Out of Love

by Shannah Bassett, Mariah Street

Scout

Jameson hates me. The man who used to tell me he didn’t know love existed before he met me now hates me.

When I’m forced to move back to the same small town as my grumpy, overly protective ex– it’s anything but easy. I know one thing for sure, I have to stay away from Jameson Karter no matter how much I still care about him.

But gravity is pulling us back together and I’m afraid he’s going to unravel all of my secrets. And that could be dangerous for the both of us.

James

When I first met Scout, I knew she was different. She was a beautiful mystery I had to solve and I fell hard along the way.

Now she’s back in Wood Lake without a care in the world. As if she didn’t rip my heart in two. Her lies and secrets are what tore us apart and I suddenly despise her for it. But this woman is like a damn magnet and I can’t stay away.

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2024

About the author

My twin sister, Mariah Street is my co-author and partner in crime for life. Together we create heartfelt romance books with swoony book boyfriends and twice the spice. When I'm not writing a steamy love story that will make your head spin, I'm reading one. And when I'm not writing OR reading, I'm chasing my two boys around, traveling with my pilot husband, running, or spending time outdoors with my family.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot SLAYED but lowkey feels like it was written for a gcse English exam hahahah, kinda feels like it moves too quickly

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of Love is the 2nd book from the Out of Seconds series. This is a second chance love story about Scout and Jameson. Both have their share of a troubled past.

The story has a dual POV and jumps from past to present. I thought the jumps were well written and easy to keep up. I thought the characters were relatable. You felt the heartbreak and the love. Well done!

What to expect:
❤️‍🔥 Second Chance
❤️‍🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️‍🔥 Protective MMC
❤️‍🔥 Small Town
❤️‍🔥 Trauma
❤️‍🔥 Lovers to Enemies to Lovers

This could be read as a standalone, but I’ve already purchased the first book to go back and read. Look forward to reading more from this great duo! I am so thankful for the chance to ARC read. My opinions are of my own.

[Cassie Weyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I had a great time reading this! The authors do a great job sucking you into the story and getting you to feel for these characters. I wanted their happy ending so bad😩

[sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thankful to have received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The story was really good but I felt like there was a lot of word vomit during some parts. I didn’t like that it would switch characters half way through a chapter; it made the chapters longer when they could’ve just been split in half. The ending was my favorite part though it felt rushed (I wish there was more of that drama throughout the whole book).

Howeverrrr, I loved Scout and Jameson’s relationship. The authors did a good job at sucking you in and making you feel the emotions of the characters. And the plot twist at the end was unexpected! Overall, I enjoyed it and am glad to have been chosen for the ARC!!💖

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not think I could have enjoyed Out of Love by Shannah Bassett and Mariah Street any more than I did! It was a fantastic read that kept me desperate for more time to read in my day! Scouts mysterious history was one that I needed answers to! The story was incredibly well written and I quickly became attached to the perfectly developed characters. This is the second in the Out of Seconds series. I had not read the first in the series yet I did not feel anything was lacking for me without that book to reference. This could definitely be read on its own. I have already started the first one, Out of Seconds because of how much I enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to everyone!

[Ashli Volk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok ok. This story was incredible. So much trauma and drama and pain. Scouts and Jameson are so so broody. There was so much angst in this secret romance storyline.

I have it a 4.25⭐️ because I feel like the end was rushed a bit? There were only like 20 pages left and that’s when the height of the story happened and then it was over. I wanted more from the drama of that part in the story as well as potentially hearing the convo at the end to Harper and Will. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that🤣

These two authors are so great at creating a story to get you hooked. I loved the first book in the series, Out of Seconds, and this was no different. The characters are raw and real. Plus I loved how much involvement the first book characters had in the second book. You don’t see that very often. And can we please notice how stunning this cover is!? Love LOVE IT! Thank yo for letting be an Arc reader for you guys!!!!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to be a recipient of an ARC after loving the first book “Out of Seconds”. While the books can be read as standalones in the same universe, it enriches the experience to read Out of Seconds first.

I want to give a spoiler free review. This book follows Scout and Jameson’s love story. There is angst, suspense, laughter, and everything in between. Duel , 1st Person , POV, which is my favorite for any romance novel!

If you are a fan of folks like Catherine Cowles or Devney Perry (I.e small town romantic suspense) you will definitely love these books!

[Jayd K · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know it’s a good book when it only takes a day to finish it!! Bonus points for having a hot cop as one of the main characters ;) I am absolutely in love with the characters and their development in this book and the first one, “Out of Seconds”.

Although it would be so easy to read this as a stand-alone, you become even more invested understanding the story line and characters from the first book!

This book gives you a little bit of everything spice, romance, thrill, heartache and so much more! It kept me on my toes and had me wanting to read more! The ending is beautiful and one of my favorite parts! 12/10 definitely recommend reading this one! :)

[Shelby Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC copy and devoured this in one day! I couldn’t put it down. It’s a perfect palette cleanser romance novel. I read this as a stand alone book (can be read in addition to their Out of Seconds novel) and was a great experience. Small town romance, forced proximity, cop and teacher, and an adorable doggie sidekick. Had just enough mystery sprinkled in the first part to keep me intrigued. Jameson and Scout are an adorable, fiery pair. I would have liked a tad more exposition for the climax but enjoyed the epilogue and glimpse into their future - ends all tied up nicely. Add this to your TBR!

[Alisha Leonhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by the twins! I can’t wait for more!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of Love
By Shannah Bassett & Mariah Street

I stayed up all night to finish Out of Love – I had to know how it was going to end and I couldn’t stop once I made it to the 85% mark! I wish the height of the story had been a little longer, it felt like it ended pretty quickly, but still it worked & and I enjoyed the HEA. Also, I am an absolute SUCKER for epilogues in HEA ending books and I freaking swooned at this one – the 4 years later epilogue, specifically - our authors and other readers more than likely know what I'm referring to here. 😊

Scout and Jameson’s story was an enjoyable read. I read this after finishing a darker, suspenseful gothic romance novel therefore I found Out of Love to be a great in between or “reset” novel in between. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good dark rom but having a story like Scout and Jameson’s in between keeps my reading life from getting too dark!

Out of Love is a second chance romance, which second-chance rom gets me EVERY 👏🏼TIME 👏🏼, where our heroine, Scout, is clearly suffering from some past trauma but she will not share those details with anyone who is close to her. Turns out, she has a past life that went sour rapidly at the end of high school, and she escaped to recreate her life in college which is where she met Jameson. Jameson has his own share of childhood trauma, but the difference between the two is Jameson has never hidden his past from Scout. When Scout’s past comes back to haunt her years later, she ends up leaving Jameson, the love of her life, and fleeing their small town for months. Upon returning home, the tension between the two comes off the page and straight to your heart as you’re reading; very well-written!

Out of Love is written in the first person, between Scout and Jameson’s POV. Chapters start in the past and weave in and out between past and present scenes, building the underlying setting of how this couple got to where they are presently. Once the foundation of the past is set, the book finishes out on the current timeline where we experience some plot twists to get to our happy ending. Also, if you’ve seen the authors’ IG page and their content posted to spread the word of this book, you’ll know there is a barn scene, and woooooo-weeeee, is it steamy and swoony, and all of the things! I knew to anticipate it and I will say, there was a time I was getting impatient trying to figure out when this was going to sneak up on me and when it did, man, it was worth the wait. These two characters are sweet and undeniably in love with each other – I loved every second of it. As I mentioned above, the only thing I wish had been different was that the height of the plot, leading to plot twist, had been drawn out a little longer. I felt like that part wrapped up a little too quickly, or at least quicker than I would have wanted. I’m sure part of me also just wanted to savor the characters a little longer, too. For that reason, I rated the book a 4.5/5.

Did I mention Jameson is a cop turned US Marshal who worked out for months straight after Scout disappeared – read: broody LEO with big muscles and a broken heart. *sign me up*

Harper is Scout’s best friend from college, and in hindsight, I realized she (Harper) and Will are the focus of the first book in this series – I will definitely go back and read Out of Seconds soon! I love the type of friend Harper is to Scout – she knows her friend and when she is not being completely truthful about her past, but she isn’t pushy and is always there to support Scout. One of the quotes from the book about Harper that made me giggle was when Harper got Scout to go shopping at Target with her – their way to destress sometimes – and Scout says, “Harper still hasn’t even looked at anything when it was her idea to come shopping. This was obviously just her way of getting me to talk. Sneaky woman.” 😊 😊 how can you NOT love a friend like that?! Every girl should have a friend like Harper!

To wrap up, if you enjoy a second chance romance where both characters have past trauma that still impacts them in their current lives causing them to break up in order for one to protect the other, leading to some serious sexual tension – this is the book for you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

BookIG: @tequilamockingbirdlady
GR profile: mvporter

[B.B. Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚

💫My Rating: 4 /5 💫

⚠️Trigger Warnings ⚠️
-grief, physical and emotional abuse, substance abuse, violence, descriptive sexual activities, profanity

📝My Review📝
In Shannah Bassett and Mariah Streets second novel, “Out of Love”, there is one lingering question that defines the novel… How far would you go in the name of love? This novel details a story of a young woman who has lived a life full of secrets. Afraid to let anyone get too close to her; for if her secrets are uncovered, the new happiness and comfort she has found could be taken away. Not even a lover, who happens to be a cop, can protect her happiness and comfort if the truth is revealed. Decisions were made and consequences were dealt and now both the FMC and MMC must decide if love is worth the hurt and risk.

While this is the second novel to their series, it is also a standalone book that will keep you engaged and thirsting for more. The heat and chemistry between the characters is undeniable and intense. The story arc is so carefully done that you sit at the edge of your seat wondering where it may go next. As a reader, I kept wanting more answers and more from the relationship between the MCs! As I have not read the first book, I did not feel that its storyline affected the enjoyment, flow, or understanding of the second novel’s plot and contour. I did not feel out of the loop or confused because I was missing key information from the first book. If anything, this novel has me adding “Out of Seconds” to my TBR list! If there was one thing that gave me unhappy vibes in this novel, it was that I wanted more from the ending. I was surprised but yet felt slightly let down as I wanted more dramatics. With that said, I wouldn’t say it would refrain me from recommending this to my friends! In fact, if you haven’t already, you should add it to your TBR list now!

🤍Thanks to for Shannah and Mariah for trusting me with their novel in return for my personal review🤍

[Isabella Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know it’s truly an amazing book when you binge it in a day!! Scott is trapped in the past. finding it impossible to move on from the darkest places in her mind. Jameson was the love of her life, but she had to let him go to keep him safe. Regret and longing and the fact she still loves him is what keeps her in woods lake.
Jameson acts like he hate her, but truly he can’t let her go. Scout was the one, the love of his life, who ripped his heart out and tore it to pieces. When he finally uncovered the truth, it was easy to forgive. Scout had left that day to protect him from her family. Scout constantly shut him out and tried to run, but he didn’t let that happen once uncovering the truth.
Jameson stops at nothing to get her back. Your classic soulmates. Destine for each other no matter the path it takes to get there.
Scout and Jamesons story was beautifully written. While reading I felt like i was right there with them. Experiencing every little bit of anger, pain, hurt, love, fear, and happiness. I promise you once you start it you will not be able to put it down. This book had me hooked the whole way through. Needing to know what happened next. Of things would work out in their favor. The ending was most definitely my favorite part. I love authors who glimpse the future so big shoutout to you!!!!! As i said before this book was beautifully written and totally worth the read!!!!

[Cindy Henriquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooooh Myyyyyy, I fell in love with this book immediately!!! But more specifically Jameson, I think I just found my new book boyfriend for a while. 🫠 The relationship between Scout and Jameson was so frustrating and complicated at first then things changed and it became so loving and easy. Scouts background story was gripping from the first time it was mentioned and it kept me on my toes wanting to know more and waiting for the shoe to drop. and then the other shoe dropped and what happen to Jameson left me shocked and heartbroken and pissed but I saw it coming and then the betrayal omg, I was reading through the last couple of chapter so fast but I also never wanted it to end. I needed to know what was going to happen. This book is so well put together ❤️ I absolutely love how much Jameson loves Scout and how much he is willing to show her that he will always love her unconditionally. I was expecting a different response to Jameson finding out the truth about who Scout “Della” really was but his WHO DID THIS TO YOU attitude for her made me love him so much more. Their connecting is intense, loving, irreplaceable and completely addictive. I enjoyed every bit of this book soooo much and oooooh the spice was just right for every single scene. All these characters tie in so perfectly at the end, I absolutely loved it. and the ENDDDD was even more perfect !!! I loved this book 📖😁🥰 This book is beautifully written and can’t wait to see what else is in store 🫶🏼♥️👮🏻‍♂️😍

[Jules ✨ librarian_finds · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF on page 93.

I feel so genuinely bad that I got chosen to receive an ARC of this book because I really have nothing good to say about it. I swear to god I’m not trying to be mean, but I could not finish this book and stopped at page 93. This book reads like it was written by Regina George’s Cool Mom™️ from Mean Girls. The writing is extremely clunky and crude with constant word diarrhea exposition dumps (please show instead of telling!), and the dialogue felt extremely cringey. The story is beyond rushed and no thought ever feels completed. And you know what? I could have pushed through all of that, and I was honestly going to be much gentler in the review, but the literal child pedophilia between 16 y/o Della and 20-something y/o JC being just brushed over did it in for me. This was NOT a good ARC/reader match.

Given how this is a negative ARC review, I doubt that the authors will want me to post it to Amazon, so it will just stay here. After double-checking for any guidelines on my submission form for receiving the ARC, I have no recollection of any request to wait for posting a negative review for it, so it is my understanding that I can at least post this here.

[One Mom’s Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short version: While the story itself is dripping with potential, the writing left a lot to be desired. I found myself distracted by the writing several times. I like the characters and the plot enough that it earns a three star rating from me.



Full Review: Just like the first book of the series, I felt like the beginning of book two progressed very slowly. If I’m being honest, this one felt even slower. At 40% I thought it was picking up the pace but it plateaued again and — again — it was like BAM everything happens in a very short chapter or two and it’s over. Leaves a bit to be desired.

The story line earned the stars for me. It has several great elements that, if executed correctly, could earn this book four or even five stars. The writing needs a bit of fine tuning for it to reach that level in my opinion. Sometimes I felt like the dialogue just wasn’t realistic, sometimes I felt like the characters were relatable. It wasn’t consistent throughout at all. That being said, the potential is there — I really believe it can be great.


This is an ARC review — I was sent a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Vianca (Vee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

💫ARC Review💫

✨All opinions are my own✨

Out of Love was a really good read and I really liked that I was able to feel the hurt and angst in both James and Scout. I will say that at the beginning I was mad at Scout because it seemed like she left an amazing guy just because someone from her past came back. It made me mad that she had broken up with him and was still pining over him and getting jealous that he was moving on. However, as the story progresses we get the full picture about the reasons from ending things with James and I understood completely the place she was coming from. 😭

It’s hard to see them fight to stay away from each other when their hearts are calling one another. It made my heart break to see them both in emotional pain and sucked that her past was keeping her from what could be an amazing future.

James is an amazing, caring, intelligent man that would do the most to protect those he cares about. You can tell he loves hard and that made it hard to cope with the split from Scout.
Scout is caring, loving, and protective as well and it sucked that she was put in a place where she had to make tough choices because of her past and family.

⭐️ 4/5 Recommend

[Leilani · Rating 4 out of 5]

in the beginning i was so worried. i’m talking i almost texted the authors to yell at them worried 😂😂 but as i continued with the story i realized why they wrote it the way they did and i’m glad they did.

i love these two characters and about half way through the book i was screaming at the main character to just TELL HIM!

i can’t say too much without spoiling it but this was such a cute fast paced book. i finished it in one night. i want to see more from the characters… scratch that… i NEED more.

from the suspense of the conflict in this book… go the slow burn… to the second chance… to the “enemies to lovers” this was perfection.

i will definitely be reading more from these authors. they do such a good job of pulling you into the story and making it a fun time to read.

i do wish that their were more details for the smut scenes they seems to go by fairly quickly and as someone who enjoys smut i just would have liked more.

thank you for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ps. the dedication BROKE me.

[CHELSEA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars
Spice:2.75 spicy peppers

Tropes:
Second Chance
Suspense/plot twist
Forced Proximity
Hot Cop
Who did this to you vibes
Delicious spice

I gave it a 4 star rating because I feel like there could have been a little more at the end. It felt slightly wham bam rushed but still a great story and one that I really enjoyed!

I am a sucker for a good second chance romance and this did not disappoint! I loved the suspense and danger from Scouts past. Jameson was hot and broody and still had so much love for Scout even with everything going on in their relationship. This was angsty as hell and I'm not someone completely in love with a slow burn, but this was so good! It had me on the edge of my seat every time I read about Jameson and Scout being close to one another! I really just loved the chemistry of these two! Ohhhh and that scene in the woods....oooooo!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Thatonegirltarrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the chance to read this as an arc reader. I did read the first one as an arc reader as well! And I love that they are intertwined! Now the plot twist was such a great twist and I love that it comes to light that she never cheated and that she was free and trying to build a relationship with her parents. I love that she had a second chance. The story is a hea and a great second book to the series!

My only complaint that gave this a 4 star was this one seemed so rushed yet so drawn out? Like the story it self was so drawn out that when we finally got to the twist at the end that was it not was over. I wanted to see more. To have him pull out everything to take down the brother. But no. It was done and over in like 3 pages. 😔

Even with it being so fast I still loved it! It was such a great ride and the fact that both brothers got a happy ending after everything they both went through makes me so happy!

[Karina Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly enjoyed this book.
Now I have not read the first book, but that didn’t seem to be an issue.
I had no problem with the story / story line but def check trigger warnings as Della is 16 when she hooks up with someone way older, but that leads to her story.
I couldn’t seem to put this book down I finished it in two days would’ve been one, but I started reading it a Tuesday night and finished it the day after.
Anyways scouts mysterious past had me wanting to figure it out & why she left Jameson like that.
I loved the main characters and her best friend how they all seemed to genuinely be concerned for her.
I love how strong she was and that she overcame her rough past & found her happy ending.

I def recommend checking it out and adding it to your tbr.

Tropes-
Second chance
Small town love
Cop x teacher

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of Love was an emotional tsunami of a story. I had so many feelings along the way from joy to anger, pure rage, and all the way back to smiles for a great HEA. The story itself was really good. I found it easy to follow between present day and flashbacks, though I do feel like some of the timelines were rushed a bit and I think a little extra timeline development would have been even better. The back story is very well developed and gives a lot of background into Scout and Jamesons love story and the confusion I felt between them for their breakup was real. They were both so tortured that I was rooting for them at every second. I did feel that the end was a bit rushed, but overall the story wrapped up with a beautiful ending.

Thank you to the authors for letting me read an ARC copy of Out of Love.

[Marissa (rissareads13) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scout and Jameson were desperately in love . . . until they weren’t. Scout is running from her past and thus must run from the one person she truly loves who could help her. When she comes back to their town to finish her teaching contract, the two must learn how to live near each other without being together. In this second chance, dual POV romance you get a really good look at Scout and Jameson as whole people in and out of their relationship.

The in-depth story and details made it feel as if we were all friends. I have a love/hate relationship with flashbacks, but the way Scout’s was done was actually well-written, insightful and enjoyable. A lot of the events played out in the book helped with character building, but felt superfluous to the story as a whole. The action seemed to happen quickly as if to rush the ending, otherwise a great read!

[Lena_2000000 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the trope grumpy MMC and second chance, you’re going to enjoy this book….

I became attached to the characters really fast and it was really easy for me to understand the characters. From the beginning on I was thrilled by Scout and Jameson’s story and couldn’t wait to find out what the future holds for them 💗
But not only the characters themselves were great, the plot was incredible too and had me hooked from the beginning. There was so much drama that always captivated me.
The only thing that bothered me was the ending. I really liked it in general but it was just too fast paced for my liking.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I can definitely recommend it ☺️( I also think the cover is really beautiful 🤩).
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to ARC- read this book.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard for me to get into in the first few chapters, but I think that’s because I didn’t read the first book. I think if I read that I would have gotten into it quicker. So definitely read Out of Seconds first. It didn’t take long though, after the first few chapters (seriously like chapter 3 or 4) I was hooked, and couldn’t put it down. The relationship that builds and everything in between it keeps you captivated and wanting to read more. Scout and Jameson are a couple to be reckoned with and I love them. I seriously loved it. Definitely recommend reading this. Im now gonna go back and read the first book, like I should have done to begin with.

[Lanakai | Higherreads ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a good small town romance and even though I read this series backwards, Out of Love did not disappoint! The book was a bit slow at the beginning but by the end I thought the plot was incredibly well written and I was in love with the characters. I mean who doesn't love a man in uniform 🥵 The heartbreak and love between Scout and Jameson definitely had my emotions all over the place. I felt every bit of love, anger, heartbreak, pain and happiness throughout the book. Not everyone is lucky enough to experience that type of love and if you are that lucky hold onto it!! A huge thanks to Shannah & Mariah for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book 🩷

[Tiffany L Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not a happy rom com type book. A good chunk of the book is spent in the past explaining the details of who Scout is and what happened to her to lead to the issues that are happening in the present. There is some suspense and drama that happens past and present but it makes that much better when they are able to be together. I really struggled to understand why she made the present decisions she made even with the info from the past but then it was explained once the drama became more of a present issue. The ending was unexpected but the HEA was sweet. It was harder read than most but a good one.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, I was nervous headed into reading this book. Out of Seconds just didn’t do it for me…something with the characters and how the story was wrote. But Scout and her mysteries was something my brain needed answers to. 🤣
Just like the first book I finished it in a night because these sisters do have a talented knack for dragging readers into the pages and making you feel. I loved Jameson and Scout and all their broodiness.
And just like book one, that ending plot twist just comes up and roundhouse kicks you in the face. All in all, I still needed something to fully connect but I don’t even know what it is Good job ladies and thanks for sending me an ARC of this book!

[Arleigh Salerno · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I was excited to read this is suchhhh an understatement... I was well over the moon about it. This can be a stand-alone, but it is still wonderful to have read after reading the first book, "Out of Seconds." Yet again, Shannah and Mariah hit it out of the park for me, and I was invested by the end of the first chapter!
A perfect amount of spice, twists, and love. Jameson and Scout are such a match and so stubbornly perfect. Love, protect, lie... all mixed together for one heck of a wonderful Rollercoaster ride.

[Ryann Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost I want to thank the wonderful authors for letting me read this book early!

Scout and Jameson’s story just sucks you in! They have been through so much heartbreak and their love just radiates off each other no matter how much they want to hate each other. When Scout’s past comes back to haunt her, Jameson will do anything to protect her. I could not put this book down. This book is a stand alone but makes sense if you read Out of Seconds first. This book will not be my last by these lovely ladies! 💕