Meli Mel's Book Reviews

~Arc kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review~ 




♥♥♥ 4.25 'Second Chance at Love' Stars ♥♥♥






Alexa Sullivan and Jace McAllister are the bestest of friends. There wasn't a moment they weren't together in their high school years. They have experienced a lot of good times together. But, Alexa feels more for him than just friendship. The problem is that she is afraid that he may not feel the same. So in order to not lose him, she keeps quiet. Jace has had feelings for Alexa since the moment they met. Whenever he wanted to tell her how he felt, the moment would be disrupted by someone or it just didn't feel like the right time. On the night of her sister's and Jace's graduation, he knows he has to tell her. He is leaving in the morning for basic training in the military and can't without knowing if she feels the same way. When he does, they both realize how much time was wasted when they both loved each other. Now he has to leave and nothing can happen. After sharing one of the best nights of his life with her, he promises to come back to her. Unfortunately, when he returns, Alexa is gone. She has moved to Ohio where her father was transferred. Crushed, after finding out she may not want him anymore, he returns to the military and tries to move on. But their second chance to be together may be on the horizon.

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"Alexa, I've never forgotten about you. I've never had a connection with any other woman like the one you and I had--that I know we still have. You were it for me. My homerun. My grand slam. My perfect game. I've never, I will never, ever want anyone but you."

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I love stories on second chance at love, and this one does not disappoint. I was saddened by the misunderstanding that kept them apart for such a long time. Then I was so freaking happy when Jace's ten year reunion was happening real soon. Because Alexa would be going to babysit her sister's daughter Ava.

Yup, ten years later is when they finally see each other again. And a lot has changed since then. Alexa had moved on from after realizing that Jace was never coming back for her. She got married to Ty and lived happily with him. He took care of her and loved her a lot. That didn't mean they didn't have their issues. On a discussion of one of their issues, where things that they may have not meant were said, she lost him. They were in a car wreck where he instantly died. She is now a widow and grieving her loss. She also hopes he did love her till the end, especially after the last thing she ever heard him say was 'I fucking hate you sometimes...'



Jace has been sucessful in the military as a bomb diffuser. He's making his way up the ranks. But he still can't get over 'his' girl, Alexa. He has been in a lot of meaningless 'relationships', if you can call them that since they are mostly just sex. He thinks about her constantly but after he finds out that she is married, he tries to move on. His highschool reunion is coming up, and when he realizes that Alexa will be there, he can hardly wait to see her again. Even if that means she is happy with someone else. But soon, it becomes known to him that Alexa has been a widow for almost two years. He doesn't want this chance to be with her again to pass him by.

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"It took me a while, but I finally realize that you already had every piece of me. I didn't have to give you my heart. You already own it. You own me."

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I loved every single moment they would interact. It was so awesome to see them fall back together with no awkwardness from years of separation. There were a lot of times I laughed out loud at the funny references and the things they would say. For example, "Blue Clit", the mention of the Will Smith movie, "Hitch". I loved it! I also fell hard for Jace. How could you not? He was super SWOONY!! And really sexy, and just so damn perfect, I wanted him for myself. He was über understanding towards her and the time she needed in order to fully accept being in a relationship with him. But what totally melted my heart, besides him being a romantic, was whenever he interacted with Alexa's niece Ava. That little girl was so freaking adorable, and togther, they made my heart into mush. I'm sighing just thinking about him.



Alexa at times made me a bit frustrated. She didn't want to fully give herself to Jace completely because of the possibitly the he could die from being in the military. She was afraid to hurt again from another loss. I got her completely and her fears but I wanted her to take the chance. Jace promised he would try to get back to her. I know it's a hard promise to keep. Then again, I know I would be hesitant for the same reason too. Those times of separation where he would leave her to go to war was tough for me. I was scared of something happening to him. I don't know how families do this in real life. I'd be a mess all the time.



There were PLENTY of steamy scenes in this book. I'm serious, Jace is one sexy beast. There were a few moments, though, where I felt there was a bit too much sex. I may have wanted more scenes of how they got to know each other and maybe more reminicing of the past. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them. I loved the secondary characters in this book, my favourite being Alexa's best friend Brady. He was such a great supporting and fun gay friend. Loved him. I even enjoyed the meddling members of their families. The epilogue was really beautiful. It had my heart warming with joy and I couldn't help but smile. As I continued to read I started wanting to know more about Knox. That's because we get some insight on his life. I became really intrigued about his past. So now, I can't wait to read his book. A great debut novel. If you are looking for a true romance novel, than look no further. The writing was wonderful and I really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to the author, Tessa Teevan, for allowing read your first book.