Ten years ago Lincoln Calloway broke me.A single, terrifying phone call is all it takes to change the trajectory of my life. But what I thought would be a short trip home, quickly turns more serious as the secrets my family has tried to keep hidden finally come to light. Starting with their new handyman. Lincoln Calloway…my best friend, my biggest heartbreak.After ten years, he’s changed from … heartbreak.
After ten years, he’s changed from the boy who ran away to a dangerously sexy man with haunted blue eyes. I find myself drawn to him, sneaking glances whenever I can. But I’ve been down this road before, and it doesn’t end well for me.
Except this time things are different. He’s returning my stolen looks. Telling me all the things I’ve always wanted to hear. It would be so easy to fall back into his arms, to pretend the last decade never happened.
Unfortunately, things in the past rarely stay hidden and Lincoln’s is bound to catch up with him.
Enjoy this steamy standalone where the lines between love and hate are blurred. Once best friends, Macey and Lincoln will have to trudge through their pasts in order to find their way to a happily ever after.
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Macey was heartbroken and humiliated by Lincoln in high school, and when she gets an urgent phone call 10 years later to come home due to her grandma having an accident, she is horrified to find that Lincoln is now a handyman in town. Lincoln is haunted by demons and wants to make amends and get forgiveness for any heartbreak he has caused in the past. The chemistry between these two is intense, however, Macey made him work for her attention. This is a well written story which is filled with heartbreak, secrets, emotion, and love which all lead to an all-consuming and heart-warming story. I was captivated throughout this addictive page turner and I recommend for all readers.
There is a lot to like about this book. The writing is well done. There are a lot of memorable lines and the description of Lincoln’s life trials were among the most interesting parts of the book.
For me, the pace was too slow. What I mean is that the characters continually rehashing the past, holding onto resentments, dwelling on mistakes. That is important the first, second and maybe third time, but beyond that is too much. I felt there was a lot more story that could have been told.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sometimes hope is all you need….
by and1515
There was nothing better then having a birthday and today Macey turned fifteen life was good so maybe she’d get to drive and eventually go to college.
She really didn’t wanted to join her roommate things like that just didn’t hold her interest .
She’d practically just let Jace in the door when her cell phone started ringing it was her dad and he was clearly upset.
Macey needed to go home her beloved grandmother was hurt and in the hospital.
Wow Macey couldn’t believe he honestly thought he was still going to get his rocks off before she ran out the door.
Nope not going to happen they were done but apparently Jace wasn’t listening because she wasn’t calling him.
Lincoln was the last person she’d ever wanted to see they’d been friend’s along time ago but now they were nothing.
Not after he’d humiliated her in front of everyone she’d wasn’t some kid.
Macey thought she’d scream or maybe her head would explode first it was at the hospital now the apartment.
Lincoln knew he’d made epic mistakes in his past and torched ever bridge.
Shoot his dad told him he might as well accept the fact he was trash and never would amount to anything but trash.
Most people didn’t know half the crap he’d suffered after she abandoned him every memory was a slippery slop he didn’t want to be on ever again.
Macey was so angry her family had been keeping hiding thing and really big
secrets from her. But not Lincoln she bet they told him everything while keeping her in the dark.
Lincoln still couldn’t figure out why he continued let his ex’s little brother bother him his sister had been just as toxic
like his dad.
Her life was complicated enough without
Jace adding himself to that list.
He still wasn’t listening when she’d told him they were done the self absorbed jerk couldn’t see beyond his own narcissistic rear end.
Lincoln had waited for her to come home
even when she hated him, he still wanted her and finally just when he’d thought
she’d never forgive him but now things have changed between them and slowly but surely things are looking up for them.
Until his past comes back and Lincoln is left stunned and afraid.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She loved Lincoln since she was a kid. When they were in high school, he chose someone else over her and humiliated her in the process. She comes home to find Lincoln is back home also. good read and romance. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lincoln and Macey grew up together, their fathers were friends so they spent their day with each other. Their friendship was a bond that couldn’t be broken, until things take a dive and Lincoln falls in with the wrong person.
Now, after so many years, Macey returns and finds that the boy who shredded her heart has embedded himself in her family’s life.
I enjoyed everything about Lincoln and Macey’s journey. The characters are strongly written and very relatable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Linc messed up big-time, and he broke Macey’s heart. She left, and has never been able to forgive him. When he’s destitute, her family gives him a second chance. Can she do the same? The title is so appropriate; it truly is a long road before these two find their way back together. Macey is strong, and not so flexible, making Linc work hard to regain her love and trust. Their past is heartbreaking, but their future could be so promising. Her family is incredibly supportive of both of them. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this heartfelt story. It had drama, suspense and kept me interested until the end. I received a copy of this book and I am choosing to leave my honest review.
Easily one of my favorite second-chance romances so far this year. The relationship is intense, but neither of them wants to step over the line. Lincoln made some rash and immature decisions a decade ago, and those decisions left behind a hurt deeper than he realized. Leaving was her only choice until her grandmother falls ill, and she needs to return to care for her. What she doesn’t realize is that Lincoln has become a part of everything that is her home, including her family. And when difficult times come for her, all he wants to do is prove to her how much he’s changed.
There are so many layers to this story, so much hurt that each of the characters has experienced. Yet, each of them becomes a force to reckon with, and that is what makes the conflict that much more intense. I’ve never read a contemporary romance by this author before, and this one truly impressed me. I will definitely be setting aside time to read more of her contemporary works.
Long Road Home by J.W. Ashley is a fun, quirky contemporary romance. The prologue really drew me in – I can easily remember how it felt to be a teenage girl, anticipating my first kiss, so I connected with heroine Macey right away. Lincoln, her best friend and the hero in this story, is charming and romantic so I fell in love with him right off the bat and rooted for these two from the get-go and as we learn all that has happened to them leading up to the present day, especially what drove them apart. The initial premise reminded me a bit of 13 Going on 30, one of my all-time favorite movies.
Macey and Lincoln definitely do their share of cursing, which isn’t really my thing, but I was able to accept this a bit more when I discovered this was a habit Macey picked up from her grandmother, who is so likeable and easily became one of my favorite characters. I love that Macey is driven, not only by her own ambition but even more so by her love of family, which showed me that she was really a good person underneath her hard exterior, just one who’d been badly hurt.
Lincoln… Well, there is nothing I love more than a hero with demons to conquer and this man takes the prize! I could see that Lincoln cared deeply about Macey so I was in his corner as he takes his own long road home, learning from his past mistakes and finding his way back to the woman who has always been in his heart, in a romance which os so satisfying in the end.
Real characters who sound and feel like real young people today. An easy to relate to, satisfying contemporary romance!
Lincoln and Macy were friends then he humiliated and hurt her. Macey always wanted Lincoln until he decided he wanted someone else so Macey moved on and went to college Lincoln is now working for Maceys family as a handyman so when she rushes home after her grandmother falls ill shes less then thrilled to have Lincoln meet her at the airport now they will have to deal with each other. Lincoln knows he messed up he just needs to show Macey he’s not the same person but there ex are going to make things harder sometimes the road back is full of pain and forgiveness.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
A beautiful second chance romance
This is the firts book I have read of this Author and I totally loved it
Macey and Lincoln story really got to my heart, I felt every emotion rigth with them and cryied happy tears with their HEA
The story is well written and the characters well developed, I loved the different POV chapters, made me love Lincoln even more
Can’t wait to read more of J.W. books!!!
I enjoyed this storyline. The characters are well developed and engaging and Have a strong connection. I enjoyed the smooth flow of the storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this story of Macey and Lincoln and there interacting with each other starting with a hate relationship from there past and how it changes throughout the story is so amazing to read. Definitely a recommendation for sure. One of my favorite reads in a while
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Beautifully written heartfelt story. Lincoln had a rough life after his mom passed away and spiraled. Macey was his best friend for the longest time, that is until he humiliated her at a high school party. That night changed everything. You can feel the pain of both, well actually all the characters, in this book. My heart went out to them. I know giving forgiveness is rough sometimes and this story is no different. With all the things that went on. I sooo despised Lincoln’s dad, throughout the whole book. I just don’t understand the town people believing the adult versus the kid. Great story!
I received this as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
J. W. Ashley is brilliant at creating characters and storylines that wrench my heart. Macey returns home for a family emergency, only to come face to face with the man who broke her heart in the most humiliating way. Ten years ago they were both different people, however, the past has shaped who they are now. I loved the character development that evolved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reviewed for A Wanton Book Lover Blog
Macey and Lincoln were friends from the time they were little. Their friendship followed them through to high school where Macey finally told Lincoln that she felt more for him than friendship but he turned his back on her choosing another girl who’s name was TROUBLE. To escape the humiliation of Lincoln’s rejection, Macey goes far away from home to college only hearing occasionally about Lincoln through passing comments made by her dad and grandmother. Macey receives a call no family member wants. Her grandma is ill and in the hospital. Macey rushes home and imagine her surprise when Lincoln picks her up at the airport. It seems Lincoln has left behind his bad decisions and an ex-wife and is trying to rebuild his life in his home town. He has been helping Macey’s family unbenounced to her and even staying in her childhood room. The story continues when Macey finally lets go of the past and begins to rebuild her relationship with Lincoln while at the same time renovating her grandmother’s restaurant.
Long Road Home was a sweet story about redeeming one’s-self, forgiveness, and being there for other people when they need you the most. Macey’s experienced a lot of changes in her life in a very small amount of time and needed her former best-friend’s support. Lincoln also showed Macey how much he loved her father and grandmother long before she even knew about their relationships. This was a good story and I really liked the characters.J.W. Ashley
Macey and Lincoln were friends in high school until he broke her heart so as soon as she could she left for college and never looked back until her father called her home when her grandmother gets injured. She goes back and the first person she sees is Lincoln and he wants forgiveness for his actions when he was young and immature. This is an emotional story about love and forgiveness that we all at some time have to address and everyone handles it in a different way. Will Macey forgive Lincoln for breaking her heart or forever hold a grudge?
Macey and Lincoln were close growing up. In high school, Lincoln Calloway meant even more to her and she wanted him to be hers. Instead, he publicly humiliated her by choosing someone else. She would never forgive him. Now 10 years have passed and Macey needs to come home for her grandmother who is in the hospital. She is stunned when Lincoln is the one waiting for her at the airport. Despite what he did, it was difficult to stop the feelings that rushed back. But he had much to atone for and she wouldn’t make it easy when he indicated he wanted a second chance. There is a great deal of pain to work through and trust to rebuild. Would he be able to show her he had changed and realized the devastation his actions had caused? Or would she shut him out of her life forever?
The story line was good and I appreciated Macey’s ability to stand up for herself. It’s difficult to deal with a pain so deep when your dreams are shattered at that age. I am glad that Lincoln was trying to turn his life around, but I am also glad he had to work a bit at convincing Macey whether he was worthy of another shot at love. Will she accept him back? Will they find their long-awaited HEA?
This is my sixth book by Ms. Ashley and I will say it is my favorite to date. Her writing style continues to grow and become more in depth. I say that with all the kindness possible, she is really improving upon her style! The main characters were detailed well and left you wanting to cheer for them along the way. The leading lady (Macey) was a touch snarky and immature at times, which given her past, I can understand (though it frustrated me on occasion). The leading man’s path was truly, dare I say, beautiful?!?! His life was a struggle early on and Macey’s family always trying to help him find his way. He faced his demons and spent time trying to repair his “sins.” Having watched others struggle with addiction, his story was well told and believable. Maax and Gram added to the colorful commentary of the book. Making you wish everyone had such reliable relationships in their lives.
I am a sucker for a good, happy ending and lots of love radiating from that ending. This book has it and is well worth your time. I would say if reading about folks who struggle with addiction is hard for you, this book might be a trigger. Otherwise, definitely worth your time in reading it!
A second chance read with a long kept secrets. Heartwarming and sweet this is nice weekend read.