A standalone second chance romance by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken. You know the universe is trying to tell you something when you get struck by lightning, but only after getting hit on by the elderly, almost getting run over by a semi, and running into the one who got away.Why do they say it like that anyway?Like I accidentally lost her when she was the one that got in … the one that got in the car with my best friend and left me.
The day after I proposed.
We were eighteen.
I wanted forever.
She didn’t.
It’s been ten years.
I tried to move on, tried to get married, had that same wedding crashed by my now best friend who says the only way for me to stop pissing off the universe, is to gain closure with the one woman I can’t forget.
So I do it.
I embark on a journey down memory lane that not only lands me in prison but on the receiving end of a fist fight in front of the entire town, this naturally happens after drunken pool sex, climbing the same girl’s window, and getting threatened at gunpoint by her father.
To say the universe is trying to tell me something anything, is a giant understatement.
I just hope I survive the message.
And then, I hope I survive her—again.
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5 *****
I love this series so much. It always makes me smile and the characters are so quirky and funny but also real, flawed and vulnerable. This is a second chance romance. I just love Jason and Maddy and their friends and the journey they took me on: from heartbreak, friendship to happily ever after.
Jason and Maddy are high school sweethearts and each other’s first love. She left him and ten years later they cross their paths. There is so much hurt from both of them but they are still attracted to each other and have chemistry. Now they have to decide if they are going to fight for their love or to have closure. Loved the angst between them wrapped up in the humor and sarcasm. Loved how their friends helped them to find their way back and to get over the hurt.
Also everybody should have a friend like Max. I loved him so much in this book, he’s so quirky, funny and sometimes has an idiotic plans that somehow work.
Such a beautiful story with amazing characters, real story line and lough out loud moments.
Jason doesn’t like to share, and sometimes gets violent when others ogle what’s his, “that…” he put the shirt over my head, “… and if I see one more married man check you out, I’m grabbing my gun.” Jason really has crap luck, “I’d lost track of a lot of things in the past week. My truck door for one — my fault. My heart — her fault. My balls — the universe’s fault, not to mention an unfortunate run-in with lightning.” I enjoyed this book, Max was still freakin’ crazy the man it seemed still drove everyone bonkers. I liked Jason, his luck is just extremely crappy.
Is it even possible for Rachel Van Dyken to write a bad book???? Well, I haven’t found one that I didn’t absolutely love. The Consequences of Rejection is no exception. This is the fourth book in the Consequence series, and they really should be read in order…. You will get so much more out of them. This is Jason and Maddy’s story, and of course Max throws himself into the mix. I don’t think I stopped smiling the whole time I was reading, well, maybe I did when I was fanning myself during the steamy parts. so, what are you waiting for, get reading.
I recommend everyone of the books in this series. I think that it really helps if you read those first. It helps you to understand Jason better and the things that have happened to him.
I will say that the other books are much funnier, but this one still had its moments (esp the lightning).
There’s so much hurt on both sides with this one and I’m so glad that RVD wrote it. I’ve wanted Jason to have a happily ever after since reading the first book.
I would love to see the whole group again in Vegas, the things that Max could get them into!
4.5*
I love this series so much, and had been waiting anxiously for Jason’s story! These books are so fun to read. This one was a little more emotional than the previous 3 books, but it still had all the humor and craziness you’d come to expect from this gang. Seriously, these books are some of the funniest I’ve ever read!
Jason and Maddy shared so much history, it was sad that her insecurities separated them for so long. But even with all the years between them you knew they were “it” for each other. When it was just the two of them, recreating memories, or just getting to know their adult selves, it was really sweet.
I just adore all of these characters, and if this is it for the series I’m so sad to see it come to an end! And if it is the end, I wish the epilogue had included povs from all the couples. I would have liked more of a peek into Colton and Miles life, especially!
I wold LOVE to see these books end up on the small screen as a series, although I don’t know if they could live up to my expectations!
I enjoyed reading this book
There are some authors out there that will change your life. Rachel Van Dyken is one of those authors that changed my life. Her books changed how I read romance novels. You can never go wrong with any of her work, I am a lover of all things Rachel, but my heart was first taken by her Consequence series, and Colton to this day has part of my heart. So you can bet that I was ecstatic to read this latest book in the series, The Consequence of Rejection. Each novel is a standalone, but my advice would be to read them in order.
The Consequence of Rejection is the fourth book in the series, and I couldn’t be more thrilled it finally got written. It’s Jason Caro’s book! I couldn’t tell you how happy I was that he was finally getting more air time than before. I loved when his character was introduced in the first book of the series and he cracked me up throughout the other books.
Jason Caro is the cop brother of Milo. His friends include that of his sister’s husband, Colton, Reid and even the ever so crazy Max. Yes, guys, if you have read any of this series, Max is back. And crazier than ever. Poor Jason has had it rough in the past, with luck and his relationships. But the one that had hit him the hardest was Maddy Summers. Maddy was Jason’s first love and best friend. That was until she rejected him when they were younger. Sometimes old wounds don’t heal, and sometimes facing them are the hardest. And for Jason, that is one thing he doesn’t want to face.
The Consequence of Rejection is a great addition to the Consequence series. Trust me, Rachel gets better and better. She’s like a fine wine, one you will proudly have on your shelf. Five stars for the beloved author. The Consequence of Rejection is a breath of fresh air for this spring.
**Review by Lindsey, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night with Books**
I have been so excited for this book. Let me tell you – Rachel’s books really do keep getting better and better! With every new release I am convinced that is her best work yet. Then I read another and am blown away all over again. Jason & Maddy are no exception!
This story and these characters are every bit the absolute perfection my rom-com / second chance loving soul needed! Add a RVD fix – gah on a level all it’s own!
Hilarious banter made me laugh out loud. The heartbreak and soul shattering rejection were tangible. The chemistry and pull these two felt – I felt from head to toe. Like wow on the sexiness that builds up and when they give in – whew fanned myself! The hope that they could heal, forgive and move on whether together or apart was so real.
With the brilliant intervention from our favorite supporting cast (Max, Reid, Colt, Milo, Becca & Jordan) Jason and Maddy find their way. It’s not easy. There’s hurt feelings and disappointments to work through but those are beat out by the overwhelming desire for the future they always wanted. The feelings that are stronger than ever. Unfolds absolutely beautifully. Loved every word!
I hope this series continues with maybe some adventures with these couples into parenthood. I can imagine the shenanigans they can get into with babies.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series and it does stand alone from the others. Rejection is hard to take at any point in ones life but the day after you asked the girl of your dreams to marry you – leaves a giant gaping hole.
A crater big enough that no one has ever lived up to the girl since – even if you were engaged years later to another woman. It just won’t suffice. At least that’s what’s the deal between Jason & Maddy. She’s his one and only…but she bailed. Big time.
Maddy finds herself back at home in her parents house – right beside Jason’s house. Oh how she doesn’t want to run into him. That’s dangerous territory. Oh so dangerous. Yet she does and man do the emotions rise up to the challenge.
I think this story would have fared better for me if there wasn’t the addition of Max. He’s a huge jokester that loves to stir the pot. He sometimes has some brilliant ideas but most of the time he’s just an annoying guy. Poor Jason gets the brunt of Max’s bad ideas which doesn’t fair well. Max’s character didn’t do it for me. I was almost pulled out of the story every time his crazy self came into the picture.
I’m sure others will have have absolutely loved this story. Rachel Van Dyken writes well and it shows – I just didn’t connect with the comedy side of this particular romance.
4.5 stars
This is the first book I’ve read from the Consequence series and it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.
Let me start by saying the characters in this book are nuts. Max has to be one the most random, hyperactive and just plain craziest characters ever. I loved him. STEAK SAVES LIVES! The guy killed me.
Jason had his heart broken ten years ago when the love of his life walked away from him. While he’s tried to move on, he’s never actually succeeded in getting the closure he needs. So when the woman who crushed him years ago suddenly turns back up in town it messes with Jason’s head big time. Jason’s battling a lot of emotions when it comes to Maddy, mainly anger, so when Max tells him he needs to get his closure while Maddy is here, Jason decides to go with it.
I loved Jason. He’s hurt, angry but he still carries some of the love he once had for Maddy. Maddy did what she thought was best when she left ten years ago. Now she’s back and prepared to face the full force of Jason’s anger but when they start reliving the past, their old feelings start reappearing.
The main and supporting characters in this book are absolutely fantastic. From accident prone Jason to his friends and their wives, every single one is extremely likeable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I laughed so much and didn’t put it down once.