Former friends find themselves at a crossroads as the sexual tension between them rages out of control with matters of the heart on the line. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Bad Choices and Heartaches by Casey Diam, along with my impressions of this tale of second chances, then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this second installment in the Alpen Springs series make sure to visit the link below for the chance to win a signed print copy of this book to two people along with a decorative mug!
Ryker Stanley was a stunning specimen of a human, a creation that was aesthetically flawless. He is also a jerk.
I know he hasn’t always been this way—after all, we were once best friends, but when our friendship ended, I watched from the sidelines as he made a series of bad choices, and left dozens of broken hearts in his wake.
He has the looks, the charm, the girls, and as an elite football player, he’s heading off to college months earlier than anyone expected. I need to stay in Alpen Springs, to continue to train for the Olympics.
My timing might not be perfect, but I need to fix things with us, and if the fire in his eyes is any indication, nothing, including our clothes, will be immune to its heat.
I don’t stand a chance of resisting.
Conflicting goals and distance be damned...I am about to entrust my heart to my ex-best friend who is known for breaking them.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Not having read the previous book in this series had me worried that I'd be missing out on something with Ryker and Gabby, but this book immediately plunges readers into their complicated feelings before setting them on an oh so satisfying journey to HEA. With each turn of the page their connection is put to the test, with unexpected twists and turns seeing them mature as they address each one to make the most of their second chance.
Ryker's the proverbial athletic playboy, beloved by his hometown and chased after by all the girls as he's destined for college and the NFL. To the world at large he's sexy, confident, and seems carefree and fun-loving with a strong sense of loyalty and a hidden heart of gold that's most apparent in his interactions with his sister. Behind that facade though is someone scared of loss, someone uncomfortable dealing with the complex feelings he has for his best friend Gabby. Those fears are part of what drives this meant to be pairing apart and what ultimately brings them back together in their second chance at romance. Though there were times I was frustrated by Ryker early on, I couldn't help falling for him as once he committed to his feelings for Gabby he didn't hold back in a sweet and sensual give and take.
Gabby's been in Ryker's world since they were young, becoming inseparable and very important to each other from the moment they met. It's clear to everyone that these friends were meant to be more but Gabby doesn't feel that she'll be enough for Ryker while he fears any matters of the heart which leads to an uncomfortable time for them as well as time apart. All roads ultimately lead them back to each other though in an emotionally engaging second chance at romance that had me cheering this pair on every step of the way...through every twist and turn thrown their way. Gabby's a likable heroine, focused and hard working, as she's determined to medal in the Olympics for snowboarding. Her devotion to her sport is matched only by her affection for Ryker but it will take a lot of compromise for these two to navigate the needs of the heart with the needs of the soul.
There's much about this book that's familiar but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of it as this was an appealing couple with a deliciously naughty hero and a strong-willed but vulnerable heroine. The timeframe of this story takes this couple from teens to college and along the way readers see moments of frustrating immaturity to surprising maturity as these two finally committed to each other while dealing with their obligations to their chosen sports. Theirs is a rocky journey to HEA but it's also sweet and sexy to see these former friends become something much more in an epic romance that captivated me wholeheartedly. Along with this likable main couple comes a cast of secondary characters that left a lasting impression on me. Among them are perpetual virgin Brody and single dad Will, both sweet and endearing, and I look forward to their stories being told. By the turn of the final page fans of friends to lovers romances will be left charmed and immensely satisfied by the hard-fought journey this pair took and counting down the days until we revisit these wonderful characters.
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
A few years ago, Casey rediscovered her passion for writing and hasn’t stopped writing since. She writes sexy, funny, sweet, and emotional stories that are a bit more in depth, but so much fun to read.
Casey is an Army Veteran who loves to travel. She was born and raised in Jamaica, and apart from reading and writing, she loves to snowboard.
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