Author: Jennifer Blackwood
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Published: October 20th, 2014
Format: eARC | Pages: 277
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Publisher
★★★✩ (3.5/5) Stars!
Jennifer Blackwood | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Love burns hotter the second time around…
Two years ago, the medical world was shaken by scandal, and Payton Daniels's family was at the center of it. The second she graduated, Payton left everything behind―her high school sweetheart, her family, and the controversy surrounding her mother's death—and hid within the anonymity of college. But Payton’s ex, Blake Hiller, hasn't forgiven her for leaving, and when he enrolls in the same medical ethics class, she panics. She can’t run the risk of him telling everyone who she really is.
As if being at the same university isn’t enough, both Blake and Payton land the same internship. Forced together, their passion for each other reignites, but when Payton is asked to testify in her father’s high-profile trial, she must choose between risking her acceptance into medical school to help her father, and losing every connection to her past—including the only guy she’s ever loved.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!
This debut from Jennifer Blackwood was a combination of funny, sweet, steamy and total aggravation. I was back and forth between bouts of "I am really loving this one" and "come on not again". I laughed. I wanted to break things. It got my pulse racing. And at one point I actually even teared up. To say it was a roller coaster would be an understatement.
It was a wonder to me how Payton is as together as she is. She pulls off this air of being strong and resilient from everything she's gone through, but when you look beneath the surface she's this scared, lonely girl who'd rather run than face her fears. I really felt for her. I couldn't even imagine putting myself in her shoes. She's definitely tough as nails in so many ways and not very quick to forgive. It was part of what was so frustrating with this book.
It alternates between Payton and Blake's points of view taking place two years after her mother's death and her father's arrest. It was very confusing as to whether or not I should actually be rooting for Blake or not. Part of me liked him initially but since she just up and disappeared off the face of the earth after everything happened with her family, there was no communication between them and they both are holding on to these very strong, deep seated feelings of hurt and betrayal from the other one. Payton's would always seem so valid and when it would come to Blake I would get frustrated and wonder "just who in the heck does this guy think he is?!" It wasn't until things between them come to a head and they blow up and get everything out in the open that things start to fall into place and I start to realize Blake really isn't a bad guy at all. He's just a guy who loves a girl that, without intent, has a tendency to break his heart.
It was a wonder to me how Payton is as together as she is. She pulls off this air of being strong and resilient from everything she's gone through, but when you look beneath the surface she's this scared, lonely girl who'd rather run than face her fears. I really felt for her. I couldn't even imagine putting myself in her shoes. She's definitely tough as nails in so many ways and not very quick to forgive. It was part of what was so frustrating with this book.
It alternates between Payton and Blake's points of view taking place two years after her mother's death and her father's arrest. It was very confusing as to whether or not I should actually be rooting for Blake or not. Part of me liked him initially but since she just up and disappeared off the face of the earth after everything happened with her family, there was no communication between them and they both are holding on to these very strong, deep seated feelings of hurt and betrayal from the other one. Payton's would always seem so valid and when it would come to Blake I would get frustrated and wonder "just who in the heck does this guy think he is?!" It wasn't until things between them come to a head and they blow up and get everything out in the open that things start to fall into place and I start to realize Blake really isn't a bad guy at all. He's just a guy who loves a girl that, without intent, has a tendency to break his heart.
Even when Payton and Blake are yelling and at each other's throats there's no denying the feelings underneath it all and the chemistry. In spite of all the mixed emotions I couldn't help but root for them. To be honest I really didn't think I was going to like this one as much as I did so I surprised myself by the time I was finished. In the end as I was both smiling and tearing up it was really easy to forget the little things that had me mad and I'm really glad I got a chance to read it. I really did enjoy Blake and Payton's story. Bumps and all. Truly if you can have me frustrated in the beginning and then smiling and in tears by the end...no question, well done! I'm looking forward to see what Jennifer Blackwood will have for us in the future. She's off to a good start!
Thank you Entangled for the opportunity to read and review this book!
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