Gaining Miles: A Small-Town Romance (The Miles Family Book 5)

Gaining MilesFinally Ben and Shannon get their happy ever after.A friends to lovers romance with characters that are both over 50 years old.Ben and Shannon have been good friends for over twenty five years. He fell in love with her young boys first. But it didn’t take long for him to see her for the beautiful woman she is.Shannon has had a rough few years. Finding out your husband has not only been cheating on her, but also has a second family with two children, was enough for her to end her loveless marriage. Add in the fact that he all but ran her family’s vineyard into ruin, secretly was growing illegal drugs on the property, and parenting her four adult children through their own relationship trials, she needs some of her own happy times.As with most novellas, this story moves fast. But it’s not much of a stretch with them knowing each other for as long as they have. It’s a very easy transition from friends to their happily ever after.It was a nice wrap up for the series.We get a glimpse of the past couples when they come to see their half sister, Grace’s new house. Setting up the next series.

Overall 4 starsPerformance 5 starsStory 3.5-4 starsFinally Ben and Shannon's story! This little novella was the perfect way to close the Miles Family series. I have been waiting for these two to get their HEA from the start and John Lane and Donna Postel were fantastically cast. John Lane was especially wonderful and his deep gravelly voice was so perfect as steadfast and loyal Ben. This is my first time hearing Donna Postel, but I was very pleasantly surprised. There isn't a whole lot of angst or drama in this one and I was grateful for that. These two have waited long enough, so I was happy that things moved steadily (and quickly) along. The bonus epilogue from Grace's POV was the cherry on top and I loved getting the updates on all the Miles siblings. Cooper's cameos are always memorable (double LOL) and I was excited to meet the Bailey brothers, which is Claire Kingsley's upcoming new series. What a beautiful end to a wonderful series!

This sweet wonderful novella was the perfect way to put a bow on this series. Shannon needed an HEA now that her kids all got theirs. Shannon Miles owns Salishan Winery. She’s divorced and the end of her marriage to a cheating criminal was messy. Ben has worked at the winery for 26 years and he’s loved Shannon from afar for many of those years. But now it appears their clocks may finally be in sync. The anticipation for this romance has been slowly building in the background throughout the series and it did not disappoint. This story definitely gave me all the feels - I felt Ben and Shannon’s anxiousness and excitement of what could be along with their love and joy. While short, the story also includes witty dialogue, characters with depth, and an engaging storyline. I am a bit sad to see the series end - but excited to hear there is another interconnected series coming.

The final installment of the Miles Family series and can I just say… FINALLY, Shannon gets the Happily Ever After she deserves after everything she went through. And Ben. For an older man… wow! Just wow!This is a novella and the perfect beautiful ending to this series, as sad as that makes me because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this family yet. Not even close to being ready. Good thing I can go back and re-read them over and over again. But there is nothing like that first time read. I am extremely jealous of everyone who gets to experience this series for the first time.Ben and Shannon are everything that is good and beautiful about this series. The icing on top of the cake. The perfect ending to a beautiful series. I adore everything about the way Ben cares for Shannon through all of it. I couldn’t imagine a better outcome for them or for the entire family as we see each of them and their HEA’s in this little novella as well.And this novella gives the perfect opening to the newest family series coming soon by Claire Kingsley and you bet I am here for that! I can’t wait!If you haven’t read any of the Miles Family yet, I don’t know what you’re waiting for, but go… now! Start with Broken Miles and work your way through, I promise the lost time is worth it!!Five stars for the perfect ending to one of my favorite series!

**Warning: This is part 5 or maybe 4.5, and sadly the last instalment, of the Miles Family series. I strongly suggest that you read the books leading to this final offering because it will give you a much better reading experience and you’ll get to meet and know all of these fantastic characters that I have completely fallen in love with.**I’m really quite sad! Not sad because I didn’t like this final instalment but because… well… it’s done. Finished. Having already read the Bailey Brothers series, I know that the Miles family feature quite regularly within these books too… but I will miss all these amazing characters so much.There’s a certain harmony within this final book and with pretty much all the drama over that the family encountered within the first four books, this story really serves as a neat little bow around the perfect gift package. And that is a definite nod to the way Ben Gaines pursues the woman he has loved for the last 20plus years.We’ve learned quite a lot about how Ben fits into the Miles family dynamic. He’s been a much loved father figure to all the Miles siblings for 25 years. He rescued a naked 2year old Cooper who’d run off into the vineyards (of course he’s naked, it is Cooper!!) and that’s when he knew where his new place in life was going to be. Ben was trying to escape his traumatic past, but that single moment when he returned the toddler to his mother Shannon secured his heart to this beautiful family.Ever since he’s watched them grow, taught them about life and stepped into the fatherly role that their own father neglected to fill with any success. The love he has for all the Miles children is like the love he’d have if they were his own. To him, they were his, in all but blood and name. But, for years he’s held a torch for their mother Shannon.Staying permanently on the sidelines, he’s loved her from a distance, awaiting the opportunity to declare his love for her. With her divorce final and Lawrence Miles firmly behind bars… their clocks are now in sync. All he needs now is the go ahead from Roland, Leo, Cooper and Brynn, to finally date their mum.Of course, all the siblings and their respective partners are more than happy at this development and offer their full support. As much as Ben is sure of his feelings for Shannon, he’s unsure if she feels the same way about him. So, he calls on Zoe, Shannon’s much admired and loved daughter-in-law for advice.Shannon Miles has certainly earned the right to happiness. She’s raised her family pretty much single handedly, run a successful business, developed and built a strong reputation and all while her dead-beat adulterous husband fathered another family, ran up massive debts and got himself involved with a drug cartel. That’s enough for any woman to put up with in a lifetime.What I love about Shannon is she’s a badass! She’s strong, wise, nurturing and caring. No matter what life has thrown at her or her children, she’s been resilient and faced everything with courage and determination. So when Ben sets his sights firmly on her heart, it’s so deserved.I love the way these two finally get it together. They’ve hidden deep feelings for each other for so long that when they do give into it, their love for one another doesn’t wait to build… it’s already there and there’s no holding them back. It’s their time now… the kids are all grown up - two of them being parents themselves and the other two happily on their way there too.They’ve waited long enough to be together so why wait any longer for forever. And they take their love firmly in both hands and run with it.What a fantastic ending to a brilliant series. I’m seriously going to miss theses guys and even though I know they are all happy and loving the lives they’ve worked so hard for… I’m sad because it’s the end. I’m seriously going to miss Cooper. I love him soooo much as a character. His energy, his antics, his passion, his love, his loyalty and his complete devotion to every member of his family. So incredibly endearing and heartwarming! I honestly believe we all need a Cooper in our lives. So pleased for Shannon and Ben, and it’s great that they both get their happy ever after… as do all the family.I cannot recommend this book series enough. It’s a real page turner and I’ve loved every chapter, even when it’s made me cry but most most definitely when it’s made me laugh out loud and smile. Kingsley is a genius at pulling you in to every one of her characters. I feel like I’ve loved every moment with them all and I almost feel like they are real people which is a real talent indeed.Can’t wait to start my next Kingsley adventure.

This series is about the miles family which has grace miles in but I have read the Bailey brothers series first and grace lives next door to them so I have already followed her journey in life and love the second book in the Bailey series jumps 7 years later so you meet the miles family with there family and kids complete.(big spoiler if you haven't read miles series first)For me I loved the theme and storylines but the book jumping time at ends then going back on the next book was to messy.this book Hannah is still pregnant and not married yet the previous book Leo's story it jumped time with her 6 month old baby in her arms and married.Plus there is know 6 months ago you have to read and figure it out.I like her storyline and characters but need better editing and less focused on none important detail and give more on the story.This is the last book in series, but they do show up in Bailey brothers series

Shannon Miles has raised her family and has grandchildren. Her family means everything to her but she thinks this is all she's allowed! Benjamin Gaines has lived Shannon for years, stood by her when her husband had an affair and even afterwards when he was sent to prison and they got divorced. Shannon knows that Ben is her best friend but suddenly she starts to see him in a new light. Can she have a new HEA with Ben? This was a great second life story where soul mates finally get to love and live

Loved, loved, loved this story. Not so happy that this is the end of this series but have thoroughly enjoyed following the Miles family through their ups and downs and finally getting their happily ever afters.Shannon and Ben's story is a wonderful way to end this series, loved every bit.Can't wait to read more from Claire Kingsley.Absolutely recommended.

I loved the ending to Ben and Shannon's story. Even though you got an insight into their relationship all the way through the series, I was so happy the author decided to give them their own book. Ben's courtship of Shannon is one of the most romantic things I've read. An excellent ending to an amazing series.