I like to call myself a “certified second chance romance hater,” but every once in a while one comes around that proves I can love the trope when the story is right. This is absolutely one of those times. This couple’s backstory may be messy, but it’s definitely a case of “right person, wrong time.” They would never have worked the first time around, and it was only with time and distance that they were able to get it right. This still has the fresh, lighthearted vibes of Adams’ other work, but it also gets angsty and seriously tension-filled – plus, there’s actually a little bit of spice! I loved the lovers to enemies to spouses to lovers vibes, which made this a nuanced, multi-faceted read. There were things that would typically push my buttons in the wrong way, but I empathized with both characters and could easily see how it all went wrong. I was hooked on watching these two slowly find their way back together, and the intense pining and depth of emotion made it a fantastic read.
The story follows Nora, a woman who is just starting to find success in her career as a sports agent. She’s finally been given her first client and her first real chance to prove herself… but there is one major problem. Nora’s new client, Derek, is her college ex and the only man to ever truly have her heart. While Nora knows she did the right thing by ending their relationship years ago, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things she should’ve done differently. The two haven’t seen each other in nearly a decade and the tabloids show that he’s clearly moved on, so maybe the situation won’t end in disaster, right? But as these two former lovers turned enemies navigate their new working relationship, they add one more complication – a drunken Vegas wedding.
So let’s talk about the one thing that could’ve sent this spiraling in the wrong direction – the fact that Derek has been a player in the years they were separated. That’s my nightmare fuel in a second chance romance, not going to lie. But I think it was handled really well here. Nora broke up with Derek out of the blue and never offered an explanation. She has no idea how badly she shattered his heart. It was clear from the start that both of their feelings ran deeper than either knew, and that pining and angst is what heightens the emotions. I actually really loved Derek; he is so completely gone for his girl that I couldn’t help but adore him. I also understood Nora’s reasons, and it was obvious that they had both grown and changed in the years since. They might not have been right together in college, but they’re different people now and that history is still there. I loved the little twists and turns in the story, and I loved watching them figure things out. There are some great moments of intimacy that stole my heart, and I ended up being emotionally invested in their relationship from start to finish.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48PW4Zc
Blurb:
College exes break all the rules when they reunite years later in this enemies to lovers, second-chance romance, the highly anticipated companion novel to the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet—from the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect.
“A really fun, chemistry-filled sports romance you don’t want to miss!”—Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker
Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender, who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it has come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge.
Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh, he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.
Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship save their careers or spark the romance of a lifetime?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48PW4Zc
About the Author:
Sarah Adams is the New York Times bestselling author of The Cheat Sheet and Practice Makes Perfect. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, she loves her family and warm days. Sarah has dreamed of being a writer since she was a girl, but finally wrote her first novel when her daughters were napping and she no longer had any excuses to put it off. Sarah is a coffee addict, a British history nerd, a mom of two daughters, married to her best friend, and an indecisive introvert. Her hope is to write stories that make readers laugh, maybe even cry—but always leave them happier than when they started reading.
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