We were the seconds after a grip released the bar, body floating through the air with nervous wonder. Would we successfully grab it again, or would we hit the mat, shattered and defeated?Peyton Adams learned a long time ago that selfish and detached is the only way to be in life. What most people call shameless or obnoxious behavior, she considers key to getting where she needs to go. Most … Most disapproving of all? USA Gymnastics’ golden boy with an eight-pack, Jared Hargrove. After being cut from the women’s team right before Rio, Peyton is back on the post-Summer Games tour. Not only is she the only one without a gold medal, but her history with Jared won’t stay buried for long.
Control and good manners; the two things drilled into Jared Hargrove’s head from birth. As a four-time gold medalist, he’s always obeyed the rules and reaped the reward. Well, except for the whirlwind week four years ago in London when wild-child Peyton Adams finally got under his skin, and into his bed. She broke his heart, and he hasn’t removed the ice wall around it since. Now she’s back to redeem herself to the world of gymnastics, and it seems, to push his buttons more than ever.
After years of resentment and heartache, can they repair a relationship so badly broken that most people wouldn’t even try? Or will they continue to fall, grasping at any last emotion before they finally collapse?
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***4.5 STARS***
Grasping Air is the second book in the Flipped Series. It can be read as a standalone since it’s a new couple. But, to get the full experience I would also read Blind Blinding where you meet Jared and Peyton. I loved them, especially Peyton so I was excited that they were getting their own book!
One week. Seven days and six nights of fun and sexy times. That is what Jared and Peyton had four years ago in London. Then it ended when the Olympic Games did. And since then it has been fights, bickering, death stares, and some fuck me eyes thrown in. Everyone feels the tension but only a few know their story and they are the only ones that know the full story. Over the years they have been able to avoid each other. It’s been even easier since she left the training facility six months ago but now…it’s a different story. Even though Peyton didn’t make the Olympics in Rio she is going on tour with the team. Along with Jared and his damn sexy southern drawl and jealous streak.
Three months. Three months of practice, traveling, and performing together. They want this to work but Jared isn’t even sure if they should be friends because their relationship could turn toxic. Well…more toxic. Between the fighting, sexual tension, and the whole hate/lust/love thing it’s so complex but it’s them. The week in London was intense, fast, and overwhelming so going slow could be what they need to make a working relationship survive the next three months. So…they are going slow. Not serious Jared slow but slower than a wild Peyton. They agree they want to go slow but how long will that last? And when it speeds up will history repeat itself? With two broken hearts and unforgettable memories.
I love this couple! Jared is protective with an alpha streak, sweet, sexy, and add in his southern drawl and manners. Damn. Then there is Peyton. I might have a bit of a girl-crush. She is a badass gymnast and woman. She is wild, beautiful, sassy, and complicated. I loved that they are complete opposites but they balance each other out. That their differences are what they love about one another. It’s not easy but to them it’s what they know. But, what will happen when the three-month tour is over?
Overall…it’s a fast, fun, and sexy read. It’s the perfect mix of sexiness, heart, and angst. I have a feeling there will be another book in the series. I am so hoping for it because there are some more amazing characters that I can seeing having their own stories.
Quotes:
Jared could never be good for me, but I want to experience him, taste him, so badly that it doesn’t matter if I get burned.
“I think I just had a foodgasm.” She sighs, leaning back and wiping her hands off with one of those towelettes that smell like lemon.
…Jared Hargrove is my Fourth of July sparkler. He’s shiny and beautiful, a forbidden kind of magic that is impossible not to get close to.
Carrie Aarons always writes a great story, and I loved Jared and Peyton’s. Peyton is just so upbeat and always ready to go! But then you have Jared and he seems so serious and, not uptight… but down-to-earth. I think they balance each other out nicely but also why they can drive each other crazy with a word.
I love the books where I get to go back and see couples from a previous book together while others, usually their friends, try to figure it out. This book was good but it wasn’t my favorite Aarons book. She is a fantastic writer and her people are so fun to read about. I can’t wait for more from Aarons!