Such a compelling second chance romance! I’ll be the first to admit that second chance romances are often difficult for me because there are always questions about the relationship that pull me out of the story, but this was written so well that it was engrossing, complex, and interesting throughout. The heroine is not my favorite, but our hero more than makes up for that with his heart and determination. I knew after reading the prequel that this couple was going to have an angsty, emotional ride to happy ever after but that the struggle would be worth it – and it definitely was. Lexi Ryan’s writing is so good that I didn’t even have a major problem with a couple of tropes that usually trip me up, and that’s a definite compliment to her skill.
I strongly recommend reading the prequel before diving into the full-length book, because it gives a lot of insight into the relationship and details the events of their night in Vegas. Essentially, Marston and Brinley and two people who come from very different families, and they made a relationship work in secret during their teens, but grief and heartache ultimately brought an end to them. Ten years later, they reunited for one night in Vegas and it was a very important night for both of them. For Marston, it reinforced his love for Brinley and is the catalyst for his determination to pursue her. For Brinley, it reminded her that she loses sight of her family’s expectations when she’s with him. Six months later, and these two reunite again… because Marston has received an invitation to Brinley’s wedding to another man.
Not gonna lie, this is one complicated relationship and their journey to happy ever after is not without its bumps in the road. While I really, really loved Marston, I wanted to throttle Brinley for most of the book. She’s engaged to another man for a significant portion of the story, so keep that in mind before reading. It’s frustrating and emotional, but all serves to make for one interesting read. There are parts of this that are so good that I was leaning towards a 5-star rating, and other things that irritated me so much that I considered lowering my rating to 3 stars, but I was engaged throughout. It’s sort of a torturous slow burn, if you will – this one is definitely for angst-lovers. Ultimately, I enjoyed the story quite a bit and was reminded of all the reasons why I love Ryan’s writing. Looking forward to seeing what’s next from this series. I received an ARC via Valentine PR and am voluntarily leaving a review of this emotional second chance romance.
The prequel novella is free and a great way to kick off this love story. You can read my review here or grab your copy at:
Every Little Piece of Me is a sexy, standalone second-chance romance in the all-new Orchid Valley series.
Every Little Piece of Me by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Lexi Ryan, is live!
It’s not every day you get invited to your wife’s wedding to another man…as a guest.
The first time I saw Brinley Knox, she was crying, draped in a ridiculous pink tulle dress for her sweet sixteen, and cursing the boy who’d broken her heart.
I was the hired help, a teenage charity case.
She was the daughter of the wealthiest family in Orchid Valley.
I knew a girl like Brinley was off-limits. That didn’t stop me from kissing her. Or from promising that if she were ever mine, I’d never let her go.
The last time I saw Brinley, she was sleeping, tangled in the sheets of my Vegas penthouse, my diamond glittering on her finger.
I returned three hours later to an empty bed, the ring on the dresser, and a goodbye note.
We haven’t spoken in the six months since, but I’m not the kind of guy who’d file for a divorce he doesn’t want.
Until I got this damn invitation, it never occurred to me that Brinley didn’t remember our impulsive Vegas nuptials.
It’s time to return to Orchid Valley and remind the bride-to-be that I’m a man who keeps his promises.
Every Little Piece of Me is a sexy, standalone second-chance romance in Lexi Ryan’s all-new Orchid Valley series.
Download your copy today!
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Excerpt:
Every Little Piece of Me, excerpt © 2020 by Lexi Ryan
I run the water cold and brace myself on the sink.
Everything is okay. This is just one moment. Inhale and exhale, and move your way through it.
Once my breathing evens out, I splash cold water on my face and blot it dry with a paper towel. I’m definitely overreacting. There are a thousand reasons he could be in town and want to talk to me alone. Thousands of reasons that don’t begin with the words “You’re the love of my life. Please don’t marry anyone else.”
Because I’m almost positive I don’t want to hear those words. Mostly.
When I step out of the bathroom, Marston is waiting there, leaning against the wall across from the ladies’ room, arms folded, jaw twitching with aggravation. The picture of tall, dark, and pissed off.
When Marston sets his mind to something, he gets it, and tonight, apparently that something is talking to me alone.
“Sorry.” I smooth down my pencil skirt. “That vodka didn’t sit right.” I turn toward the main room.
He catches me around the waist and spins me so fast that I’m trapped between the wall and him before I can blink. “Give me one minute.” He braces his hands above my head and leans forward.
I swallow hard. Not because I’m scared. Marston’s never scared me. But looking up at him when he’s this close is stirring up all kinds of memories. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at him without part of me wishing for the future I longed for at sixteen. I place a firm hand on his chest. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Was Vegas a joke to you?”
Of all the questions I expected him to ask, that wasn’t anywhere on the list. “What? Of course not. Vegas was . . .” Hot. Impulsive. Crazy. Amazing. Wild . . . everything.
He dips his head until his lips hover right above mine. “Don’t you dare call it a mistake,” he growls, his warm breath tickling my skin.
I ache to close the distance between our mouths, ache to feel his kiss again. I’d never call Vegas a mistake. Maybe I should, but I can’t.
“Fuck, you smell so good. I couldn’t get the smell of you out of my mind for weeks after you left me that damn note. Do you know how crazy that made me?”
My hand is still against his chest. If I pushed, he’d back off. He’d give me the space to clear my head. But when he shifts his mouth from above mine to my ear, I don’t want to push him away. I want to pull him back. “Marston—”
“Is this why you sent me that invitation? Did you want me to come here and remind you what it’s like between us? How it feels when we’re close?” In a breath, he has me pinned against the wall again, and his mouth crushes against mine.
Fireworks explode in my stomach. All at once, the floor is falling out from under me and I’m floating.
The kiss doesn’t last long—I don’t let it. I tear my mouth away before it can swallow me whole.
I shove him back, my lips tingling. “You can’t do that.” The kiss was everything I remembered, everything that’s missing when I kiss Julian. Everything I’ve been trying to convince myself I don’t need.
Meet Lexi:
Lexi Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles. A former academic and English professor, Lexi considers herself the luckiest girl around to make a living through storytelling. She loves spending time with her crazy kids, weightlifting, ice cream, swoony heroes, and vodka martinis.
Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog. You can find her at her website: http://www.lexiryan.com
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