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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I wasn’t too sure about Allie/Mini/Nina at the start of the book due to the first person POV being from Jackson for almost the first half of the book but once we got inside Allie’s mind she became much more likable.
Jax and Allie are not only former high school sweethearts getting a second chance but they are a little opposites attract and two worlds colliding too! Jessica Lemmon is so good at weaving a story that is a great balance of wit, steam, and emotion and America’s Sweetheart showcases this skill to perfection. Now the real question is does Jules get her man soon????
What a fun and flirty second chance romance! I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
I fell head over heels in love with Jax because he’s so confident in his own skin. He doesn’t care what others think, he just does his own thing. And I admired Allie because she chased her dream of becoming an actress and made it happen.
It’s obvious to see they still have feelings for each other and the physical attraction between them sizzles. But will it prove to be enough when it’s time for her to go back to California?
This might be my favorite Jessica Lemmon book yet. Favorite trope? Check. Lovable characters? Check. Sizzling sex scenes? Check. I highly recommend this sweet and sassy story.
And the Academy Award goes to…
The real star in this book…Jackson.
Talk about a show stealer. This home town heartthrob stirs more than hearts. (Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge)
It’s hard to not be loved by everyone when you are gorgeous, kind, and every woman’s dream. Well very woman except the one who eviscerated his heart all those years ago. Looks like the past is catching up though folks because…enter stage left- the one who ran away.
It’s sweet and all kinds of perfect happiness. The kind of story that evokes giddy squirming over all the perfect moments. No deep emotional traumas….(Well, aside from the hack and slay of a heart or two ten years prior). It’s the right kind of feel good book with some deliciously naughty chemistry to keep your….mind focused.
A Rekindled Romance
A good 2nd chance romance 10 years later. This story had me wondering how is this going to work a 2nd time–nothing has changed. But it has–they grew up and figured out what they could live with and what they couldn’t live without.
I liked Jax a whole lot more than Allison as she seemed rather shallow and or self centered, which just made Jax a bigger hero for loving her.
There was some heat to this, along with quite a few humorous situations and was fun to read.
The ending truly surprised me!
America’s Sweetheart by Jessica Lemmon is an adorable lighthearted reunion story with lots of great steamy scenes that will keep you smiling and entertained. America’s Sweetheart is the fifth book in the Real Love series, but you don’t have to read them in order as they are all stand alone books. This is the first book by Jessica Lemmon that I have read and I am happy that I gave this author a chance.
Jackson (Jax) and Allie (Mini) were high school and college sweethearts who always thought they would be together forever. Well, not so fast, Allie has an opportunity to go to Hollywood where she lands a staring roll on a television series. Fast forward ten years and Allie is in the center of a scandal of Oscar proportions. She flees LA for her small home town— And runs into none other than Jax, who if possible is hotter than she remembers.
Now the fun really begins! I really enjoyed how Ms. Lemmon redeveloped Jax and Mini’s relationship. These characters were very believable and easy to like, especially Jax. The banter between them was well written, at times fun and light, but there were also some pretty salty moments. And I must say that I really enjoyed the off the chart chemistry that these two still have for each other.
If you are looking for a great second chance romance, look no further, you have found your next read. I enjoyed America’s Sweetheart and recommend this book. Happy Reading!
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review in order to read this book. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. This is my honest review.***
4.5
Loved it!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Dual POVs
Second chances
Part of a series: Real Love
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
I have been a fan of Jessica Lemmon since I read her Bad Boy series. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any other books in the Real Love series, yet, but I will be definitely be remeding that soon! I absolutely adored America’s Sweetheart.
We meet Jackson, a hunky contractor, who certainly knows how to use his hands. But he is also a sweet, caring, and genuine man.
“He’s so damn handsome it hurts.”
Enter Allison Murphy aka Mini. His first love, the one who left him for the glitz and glam of Hollywood and fame.
After a scandalous incident, Allison comes home, the only place she feels safe. Only to run into the only man she has ever loved, at her own home.
“She smells as good as she always has. She smells like home. Like she’s mine.”
I adored everything about this story. Jackson and his sweetness, his ability to be there for his friends. Allison and her insecurities. The feelings they had separately and together. Their chemistry. The steaminess. Love. Family. There was just so much goodness in this story! You must read this book if you are a fan of heat, sweet, and oh so good! (4 stars)
“My ex and I were over so long ago that it shouldn’t have any sting left, but I’m not sure I ever shook her. Not because I’m pining, but because after we ended, she became famous. Famous famous. I’m talking walk-the-red-carpet-who-are-you-wearing-can-I-have-your-autograph famous. How’s that for a kick in the nuts?”
They were high school sweethearts until Allie succumbed to the glamour of Hollywood and Jackson was left behind. Now, ten years later she returns to her small hometown to regroup & lick her wounds after a humiliating scandal. Fleeing to her parents for emotional support, she unexpectedly finds Jackson renovating their home. It doesn’t take long for all their buried emotions to begin to begin to resurface. And when her agent comes up with the brilliant idea of staging a fake relationship to repair her tarnished image, Allie knows just the man for the job.
I really enjoyed this sexy second chance at love story and liked reading it from alternating point of views. Although this is the fifth book in the Real Love series, it was the first for me and read fine as a stand-alone.
That said, I do look forward to going back & reading the books I missed in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this second chance romance even though Allison made me wince more than once a chapter sometimes more than once a page. She was so dislikable I wondered how Jax could fall for her again but the heart wants what the heart wants and when it is true love what are you going to do. Allison/Nina is caught in a bad place when she is set up in L.A. for a stunt her “boyfriend” commits but blames on her in the media and she runs home to Columbus. When she shows up at home who does she find, the last person she expects…her ex-boyfriend, Jax, who is remodeling her parent’s bedroom. They try to stay out of each other’s way but that soon find out they are still friends, or friendly, and then that escalates into more. Yep, that heart thing…
This entire series is fun and each book can be read as a standalone and this one especially.
Jax and Allison were high school sweethearts, they dated into college, were each other’s worlds until Allison went to California to intern but the acting bug bit hard! Long distance romance just wasn’t meant to be. Jax stayed in Ohio working for his father, continuing life with a broken heart, he even started his own business, which has him working on Allison’s parents home. Nina Lockart (aka Allison) comes home as a Hollywood scandal rocks her reputation and acting career, she walks in in full star mode, tears and all falling into the strong arms of her ex. Jax and Allison feel the sparks that never went away but where can their lives intercept, he’s blue collar small town guy, not the Hollywood type. But when Allison needs a photo op partner, her sexy ex fits the part well, but is it only acting? What happens when those old feelings come back, or did they never really go away? Fun story line, great chemistry and plenty of heat!
America’s Sweetheart is a TV show that Nina Lockheart, formerly known as Allison Murphy, stars in. A Hollywood scandal is brewing and she decides to get out of town and go home. Only her parents are on vacation and her high school sweetheart is renovating the house. Jackson Burke stayed to help his father and decided to go into business for himself. Jax is a solid dependable man who believes that people are good and decent. Allie on the other hand has been jaded. Can the two of them be just friends with all the sizzle in the air? What will happen when the scandal dies down?
Second chance stories are one of my favorite to read at the moment. So when I had the chance to read America’s Sweetheart by Jessica Lemon, I jumped at the chance. Allison left her hometown ten years ago and made it big in Hollywood. But a scandal sends her back home for a brief escape, but running into her first love was not part of the plan.
Jackson was left heartbroken when Alison left, but he moved on. Now she is back and old feelings are resurfacing. He is determined to keep his heart secure from her this time around, especially since he knows she will leave again. But when it comes to matters of the heart, it does as it pleases!
I loved Jackson. He was sweet, honest and caring. I did not always like Alison, however, as the story went on, we saw how much he truly meant to her. America’s Sweetheart by Jessica Lemon was a sweet and charming second chance romance and through part of series, it can be read as a standalone.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
America’s Sweetheart is an amazing story about second chances. Jessica Lemmon always writes witty, realistic characters and weaves in a brilliant plot. This is one book I will definitely go back and read again!
Jackson Burke was in love with Allison Murphy in high school and college….hell….he probably still was 10 years later. While in college at the Ohio State University, Allie headed to Los Angeles, CA for a summer internship at a big TV network. What started out as just a summer turned into 10 years now. Allie, now called Nina Lockhart, has made it big as a TV actress and is trying to move into movies. She is even dating the big movie star Xavier McCormack.
Allie has only ever wanted to be a star. She loves the fame and attention. Too bad when her boyfriend throws her under the bus, she high tails it back to the one place she can feel safe, her parents house in Columbus, OH. Imagine Allie’s surprise when she enters her parents house to find not her parent there, but Jackson Burke….the only guy she has ever loved. And damn, he looks better than ever!
Jackson was hired to remodel Allie’s parent’s bedroom while they are on a vacation and he convinces himself he can continue to work with Allie in the house. Yeah, that doesn’t last very long and the next thing you know they are sharing a kiss and all those repressed feelings coming roaring back. Maybe they can just be together while Allie is hiding out….maybe they can pretend to be dating so she looks better in the press….whatever they decide to do, neither of them is sure that it will end with their hearts still intact.
As Jax and Allie spend more time together, they both realize they still love each other. They both need to decide what they are willing to do in the name of love!
I just adored Jax and Allie and this was such a fun second chance at love story! It was so evident how much these two still loved each other and their story had such a perfect happy ending.
Jessica Lemmon brings her Real Love series to a close with America’s Sweetheart. She seamlessly blends second chance / high school sweetheart and starting over to bring Jax and Allie their HEA. I enjoyed the glimpses of Fox and Kitty Cat that peppered the pages. Jax and Allie make me want to look up my high school boyfriend…well, maybe not.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
America’s Sweetheart is a sweet second chance romance that will warm your heart and make you swoon. Who isn’t a sucker for a second chance romance, because I know that I certainly am.
Allie and Jackson where high school sweethearts but opportunity forced Allie to move to LA, where she thrived and became a major Hollywood star. When a major scandal involves Allie, she is forced to seek some semblance of an escape so she goes back home to Ohio. Image her surprise when the love her of life is standing in her parent’s home when she gets there. And boy does he still just look as amazing as ever.
I’ve always enjoyed these kind of stories. The ones where you get childhood lovers who end up apart but eventually realize they are perfect for each other. Especially when you add in that one of them has become famous. With that being said, something didn’t connect fully with me in America’s Sweetheart. I’ve been trying to really understand what it was. At first I thought it was just one of those “it’s me and not the right headspace when reading moment” but the more I stew on it, the more I think it’s that I didn’t feel the chemistry between them when they came back into each other’s lives. At least I didn’t feel it enough that I was emotionally invested. I wanted to feel more between them. Feel the pain because we knew it was there. So maybe that is what I needed. I needed more angst.
Jackson is probably one of the sweetest guys I’ve read in a while. He’s patient, loving and just overall a good soul. If anything, he was the one that made me feel the most, which is surprising because I love the jerks.
If you are looking for sweet and safe, then you will enjoy America’s Sweetheart. It reads quickly and is an easy escape that can be used as a reading palate cleanser.
I enjoyed reading about Jackson and Allison and their second chance in America’s Sweetheart by Jessica Lemmon, her fifth book in The Real Love series. These two high school sweethearts parted ways after a long distance relationship affected them. Allison dropped out of college to move to Los Angeles for an internship in Hollywood. This position gave her the opportunity for a walk on role, which then became a permanent role on a television show. Jackson wasn’t ready to leave Ohio to be with Allison instead building homes for his dad. Ten years later and we find Jackson having his own remodeling business and Allison fleeing Hollywood after pictures showed her having stolen an Oscar statue. Not all in Hollywood is as it seems. Allison returns to her parents’ home only to find Jackson remodeling the house.
Jackson and Allison spend numerous hours together only to discover that the love they once felt never died, but lay dormant until they reconnected. These two also find that they know each other almost as well as themselves. Jackson knows that Allison needs to return to Los Angeles and continue her acting career. What he does need to figure out is how they can stay together, loving each other, without losing who he is.
Ms. Lemmon wrote a wonderfully moving story filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters that is not to be missed. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
America’s Sweetheart (Real Love, #5) by Jessica Lemmon.. I have read all the books in this series and have loved them all. This Jackson Burke (Allison’s first love) and Allison Murphy (aka Nina and Mini)
Allison comes home as a disgraced starlet(framed by her ex-actor boyfriend) and runs smack into Jackson (her high school boyfriend) The fun starts here can these two find their way back together? There are plenty of laughs, tears, interesting friends and family, steamy sex and of course a very HEA. Here’s hoping that Jackson’s twin will get her own story.
This review was made possible with the Advanced Reader Copy that I received from the author (Jessica Lemmon), the publisher (Loveswept), and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a steamy, second chance romance book. I was nicely surprised by the ending and hope that there is a future book about Allie and Jax.
I have read other books in this series and those characters have little cameo appearances in this book. I enjoy losing myself in Ms Lemmon’s books!
I’ve read a few of this authors books, and have really enjoyed them, until America’s Sweetheart. Starts off 10 years in the past, Jackson and Allison are high school sweethearts, now in college, both studying for a business degree, but Allison wants to go to California for the summer during the break to take advantage of a walk on opportunity that her aunt has set up for her with a tv show. Jackson doesn’t want her to take it, they’re inseparable, and he’s afraid he will lose her if she goes, he’s right, she takes off for California and never looks back. The story then picks up to the current time when Allison comes back into Jackson’s life when he’s doing a remodel on her partners home after being humiliated in Hollywood and breaking up with her famous boyfriend. I found Allison to be a self centered, opportunistic and self serving person who I lost interest in pretty quickly. Though I liked Jackson’s character, I found myself getting rather irritated for continuing to fall for her BS, time after time again, stopping the “romance” because they “shouldn’t”, just plain frustrating to read. Slow in parts, then when you start to see the story pick up, it comes to a halt again and goes into the same round about with her staging things and Jackson falling into the trap again. Very disappointed I didn’t like this book more since I adore this author. Maybe the next one….
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.