Jennifer Van Wyk’s first three books have a brand new look!

 

From the Ground Up

A Better Place

Feels Like Home

 

Fun, steamy and emotional romance, I love these books so much!!!!

 

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From the Ground Up
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5 stars!

OMG, this book! I loved it so much! A stunning romance that is as unique as it is beautiful and realistic, it’s a truly special story and one of those books that you just want to curl up inside of and never leave.

“When I was seventeen I fell in love. And I never fell out. I was lucky.”
“No, Barret. I was the lucky one. Still am.”

Barrett and Tess were high school sweethearts who fell in love at 17. Now in their 40s, they have been married for 22 years, have four children and two businesses, and they’ve lost their groove a bit while dealing with life, work and kids. They’re still madly in love, they just miss the ‘us’ they used to be and are trying to find their way back to each other.

Read full review

 

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A Better Place
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4 stars!

I love this book! A single parent romance with mature characters (both in their 40s) that is beautifully sweet and packed with emotion.

Quick disclaimer: Jennifer Van Wyk’s first novels are publicised as standalones, but be aware that they all tie in together. You could read this one on its own, but there is a lot of character crossover, and I recommend reading them in publication order in order to fully follow the dynamics (see details below).

This is James and Carly’s book. James is the brother of Tess from book #1, and he is a single father to a 20-year-old daughter, Lily. Carly is new-ish to town, and is the teacher of James’ first-grader niece. An embarrassing encounter during school drop off sparks a wild attraction that takes them both by surprise, and puts them on a path that neither of them were expecting.

James has been on his own since his ex-wife walked out when his daughter was only three, and since then he has put his life on hold to be there for his girl. Now that she’s off in College, he’s at a point where he’s looking to pursue his own dreams, and that includes the woman that he can’t get out of his mind.

Carly experienced hell in her marriage. Emotionally abused for years, her history has understandably left her extremely skittish around men, but she can’t deny her mad attraction to James, and he makes it clear that he feels exactly the same way. He recognises that she’s been through something awful and that she’s terrified of getting involved, but he is sweet, patient and caring, and with the promise of “friends only” while they get to know each other, they begin a sweet and easy friendship.

“I’d really, really like the chance to get to know you better.”
“You would?”
“I would.”
“But…why?”
“Why?”
“Yeah. Why? I mean, I’m nothing…””
“You’re everything.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“And yet I already know that you’re everything.”

Things actually move pretty quickly between them, but it feels like a slow burn as they slowly get to know and become comfortable with each other, and we get to watch each little stage as their relationship develops. Though they declare themselves friends, there is so much more between them from the very start, and all of those feelings build beautifully as they open up to each other, and though he takes things slowly, James is open about what he is feeling and what he wants, and it’s so freaking gorgeous!

“Don’t be nervous around me. Don’t be afraid to be yourself.”
“I’m not…” She begins to protest, but I stop her by pressing my thumb against her lips.
“Yeah, you are. But we’ll get there. I promise, one day…” I lean closer to her. “…one day we’ll get there. Together.”

I love James. He is sweet, funny, and just such a good guy, and I adored him pretty much instantly. And Carly is a wonderful character. She’s overcome so much, and her mix of strength and vulnerability was understandable and really well written. I loved them individually, and I loved them together, and when you add their kids to the mix – particularly a very protective, yet still traumatised 16 year old Jack – it’s a beautiful dynamic. James and Jack together absolutely melted my heart, and I love the relationship that they develop.

The characters from the previous book, and the next book, are all a big part of the story, with wild family gatherings, drunken girls’ night outs, and manly chats adding a lot of fun. This is such a great group, all very tightly bound together, and I loved seeing them all encouraging James and Carly along the way.

“I’m falling, baby. Hard.”
“Yeah?”
“I am. You feeling any of that?”
“All of that.”

There is a bit of drama, but it’s all external to the relationship, and doesn’t really come as a surprise. It’s handled well, and creates great opportunity for character and relationship developments, and it works really well with the love story, with James and Carly standing strong in the face of it all.

“She’s it for me. She’s everything. No doubt about it. And I’ll protect her with every last breath I have in me if I have to.”

I love a grown-up, functional romance, and that is exactly what this book is. James and Carly are open and honest, they tease and laugh and are all-in with each other, even while keeping things friendly. Their romance is sweet, sexy and swoony with all the feels, and I loved this one!

4 stars.

 

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Feels Like Home
Buy:  Kindle Ebook  |  Paperback

5 stars!

I freaking LOVED this book! A gorgeous romance between an older couple – both single parents of teenagers – that have been burned badly by love, this relationship is full of emotion, fun, laughs, passion and intensity, it’s functional and heartwarming, and OMG the swoon! I devoured this book, completely caught up in the love story, and I absolutely loved it!

Read full review

 

 

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Jennifer Van Wyk’s Interconnected Standalones

 

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Giveaway

Jennifer Van Wyk is giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card!

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway

 

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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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