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Red Hot Heroes #2

The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion

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Corporate Maverick Zach Tanner returns to North Carolina to rebuild his dying friend's resort. He's got the money, the power, and the will to transform Sweetbriar Springs into a premier spa for the glamorous, but he doesn't count on the woman he once loved…and lost…to handle the construction contract. Zach thought he'd buried his desire for Kennedy five years ago. He was wrong, and now he’s determined to satisfy his craving...

Construction company owner Kennedy Gibson is eager to restore Sweetbriar Springs, but when she realizes Zach is her new boss she's terrified he'll learn the truth about their breakup so long ago. She vowed never to hurt him again, but she can't deny the passion he reignites in her. She wants to believe she has a chance for a different future with him, but will her secret threaten to destroy their red-hot reunion?

235 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 2014

11 people are currently reading
172 people want to read

About the author

Christine Glover

71 books251 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Christine Glover writes sexy, intriguing romances. She loves discovering how her determined heroines and super sexy heroes with heart journey toward their own happily ever afters. Her characters are real people from all walks of life who embody classic love stories with a modern twist. She enjoys finding the silly in the serious, making wine out of sour grapes, and giving people giggle fits along with heartfelt hugs. When she's not writing, you can find her traveling the world, cooking gourmet food, and desperately seeking a corkscrew. 


Discover her sexy Happily Ever Afters written with a fresh new twist.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,670 reviews3,283 followers
June 30, 2014
3 Learning to Understand Stars * * *

Why is it we always think we know what is best for others? Time and time again, we make decisions based on assumptions.... "I will allow him to be free because I can not give him what he wants".... "I will make xyz happen and manipulate behind the scenes so she will then achieve her goal without her knowledge." Why do we think things like this will ever turn out for the best.... it is something I never could understand in real life and find it hard in books, as well. Yet in these types of stories, such as in life, the people doing these actions mean for them to be the best for the intended loved one. They only want their happiness... and if sacrifice is the only way for that to come about, then they will do it gladly.

In this story, a tragedy happens between two young people and decisions were made without consulting each other. By making the first choice, the results of the second took place leaving its mark on both characters.

Five years go by and they are brought together again. Their mutual best friend has been stricken with ALS; he possible participation in medical trials is on the line. His desire to endure them is waning... he needs something to look forward to... something to make him feel it is worth the pain. The only thing which could motivate him is the reuniting of this couple from long ago, Zach and Kennedy. He had brought them together the first time... watched them fall in love and plan to marry. What happened later was the problem and both had still not recovered. It is both Zach's and Kennedy's love of Michael which causes them to masquerade as a couple again. By doing this, he will do the medical trials. By doing this, these two will be thrown together and have to deal with the love they never lost.

This is a story of second chances. It addresses all of the things which led to the disaster of their first go around. Each had legitimate reasons for the way they behaved and the choices made.... the biggest hurdles were their inability to just accept and explain why they were doing what they were to each other.

We were given strong characters with lots of inner dialogue. Both were hot for each other and fighting it... making for a solid ramp up of when they did get together.

There were other added elements which gave depth... the confrontation of mortality; how no matter what... there are certain things in this life we just can not control and must accept. It is the way we accept and the strength in dealing with the outcome which was shown well.

There were brief and intriguing moments of other characters leading me to believe their story will be coming soon.

If you are a fan of second chances... some internal struggles and drama with the outcome of a happy ever after.... then this would be just for you.

A gifted copy was provided by Entangled Publishing for an honest review.

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Profile Image for Nicola.
1,390 reviews287 followers
June 24, 2014
This was a great read. If, like me, sexy second-chance romances are a favourite, then this doesn't disappoint; whilst I love my lighter romances, I also love the ones that make your heart ache that little bit and Christine Glover has brought us a couple that have a heck of a history.

Rewind 5 years and Kennedy Gibson and Zach Tanner are due to get married, but a heartbreaking unpredictable turn of events led to her pushing him away. The present day news that their mutual best friend & Kennedy's business-partner Michael, has an incurable disease brings Zach back into her life. Older, wiser, corporate and colder, Zach is there to inject the cash needed for Michael to see his dream resort built, but his and Kennedy's mutual hurt over his illness results in them telling a little white lie to encourage him to start his treatment; whilst they have the best intentions in the world, the past doesn't just disappear and neither does the guilt she harbours over their break-up.

Their journey put me through the ringer a little bit! Not only did my my heart ache for their past, but their struggle in accepting Michael's illness did too. But amongst all this was passion, fight and broken hearts and I went from being frustrated to sighing to smiling. Whilst I admit I thought Zach seemed a little quick off the mark to reignite the passion, peel back the calculating façade he's developed and he was thoughtful gent with a good heart (and a lovely dirty way with words). And Kennedy, whilst she needs to let go of the past, it's understandable why she guards her emotions and doesn't think she is worthy of Zach. As the book progressed, she very much grew on me and the story gained some real ground; these two are soul-mates and as they say, the course of true love never runs smooth...

"He’d brought her spring. Her number one rated season. A season for new beginnings. New life. New hope."

description

...and that for me was what made The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion a lovely addition to the Indulgence line. I hope we are given the chance to see what lies in store for Caleb & Hannah.

Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing for an honest & unbiased opinion.


Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
June 12, 2014
This book had me hook, line, and sinker once I realized how feisty Kennedy really was, "she paused at the entrance and looked over her shoulder. "You here to go over the finances or just gawk at my a**?" Zach he's so cocky, "our contract applies to the renovation. While you're swinging hammers and gutting outbuildings, I'll take care of Tanner Enterprises. After hours I expect you'll change your mind about taking me back to your bed soon enough." These two have a push/pull kind of relationship and I loved reading about it.
Profile Image for Maura.
3,883 reviews113 followers
February 23, 2019
Kennedy and Zach were once engaged, but after the stillbirth of their daughter, things fell apart and Kennedy threw Zach out of her life, breaking his heart. Now, they're working together to restore a resort - the project of their friend Michael, who is now suffering from ALS. They want to make him happy in this last part of his life, so knowing that he wants things to be like they were, Kennedy and Zach agree to pretend to be engaged once again. They agree that even if they can't have an actual marriage and future together, they should at least manage to be friends and leave the past behind them. But when they agree to add benefits to their friendship, they begin falling in love with each other again. And to plan a possible future together, the two will have to confront the past and Kennedy will have to reveal her secret for why she pushed away the only man she ever loved.

So this had a very strong start. As far as second chance romances go, I struggle with them a lot, but this one went fairly well. I felt that, even though Kennedy probably should have talked to Zach before pushing him away, she had ample reason for doing so . I also liked that, even though there were some bitter feelings, they didn't dominate and make me wonder if they could ever forgive each other and nobody was throwing around platitudes that their separation was for the best or anything. This was shaping up to be a quite enjoyable story with some interesting secondary characters and a romance that had the perfect touch of angst but involving characters that could look past the other's faults and realize there was still love there.

Unfortunately, this took a turn towards the not so good around the 80% mark or so. And to explain, I gotta spoil. So click cautiously. . I was of course pretty happy that despite everything, it was the hero that realized his errors and Kennedy's fears and came to her to assure her that no matter what, he'd stick with her and respect her decisions. So it was only his desire to be with her that brought them together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily.
1 review1 follower
June 30, 2014
*Unbiased review, book courtesy of Entangled Publishing, LLC*
What a read! The characters flew off the pages and I enjoyed both the main and supporting characters thoroughly. Kennedy is spunky, Zach is confident (to say the least hehe), Michael is hilarious, and I'm intrigued by Hanna and Caleb - hopefully there is a book to come for them! I enjoyed figuring out Zach and Kennedy's past and how their story would play out. I find that this was both a great tale and written very well, with bits even from side characters. Read if you like romance and like to know that there is a HEA awaiting you at the end. (Isn't that the point after all?) :-)
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews40 followers
June 30, 2014
I really enjoyed the basic story but was a little frustrated with the writing. After a devastating loss Kennedy broke off the engagement to Zach five years ago. He's back now and she has to find a way to deal with him. Zach's never stopped loving Kennedy but is determined to protect himself from her. If you don't mind the back and forth (I love him - I can't love him) then I recommend this read. A very good story but the writing style was a little lacking for me.
Profile Image for Kassiah.
803 reviews83 followers
August 9, 2016
Ya'll know I love reunion stories and I love Entangled, so I jumped at the chance to join up with the blog tour for The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion by debut author Christine Glover. This story begins right in the thick of things with Kennedy Gibson in the process of rebuilding a resort to help bolster the economy of Sweetbriar Springs. Her best friend and partner, Michael, gets a diagnosis that's going to prevent him from helping Kennedy with the project, so he calls his other best friend--and Kennedy's former flame--Zach Tanner. Zach runs a multi-billion dollar conglomarate and drops everything to help when his friend calls.

Five years ago, they were blissfully in love and planning a wedding. Then, Kennedy broke Zach's heart when she left him, seemingly without reason. Sparks fly between them, but there's too much hurt for them to consider acting on it. When Michael's health takes a turn for the worse, they concoct a plan to let Michael (and everyone else) thing they're back together. They have no idea what they're getting themselves into.
"You might not love me, Kennedy, but you still want me."

In the beginning of this book, I had a hard time connecting to these characters. Their chemistry was palpable--I got that they wanted each other. I just didn't understand why. As the story progressed, I liked them more and more and was definitely rooting for them to work it out. Christine Glover drops us straight into the action--there isn't a lot of extraneous world-building going on, and that's one of the things that I loved the most about The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion .

I also loved the dirty talk.
"The only mess I expect is twisted sheets coiling around our hot, sleek bodies when I drive into you."

The ending was a little abrupt for me, and I would have liked to know more about what's going on with them in the future. Hopefully, we'll see more of Zach and Kennedy in future books in this new series.

A steamy romance with tons of drama, The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion does not disappoint.

--
For more reviews and bookish talk, visit our blog at Pretty Sassy Cool
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Profile Image for Jessica Adkins-Charles.
124 reviews16 followers
August 26, 2016
Five years ago after the miscarriage of their daughter, she broke his heart and threw his engagement ring back at him. Now she's back in his life and although everything in him is telling him not to go there, he just cannot seem to help himself when it comes to her.

Zach thought he was over her, but now he thinks he's only over her when they don't have to see one another for years. As he wines and dines models and closes deals, Kennedy wears a hard hat and construction boots and manages her father's company. Now with their best friend bringing them back together can they manage to stay in control or will they give into the sparks flying between them no matter the cost?

I had never read a book by Christine Glover, but let me say this book is absolutely, positively amazing! The Mavericks Red Hot Reunion is just that: Red Hot! With the sparks flying between Zach and Kennedy it's a wonder the book doesn't spontaneously combust! The passion, the temptation, the heat between them leaves the reader breathless.

The secrets between them keep you on edge wondering when it will come out and what will happen next. The writing is superb, the romance is hot, and the characters are well written in a way that makes them complete opposites and yet completely perfect for one another.

I must ask, where can I find myself a Zach Tanner?

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lynn Reynolds.
1,698 reviews39 followers
July 8, 2014
Rating: 4 1/2 stars

I received a copy of this book from the Entangled Publishing and the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Kennedy Gibson owns her own construction company. Zach Tanner is in charge of her latest project. There’s a scene on a motorcycle and with the descriptions that the author uses, you will almost feel as if you’re along for the ride.

Zach is a man on a mission and it’s not all work. This author makes her readers think – given the circumstances, would you make the same choices as Kennedy or would you come up with an alternative? But if you did do that, you would then change her story that is great just the way it is. I also applaud this author having a character with a very debilitating disease. When you’ve finished reading, you may feel inclined to make a donation to the research toward a cure. It doesn’t have to be a big one either. Why not give the price you would pay for a book?

This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed but it went by too quickly – just shows how absorbed into the story I became. The ending will have you smiling but it’s bittersweet. If you enjoyed this book as much as I did, I hope you will check out other books that have been written by this author.
Profile Image for She Hearts Books.
2,113 reviews74 followers
July 3, 2014
Five years ago Kennedy and Zach severed their relationship just as they were getting ready to be married. Their friend who is ill has conspired to bring them back together through working on the construction of his resort in their hometown. Zach thinks that he can be with her to get her out of his head, but Kennedy is afraid to let him close as she still has feelings for him and the reason she broke it off with him years ago hasn't changed.

I so wanted Kennedy and Zach to get back together. Knowing that they both were still so in love with each other and that their steamy moments shared were just the beginning of the healing that they so needed. It tore down the walls so that they could get honest with each other about how they felt and actually talk about what happened five years ago. My heart ached for Kennedy as she shared how alone and hurt she felt during that time.

I give The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion 4 hearts!
2,130 reviews46 followers
July 4, 2014
Zach Tanner always thought of Sweetbriar Springs as home, but he left to work for his father. Now he's come back temporarily to help his dying friend rebuild the local resort into a world class spa. This means working with his ex-fiancée, Kennedy Gibson. After the death of their baby, their relationship fell apart. Can they put aside their attraction and deeply buried hurt to do what needs to be done? I found this story to be a very touching and heart-breaking read. Zack and Kennedy are strong-willed and determined to do what's best for their friend. Neither has quit grieving over the loss of their child and their love. Christine Glover captured their emotions in a powerful way that drew me into the story. I found all the characters to be interesting and would love to read more about Sweetbriar Springs and the people who live there. I admit I shed a few tears while I was reading The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion.
Profile Image for Irene.
1,908 reviews129 followers
June 24, 2014
3 stars

The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion was a quick and enjoyable read.

I'm a fan of second change love stories and while I liked The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion I didn't love it.

Kennedy and Zach had chemistry, you could see their attraction for each other from the start of the book but the one thing they lacked was communication and faith.
They do get there by the end of the story but it wasn't easy :)

What I did love was the secondary characters. Michael was such a wonderful friend, he has a huge heart and would do anything for his friends.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Indulgence for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.





Profile Image for Shari.
1,858 reviews24 followers
July 14, 2014
A reunion between Zach and Kennedy. This is an emotional read of a reconnection of love and healing from the past.
A faked re-engagemant between Zach and Kennedy to appease their dying mutual friend.
A secret comes out through the story of their failed first engagement.
I really enjoyed how they were all to mend their broken hearts. The chemistry between them was hot, even though Kennedy fought it off.
Great secondary characters, looking forward to their stories in future books.
I received this book as a gift from the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for Heidi.
14 reviews
July 2, 2014
I LOVED this book! It make me laugh and cry. It reminded me of how I felt when I first fell in love with my husband. I loved the characters and hope there will be more books so we can get to know more of the characters (and based on the ending, I think there will be). It was just an awesome book! If you like romance, you should read this one.
Profile Image for amanda l loew.
4 reviews
Read
July 13, 2014
Great story line and use of descriptive writing

Writer has spent a lot of time developing characters and story line with twist and turns that suck you in. Love use of descriptive wording that allows you to visualize every detail. I hope there is a sequel or a spin off book. Love it.
Profile Image for Jessie Douglas.
45 reviews18 followers
July 3, 2014
Warm, enticing, and funny. Such a great combination...and my favorite kind of romance. Fantastic results for this debut author. I look forward to reading more about these characters in future books. :-)
Profile Image for Karen.
381 reviews20 followers
July 3, 2014
I enjoyed this read! I really liked the chemistry between Kennedy and Zach! It was at times emotional for me but a great read!
Profile Image for Jen.
3,609 reviews
November 21, 2014
The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion is the first book in the Sweetbriar Springs series by Christine Glover and is a second chance romance about two people who were once very much in love and engaged to be married. When a devastating loss and discovery forces one of them to end the engagement, both are heartbroken but go on to lead separate lives. Five years later, they unexpectedly meet again, this time to work together to make their best friend's dream come true.

Zach Tanner is considered a maverick in the corporate world and it's taken hard work and dedication for him to get to that point. He's earned the trust and respect of his father and while there have been other women in his life, no one has ever gotten as close to him as his ex-fiancée. When their mutual best friend Michael Sullivan is diagnosed with ALS, Zach returns to North Carolina to oversee the renovation of the Sullivan family-owned Sweetbriar Springs Resort that Michael was working on prior to entering the hospital. Zach expects it'll be a lot of work but what he doesn't expect is his ex-fiancée leading the reconstruction of the spa and resort.

Kennedy Gibson is all in when it comes to the reconstruction of the Sweetbriar Springs Resort that her best friend Michael's family owns and operates. She's taken over her own family's construction company and knows she's more than capable. However, Michael's been MIA and when her ex-fiancé Zach Tanner shows up instead of Michael, she realizes just how serious their best friend's condition is. Now, she has no choice but to work side-by-side with the one man she's ever loved. They may still be attracted to one another but she's kept a secret from him for five years and doesn't want to risk getting involved with him and hurting them both in the process.

I quite liked this story, especially since it was so much more than I expected. This isn't a fluff second chance romance wherein the lead characters meet and fall in love all over again. There are a few complications in Zach and Kennedy's love story and while the physical attraction is still very much there, it takes a while for them to deal with the more delicate issue of their actual feelings for one another. The true reason behind their breakup, one that Kennedy doesn't share with Zach until much later in the story, proves to be the very same reason that another chance at love may be doomed to fail.

Aside from the main love story plot, the side plot about Michael's ALS and how he and his family and friends deal with the diagnosis was handled well. The fact that Michael himself refused to allow people to treat him differently and that he wasn't looking for sympathy made him an ideal representation of countless individuals who have ALS and struggle with it day in and day out. From his family being very protective to Zach's wanting to take control and explore every medical avenue possible, the reactions of Michael's loved ones may be something that those in the same position can easily relate to.

I initially decided to read The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion as a prelude to my reading and reviewing the upcoming release in the series, The Movie Star's Red Hot Holiday Fling, but this book stands alone quite well and I'm glad that I picked it up and read it. With a story that tugs at your heartstrings but doesn't pull them to the point of it feeling like emotional manipulation and characters that are realistic yet still hopeful in their own ways, The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion was a worthwhile read and I recommend it to my fellow bookaholics. It gets 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars for Goodreads, and I'm looking forward to reading more of the Sweetbriar Springs series. ♥
Profile Image for Pretty Sassy Cool.
293 reviews40 followers
December 16, 2015
3 stars.

This review also appears on Pretty Sassy Cool.

Ya'll know I love reunion stories and I love Entangled, so I jumped at the chance to join up with the blog tour for The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion by debut author Christine Glover. This story begins right in the thick of things with Kennedy Gibson in the process of rebuilding a resort to help bolster the economy of Sweetbriar Springs. Her best friend and partner, Michael, gets a diagnosis that's going to prevent him from helping Kennedy with the project, so he calls his other best friend--and Kennedy's former flame--Zach Tanner. Zach runs a multi-billion dollar conglomarate and drops everything to help when his friend calls.

Five years ago, they were blissfully in love and planning a wedding. Then, Kennedy broke Zach's heart when she left him, seemingly without reason. Sparks fly between them, but there's too much hurt for them to consider acting on it. When Michael's health takes a turn for the worse, they concoct a plan to let Michael (and everyone else) thing they're back together. They have no idea what they're getting themselves into.
"You might not love me, Kennedy, but you still want me."

In the beginning of this book, I had a hard time connecting to these characters. Their chemistry was palpable--I got that they wanted each other. I just didn't understand why. As the story progressed, I liked them more and more and was definitely rooting for them to work it out. Christine Glover drops us straight into the action--there isn't a lot of extraneous world-building going on, and that's one of the things that I loved the most about The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion .

I also loved the dirty talk.
"The only mess I expect is twisted sheets coiling around our hot, sleek bodies when I drive into you."

The ending was a little abrupt for me, and I would have liked to know more about what's going on with them in the future. Hopefully, we'll see more of Zach and Kennedy in future books in this new series.

A steamy romance with tons of drama, The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion does not disappoint. Pick it up today for only 99¢!

--
For more reviews and bookish talk, visit our blog at Pretty Sassy Cool
Pretty Sassy Cool Book Reviews and More
Profile Image for djdavis~*Sivad*.
412 reviews46 followers
September 30, 2014
Title: The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion
Author: Christine Glover
Genre: Contemporary
Published: Entangled Publishing
Heat: Warm and tingly
Rating:*** 3 out of 5
Provided by: NetGalley




A sweet love story that will send your heart soaring.

Zach Tanner has always been a devoted and faithful friend, lover, and businessman. When he finds out that one of his closest friends is ill he decides to go back to North Carolina to help him rebuild his business. What he doesn't expect is to run into his ex, the love his life, the knife that nicked his heart...the woman that is actually handling all of the the construction work for the Sweetbriar Springs resort that their friend is a part of.

He thought he was over her. He thought he'd purged her from his mind, his heart, his soul. But just one glance and he's already falling victim to his cravings, falling for her smile, falling in love all over again.

Kennedy Gibson has eagerly taken over her father's construction company, and with a friend, vowed to bring Sweetbriar Springs up and running again. Unfortunately, her friend reveals that he's sick and sends a replacement to help insure that the project is completed in the allotted time frame. But Kennedy wasn't prepared for her past to come rumbling back into town throwing around demands and throwing her off kilter.

With Zach marching back into her life, the carefully constructed walls that she has around her begin to shake and threaten to come down. She's terrified that he'll learn the truth behind why the split, and terrified that there still may be more between them than just a hurtful unexplainable past.

As Zach and Kennedy maneuver through their dicey past to protect their best friend, old flames burn high, passions run wild, secrets come to light and people are exposed for their truths.

Can a love that's meant to be withstand so many hurts from the past and so many challenges for the future?


The Best Thing:
While this light-hearted romance provided a little spice and banter, there was a serious note that motivated to come together and work out their differences; this part of the book is what really drew me in.

I enjoyed the characters and the build through the story. Anticipating what secret Kennedy held and anxiously waiting to see how Zach would react was what feed my interest throughout.

Overall enjoyable story.


The Worst Thing:
It would have been nice to have a little more background (a flashback even ) from when Kennedy and Zach were a couple. I think this would have pulled the reader in even more, and have them committed to their story.
Profile Image for Gigi staub.
942 reviews18 followers
June 30, 2014
Can he satisfy his craving without losing his heart? Corporate Maverick Zach Tanner returns to North Carolina to rebuild his dying friend's resort. He's got the money, the power, and the will to transform Sweetbriar Springs into a premier spa for the glamorous, but he doesn't count on the woman he once loved...and lost...to handle the construction contract. Zach thought he'd buried his desire for Kennedy five years ago. He was wrong, and now he’s determined to satisfy his craving... Construction company owner Kennedy Gibson is eager to restore Sweetbriar Springs, but when she realizes Zach is her new boss she's terrified he'll learn the truth about their breakup so long ago. She vowed never to hurt him again, but she can't deny the passion he reignites in her. She wants to believe she has a chance for a different future with him, but will her secret threaten to destroy their red-hot reunion?

Review:

A great new story, by a new author.

This story has lots of heart, sometimes the story made me happy and other times so sad.

**Spoilers**

Poor Kennedy and Zach, they fell in love at a young age, got pregnant and were going to marry when they lost the baby. In the aftermath of losing their child they lost themselves and why they loved each other.

5 years later they are thrown back together when their good friend is diagnosed with ALS. Now, Zach and Kennedy have not worked on the hurt feelings in five years, so for a lot of the book they keep hurting each other. There are times when you want to smack both of them up side their heads, or at least get them some therapy but I felt invested in the characters and hoped they would work it out.

Now, the plot is somewhat predictable, but I think story/writing totally makes up for it. One random side note, I don't think the title is the right one for this story, it is a different vibe then the book, at least for me. A Great first book for this Author!

3.5 Stars
Profile Image for Steph.
694 reviews14 followers
June 29, 2014
Kennedy and Zach have a volatile history filled with passion, anger and heartbreak. Five years agonafter a tragic loss, Kennedy pushed Zach away to protect him and allow him a chance at happiness. But Kennedy didn't tell Zach the whole truth, and now he is back in her life and the attraction is stronger than ever.

When they are forced to pretend to be engaged again for the sake of a dying friend, Kennedy is forced to decide if she can finally be honest with Zach and have a real shot at a second chance.

Normally I love second chance romances and this one had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell short for me. I felt like I was coming into the story in the middle and trying to pick things up as I went along. Because of this, I found it really hard to connect with the characters. The writing is also a little choppy so it can be hard to follow at times.

My thoughts:

Quick hook or slow starter? 3 (I had a really hard time getting into this one and started and stopped several times before finally finishing it)
Character development: 3
Level of Romance between characters: 3
Passion/Heat level: 4 (the sex scenes once you get to them are well written)
Angst/Heartbreak: 3 ( I didn't really connect with the characters so it wasn't really angsty for me)
Cliffhanger?: Not really a cliffhanger but it was left with several important unanswered questions.

Overall this one wasn't for me. I was disappointed in the ending, left wondering how a couple of things worked out. (I won't say specifically to avoid spoilers but you will see what I mean). Others here did really love it though so if you like second chance romances and can find this one on sale, give it a shot.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Char (1RadReader59).
3,202 reviews20 followers
August 7, 2014
Zack Tanner used to be a manager at Sweetbriar Springs Lodge 6 years ago when Kennedy Gibson and he were involved with each other. Her father is the owner of the construction company that she grew up in and is now the CEO of. Not just any CEO she is also hands on from wheedling a hammer, looking at blueprints, to picking out décor. She does it all.
You see six years ago Zach and Kennedy were so close they were due to get married. But, when Kennedy miscarried the child they were due to have she out and out told Zach she couldn’t marry him. She couldn’t marry him because she didn’t love him or she said she was doing it to protect him from more heart ache. He wanted a big family one thing she thought was not possible from what she was told.
Zack being a fixer he knew she didn’t have it in her to go through all kinds of testing she couldn’t take it. She was also protecting herself. From this gorgeous man who was a take charge let’s find a solution and get it fixed. No matter how far, long and at what cost to wallet or heart. She had to protect them both.
Not expect Michael their best friend that had brought them together to begin with would become ill with ALS. With that he would throw them together to work as he fought for his life as well as thousands of others fundraising while he could. Losing a child is devastating and he wasn’t around before or after and she resented him. See how they work through it when brought back together.
I really enjoyed the twist and turns and all the emotions of what it is like to lose a child. They was it is to love someone so much and to do something that you think is for their own good and only to find out the only thing that happened was a lot more heartache. I gave this story 5 stars.
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Profile Image for Margarida.
329 reviews71 followers
June 23, 2014
I don't know where to start. *let's do this* I honestly liked the book I really did it made laugh it was pretty intense sometimes and I was super curious why did Kennedy broke up with Zach five years ago but after I finished the book and I was thinking about the rating I realized everything happened so fast.

Again I don't know what to say about the characters. I liked them but god they were always changing their mind and it wall kind of predictable between them. I also felt that Kennedy didn't have any faith in Zach. I honestly don't know what to say anymore. They were pretty frustrating.

Now what I liked the most about this book was Michael!! I loveeee him!!! He's always trying to match people up he's so damn sweet and he totally broke my heart. I hope he does get better and finds someone for himself.

I also liked Caleb!! I'm pretty curious about him and Hanna. I hope that means there will be a next book I wouldn't totally read that.

There were a lot of things that moved me in this book Michael being one of them. The other was what Kennedy and Zach went trough I can't imagine what's like I hope I won't go through that it was really hard and painful when they talked about it and they imagined what it would be like if that hadn't happen. My mind started to picture it in my mind and it was not okay. :'(

**ARC kindly provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
40 reviews
June 30, 2014
Five years ago Zach Tanner left North Carolina and his ex-fiance behind. But when his friends finds out he's dying Zach will do anything to help his friend rebuild the town resort. What Zach was not counting on was his lost love handling the contract job. Kennedy Gibson is eager to help out her home town and rebuild it, one building at a time. But then Zach Turner rolls back into town. With their friend dying they have no choice but to work together. But the flames that they both felt five years ago haven't dimmed with time. Can they both get out this time without getting burned?

The Good: I got through it fast. Zach's character at least has a few funny moments.

The Bad: The book was just heavy and depressing. It went on and on about Kennedy's fertility problem, but then never actually said what it was. There was not ever really a plot line to it, just yes we want to jump each others bones to no we can't because of our past. It was just kind of boring. And sad. The ending did not really resolve anything and left you with a hint at what might happen down the line. I think that it could have been written better.

Final Notes: If your looking for a really sad book with the occasional sex scene and a ending that resolves only one part of the story then this is your book. Otherwise, pass on this one,
Profile Image for Jasmyn.
1,604 reviews19 followers
July 11, 2014
This book made me cry - several times. It takes a lot for a book to do that to me. It was a good cry, an emotional cry, and I felt better when I was done. Zach and Kennedy took me such an emotional roller coaster that I was exhausted at the end of the story. It was almost too much. Their history was full of so much pain for them to overcome that I still don't know how they managed to do it.

Kennedy is a tough as as nails construction worker that has taken over her father's company. She's more at home in boots and jeans checking out a roof than anything else. She has built up a wall around her heart after tragedy struck years ago, and she is determined to never let anyone in. Zach wants to break down those walls, he just doesn't quite understand why they are there to begin with.

A lot of Zach and Kennedy's problems are because neither of them is completely honest with the other. Their relationship is full of misunderstanding and pretending. The truth is too hard for either of them to deal with at first. It was an amazing story that is full of real life issues as two amazing people have to try and wade through them to find each other again.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/#sthas...
Profile Image for Catherine  Wright (Cat's Guilty Pleasure).
2,899 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2014
Kennedy and Zach ended their relationship five years ago right before they were to get married. With the help of a meddling friend they find each other again. Kennedy is renovating a resort in heir hometown and Their friend has asked Zach to come in and help. Zach tries to convince himself that if can be with her just one more time then he can get her out of his head. Kennedy still loves him and is afraid to let him get close again because her reasons for breaking it off all those years ago still have not changed. They are both still in love with each other but neither will admit to it, they are both scared of being hurt again.

I enjoyed this book, I was rooting for them to get back together from the get go. It was so obvious how much they belonged together. They both have issues that needed to be resolved and the passion between them is the beginning they needed to begin the healing process. They needed to be honest with each other and finally talk about what happened five years ago. This was an emotional, heart wrenching, and heartwarming story. My only issue with it is, it seemed to drag a little in getting to the heart of the matter, but in the end it was worth it. Such a great book.

I was given a copy by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
118 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2014
Zach and Kennedy have a lot of history. They fell in love young, got engaged and pregnant, lost the baby and broke up. Fast forward five years, and the serious illness of a good friend has brought them back together. They slowly work their way back to each other and start to build the life they thought they would have.

I instantly confected with Zach, but Kennedy slowly began to grow on me. I was routing for them by the end of the story.
Overall I wish the pace of the story was a little faster, and
I received a free copy for an honest review.Beth and Beth were best friends until Ben decided to move to New York. He asks Beth to move with him and she refuses, thus setting the stage a year later for a fun yet shouldering completion. They have both developed similar products and are trying to impress an investor. They also decide to follow their chemistry and begin to pursue each other.

The writing is fast paced, but the dialogue is witty and fun. The story does a good job of setting out history and the supporting characters are well rounded.

I received a free copy for an honest review.
864 reviews7 followers
June 15, 2014
Zach Tanner was in love with Kennedy Gibson, they were set for the happily ever after until tragedy strikes and Kennedy pushes Zach away. Five years later, Kennedy is still grieving, from tragedy and her loss of Zach; and Zach just spends his time from hoping from bed to bed. When a meddling friend and work bring them back together sparks fly.

The story was about second chances and it was decent, but not great. Zach hasn't seen Kennedy in five years, has barely spared her a thought and yet somehow the first thing he decides when he sees her again is "I wanna hit that", no that does not work. As for Kennedy, seriously, girl have some self-respect, he left granted you did push him away, but you were grieving and he just ran; he's had a long list of affairs since he left and now you actually suggest a friends with benefit thing.


I like second chance stories, but the concept was just too ugh. You couldn't really like any of the main characters.
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