** JOSIE'S 4.5 STAR REVIEW **
Please make sure you read Book 1 The Lovers Secret in the No Exception Series, this review will have spoilers!
J.C. Reed does it again with this second instalment in this series. It starts off where the first book left off, with Brooke walking away after witnessing Jett with Tiffany. Brooke is reeling from Jett’s betrayal. She cannot believe Jett would betray and lie to her again especially after what happened the last time. She is devastated, angry and hurt. The author writes Brookes feelings in such a way that I felt her pain. It was gut wrenchingly sad and full of emotions. For the second time in this series I do not like Jett.
“He had broken me into pieces. The stupid fool I had been for falling in love with him, how could I have taken him back after he had betrayed me only to betray me again? And to think he told me I could trust me, that he loved me, that I was the only one in the world for him, and that he would never cheat on me.”
In this one we see more of Brooke than we do Jett. Brooke is determined to get away from him and never deal with him again. She is stronger, colder and is more determined to move on with her life. She takes a modeling job that her friend Thalia spoke to her about. When she shows up at the modeling agency, Brooke meets Greyson. Similar to Jett, Grayson is dominant, handsome and demanding. Grayson immediately intimates Brooke but he agrees to give her a chance considering she has no experience at all. He makes an exception to when hiring Brooke. (OH NOT SAYING A WORD, you have to read it.)
In an effort to stay away from Jett, Brooke goes to her best friend’s home. As usual the support and loyalty between the two is refreshing. Slyvie will do anything to help Brooke and after learning what happened she is just as angry and will support her friend in anyway. Jett has no idea that Brooke has left him and the more time goes by he begins to panic. Brooke receives text messages and numerous missed calls from him which only increase her anxiety and anger.
"S*** happens, Sylvie. You know that.”
“I can’t help it. I hate what he did to you. I hate that he lied. He could have at least had the balls to tell you the truth.”
“Baby, I’m done at work and will be back at the hotel in 10 mins. Can’t wait to see you. Have you forgotten our date? WHERE are you? Let me know so I can pick you up.”
She tries to keep herself busy so she doesn’t think about what happened. During this time, she starts getting that feeling that someone is watching her. She has a new job, new friends and wants to work on herself. The more she ignores Jett the more determined he is, to find out what happened. In this book, J.C. shows readers a different side of Brooke where she refuses to be the victim again.
“Brooke what’s going on?”
“Stay away from me, Jett. It’s over. You can’t have me anymore. You can’t sleep with me anymore. In fact I’d rather you just left and never contacted me again.”
“The last time I checked, we were still together. I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on.”
“I don’t believe you. You’re a cheater and a liar.”
“I don’t love her. I love you. Don’t you understand? I love you, Brooke-you and no one else.”
Jett knows how hard it was for Brooke to trust him again after the last time. All she wants is for him to be honest with her. I felt so bad for Brooke and Jett. He is hiding something and keeping a secret. He wants and needs Brooke to trust me but he has done nothing to show her that she can trust me. It broke my heart to read Brooke pleading with him to tell her the truth. I cried, I felt her pain with her love and desire to want to give him a chance. J.C. Reed did an amazing job in writing the confrontations between them. They were deep, gut wrenching,full of angst, pain and sorrow.
“Look I get that you’re pissed at me, but it’s just…complicated. You need to trust me.”
“Tell me Jett.”
“I can’t, I have my reasons. You need to trust me.”
“What reasons would that be? What the hell! Are you trying to control me?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“What other reason would that be?”
“I can’t tell you, Brooke. You have to trust me.”
"I don’t have to do anything.”
Jett is not used to losing and he does not know how to handle Brooke’s steadfast determination to have him out of her life. If you read The Surrender Series, you know Jett is not just going let Brooke go. J.C. Reed always has a way of writing her books in a manner that keeps me completely invested. I was anxious while reading but I needed to see what would happen. There is danger lurking, and let me tell you the way it was written it completely took me by surprise. I was left saying WTF just happened? I cannot wait to see what happens next. I know Jett is going to pull out everything to get Brooke back. I can’t wait. So much happens in these books I just couldn’t put it down.