Old flames burn bright. When a disgraced starlet returns home to lick her wounds, she discovers that her high school sweetheart is just as tempting as ever. “No one writes big-hearted bad boys like Jessica Lemmon!”—New York Times bestselling author Lori FosterAllison: When I left for California, I gave myself a new name and never looked back. Now my carefully crafted good-girl image is getting … back. Now my carefully crafted good-girl image is getting torn to shreds in the press thanks to my Oscar-winning A-hole of an ex-boyfriend. So I escape to the only safe haven I know and trust—my hometown—to take a breather while I plot my triumphant Hollywood comeback. However, when I arrive at my parents’ house, Jackson Burke answers the door instead. And suddenly the past comes rushing back. . . .
Jackson: First kiss. First time. First love. Yep, Allison Murphy and I shared a lot of firsts back in the day. When she left, she took half my heart with her. Now she’s back in town, and even though I swore I’d keep my distance, her parents hired me to remodel their house, and I’m going to finish the job. But one hot kiss later, suddenly the press is calling us the next big celebrity couple. Sure, I’ll play the part, for Allison’s sake—but I refuse to let her close enough to break my heart all over again. . . .
Praise for America’s Sweetheart
“Excellent contemporary romance—a second-chance love story that skillfully blends lighthearted sweetness and gut-wrenching emotion.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne
“From Hollywood to the heartland, this sexy, poignant romance from Jessica Lemmon proves that you can go home again and rekindle your first love.”—Kate Meader, USA Today bestselling author of the Laws of Attraction series
“America’s Sweetheart is the perfect second-chance reunion! A dynamic combination of sweet and sexy.”—USA Today bestselling author Jules Bennett
“True love and steamy seduction, with a healthy dose of destiny, make this latest entry a success.”—Library X-Press (starred review)
Look for Jessica Lemmon’s standalone romances with heartfelt HEAs:
FIGHTING FOR DEVLIN | FORGOTTEN PROMISES | SHUT UP AND KISS ME | EYE CANDY | ARM CANDY | MAN CANDY | RUMOR HAS IT | AMERICA’S SWEETHEART
This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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Excellent contemporary romance — a second-chance love story that skillfully blends lighthearted sweetness and gut-wrenching emotion.
From Hollywood to the heartland, this sexy, poignant romance from Jessica Lemmon proves that you can go home again and rekindle your first love.
I know there are alot of second chance romance books available but Jessica Lemmon has outdone herself with America’s Sweetheart that makes this one on the top of the best list. America’s Sweetheart should, without doubt, be available in every readers Kindle library, it is probably one of best, if not the best, from Jessica Lemmon! While it is part of the Real Love series by Lemmon, it can certainly be read as a standalone without feeling as if the reader is missing something. Allie moved to Los Angeles 10 years ago by taking a chance on an opportunity as an actress. But, in following her dream to be famous & make it Hollywood, the price being the loss Jackson & Allie’s longterm romance that started when they were high school sweethearts & carried on throughout college. But with that decision so many things changed for Allie; the change from small town girl to big city girl, the change to a new career, and as a result a change in name from Allie who will now be known as Nina & the change in their relationship, or the end to their romance because Nina & Jackson together never stood a chance 10 years ago mostly due to Jax’s responsibilies but the story provides alot of changes personally too. However, the one thing that doesn’t change is Jackson’s love for Allie. When Nina (AKA Allie) goes through a rough patch & feels everyone has turned on her, she runs right back to her parents house in her hometown. But, fate intervenes when she literally runs into Jackson who’s doing remodeling on her parents house while they vacation in Italy. These two have alot to work through when they try to navigate a fake relationship in an attempt to fix her career. But, after 10 years they didn’t seem to loose their connection & their sizzlin chemsitry is still smoldering, they soon find out its hard to decipher between what they are doing for the fake relationship & what feeling are real. We can feel the chemistry as evidenced by their sexy encounters but can they work through all the rough patches, the hurt egos? What happens when Jackson thinks Allie may be ‘acting for the camera’s when his own feelings are all in & very real. America’s Sweetheart is certainly a page turned & one read you won’t be able to put down. Definitely Recommend One-Clicking to follow Jackson & Allie’s amazing journey!
A confession, I’m a Jessica Lemmon fan. When Netgalley agreed to send me an ARC of her latest book I was thrilled. By sharing my thoughts I hope I can help you see what I do in Ms. Lemmon’s books. Her newest story, America’s Sweetheart, will be in bookstores and on-line on October 2, 2018.
Our hero is Jackson “Jax” Burke. He’s a successful, smart, handsome, nice man with a broken heart. As the owner of Burke’s Builders he finds himself remodeling the home of his former sweetheart’s parents. Weird but doable. He’s had a hard time moving on from Allie, maybe not moving on is more like it. Their break-up was bad and it left emotional scars. His love life is practically nonexistent, he turns down a blatant offer from his current blind date. Not what most guys would do so you know he’s in a bad place. He’s shocked when Allie comes barreling into his life again. It’s been ten years but those old feelings overcome his hurt and anger. He’s back in a ‘relationship’ with Allie before you can blink. It’s unnerving when his feelings change and grow more adult and deeper than before. Jax has my favorite line, “I don’t follow my dick around like it’s motorized and speeding away from me in high gear.” That one made me laugh out loud.
Our heroine, lets make that female love interest, is Allison “Allie” Murphy. She’s Jax’s high school/college girlfriend. During a summer break she takes off for an internship with a television network in LA. She convinces Jax that it’s only for one summer and their relationship can stand that short time apart. Incredibly she lands a walk-on role on a show called America’s Sweetheart that turns into a permanent job.. She changes her name to Nina Lockhart and her career takes off. I’d change my name to Rumpelstiltskin for a chance like that. She and Jax try a long distance relationship but we all know those end in either one person giving in or blowing up. They blew up. She wouldn’t come home and he wouldn’t move to LA.
Allie (Nina) has a Hollywood incident that threatens to ruin her career. She decides to go home to Mom and Dad and hide until she can figure out what to do. Her parents aren’t around but Jax is. To hopefully salvage her reputation they pretend to date and it turns hot pretty quick. It’s interesting and entertaining to watch their new relationship change, grow, be threatened again and, of course, work out in the end. If there wasn’t a happy ending it wouldn’t be a romance b
I am just sick of reading about really obnoxious bitchy women who treat men like crap. I am also sick of the reverse. Honestly what I am sick most of is ridiculous stories about unrealistic love stories that have not a modicum of any sort of reality. So I liked one book in the series. the rest is just embarrassing for women everywhere. The only decent thing about this was the narration. The rest was just ridiculous. Its been a while since Ive disliked a woman this much. Im done with this author.
Allison has returned home after a scandal surrounds her in Hollywood. Instead of being able to hide away in her parents home she comes home to find that her high school sweetheart has been hired to remodel her parents bedroom and redo the deck while they’re away.
Their relationship may have ended when she moved to California but their chemistry is still their. While I liked Jackson, Allison was another story – I found she got on my nerves quite a bit.
If you enjoy second chance romances you should check out America’s Sweetheart, also If you enjoy audiobooks I felt that Kathryn Lynhurst and Jason Clarke did a great job with bringing Allison and Jackson’s story to life.
Happy Reading!!!
Sweet story, nice characters, and boring plot. I love Hollywood star stories, and in this case, the star was the female character, who has career problems and flies back home and encounters her high school sweetheart. I also love second chance romances, and this one was sweet but not very convincing.
Allie had problems in Hollywood and her agent recommended her to fly back home and regroup. Her reputation went bad and she’s getting bad posts in social media. When she gets back home to her parent’s house, she finds her parents are traveling and her high school boyfriend remodeling their house.
Ten years ago, when Allie got her chance to intern in a movie, Jax was very supportive. He was all for Allie getting her chance. However, once she was selected for a TV series, she wanted him to move with her to LA and he refused. Long distance romance didn’t work for them and they broke up. The breakup devastated Jax, but he understood that they didn’t have a chance. He wanted to stay home, he was happy working in his construction company, while Allie needed to work at her craft in Hollywood.
As they keep running into each other, they sort of fall into a fling and this is where the plot turned south for me. They felt like they never fell out of love, but were marking time. Their camaraderie was intact, they knew each other perfectly, like they hadn’t spent years apart. Allie felt like she hadn’t matured much, but IMO Jax had moved on and he was now a man content in his own skin, sure of himself. Then why did he fall into the trap of reigniting a romance that had no future? It was always clear that Allie’s future is in Hollywood and Jax was happy where he was and didn’t want to leave home. So, for me, there was no compromise available and if one of the parts compromised, they were losing.
The story had no angst, no strong emotions, it just kept on flowing on a series of hookups and family reunions. It made for a mostly boring story, even though it was sweet. The heat factor was good, the romance factor meh. The end was not convincing, it didn’t feel like a really happy ending but more like one of them giving up their lifestyle for the other.
The was a pretty good read. The writing flowed well, and I thought the characters were developed nicely. I didn’t like how the book went from Jax’s point of view, to suddenly switching to Allie’s point of view. It was solely Jax’s POV for half of the book, and then switched. It switched again towards the end. I really liked Jax. He was a genuinely good guy. I wasn’t a fan of Allie for pretty much the whole book. She’s shallow, and only worries about herself and her fame. How she thought that what she did was okay, and Jax was just supposed to play along was beyond me. She did redeem herself in the end, and I enjoyed their HEA.
I voluntarliy reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
This pains me to give this book 3 stars. I have loved every book that I’ve read of Jessica Lemmon’s previously so I had high hopes for this book. For some reason, I just couldn’t connect with this book. I found myself skimming through some sections. I just didn’t feel the chemistry.
I did love the story line and plot of the book. I wanted to really love this book. I just couldn’t get over how forced everything seemed. This is a second chance romance about high school sweethearts. It just so happens that Allison becomes famous. That brings an element that I have not really read about before.
I did enjoy getting a glimpse of Barrett Fox and Catarina from a previous book. It made me smile when they were brought into certain scenes.
I will still read more of Jessica Lemmon – this one just didn’t do it for me. Not to say that it won’t for you though so give it a try anyway.
The sexy, sweet memories of first love! They were high school sweethearts, destined to spend their lives together … until she changed the game plan and decided to become a star. Now she’s back, he’s better than ever and she finds herself doubting whether it was all worth it or not. The characters were well developed and quick to grab my attention. She was hard to like, but Jax was enough of a sweetheart to carry the load and make up for her unlike-ability. A fast moving plot and just generally a fun story!
When young Allison Murphy left her home on the East Coast all those years ago to make it big in Hollywood, she never expected to one day be returning home in disgrace as her face is splashed all over the tabloids. Now thanks to the lies told by an ex, that’s exactly what’s happening! She thinks a little comfort in the arms of her parents will do wonders for her wounded soul, but arrives home to the love of her life who she left behind all those years ago instead!
Jackson Burke agreed to do a big remodel for Allison’s parents while they were away, but had no clue their daughter would be returning home during the time he and his crew are there. He can’t deny that just seeing her is like another knife to his heart, but when photographers catch them sharing a moment and it’s now spreading around that she’s found a new love, he reluctantly agrees to help her pull off a ruse … but he’s going to be guarding his heart around every corner!
Jessica Lemmon adds a sexy, sweet and heartwarming story to her Real Love series with the tale of high school sweethearts Jackson Burke and Allison Murphy who grew up and grew apart but life gave them a second chance at once in a lifetime love.
Allison dreams of leaving her small hometown and even though she left Jackson behind, she never looked back until years later when her Hollywood star is being tainted and the only refuge she can think of is within the safety of her childhood home. She never imagined Jackson Burke would opening the door and floodgates of their past.
To Jackson, Allison had been his first in many things, including his first and only love. Even though he tried to move forward with his life, having her back home is bringing back not so forgotten feelings. Though he’s older and wiser and won’t let her break his heart again, he can still have some sexy fun with her while she’s in town.
Jessica Lemmon knows how to write fun and flirty stories and America’s Sweetheart was no exception. Though I wasn’t a fan of Allison and her selfishness I adored Jackson. He wasn’t just a hot and sexy hero, a successful business owner, he’s sweet and caring and impossible not to fall for.
America’s Sweetheart is book #5 of the Real Love series by Jessica Lemmon. It is a standalone second chance, contemporary romance. It is lighthearted and fun, told from both points of view with a happy ending.
A small town girl heads to California to make it big leaving her high school/college sweetheart behind. I’ve read this story before. It ends with broken hearts, hurt feelings, and issues. The difference with this one is that Allison, aka Nina, and Jackson never got over each other. They tried, they pretended but as soon as Allison walks into her parent’s house while trying to escape the gossip of the showbiz world and sees Jackson all the feelings come back. The attraction is instantaneous, the feelings come out from behind the walls that were hiding them, and there is no doubt that Allison and Jackson did not forget about each other.
I love Jackson’s sister. She was the only one in Allison’s hometown that wasn’t in awe of her being a movie star, the only one that didn’t welcome her back with open arms and it is all because Allison broke Jackson’s heart when she left him behind. I loved how protective, how loving, and how respectful she was of Jackson and his relationship with Allison. She was definitely one of my favorite characters.
Allison was eh. She left the small town, came back to hide out, and the devised a plan with her agent to get her back in the good graces of the public. I realize that probably is part of being in the public eye but I am truly of the belief that the public will believe what they want no matter what the truth is. I hated that she pulled Jackson into the plan. Jackson was better than Allison. At least he knew that what his feelings were and were realistic in what their future held. He knew that Allison would have to go back to California and he was willing to put himself on the line to help her out even though there was the chance she would break his heart again.
America’s Sweetheart was a fun book to read. It was quick and easy. The perfect book to lose yourself in for a short time.
I love second chance love stories, and Allison and Jackson’s story is one that I truly enjoyed. They had to work together to remodel Allison’s parents house, and they worked on them during the process. It wasn’t a smooth quick reconciliation which I liked, and you will also. I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGallery for an honest review.
I want a man like Jackson Burke! He’s gorgeous, he’s considerate, he’s HOT, and he never fell out of love with his high school sweetheart! This is every girl’s dream come true. It took a while for these two to find their way back to one another, but they’ve come a long way and never forgot what it was like to be in love with each other. I fell in love the Allison/Nina and Jax – they are so perfect for each other, and have such awesome chemistry. Jessica Lemmon’s books are always a fun read, with just right amount of drama, humor, and steam.
This is a extremely heartwarming, sweetly sexy and action packed second chance romance filled with betrayal, mistrust, undeniable passion and a chemistry you can not turn you back on….. I loved it!!!
Allison begins in this story as a not so likeable person but evolves as things happen that are out of control devastating for the career she loved…. Jackson is so charming, sexy, sweet, strong and just has a huge heart that never really let go of his first love…. could not put it down!
5 Raving Stars
Review by Elizabeth
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night with Books Blog
Jessica Lemmon has produced yet another fantastic read with America’s Sweetheart!! This book is so addicting I could not put it down. When you start reading be sure to have a snack, a drink, and whatever else you may need to be comfy.
Allison left for an internship in Los Angeles during college. While she was in Los Angeles, her relationship with Jackson suffered so they broke up. Ten years have passed since they called it quits and she is back in Ohio to lay low after a scandal. When Allison and Jackson come face to face after ten years, you can tell they are not completely over one another.
If you cannot tell by now, I love second chance romances! Granted, I sometimes want to knock the characters for being dumb – Allison and Jackson are no different. I love that after all the time apart, they still have amazing chemistry. At first, Allison was not a character I liked due to her Hollywood attitude. It took a while for her to be likable – to me anyway. Jackson, on the other hand, is an absolute sweetheart. He will do anything for Allison – even if she does not deserve it – to make/see her happy.
Their story was a pleasure to read. If you love second chance romances, America’s Sweetheart is just for you.
Jackson and Allison were the quintessential high school sweethearts until she took a chance on fame and fortune in Hollywood, and it broke them apart. Now, years later, Jackson’s still in their hometown, owner of his own construction company and working on Allison’s parents’ home, when who crashes into his life again while running from scandal? Allison of course. Jackson has never gotten over his first and only love. Oh, sure, he’s tried, but he’s never been successful. So when she comes home with her tail tucked between her legs, he’s at first determined to never go down that path again with her. Not when he knows she’ll always choose her career over him, over them. But, the heart wants what the heart wants, and their chemistry is still there. Who is Jackson to deny himself the one woman he’s always loved, even if it’s only temporary?
Gah! I wanted to love America’s Sweeheart because I adore second chance romances, and I’ve liked everything else of Jessica Lemmon’s I’ve read previously. Unfortunately, America’s Sweeheart just did not work for me. I loved Jackson, but he’s really the only thing I liked about this story. I couldn’t stand Allison – she never grew or matured as a character or as a person until the very end. She remained the same selfish, self-absorbed twit she was in the very beginning, and I could not for the life of me see what Jackson saw in her. Really, if Jackson hadn’t been the real sweetheart, and if I weren’t giving this story somewhat of a pass because I like Jessica Lemmon’s writing normally, I’d probably 2 star it. But I’ll leave it at three stars because Jackson is awesome and because I’d hate to 2 star something of a writer whom I normally love.
Allison Murphy is known to everyone in America as Nina Lockhart, breakout star of favorite TV show America’s Sweetheart. After trusting her boyfriend, she’s finding out how quickly the tide will turn. Running to the only place she feels is safe, she returns home and is promptly and quite unhappily reunited with her ex-boyfriend.
Jackson Burke is making a life for himself running his own business. His only wish is that his personal life would be as filling as his professional one. None of the women he’s spent time with stir those deeply buried feelings quite like the one he’s avoided for the last ten years.
This book is a stand-alone though there are appearances by characters from this author’s other works. I was excited to get my hands on this one as I’ve loved the other stories of hers that I’ve read. The book grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept me quickly turning the pages.
I loved the heroine’s ability to pick herself up from the floor after being knocked down and hold her head up high. The hero is so lovable and very protective of his first love. The chemistry between the two leapt from the pages from the very beginning and simmered below the surface with their reunion.
I will definitly recommend this book and this author to my friends. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
3.5 Stars
Allison and Jackson were high school sweethearts but their relationship fell apart when she moved to Hollywood to become a star. Now Allison is back home after a scandal has made her the most hated woman in Hollywood.
I love second chance romance and I really loved Rumor Has It, Real Love #4, but there was just something about this book that I didn’t love. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m glad Jackson got his own story and I did enjoy reading this book.
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
This is my first time reading this author although I do have several of her books on by TBR piles. I like a second chance romance and this one with Allie and Jackson is so enjoyable. I liked how protective Jax’s twin was of him in not wanting him to have his heart broken a second time. (I hope she gets her own story.) Fast read, good story told from both perspectives.