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New Haven #6
Reclaim Me: The New Haven Series
RaeLoving someone with demons is hard but leaving them is harder.
That’s a lesson I learned roughly a decade ago when I left the love of my life behind. Choosing the child we made but weren’t ready for over any hope for what could be. Trading in potential for reality, my dreams for motherhood and the warmth of his embrace for a cold, lonely world.
Despite how tragic it all sounds, everything turned out okay. I made peace with my decisions, soothed the ache in my heart with harsh truths that have remained firmly in tact until...well, until now.
Now, I’m back in New Haven and nothing is the way it should be. The man I left behind is not the one I keep running into around town. He’s steady, dependable, stable, ready to be a father to our daughter and desperate to do more than co-parent with me.
Hunter
couldn’t stop wanting Rachel Prince if I tried. Not that I ever have. Tried, that is. Why would I when she’s the only good thing I’ve ever craved, the only addiction I’ve had that didn’t try to destroy me?
When she left me, I wasn’t mad. I didn’t want her to go, but I think by the end we both knew she couldn’t stay. There was too much darkness around us, and it was all emanating from me.
My addiction. My pain. My grief overshadowing hers.
I wasn’t the man she needed or the partner she deserved. She did the right thing, getting out, taking our kid with her. But knowing that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
It does, however, make me determined.
To keep my decade long sobriety streak going.
To make up for every day I missed of my daughter’s life.
To win back the love of my life and never let her go again.
That’s a lesson I learned roughly a decade ago when I left the love of my life behind. Choosing the child we made but weren’t ready for over any hope for what could be. Trading in potential for reality, my dreams for motherhood and the warmth of his embrace for a cold, lonely world.
Despite how tragic it all sounds, everything turned out okay. I made peace with my decisions, soothed the ache in my heart with harsh truths that have remained firmly in tact until...well, until now.
Now, I’m back in New Haven and nothing is the way it should be. The man I left behind is not the one I keep running into around town. He’s steady, dependable, stable, ready to be a father to our daughter and desperate to do more than co-parent with me.
Hunter
couldn’t stop wanting Rachel Prince if I tried. Not that I ever have. Tried, that is. Why would I when she’s the only good thing I’ve ever craved, the only addiction I’ve had that didn’t try to destroy me?
When she left me, I wasn’t mad. I didn’t want her to go, but I think by the end we both knew she couldn’t stay. There was too much darkness around us, and it was all emanating from me.
My addiction. My pain. My grief overshadowing hers.
I wasn’t the man she needed or the partner she deserved. She did the right thing, getting out, taking our kid with her. But knowing that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
It does, however, make me determined.
To keep my decade long sobriety streak going.
To make up for every day I missed of my daughter’s life.
To win back the love of my life and never let her go again.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2024
398 people are currently reading
1487 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Seegars
10 books2,293 followersJ.L. Seegars is a dedicated smut peddler and lifelong nerd who’s always had a love of words, storytelling and drama. When she isn’t writing messy and emotionally complex characters like the ones she grew up around, she’s watching reality TV, supporting her fellow authors by devouring their work or spending time with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
August 27, 2024
I really wanted to love this but the story/characters didn’t connect for me.
Let’s start with what I did love :
Hunter. He was dealing with some demons but he did the work to be a better man for himself and those he loved. Rae never had to ask this man twice for anything and sometimes she didn’t even have to ask AT ALL.
Riley. She was everything. I loved how smart and inquisitive she was.
Dee. If you don’t have a best friend to give it to you straight with no chaser, then what do you have?
Lastly, I loved the writing overall - as I said, the story just didn’t do it for me.
The fmc was wildly frustrating. While I understand the trauma of finding Hunter the way that she did - I keep asking myself, “what did you expect to happen, Rae?” A recovering addict, watching his friend die in the same way that he lost his mom? Of course a relapse was coming. Did it truly warrant him losing out on TEN YEARS with Riley? 🤔
Was the “love triangle” really a love triangle? Aaron was an absolute jerk and mama’s boy that Rae strung along for the sake of “stability”. He was around for way too long (almost 90 percent of the story).
I think Hunter and Rae’s story would have been better told as maybe a two part series. We would have had enough time to peel back more layers and enjoy more time with them as a family unit.
Thank you, Good Girls PR for the arc 🖤
Let’s start with what I did love :
Hunter. He was dealing with some demons but he did the work to be a better man for himself and those he loved. Rae never had to ask this man twice for anything and sometimes she didn’t even have to ask AT ALL.
Riley. She was everything. I loved how smart and inquisitive she was.
Dee. If you don’t have a best friend to give it to you straight with no chaser, then what do you have?
Lastly, I loved the writing overall - as I said, the story just didn’t do it for me.
The fmc was wildly frustrating. While I understand the trauma of finding Hunter the way that she did - I keep asking myself, “what did you expect to happen, Rae?” A recovering addict, watching his friend die in the same way that he lost his mom? Of course a relapse was coming. Did it truly warrant him losing out on TEN YEARS with Riley? 🤔
Was the “love triangle” really a love triangle? Aaron was an absolute jerk and mama’s boy that Rae strung along for the sake of “stability”. He was around for way too long (almost 90 percent of the story).
I think Hunter and Rae’s story would have been better told as maybe a two part series. We would have had enough time to peel back more layers and enjoy more time with them as a family unit.
Thank you, Good Girls PR for the arc 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 23, 2024
rtc, but ofc another easy 5-star beautifully written and extremely gut-wrenching read by j.l. 😭❤️🩹
will be sending you my therapy bill stat ma’am!
will be sending you my therapy bill stat ma’am!
September 3, 2024
The New Haven series by J.L. Seegars is my favorite book series. Period. And her latest release, Reclaim Me, will keep New Haven as my favorite. Hunter and Rae's love story is written so beautifully and handled so delicately when touching on the topics of loss, grief and addiction with immense care. Reclaim Me isn't a spicy as the previous installments in the series, but I didn't mind that at all. You're rooting for Hunter the entire time. Top tier book boyfriend! A MAN.
August 28, 2024
3.5⭐️ and 2🌶️ - ARC Review
Is the safe option always the best option? What defines "safe?" What if safe puts you into a box? What if you use your "safety" as a means to destroy love and time?
Love is what Hunter had to give and time is what Rae stole.
A creative, a ballerina, a free spirit, and a dreamer would best describe Rae Prince. Rae has a habit of questioning things that don't serve her, but keeping them around because whatever it is, is "better," than living the truth. Her truth. That was something she ran from at every turn. She was judgmental and selfish, even when it concerned her child and her child's father. 10 years?? And 7 of those 10 years and not one connection was made with your child and your safe option, Aaron? To acknowledge that the person who is supposed to love you isn't bringing something to the table for you or your child and staying in that relationship is a choice that I cannot agree with or see logic in.
Hunter Drake. I want to find Hunter and just hug him. Hunter didn't need to redeem himself with me. He was true to himself, his feelings, and to the loves of his life from Day 1.
I wanted him to run to his child and away from his feelings for Rae. I only know Rae through Hunter's eyes and I wish we could've seen more of their relationship in the past. Rae kept reminding us that they were toxic and chaotic together and I didn't see any evidence of that with her and Hunter.
For me, this was not a love story and it was not a story about a second chance at romance with the love of your life. It was very one-sided and the love that was present came from Hunter to Riley and from Hunter to Rae. It was hard for me to see it reciprocated from Rae to Hunter when she was still with her unlikable boyfriend at 90%.
This was Hunter's redemption story and his character development was flawless. I wish we could get a Part 2 with him, Riley, and Rae. It would be beautiful to see them together and to see Rae in a different light.
I’ll always be a fan of JL and her writing. She can tell a story and set the scene, this one was just not my favorite of the series and I was left wanting to know so much more.
Is the safe option always the best option? What defines "safe?" What if safe puts you into a box? What if you use your "safety" as a means to destroy love and time?
Love is what Hunter had to give and time is what Rae stole.
A creative, a ballerina, a free spirit, and a dreamer would best describe Rae Prince. Rae has a habit of questioning things that don't serve her, but keeping them around because whatever it is, is "better," than living the truth. Her truth. That was something she ran from at every turn. She was judgmental and selfish, even when it concerned her child and her child's father. 10 years?? And 7 of those 10 years and not one connection was made with your child and your safe option, Aaron? To acknowledge that the person who is supposed to love you isn't bringing something to the table for you or your child and staying in that relationship is a choice that I cannot agree with or see logic in.
Hunter Drake. I want to find Hunter and just hug him. Hunter didn't need to redeem himself with me. He was true to himself, his feelings, and to the loves of his life from Day 1.
I wanted him to run to his child and away from his feelings for Rae. I only know Rae through Hunter's eyes and I wish we could've seen more of their relationship in the past. Rae kept reminding us that they were toxic and chaotic together and I didn't see any evidence of that with her and Hunter.
For me, this was not a love story and it was not a story about a second chance at romance with the love of your life. It was very one-sided and the love that was present came from Hunter to Riley and from Hunter to Rae. It was hard for me to see it reciprocated from Rae to Hunter when she was still with her unlikable boyfriend at 90%.
This was Hunter's redemption story and his character development was flawless. I wish we could get a Part 2 with him, Riley, and Rae. It would be beautiful to see them together and to see Rae in a different light.
I’ll always be a fan of JL and her writing. She can tell a story and set the scene, this one was just not my favorite of the series and I was left wanting to know so much more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
This was a no for me. Absolutely now. The back and forth between the past and future was agonizingly annoying . The story was just meh.
Hunter: I’m glad he was able to get clean and have a good life. He was everything!
Rae: Annoying & weak!!
Riley: adorable 🥰 & sweet.
Marcy: loser who raised a waste of space.
Aaron: Weak little boy, who was emotionally abusive & inconsiderate.
Hunter: I’m glad he was able to get clean and have a good life. He was everything!
Rae: Annoying & weak!!
Riley: adorable 🥰 & sweet.
Marcy: loser who raised a waste of space.
Aaron: Weak little boy, who was emotionally abusive & inconsiderate.
August 28, 2024
Thank you so much to Good Girls PR for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was such a beautiful romance from J.L. Seegars! I immediately fell in love with Hunter and Rae, and watching their love story span the course of 10 years. J.L. Seegars knows how to to write a sweeping romance that features real, three dimensional characters with their own flaws who deal with everything life throws at them and still find a way back to each other against all odds. Even aside from Hunter and Rae's relationship with each other, seeing how the both of them loved Will wholeheartedly in their own separate ways, and together as a unit was beautiful. The struggles of addiction that were depicted in this novel were also very thoughtfully handled. I definitely recommend reviewing the content warnings in this book, which include drug addiction, overdose (depicted on page), terminal illness (cancer), parental and sibling loss, suicidal ideation (depicted on page), mentions of stalking and intimate partner violence, and a graphic depiction of a fatal gunshot wound to the head in chapter 5.
I also really liked the secret baby trope of this novel. It's not a trope I typically read, but I think it was done really well in Reclaim Me. It meant so much that Hunter's priority was loving his daughter first rather than focusing on winning Rae back. Seeing his bond with Riley was so special. So many of those scenes remind me of what I love about single parent romances--they were so cute!
Ultimately, I think Reclaim Me is up there with Restore Me as my favorite works by J.L. Seegars! I definitely recommend picking this up if you're a fan of her previous works or works by Kennedy Ryan and Natasha Bishop! I'd rate this book 4.5 stars rounded up.
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This was such a beautiful romance from J.L. Seegars! I immediately fell in love with Hunter and Rae, and watching their love story span the course of 10 years. J.L. Seegars knows how to to write a sweeping romance that features real, three dimensional characters with their own flaws who deal with everything life throws at them and still find a way back to each other against all odds. Even aside from Hunter and Rae's relationship with each other, seeing how the both of them loved Will wholeheartedly in their own separate ways, and together as a unit was beautiful. The struggles of addiction that were depicted in this novel were also very thoughtfully handled. I definitely recommend reviewing the content warnings in this book, which include drug addiction, overdose (depicted on page), terminal illness (cancer), parental and sibling loss, suicidal ideation (depicted on page), mentions of stalking and intimate partner violence, and a graphic depiction of a fatal gunshot wound to the head in chapter 5.
I also really liked the secret baby trope of this novel. It's not a trope I typically read, but I think it was done really well in Reclaim Me. It meant so much that Hunter's priority was loving his daughter first rather than focusing on winning Rae back. Seeing his bond with Riley was so special. So many of those scenes remind me of what I love about single parent romances--they were so cute!
Ultimately, I think Reclaim Me is up there with Restore Me as my favorite works by J.L. Seegars! I definitely recommend picking this up if you're a fan of her previous works or works by Kennedy Ryan and Natasha Bishop! I'd rate this book 4.5 stars rounded up.
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
November 2, 2024
Book 4 was brain draining
Sunshine wasn't always sunny for Rachel and Hunter. I know losing loved ones isn't always easy, but poor Hunter had it hard. I wanted to tell Rachel a million times that her Carlton Banks man was Hunter's placeholder. Aaron was unmatched for the history and connection between, Riley, Rachel and Hunter. Even when Riley and Hunter did not know about one another, they had synergy between them without knowing the other. I enjoyed this story, I just needed a few more grown folks cuddles. 4.25 stars
Sunshine wasn't always sunny for Rachel and Hunter. I know losing loved ones isn't always easy, but poor Hunter had it hard. I wanted to tell Rachel a million times that her Carlton Banks man was Hunter's placeholder. Aaron was unmatched for the history and connection between, Riley, Rachel and Hunter. Even when Riley and Hunter did not know about one another, they had synergy between them without knowing the other. I enjoyed this story, I just needed a few more grown folks cuddles. 4.25 stars
September 2, 2024
Thank you to @good.girls.pr for this ARC.
I love the New Haven Series and I was really excited about Reclaim Me.
A second chance romance where two souls come back to each other after a decade of lost contact caused by grief, addiction, broken dreams and a secret pregnancy.
It’s going to be hard to review it without spoilers. 😅
This book was very interesting.
I honestly really liked Hunter’s story. His growth, his character development, his journey, that was the best part of the book to me. I loved his connection with Riley as well.
I wanted to like Rae so bad but it just didn’t happen. I didn’t feel connected to her. I don’t judge her decisions but I didn’t understand some of them too.
I saw Hunter love Rae a lot in these pages but I didn’t see Rae love him back.
Ms Marcy needed to get checked. And I’m still confused about Aaron cause I can’t see if he was a master manipulator or just a nice guy with insecurities.
Riley and Taurin were a breath of fresh air as characters.
I felt like some of the “flashback” chapters weren’t necessary.
I struggled a bit with my rating cause as much as I loved the character development of Hunter and the story, plus the reconnection with his daughter, I didn’t feel anything towards Hunter and Rae’s love. It was a very good book about growth and overcoming struggles and I focused on that for my rating. The romance part wasn’t really it.
I love the New Haven Series and I was really excited about Reclaim Me.
A second chance romance where two souls come back to each other after a decade of lost contact caused by grief, addiction, broken dreams and a secret pregnancy.
It’s going to be hard to review it without spoilers. 😅
This book was very interesting.
I honestly really liked Hunter’s story. His growth, his character development, his journey, that was the best part of the book to me. I loved his connection with Riley as well.
I wanted to like Rae so bad but it just didn’t happen. I didn’t feel connected to her. I don’t judge her decisions but I didn’t understand some of them too.
I saw Hunter love Rae a lot in these pages but I didn’t see Rae love him back.
Ms Marcy needed to get checked. And I’m still confused about Aaron cause I can’t see if he was a master manipulator or just a nice guy with insecurities.
Riley and Taurin were a breath of fresh air as characters.
I felt like some of the “flashback” chapters weren’t necessary.
I struggled a bit with my rating cause as much as I loved the character development of Hunter and the story, plus the reconnection with his daughter, I didn’t feel anything towards Hunter and Rae’s love. It was a very good book about growth and overcoming struggles and I focused on that for my rating. The romance part wasn’t really it.
August 28, 2024
It’s rare that there is a book that comes around that makes you second guess how well you know your reading taste. Reclaim me is THAT BOOK!! The tropes that can be found in this are probably the most polarizing ones in the romance reading community but believe me when I tell you… trust JL Seegars to not only deliver but make you an advocate for it. The lady is an expert in her storytelling craft.
I am about to become a peddler (as she refers to herself) because this book had me up at 4am on a work day sniffling and snotty but ever so satisfied. As a reader who is a glutton for heart-wrenching stories, I can always count on the New Haven Series to exceed my expectations. Hunter is now neck and neck with my Husband Dominic! 😍
I love it hear and can't wit to see what the final book in the series will have in store for us.
I am about to become a peddler (as she refers to herself) because this book had me up at 4am on a work day sniffling and snotty but ever so satisfied. As a reader who is a glutton for heart-wrenching stories, I can always count on the New Haven Series to exceed my expectations. Hunter is now neck and neck with my Husband Dominic! 😍
I love it hear and can't wit to see what the final book in the series will have in store for us.
September 5, 2024
4.75 ⭐️ I really enjoyed this book and it was about to be a 5 star read but the ending was kinda weird. It just kinda ended. No epilogue, just the end. It felt like a bit of a letdown. Despite that it was a beautiful story. Also this is one of the few times a book had a child and the child didn’t get on my last nerve
September 4, 2024
Best second chance I’ve read in a minute 🥲💕
September 3, 2024
4.25/5 stars full review!
Thank you so much @good.girls.pr for the ARC!! Happy release day to this beautiful book.
This was SOOOO good yall. I've loved the entire New Haven series by Ms. Seegars, but this one may be my new fav. We follow Hunter and Rae in this second change romance that really warmed my heart. We get to watch them grow together and change as we learned their story and backgrounds– along with the trauma they both have been through and how they overcome their past.
This book was so real, so raw, that I had to put it down for a breather a few times. The struggles of addiction and grief were sooooooooo full of emotion and realistic. I almost felt like i was literally standing in the middle of all of it and watching it unfold irl. SO immersive which i absolutely loved!
CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGGGGGGGSSSSSS WHEWWWWWWW. Not a joke this time either yall. This story was heavy, but so redeeming to get through. This book is also super messy and does have a cheating plotline. so definitely if that is not your thing, mentally prepare.
If I EVAAAAAAAAA see Aaron or his mamma out on the street its on sight and i mean that. Hunter though? HAND EM OVER RNNNNN. Him with his daughter and just ughhhhhhhhh 100000% yes. Rae....rae kind of irked me a bit. I tried to see her side of things, but if you read this just know she was creating problems when the solution was right there– yet due to their past i do see where she was coming from. She got it togetha though so i can appreciate it.
I do wish the ballet plot line was a bit more prominent too. It was there....but kinda fell short and into the background, yet didnt really affect the book too much.
Overall, absolutely loved this book. The way Seegars writes is full of compassion and makes you feel as if you are literally in the book. Besides the few breathers i had to take, I could not put this down. Highly recommend if you are looking into a series to throw yourself into!!
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4.25/5 stars!!! Full RTC!!!!
Omgggggggggkefimairfjoweid. Thank you so much to Good Girls PR for the ARC of this book! It was such a surprise and I was TOOOOO hype to get into this book.
Yall. This book was heartbreaking, real, and had so much feeling and passion in it i almost felt like i was standing in the New Haven universe literally. I absolutely LOVE the way J.L Seegars writes, there is always so much compassion and both POVs ALWAYS hit. I haven't read this series in a minute and was so hype to find out a new book was getting released!
Rest of my review to come on release day!! :D
Thank you so much @good.girls.pr for the ARC!! Happy release day to this beautiful book.
This was SOOOO good yall. I've loved the entire New Haven series by Ms. Seegars, but this one may be my new fav. We follow Hunter and Rae in this second change romance that really warmed my heart. We get to watch them grow together and change as we learned their story and backgrounds– along with the trauma they both have been through and how they overcome their past.
This book was so real, so raw, that I had to put it down for a breather a few times. The struggles of addiction and grief were sooooooooo full of emotion and realistic. I almost felt like i was literally standing in the middle of all of it and watching it unfold irl. SO immersive which i absolutely loved!
CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGGGGGGGSSSSSS WHEWWWWWWW. Not a joke this time either yall. This story was heavy, but so redeeming to get through. This book is also super messy and does have a cheating plotline. so definitely if that is not your thing, mentally prepare.
If I EVAAAAAAAAA see Aaron or his mamma out on the street its on sight and i mean that. Hunter though? HAND EM OVER RNNNNN. Him with his daughter and just ughhhhhhhhh 100000% yes. Rae....rae kind of irked me a bit. I tried to see her side of things, but if you read this just know she was creating problems when the solution was right there– yet due to their past i do see where she was coming from. She got it togetha though so i can appreciate it.
I do wish the ballet plot line was a bit more prominent too. It was there....but kinda fell short and into the background, yet didnt really affect the book too much.
Overall, absolutely loved this book. The way Seegars writes is full of compassion and makes you feel as if you are literally in the book. Besides the few breathers i had to take, I could not put this down. Highly recommend if you are looking into a series to throw yourself into!!
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4.25/5 stars!!! Full RTC!!!!
Omgggggggggkefimairfjoweid. Thank you so much to Good Girls PR for the ARC of this book! It was such a surprise and I was TOOOOO hype to get into this book.
Yall. This book was heartbreaking, real, and had so much feeling and passion in it i almost felt like i was standing in the New Haven universe literally. I absolutely LOVE the way J.L Seegars writes, there is always so much compassion and both POVs ALWAYS hit. I haven't read this series in a minute and was so hype to find out a new book was getting released!
Rest of my review to come on release day!! :D
September 1, 2024
This is a second chance romance and as far as second chance romances go i enjoyed this one! As J.L does, she had me hooked and engaged. This story touches on some preeettyy touch and traumatic topics so PLEASE read the TW!!
I loved Hunter & Rae!! Hunter was such a good MMC and was such good representation of a Black Father! I loved their little family dynamic (once he found out about his family LOL). Yes, this has a secret baby trope but i love secret baby so that was fine for me!
The only reason i knocked off a star is because of that other man Aaron😒 I just felt like this book would’ve been PERFECT without him!! he was the biggest waste of paper i have ever read. I would’ve been fine reading Rae’s story of healing from her past and reconnecting with Hunter SANS irritating bf & bf’s mom😒 like why she have to add the mom too?😩 Everytime Aaron was there i wanted him to leave and I didn’t even feel like Rae truly liked him. She was just bored or something idk!!!
Last complaint is definitely the ending… why was it so abrupt? J.L why you runnin from us!? Come back😩 you could’ve gave an epilogue or SOMETHING. Homegirl left us high and dry chile😩 she said they together now, BYE! The end 🤣
I loved Hunter & Rae!! Hunter was such a good MMC and was such good representation of a Black Father! I loved their little family dynamic (once he found out about his family LOL). Yes, this has a secret baby trope but i love secret baby so that was fine for me!
The only reason i knocked off a star is because of that other man Aaron😒 I just felt like this book would’ve been PERFECT without him!! he was the biggest waste of paper i have ever read. I would’ve been fine reading Rae’s story of healing from her past and reconnecting with Hunter SANS irritating bf & bf’s mom😒 like why she have to add the mom too?😩 Everytime Aaron was there i wanted him to leave and I didn’t even feel like Rae truly liked him. She was just bored or something idk!!!
Last complaint is definitely the ending… why was it so abrupt? J.L why you runnin from us!? Come back😩 you could’ve gave an epilogue or SOMETHING. Homegirl left us high and dry chile😩 she said they together now, BYE! The end 🤣
September 4, 2024
3.5 ☆ *thank you to Good Girls PR for an ARC copy*
Falling head over heels in love with another fictional man written by J.L…. Why am I even surprised?
Reclaim Me was a really beautiful tale of love and redemption between two imperfect people bound by a one of a kind love. I loved Hunter and he’s definitely up there with Dom in my ranking of New Haven men (no one’s knocking Dom’s spot though). Rae was such a great mother and I enjoyed her commitment to raising a precocious little Black girl and not letting anyone censor or stamp her fire/light out.
I loved getting to see glimpses of who Rae and Hunter were when they first fell in love juxtaposed against who they were in the present, coparenting and trying to find a balance with one another. However, I think this book needed to be either longer or split into two, similarly to Mal & Chris’s story. Towards the end of the story, I felt like things were rushed to tie up loose ends and get to the MC’s happy ever after— which was deserved and overdue, but came at the cost of relying on telling the reader what happened versus showing us and a lack of supporting scenes to fully paint the picture of the journey to get to “The End.” And with the amount of lead up to their reconciliation, it felt like a let down for there to be no epilogue showing them luxuriating in their love.
*possible (small) spoilers below*
I would’ve loved to see scenes with:
- Rae in therapy/having conversations with her therapist about her trauma that she was working through
- Rae in support group
- Hunter returning to his sponsorship bc the journey isn’t over just because he’s got his family back
- Rae and Nate interact because they have history
- Hunter asking Riley about her thoughts on changing her last name/them living together
- More Dee and Jayla scenes
- Rae in her studio/school running it and teaching (esp. since dance is such a big part of her and her identity)
- Hunter and Rae navigating school activities— sports, plays, pta meetings, etc. during their year of healing
- More Taurin and Hunter interactions because their relationship doesn’t just stop bc Taurin’s situation improved
Although the story didn’t hit for me the way Restore Me did, I still enjoyed the characters and being back in New Haven, and I look forward to what Seegars writes next.
Falling head over heels in love with another fictional man written by J.L…. Why am I even surprised?
Reclaim Me was a really beautiful tale of love and redemption between two imperfect people bound by a one of a kind love. I loved Hunter and he’s definitely up there with Dom in my ranking of New Haven men (no one’s knocking Dom’s spot though). Rae was such a great mother and I enjoyed her commitment to raising a precocious little Black girl and not letting anyone censor or stamp her fire/light out.
I loved getting to see glimpses of who Rae and Hunter were when they first fell in love juxtaposed against who they were in the present, coparenting and trying to find a balance with one another. However, I think this book needed to be either longer or split into two, similarly to Mal & Chris’s story. Towards the end of the story, I felt like things were rushed to tie up loose ends and get to the MC’s happy ever after— which was deserved and overdue, but came at the cost of relying on telling the reader what happened versus showing us and a lack of supporting scenes to fully paint the picture of the journey to get to “The End.” And with the amount of lead up to their reconciliation, it felt like a let down for there to be no epilogue showing them luxuriating in their love.
*possible (small) spoilers below*
I would’ve loved to see scenes with:
- Rae in therapy/having conversations with her therapist about her trauma that she was working through
- Rae in support group
- Hunter returning to his sponsorship bc the journey isn’t over just because he’s got his family back
- Rae and Nate interact because they have history
- Hunter asking Riley about her thoughts on changing her last name/them living together
- More Dee and Jayla scenes
- Rae in her studio/school running it and teaching (esp. since dance is such a big part of her and her identity)
- Hunter and Rae navigating school activities— sports, plays, pta meetings, etc. during their year of healing
- More Taurin and Hunter interactions because their relationship doesn’t just stop bc Taurin’s situation improved
Although the story didn’t hit for me the way Restore Me did, I still enjoyed the characters and being back in New Haven, and I look forward to what Seegars writes next.
August 27, 2024
Such a heart-warming story ❤️ Hunter and Rae’s journey is certainly an emotional one but it’s clear that the years have not changed their connection, if anything it became more intense. I feel like from the beginning her and Aaron weren’t a good fit and that permeated throughout the book for me (he was very unlikeable, even after forgiving her cheating), and made me wonder why she even bothered being with him in the first place, especially once she revealed they shared bills, had his momma living in the house etc.
I loved the flashbacks that featured her brother Will and wish we would have gotten more of him! Her best friend Dee was a hoot lol Everyone needs that straight shooter best friend that’s gonna tell it like it is, no chaser!
Even though it was only a glimpse, seeing OG New Haven characters (Dom + Sloane for life!🤞🏾) is always an exciting moment and I want MORE plssssss lol
Although, children in books sometimes get on my nerves, I LOVED Riley’s personality and banter and thought it was super cute how her and Hunter instantly connected even with him missing 10 years of her life, ughhh all the feels 😍😭
I do feel like the story ended rather abruptly and would have liked to see an epilogue once they were together after the ‘decision’ was made and them married and living as a family but that’s just me being greedy for more lol
Overall, GREAT read JL Seegars does it again!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
***Shout-out to JL Seegars and Good Girls PR for the Arc***
I loved the flashbacks that featured her brother Will and wish we would have gotten more of him! Her best friend Dee was a hoot lol Everyone needs that straight shooter best friend that’s gonna tell it like it is, no chaser!
Even though it was only a glimpse, seeing OG New Haven characters (Dom + Sloane for life!🤞🏾) is always an exciting moment and I want MORE plssssss lol
Although, children in books sometimes get on my nerves, I LOVED Riley’s personality and banter and thought it was super cute how her and Hunter instantly connected even with him missing 10 years of her life, ughhh all the feels 😍😭
I do feel like the story ended rather abruptly and would have liked to see an epilogue once they were together after the ‘decision’ was made and them married and living as a family but that’s just me being greedy for more lol
Overall, GREAT read JL Seegars does it again!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
***Shout-out to JL Seegars and Good Girls PR for the Arc***
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2024
The ways I loved this book! Hunter & Rae’s story was beautifully written. Seeing the heartache that they went through and the obstacles they had to overcome was intense. The true definition of everything we go through is only to bring us to where we are supposed to be. JL Seegars can do no wrong in my eyes! She can write a toxic man (enter Aaron) and turn around and give you a man that uplifts his woman all while working through his own demons (and Hunter is fully tatted! Marry me!) This author will always be an auto buy for me and I have yet to be disappointed. Finished this story in under 24 hours and now I’ll go to work exhausted but it was worth it.
Thank you Good Girls PR for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review
Thank you Good Girls PR for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review
September 6, 2024
i don't remember the last time an opening chapter hooked me like this one did! i really loved this second-chance romance between rae and hunter. the story was unafraid to dive into the difficult subject matter surrounding addiction and while i can't speak to the depiction, it felt like it was done thoughtfully and intentionally. wrapped in these pages, there was so much love in all its many forms, whether it be the main love story, the love between parents and their children, self-love, and the bond between siblings.
something that always strikes me with JL Seegars' books is that she always writes strong characters who have to truly fight for their happily ever after, so when they finally get there, it's so gratifying & beautiful. i loved the way hunter poured his whole heart into riley and rae, and i found myself getting emotional at the end with them💞
thank you good girls pr & jl seegars for the ARC! :)
something that always strikes me with JL Seegars' books is that she always writes strong characters who have to truly fight for their happily ever after, so when they finally get there, it's so gratifying & beautiful. i loved the way hunter poured his whole heart into riley and rae, and i found myself getting emotional at the end with them💞
thank you good girls pr & jl seegars for the ARC! :)
September 4, 2024
i couldn’t breathe, eat, sleep.
idk how janil does it every single time. like i just don’t.
at first i was on edge with the cheating but i would have too yk. not that it makes it right but it was valid.
ugh. i just.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
idk how janil does it every single time. like i just don’t.
at first i was on edge with the cheating but i would have too yk. not that it makes it right but it was valid.
ugh. i just.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
September 3, 2024
Beautiful
Another good book by J L Seegars. I keep coming back to what's familiar and I'm not disappointed. Just read the damn series.
Another good book by J L Seegars. I keep coming back to what's familiar and I'm not disappointed. Just read the damn series.
September 3, 2024
Favourite book in this series... move over Mallory and Chris.. Hunter and Rae have taken top Sport. JL Seegars you outdid yourself.. I loved everything except Aaron
July 9, 2025
I loved it!! But cheating is cheating even if it's THE FMC character does it. I get it that her now-ex-bf was toxic and limited her but she should've ended things first then went to sleep with another man (aka Hunter).
Their pov's after Will's death is heartbreaking. Their story was so tragic but so damn worth it in the end. So pretty but in a tragic way and a happy ending.
I admit that I shed a tear or two🙈
Their pov's after Will's death is heartbreaking. Their story was so tragic but so damn worth it in the end. So pretty but in a tragic way and a happy ending.
I admit that I shed a tear or two🙈
September 9, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
August 27, 2024
If Janil does nothing else she is going to write a perfectly imperfect MMC that is going to make you fall in love with him and wish for him to get everything his heart desires. That's what she's been doing with the past five books of this series and this most recent installment falls right in line.
Reclaim Me started off intense. I just knew there was going to be a back and forth with this couple that was going to tear my heart to pieces...I wasn't wrong. Hunter and Rae are the couple in the latest book who meet under the most random of circumstances. When Hunter is at one of the lowest points in his life Rae (a stranger at this point) helps pull him from the edge. From that encounter they form the sweetest friendship. Over the course of four years that friendship grows into attraction and begins a relationship that tests them in ways they couldn't imagine.
One thing I really enjoyed about Reclaim Me was the flashbacks to the past that give you just enough information about how they arrived at being estranged after being so close until it brings us to the present. I love that Hunter was such a flawed character. He was flawed in the most heartbreaking way but the more the story went on the more I fell in love with his character. I've loved this series for a while now and I have held strong in my love for Sebastian from Release Me being the MMC in New Haven that held my heart but Hunter was really testing that dedication.
The way he showed his growth after being surprised with the BIGGEST news that could have devastated his progress was everything. He fell right in line being everything that Rae was hoping for in her current relationship. He was caring, thoughtful, loving, selfless, and pretty much any other swoon worthy thing you can think of. Because of their emotional past Rae found herself going for the exact opposite of everything Hunter was which led her to Aaron. I think she made the decision to leave Hunter and cut all contact because she wanted stability. She didn't want to go through the rollercoaster of broken promises and having to witness another scene like the one that prompted her to leave. Hunter had to do the work for himself... not for her or for anyone else. He had to want to change for him for it to actually stick.
I believe she loved Aaron (who I could not stand...his mother either) but was never actually in love with Aaron. She loved the stability and normality that he represented. But he never made her feel the way Hunter made her feel. He never accepted her as a packaged deal with Riley and he seemed content with being held at arms length until he felt threatened. Even her best friend, Dee, could see that and she lived thousands of miles away.
While reading this book I smiled...I giggled and kicked my feet...I teared up... I went through all the emotions. This continues to be one of my favorite series and I'm crossing fingers that Janil will keep bringing me back to New Haven to read about these perfectly flawed men who melt my heart every single time.
Reclaim Me started off intense. I just knew there was going to be a back and forth with this couple that was going to tear my heart to pieces...I wasn't wrong. Hunter and Rae are the couple in the latest book who meet under the most random of circumstances. When Hunter is at one of the lowest points in his life Rae (a stranger at this point) helps pull him from the edge. From that encounter they form the sweetest friendship. Over the course of four years that friendship grows into attraction and begins a relationship that tests them in ways they couldn't imagine.
One thing I really enjoyed about Reclaim Me was the flashbacks to the past that give you just enough information about how they arrived at being estranged after being so close until it brings us to the present. I love that Hunter was such a flawed character. He was flawed in the most heartbreaking way but the more the story went on the more I fell in love with his character. I've loved this series for a while now and I have held strong in my love for Sebastian from Release Me being the MMC in New Haven that held my heart but Hunter was really testing that dedication.
The way he showed his growth after being surprised with the BIGGEST news that could have devastated his progress was everything. He fell right in line being everything that Rae was hoping for in her current relationship. He was caring, thoughtful, loving, selfless, and pretty much any other swoon worthy thing you can think of. Because of their emotional past Rae found herself going for the exact opposite of everything Hunter was which led her to Aaron. I think she made the decision to leave Hunter and cut all contact because she wanted stability. She didn't want to go through the rollercoaster of broken promises and having to witness another scene like the one that prompted her to leave. Hunter had to do the work for himself... not for her or for anyone else. He had to want to change for him for it to actually stick.
I believe she loved Aaron (who I could not stand...his mother either) but was never actually in love with Aaron. She loved the stability and normality that he represented. But he never made her feel the way Hunter made her feel. He never accepted her as a packaged deal with Riley and he seemed content with being held at arms length until he felt threatened. Even her best friend, Dee, could see that and she lived thousands of miles away.
While reading this book I smiled...I giggled and kicked my feet...I teared up... I went through all the emotions. This continues to be one of my favorite series and I'm crossing fingers that Janil will keep bringing me back to New Haven to read about these perfectly flawed men who melt my heart every single time.
August 27, 2024
Reclaim Me was one of the hardest, but incredibly beautiful books I’ve ever read because the topics discussed hit very close to home. As always, read the Content and Trigger Warnings before reading.
This story takes place in the past and present. JL navigates both timelines effortlessly. These two characters, Hunter and Rae were brought together one night in a unique way, became friends and eventually fell in love. Tragic events made them part and when they meet later in life Hunter learns he has a daughter with Rae he never knew about. Instead of backing away or being overly angered, he STEPS up and SHOWS up. He was a real father in every way. Once he met Riley, they were two peas in a pod. She loved him and he loved her.
Hunter is my BABY!!! Lord I want him in every way. The man had demons bc of his past addiction but worked really hard be a better man in the decade that he and Rae were apart for himself then stayed a better man for his two favorite girls. This is a Hunter Drake stan account! The man may just be my FAVORITE MMC of JL’s.
Rae our FMC is complex (aren’t we all?) bc of the cards life has dealt her. She lost her favorite person, then had to leave her other favorite person. A trained ballerina, ten years later, she moves back to New Haven with her bf (can’t stand him) and tries to co-parent while trying to repress that Hunter is still the love of her life. Rae was a wonderful mom! Her relationship with Riley was precious from start to finish. When I tell you Hunter applied pressure, he loved Rae and wasn’t gonna let her go, while trying to do his best to be respectful. Key word TRYING 🤣 Hell, at one point I was like can we cheat on this bozo already. 🫣
Little Miss Riley was the best of both her parents and I just loved her spirit. Her bond with T and his friends made my heart smile.
The supporting characters, minus two were great! I wanted to fight someone’s mother reading this book. Release Me had me wanting to fight someone’s father earlier this year. 😂 What is it with these 🗑️ parents?!??
Overall, this book was INCREDIBLE. For sure one of my Top Five Reads of the year.
Tropes:
🖤Secret baby
🖤Mutual pining
🖤Found family
🖤Second chance romance
🖤Friends to lovers
🖤Brother’s friend (ish)
🖤Cheating
🖤Love triangle
🖤The one that got away
Thank you GoodGirlPR and JL Seegars for the opportunity to arc read this in exchange for an honest review.
This story takes place in the past and present. JL navigates both timelines effortlessly. These two characters, Hunter and Rae were brought together one night in a unique way, became friends and eventually fell in love. Tragic events made them part and when they meet later in life Hunter learns he has a daughter with Rae he never knew about. Instead of backing away or being overly angered, he STEPS up and SHOWS up. He was a real father in every way. Once he met Riley, they were two peas in a pod. She loved him and he loved her.
Hunter is my BABY!!! Lord I want him in every way. The man had demons bc of his past addiction but worked really hard be a better man in the decade that he and Rae were apart for himself then stayed a better man for his two favorite girls. This is a Hunter Drake stan account! The man may just be my FAVORITE MMC of JL’s.
Rae our FMC is complex (aren’t we all?) bc of the cards life has dealt her. She lost her favorite person, then had to leave her other favorite person. A trained ballerina, ten years later, she moves back to New Haven with her bf (can’t stand him) and tries to co-parent while trying to repress that Hunter is still the love of her life. Rae was a wonderful mom! Her relationship with Riley was precious from start to finish. When I tell you Hunter applied pressure, he loved Rae and wasn’t gonna let her go, while trying to do his best to be respectful. Key word TRYING 🤣 Hell, at one point I was like can we cheat on this bozo already. 🫣
Little Miss Riley was the best of both her parents and I just loved her spirit. Her bond with T and his friends made my heart smile.
The supporting characters, minus two were great! I wanted to fight someone’s mother reading this book. Release Me had me wanting to fight someone’s father earlier this year. 😂 What is it with these 🗑️ parents?!??
Overall, this book was INCREDIBLE. For sure one of my Top Five Reads of the year.
Tropes:
🖤Secret baby
🖤Mutual pining
🖤Found family
🖤Second chance romance
🖤Friends to lovers
🖤Brother’s friend (ish)
🖤Cheating
🖤Love triangle
🖤The one that got away
Thank you GoodGirlPR and JL Seegars for the opportunity to arc read this in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2024
Thanks so much for Good Girls PR for this Arc advance for my honest review!
5⭐️!!! I mean this is easily my favorite book of the New Haven Series!!!!
I just loved the way that Hunter jumped in and took care of Riley and Rae. She was not my favorite as she was very frustrating. I understand that he was a recovering addict but I don’t think it warranted keeping Hunter away from his daughter for almost 10 years. But I also understand as a mother you’ll do whatever it is takes to keep you children safe. Aaron and his mother were absolute trash, and I could see from the beginning that Aaron did not really care about Riley he just tolerated her because he wanted Rae. Again he was trash. My only complaint is I wish that we got more of Hunter and Rae together (kind of like how Mal and Chris had multiple parts lol). Dee was also a top tier friend I loved how she didn’t coddle Rae and held her accountable. Once again Miss Seegars can t do wrong in my eyes her writing is incredible.
5⭐️!!! I mean this is easily my favorite book of the New Haven Series!!!!
I just loved the way that Hunter jumped in and took care of Riley and Rae. She was not my favorite as she was very frustrating. I understand that he was a recovering addict but I don’t think it warranted keeping Hunter away from his daughter for almost 10 years. But I also understand as a mother you’ll do whatever it is takes to keep you children safe. Aaron and his mother were absolute trash, and I could see from the beginning that Aaron did not really care about Riley he just tolerated her because he wanted Rae. Again he was trash. My only complaint is I wish that we got more of Hunter and Rae together (kind of like how Mal and Chris had multiple parts lol). Dee was also a top tier friend I loved how she didn’t coddle Rae and held her accountable. Once again Miss Seegars can t do wrong in my eyes her writing is incredible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2024
J. L. Seegars has done it again! Her mind! This miiiiight be my favorite book in the series….it’s definitely my favorite of the couples with only one book in the series.
This was structured perfectly! Love that we started in the middle of the story and made our way to the beginning and through the end with the switching of past and present perspectives of Hunter and Rae’s story.
I don’t know what it is about this book, because they’re all written well, but Hunter’s POV actually made me forget that the entire book was written by a woman lol and that’s a compliment because I was fully captivated from beginning to end! The only (minor) critique I have is that for me, Riley did not read like a 9 year old for most of the book. I kept thinking she was 5 or 6 lol but toward the end of the book that was resolved and she began sounding like a 10 year old.
Overall, chef’s kiss, I definitely need the physical copy of this book on my shelf!!
This was structured perfectly! Love that we started in the middle of the story and made our way to the beginning and through the end with the switching of past and present perspectives of Hunter and Rae’s story.
I don’t know what it is about this book, because they’re all written well, but Hunter’s POV actually made me forget that the entire book was written by a woman lol and that’s a compliment because I was fully captivated from beginning to end! The only (minor) critique I have is that for me, Riley did not read like a 9 year old for most of the book. I kept thinking she was 5 or 6 lol but toward the end of the book that was resolved and she began sounding like a 10 year old.
Overall, chef’s kiss, I definitely need the physical copy of this book on my shelf!!
August 23, 2024
The blessing of Ms. JL Seegars is that she will always, and I mean ALWAYS, emotionally tie to her characters. This book is no different. I was immediately consumed by the story of Hunter and Rae, i cried with them, experienced their anxiety, their growth and most importantly their love. This was a beautiful story of not only second chances at love the intentional choice to start again after seemed destruction. I never thought I could love a book bae more than Dom until I met Chris. Then I didn’t think anyone could make me more head over heels than Chris until I met Seb.. and now here we are again, I’m looking like I lack morals and loyalty because just like that divorced again and married to Hunter 😮💨 Happy reading everyone.
September 5, 2024
A full story!!!!
Bravo to JL Seegars for giving us this beautiful full story in one book!
I love a good series, but I don't think I could have waited to see if Hunter and his Sunshine were going to make it.
Hunter deserved everything good. This was such an incredible journey to read just after Overdose Awareness Month (August) A very real depiction of what people in recovery and their families go through trying to get to the other side of addiction. This was raw and real and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I kept getting frustrated with Rae, not realizing that Hunter extended her the grace she deserved. I'm so happy he became the man that he did and that Rae finally trusted herself enough to k ow that HE was her end game.
Great storytelling!
Bravo to JL Seegars for giving us this beautiful full story in one book!
I love a good series, but I don't think I could have waited to see if Hunter and his Sunshine were going to make it.
Hunter deserved everything good. This was such an incredible journey to read just after Overdose Awareness Month (August) A very real depiction of what people in recovery and their families go through trying to get to the other side of addiction. This was raw and real and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I kept getting frustrated with Rae, not realizing that Hunter extended her the grace she deserved. I'm so happy he became the man that he did and that Rae finally trusted herself enough to k ow that HE was her end game.
Great storytelling!
December 17, 2024
I loved these characters but feel like there was too much meat left on the bone. There was way more telling than showing. I wish some of the moments with Riley were left out for more angst and dialogue with Hunter and Rae. He hardly was able to express any frustration with how she bailed on him twice in New York and ultimately left him alone after he relapsed. I get that he’s understanding, but Rae’s narration always told us that he was grumpy and impatient; his actions, however, were always the opposite of that. Also, how/why did Hunter and Indigo reconnect? What was the point of the brother? Why so much cancer? 😭 A second book is soooo necessary. But, please, I’m done with all the nicknames in this series.
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