He’s a single dad & cowboy
She’s his daughter’s dance teacher
This is their second chance
Sexy & emotional with a bit of suspense
Amazon | Amazon Worldwide
Blurb
I left Lakeside, Montana heartbroken and lost with no desire to ever return.
But life had other plans.
Moving back wasn’t what I wanted to do, but I’d do anything for my daughter Emmy. Including put myself right in the path of Sadie Jones.
My daughter’s new dance teacher.
The reason my heart was never fully opened to anyone else was because it’s always belonged to her.
When I watched Reed Sanders drive away from Lakeside, I knew my heart would never recover.
He was meant for more than what this town could offer him.
Than what I could offer him.
I tried to warn him to stay away from me but he refused to listen.
If only he would have, maybe then I wouldn’t feel so broken.
The heart is mysterious. It can be closed off and open at the same time.
Unfortunately, sometimes it takes danger lurking around the corner to make it choose a side.
All I can hope is that one day I can finally hear the words… I’m Yours.
Review
4.5 stars!
✓ Small town romance
✓ Childhood best friends
✓ Almost-second-chance romance
✓ Sexy single Dad
Jennifer Van Wyk writes the most beautiful, swoony love stories. Her books are always strongly focussed on the romance, and I love getting completely swept up in her books, and this one was no different. The story of a widowed single father returning to his home town and reuniting with his childhood love is sweet, sexy and swoony, and such a gorgeous read!
“I’ve carried you with me, Sadie Jones.”
“I’ve carried you with me, too.”
Reed fell in love with Sadie when she moved to his small town when they were 14 years old. They became best friends and he always wanted more, but she continually refused him, using the differences in their situations and social standings as an excuse. She was from the ‘poor’ part of town and never felt good enough for him, and even when they turned 18 and seemed on the brink of something magical, Sadie broke his heart and he left town.
Twelve years later and Reed is a widowed father to a spunky 5 year old little girl. Following the death of his wife nine months earlier, he is returning home to his roots and his family ranch to get a fresh start for them both. That fresh start includes enrolling his daughter in longed-for dance classes, and that’s how Sadie comes back into his life – as the owner and instructor at the local dance studio, she is little Emmy’s new teacher.
From the moment that Reed and Sadie see each other again, sparks fly. You can tell there is so much emotion still between them, and I love, love, love how they don’t get all cagey and play the cat and mouse game. They were best friends, they have missed each other, and they don’t delay in catching up on all of the time they have lost. They have so much to learn about what has happened in their 12 years apart, and though they have a lot of difficult news to share, they do it openly and honestly, and I loved watching them reconnect.
And it doesn’t take long for the truth of their feelings to be revealed. Something so all-consuming can’t be hidden, and neither of them even try, and there’s this overwhelming feeling of at last as they give in to everything they’ve wanted for so long, and it’s beautiful to watch. The emotions are strong, and their passion for each other is sizzling, and there’s this sense of soul-mates being reunited as they easily and naturally fall back together.
“I carried a piece of you with me even when I tried like hell to let you go.”
But just as they are finding their happiness, there is danger lurking, threatening their HEA and bringing a mystery/suspense storyline. Personally, I didn’t think it was needed, but it adds some interest and certainly didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story. It just was.
The big question was – did Reed’s undying love for Sadie mean that he was unfaithful to his wife? Well… I don’t think he was unfaithful, but I certainly wouldn’t want to be married to a man who never fell out love with his first love. He did love his wife, and I’m sure he loved her the best he could, but she certainly came off as second best, and I felt bad for her. But I was still able to embrace Reed and Sadie’s love story and after all that they went through, I loved seeing them finally get their happy ending.
“I love you… I’m yours. Forever.”
There’s such a great bunch of side characters to go along with this one. Firstly, huge shout out to Reed’s parents, who are absolutely fantastic! Not only firmly supportive of their son, but they are all up in his business, and open about their own, and their interactions are highly entertaining! Reed’s daughter, Emmy, is completely adorable and seeing the two of them together absolutely melted my heart. And Sadie and Reed’s respective best friends, Kandace and Justin, had a few sparks flying during their brief interactions, and I am hopeful that we’ll get a story for them in the future.
I loved this book. It’s sweet and swoony, and just what I was hoping for.
4.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Excerpt
I pull on the door and step inside, looking around. I hear sultry music from the back and hear someone call out, “I’ll be out in a second!”
I look around, pictures of dancers grace the walls. It didn’t look like much from the outside, but inside tells a different story. There are four rooms plus what looks like an office, each of the dance rooms have a large glass wall and a quick look inside shows a mirror on the opposite wall. There’s a sign that says “No shoes allowed past this point” and I furrow my brow, wondering what that means. There’s a built-in shelf that looks like it’s to store shoes and maybe even hang backpacks and coats. It’s impressive, really.
This same studio was here when I was growing up, but it looks updated, modern, and when I look to the side at another sign that reads “All dancers welcome here” I know that it’s exactly where I want Emmy to be.
“Keep going, ladies. You’re looking great.”
That voice. I know that voice.
It arrests me, my feet glued to the floor.
And then I see her.
She’s standing probably ten feet away from me and she gasps. I open my mouth to say something but I don’t even know what to say. Sadie. Our eyes connect and she takes a step forward then another. I do the same but then neither of us come any closer.
“Holy shit,” Sadie breathes, stopping in her tracks. My sentiments exactly. I had no idea she still lived in Lakeside, though I made it very clear to my parents that I didn’t want to know details on Sadie’s life.
We stare at each other, eyes blinking slowly. “What…” the rest of my question sticks in my throat. I’m not even sure what I was going to ask her. What is she doing here? What’s she been up to the last dozen years? Why couldn’t she love me back all those years ago?
“Reed.” My name sounds like heaven coming from her lips. I close my eyes, letting it wash over me. It’s been so long since I’ve heard her voice or seen her in the flesh, not just in my dreams. “Sadie.” My voice is thick and scratchy. She bites her lip and looks over her shoulder when the music in the back changes, someone calling her name and asking if Sadie wants her to continue.
“Can you take over for a bit, Kandace?”
“You got it!”
When her eyes return to mine, we continue our stare down, neither of us making a move.
“My daughter. She’s looking for dance classes.” It’s the first thing that comes to mind to say. But what am I supposed to do here? Shoot the shit with her? Make small talk? She made it clear twelve years ago that she no longer cared about me, so it’s best to keep things cordial now. If she came out to help a visitor, that must mean she works here, right? It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way; like my mind is stuck.
Her eyes widen at my mention of Emmy but they don’t seem surprised. Of course they aren’t. I’m sure she’s heard all about Emmy from my mom. Possibly even the fact that Katherine died, too. I assumed that when mom was keeping in touch with Sadie, it meant that they were doing so over social media or the occasional phone call. Now I wonder if they’re hanging out together, spending time with one another.
“I heard… about your wife. I’m sorry.” So, she did know.
I nod, shoving my hands in my pockets. I never understood why people said they were sorry. It wasn’t her who forced Katherine to stare at her phone screen rather than focus on the road ahead of her. I suppose it’s one of those sayings that started years ago and it just never changed over time.
“Thanks.”
She looks away and then back again, her eyes still so pretty. “Has Emerson danced before?”
My entire body flinches at her use of my daughter’s name. She knows about me. Possibly knew I was moving home and I didn’t even know she was still here. I take a minute to really look at her and that’s when I realize what she’s wearing.
Fish neck stockings, heels that look like they could be used as a weapon, they’re so tall, a pair of shiny bright green underwear and a black bra thing that looks incredibly complicated with all the straps.
“What the hell are you wearing?” I ask, probably rudely but she just smiles, giggling a little and it’s like a vice is gripping my heart. I haven’t heard her voice, her laugh, in so long. I missed it. I missed her; The way her eyes sparkle in amusement and her lips lift in a smile. Damn, she’s even more beautiful than I remember. When I last saw her, she was still growing into herself. Now, though, I see everything, thanks to her attire. Firm stomach, full breasts, strong arms and legs. The only thing that’s the same about Sadie Jones is her hair. Still pin straight and blonde.
She throws a thumb over her shoulder. “I teach pole dancing in the back.”
“My daughter isn’t pole dancing!” I’m sure I look horrified but I figured this was a regular dance studio for little kids.
“That’s good because she’s not old enough for that. Maybe we could start her out with some beginner ballet?” A teasing smile stretches across her face and I can’t stop my eyes from drifting down, focusing on her full lips.
I’m standing here in front of Sadie for the first time in twelve years as she takes a break from teaching a pole dancing class. We’re discussing starting my daughter out with some beginner ballet classes while she’s at her first day of Kindergarten. How is this my life? I’m barely holding it together, feeling like I’m about to come out of my own skin. It’s too much for me to deal with. She’s too pretty and sexy and my daughter just started school and… shit. I need a drink. And I rarely drink.
“Okay,” I find myself saying.
She moves with ease on heels that should roll her ankle and brushes past me, her scent lingering in the air between us. A mixture of something sweet that reminds me of when my mom would bake pumpkin bars in the fall and something else that brings back memories better left buried.
She hands me a piece of paper and pen. “Fill this out and here’s a list of our classes and the times so you can take a look at what works for your schedule. How old is she? Five?”
“Yes,” I tell her, wondering how she’s so calm. Meanwhile, I’m about to come unglued and out of my skin.
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About the Author
From the Ground Up was Jennifer’s first published novel and now that she was bitten by the writing bug, has no intention of ever stopping. Jennifer makes her home in small town Iowa with her high school sweetheart, three beautiful, hilarious and amazing kids, one crazy Jack Russell terrier. This is where her love for all things reading, baking, and cooking happen. Jennifer’s family enjoys camping, boating, and spending time outside as much as possible. You’ll be her best friend if you can make her laugh and follow up with asking her what to read next. When she’s not writing, you can find her cheering the loudest at her kids’ sporting events (read as: embarrassing them), sipping coffee or iced tea out of a mason jar with her Kindle in her lap or binging on Netflix.
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