The perfect man for me is the one who broke my heart. #thanksbutnothanksOnce bitten.Twice shy.Yeah, I wish.I’m on a mission to find myself a nice, solid, respectable man. The only problem is nice, solid, and respectable comes in a meh package and is B-O-R-I-N-G as hell.It’s been established. I have one type. Bad Boy. I tried the other flavors, I really did. But there’s nothing like the allure of … there’s nothing like the allure of a man who takes what he wants without apology.
As if my love life isn’t dramatic enough, Dean Bennett walks into my life again thinking he’s going to win me back with his charm and charisma. He might come in a different package, but under that expensive suit he’s still the same cocky, arrogant, pompous prick who only cares about numero uno.
I’m not that naïve young girl anymore so I have to ignore the fact that the way he looks at me practically sets my panties on fire.
Everyone deserves a second chance to right a wrong. The problem? He’s not just an ex-boyfriend…
He’s my ex-husband.
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I loved Chelsea in the first book. She was a laid back character but deep down I knew that her story was going to rock my world. I felt for her and what she had to go through. We get some small details but I love that while the author has it be an important part, it wasn’t a huge he focus. The story was her getting to know Dean again and seeing them work on moving forward. It wasn’t easy but the ride to their HEA was fun. The banter was fun, the heat was amazing and the love the characters had for each other was inspirational. I can’t wait to see the last book in this series. I have a feeling it might just be my favorite yet of Piper Raynes. 4 stars #2OCCJD
I’ve read every single book this amazing duo have written, and they haven’t steered me wrong so far. Afternoon Delight was no exception. I was angsty, bursting full with wit and banter, but when Chelsea and her ex opened their hearts it was pretty damned emotional.
Dean started out a bit on the smug, dare I say ‘that word’ yeah, you know the one I mean. Like Mr. cockerel prancing around the yard. But, he grew on me, and Chelsea. She wasn’t sure at first, but he wanted a second chance so what’s a girl to do?
Grab this book and set yourself up for an Afternoon Delight and find out.
4.5*
I’m just going to say it…Afternoon Delight was a delight. Plain and simple. It’s an engaging and heartfelt story that will have you believing in second chances.
Chelsea and Dean’s young relationship was one that burned hot and fast, but burned out just as quickly. For the past five years Chelsea’s done her best to move on and put Dean out of her mind. Dean, on the other hand, has used the last five years to become a better man, someone deserving of the love Chelsea used to give him. And he’s determined to do whatever it takes to win her back. I really felt for both C & D in this case, as they each suffered so much at the end of their marriage that it was hard to imagine them being able to come back from everything. But that Dean is nothing if not persistent and I just adored the way he was unwavering in his pursuit to make Chelsea his again.
Afternoon Delight ranks right up there as one of my favorite’s from Piper Rayne. I do enjoy me a good second chance romance and Dean and Chelsea’s story was right up my alley. I love when characters reconnect and you can just tell they are meant to be together, even with past dramas and heartaches. I love the fight for redemption and the surrender to forgiveness.
Let me start by saying, I loved, loved, loved this book! I have been a loyal fan of this perfect partnership since the get go. This book has got to be in the top 3 of all of their books, in my own humble opinion.
I so enjoyed the fact that every book has a fantastic vocabulary lesson! Piper Rayne has their own lexicon and I am happily learning from them. In the past it’s been Unicorn Cock, Muffin Bluffin and Groin Cleavage to name a few…this book has Vag Badger…read the book and you find the perfect definition for the word.
Afternoon Delight is the story of Chelsea and Dean and what a couple they are.
A youthful mistake of a marriage, a divorce shortly after and some unresolved feelings are the crux of this fantastic story!
I love how this story breaks the “fourth wall”, it really draws the reader into the story. Just a small example, which I loved, Chelsea says “…giggle number two. I’m going to count them the entire evening, so if you’d like to grab a piece of scrap paper, you’d be doing me a service.” As a reader, I wanted to grab a pen and paper to help the girl out!
Chelsea and Dean’s chemistry has never waned in the years that they were separated. They have both matured and grown but the love that they had laid dormant until they saw each other again after five years.
The twist in the story is heartbreaking and moving. You kind feel it coming in small subtle ways throughout the story but when it’s revealed…just wow…
The epilogue is absolutely amazing! I am not going to spoil it, but if you are a long time fan, you will not want to miss it!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Oh how I love Piper Rayne! I swear each book just gets better and better. I’ve loved every book they have released, but in my opinion, this is one of their best. Not only is it a second chance love story, but it also shows that even when things may seem like they are black and white, they rarely are and things happen for a reason when the time is right.
Chelsea Walsh has had her share of heartbreak in her twenty five years and while she wants love in her life, she’s always been attracted to the bad boy type and that is how she got her heart broken. Married at eighteen, she had found the love of her life, but then everything spiraled out of control and it ended in divorce. Lately, she’s been on a string of failed dates with more “respectable” men, but they just don’t light her fire like bad boys, or maybe it’s one particular bad boy – her ex-husband.
When she goes to a meeting with a tax attorney for her job at RISE, the last person Chelsea expects to come face-to-face with is the aforementioned ex-husband, Dean Bennett. The last time she’d seen Dean was the morning she walked out on him. Dean makes it clear that he wants another chance with her and that he never stopped loving her. While it’s clear that the chemistry between the two is still alive and well, Chelsea is skeptical as ever that Dean could have changed enough for her to even consider making him a part of her life again. Will Dean be able to convince Chelsea to trust him again and prove that he’s bettered himself in the last five years? Or will everything that happened during their short-lived marriage overshadow any chance these two have of a future?
There was so much to love about this book! The characters were so well developed and we learned so much about each of them as the story went along that it wasn’t hard to understand where both were coming from. They both have baggage, some of which we don’t know about at first, which made the story that much richer because you *knew* there were more proverbial shoes left to drop. These two characters were fighters and not in the literal sense, but they weren’t going to back down from what they wanted.
In typical Piper Rayne fashion, the book was witty, sexy, romantic and entertaining. Truly one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. This was truly a delight to read and you won’t regret one-clicking!
Afternoon Delight is book #2 in the Charity Case series and I swear, each book just keeps getting better!! Piper Rayne can do no wrong!
Chelsea is on her way to a date when she has to stop and drop something off for her boss. Little does Chelsea know she’s walking into her ex-husband’s office whom she left five years ago.
Dean had some growing up to do when Chelsea left and divorced him. He has been working hard to get his life back and track and go get the one person he’s loved forever, Chelsea.
I adore the story of Chelsea and Dean and their story gave me all the feels! To watch their relationship go from nothing to everything was beautiful. There was plenty of fun banter, just a touch of drama and a ton of sexy time! I enjoyed every moment of the book and I loved catching up with some old favorites as well 😉
Just when I thought these three ladies couldn’t get into any more trouble. WRONG… The authors once again have written a great storyline that will have you laughing, smiling and wanting to shake our heroine a time or two as you read book two of the Charity Case Series. While this is Chelsea and Dean’s story, all the main characters of the series as well as a few from the last series are all present and the author let us catch up on their lives as well – I absolutely LOVE this touch.
Chelsea and Dean have a past, a short lived married past that is. They married in Vegas and well youth and Vegas don’t always mix and divorce soon followed. Fast forward 5 years. Dean is no longer the hopeful pro jock but is a successful tax attorney. A tax attorney that just happens to be doing pro-bono work for RISE, Chelsea’s place of employment. Coincidence or planned on his part? Needless to say when they bump into each other Sparks fly…. both the good kind and the bad, but one thing is for sure the pull between them is still there. A feeling Dean wants to explore but Chelsea refuses. To Chelsea, old sparks are not enough for a new beginning or 2nd chance, one broken heart is enough for her, not to mention, old tigers don’t lose their stripes, do they?
The authors will take you on a journey of love, heartbreak and mending while you laughing, cry and smile through the pages. 2 Thumbs up for a great read. One that I highly recommend. If you haven’t read book 1, Manic Monday, I highly recommend reading it first. While it’s not a Have to, it will sure make this great read flow a lot easier. Kudo’s to the authors for another amazing job well done and I am soooooo looking forward to Hannah’s story (book 3 in this delightful series).
OMG, this book!
I’ve been reading Piper Rayne stories since the beginning and I feel each one is a departure from its predecessor. Still intertwined, still within a group of friends, but at the core they’re different people, following different life paths and all sexy, witty and heartfelt. That said Dean and Chelsea really stole my heart.
When I first met Chelsea, I thought she was an obnoxious b*tch, but after getting a second look at her in Manic Monday, I couldn’t wait to read her own story. I have to say she didn’t disappoint.
Chelsea married young and it didn’t work. She’s been trying to date, but she keeps on meeting subpar men that only make good as the following morning’s office joke. When she volunteers to drop some paperwork off for her boss, the last thing she expects is to walk into the office of her ex-husband, Dean Bennett.
Enter Dean and all hearts stop…like seriously. He is no longer the boy she once married. He’s all grown up, sexy as sin and still calling to her like a beam of light in the darkest night.
I’m a big fan of second chance stories and the ladies didn’t let me down. I fell in love with Dean since the very beginning. His love for Chelsea and his fierce determination to conquer her again are just swoon worthy and he also possesses a panty-melting dirty mouth. Then there’s the ever present banter between them. They are a true testament to opposites attract, from their baseball clubs to their taste in pizza, these two couldn’t be more different or more in love.
Afternoon Delight made me laugh and cry, like ugly cry because the characters are so much in love and the baggage they bring is nothing short of heartbreaking. Piper and Rayne wrote a beautiful book about love and what can happen if you are able to forgive and let go of the past.
I want everyone to enjoy all their books, but if you just want to pick up one book by them, I’d definitely say you should choose to have an Afternoon Delight.
5 delicious stars
f: Chelsea (POV)
m: Dean
I admired Dean so much because he’s a man that knows he fucked up the best thing in his life and not only is he willing to admit it but he also relentlessly tries to convince Chelsea to give him a second chance to prove himself. The lengths he goes to to try to reunite with his ex-wife and rekindle their romance is pretty swoon-worthy if you ask me! The flowers he sends Chelsea and the meaning behind them were so sweet and thoughtful! We get some details of Dean’s wrongdoings in the past, but you can clearly see how mature he is present day and how he actively works at being a better man.
These two married young and let’s just say the physical aspect of their relationship was never a problem. This time around, they don’t immediately jump into bed together because they’re taking things slow and trying to see how they work in other aspects of their relationship. Dean doesn’t really make this easy in my opinion because from the moment these two run into each other again, Dean doesn’t know how to hold his explicit tongue.
As in the first book in the series, I thought the conflict was wrapped up quickly and easily and the stage is beautifully set for the next book, Hannah’s!
Favorite Quotes:
Hannah will understand when I kick her tax attorney in the balls. -Chelsea
”even if you don’t agree to be my girlfriend, it doesn’t make me available. My heart belongs to you. That hasn’t changed.” -Dean
if I give him a taste of my milk and he doesn’t want to buy the cow than fuck him, I don’t want the asshole farmer. -Chelsea
Afternoon Delight is another fun addition to the Charity Case series and a fantastic second chance romance!
I really enjoyed Chelsea and Dean’s story. When Dean shows back up in her life it is obvious that they still have the chemistry that they had five years ago when they were married, but is that enough to overcome the heartbreak they experienced? Dean is a changed man and I love that he cleaned himself up and got help in order to be the man that he new he should be in order to finally take the chance to win Chelsea back. Chelsea is skeptical about Dean’s motives until she sees that he has really changed and she can’t help but give her heart to him all over again, but truthfully they have each held the other in their hearts for all those years. Now they have the chance to do it right!
After the end of the first book, which presents a huge revelation and novelty to the reader, we finally have its continuation. Second book in the Charity Case Series, Chelsea is the protagonist of the time, and will present her story, which will be filled with second chances, some secrets, uncertainties, comic moments and a romantic interest capable of causing sighs.
Chelsea is the liveliest of the three friends, and is responsible for telling her adventures in search of a relationship during her never-ending encounters. Having accumulated a large list of failures, she decides she will focus on finding the ideal suitor, a respected man, unlike the bad boys who both draw her. And mostly different from him.
When she was in college, she met a boy and fell madly in love. Their relationship was perfect, and they decide to get married. Young, passionate and with a life to come. But the fairy tale did not last forever. The boy who was a promise of the sport and certainly would get a good contract to be professional, ended up getting hurt and with that saying goodbye to his career. The whole planned life falls apart. The couple in love are distancing themselves. The husband so caring and in love begins to disappear. Drinks, drugs and nights out begin to be part of his routine. And with that their marriage begins to fall into the background. Until a tragic event will be the end point of this relationship.
Five years go by and Chelsea without waiting bump in the last person she imagined meeting: her ex-husband. The inconsequential boy turned into a man centered and with a nice career. But do bad boys really change? Or do they just disguise themselves?
I have no words to describe how much I loved this book. Chelsea and Dean were written brilliantly, there is a whole construction of the characters, showing how they evolved, changed and matured. Although it is a novel about second chances, with a heavier emotional baggage, the book is light and fun, and this is achieved thanks to the writing of Piper Rayne who conducted the narrative with mastery.
Dean was pleasantly surprised. After all that has caused Chelsea and his own life, he needs to hit rock bottom to get up again. Seeking help for his problems, the only thing he is sure of is his love for Chelsea, but he must first focus and rearrange his life to be worthy of her forgiveness. After seeking the help he needs, leaving his demons behind and graduating as a lawyer with a good job, he goes in search of the woman he loves, and for this he will fight with all the weapons he has to make her fall in love again.
All of Chelsea’s uncertainty and mistrust was plausible. What she suffered has hurt her a lot, and her caution is understandable. Her secret, when it comes to the surface, is sad and will make the reader sympathize with it. The two together work very well, love still exists, is only hidden as a form of self-protection. The beauty of the book is precisely to accompany its resurgence. A great story, with good characters and good writing. The ending ends again with a surprise, and now I only have to wait for Hannah’s turn.
Second chances
Great second chance romances. Chelsea have her heart to Dean once it ended in a broken heart. Dean came swooping back in Chelsea ‘s life to win her heart again. I loved seeing how the characters matured in the 5 years they were apart. Can time really mend a broken heart? Find out when you read the book.
I LOVED Chelsea & Dean!!
This story was absolutely TOP and one of Piper Rayne’s best books if not THE BEST!
Although I wasn’t as emotionally invested in this story as I usually am with my 5 star reads I still loved it equally as much. The writing was perfect as always and I feel like the books get even better and better with each new release, if that’s at all possible because they are all amazing in their own way. There’s nothing negative to say about this book and everyone who knows me will know that this is a rare occurrence with my reviews. (I’m usually way too criticising anyway)
I adored Chelsea and the push and pull between her and Dean. It was funny to watch her trying not to give in to her ex-husband while he was nudging her in his direction. Her inner turmoil was palpable and I hoped that she would give in to her heart which battled with her mind to forgive him. Dean was so sweet all the time that I couldn’t imagine why they’d divorced in the first place. But as the story went on, there was more revealed about the why and what went down in their marriage.
The story had a very realistic feel to it and some touching moments but was humorous enough to let me escape reality.
It was awe-inspiring the strength Dean gained mentally and that he had sought out help. He’d come so far and I was absolutely rooting for him to get his girl back because there was so much more to him than just being a cocky tax attorney. His clever and persuasive ways really were hard to resist because let’s be real here, chocolate milk is just too tempting to pass up. =P
I hope you enjoy this truly beautiful love story of Chelsea and Dean as much as I did.
This is the second book in the Charity Case series, and I LOVED it! Chelsea goes to drop something off for her boss, only to find out that she just walked into her ex-husbands office. This is definitely not where Chelsea wants to be, getting caught by said ex-husband makes the whole thing even worse. When Chelsea left her husband 5 years ago, she never wanted to see him again. Now, seeing him brings all the hurt back up to the forefront. Now Dean is trying to convince her that he has changed and wants another shot. Is this all about ego for him? Is he for real with wanting to try again? Chelsea tentatively gives Dean another chance, but figures out too late that she wasn’t as open and trusting with him as he is with her.
This second chance romance has all the feels! The drama was on point, but not over the top. The sexy times were steamy, the witty banter between the characters was funny. I love a book that can have me giggling out loud and smiling like a loon. I give this 5 stars.
I loved reading about Chelsea in Manic Monday and wanted to know her story. After her and her ex-husband Dean first interaction in five years you are wondering why and what made them break up.
You do find out and it was unfortunate and sad. But the attraction and chemistry is still there. He asks for a second chance, of course, she’s hesitant it broke her heart when they split. There’s lots of forgiveness that needs to happen before moving forward.
I loved Dean, I know he’s the ex and we’re supposed to hate him but I loved that he was trying so hard to win her back. I seriously swooned over him, he’s dirty and incorrigible.
When things are going well I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
NO SPOILERS!
Afternoon Delight was a sexy, funny, and entertaining standalone romantic comedy in the Charity Case series, and I loved it! The storyline and characters were fantastic, and I loved Piper Rayne’s writing style and sense of humor. I’ve really enjoyed the Charity Case series so far, and I can’t wait to read the final standalone, Happy Hour!
The storyline was great for the most part. It started out a little slow and for whatever reason, it took me a while to get invested in the story, but once I did I really enjoyed it. There were a few plot twists that surprised me, but pleased me at the same time. There were also a few instances that I didn’t like, but luckily it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story that much. I know each book in the Charity Case series is only told from the heroine’s point of view, but I think I would have loved Afternoon Delight even more if it had been told from both main character’s perspectives. However it was still an excellent story, and I was very happy with the conclusion.
Dean and Chelsea were wonderful and I loved them a lot. I really enjoyed their personalities and red-hot chemistry together, and how their relationship progressed throughout. It was definitely a unique and interesting set of circumstances regarding their relationship, but it was very enjoyable from beginning to end. Dean and Chelsea were quite the pair, and I loved most of their banter and interactions with each other. They were nothing short of entertaining, and even though it took me a little while to warm up to them and their story, I was extremely pleased with the conclusion.
Afternoon Delight was a sexy, humorous, and interesting standalone romantic comedy in the Charity Case series, and I would highly recommend it! Piper Rayne did an amazing job with this book, and I was ecstatic with the outcome to Dean and Chelsea’s story. The Charity Case series has been excellent so far, and I’m very much looking forward to reading Happy Hour!
This is the second book in the Charity Case series, and what a great series! Funny with a side of sex and a whole lot of heart. These books read like chick-lit, but they have more substance and are a delight to read. Last book we meet Chelsea, Victoria and Hannah who start working together in the non-profit RISE corporation, geared to empower young girls. Victoria, from the first book, is the serious one, Chelsea was the wacky one, and Hannah is the posh one. In this book we read Chelsea’s story.
At the end of Manic Monday, we learn that Chelsea had been married before to a bad boy, and the marriage ended badly. So she has chosen to go out with strictly good guys, except that all these guys turned out to be boring. She hankers for the bad boys but she’s still persevering with the good guys, though.
Dean Bennett was married to the love of his life, but the loss of his brilliant baseball career due to a damaged shoulder, took him to the bottle and ruined his marriage. Determined to win back his wife, he worked on himself to become the man she deserves and moves to her city and offers to work as a lawyer pro-bono for RISE.
When Chelsea and Dane meet again, she is still hurting from the breakup but still loves him. Their chemistry is still hot and burning. Dane makes his feelings and purpose clear but Chelsea doesn’t trust that a second disaster will happen again.
I loved this book and loved both characters. Even though Dean was in the wrong, for some reason I liked him from the start. Maybe it was his sincerity coupled with his bad boy vibes and a core of sincerity and love. Chelsea was the fun girl in the first book, and in this one she broke my heart. She was so sad and insecure most of the time, because she really loved Dean but was afraid. They take each other on a rocky road to their HEA but it made for a great and yummy love story. Victoria and Hannah feature a lot in the story, and we already know who will be Hannah’s sweetheart in the next installment.
Chelsea and Dean got married while in college impulsively. Their whirlwind relationship was hot and moved fast but they couldn’t make it work when things got rough. It’s taken Chelsea five years to accept the way things are so it knocks her off her feet when she finds out her ex husband is back and this time hes determined to show her how good they can be and that he isn’t going to walk away from ‘them’ this time.
I really enjoyed this. It’s a little bit more angstier than the previous book and I loved Chelsea and Dean together. I loved how much Dean had changed and how willing he was to put himself out there when it comes to his and Chelsea’s past.
This is exactly what I expect from Piper Rayne. It’s funny, witty, sweet, sexy and the characters are extremely easy to like. I can’t wait for Hannah’s book next!