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The Life We Wanted Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,257 ratings

A laugh-out-loud, emotional love story about personal growth, family, and the art of letting go.

"You have too many rules."
"And you don't have enough."


Sebastian Moore thought he had it all. A drumming gig with one of the world’s biggest up-and-coming stars. The looks and charm to get him any woman he laid his eyes on. All the friends he could ever ask for.

But something was always missing. That is, until he receives a letter, telling him that he’s a father to a fifteen-year-old boy.

Now, with the addition of his son, a love interest he never expected, and a whole new set of responsibilities, Sebastian finds himself happier than he’s ever been.

But old habits die hard, and when life finally gives him everything he wanted, he’ll have to find a way to keep his past from ruining the present.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kelsey Kingsley's The Life We Wanted was an impulse read for me, the kind you delight in discovering with a "why not?" click and find yourself unable to stop until the last page. Crisp writing with characters that etch themselves in your mind's eye and your heart, the book captivates, leaving Sebastian, Tabitha and Greyson lingering with you long after the final sentence. - Julia Kent, New York Times bestselling author
"
The Life We Wanted is a heartfelt journey of family and love with characters that feel real enough to touch. It's heartwarming and unique and will stay with you long after it's done." - USA Today Bestselling Author, Dylan Allen
"Be prepared to have your heart handed to you by this book in a way that will
make you smile and ache for more." - award-winning author, LJ Evans
"This book has
taken over my whole life and invaded every one of my thoughts." - Goodreads reviewer, Chele
"
The Life We Wanted is a true masterpiece and easily one of my top reads. This is a story that I will definitely be re-reading again and again." - Goodreads reviewer, Jennifer
"The way Kelsey Kingsley writes makes me feel as though I'm coming home. It's comforting, somewhere I want to spend time getting to know the characters, their lives and their stories.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It's everything." - Goodreads reviewer, Lisa
"
Kingsley is headed for the bestseller list. The Life We Wanted will give you ALL the feels. To wrap it up in a nutshell, anyone who doesn't read this book is truly missing out." - Goodreads reviewer, Lyssa
"Kelsey Kingsley has a way of developing
characters you can't help but adore and I feel this is her best story to date. I highly recommend you give The Life We Wanted a chance. You won't want to say 'When'." - Goodreads reviewer, Nicole

About the Author

Kelsey Kingsley is the author of The Life We Wanted, Tell Me Goodnight, and the Kinney Brothers series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07N4N7JMM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (February 1, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,257 ratings

About the author

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Kelsey Kingsley
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Kelsey Kingsley is an author of angsty, emotional, character driven romance novels. She lives in New York with her family and a cat named Ethel. She loves music, makeup, tattoos, and watching Frasier reruns. Kelsey is a Slytherin. She also curses a lot but won't apologize for it.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,257 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the story and found it poignant. They found the characters likable and relatable. The writing quality was described as frank, engaging, and poetic. The book was described as lovely, sweet, and sassy. It felt personal and touching to customers. The humor and playfulness were appreciated. Customers also enjoyed the family dynamics, finding them unique and interesting to read about.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

64 customers mention "Story quality"64 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it believable and poignant, with a solid plot and character development. The book is described as emotional, compelling, and an unexpected surprise.

"...Instead this a heartfelt, poignant story that depicts the journey through grief, the challenges of facing the unknown, the beauty of self-discovery,..." Read more

"...The writing is so lovely, the storytelling is completely compelling – sometimes in a visceral way as so many scenes and feelings were tied to music..." Read more

"...Sebastian is a literary dream. Gorgeous, loved by most, amazing taste in music, but inherently lonely as his bandmates and family are all settling..." Read more

"...This is another fantastic book by Ms. Kingsley that you don't want to miss...." Read more

26 customers mention "Character development"26 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the characters' development. They find them likable, unapologetic, and charming. The author takes the time to explore the layers in each character without making anyone good or bad. Sebastian is the perfect complement to Tabitha's heroine, showing his sensitivity and willingness to show his emo side.

"...Take a chance and fall in love with these amazing characters...." Read more

"...He is coarse but kind, which is so authentic to his character. I loved him even more the second read-through...." Read more

"On the surface Sebastian seems to be the easygoing, charming playboy drummer: sinfully hot, a bit goofy and bantering with everyone about everything...." Read more

"...responsibilities and relationships seriously and this made him such a likable, sexy character. He was the perfect compliment to Tabitha’s heroine...." Read more

24 customers mention "Writing quality"19 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the characters believable, and the prose engaging. The story is well-told, with poetic and emotional parts. Readers appreciate the author's note and feel captivated from the start.

"...The beautiful, poetic prose of the story had me highlighting passages left and right, and it's so full of emotion and feeling my heart was swept..." Read more

"...The writing is so lovely, the storytelling is completely compelling – sometimes in a visceral way as so many scenes and feelings were tied to music..." Read more

"...There are heavy issues in this book, but they are written with such frankness, care, and believability...." Read more

"...attention because while I don't think I'm a prude, the language in this book is terrible and the frequency of the F bombs is utterly ridiculous...." Read more

17 customers mention "Beauty"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book lovely and funny. They describe it as a sweet, heart-wrenching story that feels personal and special. Readers also appreciate Greyson and Sebastian's storyline about becoming a dad.

"...The beautiful, poetic prose of the story had me highlighting passages left and right, and it's so full of emotion and feeling my heart was swept..." Read more

"...Some of the sweetest, most breathtaking moments of this story were those where father and son learned how to be father and son and – y’all, I was..." Read more

"...Sebastian is a literary dream. Gorgeous, loved by most, amazing taste in music, but inherently lonely as his bandmates and family are all settling..." Read more

"...What a beautiful unique rock star read. You won't find spoilers here because this story needs to be heard and read by all. It's that special...." Read more

10 customers mention "Feel"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and personal. They describe the character as caring and soft on the inside.

"Blown away from the very beginning with the author's note. It felt personal and was brilliant. Let's just say Kelsey had me at "hello"...." Read more

"...But on the inside he is the softest, most caring and attentive man that every woman wishes to have in her life… swoon-worthy…..." Read more

"...As always Ms. Kingsley gives us feels. This story takes you through different emotions sadness, anxious, nervous, love...." Read more

"...It was a touching and lovely story between Sebastian and Tabitha. I adored Sebastian and Greyson...." Read more

10 customers mention "Humor"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the story humorous and sweet. They appreciate the playfulness, seriousness, and heartache of the book.

"...Their story is heartbreaking but humorous and sensuous but sweet, and one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever read...." Read more

"...those we create and those we are born into, TLWW is a lovely and funny love letter to great music, connection, and letting go to get so much more..." Read more

"...Kelsey made me fall in love with the playfulness, seriousness and heartache of this story. Sebastian really made my day...." Read more

"...I loved his irreverence to propriety and convention, his humor, quick wit, lack of pretense, but mostly his sensitivity and willingness to show his..." Read more

8 customers mention "Family dynamics"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the family dynamics in the book. They find the family interesting and unique, with wonderful relationships forming. The story is enjoyable as each relationship unfolds.

"...The heart of this book is family, and as Sebastian and Tabby walk in Central Park and imagine the Life They Wanted, my heart swelled up and melted...." Read more

"...There are so many layers to this story. So many new, wonderful relationships forming and reading it felt so real and special...." Read more

"...story takes you through different emotions sadness, anxious, nervous, love...." Read more

"...This was a compelling story of loss and love and family is what you make. It was a touching and lovely story between Sebastian and Tabitha...." Read more

5 customers mention "Heartwarming"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it honest, direct, and kind. The story makes them laugh and cry, making them think about their lives.

"...He is coarse but kind, which is so authentic to his character. I loved him even more the second read-through...." Read more

"...From The Life We wanted This book made me laugh and cry and think about my life. Am I living the life I wanted? Am I living MY best life?..." Read more

"...He was honest, direct, loving and kind, and while he lacked filters in some of his conversations it never seemed like it was an issue...." Read more

"...They made me care SO MUCH! They struggled to find their way with life,and with each other...." Read more

Don't say When...
5 out of 5 stars
Don't say When...
What can I say about The Life We Wanted; you will laugh, you will want to punch something or someone for being an idiot and you will cry over a single word. This book will break your heart and Kelsey words will slowly paste it back together.The Life We Wanted is so much more than Sebastian and Tabby journey to finding love it about a father connecting with a son he never knew about and that son finding peace in a year of pain and feeling unwanted. It also shows how bandmates/brothers always have your back no matter what. Love the group texts between the band members – even in the text they banter like 5-year-olds. I also loved how music plays a big part in this book, you need to listen to the playlist while reading this book.The last thing I going to tell you about this book, GO READ IT! You will not be sorry that you did because Kelsey’s writing will make you feel everything these characters go through. Then you have to come back and tell me that you didn’t giggle every time she wrote “Chaddington Bear”
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2019
    This book was a bit of a risk for me because I went into it completely blind – new author to me, no synopsis, and no clue as to what genre it might be. This is one of those times that it paid off in a huge way, and I’m so glad I found this author! The beautiful, poetic prose of the story had me highlighting passages left and right, and it's so full of emotion and feeling my heart was swept away on its tide.

    Tabitha is a very controlled, professional real estate agent who becomes a single mother to her fifteen-year-old nephew, Greyson, after her sister dies suddenly. She stumbles across some letters in her sister’s things that reveal the identity of Greyson's father and mails a letter to Sebastian Morrison, who turns out to be Sebastian Moore, drummer for one of the most promising rock bands around. Between a buttoned-up, always in control gal whose life has clearly gone off the rails, and a long-haired, tattooed rocker, adding in a grieving teenager with an attitude and chip on his shoulder to match makes for quite eventful reading. But beneath and between the discord and uncertainty is a thread of vulnerability and hope that makes this read deep, evocative and compelling. The rules have changed for all of these characters, and they’re each doing their best to find their footing, yet somehow managing to find themselves in the process.

    One of the things I love about this book is the way it highlights the impact of music on our lives. The way a special memory can be tied to a specific song, or the way the lyrics can speak to us and their story play out in our lives. Instead of song lyrics, the author gives us lyrical prose that hit straight to the heart, like “I wondered where they lived, what their house looked like, and what it must be like to have someone to come home to,” and “I couldn’t remember the last time I told my dad that I loved him, but I would always remember the first time I whispered ‘I love you, too’ to my son.” I won’t spoil the book by sharing the most amazing quote, but it hits the hardest as these characters close a chapter in their lives and look forward to the future they've created together.

    If you’re not a fan of the rock star romance genre, have no fear. I'm always apprehensive I might get too much of the sex and drugs stereotype, and that absolutely is not the case here. Instead this a heartfelt, poignant story that depicts the journey through grief, the challenges of facing the unknown, the beauty of self-discovery, and the rewards of taking a chance. I fell hard for all of these characters, but especially for the long-haired, tattooed, arrogant but charming rocker lacking a verbal filter who has a huge heart but is a little lost. I adore Tabby and cheered for her as the man she thought was absolutely wrong for her plays a part in her figuring out how to break free from her self-imposed cage and find her authentic self.

    Amidst the loneliness, grief, loss and uncertainty, Sebastian, Tabby and Grayson manage to find the good in things and build the life they want out of the devastating circumstances handed them. Their story is heartbreaking but humorous and sensuous but sweet, and one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever read. Take a chance and fall in love with these amazing characters. Their journey will easily enchant your mind, own your heart, imprint your soul and leave you breathless, and their story is one you'll want to return to again and again.

    *I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
    45 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2020
    It turns out, I am reading this series in no particular order. I picked up The Life We Wanted because I already know I desperately want to read the follow up (The Life We Have) and it seemed like a good idea to get in on the ground floor while possible.

    Plus – Kelsey Kingsley slays me.

    This is something I only discovered at the end of last year, so I’m still working my way through the backlist. And what I’m finding so far is that each book is slaying me in a different way than the last. But one thing remains true: the writing is stellar. And it sometimes takes my breath away.

    I mean, there were moments here. I swear I couldn’t breathe. My heart did all the fluttering and thumping and wild and crazy acrobatics – but not only because Sebastian and Tabby were in the middle of this epic love story. No, it was also because Sebastian and Greyson were in the middle of this epic love story and my heart didn’t even know how to handle it. Some of the sweetest, most breathtaking moments of this story were those where father and son learned how to be father and son and – y’all, I was wrecked.

    Then there was the actual romance. I’m not going to lie – Tabby was not an easy character to love. I struggled with her a lot. I mean, part of me understood where she was coming from. But the sappy romance loving part of me didn’t really care about how true-to-life she was. I just wanted her to love Sebastian the way I loved Sebastian and I got really frustrated when she refused to do that. Tabby and I were not best friends.

    And yet, I still loved her.

    I still loved the push/pull between her and Sebastian.

    I loved the way they fought and pushed and clawed their way to a happy ending that completely lit me up inside and made me cry all the happy tears.

    This was an emotional journey – and I loved the heck out of it. I can’t wait for Greyson’s story. I can’t wait to see all the new ways Ms. Kingsley will find to work my heart over. The writing is so lovely, the storytelling is completely compelling – sometimes in a visceral way as so many scenes and feelings were tied to music and songs. It was easy to attach myself to the mood and feel the aching longing between Tabby and Sebastian. It was easy to make myself a part of the story to the point where I felt every emotion – good and bad – at a sort of bone deep level. And that’s the stuff I can’t seem to get enough of. The stuff I keep coming back for over and over again. And, in the end, that’s the stuff I can’t wait to dive back into as soon as possible!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Isabella Bazzarelli
    5.0 out of 5 stars The life we wanted
    Reviewed in Canada on March 13, 2020
    A beautiful well written rock'n'roll story. Sebastian and ms tabitha (Tabby). I loved Sebastian character, his sarcasm and how funny he is. A secret that will change his life, Tabitha is a wonderful but unhappy woman, so much has happened in one year and she needs sebastian's help. Once he finds out what the life changing secret is, he meets up with tabitha. Sebastian life changes foerever.
  • Kim C.
    2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
    Reviewed in France on March 2, 2020
    Maybe I have to take some time to explain this low rating while so many people seemed to love this book.
    First, I didn't get along with the two main characters. I read the whole book trying to understand Tabby's reasoning. From the beginning, she was complaining that she wasn't living the life she wanted. I still haven't fathomed what she wanted aside from wearing rock band's T-shirts, tattoos, jeans, and Converse. Is it a goal in life?
    I didn't enjoy the writing, and in particular what the author chose to highlight. I understand this book is a romance, therefore focusing on the couple's feelings. Nevertheless, they met because of his son, who just lost his mother, so I expected more reactions from this situation. One may think I'm too picky, but to me, the point in romance is that as we all know there will be the Happily ever after at the end, the author should make us forget all these details. I expect to be carried through a world of emotions. Here instead, I just read until the end because of my respect to writers' work. I don't regret it as I loved the little scene in the epilogue between Greyson and his dad.
  • LJ Nelson
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars! - Bewitched, mind, body and soul...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2019
    Think you know this storyline? *shakes head* Think again, my friend!

    *gulps*

    *clears throat*

    *sniffs*

    *wipes eyes*

    Sheesh! You’ll need to give me a minute. My emotions are all over the place.

    I should know better by now - this author does it to me EVERY time. What do I mean? Well, *taps chin*, how best to describe my reading experience? It feels as if my heart has been put through a blender then miraculously glued back together and re-inflated by the end.

    In other words, I’m in need of a very stiff drink *snorts* Plus, I might need an intervention to quit playing Everlong on repeat *sings* It’s not helping...

    To all the world, Sebastian Moore has it all: money, fame and all the women he could ever want. It’s a lucky person who can have a career from their passion. Drumming embodies that for Sebastian. The music literally runs through his veins. It’s speaks to his soul.

    Yet something is missing. Someone to come home to...

    A letter out of the blue changes everything (*whispers* in more ways than one) - a son he never knew he had. It’s funny isn’t it? The realisation of how much you didn’t know you wanted something till you finally have it.

    Loving his son and forging a relationship opens his heart to the chance of loving someone else too, if only she’ll give him a chance. We are more than the sum of our past.

    “You’re everything I shouldn’t want.”

    Now I have to admit I nearly got done for GBH to my kindle after that comment by Tabitha, but that’s one of the things I loved most about this story. The role reversal. Sebastian’s knows what he wants: he just has to convince Tabby that his heart is true.

    In order for Tabitha to have the future she wants, she first has to be true to herself. She doesn’t have to be Ms Goody-Two-Shoes for anyone - where’s the fun in that? I personally think she is super awesome as she is. All she has done and strives to do speaks volumes.

    We all deserve to be loved for who we truly are, and Sebastian sees the real Tabby.

    I laughed - I cried (oh, how I cried!) - I swooned my little heart out reading this book.

    Quite simply, I will love this story Everlong.
  • Nicole Adams
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Reviewed in Australia on February 1, 2019
    The Life We Wanted is a beautiful story of longing and sacrifice. It explores two independent people dealing with major change and finding out that sometimes you can rely on someone else. I couldn’t put this story down and the author beautifully delivers an at times heartbreaking and humorous story of two souls taking a chance on love and a new way forward in life.

    Sebastian Moore is a world famous drummer living a perennial bachelor life. Touring the world playing with Devin O’Leary from the novel ‘Daisies & Devin’ give him everything he could ever want. Money, women and all the drums he can dream off. But he’s starting to think about what comes next.

    Tabitha Clarke is a rebel who made a choice to conform and live a stable life when her nephew, Greyson, is born. Having endured the devastating loss Tabitha is at a unsure as to what to do. She feels helpless and reaches out to Greyson’s father for support.

    Together they navigate caring for Greyson and in turn find that they have a chemistry that can’t be denied. I loved watching Sebastian challenge Tabby and mess up her perfectly constructed life.

    One of the standout relationships in this story between Sebastian and Greyson. How does a rockstar deal with the news he has a 15 year old son? In Sebastian’s case with humour and sincerity that only a beautiful man-child can deliver. The relationship between these two is the hero of this story.

    Music is such an important part of this story and you can’t help but appreciate the authors love for it.

    Kelsey Kingsley has a way of developing characters you can’t help but adore and I feel this is her best story to date. I highly recommend you give The Life We Wanted a chance. You won’t want to say ‘When’
  • P3
    4.0 out of 5 stars Long story short
    Reviewed in Canada on September 24, 2020
    I enjoyed this book, but I could not give it 5⭐️because I found it a little long winded and I didn't get the point of Roman Dolecki . I went ahead and purchase The Life We Have and will be reading it soon.

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