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Blurb
Jolie
Griffin Campbell was the typical bad boy. My father warned me not to get too close. But he’s handsome as hell with eyes the color of the ocean, and he’s fiercely loyal and loves unconditionally. I couldn’t stay away when he was the only boy to ever claim my heart. I gave him all my firsts . . . and he left me behind.
Ten years later, he’s returned home offering answers as to why he left because he wants me back—only I’m not the broken-hearted teenager he once fell for. His pretty eyes and killer muscles aren’t enough to mend the hurt that rages inside me.
Griffin
Jolie Bryant was my best friend’s little sister. She’s sexy as hell, sweet as sin, and very forbidden—my favorite memory and my biggest regret.
I should stay away. I’m harboring secrets that will shatter her world.
The thing about secrets is that they always find a way to come out. I just hope that when mine do, she won’t turn away from me . . .
I want my second chance with the only girl I’ve ever loved, but it seems that fate has other plans.
Review
3 stars
A romantic and dramatic read featuring two of my favourite tropes – second-chance and brother’s-best-friend – this book is a twisty rollercoaster ride as two teenage sweethearts navigate their way back to each other after years apart.
Jolie and Griffin met as teenagers when he befriended her big brother, Logan. Griff had a difficult home life and practically lived with Jolie’s family, and their feelings for each other grew from childhood friends to first, all-consuming love. They kept it a secret from her family while giving each other everything and planning for a future together, until one day, Griff just left, shattering both of their hearts in the process.
It’s ten years later, and Jolie and Griff have both been called home after a family tragedy. It’s the first time they’ve seen or communicated with each other since they parted and they know it’s going to be awkward as all hell. They’ve both lived full lives and have been through a lot, and they aren’t the same people they once were, but their feelings for each other are still very much there, and though Jolie tries to keep her distance, Griff is determined to get his second chance with the girl he has never been able to move on from.
“You’re mine. I’ll always come back to you.”
It’s an emotional journey for the two of them as they find their footing with each other again, slowly start to talk about their pasts and what they’ve been through, and finally address the big secret that tore them apart all those years ago. And though neither of them deny their feelings for each other, they have a lot of hurdles to overcome as they do all of that, and they know that any possibility of a future together is not going to be easy.
Their reconnection unfolds alongside Jolie’s family drama, which ties into the main storyline really well and adds some additional depth to the story. There are more secrets and reveals, and some pretty big twists (some expected, some unexpected) which keep things interesting, and I enjoyed watching it all unfold.
It did take me a little bit of time to become fully invested in the romance. We’re thrown right into it and initially it felt like the story was told to me rather than me experiencing it, and because of that I didn’t connect with the characters or their romance as much as I would have liked. It took me a while to feel their chemistry and really feel for them, but I eventually got there, and I thought their romance played out beautifully – with honesty, playfulness, passion, and a lot of heart.
There’s a gorgeous epilogue which gives us a great glimpse into the future and finishes everything off really nicely, and with a storyline hinted at for big brother, Logan, we will be revisiting this group of characters with a book for him in the near future.
Not as many feels as I would have liked, but still a good read. 3 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Excerpt
I throw my head back, laughing and happy that playful Jojo is back. “I remember the first time we kissed,” I say, looking into her eyes. She swallows. Her earlier playfulness falls away and is replaced with a serious, heated stare. “I remember the first time we danced.” My finger caresses the bare skin of her shoulder, and her green eyes go from shining emerald to a dark forest green.
“Griff,” she whispers a warning.
“I want to kiss you so bad.” My voice is gruff and filled with a need that far outweighs any craving for gelato. I don’t wait for her answer because the way she watches me has me undone.
My lips press to hers slowly, a soft caress, a begging for permission. Her fingers come up and rake through my hair, tugging me closer. My tongue peeks from my mouth, begging entrance to hers as she opens willingly.
The kiss is slow and testing at first. I’m scared of pushing too hard and having her pull away. She says she doesn’t want more, but the chemistry between us beats alive and strong. Her taste sets my body on fire as a million memories come crashing through my mind. Electricity sparks inside me, making me feel alive for the first time in what feels like forever. And now, with a simple kiss, I have come undone. My lonely heart beats in time with hers. My thumb brushes over the pulse point in her neck, and it thumps wild like mine.
“Jolie,” I say her name like a prayer.
“What are we doing?” she murmurs into my mouth.
“What feels right,” I answer into hers. Primal instinct begs me to take her on this kitchen counter and make her mine. My fingers pull at her scalp and she moans into my mouth, and my hard-on pulses to her sweet noises. The kiss intensifies until we are both breathless and panting when suddenly, she pulls away from me, pressing her hands to my shoulders.
Giveaway
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About the Author
R.C. Stephens is a top 100 Amazon best selling author. She has written ten romance novels and plans to continue to write many more.
When she isn’t in her writing cave she is raising three lovely children with her adoring husband.
Her books are filled with humor, heartbreak, emotion and true love.
Born and raised in Toronto, she loves the winter, but Spring and Fall are her favorite seasons.
Keep up with R.C. by signing up to her newsletter – http://rcstephens.com/newsletter
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