An unlikely meeting after a decade apart, a drunken Vegas wedding, a note goodbye, a broken second chance at love . . . and the wedding invitation that changes it all.The first time I saw Brinley Knox, she was crying and heartbroken at her own sweet sixteen party. The daughter of the wealthiest family in Orchid Valley, she was off limits to someone like me—the teenage charity case, the hired help. charity case, the hired help.
But that didn’t stop me from kissing her. Or from promising if she were ever mine, I’d never let her go.
The last time I saw Brinley Knox, I made good on that promise. Forget that it was the first time we’d seen each other in ten years, or that we were drunk in Vegas when we said I do. I meant every word, every touch, every promise.
The problem? When I came back to the hotel, she was gone—the ring I slipped on her finger and the note she left behind the only reminders she had been there. Well, those and the hole she left in my chest in place of my heart.
We haven’t spoken in the six months since, and I’m not the kind of guy who’d file for a divorce he doesn’t want.
But when I get the invitation to her wedding to another man, 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.
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Every Little Piece of Me by Lexi Ryan is an exciting book. The characters are easy to get to know and their heartache is tangible. This is the story about Brinley Knox, a nice girl from a wealthy family, and Marston Rowe, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Brinley and Marston meet in high school and it is practically love at first site. Unfortunately, Brinely’s dictatorial parents control almost every aspect of her life, and Marston is a delinquent in their eyes. After ten years of being a part, their love cannot be denied.
This is the first book from the authors brand new series, Orchid Valley. The beautiful cover and book blurb is what drew me right in. I liked the characters a lot, especially Brinley’s best friends and charming ten-year-old daughter. Marston is a good guy and his rags to riches story is quite compelling. I liked Brinley and felt her heartache from beginning to end. She and Marston are a hot and sexy couple. Unfortunately, the story is repetitive at times. This book may be read as a standalone.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I’m so glad Lexi Ryan has a new release. Gah, I’ve missed her emotionally taut writing!
This book captured my attention the moment I read the blurb, and I realized I found a new favorite author the moment I read the first chapter! Lexi Ryan is a new-to-me author and all I can say is her writing is so, so good! I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Marston and Brinley’s story is full of angst, drama, and steam. Marston is the very definition of the term “book boyfriend” and Brinley- let’s just say I tried really, really hard to understand her at some points throughout the book.
The prequel, Every Little Promise is included in the book and I’m glad it is, because it gives more insight into their relationship.
Every Little Piece of Me is a second chance contemporary romance written in dual first-person POV. It’s an angsty standalone that ends with a HEA. No cliffhanger.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
I loved Every Little Piece of Me by Lexi Ryan, the first book in the Orchid Valley series. I could not put it down. Who does not love a second chance-opposites attract love story. I fell in love with the main characters in Every Little Promise and really enjoyed the entire cast of characters that joined them in this book. Lexi Ryan is a wonderful storyteller and Every Little Piece of Me is an incredible story. I am looking forward to reading more of her books, especially more in the Orchid Valley series. I love that the book is written in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight from both sides. The characters are all so relatable. Every Little Piece of Me, starts off where Every Little Promise ended, which is included in the book, in case you did not read it. Every Little Piece of Me is the story of Brinley Knox, single mother and poor little rich girl who is trying to make a name for herself and become a fierce independent woman and Marston Rowe, her first love from the wrong side of town, who has make a name for himself in his career. The story starts six months after Ever Little Promise ends with Marston receiving a wedding invitation to Brinley’s marriage to Julian Hallison. I love Marston’s response to Alec, when he shows him the invitation, “All I know for sure if my wife is getting married and has incited me to her wedding”. I love that quote. Marston ends up returning to Orchid Valley, a place I am sure he never planned on returning, and confronts Brinley. Again the story takes place in the current time and uses flashbacks to when they first fell in love as teenagers. It was a great way to learn so much about their relationship. Brinley commits herself to marrying Julian, days after returning from Vegas, unaware of the fact that she and Marston got married. Brinley’s memories of the night are very fuzzy because of a mix of anti-anxiety medication and alcohol. Marston confronts Brinley with the news of their marriage, and she believes that she was drunk. He returns her diamond ring to Brinley since they are still married. He explains he reasons for not contacted her about their marriage before then. He was afraid she would end their marriage. Her marriage to Julian, will be a marriage of convenience, she wants to get control of a trust her grandfather left her, so she can buy The Orchid. The only way to get control of the trust before turning thirty is to marry a man her parents approve of. Brinley believes that Julian needs to be married to purchase an apartment complex that the owner will only sell to a married couple. The truth eventually comes out that what was a business transaction to Brinley was a personal relationship to Julian. As the story unravels, Julian gets jealous of her relationship with Marston and shows his true colors, and Marston sends her a video from their wedding. Marston finds out that Brinley is a single mother and confronts her, only to discover that Cami is not his child. I love all the bittersweet and poignant moments that Lexi Ryan included in Every Little Piece and the surprise plot twists that happen throughout the story. My favorite part was how Brinley found out the reason she decided to marry Marston that night when they were in Vegas. It was a beautiful memory. I love that Brinley got a backbone and was able to stand up to not only her father, Abraham, and Julian, but also to Marston. In the end she became the fierce independent woman that she always knew she could be. I am so happy that Brinley and Marston got their happily ever after. It was a wonderful story with all the feel good moments and hot romance. I am so looking forward to Every Sweet Revenge, Stella and Kace’s story.
4.3 stars
I am a sucker for second-chance romance if it is done right, and boy howdy was this one done right. I appreciated the author giving dual points of view in creating a story that I could sink my teeth into. It helped me understand the characters and their motivations. It was especially helpful with Brinley who I struggled with at times. I also appreciated the past and the present timelines because I could see how and why things were the way that they were now. Without those, I am not sure that I would have fully connected with the characters because I wouldn’t have known where they started and why it was such a connection that deserved to be fought for again.
There were strong friendships, important themes that were addressed, and a great love story. I would have loved a little less drama at times because it felt over the top and it did make me roll my eyes a few times. However, as this is a first time reading this author it gave me a good idea of her style and gives me high hopes of what the future of this story is, as well as a desire to go back and read previous works by this author.
**3.5 stars**
After reading the prequel, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. Plus with that being one of the most beautiful covers, and my love for second chance romances, I was eagerly awaiting for this baby to be delivered to my kindle.. but I have some mixed feelings.
So we have Marston, our hero, who has been in love with Brinley since he was was a kid. He was the kid born on the wrong side of the tracks, and she came from the richest family, so you know these two are going to have insane obstacles in their way. But after a heartbreaking loss, Brinley sends Marston away, and the two don’t see each other for ten long years.. until a wild night of passion leads to Brin waking up with a ring on her finger and no reccolection of how it got there. So she slips away quietly, leaving Marston once again. He is adamant that his new wife just needs space, and then six months later he gets an invitation for Brin’s wedding, and he knows he needs to bring out all the stops in order to keep his wife.
This book touches on hard subjects like emotional abuse (which I can relate to, so that really made me tear up) anxiety and drug abuse. Our author does do these subjects justice and is very eloquent in her way of doing so. I understood Brinley’s reasoning behind her choices, even if I didn’t agree or like them. She was independent to a fault, but had such a big heart. She knew what her heart was telling her, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
My true complaints lie with Marston. I enjoyed him in the prequel, but I didn’t feel his personality as much as I would have liked to. His reasoning for getting Brin to stay married to him was based on their feelings for each other a decade ago, but glossed over who they were now as adults. I just would have loved to see them reconnecting emotionally based on who they grew to be, versus idiolizong who they were. The physical connection was definitely there, I just didn’t feel the emotional connection.
Overall this is definitely an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the other books in the the series!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
This book is so good! I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. Ms. Ryan was gracious to put the prequel in the front of the book for anyone who hasn’t read it. This is where we learn how Marston and Brin met, fell in love, parted, and meet again in Las Vegas. I loved how Brin went looking for Marston on her birthday to see him again after so long. I was so excited that they married, but sad that she left without a word to Marston. I can’t imagine how Marston felt when he received a wedding invitation to Brin’s wedding when she was already married to him. I am so glad he went back to Orchid Valley to talk to Brin. I felt bad for Marston that Brin didn’t remember marrying him. There were a few people that I did not like at all. Brin’s parents, mostly her father is first on my list. If someone with money has to act the way he did, then I am glad I am not rich! It is hard for me to imagine a father treating his daughter the way he did Brin. Unfortunately most of us strive for our parents to love us and be proud of us. Sometimes we let that get in the way of everything else. Roman, who dated Brin off and on was a smart mouth, privileged punk when he was a teenager. There were times I wanted to bust him myself. Then there is Julian who Brin is engaged to. At times I did feel sorry for him, but for the most part I did not like him and how he tried to manipulate Brin.
Luckily Brin has a small group of good friends who she considers family. She also has a sweet and smart daughter. That is a whole different story that surprised me. I loved all of Brin’s girlfriends and how they told her how it was and not what she wanted to hear. I loved Marston and hated how he was treated when he was younger. I could feel his love for Brin come out of the pages, and he would do anything for her. This is a must read if you like a great romance. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.
Emotional roller-coaster filled with interesting and engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists, emotional moments and undeniable passion. Was a great read from beginning to end.
Ever since I read the prequel, Every Little Promise, I have been excited to read Every Little Piece of Me by Lexi Ryan. That blurb! I loved it! The story was steamy, emotional and full of angst and I could not stop reading it. Marston and Brinley have history, lots of it and six month ago they got married in Vegas (see prequel and blurb). But the bride does not remember it, however, Martson is ready to remind her how much they can have. He is one determined man and when it comes to her, he is ready for the fight. Brinley is trying to stand on her own and make her own choices, but can she see what is in front of her before it is too late? This second chance romance was full of all kinds of feels. I am excited to see what is to come in the series.
Happy reading!
Ever since I read the teaser prequel novella to this book, I have been wanting to know how Marston and Brinley story would end. This is a second chance romance, which I love. Brinley and Marston met as young teens and fell in love but Brinley family is wealthy and would never approve of boy who is consider a delinquent. After tragedy hits Brinley’s family she tells him if he loves her to leave her and never come back.
Fast forward 10 years and meeting up in Vegas and the chemistry is still there. But Brinley is engaged to be married. Brinley is a very confused and scared women who just wants to live a good life. Her family has always been harsh on her. Marston does not give up tho. And I must say at one point I wanted him to walk away. So much emotion in this story. Very good read and I would recommend it
Every Little Piece of Me was a beautiful second chance romance.
You first get a glimpse of Brinley and Marston’s history and the events that led up the start of this novel in the prequel Every Little Promise. It explains what truly happened in Vegas and how these two ended up married.
The relationship between Brinley and Marston has always riddled with complications since they were teenagers. A forbidden young love that never had the chance to fully blossom, these two seemed fated to either end up together, or be torn apart by their own doing. They each had a hand into why they stayed apart for so long, and it was clear as day that their lack of communication was the biggest reason their problems kept repeating themselves.
This book handles a lot of heartbreaking and very emotional themes within the story and combined with the characters’ history, these issues are what drives the story forward. Seeing as both characters had their own fair share of faults, I couldn’t help but feel like Brinley was the one not stepping up to the plate and owning her bad decisions. Constantly seeking approval from her parents, or always trying to make everyone else happy, she never saw what or who was right in front of her…Marston. He bent over backwards for Brinley, and it continually felt like what he did, what he said, or who he was never seemed to be good enough for her. Granted, I will give the girl credit for doing whatever it took to accomplish her dreams, even if I don’t agree with her methods. I just wished she had opened her eyes earlier as to what she was actually doing and how her actions and poor decisions affected those around her.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a great read and it builds excitement for the continuation of the series. I loved all of Brinley and Marston’s friends, so I can’t wait to see what’s in store with their own HEAs!
4.5 stars
Six months after saying I do, Marston gets an invitation to his wife’s upcoming wedding. He’s not seen or heard from her at all during that time, he’s kept his distance hoping she’d make the first move but knowing she’s engaged to another man has Marston returning to Orchard Valley determined to win the girl.
I loved Marston from the start, Brinley was a different matter. There were times I really didn’t like her, and then there were times when I really felt for her. The more I got to know her last the more I understood. She doesn’t remember all the details from her night with Marston and when he turns up he turns her world upside down and she’s in no way prepared for it.
I really enjoyed Marston and Brinleys story. It gets this new Orchard Valley series off to a great start. I can’t wait for more.
I can’t believe this was my first book by Lexi Ryan. I have a few of her books on my TBR but what rock have I been living under. It was the blurb to Every Piece of Me that got my attention but it was the writing that had to glued to my kindle.
Marston and Brinley’s story took me on a captivating journey from past to present. My emotions were on high alert with every hurdle they had to face just to fight for love. But in the end “You make your OWN family!”
I can’t wait to see what will happen with the other characters we were introduced too. From Brinley’s sassy best friends to the boys at the bar. Hopefully, we also get updates on Mars and Brin.
I highly recommend reading Every Little Promise to get a better understanding as to what happened in Vegas and more about the past.
4.5 Second Chance Stars!
I fell in love with Marston and Brinley after reading the prequel Ryan surprised us with, making me totally invested in their HEA! This forbidden romance is everything I crave in my stories with the perfect blend of heartbreak, humor, and heat! Marston and Brinley have history. Back in high school, they were both each others first loves, seeing more in each other than anyone else. But he was the hired help, bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, and she was the untouchable, privileged princess. They had an instant firery connection that was doomed from the start. Everything was against Marston, but he was determined to become the man who was worthy of her. Now six months after they reconnected in Las Vegas, she doesn’t remember the wedding that meant everything to Marston. He is determined to fight for her and prove they are meant to be together forever. But Brinley’s up coming marriage is more complicated than he imagined, and a secret she has kept from him could hurt more than anything. Not to mention her parents still have a hold over her and ‘the help’ will never be good enough. The connection between Marston and Brinley is so electric, they can’t stay away from each other as they figure out how or if they could ever overcome the forces that are still working against them. I loved the way Ryan told this story in flashback sequence, helping us understand their relationship, past and present. We see their blossoming love, and all the heartbreaking events that tore them apart. There are so many intriguing facets to their story that held me completely captive from start to finish. I loved all their friends who were so fun, loyal, and supportive, making the perfect springboard to more exciting and steaming romance stories. I loved this heartwarming, emotional, and sizzling romance, and I can’t wait to read more from Orchid Valley!
Lexi Ryan is relatively new to me and after reading Every Little Piece of Me I’m struggling to understand why I haven’t read more by her. This story drew me in from the first page and it didn’t let me go until I had read the final word. I struggled to put this book down even though sleep was calling so please make sure you have time on your hands before you start this one.
This is Brinley Knox and Marston Rowe’s story and it’s book one in the Orchid Valley Series, Brinley and Marston’s road to happiness is a bit bumpy and there are a few twists and turns this couple need to negotiate along the way. The friendship this couple share is very special but what Brinley didn’t expect to hear was she had been married to her best friend for a couple of years ……….
Fate works in mysterious ways and sometimes you are just meant to be together and that’s what fate has in mind for this couple. The chemistry is intense and sizzling, the witty banter flows and at times is very funny but it’s the friendship and the loyalty that this couple share that makes this an exceptional read so I urge you all to one click this gem. Looking forward to book 2 in the series
Lexi Ryan has without a doubt hit the ball right out of the park with this new series. I finished Every Little Promise the prequel to this read and I was immediately left wanting more, I was desperate to know more about Marston and Brinley.
Their story took me on one heck of a rollercoaster of emotions and packed a punch with all the feels. It was the perfect second chance romance and I loved it!!
This was a good second chance at romance story between Brinley and Marston, who were childhood sweethearts. We get flashbacks to that time, but the story is now years later. Both characters where fantastic, the plotline was very good and I really enjoyed it, it’s full of emotions, how they both have to evolve as individuals. Definitely one book to read and I love the prequel that was added to this book so you really understand their story.
After reading the blurb for this book I knew I had to get my hands on it. Every Little Piece of Me was more than I was expecting. This book kept me up late into the night reading when I should be sleeping.
Marston and Brinley have intense chemistry. They have known each other since they were little. These two come from two completely different worlds. Growing up together these two relied on each other. When Brinley told Marston to leave and not come back things changed. They both broke and now that he is back in Orchard Valley, he will stop at nothing to get his wife back.
This book is a must read! I cannot wait for the next book in the Orchard Valley series.
What a fabulous live story! I do live second chance romances and this is a very good example. Brinley’s decades long quest to gain the love and positive attention of her parents, particularly her father, have had a strong impact on her choices, so it is a good job she has her own ‘family’ to rely on and to live her. Marston…what a gorgeous bloke! All heart. I love him! With angst, will she won’t she questions and great dialogue from Brinley’s female clan, I found this book to be the perfect antidote to time spent away from my own family, both by blood and not.
Lovely read
So this is more like a 3.7 than a three. It’s a good story. I loved most of the characters that were introduced and that alone will have me reading the next book in the series. I loved Marston, I think he is an incredible character. I really wanted to love Brinley, wanted to understand her, but often times I found her really unlikable. I get that she wanted out from under her parents thumb, I get that she didn’t have the best childhood. I can understand some of her actions to a point. I did not, even a little bit, understand her reasons for pushing Marston away when her sister died, I do not understand why she proceeded to sleep with that jerk Roman and get pregnant, and I absolutely do not understand why she thought it was good idea to go ahead with getting engaged to Julian after she saw Marston in Vegas.
Okay so with all those issues with Brinley I still think that the characters had fantastic chemistry. The book was well written with very well developed characters. There is something to be said for reading a book with a character who is not 100% likable , definitely humanizes them and adds some depth tho the story.
**I was provided with a free advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review**