ARC REVIEW: Rescuing the Bad Boy (Second Chances #2) by Jessica Lemmon

NOT ALL SCARS HEAL

For Donovan Pate, the lake town of Evergreen Cove is a minefield of tough memories—including the day he had to let go of Sofie Martin. Years later, he still can’t forget the taste of her lips and the feel of her killer curves. He knows he’s too damaged, that he should stay away for her own good. But what the head says and the heart wants are two very different things…

Seven years ago, Donovan broke Sofie’s heart. Now her career depends on playing nice in order to pull off the charity fundraiser of the decade. She vows to keep things professional…yet working by his side every day doesn’t make it easy to fight temptation, and it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for this bad boy all over again. But loving Donovan means helping him face his past–so they can fight for a future together.

 

Having a sneak peek of Donny and Sofie on the first book was a delight. But being inside their story was all kinds of hot, gripping, fun, and inspiring! Jessica Lemmon certainly knows how to keep a reader interested because I cannot put this book down when I started reading itHe'd fractured her heart seven years ago; now he obliterated it.

He'd fractured her heart seven years ago; now he obliterated it.  

Donovan Pate was back in town for business, not to revisit his dark and painful past. But when he was reunited with Sofia Martin, he was reminded that not all things about his past were dark and painful. One of them was a hot-as-hell-brunette with the best a** in the world.

Donny appeared to be a brooding and uncaring hero on the start of the book. He appeared not to care. He appeared stodgy and serious all the time. But as the story progresses, I came to see how much of a lovable character he was. He cared a lot, helped a lot, and was such a softie. I was so drawn to his back story, and savoured every little moment when Sofie uncovered every story drawn in his body. I loved the mix of dark and lightness in his character. The author did a wonderful job in balancing his charm, wit, heart, and heat. 

She couldn't afford to love him. She couldn't afford to give him another single part of her. Not after he'd taken the part she hadn't realized was precious until she'd trusted it with him.   

Sofie Martin rarely gave in to her wants. There was only one moment when she allowed herself to want something...someone...so fiercely, passionately, wholly. And she ended up with a broken heart. Now that bad boy was back in town. And the moment he entered her shop, all she thought of doing was losing her heart to him all over again.

Sofie was an easily likable character. Her genuine smiles and her sunny attitude made her irresistible. But like all of us, she shared her own insecurities and irrationalities that made her character more real and relatable. She loved with all her heart, worked hard more for the people who depended on her than for herself, and she was always ready to help others. No, Sofia Martin was not a weak and delicate heroine. It just so happened that her strength was her big heart, full of space for understanding and love. Something Donny badly needed... 

“They say war is hell. So is love.”   

The flow of this story was so flawless and pleasantly stimulating. From the start to the end, I found no scene that made me want to skip. Every page was essential, every scene gripping and poignant. The character chemistry was instantaneous, and covered hot and passionate throughout the whole book. Miss Jessica’s writing prose is gentle and easy, but the story was poignant and contained more than just the depth of love but also the depth of the characters and their lives. It made me feel a lot. And God, do I hunger for books that make me feel.

I was held captive by this book for hours, not knowing what it was to stop, completely seized by the story, the characters, and the wonderful prose of the author. Jessica Lemmon sums up everything I love in a good romance!