead, she finds herself drawn back into the orbit of Shane Turner—the town’s reclusive outcast.
Once a rising musician, Shane has spent the past five years hiding from the world, haunted by past mistakes and cut off from everyone.
When fate throws Coco and Shane together once more, they must confront their shared past—a childhood crush that refuses to fade. As they navigate broken hearts and complex lives, their connection grows into something far more intense than either had imagined.
In this tender and passionate journey, set in the early 2000s, Coco and Shane must decide if they are willing to open their hearts to each other for a second chance at real love.
Purchase: Amazon
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Excerpt:
My gaze snaps up to his and the way he’s watching me— eyes traveling from head to toe and lingering from the neck down, suddenly makes me self-conscious. Still in my ankle- length black cotton nighty, with no bra and underwear, I can’t imagine what I look like. I sit back a little, doing my best to avoid the moonlight.
“No,” I reply. “Just couldn’t sleep.”
He chuckles. “Story of my life. Insomnia sucks. Especially when you’ve got loud neighbors.”
I catch the mischievous curl of his lips, just before he brings the bottle to his mouth again. Speaking of…
“What happened the other night?” I ask, quietly. “You kind of…snapped.”
He shrugs and takes another long sip. He looks guilty and I suddenly feel terrible for bringing it up. He said he and Ian had patched things up. Maybe I should just leave it alone. But I can’t help but wonder what got into him. Why he is the way he is. After years of being a bystander, why is he, all of a sudden, the instigator?
“Seemed like things were getting a little out of control,” he finally says. “Thought I’d lend a hand.”
Of course. Because that’s the kind of guy Shane is—at least the guy I used to know. Even if he did handle it badly.
I fiddle with my own bottle, chewing on my bottom lip. “Well, thanks. I guess. It was nice of you.”
Shane nods but doesn’t look at me. He stares off into the distance and, for the first time, I notice the permanent scowl on his face. Almost like Ian’s—the grimace everyone else sees, but I don’t really notice anymore.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
Shane’s dull gaze meets mine, almost like he’s only just noticed my presence and he asks, “What?”
“Are you doing alright? With…everything?”
He blinks then takes another swig. “Are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“You sure about that? Dating the world’s biggest asshole and all?”
I sigh and place my beer down beside me, before making steady eye contact. “What happens between Ian and me is my business, Shane. And while I appreciate you coming to my rescue or whatever, I was perfectly fine. I had it…handled.”
He laughs. “Sure.”
The way he says it, like I’m a child, pisses me off.
“I didn’t need your help,” I cross my arms over my chest.
He rolls his eyes. “Ian isn’t just an asshole, he’s Grade-A. He intimidates to get what he wants, treats most people like shit—especially women. He’s only ever happy when he’s on that stage.”
“He’s happy with me,” I respond with as much snark as I can muster.
The way he’s judging me, my boyfriend, my relationship doesn’t sit right with me at all. I don’t know Shane like I used to, but he doesn’t know me either.
Shane scoffs. “I don’t see how.”
I sit back doing my best not to react, but it’s too late. I close my mouth and swallow hard.
“That’s not what I meant.” Shane rubs his forehead. “Not you, Coco. Him. He’s not an easy guy to be around. I meant I just don’t know how you’re happy with him.”
“Well, I am. And I don’t think it’s any of your business.”
He laughs, lightly. “You’re probably right. I’m sorry. But in the future, when you guys get into it, do you mind taking it inside? At least try not to disturb the peace?” He smiles, one that’s semi-familiar.
Well at least he’s good with apologies. And still as witty as ever.
I allow my shoulders to drop, before picking up my beer, tipping the bottle to my mouth, and leaning back on the bench. I cross my legs in front of me and glance up at the starlit sky.
I angle my head toward him, just as he side glances me.
“So,” he says. “You’re just going to hang out here, uninvited huh? Now there’s the Coco Puffs I know.”
“You invited me!” I snicker before taking another sip. “I haven’t heard that nickname in years.”
“You were like a fucking leech when you were little. Never went away. Used to drive Cole and Jared crazy.”
“You didn’t seem to mind,” I say.
“Younger siblings unite.” He clinks his bottle to mine with a soft chuckle.
“So,” I ask, my gaze stuck to the wood panels beneath us. “What’s up with you these days? You say Ian is Grade-A, but I thought you were going to kill him the other night.”
I don’t know why I bother to bring it up again, maybe because things finally feel normal for once. I recognize a piece of the old Shane Turner.
He shrugs. “Just don’t like being intimidated. Or watching other people get bullied.”
Our gazes meet and I nod slowly. “I really was okay, Shane.”
“That happen a lot? He yell at you often? Handle you…like that?”
“It’s complicated.” I swig my beer, then bring my knees to my chest.
“There’s nothing complicated about the way he was in your face like that. That shit’s not cool. You’re his girlfriend. He should have a little more respect.”
He’s probably right but, at the same, time I probably shouldn’t be discussing my love life with my neighbor—no matter how close we used to be—when my boyfriend is in the bed next door.
I sigh, deciding to let the subject drop for good.
“Thanks anyway,” I say. “It was nice of you to come to my rescue like that. Even if you were borderline psycho when you did.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Puffs. Any chance I get to put Ian Cross in his place is a moment well spent.”
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About The Author:
AUTHOR BIO:
Lauryn Norwood is an indie author who loves to write and read stories about true love—real love. While she appreciates a good happily ever after, and will always deliver one to her readers, she won’t take you there immediately.
But the journey will always be worth it.
Everything I’ve Ever Wanted to Say is the first Lauryn Norwood publication.
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Giveaway:
Blitz-wide giveaway (International, anyone around the world can enter)
- $25 Amazon gift card
Ends October 31st
a Rafflecopter giveaway◈ ━━━━━━ ⸙ ━━━━━━ ◈
