Back in the day, I wanted her to be my everything. Now, a relationship isn’t in the cards. She threw that chance away. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun… right? AnnaI learned the hard way that when people show you who they are, you should pay attention. So when Jackson suggested I sacrifice my career goals in support of his, I really paid attention. It hurt to leave him behind, but my … to leave him behind, but my future was wide open. College romances never last, right? But that was years ago. I was sure I’d never see him again. Sure I’d never fall prey to his charms—or skills—ever again.
I was wrong …
Jackson
Anna was my everything. But since all it took was one stupid fight to send her running, clearly she didn’t feel the same. That’s all ancient history, though. I’m on the fast track to partner, a different man now. College was a lifetime ago. Still, nothing could’ve prepared me for seeing her again. Doesn’t matter. Been there, done that. It’s a different world now.
This time around, we’ll do things my way.
A second chance, friends with benefits, standalone, feel-good romance.
When the Stars Align is the first book in the West Side Series, a set of contemporary romances about a group of friends living on the west side of Manhattan. Each standalone love story in the series features a different couple, and the series can be read in any order. When the Stars Align features a sexy, angsty, second chance, friends with benefits, friends-to-lovers romance with a guaranteed happily ever after. Download today and let the binge-reading begin!
Reader Reviews
“Twists and turns, hot and steamy like a rollercoaster ride of emotions that makes you want more” – Amazon reviewer
“Well-developed characters…powerful chemistry” -Bookbub reviewer
“Absolutely loved this book!“ -Amazon reviewer
“Loved it!… The characters had distinct voices… pages turned easily” -Booksprout reviewer
“Loved this book! As a Tarheel fan, I could connect with the Chapel Hill references! Enjoyed reading about the main characters’ lives evolving and reconnecting in NYC. Romance, careers, family and a dog….something for everyone.” -Amazon reviewer
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Jackson and Anna dated in college, but their timing was off. He moves to New York for a new job, and rents an apartment in her building, on the same floor. They have mutual friends, so there’s no chance of completely avoiding each other. They behave like adults and become friends, gradually moving toward more, even if there are a few bumps along the way. What a wonderful book! These two have great chemistry together, even when they’re not willing to admit it. It was nice to see their journey toward love. This is a new-to-me author, and the first book in a new series – I’m looking forward to her next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The West Side series starts with a winner! This is a second chance with a twist. The twist? Neither Anna nor Jackson really wants a second chance. They first dated during their last semester at Chapel Hill and it did not end well. In fact, it went down in flames. Lack of communication, past relationship hangups, a little white lie, a heap of jealousy, and thinking you know what’s really going on lead to the end of it all. Now, four years later, Jackson and Anna unexpectedly run into one another. Jackson has moved to NYC and is moving in just two doors down from Anna. Who would’ve seen that coming? Neither of them, for sure.
Jackson comes up with the perfect solution for the chemistry that still runs deep between the two. Or so he thinks. Will those same things that happened four years ago keep them apart again? Will they be brave enough to face their feelings and communicate? Will the stars finally align for them? This is a sweet, steamy, raw, entertaining story that will have you flying through the pages.
I found this book to be a very enjoyable and entertaining read with the great storyline and wonderfully created characters that kept me turning the pages until the very end!
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Once I started I could not put the book down from start to finish you just could not get enough with twists and turns hot and steamy like a rollercoaster ride of emotions that makes you want more. When Anna and Jackson were in college they dated only to break up when Anna was to career minded and went and lived in New York, then Jackson moved to New York only to find he leased an apartment in the same building as Anna. They ended up becoming friends with benefits, for how long?
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A little white lie, a break up that wasn’t a break up and a lack of communication caused Anna and Jackson 4 years of silence. When they meet again it brings up the hurt from the past. they have mutual friends that keep bringing them together. After clearing the air, the suggest a friends with benefits plan to relieve the stress of their hectic lives. Of course feeling s get in the way. An easy read with a few bumps along the way to HEA. Good story with good characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When the Stars Align is a good second chance romance story. Anna and Jackson are both down to earth likeable characters. They dated in college but haven’t seen each other in four years. Their paths cross again when Jackson moves into the apartment building that Anna lives in. They don’t have a happy reunion at first. There are things from the pass that they have to clear up. They become fast friends again but either is looking for a relationship. They have great chemistry and I was so hoping for a happy ever after for them.
The last person Anna expected to see in her building is Jackson, her ex from college. Yeah their reunion isn’t exactly brimming with good cheer and happy to see yous, but that chemistry they had while dating is still there, still strong as ever. So a fwb situation seems like a good idea. Or is it? Of course not because the feelings they had in the past are still there, and limiting themselves to fwb is not going to end well, especially if the same lack of communication they had before continues into their present situation.
I really enjoyed reading as these two idiots (yeah I call them that because they didn’t communicate!!) work through their issues. I may have wanted to yell at them more than once, but by the ending, I was really happy they were finally together and happy. This is a strong debut from an author I see good things from in the future.
This was a hot and steamy book to read. The characters are well developed and engaging with plenty of chemistry. The storyline flowed smoothly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a second chance romance and the 1st book in a new series. This book is about Anna and Jackson. The story line is realistic
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Who doesn’t love a good second chance romance book.Anna and Jackson dated there last year of college but things between them ended over a misunderstanding regarding Jackson’s roommate at the time and them both wanting to focus on there careers with Anna being a creative director and Jackson being a lawyer. There career paths took Anna to New York and Jackson to Atlanta. 4 years later they are reunited again when Jackson happen’s to move into the same building and the same floor as Anna due to him getting a job in New York. This reunion between the two of them starts of rocky do the misunderstanding and Anna’s lack of communicating and the fact that she has a secret that she is hiding. They both agree to a friends with benefits arrangement but when Anna’s feelings get to strong she decides to walk away. They get there happy ending after all that they have been through together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved this book! I started reading this while getting the kids ready for bed one night and once they were in the bed I jumped into the book. Even though I knew they were going to be up early I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up until 2 in the morning and even then had to force myself to go to sleep! This is the exact type of story I love to read. You can feel the tension and the passion, the sex scenes are so well written (makes you feel all of the emotions without being graphic just for the sake of being graphic), there is the back and forth between the main characters (but it is backed by just enough detail and not annoying and whiny), and there are details that support everything without being slow and boring. I loved everything about the journey of this story. I CANNOT wait to read more from Isabel Jolie!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I did enjoy this second chance tale a debut one at that. Anna & Jackson reunite accidentally, being former exes who had a bad ending. There is some resentment from their past. Of course it all boils down to misunderstandings & 2 career orientated people, who can’t make time for significant others. Their lives revolve around their work, both having achieved part of their goals at such a young age.
There’s more to the story than that but I don’t want to give to much away. I loved the slow rebuilding of their relationship & their lack of communication, which hindered it. There is an issue, which is currently a hot topic, which impacts on Anna in her workplace.
There are some hot steamy scenes but it doesn’t distract from this wonderful second chance tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. 4.5*
Solid Debut Romance. This is a solid second chance romance that happens to apparently be the author’s debut. It does touch on some difficult subjects – sexual harassment in the work place primary among them – but it does a good job of working that element into the overall romance. (No, the harasser is not one of the couple.) Very much looking forward to more from this author. Very much recommended.
When The Stars Align is the first book in the West Side Series by Isabel Jolie. This story is entertaining and satisfying. Anna and Jackson are interesting characters and I found myself rooting for them to find their second chance Happily Ever After. I am excited for more books in this series.