Give Me Another Chance (The Raven Brothers Book 3)

Interference And Misunderstanding Rip Apart Ash & Beth, Young Lovers Who Later Grapple With Guilt And Forgiveness.

Ash Raven, twenty-seven, was a tech geek and club owner. The third of four sons comprising the well-known Raven family, he is the quiet one, the introvert. His father created Raven Industries and made it a family empire; Ash and his brothers all play a role. Cam Raven demanded his sons devote themselves to the business and required their obedience, forcing them to compete against one another. He once said love is for suckers. Not so long ago, however, Ash’s father did a complete about-face and required his sons to marry and have children in order to qualify for their inheritance. He said the old way wasn’t working and referenced the need for work-family balance.

After years of sacrifice for his father, Ash was beside himself with anger over the woman his father had separated him from six years earlier. He had been in love. He was a romantic at heart and had planned his life around Beth. They would have already been married with a family if not for his father’s interference. Consumed with guilt, he had tried to reach out to her soon after their separation but got no reply – not that he blamed her. He had broken her heart. And now the one woman he had ever loved, or ever would love, would never be his. When Beth enters Ash’s office unannounced one day, hope soon consumes him.

Beth McAdams, twenty-four, has lost almost everything in her life in the past two years. Her father’s illness and subsequent death left the family scrambling. The family company, McAdams Enterprises, was failing as a result of her father’s emotional decisions. Her older brother Ben destroyed himself trying to salvage the sinking ship. They were now facing bankruptcy and letting down the employees that had depended upon them for their well-being. To help rescue their family from debt, Beth and Ben agree to sell Ben’s half of Jet, the successful Manhattan club that Ben opened five years ago with his childhood best friend Ash Raven. Because Ben is so overwhelmed with the daunting task of saving the company, they agree that Beth will negotiate the sale with Ash. She still resents Ash for leaving her without a word after she gave herself to him that magical summer in the Hamptons. She had vowed never to see him again, but they needed the money. Still, the anger that she felt at going to see him surprised her. The emotions were still raw.

Ash and Beth’s heartbreaking story of unending love and sacrifice is a roller coaster of emotions as Ash and Beth both struggle with letting go of the past and granting another chance. The struggles and hardships feel real, albeit with excessive money involved. The chemistry between Ash and Beth is intense; it is easy to root for them. Their story wraps up realistically, where not everything and everyone ends on an up note, but the couple finally gets their well-deserved HEA.

There are a few issues that may bother some readers. There is some repetition, especially near the beginning, and while the beginning is tight, there are occasional errors later in the book.

In Ash and Beth’s story, interference and misunderstanding rip apart young lovers who later grapple with guilt and forgiveness. The POV alternates between Ash and Beth. The story is nicely written overall. The plot is somewhat complex, unfolding to reveal new truths. The characters are unique, well-defined, and realistically portrayed. I rate this book four stars (4.5 if it were tightened up).

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.