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Showing posts with label Contemporary Romance. Show all posts
Dear Jane by Kendall Ryan
15 October 2018
Title: Dear Jane
Author: Kendall Ryan
Release Date: October 15, 2018
I broke her heart ten years ago and left town.
She hates me, and rightly so. It doesn’t matter that the rest of the country loves me, that I’m a starting quarterback with a multimillion-dollar contract. Because when I look in the mirror, all I see is a failure who was too young—and too afraid—to fight for what I wanted.
But I’m not that guy anymore, and all I need is one shot to convince her.
***
He has no idea what happened after he left. And now I’m supposed to work alongside him like we don’t have this huge, messy history?
But I’m older now, wiser, and I won’t let anything stand in my way of doing a good job for this league. Not even one overpaid, arrogant player who thinks we’re going to kiss and make up.
News flash, buddy: I am over you.
I've been a fan of Kendall Ryan's books for years now - Hard to Love remains one of my favorite romance books ever - so it was kind of a no-brainer that I would want to read Dear Jane. Add in the fact that I'm a sucker for second chance romance... there was no way that this book would not be on the top of my TBR!
The story is pretty straightforward - Jane and Weston were high school sweethearts, and when Weston went off to college, he found himself overwhelmed with all the pressure of being a collegiate athlete, and maintaining his grades. Jane and Weston soon ended up breaking up, and ten years on, they find themselves working together. Jane is the assistant manager for the Hawks, while Weston is the team's starting quarterback. From the beginning, it was clear that they were in two completely different places with regards to what happened between them in the past - Jane is set on avoiding Weston as much as possible, while Weston doesn't really understand why Jane is bitter... when she was the one who broke up with him in the first place.
Dun dun dun!
At first, given all the uncertainty between Weston and Jane, I assumed that Dear Jane would be an angst-filled read. But it wasn't. It really wasn't. I found Dear Jane to be a light, relaxing read, and I was glad that it focused on the the growth and the development of the relationship between our main characters, instead of being focused on what happened in the past. Every time there would be a chance for the book to take an angsty turn, the characters would sit down and talk to each other, and explain why they did what they did. How refreshing! I am all for books about moving forward instead of being stuck in the past.
Now, let's talk about our main characters. I adored Jane! I love her relationship with her parents, and her best friend Alex. I love how career-focused she was, and how there was no drama because of her working in what is perceived as a "man's world". She's good at what she does, period. No questions asked. I also like that there also wasn't an issue with her dad being the coach of the team - her skills and capabilities stand for themselves.
I love how Ryan portrayed Weston in this book. He may be one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he's just like you and me. Weston has his own uncertainties and insecurities, and while I'm not really fond of some of the decisions that he made, I understood them. I understood where he was coming from. I like how we readers were able to experience and feel how Ryan's character developed, and how he matured since he last saw Jane ten years ago.
All in all, Dear Jane was a very enjoyable read. (It also introduced to us the hero of Kendall's next book and I CANNOT WAIT for its release!!!) The story was very fast-paced; the characters well-developed; and I have to emphasize that this book was very low angst. I LOVE low angst romance books! Once again, Kendall Ryan doesn't disappoint!
Rating: 4 Stars
[Release Day Launch and Teaser] Blind Kiss by Renee Carlino
14 August 2018
Title: Blind Kiss
Author: Renee Carlino
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: August 14, 2018
Release Date: August 14, 2018
Penny spends her afternoons sitting outside a sandwich shop, surrounded by ghosts. Fourteen years ago, this shop was her childhood dance studio... Now she’s a suburban housewife, dreading the moment her son departs for MIT, leaving her with an impeccably decorated McMansion and a failing marriage. She had her chance at wild, stars-in-her-eyes happiness, but that was a lifetime ago. After The Kiss. Before The Decision.
The Kiss was soulful. Magical. Earth-shattering, And it was all for a free gift card. Asked to participate in a psych study that posed the question, “Can you have sexual chemistry without knowing what the other person looks like?” Penny agreed to be blindfolded, make polite conversation with a total stranger, and kiss him. She never expected The Kiss to change her life forever and introduce her to Gavin: tattooed, gorgeous, and spontaneous enough to ask her out seconds after the blindfolds came off.
For a year, they danced between friendship and romance—until Penny made The Decision that forced them to settle for friendship. Now, fourteen years later, both of their lives are about to radically change—and it’s his turn to decide what will become of their once-in-a-lifetime connection.
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