From USA Today Bestselling author, Jane Anthony, comes a swoon-worthy, second-chance love story.Jesse Dylan was my best friend, my first kiss . . . and my first heartbreak.Watching him walk out of my life almost ruined me. But years have passed, and the pain of losing him has long since faded.Or so I thought.One glimpse in his cobalt eyes and those old wounds reopened. Jesse wants a second … wounds reopened. Jesse wants a second chance at what might have been, but it’s too late. I’m with someone new. Someone safe. Someone who can’t break me.
Yet the heart wants what it wants, and mine has only ever beat for the one who got away. I can’t deny him. I can’t resist him. He consumes my every waking thought and invades my dreams.
After all these years, I find myself wondering if I’ll ever truly stop loving the boy who taught my heart to hurt.
Jesse abandoned me when things got too difficult once.
I’m about to find out if lightning can strike twice.
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A heartbreaking and sweeping romance between Jesse and Wren. This best friends to lovers Second Chance Romance was heartbreaking and emotional. I hated the way Jesse left Wren when they were teenagers, and the way he ghosted her for five long years. I also hated the cheating which was painful to read.
Jesse was messed up and harbored a ton of garbage from his dysfunctional family. His actions were very frustrating at times. Kudos to the author for this well written storyline that somehow had me empathizing with Jesse and his boneheaded choices.
I liked the way the author humanized the characters and did not demonize anyone. Even the other woman Kim, and Wren’s ex Asher, were shown in an honest and realistic way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ONE INCREDIBLY THRILLING RIDE!!!
Astounding! Jane totally nailed this bad boy 100% on point as my emotions ran rampant, it kept me riveted and frozen to my seat. This is the first time I’ve read this author’s work and I can honestly say she totally blew me away. I couldn’t put this little jewel down had I wanted to. This little gem is written with such passion and sincerity you feel all the gut wretching, uncertainty that really kicks this little gem up a few notches. The indescribable feeling that can take you to your knees broken hearted that takes you from emotional wreck to over the moon in a nanosecond. All the trials and tribulations, hope, uncertainty, loss and love make this one outstanding experience that you won’t want to miss. The chemistry between the two main characters is intense and palpable. Strong characters, amazing storylines with an outstanding plot keeps you immersed till the end. The characters personalities are genuine with depth and qualities that catapults this baby to life flawlessly bringing a vibrancy to roles they were created to play. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it melds this little gem together smoothly. Amazing job Jane, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
WOW this is a story that tugs at your heartstrings and where you need a box of tissues handy at all times Sometimes you feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster
Wren and Jesse have history they where childhood sweethearts but Jesse had to get away from the emotional hell he was living in which dragged them apart Now years later he has come back for the only woman he has ever loved The only problem she is now dating a lawyer Asher. She has never forgotten the boy she loved and can’t believe how down on himself he is she is determined to build him up so begins an emotional roller coaster Will these two actually get a HEA You will need to read to see
I was so excited to get this book to review, and it definitely did not disappoint, in fact it kept me up all night, I just couldn’t put it down until all the knots were unravelled, both in my stomach and the book!
This is the story of Jesse and Wren, friends forever, each other’s first kiss and first love. It looked like they would be happy together forever until Jesse unexpectedly goes away leaving 16 year old Wren devastated. Jane’s description here just brought me to tears as I remembered my own first love.
Five years later Jesse returns and finds Wren working in the local diner and engaged to a hot shot lawyer. From the start it was obvious what a sleaze Asher was going to be when Jesse literally caught him with his pants down, but I did find it odd that he would hook up with a girl who worked in a diner rather than a socialite, even if Wrens’s parents were well off.
It was so obvious that the intense attraction and history that Jesse and Wren had shared forever was never going to be denied. As Wren realizes that Asher will never be her soulmate like Jesse she leaves him and runs to Jesse who is ready and waiting for her. Their future looks set, until they get some unexpected news and Jesse persuades himself that Wren would be better off with Asher as he can support her financially. Jesse himself has nothing to offer her except his love and a horrific family legacy that he doesn’t want to involve her in.
I was pretty mad with Jesse for leaving Wren a second time when he had promised to be her always, but he had to deal with his own demons. I gave a big cheer for Wren as she put on her big girl panties and dealt with her problems without his help. As for Asher, I really wanted to deck him for being so self centred from the start. In the end Jane did an amazing job of showing us how someone’s difficult past can bleed into their present, how hard it can be to overcome it but much easier if you have love by your side.
This really is an amazing book and it deserves way more than five stars. If you love angsty, heartbreaker second chance romances this is definitely one for you.
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This is a good read that for me was greatly hindered by the the lead female character. I enjoyed the second chance at love story concept and I thought that the writing was good. I liked the male lead character, Jesse a lot. He was a guy with a heart of gold but had issues and baggage from a painful past and childhood. I sympathized and related to him easily. However, I ended up not being able to stand Wren. She was entitled, selfish, childish, spoilt, conniving, foolish and a straight up user. No matter what, she was always right and Jesse was always wong. The things she did, said and thought drove me up the wall and back down again. There are so many things I would love to rant about but I won’t because I don’t want to spoil this book for others. I will say this though, When Wren goes to talk to an older female friend about Jesse and their relationship and she tells her that she has to demand respect from him, I literally was torn between wanting to cry and throwing my kindle across the room!! Where was her respect for him!!? Where!! She never showed an once of respect, care or even true interest to him aside from his art. You just don’t treat people you are supposed to love that way.
I AM #JessesGirl this story is filled with so much heart and even a bit of heartache but that’s to be expected when you’re witnessing two best friends going through life both individually and trying to become more. Jesse is a man you will instantly fall for and seeing the protective, hands on man he is you want to cheer him on continuously. Wren has lived a life on the more upscale end and it takes some hard reality to have her stand up for what she truly wants and not follow her heart. Even now as I’ve finished the story I’m not quite sure on my views when it comes to Asher, that man is a big question mark. I’m curiously see what everyone else thinks of him. Get ready for a ride that you will never forget, their story will have you hooked and questioning paths chosen but in the end everything happens for a reason and there’s no changing what’s ment to be will be. Beautifully written and needs to be bumped to the top of that TBR list.
I have read every single one of Jane Anthony’s books and I must say, this one is by far the best! She has come a long way! Wren & Jesse are two amazing characters and watching their tale unfold right in front of me brought on a whole rollercoaster of emotions! The words will suck you right in and won’t let you go until the end! It is an amazing heartfelt story! Thank you, Jane Anthony, for writing another amazing story that can be read again and again!
Wow, Jane Anthony has done it again with this beautiful swoon worthy friends to lovers second chance romance. Jesse and Wren’s story had its ups and downs which had my emotions going wild. Yes, I was in tears and reaching for my tissues. I was hooked from the very beginning all the way to the end. I was left wanting more because I just couldn’t get enough of these amazing characters.
Jesse is a handsome rough around the edges alpha who works very hard and knows what he wants.
Wren is a beautiful woman who has had more of the finer things in life. She had her heart broken by her blue eyed best friend years ago and is playing it safe now.
Will Jesse be too late or will the fireworks explode between the two? Read what happens when Jesse returns home. Last First Kiss is one book you won’t want to miss.
This book is my new top favorite second chances. When the one person that got away comes back into your life it makes your heart jump. For Jesse Dylan and Wren Irwin there no mistaking that moment. Their story came to life on page one and I couldn’t stop reading it, well until I needed to break and wipe the tears from my eyes. Jesse is so swoony and sexy! While Wren is spunky and sassy. I loved this couples, and the secondary characters were fantastic as well. This book isn’t just a romance love story but about friendship in all shapes and sizes.
Wow, Jane Anthony has done it again with this story. It’s gut wrenchingly emotional, fiery, sexy, deliciously steamy and so much more. Wren and Jesse has a history that just won’t let go and when he left her years ago to get out of the horrible living situation he was in, it ripped them both apart and now that he’s back he’s hoping to put the pieces back together and get the girl he’s always loved. But things don’t always go the way you planned, said girl has a boyfriend now, has moved on, but still thinks about you all the time wondering what if’s and what could’ve been. Life is hard and these two are stubborn to the core, the push and pull between them and the banter is off the charts. Jesse doesn’t feel worthy of happiness and love and all Wren wants is to make sure he believes that he’s worthy. So many obstacles between them, jealousy, anger, insecurities, secrets and plain stupidity on both their parts. Can these two find their way to each other freely and without doubt to be happy? Their story will stay with you long after you are finished reading it. Enjoy!!
Can love conquer time, distance and expectations? Jesse and Wren are high school sweethearts and childhood friends. Jesse gives Wren her first kiss but is leaving town and promises to keep in touch with Wren. After 5 years and no contact Jesse returns to town. Wren has a boyfriend and moving on. Can these two become more than friends again? Does true love really win? Grab your copy, a glass of wine and your comfy reading spot to find out.