The Wrong Kind of Love

The Wrong Kind of Love by Lexi Ryan is book One in The Boys of Jackson Harbor Series. This is the story of Ethan and Nic.
Nic was set to marry but then her twin sister comes up pregnant and the father was to be Nic’s husband. Nic totally shocked up and takes her sister identity to start a new life for a while in Jackson Harbor . Nic is set to caring for a six year old the daughter of Dr. Ethan Jackson. But to her surprise she had met him before and thought to never see him again.
Ethan is used to taking care of people and their problems…what he to do with Nic?
Enjoyed their story.

Love Born in a lie is the Wrong Kind of Love, or maybe not?!

There is a reason Lexi Ryan is one of my go to authors and this book right here is just additional proof to that! I absolutely adored this new cast of characters and if this book is a testament on how this series is going to be, then hold on to your kindles because you are in a for an epic ride.

Ethan Jackson is a man on a mission and has his life all figured out. He knows where he’s been and he knows where he wants to go. He might not be happy with any of that, but he has a little girl who he loves more than anything and that’s enough for him. That is until her Nanny Nic knocks his socks off! What’s a boy to do when a girl comes along and makes him feel like everything he knows isn’t exactly what he thought it should be?

Nic is just plain awesome, she just doesn’t know it. She has lived her whole life trying to please others and mostly in her twin’s shadow. She just doesn’t understand she is fabulous all on her own, that is until Ethan comes her along and makes her see it. Of course with the help of his family and some others because he is just a little stubborn lol..

These two were broken, but they fixed each other in such spectacular fashion and I loved being along for their journey. I am so super excited about this new series and I cannot wait to see how everyone else’s story plays out, I want them all to have their own book!

Ohhhh what a great book.

This book is deep. The book has all the feels! This book will make you cry, swoon, swear but most importantly it will make you believe in love.

Nic and Ethans story is an emotional rollercoaster that will have you so hooked you won’t put the book down

Single Dad
Nanny
Lies
Angst
Sexy

This book is the whole package. I loved every single thing about it.

*I was provided a free advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

OMG!! I don’t even know where to begin in telling you how much I loved this beautiful story. I was captured right from the start!! From all the awfulness Nicole went through, to her meeting Ethan and his brothers, and all the stuff that happens after. Oh my! I can’t wait for the next books in this series!!! I’m in L.O.V.E.!

It’s been way too long since I’ve read one of Lexi Ryan’s books and I don’t even know why the heck I tortured myself and waited this long, but this was definitely the perfect book to end my dry spell.
I kid you not, I almost highlighted the entire book. *Haha* I usually highlight favorite scenes or quotes but I just loved every word of this story and couldn’t stop myself from going crazy on the highlights.

Although this was a slow burn love there was a lot of chemistry and attraction between the characters and the story had a great pace. I felt that everything worked out perfectly and came together smoothly. Both characters weren’t emotionally ready for anything for a while and I liked how they slowly grew closer.

I loved this story so much that I wanted to wrap myself in it like a blanket because this book really had it all. I was captivated from the first word on until the very end and I loved all those funny moments throughout this beautiful story. I haven’t laughed that much and so loud in a long time – people were looking funny at me on the bus *Haha*

This book had no highs and lows because it felt like a constant high still going higher and higher. There were lots of tears-in-the-eyes belly laughs but also many heartfelt moments that had my heart aching.

The Story:
What should have been the best day of her life, turned out to be her worst, when Nicole found out in front of the altar that not only did her fiancé cheat on her, but also got her sister pregnant. Devastated and embarrassed about the mess her life turned into, Nicole wants out and to run far away from all the people that betrayed and belittled her.

Never did she imagine ending up in the arms of this nice stranger, a man with sad eyes but enchanting smile, someone who made her feel wanted even when it was just for one night.
Finding out that this stranger was her new boss was another hot mess she didn’t need on top of the secrets she’s hiding from him, because when he finds out that she’s not the person who he thinks she is, everything in her life will turn to hell once again.

Thoughts:
Oh how I missed this. I missed reading such a good story in which I could get lost in. This was absolutely the best book that I’ve read by this author. Unputdownable and full of emotions. I felt with the characters. I felt everything. The laughs, the heartbreak, and every touch in between.

It was like going from laughing out loud to yelling at the characters, almost throwing my kindle against the wall, having a nervous breakdown, swooning and falling in love, to reliving everything all over again.

I got to know everything there was to know about Nic early on but Ethan was somewhat a puzzle to be solved for a while, which made the story a lot more exciting. I learned through Nic’s discoveries more about him and why he’s the way he was, heartbreak and all.

Ethan was such a good guy. He was a real gentleman but with a troubled soul. My heart ached for him and what he went through. I loved him with all his faults or maybe even because of them. Although he spoke of himself as an asshole, I wouldn’t classify him as one. He was caring and such a lovely person who was hurt so deeply and I understood pretty well why he closed himself off. He just built up a wall around his feelings to protect himself.

Despite all the terrible things Nicole had to endure from her fiancé, friends and family, she was a strong woman because although she ran away – and who the hell wouldn’t?! – she did not stay down but got back up again and in the end, life turned out way better than she’d ever hoped for. I liked her humble and down-to-earth character.
Though appearances can be deceiving because you never know how a person really feels even if she’s smiling. A smile doesn’t necessarily mean someone’s happy. But Nicole was the right woman for Ethan. The only woman. Both had stuff to work through emotionally and I believe that they’d helped each other to heal.

There were some heavier topics taken on in this book but they never took the upper hand and let the story stay on the positive side. It was a healing process for the characters as well as for me reading about their lives and how they began to deal with their pasts head on in order to move forward instead of carrying on to shove them aside.

To end my rather long review, I just wanna say that I loved the epilogue even though I wish there was more Ethan and Nicole, but it made me really excited about the next book!!! I can’t decide about which brothers’ story I’m most excited about because they all had very different personalities but I loved each and every one of them.

4.5 amazing stars!
Wrong Kind Of Love is the first book in a new series featuring the Jackson brothers. I loved this story; it had a little bit of everything we romance lovers want in a story and features a single dad. The story begins with betrayal and heartbreak, as described in the blurb, and there are some humorous moments tossed in to lighten it up a bit. With a few surprising twists and turns thrown in I read this book nonstop wanting to know where it would lead us.

After finding out her identical twin sister, Veronica, had been having an affair with her fiancé, Marcus, minutes before she said her “I dos” Nicole “Nic” Maddox takes her bags, filled with clothes more appropriate for her honeymoon on the beach, and heads to the airport to get far away from the deceiving duo. Unfortunately she also took her sister’s purse and cell phone, by mistake, and decides to make use of Veronica’s plane reservation to Jackson Harbor, Michigan. Her sister had been planning on moving there, to take a position as a nanny, so Nic decides she can hide out while she decides what to do. One thing she knows for sure is she’ll have to tell Veronica’s new employer there’s been a change in plans, she won’t be taking the position after all, Veronica left with Marcus and she’s currently at the beach. On the honeymoon Nic planned for.

Dr. Ethan Jackson is a widower, raising his six-year old daughter, Lily, after wife, Elena, died three years ago. When his mother, Kathleen, who was helping him raise Lily, made plans for a long anticipated trip to Europe, she convinced him to hire a live in nanny, someone he didn’t meet and interview, to help out in her absence. Kathleen made all the arrangements of hiring Veronica and, days before she’s to leave for Europe, she’s surprised by Nic and the news that Veronica won’t be available. Nic explains the situation and she’s persuaded by Kathleen to take the job, while pretending to by Veronica, for a very good reason. Nic hates lying and deceiving, especially after what she’s gone through, there’s a reason she was always called the “good twin”. She agrees to take the job, it’s only for a few months, how much trouble can she get into?

“Love born in a lie is THE WRONG KIND OF LOVE.”

This is where the story really picks up speed and it seems everyone has secrets they’re trying to keep others from finding out. Poor Ethan has decided love isn’t in his future, he had it once and it ended very badly, so he refuses to put himself out there, ever again. And Nic has had her share of hurt and betrayal, long before Veronica and Marcus stuck a knife in her back. Mixed into the story is the loving and delightful Lily, and all the other Jackson siblings, so get comfortable and plan on being carried away to Jackson Harbor.

I first came across Lexi Ryan’s book ‘If it’s Only Love’ when I realized it was the 6th book in the series… I was like eeekkk hold up, give them all to me! I am in love with the Jackson clan! This whole series is a must!

Poor nic!! Her fiancé is horrible but honestly I’d be more mad at her sister. Wow. That’s horrible. I don’t blame her for picking up and leaving. Ethan wow. So hot. And such a dick sometimes. Really knows how to put his foot in his mouth sometimes. But I can understand after being cheated on and then having his wife leave like she did. Their poor baby girl. Lilly is adorable and her time with nic was precious. Watching Ethan realize his feelings was beautiful and that he didn’t need to punish himself anymore. Just wish he realize faster. Especially since nic was only trying to help his mom. Can’t wait for Jake and Ava.

I really enjoyed this book and started reading more from the series.

This is a sexy romance about a runaway bride, a single dad who has sworn off love, and the kind of family secrets that can threaten to break even the deepest bonds. You never forget your wedding day or the moment your twin sister pukes on your bouquet and confesses she is pregnant with your fiancé’s baby. Nicole “Nic” wanted to get away and hide until her heart mended. She found herself in a strange town with a mysterious stranger, Ethan, who made her forget it was supposed to be my wedding night. Afraid to go home to face her broken life, she pretends to be her twin so she can take the twin’s job in Jackson Harbor caring for a six -year-old girl. Imagine Nic’s surprise when she found out her boss is her mysterious stranger. She never meant for Ethan to discover her secrets or for them to matter. The longer she works with him and his sweet daughter, the more she falls and the clearer it becomes that she is not the only one carrying a secret that could tear them apart. – I admired Nic’s strength. She had issues to overcome but kept going. The chemistry between Nic and Ethan was off the charts. I loved it when they were alone and he let go. His family was fun and entertaining. This is a very good romance.

Two Men, Two Sisters …. two winners, two losers

I love a good redemption storyline, but it needs to be true redemption… not simple ‘I’m Sorry’ words and all is well. This book had a lot of promise but was hard for me to relate to any of the characters. And, so much, I wanted to see at least one chapter with Marcus paying the price for his infidelity, his false sense of superiority and especially his hypocritical stance on faith. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

What I did see throughout the book was a lot of indecision, lots of angst and overlooked betrayal. It seemed like the emotions and angst were there but in the wrong situations and with the wrong people.

As I read, I jotted down some thoughts and notes…. see below:

Oh….ugh…. how pathetic can one be. Nic, WHY call your sister? She not only betrayed you, She stabbed you in the back. She is coldhearted and selfish, overbearing and self-righteous. WHY would you even want to talk to her????? She only tears you down, Nic. Don’t be a glutton for punishment.

Okay…. rant over. The call I’m talking about was the Happy Birthday call, and yes, it was pathetic. As I write this note, I’m only on chapter 21. I sure hope this woman gets some fight in her, the sooner the better. Right now, Nic is pathetic. But one thing I’ll give her credit for…. she’s right, she’s a doormat!

At times Nic behaves like a ‘wanton woman’, and other times like a naive little girl. Then there’s the ‘people pleaser’ in her, always out to please others regardless of how it’s going to impact her and/or affect her later.

But I loved the phone call with Marcus at the end of chapter 24. Goooood, really good. I wanted to read more scenes like this. I wanted to see an epilogue type chapter of Marcus seeing a happy Nic and realizing just what he did, what he had and what he tossed in the garbage only to dig out a piece of real trash. Sorry, but Ronnie just isn’t high up on my ‘like’ radar.

And why didn’t Nic remind Marcus on that call that he sent her an email saying he never loved her and she never was enough? On the call, he spewed a lot of ‘I made a mistake’ garbage’ and ‘You always have been the only one’ lies, so why not remind him about that email …. you know, the one that had her rushing to the bathroom falling apart.

Also, what did the hometown folk of Jeffe think about Marcus now? Do they ever see him for who he really is or just overlook it all and say boys will be boys? Marcus liked to use his religion as a backdrop, a doorway to justify his deeds or non-deeds with Nic. Did he ever hear of the verse that says whatsoever a man soweth, that too shall he reap? Hmmmm. (Not that this book was Christian, because it wasn’t. But Marcus used his church beliefs to get Nic to ‘see the light’ so to speak. As you read, you’ll see it was his ‘crutch’ to have his cake and eat it too. )

I picture him about five years down the road full of regret and remorse as he watches, at a distance, a happy family, full of love and playful children. That family just so happens to be Ethan, Nic and their children. He knows it could’ve been him, Nic and their children … but it never will be. Consequences…. there always are consequences to choices. He made choices, not mistakes, where are the consequences?

Ahhhh, Veronica. It takes a lot more than a simple ‘I’m Sorry’ to redeem yourself. How, simply how, can you look your sister in the face? It took Marcus messing you over for you to even begin to ‘see the light’. And, I NEVER saw any true remorse for what you did to your sister. I only saw your personal self indignation and regret. It was all about YOU. Your wants, your desires, your pain, your pleasure.

And since there’s a baby on the way, what role will Marcus play? He will be a part of Veronica’s and Nic’s life for at least the next 18 years. So, how does he fit in to these books now and in the future? And what does Marcus’ self-righteous mother have to say?

Teagan’s mouth runs too much and is way to sharp, BUT when she said this, well, it was priceless:

Teagan sputters. “Oh my God, I thought you had some balls in those pants.”

… good job Teagan, good job.

Yes, Ethan was protective, he built up a LOT of walls. He protected Lilly, protected himself and even protected his ‘wife’. He held a lot of false guilt and thus come across as cold, ruthless and uncaring. BUT, he was the easiest character in this book to understand and even relate too. He had to make the most of a horrid situation.

I’m not fond of detailed intimacy scenes unless they actually add to the book…. the ones here easily could have been skipped. They did nothing to contribute to the storyline…. just filled pages.