Publisher: Gallery Books (Page 2 of 5)

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

From award-winning fanfic phenomenon Sophie Jackson, the third novel in the sexy and emotionally intense blockbuster A Pound of Flesh series.
Life in New York for ex-con Riley Moore is pretty damn good, until a call from his mother shatters the calm: his father has suffered his second heart attack in two years and is in a critical condition. Leaving everything behind, Riley flies home to Michigan for the first time in five years to support his mother and do his best to make amends with his father. He also tries not to think about Lexie Pierce, the only girl he ever truly cared about, and who broke his heart.
When they inevitably meet, memories of their love make Riley yearn to reconnect, despite the pain they both suffered. Though she's wary, and has a secret she’s hidden from him for five years, Lexie has little willpower when it comes to Riley and she agrees. Besides, after all that has gone before, she owes it to both of them to find out if they can love each other again.
Can they both overcome their sorrow and secrets and finally share their life together?
A powerful new voice in modern romance, Sophie Jackson has crafted a passionate love story with unforgettable characters that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

How do you measure love? How much love is enough to make a relationship survive loss, depression, and your dreams being shattered, even though you loved a person almost your whole life? These are the questions Lexie faces when life as she knew it was gone in an instant. She had dreams and an amazing boyfriend who was also her best friend, but after losing the first man who loved her, her father, depression and self-doubt set in. As she sank further into that darkness, she also began doubting her amazing boyfriend, Riley. In a weak moment, she forces him out of her life. That decision will have consequences that change both of their lives. Years later, the two are forced to find some closure after Lexie reveals a secret to Riley. When the dust settles, will these two finally be able to find their way back to each other forever?

I love a book that tugs at my emotions and characters that find their way into my heart. This book did both of those things. I knew it was going to be special when I read the first few pages as Riley relates the first time he saw Lexie. I just knew these two were meant to be together despite all the obstacles in their way. I loved the fact that his heart always belonged to her even when she pushed him away. The flashbacks told the story of them falling in love, and they just melted my heart. I wanted to shake Lexie for doubting Riley and pushing him away. However, as more of the story was revealed, I came to understand her motivations. Depression and grief are very real things that can distort reality sometimes. Jackson took her time in the two of them rebuilding their friendship and love for one another. When your trust is broken, it takes time to rebuild a relationship even though you love that person. Riley was by no means perfect either, and because they each were flawed, I loved them even more.

This is the first book I have read by Sophie Jackson, but I downloaded most of her other books today. Despite periods of sadness in this book, it left me with a warm feeling in my heart! I won’t soon forget Riley or Lexie! I highly recommend reading this one TODAY!!! I can’t wait to dive into the rest of them! – Reviewed by Christie Mitchum