From New York Times bestseller Lexi Ryan comes a sexy new standalone romance in the bestselling Boys of Jackson Harbor series. Meet single dad Easton Connor as he leaves the NFL and returns to Jackson Harbor to fight for another chance with the love of his life.***I don’t regret much. Not my decision to enter the NFL draft before finishing college.Not fighting for custody of my daughter—even if, … college.
Not fighting for custody of my daughter—even if, biologically speaking, it turns out she’s not mine.
And certainly not seducing my buddy’s little sister ten years ago.
But when it comes to Shayleigh Jackson, my no-regrets attitude stops there. I screwed up royally where she’s concerned. Then I made another mistake when I let her shut me out of her life.
Now after more than a decade living in different time zones, I’m coming home to Jackson Harbor. My first priority is keeping my daughter away from the media circus in Los Angeles, but the moment I see Shay, I know something else brought me back here. Now I’ll stop at nothing to win her back.
So what if she won’t speak to me? So what if she’s changed? So what if she’s fallen for some douchebag professor? I’ve never gotten over her, and I know she feels the same about me.
I’ve let her go twice. I won’t make that mistake again.
If It’s Only Love and all other books in this series can be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them together.
The Boys of Jackson Harbor
1 – The Wrong Kind of Love (Ethan’s story)
2 – Straight Up Love (Jake’s story)
3 – Dirty, Reckless Love (Levi’s story)
4 – Wrapped in Love (Brayden’s story)
5 – Crazy for Your Love (Carter’s story)
6 – If It’s Only Love (Shay’s story)
more
Easton is Everything!!!! Lana~White Hot Reads
Easton and Shay’s story is nothing short of spectacular. There were times when I wanted to slap them both, laugh with them and cry for them. These two struggled for years to do the right thing by each other and in the end everything came together but it was one hell of a ride.
I’m sad to see this series end as I’ve come to think of the Jackson brothers as family.
This book isn’t just a second chance romance. It’s not just a sports romance. It’s a story of heartbreak, first love, loss, sacrifices, and the profound faith that family means everything. Lexi Ryan scripts an intricate web between the pages of this incredible story that captivates readers from the start.
Each book in this amazing series showcases its own tale of complexity while tackling obstacles and complications that seem impossible to overcome. But Shay and Easton’s story expresses a whole new level of setbacks and heartache. Their long history together has been filled with longing, heartache, and overwhelmingly difficult decisions that leave them both broken. Their love is anything but perfect. And just when you think their timing is finally right, life steps in and threatens their already unstable reconnection.
I’m a little sad that this series has come to an end. But I’m also extremely happy because this book was the perfect ending to all the Jackson sibling’s stories. If It’s Only Love overflows with love, devotion, and selflessness while also enrapturing the reader with its angst, unconditional love, and passionate romance. This book is sexy, sweet, and bleeds emotions. It can be read as a complete standalone, but I highly recommend starting from the beginning of the series and take an unforgettable journey to Jackson Harbor.
Friends to lovers? Best friend’s little sister? Second chance romance? A case of bad timing?
All of the above, and I loved every minute of it. This is the sixth book in The Boys of Jackson Harbor series, and it’s only the second one I’ve read, which I really need to rectify, because I just love the Jackson family. I had so many emotions with this story, my heart went out to both Easton and Shayleigh so many times. I wanted desperately for them to acknowledge their feelings for each other, I wanted so much for their happy ever after. The story spanned over 13 years, going backwards and forwards in time. Written in dual POV (my favourite). Wonderful writing, great story, and adorable characters throughout. I can’t get enough of this family. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I’m a fan of friends to lovers romances and I also enjoy a good childhood friends to lovers romance, so considering this one was both of those, it was right up my alley. Throw in an athlete and I’m even more in my element!
Shayleigh (Shay) Jackson is the only girl of the Jackson siblings and she’s extremely loyal, loves her family and is working on earning her PhD. She has always had a crush on her brother Carter’s best friend, Easton, and she’s never felt like she would be good enough for him due to her insecurities about her looks/weight, but she also didn’t think the destined for the NFL athlete would ever see her in the same light she has always seen him.
Easton Conner was the star high school football player who has now made it to the NFL. He’s always been close to the Jackson’s as he’s Carter’s best friend, however he’s always had a soft spot for Shay as well. Shay has always been a calming influence on him and when he leaves Jackson Harbor for LA, he not only leaves behind his second family, he leaves behind the girl he’s developed feelings for.
Over the years, Easton and Shay have had a series of romantic encounters that both of them have kept secret. The timing for them has just never been right and there is a mountain of hurt feelings and circumstances have always pulled them further apart instead of closer together. When Easton moves back to Jackson Harbor, the two are now in one another’s orbit more often and they have to figure out how they feel about one another and what the feelings they are feeling really mean. Easton is dead set on proving to Shay that she is what he wants. Can he truly convince her? And for Shay, can she forgive him for things that have happened in the past?
I absolutely loved these two characters. They both know what they want and are driven to get it, whether it involves school, work, or personal relationships. The chemistry between them is absolutely incredible and the way they fit together as a duo and how Easton fits in with the whole Jackson family is so wonderful. I enjoyed this story so much and it demonstrates what forgiveness and finding what makes you happy is all about.
There is a saying from the bible, “love is patient, love is kind, love does not come to an end.” This definitely applies to Shay and Easton. Shay has loved Easton since she was a little girl. Although life circumstances got in the way she never stopped. Easton always had a special place in his heart for her also. But there was always something that kept them from finally being together. Each time they thought they could finally make a go of it Shay got her heart broken. She understood why they couldn’t be together but she didn’t have to like it. Easton felt a special something for Shay but he felt that his responsibilities came first. He always wanted to do the right thing. Now he finds himself back to where it all began this time he was not letting her get away. It would be a perfect world if when he came back that would be it but the universe had other plans for these two. Can they overcome these new obstacles? Will that saying come true for them? Patient, kind, never come to an end? Will they finally get their happily ever after?
Shayleigh Jackson has been the girl of his dreams for years, but every time he thought he might have a chance to claim her as his own, something always managed to get in the way. When she was young his best friend, and her older brother, marked her as “off-limits” so he did his best to avoid showing his attraction for her.
But before long it became too hard for them to deny their attraction, and they gave into it and wound up sharing a secret night or two. Each interaction spawning feelings that just continued to grow. Just when they thought it might be the right time for them to try their hand at a romance, Easton’s ex came back around with an earth shattering announcement, that once again pushed them apart.
In the years that followed they both tried to move on, but no one ever seem to compare, they both knew they’d never have that kind of love with anyone else, but what else could they do?
For so long circumstances have kept them apart, but that is about to change once and for all… Easton’s back in town and he wants his shot, and he isn’t letting anything derail his plan!
If It’s Only Love is a story of second chances, forgiveness, first love, and new beginnings. This beautiful love story will touch the recesses of your heart, rattle your emotions, and leave you deeply moved. Each time I settle down with a book about this family it’s like reuniting with my own, they welcome me with open arms and make me feel right at home. I loved this story so much, I have been dying to see Shay get her happily ever after, and I have to say her story was definitely worth the wait… even though it was rough on the heart. This was a wonderful addition to the series, it was thought-provoking, riddled with feels, dramatic, and quite enthralling. Once I cracked the cover, and my eyes started to digest the words, I just could not put it down… it was completely addicted! Highly recommend you get your hands on this one, I guarantee you’ll love what you find between it’s pages!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
5 Star review of If It’s Only Love (The Boys of Jackson Harbor #6) by Lexi Ryan
I know this is hard to believe, but this is my first book by Lexi Ryan and I cannot understand how that could be. From start to finish, I was captivated by the story that she wove, drawn in, I had a hard time putting this one down when real life got in the way.
Although the last book in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone, but I am off to one click the rest of the books in the series ASAP as I loved the dynamics of the whole Jackson family.
This is Shayleigh Jackson ( the only sister of the 5 Jackson brothers) and single dad Easton Connor’s story. Returning to live in Jackson Harbor with his daughter, Easton cannot wait to be immersed in the lives of those he loves the most, the Jackson family and if fate allows him, to earn another chance with the woman he has always loved, Shay.
The chemistry between Easton and Shay is off the charts and I had many swoon worthy moments with Easton. The drama and angst is real and the tension, heartache and healing was palpable. This was a well written story of love, friendship, family and second chances, of taking a leap of faith and of believing in yourself. I loved Easton and Shay and found them easy to relate to as I did the secondary characters.
Can Easton and Shay get over the mistakes of the past and in doing so finally get the happily ever after together that they deserve? One click and find out.
4.5 STARS
Where do I start with this book!! This is definitely one of those stories that once you start, you won’t be able to put it down. I was glued to the pages from the moment I picked this book up. Lexi Ryan has a way with words and this story had me in awe of her ability to challenge our emotions on how deep love truly runs.
For years, Shayleigh Jackson has harbored a crush on her brother’s best friend Easton. With him being four years older than her, she thought of herself as a tagalong. But Easton Connor never saw her as such. In fact, he saw her as the calm to his anxiety, a balm for his soul.
When the NFL draft takes Easton away from Jackson Harbor, he never forgets the family that welcomed him with open arms or the one girl that made his blood pump faster and his heart beat triple time. Shayleigh may have been too young when she first caught his eye, but now 12 years later, he’s back in Jackson Harbor and he’s determined to finally get his second chance.
What we soon find out, is that over the years, Easton and Shay kept in touch on more than one occasion. And now that he’s back in her hometown with his daughter, Shay is finding it difficult to resist the only man to ever break her heart. The timing is never right and these two can’t seem to find the right words to say to one another. Years of guilt and resentment have made their reunion one that isn’t easy on either of them. Easton has a lot to apologize for and Shay has finally moved on. But there’s one thing that’s rains true every single time these to connect… they have chemistry that is explosive and a connection that runs deep. Their souls align and there’s an unspoken promise. Maybe they weren’t meant to be together after all, or maybe fate just really is a fickle brat.
There are so many layers to this story. It’s told in dual POV so we get to experience the feelings and thoughts from both Shay and Easton and the author does an amazing job of switching from present tense to past tense. I have to say I typically like to read in present tense only but I found myself eager to know what happened in their past to drive the wedge between them today and boy did Lexi Ryan deliver!! As the past tense story unfolds, we continue with the present tense and in the end both stories align. It really lined up perfectly and was absolutely heartbreaking to witness but my goodness it was worth it in the end.
Be prepared for the angst!!! This story will gut you!! But I promise, Easton and Shay deserve the happily ever after they have in store. This story right here is a perfect example of true love conquering all. The test of time, the obstacles that life throws you and the true meaning of the word unconditional.
Highly recommend this book!!!
This book was reviewed for Reviews from the Heart.
~ Shannon
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I’ve been waiting for Easton and Shay’s story and what a ride! The angst is real in this one and their chemistry is electric from the beginning! Definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions. I devoured this one and it’s a must read in this series!