When my best friend died of cancer just before her eighteenth birthday, she left her coveted bucket list to me.
The things she already crossed off? Skinny dipping, going to Paris, completing the local hot wing challenge, road tripping to the ocean, and sending out a message in a bottle.
So, it falls on me to finish it for her, to honor her memory. In the next year, it’s my mission to:
Dye my … mission to:
- Dye my hair
- Have sex
- Camp out in a tent
- Go bungee jumping
- Get revenge on Lincoln Kolb
Most are doable, some terrify me, and then there is the last item on the list. When the raven-haired football god dumped my best friend during senior year of high school, she was devastated. The jerk with charm for days found out she was sick, and betrayed her in the worst way possible.
But he doesn’t know me, I went to school a town over. Now, to fulfill my promise, I’m the newest freshman on the campus where he is the big man. If there is one thing, aside from cheap beer, that a jock can’t pass up, it’s a shiny new girl.
So when I catch his eye, play hard to get, and then fall into his bed, I know my scheme is working to perfection. But what Lincoln can’t see coming is the beatdown I have planned for his ice-cold heart.
Unfortunately, what I never saw coming was the one he had planned for mine.
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I absolutely loved everything about this book. I felt so bad for Henley because she endures a tragic loss that leaves her grieving for a long time and makes her beyond determined to carry out her best friends last wishes to complete her bucket list. Although, there isn’t much left on the bucket list the last thing is to get revenge on the guy that broke her best friend’s heart, while I found that to be a tad immature I did understand that the grief Henley had was her driving power and fed her need to do this no matter what. Lincoln was amazing, he had a goal of becoming a professional quarterback and nothing needed to distract him from doing that except Henley had him totally wrapped around her finger in a short amount of time. Henley found herself in a conundrum, did she break Lincoln’s heart to follow her friend’s dying wish or did she forget about the bucket list and live blissfully happily ever after with the guy she was in love with? I loved this book and even if I found myself getting irritated with Henley for still wanting to hurt Lincoln I thought that the book was amazing and the author drew us in with these characters letting us experience falling in love, making hard decisions, and experience the heartbreak they go through.
Fool Me Twice
Carrie Aarons
4/5
This book was filled with angst, steam scenes and was emotionally impactful. It delivered in every way necessary that i was not prepared for. I read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. The chemistry is instant and the wit they share makes it harder for Henley to complete her final task, revenge on Lincoln Kolb.
This was my first read of this author. I enjoyed Henley and Lincoln so much.
All the broken hearts! I loved it
Be prepared to absolutely adore the supposed heart-breaking villain in this book!!! Lincoln Kolb, the teenaged boy who’d callously broken the heart of a girl fighting cancer for the third time; he’s got to be the worst kind of person out there, right??? Not so, because it’s written by Author Carrie Aarons, and I knew going into another one of her fabulous books, that there was always more to the story and more angst.
Lincoln is more than just his gorgeously developed character. In Fool Me Twice, he is his family. In this dual POV, Lincoln starts off on the back foot with readers, and in hearing from him we meet his family, his parents, the dynamics of their situation as a whole unit, and their whole attitude to life, which was key in bringing about my love for him.
18-year-old Henley’s character was built more on the dynamics of her strength of love, loyalty and the grieving process that she is going through in the loss of Catherine, her best friend since pre-school. She needed to justify to me, her plan in breaking Lincoln Kolb’s heart, and as I got to know him with her, that soul-deep justification needed to remain in place because what she was doing was manipulative and most definitely not ok!!! She knew it, as did I, but Ms Aaron’s skill in writing gave me the buy-in that was required to stay focussed on that goal, that last item on Catherine’s bucket list, and right along with Henley we were heading for certain heartbreak . A Carrie Aaron’s written book remember!!!
I always love a book written by Author Carrie Aarons, and guarantee I’ll try to hit it in one sitting, but in this case, it didn’t have that extra factor that is hard to explain. I’ve loved others more, so for me, it’s a 4.5-Stars
read 27-28 Feb 2020
4.5*
I really tried to read this in one sitting. If I didn’t have to sleep (which I did with this book open on the kindle app as I passed out reading it) then I would have. From the prologue, I was entranced by Jimmy and Stallion. Henley and Lincoln were characters who both made mistakes (admittedly, Henley did take it WAY too far) But I took them into my heart from word one and I really didn’t want to let them go. I’m not saying this book lacked plot, or angst, or a tonne of other things I personally look for in my romance books, but it’s really the characters, both primary and secondary that keep you hooked until the last page.
I highly recommend you pick this up when it releases on March 12.
I received an ARC of this and volunteered to leave an unbiased review.
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I swear Carrie Aarons can see into my soul, because she gives me exactly what I need each time.
Jimmy & Stallion. Ugh. I fell in love at first interaction, and it really wasn’t hard to keep me there, even if these guys didn’t feel EXACTLY the same way I did.
My heart broke for Henley, because her grief over Catherine was palpable through these pages. And I can’t imagine going through that.
And Lincoln. The stud himself. He was determined, and persevered, and even in the midst of their strife, he came to have…. are you ready?
A CONVERSATION! I know. I couldn’t believe it either.
It was beautiful, it was heartfelt, it made me cry like a baby, swoon like a heroine from an old romance, and filled me with so much joy.
I read the blurb and immediately knew that I had to read this book! It was brilliant. Henley is the best best friend and she is on a mission. It was beautiful to feel the love she had for her bestie and her need to work on that bucket list.
More than that she was sassy and witty and brought the fire when it came to Lincoln. He didn’t know what to do once Henley entered his life. The impact of it all was epically tragic and beautiful.
I simply could not stop reading because of how much I invested in these characters. The spontaneous way in which they fell for each other. The inner battles they each fought for and against each other.
You have to read this standalone. It was well written and it brought to life a friendship and love that I want for myself. This is a five star read for sure!!!!!
Following your best friends bucket list when she dies from Cancer at the age of 18 seems like a good plan, until your heart gets involved.
Such a good read, Loved it.
I just adore Carrie Aaron’s books. I love her writing.
She didn’t disappoint with this one. It was sweet, loving and heartfelt. I loved the whole backstory with this one. I don’t read many like this so it was a nice change for me to read.
Lincoln was your typical cocky all star quarterback. He loved what he did and knew he was the best of the best. He loved having all the fans and girls fawning over him. Then he meets the one girl that doesn’t fall for his charm but goes neck and neck with him with comebacks. So naturally he is very intrigued by her.
Henley, and I just absolutely love that name! Henley sets out to start her college years out with goals, but these goals are not hers. They are her dear best friend that has passed away right before college starts. So what is a best friend to do but honor the packed they made. Most of these goals are easy enough to do but one. One that she didn’t expect to change her life.
Lincoln and Henley’s story was like I said different than anything I have read in awhile and I loved that about it. The way they are together is so cute and funny.
4⃣.5⃣
recommendation
** 4 JIMMY STARS!! **
Finally after two novels that I wasn’t very passionate about, I found one that I really loved!
“Fool Me Twice” is Henley’s story, an eighteen-year-old girl who promised her friend Catherine (who died of cancer) to complete her bucket list for her. They are almost all doable: dye her hair, have sex, camp in a tent, bungee jumping… but the last item is the most important one: get revenge on Lincoln Kolb.
Lincoln is the boy who broke Catherine’s heart in high school, dumping her in front of the whole school once he found out she was sick. That’s why Henley changes her plans, and decides to attend Lincoln’s college. At school, he is one of the most popular boys, the new quarterback of the football team. Henley, on the other hand, has a passion for photography and doesn’t like being in the spotlight, but for her best friend she would do anything. She decides to do whatever it takes to make Lincoln fall in love with her so then she can break his heart, as he did with Catherine.
What she doesn’t expect, however, is the kind, romantic, fiery guy, who makes her heart beat wildly with a single glance and who treats her with white gloves. How can this boy be the same one who shattered her friend’s poor heart in million pieces?
Although she tries to focus on the “final result”, Henley will soon find herself involved in feelings and situations greater than her, and there will be many things that she will question, primarily if it is really worth continuing her mission.
I loved this book, and do you know who I loved above all else? Hell yes, Lincoln. A boy who hides secrets, but also a heart of gold. Who puts himself at stake for Henley, who does everything to make her happy and be able to be with her. Because when you feel like you have found your soulmate, nothing can stop feelings.
Henley, on the other hand, if I liked her at first, then she started getting on my nerves. She wasn’t herself, she made fun of Lincoln, sometimes treating him really badly, despite not deserving it. She kept Catherine’s list hidden from him, when instead she might have tried to understand what was true in what her friend had told her about him. I found her a real bitch in certain chapters, and too self-confident.
The novel is narrated by both POVs and I liked this because it allowed me to get better into the “head” of both protagonists. A sliding novel, which I devoured in three days and gave me beautiful emotions. Given the not so rosy period we find ourselves in, I highly recommend it. It will keep you company in these days of infinite quarantine.
*ARC received in exchange for a honest review*
Henley has just gone through the worst thing any teenager should have to right before college. She has lost her very best friend to cancer. Now she is trying to stay loyal by finishing her besties bucket list.
Lincoln is intrigued by the new blonde who give him so much crap. He loves that nothing gets past her. This is a woman he could fall for. He has to focus on football, but maybe there is room for more?
This was a very sweet story. I found that I enjoyed the author’s twists and turns for this couple. They were truly meant to be. So many surprises in this book too. The pace was pretty steady, and the story rich and solid.
This was a great read. I believe this is the first book I’ve read by this author. I will be grabbing more of her books soon!!
Henley and Lincoln are a great couple. Henley is after Lincoln in an unconventional way. Lincoln doesn’t know what to do when a girl doesn’t fall in line with his charm. You see the changes they both go through regarding their relationship. But when things blow up will they be able to weather the storm?
This was a great read. Look forward to reading more form this author.
Carrie Aarons brings her A-game in Fool Me Twice.
The beautifully crafted characters were relatable and it was so easy to form an instant connection to both Henley and Lincoln. While both of them had their flaws, Carrie did a great job of maintaining plausibility while also giving us the best show of human nature with exposing both Henley and Lincoln’s softer sides.
I absolutely did not want to put this book down and easily read it in two sittings – staying up way past bedtime to find out exactly how this one would end.
Fool Me Twice is a five star must read for sure!
Carrie has written a very addictive book , because I couldn’t put it down it entertained me throughout.
The chemistry between Lincoln and Henley was explosive and they were a formidable force,that even Henley couldn’t deny.So what began as revenge towards Lincoln soon became clear to her that he was not the person she thought he was.
Which led to her being conflicted with her loyalty towards her best friend and to the man she was falling in Love with…sigh it is a roller coaster readers but it is well worth the ride it takes you on..there are a number of ups and downs you will laugh and cry and want to scream..especially at Henley I did..
Its a remarkable read with complex characters and a plot that will captivate your imagination.
By Cat W
A little revenge in order to scratch a line on a bucket list. That’s Henley’s only goal, to finish off her best friend’s bucket list for her. But one thing on that list is proving to be difficult for her to scratch off. One thing, she doesn’t expect the line to be blurred with her own feelings and emotions for Lincoln.
Lincoln was supposed to be the biggest douchebag, but he wasn’t what she expected. He’s this caring, sweet guy. How could the lines not blurred? Will she be able to finish off the bucket list?
This is the first time that I’ve read a book by this author and it was heartbreaking. I was hooked from the beginning. This book will have your emotions all over the place and you will feel everything and I just couldn’t put this book down for one minute. Yup, I read it in one sitting!
Revenge is a dish best served cold … and it’s one Henley is planning to serve up to Lincoln on a platter. That all goes up in smoke because it’s clear that Henley and Lincoln are scorching and burning up the pages!u2060
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Grief can do a number on even the most level-headed people … what it does to a teenager who watched her best friend Catherine slowly slip away is unimaginable. Lost and clinging to her memory, Henley plods through her first semester of college trying to live for fallen her best friend. The list isn’t too long and most are normal life experiences or bucket list items but there is one that carries more weight and stands out. Get revenge on the boy who dumped and humiliated Catherine because she had cancer.u2060
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All is not as it seems though and getting him to fall in love with her is easier than she thought. The real challenge is not falling in love with him … because once she does, breaking his heart will destroy both of them.u2060
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There is so much to both of these characters that they just leapt out at me instantly. I was ready to hate Lincoln but then I meet him and it becomes clear rather quickly that he isn’t particularly cruel – he was just a bit of a self-absorbed, immature teenage boy. Any harm he caused was unintentional and the result of not knowing how to properly handle his feelings. Henley, on the other hand, has to grapple with the fallout and face her own immaturity and how far her unresolved grief has taken her.u2060
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There are no easy answers here – just raw, honest, genuine character growth that requires them both to look outside themselves and learn to handle their problems with eyes wide open.
“Henley Rowan came into my life like a meteor, destroying anything that came before her and changing the landscape of my life forever after.”
Henley has a mission: to finish her friend’s list and thus honor her memory. Dyeing her long blond hair, camping, bungee jumping, will not be easy, but the last item on the list will be the most difficult. Taking revenge on her friend’s ex will bring consequences that Henley never imagined.
Lincoln is willing to do anything to be a star. Being a football player was everything he always dreamed of and for that, the college he is attending can enable this to happen. This handsome young quarterback, who likes to enjoy life and be popular, will meet a beauty who will turn his world upside down.
To get her revenge, Henley goes to the college that her friend would attend. She completely changes her life just to be able to complete the list. Getting Lincoln’s attention will be easy, the problem will be to distance herself from the feelings that are arising.
And this great lie, little by little, begins to seem the greatest truth of all. But how to leave a promise behind and embark on something that has a chance for a happy future?
Henley is in mourning, and so she is still lost, aimless. Lincoln had his share of suffering in the past and was wrong to humiliate Catherine, but the blow he will take now will be more cruel.
More than just revenge, the book shows these people learning to deal with adult life and seeking their dreams, making mistakes and being right, being human. The two characters make mistakes at times, but manage to recognize what is important and seek a solution.
Henley and Lincoln did not have a traditional start, but that in no way lessens the strength of their feelings. A good book.
Omg what I have just read???
This story was simply AMAZING. The characters were just breathtaking in everywhere their chemistry, humor, banter, sarcasm and love was awe-inspiring.
This was one of my favourite reads by Carrie.
As usual, the author doesn’t disappoint with a great love story. I highly recommend all of her books.
FIVE BITTERSWEET STARS for Henley and Lincoln !!!
I love Carrie’s writing style and her every new book is special having a place in my heart.
“Fool Me Twice” is a college sports romance that you’ll not want to put it down once you start reading it!
It’s funny, hot, sweet, heartbreaking and a lot more…
Henley and Lincoln’s relationship is an unusual one but also heartbreaking and beautiful.
BEAUTIFUL is the word that was in my mind while I was reading this book.
I love both characters and their connection is everything.
They didn’t want to fall for each other but in the end, they did.
Henley is a female character who has one goal and that is to finish the dead best friend’s bucket list.
One of the goals is to break the heart to a boy who dumped her best friend when he found out she is sick and she’ll die.
But, there is one small problem.
Which side she will choose after she starts falling in love with the boy she needs to hate?!
Lincoln is a male character that every woman would love to find in real life. He would do everything for the woman he loves.
If you love Carrie’s books and you also obsessed with college sports romance books, then this book is DEFINITELY FOR YOU!!!
Highly recommended!!!