Jumped

Aspen Valley #2

by Colette Auclair

Thoroughly enjoying herself at her best friend Amanda’s wedding, Beth finds herself in an unexpected state of shock when she realizes she’s been seated next to her ex-husband, Finn, at the reception. Determined to not let this fluster her, Beth strikes up a conversation only to learn Finn isn’t the same man she walked away from.

Relieved the reception is over, Beth is looking forward to a relaxing weekend against the beautiful backdrop of sunny Aspen at Amanda and Grady’s estate. Little does she know Finn will be partaking in the weekend activities too. But just as Beth decides to keep as much distance between her and Finn as possible, Finn has a terrible accident and Beth is stuck being his bedside nurse.

Over the course of the weekend, Beth and Finn discover that the wounds of their failed marriage are not all that’s left. There are sparks…and hope. But just as they decide to give their relationship another try, Finn confesses a huge secret that could destroy everything he’s fought to get back—Beth, their relationship, and another chance at love.

Will Beth turn away, or will she take a leap of faith and say “I do” once (again) and for all?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2014

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jumped (aspen valley #2)
by Colette Auclair
Bethany, was a strong woman, she had made her own way through life, she was a great trainer, a wonderful horse rider. Her month vacation at her best friend Amanda's house changes her plans for life. Amanda is the second half of the Amanda and Grady drama in Colette's previous book Thrown. Bethany's life changed when walking to an acquaintances wedding, at her reception table was assigned her ex-husband. Finn had married and divorced her five years ago. The quick love affair ended with in the first year. It wasn't that they did not have great sex, and truly loved each other, they bother were so focused on their personal needs they grew apart. After an hesitant entrance to the reception Beth finds things have changed for the better when it comes to Finn. Now if only she could work through her past, his past and find out if love can bloom again.
I sweet love story to follow the dynamic roller coaster of her previous novel. This story is more realistic despite its Aspen Colorado back drop. Both Beth and Finn are normal average american love affairs with its question of ideals and realities. A good book to curl up and live vicariously through the pages.

[Jillian Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jumped is the second book in author Colette Auclair’s Aspen Valley series and after loving the first book, Thrown, I was so excited to get my hands on Beth and Finn’s story. Well, Colette has done it again! This was one hell of a romance and I loved it.
It’s been years since Beth and Finn last saw each other and even the memory of that last encounter was a painful one. It’s also a memory neither one of them can ignore as they sit across from each other at a mutual friend’s wedding. What were the odds? But it was a wedding, and they were out in public, so any ill feelings had to be kept under wraps and the pain of their failed marriage kept left in the dust. If only it were that easy. The problem is, with such a brief and intense history, it was hard for Finn and Beth to ignore each other and just like that, the flame starts to reignite. Were all the issues they had really so hard that the only answer was a divorce? It’s hard to look on all the bad times and the fighting when five years later it all seemed so fixable. Will Finn and Beth get a second chance at love? Fate may have a bit of a twisted sense of humor but she intervenes and sticks Beth and Finn together for a few weeks and with that they will have no choice but to see if the amazing love they once shared is too irreparable.
With a few years of clarity and time spent apart, both Beth and Finn start to wonder if they truly can have a second shot at love and a happily ever after…together.
I feel like one of the main reasons I loved this story so much is that it is so very relatable. I’m sure many of us have had that one breakup where years later we wonder if the breakup was truly the right choice. Or, like me, you break up and take that second chance after time spent apart and get things right the second time around. It’s a story about love and mistakes and the emotions that come along with all of it. Beth and Finn both made their fair share of those mistakes but realize it now, and even if it hurts to admit those faults, they are finally able to do it. If anything it gives them a chance to heal and it was what they both needed. Finn is a total dream guy….now. He’s funny and charming and has a great career. Some of which came as a result of this divorce. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. Beth has had her own time to grown and find herself and I loved who she has become. She’s strong and driven. Loyal and kind. Together they really are a magical couple. I won’t spoil anything for you but I will say that Colette had me crying big fat happy tears at the ending! It was beautiful!
And of course, I can’t go without mentioning the amazing cast of characters from Amanda to Grady, Wave and my personal favorite, Harris…it was a joy to get to see more of them!
Thank you, Colette, for another fabulous trip to Aspen Creek!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of reading both of the books in the Aspen Valley series by Colette Auclair. I have enjoyed each story and found Ms. Auclair's characters to fun and entertaining to read about. I also like how she incorporates the horses into the storyline. I have to admit to being an animal lover so any time animals are included in a storyline I'm hooked.

Beth has a wonderful talent of teaching students to show horses. She has always put her students first in her life. Now she has taken on a new challenge and has started a new career. Just when she thinks she has her life all put together in walks in her handsome, charming ex-husband. Who is just as sexy as always and the attraction is still very much there. At first both Beth and Finn are a little nervous but as they spend more time together at a friends wedding the relax and enjoy the time together. As the weekend winds down Beth is ready to go on with her life without Finn, she thinks. However when Finn is injured and requires care Beth is the first to step up to help.

I loved watching Beth taking care of Finn and discovered that all those old feelings are still lingering under the surface. However there are many feelings and emotions that Beth has to cross to find her way back to Finn. Beth has been through a lot and discovers things about her past that surprise even her.

Finn knows that he still has feelings for Beth, he just has to convince her they are strong enough to take a chance at a second chance. I loved watching Finn show Beth how he has changed and what their life could be like.

There is plenty of drama that comes along with Beth and Finn exploring their relationship again. So many things were left unsaid and unshared when they divorced. Now everything is coming to the surface and bringing so many new and different feelings for these two.

I enjoyed getting a chance to catch up with Harris, who would not enjoy spending some time with this quirky fellow. Oh my goodness I think he would be the life of the party anywhere!

I love series books because of the opportunity to catch up with old friends. I loved that Amanda, Grady, Wave and Solstice played a part in this storyline as well.

I have to say that I find Colette Auclair's writing style enjoyable and entertaining. She has once again written a fun, drama filled romance story that kept my attention from the beginning to end. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I will be anxiously awaiting her next story.

I was given the opportunity to read this story so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Jumped.

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
Something about this story really just struck a chord for me. Finn and Beth were married for a single year before they divorced five years ago. They haven't seen one another since. That changes at a friend's destination wedding that takes place in Aspen.

The book starts off in Beth's POV and stayed there for a good bit, so as the reader you knew all about how much she's thrown off by seeing Finn again. I was so relieved to switch to Finn's POV and see his inner turmoil, too. And while, as the reader, you are well aware by how confused they are by seeing one another again, it takes a good portion of the story to find out how exactly things fell apart between them.

Colette Auclair did an amazing job with dragging that story line out and keeping the suspense and tension really high. I read this book at a Romance Writers convention and had a really hard time tearing myself away from my reading...a sure sign of a REALLY good book in the midst of all that activity centered around books and romance.

But it wouldn't be much of a rekindling of a romance if it only took place over a weekend, so there's a bit more of a story to this one and I liked those twists. I have to admit to many giggles, also, over Finn's shopping purchases. I won't spoil it, but I will say that these added some really fun levity to the story and was a creative twist to the story that I really liked and giggled over.

This is the second story in the series and everything that was good about the first book proved to be just as good the second time around. The hero and heroine from book #1 play heavily into this story, as do the same fabulous supporting characters. While you absolutely can read this book without having read the first, it was fun to see those characters again. I loved them the first time and they were even better the second time around. The book also features the gorgeous mountainous vistas of Aspen and the surrounding areas with the added benefit of mountain architecture since Finn is an architect. I loved that.

Finn and Beth were great characters and their attraction and emotions were palpable throughout the story. There were a few minor glitches in the smoothness of the writing, but I could easily overlook that because I truly loved the characters and story so much. For me, Finn was the perfect guy...his depth of emotion...wow, I just REALLY loved him.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jumped, Book Two of The Aspen Valley Series, Colette Auclair

Review from jeannie zelos book reviews

I was really looking forward to this, another with an equestrian theme – and I'd loved book one Thrown – a cracking five star read. Sadly though for me this didn't have that magic spark, it was a good read, just not a great one.
I loved catching up with Grady and family, Harris ( that man is a star) and Jaqueline. Sadly though I liked Finn I found it hard to warm to Beth. I didn't feel that magic spark between them, that pull of attraction, the bit that makes you Need these people to get together. She seemed to want then not want Finn, and even when she didn't want him she didn't want anyone else to have him either. The whole issue of their split just didn't seem realistic, either that or they were so overcome with lust they dived into marriage too quickly, so when they were talking over what went wrong I felt as though Beth was acting like a selfish child. She seemed to want everything her way, for Finn to take all the fault – and even though its now 5-6 years later I still felt she was like that. She was busy blaming Finn, and yet never looked at her own behaviour. That just coloured me against her, and though there were some things I liked about her, and she did eventually grow on me I still retained that first feeling.
The broken leg issue bothered me too – it provided a realsitc-ish scenario for Finn to remain with Beth but....when they were at it hot and heavy and yet he was on the hard core pain meds...all I could thing of was when I broke my leg, and frankly just moving in a chair was more than enough – rampant sex was definitely out. Like Finn my leg was pinned with titanium screws though I didn't have a cast, so I understood the time factor in recovery, just didn't see the sex angle, sensual and steamy though it was, as realistic. ( I broke my leg falling out of wheelchair moving electric fence for my horses, forgot I had no left leg and stuck out the remaining bit to stop the fall.....only 4 inches of bone but it shattered – ouch ouch ouch. )
So, if you can find it in yourself to like Beth you'll probably enjoy this book. It's well written, and the bits that bothered me cold be easily overlookked IF you like Beth. Fro me she was too whiny, too poor me, poor little rich girl and just didn't see Finn for the hard working gentleman he was.
Stars: three.
ARC supplied via Netgalley.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in Colette Auclair's Aspen Valley series... Amanda's BFF, Beth, makes a startling discovery when she attends a wedding.

Beth can not believe her eyes as she enters the wedding reception for her friend Melissa. There, sitting at her assigned table, is her ex-husband, Finn, in all his handsome, self-assured glory. She is determined not to act flustered or walk away in spite of her heart beating double time. Miraculously, she and Finn are down right civil to each other and even have fun dancing and conversing. But will Beth be able to keep up the pretense during the entire weekend? As the fates would have it, Finn breaks his leg during an impromptu game of football and Beth can not avoid him for long, especially since he is convalescing at Amanda's and Grady's estate where it just so happens Beth is also staying.

Finn knows he is the reason for his and Beth's divorce. He should have made more time for them as a couple and not sacrificed his marriage for business success. He wanted to give Beth all the things she was accustomed to and prove that her father was wrong when he predicted that Finn was not the right man for Beth. Finn wants another chance with Beth and is pulling out all the stops to win her over. But he has a secret that is sure to cause complications and possibly cause him to lose Beth forever.

Fans of brand new author Colette Auclair have been eagerly awaiting JUMPED, her next book in her Aspen Valley series and will not be disappointed in her romantic account of Beth's and Finn's second chance. Readers will be glad to hear that their story is set, once again, in the palatially rustic, Aspen estate of characters Amanda and Grady, from the first book, THROWN. Beth and Finn discover that they still care for each other, but is it deep enough to overcome their past mistakes and immature actions? Award-winning author Colette Auclair cleverly pens an enticing story that all horse enthusiasts and romance readers will enjoy from cover to cover.

[Kellcifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars.

I really liked Finn, but Beth was very...trying...for me. She was so wishy-washy, it got frustrating for me. She seemed to constantly be sort of saying one thing, and then doing another. It made little sense that she was so upset about seeing Finn again, because she refused for about 1/2 the book to admit any wrongdoing in their marriage, and 3/4 of the book to even consider that she might still have feelings for him. Beth was childish at times, and it was a true juxtaposition against Finn about how they viewed their failed marriage. He was willing to take responsibility for his part in their split, but she blames him for it all for too long. They've been divorced for 5 years, she should have had time for some self evaluation in those years, but instead she's continued to blame Finn for everything. It takes for-freaking-ever for her to admit that she thought her job was more important than his—or him, really—and that she continually broke promises to him throughout the year of their marriage. Quite honestly, from my perspective, she seems more to blame for the dissolution of their marriage. She was spoiled and childish and arrogant. And then when they meet up again, she's sending all these mixed messages—flirting or kissing him, but then she would ignore and avoid Finn for a day or two. It was very frustrating. I just wanted her to talk to him, like he was doing with her when she would deign to visit him after his injury. But it took forever for her to face up to her emotions, and even longer to admit them to him. Then she found that the vacation home from her childhood was torn down by Finn and she throws a fit. I mean, the house had been sold, she was never going to visit it again. I don't understand why she is so upset about it being torn down, because it was no longer in her family, she hadn't been there in years, and it might have been torn down by someone else, too.
And after all of that, even the epilogue was just "meh" for me. I honestly left the book thinking Finn deserved better than Beth. Finn got 5 Stars, Beth got two.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ORIGINAL POST for a special POCKET event including my review.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...

E-Galley provided by Publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinion presented herein is my own except as noted.


I am going to keep this short because there is a lot of stuff going on here today. Not the least of which is that I have gone off to my first painting workshop in many years. More than I care to think about anyway.

I really enjoyed this book about the rare couple who has the opportunity for a second chance. The characters are written such that each realizes their part in their break up and their own strengths and weaknesses. The setting is the beautiful area around Aspen, Colorado; and the site of the first book in the series, THROWN. I enjoyed the setting of her best friend, Amanda and her Mega Star husband Grady's estate in the Rockies. And the characters are all perfectly likable, not too seriously unexpected or unusual, but pleasant.

I was a little less sure of the big secret: I just didn't think it was that big a deal or that it would be taken as personally unless the character was looking for a reason to sabotage a relationship. I did seriously like the ending where Finn gives Avery what she asks for and needs. And, when she whines her friends remind her that it IS what she asked for. And, the rest of the ending is even better. If you are a rider, or just like a hot love story this is a great option for your to be read list.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny's review:

Beth is looking forward to enjoying her friend’s wedding, that is until she finds out that she is seated next to her ex-husband, Finn. Both of them play nice, and Beth decides that seeing him was not so bad. As luck would have it, the next day while the wedding guests are spending time together, during a football game, Finn breaks his leg. Finn is forced to stay at the guest house where Beth is living. Finn knows that as soon as he saw her, he wanted Beth back, and he was going to try to win her heart again. It seems that Beth is powerless to stop the feelings that she has for Finn, and Finn is going to do any thing to make her love him again.

This was a story of reunited love. Beth and Finn really find out that in their year of marriage they didn’t give it enough chance to grow. I enjoyed how Finn went about trying to get Beth back, and that even if she didn’t admit it at first Beth knew she still loved him right back. With a sweet reunion, and some steamy love scenes, this is a great read.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You want me?” she asked.
“Yes.” His voice was gruff.
“How bad?”
“Bad. But we can’t–”
Beth slammed her lips against his and kissed the “can’t” right out of him.

Second. Chance. Romance. Need I say more? Oh, but there is plenty more that makes this contemporary romance simply wonderful.

I took an instant liking to Beth when she doled out loving, but no nonsense advice to her best friend Amanda in book one, Thrown, when Amanda was on the fence about her relationship with Grady. And now that I’ve gotten a glimpse into Beth’s past and understand more of her personality, I have to say she was just as spunky and sure of herself as I thought she would be.

Read More

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a marvelous, unexpected story. Once I started, I couldn’t seem to put it down. Beth and Finn rollercoaster romance is one for the record books. These are my favorite kinds of romances, second chance love. I absolutely loved the the incredible sexy aspects of the story, and then when you least expect it, BAM, you’re hit with the heart breaking ones. I felt this book was very well written, and the characters had depth, which is one of the things I enjoy most about books. This one one you will for sure want to pick up!

[Lorelei Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again 5 stars is not enough for this series.

Did not want to book this book down once I started.
this book is about second chances and learning from your previous mistakes.
story is about two broken hearts that were divorced five years ago, a chance meeting at a wedding and communication. There is heartbreak to deal with in the renewed relationship but there is also growth with understanding.


This book also zeros in on you and brings you right into the story.

going out today to buy book 3








there

[Nichole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read book one because I love horse stories. It didn't have nearly enough "horse" in it, but was whitty and moved along at a fairly good pace. I was hoping book two would be better but it's horrible! Talk about disappointing..! I couldn't even read the whole thing. It was so boring. No plot to speak of, or horses, or humor; just kind of what each are thinking about their ex-spouse. Definitely not worth the read, and not worth the one star I gave it.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book one was great! But book two was a bust. Horses didn't even enter the plot. It was a pathetic view of an ex-wife and ex-husband who meet by accident at a formal dinner and their thought of feelings for each other. If somebody loves a good sappy love story, this would be five stars. But after reading book one, I fully expected book two to follow in its hoofprints. Obviously that was not the case bi can only hope that book three goes back to life dominated by horses.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a horse lover, but started reading this series because of admiration for the author, the wife a terrific friend. This was the perfect read for a flight from Vienna to Chicago. Colette's characters are defined with playful, loving and nuanced precision. I still don't like horses, but i very much enjoy this series.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story. I loved re-visiting the characters from the first book of the series, and following the trials of Beth and Finn.

The extended ending was wonderful--right from the point of Finn going after the job he wants. They are intelligent characters who have a lot to work through. The great ending was the cherry on top.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining sweet romance. Engaging main characters, a dog with a great personality, smooth writing, and a HEA ending. What's not to love. I will definitely have to read the other two books in this series.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, could not put it down. Finished before work today and could not wait to come home to start book 3

[Boots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful love story

Beth and Finn confront their past mistakes and rebuild their relationship. Making them realize they could have a future together.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a free read in a contest. A nice 'romp' of a romance. Not the type of book I typically read, but a excellent beach/poolside read. Thanks to the author for the book!

[Bookholic Ralou · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided in exchange of an honest review

Full review to come