What do you think?
Willowbrook #1
The Space He Left
Harper Henderson has everything she's ever wanted-a loving husband, a thriving design business, and a baby on the way. But when Jack's ex-girlfriend Madison returns to their small town dying of cancer, Harper's perfect world begins to crumble. What starts as Jack helping an old friend quickly spirals into something darker. Missed appointments. Broken promises. A husband who's slowly disappearing from their life together.
there is a happy ending for cancer….in more ways than one.
there is a happy ending for cancer….in more ways than one.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
About the author
Ivy Myst
88 books81 followersRomance addict, book lover, & eternal believer in happily-ever-afters whether it's an MC romance, the redemption of a groveling hero, or the mystical allure of fae, wolf shifters, or dragons! I write what I like to read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
November 9, 2025
Damn it, I’m so disappointed. I came in ready to feast on some good old marriage-in-crisis, second-chance, and OWD angst. Those are my favorite tropes. I live for a good grovel, a man crying ugly tears while begging for forgiveness, emotional devastation, and eventual healing. I wanted heartbreak and resurrection. What I got instead? A man saying “I was a fool” like it’s the only line he memorized for the audition.
Let me start with something nice before I spiral — the writing was grammatically fine. No spelling errors, and I appreciate that. But lord, did it read like the emotional equivalent of a beige wall. The same sentences were repeated over and over like the author hit copy-paste every other paragraph. If I had to read “because you chose another woman over your pregnant wife” one more time, I was going to start choosing violence. Yes, we know Jack screwed up. Everyone knows. The mailman probably knows. But repeating it a hundred times doesn’t make it deep — it makes it annoying.
And Jack… oh Jack. My dude. You say “I was a fool” so many times that by the end, I was like “Yes, you were. Now shut up and go sit in the corner.” There’s self-awareness, and then there’s turning your character arc into a skipping record.
Now, I’m an emotional reader. If a book is about heartbreak and forgiveness, I want to feel wrecked. I want my soul in shambles, tissues everywhere, me clutching my chest screaming “why would she forgive him!?” But this? This was clinical. Dry. Detached. Like the author was writing an emotional autopsy. I didn’t feel anything except frustration and the creeping suspicion that I accidentally downloaded a textbook about emotional negligence.
Let’s talk about Harper and Jack — the main couple. Or at least, I think they were? Because honestly, I got more chemistry between Harper and Sam (the side character). At one point I was mentally shipping Harper/Sam like, “You know what girl, go where you’re actually seen.” Jack had more romantic thoughts about Madison (his ex) than about Harper, his wife. He described Madison’s green eyes, her beauty, her whatever — I swear he gave her a whole poem. Meanwhile Harper? Nothing. I couldn’t tell you what she even looks like, except that she’s Emma’s mom. That’s it.
And that Madison plotline? Don’t even get me started. Making her the villain just so Jack could swoop in as the poor misunderstood hero was lazy as hell. Like, sir, you do not get to cheat on your pregnant wife, miss your child’s birth, and then get redeemed because your ex turned out to be “secretly evil.” No. That’s not character growth — that’s plot manipulation with a martyr complex.
Speaking of that missed birth — I’m still mad about it. Everyone told Jack they were worried he wouldn’t show up, and he swore he’d be there. Spoiler: he wasn’t. You had one job, Jack. ONE. And all it took was answering your phone. But no, apparently saving damsels and nursing your “hero complex” was more important than, you know, being a father. His excuse? He “craves feeling needed.” Buddy, you have a pregnant wife literally telling you she needs you. What more validation do you need, a neon sign??
After Harper gives birth, she (rightfully) tells him to stay away. Queen behavior. But then he “grovels” — and by grovel, I mean… pays the bills. That’s it. That’s the big act of redemption. He writes checks and acts “quietly devoted.” I’m sorry, but paying your family’s bills is not the Olympic-level grovel I came here for. That’s just called being an adult.
By the time Jack and Harper finally interact again (around the 80% mark, because apparently emotional connection was a subplot), there’s zero chemistry. Every conversation feels like a business meeting about their shared trauma. The emotional spark that’s supposed to make me root for them? Nowhere. Just silence, awkward dialogue, and my patience slowly dying.
In the end, I didn’t feel Jack’s regret for losing Harper. I felt his regret for failing his duties. Like he was sad about breaking a contract, not a heart. And honestly, same — because this book broke mine in all the wrong ways. It was straight out boring and I found myself skipping a lot of sides in the end.
Let me start with something nice before I spiral — the writing was grammatically fine. No spelling errors, and I appreciate that. But lord, did it read like the emotional equivalent of a beige wall. The same sentences were repeated over and over like the author hit copy-paste every other paragraph. If I had to read “because you chose another woman over your pregnant wife” one more time, I was going to start choosing violence. Yes, we know Jack screwed up. Everyone knows. The mailman probably knows. But repeating it a hundred times doesn’t make it deep — it makes it annoying.
And Jack… oh Jack. My dude. You say “I was a fool” so many times that by the end, I was like “Yes, you were. Now shut up and go sit in the corner.” There’s self-awareness, and then there’s turning your character arc into a skipping record.
Now, I’m an emotional reader. If a book is about heartbreak and forgiveness, I want to feel wrecked. I want my soul in shambles, tissues everywhere, me clutching my chest screaming “why would she forgive him!?” But this? This was clinical. Dry. Detached. Like the author was writing an emotional autopsy. I didn’t feel anything except frustration and the creeping suspicion that I accidentally downloaded a textbook about emotional negligence.
Let’s talk about Harper and Jack — the main couple. Or at least, I think they were? Because honestly, I got more chemistry between Harper and Sam (the side character). At one point I was mentally shipping Harper/Sam like, “You know what girl, go where you’re actually seen.” Jack had more romantic thoughts about Madison (his ex) than about Harper, his wife. He described Madison’s green eyes, her beauty, her whatever — I swear he gave her a whole poem. Meanwhile Harper? Nothing. I couldn’t tell you what she even looks like, except that she’s Emma’s mom. That’s it.
And that Madison plotline? Don’t even get me started. Making her the villain just so Jack could swoop in as the poor misunderstood hero was lazy as hell. Like, sir, you do not get to cheat on your pregnant wife, miss your child’s birth, and then get redeemed because your ex turned out to be “secretly evil.” No. That’s not character growth — that’s plot manipulation with a martyr complex.
Speaking of that missed birth — I’m still mad about it. Everyone told Jack they were worried he wouldn’t show up, and he swore he’d be there. Spoiler: he wasn’t. You had one job, Jack. ONE. And all it took was answering your phone. But no, apparently saving damsels and nursing your “hero complex” was more important than, you know, being a father. His excuse? He “craves feeling needed.” Buddy, you have a pregnant wife literally telling you she needs you. What more validation do you need, a neon sign??
After Harper gives birth, she (rightfully) tells him to stay away. Queen behavior. But then he “grovels” — and by grovel, I mean… pays the bills. That’s it. That’s the big act of redemption. He writes checks and acts “quietly devoted.” I’m sorry, but paying your family’s bills is not the Olympic-level grovel I came here for. That’s just called being an adult.
By the time Jack and Harper finally interact again (around the 80% mark, because apparently emotional connection was a subplot), there’s zero chemistry. Every conversation feels like a business meeting about their shared trauma. The emotional spark that’s supposed to make me root for them? Nowhere. Just silence, awkward dialogue, and my patience slowly dying.
In the end, I didn’t feel Jack’s regret for losing Harper. I felt his regret for failing his duties. Like he was sad about breaking a contract, not a heart. And honestly, same — because this book broke mine in all the wrong ways. It was straight out boring and I found myself skipping a lot of sides in the end.
October 22, 2025
Read on Wattpad.
I find this trope curious … marriage in trouble because he’s easily manipulated by an obviously evil OW— everyone around him is telling him he’s being used, but he doesn’t see it… How do you forgive stupid?
I find this trope curious … marriage in trouble because he’s easily manipulated by an obviously evil OW— everyone around him is telling him he’s being used, but he doesn’t see it… How do you forgive stupid?
May 24, 2026
1 Crash and burn ⭐️
This had me locked in for the first third. Truly. The emotional setup was fantastic… and then the entire thing collapsed in on itself like a house with no foundation.
What started as a sharp, painful betrayal story turned into a clinical marathon of therapy sessions, diaper changes, and endless doctor appointments. I have never read about so many doctor appointments in my life.🤦♀️
Premise:
Harper and Jack have been married for three years, and she is seven months pregnant when Maddison suddenly reenters Jack’s life.
Maddison is his ex-girlfriend… except Jack conveniently forgot to mention that part to Harper, who believes they are simply old friends.
Maddison has cancer, she is terrified, vulnerable, and emotionally dependent on Jack to an alarming degree.
Soon he is missing Harper’s entire last trimester, neglecting his business, and prioritizing Maddison over his pregnant wife in what is very clearly an emotional affair. 🖤
He misses Harper’s baby shower. The entire town is whispering about his infidelity. Harper is humiliated and heartbroken, while Jack moves through it all with almost no urgency whatsoever. 🔪 See perfect setup!
This part worked. The one star is for this part.😢
My heart genuinely bled for Harper. The gut punch lands hardest when Jack misses the birth of his own daughter because he is having a movie night with Maddison…
This should be the detonation of feelings, but this is exactly where the story flatlines.
There is barely any meaningful page time between Harper and Jack, which works during the betrayal arc. But if this is supposed to become a romance, I need chemistry.
You cannot rebuild a marriage with two cardboard cutouts. I needed pain, longing, tension, desperation… something. BIG FEELINGS.
Nothing was there, and worse, nothing was built afterward.
Ironically, Jack’s best friend Sam had more chemistry with Harper in a handful of scenes than Jack managed in the entire novel. Sam actually showed up for her emotionally throughout the ordeal, so naturally I spent half the book hoping he was the real MMC. Sadly, no. Limp noodle Jack remained our endgame.😭
There is also a bizarre mention involving Maddison’s breast augmentation being funded by Jack. But it was never mentioned during the timeline that he paid for her surgeries?
That felt so random and read like it belonged in another book entirely.
The final 20% became painfully repetitive. “Acts of service” was repeated approximately 700 times like the author was trying to hypnotize us into believing emotional intimacy existed.
It didn’t.
Repeating therapy terminology is not the same thing as showing emotional growth.
And the pacing? Agonizing.
It takes Harper an entire year before she is even willing to have a real conversation with him. A YEAR. They have a child together.😂
What frustrated me most is that Jack never truly fought for her. Yes, he took accountability. Yes, he went to therapy.
But where was the grief? The panic? The desperation? The overwhelming realization that he destroyed his family? He was oddly calm and collected about the whole thing. See cardboard cutout.
There was no grand emotional unraveling. No visceral sense of loss. No powerful yearning to get his wife back.
He just quietly accepted everything and went to… therapy.
Zzzzz. 😴
I also hated how cartoonishly villainized Maddison became by the end. Was she a villain? Absolutely. But the story kept beating that drum long after it had any emotional impact left, even into the epilogue.
Should you read it? No.
The beginning had enormous potential, but the resolution was drier than sand and twice as lifeless.
Chance of divorce: 10%
But they may bore each other to death first.
This had me locked in for the first third. Truly. The emotional setup was fantastic… and then the entire thing collapsed in on itself like a house with no foundation.
What started as a sharp, painful betrayal story turned into a clinical marathon of therapy sessions, diaper changes, and endless doctor appointments. I have never read about so many doctor appointments in my life.🤦♀️
Premise:
Harper and Jack have been married for three years, and she is seven months pregnant when Maddison suddenly reenters Jack’s life.
Maddison is his ex-girlfriend… except Jack conveniently forgot to mention that part to Harper, who believes they are simply old friends.
Maddison has cancer, she is terrified, vulnerable, and emotionally dependent on Jack to an alarming degree.
Soon he is missing Harper’s entire last trimester, neglecting his business, and prioritizing Maddison over his pregnant wife in what is very clearly an emotional affair. 🖤
He misses Harper’s baby shower. The entire town is whispering about his infidelity. Harper is humiliated and heartbroken, while Jack moves through it all with almost no urgency whatsoever. 🔪 See perfect setup!
This part worked. The one star is for this part.😢
My heart genuinely bled for Harper. The gut punch lands hardest when Jack misses the birth of his own daughter because he is having a movie night with Maddison…
This should be the detonation of feelings, but this is exactly where the story flatlines.
There is barely any meaningful page time between Harper and Jack, which works during the betrayal arc. But if this is supposed to become a romance, I need chemistry.
You cannot rebuild a marriage with two cardboard cutouts. I needed pain, longing, tension, desperation… something. BIG FEELINGS.
Nothing was there, and worse, nothing was built afterward.
Ironically, Jack’s best friend Sam had more chemistry with Harper in a handful of scenes than Jack managed in the entire novel. Sam actually showed up for her emotionally throughout the ordeal, so naturally I spent half the book hoping he was the real MMC. Sadly, no. Limp noodle Jack remained our endgame.😭
There is also a bizarre mention involving Maddison’s breast augmentation being funded by Jack. But it was never mentioned during the timeline that he paid for her surgeries?
That felt so random and read like it belonged in another book entirely.
The final 20% became painfully repetitive. “Acts of service” was repeated approximately 700 times like the author was trying to hypnotize us into believing emotional intimacy existed.
It didn’t.
Repeating therapy terminology is not the same thing as showing emotional growth.
And the pacing? Agonizing.
It takes Harper an entire year before she is even willing to have a real conversation with him. A YEAR. They have a child together.😂
What frustrated me most is that Jack never truly fought for her. Yes, he took accountability. Yes, he went to therapy.
But where was the grief? The panic? The desperation? The overwhelming realization that he destroyed his family? He was oddly calm and collected about the whole thing. See cardboard cutout.
There was no grand emotional unraveling. No visceral sense of loss. No powerful yearning to get his wife back.
He just quietly accepted everything and went to… therapy.
Zzzzz. 😴
I also hated how cartoonishly villainized Maddison became by the end. Was she a villain? Absolutely. But the story kept beating that drum long after it had any emotional impact left, even into the epilogue.
Should you read it? No.
The beginning had enormous potential, but the resolution was drier than sand and twice as lifeless.
Chance of divorce: 10%
But they may bore each other to death first.
November 18, 2025
I love this scenario, the clueless H that is being hoodwinked by his BFF into prioritizing her ahead of his lady love. (she’s technically a childhood friend/ex-gf) While I liked some parts, I struggled to connect with Harper and Jack because he started ghosting her early on, and their chemistry never felt convincing. Harper didn't express her feelings or react/complain, so I found it hard to sympathize with her. I need characters to openly communicate/express emotions to create feels.
BUT I am nothing if not flexible, so I quickly put on drama-llama hat and started gobbling down Jack’s absolutely unrealistic cluelessness to Madison’s machinations. And boy did he dig that hole, honestly IMO the author might’ve oversold it a bit because it was hard to even imagine that he loved Harper at all. (or possessed the mental faculties -or balls- to function) Usually the dude is kissing ass and trying to makeup between screw ups, but not Jack, he was fully committed to being a dum-dum.
Then Harper finally had enough, and it was fun for a bit, but I started getting bored because she ceased all contact including pretty much blackmailing him with divorce if he didn’t agree with all her demands including limited his access to see his daughter to two supervised visits a week.
Honestly, I thought she had more chemistry with Sam than Jack, but if the marriage was to be saved, an engaging reconciliation would make for better reading than her ignoring him for almost half of the book. Respecting boundaries and therapy may be healthy in real life, but they aren't very exciting in fiction.
Bottom Line- It was ok. I liked the first 40% then things slowed WAY DOWN because they didn’t even speak until almost 80% and that is WAY TOO long for internal musings for me. I’m an impatient reader though. I would’ve preferred more back and forth arguments during the Madison time with Jack feeling conflicted trying to appease both women (similar to Love, Second Chances and Other Nonsense) to generate more angst and drama. I would’ve loved to see a Jack vs. Madison face-to-face smack down. She disappeared very quickly after all the trouble she went to get him. I’m glad she added the epilogue 22 years out.
BUT I am nothing if not flexible, so I quickly put on drama-llama hat and started gobbling down Jack’s absolutely unrealistic cluelessness to Madison’s machinations. And boy did he dig that hole, honestly IMO the author might’ve oversold it a bit because it was hard to even imagine that he loved Harper at all. (or possessed the mental faculties -or balls- to function) Usually the dude is kissing ass and trying to makeup between screw ups, but not Jack, he was fully committed to being a dum-dum.
Then Harper finally had enough, and it was fun for a bit, but I started getting bored because she ceased all contact including pretty much blackmailing him with divorce if he didn’t agree with all her demands including limited his access to see his daughter to two supervised visits a week.
Honestly, I thought she had more chemistry with Sam than Jack, but if the marriage was to be saved, an engaging reconciliation would make for better reading than her ignoring him for almost half of the book. Respecting boundaries and therapy may be healthy in real life, but they aren't very exciting in fiction.
Bottom Line- It was ok. I liked the first 40% then things slowed WAY DOWN because they didn’t even speak until almost 80% and that is WAY TOO long for internal musings for me. I’m an impatient reader though. I would’ve preferred more back and forth arguments during the Madison time with Jack feeling conflicted trying to appease both women (similar to Love, Second Chances and Other Nonsense) to generate more angst and drama. I would’ve loved to see a Jack vs. Madison face-to-face smack down. She disappeared very quickly after all the trouble she went to get him. I’m glad she added the epilogue 22 years out.
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November 25, 2025Hmm. The hero rushes to the side of his friend (ex-GF) on his third anniversary with his pregnant and very understanding wife. Said GF has "cancer". The H doesn't find it odd that she's in a Dermatological Wing.
November 13, 2025
★★. he had a hero complex and both of them had no clue what an emotional affair was. im sorry but even with the epilogue years later, im not convinced he wouldn’t cheat again because the complex didn’t go away.
read some groveling but honestly it was time jump after time jump and we were told a lot of it. I wanted to see more and more angst.
For my safety readers; emotional cheating. The mmc has an emotional affair for months with his ex girlfriend who he believes has cancer. The fmc takes years to forgive him.
read some groveling but honestly it was time jump after time jump and we were told a lot of it. I wanted to see more and more angst.
For my safety readers; emotional cheating. The mmc has an emotional affair for months with his ex girlfriend who he believes has cancer. The fmc takes years to forgive him.
November 18, 2025
Impressed with the amount of angst this emotional cheating story was packed with. Told in dual narratives & chapters we are able to experience both mc’s thought processes and feelings. I naturally empathized with our female main character having gone through something with similarities. There are sometimes I can understand the males pov, but this wasn’t one of them. What was going on in the shadows was obvious to everyone in that small little town except this idiot! Why men are so trusting in the female sex is beyond me. I was happy with the level of grovel and growth our MMC made, and our fmc’s realization she and the baby deserved better, and her stand to get it. All around a good read for this trope.
October 25, 2025
The H is so monumentally stupid in this book, it was hard to suspend disbelief. There was some good angst, though.
October 27, 2025
Not really sure how to rate it because the writing wasn’t bad but I just didn’t love the story.
I do enjoy a marriage in crisis, but I hate emotional cheating in books. 😢 I have read books with a similar premise of the hero giving attention to a woman friend, but you can tell he’s just dumb and doesn’t have romantic feelings for her. That was not this book. Despite the hero saying he never thought of the OW sexually, I did think he had lingering feelings for her and there are moments where you can’t believe someone could be that naive in real life. Her being an ex girlfriend made it even more stomach churning.
The good part was that no one excuses his behavior and everyone in their life calls him out on it. Also, the heroine is definitely a bit of a martyr at first, but when she’s done, she’s done. They don’t really reconcile until a couple years later.
I’m also conflicted in stories like this when the OW always ends up being “evil” or manipulative. I feel like it makes it more palatable but what if she wasn’t??
Anyway. I did like that the heroine made him work for it, that he got therapy and worked so hard to get back into her life, but any kind of cheating just is not for me. 🤷🏻♀️
I do enjoy a marriage in crisis, but I hate emotional cheating in books. 😢 I have read books with a similar premise of the hero giving attention to a woman friend, but you can tell he’s just dumb and doesn’t have romantic feelings for her. That was not this book. Despite the hero saying he never thought of the OW sexually, I did think he had lingering feelings for her and there are moments where you can’t believe someone could be that naive in real life. Her being an ex girlfriend made it even more stomach churning.
The good part was that no one excuses his behavior and everyone in their life calls him out on it. Also, the heroine is definitely a bit of a martyr at first, but when she’s done, she’s done. They don’t really reconcile until a couple years later.
I’m also conflicted in stories like this when the OW always ends up being “evil” or manipulative. I feel like it makes it more palatable but what if she wasn’t??
Anyway. I did like that the heroine made him work for it, that he got therapy and worked so hard to get back into her life, but any kind of cheating just is not for me. 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2026
This book annoyed me. It had all the components to a great, angsty read but I was honestly bored.
I think one of the problems is that we never see this couple being loved up. It was annoying how Harper practically never called foul on her ‘such a great guy’ husband during the majority of his shenanigans. She was just so passive…. Until she’s not and they separate. I mean cripes, where the hell are her angsty pregnancy hormones?!
Then they literally don’t communicate directly for a year. I don’t think they even talk about the OW for TWO years! I wish they had just divorced. For such an emotionally charged subject there was just a shocking amount of apathy. Boring.
I think one of the problems is that we never see this couple being loved up. It was annoying how Harper practically never called foul on her ‘such a great guy’ husband during the majority of his shenanigans. She was just so passive…. Until she’s not and they separate. I mean cripes, where the hell are her angsty pregnancy hormones?!
Then they literally don’t communicate directly for a year. I don’t think they even talk about the OW for TWO years! I wish they had just divorced. For such an emotionally charged subject there was just a shocking amount of apathy. Boring.
November 10, 2025
The second half just dragged
I cried during the first half. I felt so bad for Harper. Jack was an idiot. and Madison was evil. Truly evil. But he definitely crossed lines with Madison and I truly hated him. I understand he worked on himself and slowly tried to prove himself to her again and it took a year, but it really was boring. I just started losing interest. I'm glad they got back.together and the epilogue was sweet. It was their 25th anniversary.
I cried during the first half. I felt so bad for Harper. Jack was an idiot. and Madison was evil. Truly evil. But he definitely crossed lines with Madison and I truly hated him. I understand he worked on himself and slowly tried to prove himself to her again and it took a year, but it really was boring. I just started losing interest. I'm glad they got back.together and the epilogue was sweet. It was their 25th anniversary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
This is one of the quickest books I have ever read and also the most frustrating! This book has me cheering on the villain, because all the men she encounters are apparently idiots and don’t Google things. The fact the neither the mmc or the fmc had any idea of the concept of emotional cheating is ridiculous! And justice for Sam because the only thing that would have saved this book was the fmc getting with him.
Her husband actively chose his ex girlfriend( who he thought had cancer but she was lying about it) over his pregnant wife for the final 2 months of her pregnancy and he missed the birth of his child, because the ex was being all Meredith grey, pick me, choose me and he did, knowing that he wife was about to pop. Also, a couple of weeks before this his wife was worried about early labour and was texting him and trying to contact him, madison apparently put his phone on silent and what did he say to his wife when he realised? She probably put the phone on silent after looking at pictures of our house and family cause she needed her rest!
This book praises him because after the fall out he chose his wife, but that’s because there wasn’t another option. When there was another option, his wife and child and business (his fathers 30 year business was demolished in 2 months because the ex was more important than that as well) wasn’t even a blip on his radar. Also, he apparently paid for a whole bunch of things to do with her “cancer therapy” which ended up being enough to pay for a boob job!! He also didn’t mention anything about that to his wife.
Also, the “grovel”! not only did the book praise him for choosing his wife when there wasn’t another option, it also praised him for doing the bare minimum for his wife to keep her house together after he ruined it. He paid for the mortgage and groceries? She’s raising his child!!! That’s the least he can do after he cheated on her! He can pay for a boob job, he can pay for some food for his daughter! And then when she apologised for going on dates with someone after they were separated? Saying they both made mistakes???
Like and for a whole town slating him and saying his a horrible person having an affair on his wife, and ruining his business, he again did one thing that was bare minimum and they were ready to forgive him. His Forman doesn’t like him cause the business it trashed and they have to fire people, Jack says I’m rich, give them my salary instead and he’s back on the pedestal? Sam hates him for cheating on harper, Sam hears Jack cussing out madison after he realised she played him like a fiddle, again back on a pedestal? Bare minimum!!!
Ps #madisonstan!!! She was named and shamed on Reddit like a year after starting this kind of con and apparently carried it on for over 20 years!!! Girl get your bag!!
Her husband actively chose his ex girlfriend( who he thought had cancer but she was lying about it) over his pregnant wife for the final 2 months of her pregnancy and he missed the birth of his child, because the ex was being all Meredith grey, pick me, choose me and he did, knowing that he wife was about to pop. Also, a couple of weeks before this his wife was worried about early labour and was texting him and trying to contact him, madison apparently put his phone on silent and what did he say to his wife when he realised? She probably put the phone on silent after looking at pictures of our house and family cause she needed her rest!
This book praises him because after the fall out he chose his wife, but that’s because there wasn’t another option. When there was another option, his wife and child and business (his fathers 30 year business was demolished in 2 months because the ex was more important than that as well) wasn’t even a blip on his radar. Also, he apparently paid for a whole bunch of things to do with her “cancer therapy” which ended up being enough to pay for a boob job!! He also didn’t mention anything about that to his wife.
Also, the “grovel”! not only did the book praise him for choosing his wife when there wasn’t another option, it also praised him for doing the bare minimum for his wife to keep her house together after he ruined it. He paid for the mortgage and groceries? She’s raising his child!!! That’s the least he can do after he cheated on her! He can pay for a boob job, he can pay for some food for his daughter! And then when she apologised for going on dates with someone after they were separated? Saying they both made mistakes???
Like and for a whole town slating him and saying his a horrible person having an affair on his wife, and ruining his business, he again did one thing that was bare minimum and they were ready to forgive him. His Forman doesn’t like him cause the business it trashed and they have to fire people, Jack says I’m rich, give them my salary instead and he’s back on the pedestal? Sam hates him for cheating on harper, Sam hears Jack cussing out madison after he realised she played him like a fiddle, again back on a pedestal? Bare minimum!!!
Ps #madisonstan!!! She was named and shamed on Reddit like a year after starting this kind of con and apparently carried it on for over 20 years!!! Girl get your bag!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
Something the same but different
This was a very good and different second chance story. It was so good and engrossing you felt like you were there a part of the story. I was rooting for the couple. The epilogue was cute and let us know how successful their HEA was.
This was a very good and different second chance story. It was so good and engrossing you felt like you were there a part of the story. I was rooting for the couple. The epilogue was cute and let us know how successful their HEA was.
November 3, 2025
Frustrating, realistic, but honestly… this man tested my patience
This story follows Jack and Harper — a married couple expecting a baby — and while I appreciate what the author tried to do, I spent most of the book wanting to shake Jack by the shoulders.
Jack lets his ex manipulate him by pretending she has cancer, and instead of using one single brain cell, he falls straight into his hero complex and emotionally cheats. And the worst part? He acts confused about why it’s a problem until his therapist literally spells out “emotional affair” for him. Like… sir. Be serious.
Harper being seven months pregnant while he’s emotionally tangled up with another woman? Missing the birth of his daughter because he’s busy “helping” his ex? Leaving his wife on their anniversary?
No. Absolutely not. My blood pressure said “I hate it here.”
Now, to be fair — I loved Harper’s reactions. She didn’t play the “understanding wife.” She stood her ground. She left. She protected her peace. And I respected her so much for it.
The book then follows a slow burn emotional fallout — years of small gestures, growth, therapy, rebuilding trust. It was realistic, and I can appreciate that the author didn’t rely on some dramatic grovel or easy forgiveness.
Did he redeem himself fully? Honestly… no.
But did he work enough on himself to earn another chance?
Reluctantly, yes.
I didn’t hate the message — it just wasn’t a story I enjoyed sitting through. The emotional realism might work for some people, but personally, watching this man be blindly manipulated and so clueless about what he was doing… it was too frustrating to enjoy.
It hurt, it angered me, and at the end I didn’t swoon — I just exhaled and said, “Okay, finally.”
Not a bad book — just not the kind of second-chance arc I love. It was definitely missing that angst.
This story follows Jack and Harper — a married couple expecting a baby — and while I appreciate what the author tried to do, I spent most of the book wanting to shake Jack by the shoulders.
Jack lets his ex manipulate him by pretending she has cancer, and instead of using one single brain cell, he falls straight into his hero complex and emotionally cheats. And the worst part? He acts confused about why it’s a problem until his therapist literally spells out “emotional affair” for him. Like… sir. Be serious.
Harper being seven months pregnant while he’s emotionally tangled up with another woman? Missing the birth of his daughter because he’s busy “helping” his ex? Leaving his wife on their anniversary?
No. Absolutely not. My blood pressure said “I hate it here.”
Now, to be fair — I loved Harper’s reactions. She didn’t play the “understanding wife.” She stood her ground. She left. She protected her peace. And I respected her so much for it.
The book then follows a slow burn emotional fallout — years of small gestures, growth, therapy, rebuilding trust. It was realistic, and I can appreciate that the author didn’t rely on some dramatic grovel or easy forgiveness.
Did he redeem himself fully? Honestly… no.
But did he work enough on himself to earn another chance?
Reluctantly, yes.
I didn’t hate the message — it just wasn’t a story I enjoyed sitting through. The emotional realism might work for some people, but personally, watching this man be blindly manipulated and so clueless about what he was doing… it was too frustrating to enjoy.
It hurt, it angered me, and at the end I didn’t swoon — I just exhaled and said, “Okay, finally.”
Not a bad book — just not the kind of second-chance arc I love. It was definitely missing that angst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
4.25⭐️
November 13, 2025
I’m just so disappointed in the Harper for taking him back. I wish there was an alternative ending where she moved on and lived happily ever after with someone who loves Emma too.
It doesn’t matter if it was physical or not. He still cheated on his pregnant wife and missed the birth of their daughter because of another woman. He literally paid for the ow new fucking pair of boobs. He should’ve sued her or did something worse as payback. Karma didn’t hit the ow hard enough.
I got hooked on this book due to a quote on TikTok but overall disappointed in this book in general.
It doesn’t matter if it was physical or not. He still cheated on his pregnant wife and missed the birth of their daughter because of another woman. He literally paid for the ow new fucking pair of boobs. He should’ve sued her or did something worse as payback. Karma didn’t hit the ow hard enough.
I got hooked on this book due to a quote on TikTok but overall disappointed in this book in general.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2025
Saved by the Epilogue
This was going to be a 1 star review, but the epilogue bumped it up to a 2 star review.
This was going to be a 1 star review, but the epilogue bumped it up to a 2 star review.
October 27, 2025
Are all men this dumb?
Well we know all men really aren’t as dumb as this guy, but based on this trope you can certainly feel as if this is true!
The ex from high school shows up planning to steal the MMC. And basically she succeeds in a way because he manages to miss his child’s birth. He doesn’t love the ex but he has put her before his wife one too many times.
This is one of my favorite tropes. He doesn’t physically cheat but the emotional aspect is worse in many ways. He has lost the necessary trust.
KU read, and it’s a good story but nothing special. I did enjoy it.
Well we know all men really aren’t as dumb as this guy, but based on this trope you can certainly feel as if this is true!
The ex from high school shows up planning to steal the MMC. And basically she succeeds in a way because he manages to miss his child’s birth. He doesn’t love the ex but he has put her before his wife one too many times.
This is one of my favorite tropes. He doesn’t physically cheat but the emotional aspect is worse in many ways. He has lost the necessary trust.
KU read, and it’s a good story but nothing special. I did enjoy it.
November 2, 2025
Unsure
I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. She knew the man had a hero complex. Sure he was neglectful for 2 months then she used the baby to get back at him and kept him in limbo for over a year and went out on dates with another man. I feel like that is more of a betrayal. Call it just going out as a friend but she was literally dating him to see if there was a "spark" all while letting her husband just wait in the wings.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. She knew the man had a hero complex. Sure he was neglectful for 2 months then she used the baby to get back at him and kept him in limbo for over a year and went out on dates with another man. I feel like that is more of a betrayal. Call it just going out as a friend but she was literally dating him to see if there was a "spark" all while letting her husband just wait in the wings.
November 14, 2025
this book was SO infuriating but I couldn't put it down so do what you want with that information
November 14, 2025
Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me.
The whole focus of his neglect and his redemption is that the OW was faking she was sick (circa 60% of the book). Considering I don’t know if the MMC would feel bad and prioritise his wife if the OW was sick FOR REAL, can’t really say that he is redeemable.
While the writing was okay, I didn’t feel any emotional connection with the characters which shouldn’t be happening considering the book tropes.
The whole focus of his neglect and his redemption is that the OW was faking she was sick (circa 60% of the book). Considering I don’t know if the MMC would feel bad and prioritise his wife if the OW was sick FOR REAL, can’t really say that he is redeemable.
While the writing was okay, I didn’t feel any emotional connection with the characters which shouldn’t be happening considering the book tropes.
August 15, 2026
100% would've left his wife and child for his ex
And if there was no baby? Lmao there'd be no book.
He woulda said deuces and taken Madison to get the best treatment in another state or country before Harper got out a word.
The ex being crazy was TOO convenient.
Jack was DOWN BAD for his ex Madison - I mean he literally destroyed not just his marriage, but his relationship with both parents, friendships, reputation and company/career/family business for her.
Lost the company over half a million dollars in 2/3 months just to be with her!
Because he was too busy and wouldn't stfu about how beautiful Madison was and his regrets.
"What if they ended up together? What would their lives look like?" Yeah he fucking pondered that while she laid in his arms and his wife was home alone.
He didn't think this was inappropriate at all. He genuinely did not think he was doing anything wrong. Even though he hid stuff and lied to Harper. And the whole damn town was warning him.
He put his phone on silent when Harper was going to give birth at any moment.
But keeps his phone on loud when he's with her and anyone else so he could available for Madison.
There is no universe where Harper or his daughter came first.
He left her on their anniversary, lied about where he was, he lied about who he was with, he lied about who she was to him, he lied about sleeping with her.
Then he missed appointments, missed the baby shower, missed the birth, the entire town is accusing him of infidelity TO HIS FACE. Makes his wife sleep alone because he's too busy sleeping with Madison.
Again, it took him MONTHS after Madison was "exposed"/Emma was born to see how any of this was inappropriate and took the therapist saying "okay what if your wife did it?"
He legit before this moment thought it was fine. The therapist didn't pull any punches though lmao "he was like "you didn't think any of that was wrong? you know you cheated right?"
He was constantly embarrassing his wife and he could not have cared less. Not until it impacted him and he realized HE was being played and embarrassed.
MONTHS of ignoring his wife (friends, family, town) and disrespecting them. Harper has photo proof Madison is full of shit and he calls Harper jealous.
When does he finally stop to do as Harper asks?
When she tells him to leave her alone.
Now suddenly the fuck respects her wishes.
I did appreciate he didn't force his presence on her but it's the fact that THAT was when he chose to respect his wife.
His grovel?
Ending the affair when he realizes Madison is crazy lmao
After sleeping with her for months and becoming Madison's personal ATM (and bankrupting his company in the process)
He... pays for groceries. You want brownie points for giving your newborn food and shelter? He mentions he's so wealthy he doesn't even have to work so let's be for real it was nothing to him.
his grovel was being an adult:
- showing up to work on time 🫠
- not canceling appointments with customers 🫠
- signing paychecks and approving work 🫠
- paying the mortgage 🫠
- buying groceries/baby needs 🫠
- going to therapy 🫠
- not being on his phone when he's with Emma 🫠
no seriously this was his grovel......
Now that I think about it, I don't even think he cried?
No emotional break down. No moment of absolute despair.
Not even a drunken night at the bar to help his sorrows.
When she served him the separation papers, he was like aw that's sad. Anyway so -
I'm glad he honored her wishes but like damn... not one tear?
I'm telling you, this man hated his wife.
His reason?
Because she had friends and family to support her so he didn't think he needed to be there as much.............. yeah sit with that.
And because of his "hero complex" he didn't want to be an "us," he wanted to get full credit for helping someone, just him.. he wanted to be someone's hero. No i'm not kidding.
Destroyed his marriage because his wife was always by his side to help him and the whole town was always so grateful to have them BOTH. ): She was just always there!!! Ugh.
Honestly, Madison. You go girl! Good for you finding a man dumb enough to ruin his family so you could get new tits. I'm supposed to believe she's the villain? Lmao sure she's evil but who enabled her? Who empowered her every time he ditched his wife? She never would've done this had he not let her. 🤷🏻♀️ When I tell you, she didn't have to lift a finger for this man to come running to her. Respect, girl.
I LOVED every second of his call with Madison after he realized the truth after Emma was born.
Madison started laughing. Not nervous laughter, but genuine, delighted laughter.
"Oh my God," she said, her voice completely different now. "You finally figured it out. I was wondering how long it would take."
"So you admit it. You've been lying."
"Of course I've been lying, Jackie. I never had cancer. But my surgery did go well, by the way. I'm very happy with my new D-cups. You always did like a curvier woman."
"You faked cancer... for a boob job?"
"I faked cancer to get you back. The boob job was just a perk. And honestly, you made it so easy. All those weeks of paying for my 'special diet' and 'alternative therapies'? You funded this entire upgrade, Jackie. So, really, thank you."
-
“But then you got trapped by that basic little nobody and her perfect small-town life."
"Harper didn't trap me. I chose to marry her."
"Did you? Or did you just settle because I wasn't there? Because Jackie, the moment I called, you came running. You abandoned your pregnant wife without a second thought."
"You manipulated me."
"I gave you what you wanted. An excuse to be with me again. Do you know how easy it was? Your wedding photos were all over Harper's Instagram, so I knew exactly when your anniversary was. One well-timed call that night, and boom - there you were, choosing me over her.
-
"Listening to you drone on and on about Harper every time you came to see me - God, that was so annoying. But also helpful, because I knew exactly when to have my emergencies. When Harper had appointments, when she had birthing classes, the baby shower. I made sure I always needed you right when she needed you most."
"You're sick," I said.
"I'm smart. And it worked perfectly. Though I have to admit, I'm impressed Harper held out as long as she did. Most women would have left you after the first month of this."
Doesn't even defend Harper when Madison calls her a basic nobody. 😭
Oh but it's all good! He didn't want to fuck Madison so we should feel better.
Ugghh and when the whole town reamed his asshole and took their business elsewhere. I soaked up every moment. And both their parents.
Sam was great. Most men would back their friend up - Sam did not.
"Yeah, you have been stupid. Monumentally stupid. I'm angry as hell at you, Jack. For what you did to Harper. For what you put me through - watching my best friend's wife go through hell while her husband acted like a fool. I almost walked away from our friendship a dozen times."
-
"But let's be crystal clear about something. My loyalty right now? It's to Harper and Emma. Not you. They come first. If you want me to be your friend again, you're going to have to earn it, same as you have to earn them back."
2 stars because the writing was excellent, as far as proofreading, editing went.
I do appreciate Harper taking 3 years before taking him back.
It wasn't bad. I found it enjoyable.
But the actual story. This just was not romance to me.
It felt like a tragedy. Harper deserved so much more and Emma.
"daddy why aren't you in any of the pictures when I was born? or my baby shower?"
"oh well, I was sleeping my ex-girlfriend, princess."
they found a way to make it sweeter lmao but that's what I read.
I could not root for him.
Never did I feel like his wife or daughter came first. Even after the realization.
I was never convinced he would've chosen Harper if she hadn't been pregnant/just given birth.
It was like watching an alcoholic get sober. It took A LOT of effort for him to be better. And by better, I mean the average man?
When he came to the hospital that first time, he didn't even ask his wife how she was feeling, if the baby was okay. He went to therapy for himself as well. Great.
I still don't think he would've picked Harper had Madison not been playing him.
He never would've gone to therapy so he was definitely bound to do it again.
He did show a lot of growth. I didn't think he was a bad/malicious villain, I just think Madison would've been his #1. The one that got away. He'd always wonder about her. Until she went insane and he got his answer. Now he can be peacefully married to Harper.
What did the author do to make him redeemable?
He *somewhat* realized he was making a mistake. So while his wife was calling him, he was sleeping in Madison's hotel room, making a plan for Madison to get treated so he could be there for Harper - COOL. But why couldn't he have just gone straight home and then made a plan? Why didn't you look at your phone for 12 hours knowing your wife was going to go into labor literally any second?
He sat there with Madison for HOURS after he made the plan. While his wife was giving birth.
Madison hid his phone, but again, he didn't bother looking at it for hours? You knew she was about to give birth and you didn't check your phone!!!!! How do you make a plan to get to your wife and not get to your fucking wife?
It was like the author knew readers were going to say "he only dumped her bc she's crazy" so 5 min before he shit hits the fan, she slapped that in there and was like "here, damn."
I wish Harper at least had a fling or something with Doug.
Nothing crazy, maybe hot making out session.
What? Her husband fell asleep several times and held another woman in his arms, let her kiss him and NEVER asked her to stop.
I wanted Harper to end up with Sam. I mean he literally held Emma before Jack and cut the umbilical cord. Protected her from Jack. Unfortunately his book sounds worse so I will not be wasting my time.
I'm mixed about the epilogue. They could laugh about it which was nice. But maybe I'm just prideful because I'd be so embarrassed to tell people I took a man back after all of that.
They didn't even tell Emma the full truth when she asked, which tells me they aren't exactly comfortable with the details. They made Madison seem like she was crazy because "she lied to him about having cancer" when he spent the last half of the book saying "she may have lied, but this is on me, I made those choices."
And if there was no baby? Lmao there'd be no book.
He woulda said deuces and taken Madison to get the best treatment in another state or country before Harper got out a word.
The ex being crazy was TOO convenient.
Jack was DOWN BAD for his ex Madison - I mean he literally destroyed not just his marriage, but his relationship with both parents, friendships, reputation and company/career/family business for her.
Lost the company over half a million dollars in 2/3 months just to be with her!
Because he was too busy and wouldn't stfu about how beautiful Madison was and his regrets.
"What if they ended up together? What would their lives look like?" Yeah he fucking pondered that while she laid in his arms and his wife was home alone.
He didn't think this was inappropriate at all. He genuinely did not think he was doing anything wrong. Even though he hid stuff and lied to Harper. And the whole damn town was warning him.
He put his phone on silent when Harper was going to give birth at any moment.
But keeps his phone on loud when he's with her and anyone else so he could available for Madison.
There is no universe where Harper or his daughter came first.
He left her on their anniversary, lied about where he was, he lied about who he was with, he lied about who she was to him, he lied about sleeping with her.
Then he missed appointments, missed the baby shower, missed the birth, the entire town is accusing him of infidelity TO HIS FACE. Makes his wife sleep alone because he's too busy sleeping with Madison.
Again, it took him MONTHS after Madison was "exposed"/Emma was born to see how any of this was inappropriate and took the therapist saying "okay what if your wife did it?"
He legit before this moment thought it was fine. The therapist didn't pull any punches though lmao "he was like "you didn't think any of that was wrong? you know you cheated right?"
He was constantly embarrassing his wife and he could not have cared less. Not until it impacted him and he realized HE was being played and embarrassed.
MONTHS of ignoring his wife (friends, family, town) and disrespecting them. Harper has photo proof Madison is full of shit and he calls Harper jealous.
When does he finally stop to do as Harper asks?
When she tells him to leave her alone.
Now suddenly the fuck respects her wishes.
I did appreciate he didn't force his presence on her but it's the fact that THAT was when he chose to respect his wife.
His grovel?
Ending the affair when he realizes Madison is crazy lmao
After sleeping with her for months and becoming Madison's personal ATM (and bankrupting his company in the process)
He... pays for groceries. You want brownie points for giving your newborn food and shelter? He mentions he's so wealthy he doesn't even have to work so let's be for real it was nothing to him.
his grovel was being an adult:
- showing up to work on time 🫠
- not canceling appointments with customers 🫠
- signing paychecks and approving work 🫠
- paying the mortgage 🫠
- buying groceries/baby needs 🫠
- going to therapy 🫠
- not being on his phone when he's with Emma 🫠
no seriously this was his grovel......
Now that I think about it, I don't even think he cried?
No emotional break down. No moment of absolute despair.
Not even a drunken night at the bar to help his sorrows.
When she served him the separation papers, he was like aw that's sad. Anyway so -
I'm glad he honored her wishes but like damn... not one tear?
I'm telling you, this man hated his wife.
His reason?
Because she had friends and family to support her so he didn't think he needed to be there as much.............. yeah sit with that.
And because of his "hero complex" he didn't want to be an "us," he wanted to get full credit for helping someone, just him.. he wanted to be someone's hero. No i'm not kidding.
Destroyed his marriage because his wife was always by his side to help him and the whole town was always so grateful to have them BOTH. ): She was just always there!!! Ugh.
Honestly, Madison. You go girl! Good for you finding a man dumb enough to ruin his family so you could get new tits. I'm supposed to believe she's the villain? Lmao sure she's evil but who enabled her? Who empowered her every time he ditched his wife? She never would've done this had he not let her. 🤷🏻♀️ When I tell you, she didn't have to lift a finger for this man to come running to her. Respect, girl.
I LOVED every second of his call with Madison after he realized the truth after Emma was born.
Madison started laughing. Not nervous laughter, but genuine, delighted laughter.
"Oh my God," she said, her voice completely different now. "You finally figured it out. I was wondering how long it would take."
"So you admit it. You've been lying."
"Of course I've been lying, Jackie. I never had cancer. But my surgery did go well, by the way. I'm very happy with my new D-cups. You always did like a curvier woman."
"You faked cancer... for a boob job?"
"I faked cancer to get you back. The boob job was just a perk. And honestly, you made it so easy. All those weeks of paying for my 'special diet' and 'alternative therapies'? You funded this entire upgrade, Jackie. So, really, thank you."
-
“But then you got trapped by that basic little nobody and her perfect small-town life."
"Harper didn't trap me. I chose to marry her."
"Did you? Or did you just settle because I wasn't there? Because Jackie, the moment I called, you came running. You abandoned your pregnant wife without a second thought."
"You manipulated me."
"I gave you what you wanted. An excuse to be with me again. Do you know how easy it was? Your wedding photos were all over Harper's Instagram, so I knew exactly when your anniversary was. One well-timed call that night, and boom - there you were, choosing me over her.
-
"Listening to you drone on and on about Harper every time you came to see me - God, that was so annoying. But also helpful, because I knew exactly when to have my emergencies. When Harper had appointments, when she had birthing classes, the baby shower. I made sure I always needed you right when she needed you most."
"You're sick," I said.
"I'm smart. And it worked perfectly. Though I have to admit, I'm impressed Harper held out as long as she did. Most women would have left you after the first month of this."
Doesn't even defend Harper when Madison calls her a basic nobody. 😭
Oh but it's all good! He didn't want to fuck Madison so we should feel better.
Ugghh and when the whole town reamed his asshole and took their business elsewhere. I soaked up every moment. And both their parents.
Sam was great. Most men would back their friend up - Sam did not.
"Yeah, you have been stupid. Monumentally stupid. I'm angry as hell at you, Jack. For what you did to Harper. For what you put me through - watching my best friend's wife go through hell while her husband acted like a fool. I almost walked away from our friendship a dozen times."
-
"But let's be crystal clear about something. My loyalty right now? It's to Harper and Emma. Not you. They come first. If you want me to be your friend again, you're going to have to earn it, same as you have to earn them back."
2 stars because the writing was excellent, as far as proofreading, editing went.
I do appreciate Harper taking 3 years before taking him back.
It wasn't bad. I found it enjoyable.
But the actual story. This just was not romance to me.
It felt like a tragedy. Harper deserved so much more and Emma.
"daddy why aren't you in any of the pictures when I was born? or my baby shower?"
"oh well, I was sleeping my ex-girlfriend, princess."
they found a way to make it sweeter lmao but that's what I read.
I could not root for him.
Never did I feel like his wife or daughter came first. Even after the realization.
I was never convinced he would've chosen Harper if she hadn't been pregnant/just given birth.
It was like watching an alcoholic get sober. It took A LOT of effort for him to be better. And by better, I mean the average man?
When he came to the hospital that first time, he didn't even ask his wife how she was feeling, if the baby was okay. He went to therapy for himself as well. Great.
I still don't think he would've picked Harper had Madison not been playing him.
He never would've gone to therapy so he was definitely bound to do it again.
He did show a lot of growth. I didn't think he was a bad/malicious villain, I just think Madison would've been his #1. The one that got away. He'd always wonder about her. Until she went insane and he got his answer. Now he can be peacefully married to Harper.
What did the author do to make him redeemable?
He *somewhat* realized he was making a mistake. So while his wife was calling him, he was sleeping in Madison's hotel room, making a plan for Madison to get treated so he could be there for Harper - COOL. But why couldn't he have just gone straight home and then made a plan? Why didn't you look at your phone for 12 hours knowing your wife was going to go into labor literally any second?
He sat there with Madison for HOURS after he made the plan. While his wife was giving birth.
Madison hid his phone, but again, he didn't bother looking at it for hours? You knew she was about to give birth and you didn't check your phone!!!!! How do you make a plan to get to your wife and not get to your fucking wife?
It was like the author knew readers were going to say "he only dumped her bc she's crazy" so 5 min before he shit hits the fan, she slapped that in there and was like "here, damn."
I wish Harper at least had a fling or something with Doug.
Nothing crazy, maybe hot making out session.
What? Her husband fell asleep several times and held another woman in his arms, let her kiss him and NEVER asked her to stop.
I wanted Harper to end up with Sam. I mean he literally held Emma before Jack and cut the umbilical cord. Protected her from Jack. Unfortunately his book sounds worse so I will not be wasting my time.
I'm mixed about the epilogue. They could laugh about it which was nice. But maybe I'm just prideful because I'd be so embarrassed to tell people I took a man back after all of that.
They didn't even tell Emma the full truth when she asked, which tells me they aren't exactly comfortable with the details. They made Madison seem like she was crazy because "she lied to him about having cancer" when he spent the last half of the book saying "she may have lied, but this is on me, I made those choices."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2025
Three years????? Life’s too short. Hero complex? Blaming his asshattery it on his dad’s mature, responsible, adult behavior? This guy should have a big old L tattooed on his forehead. And just an FYI. Small business owners who let the next generation run the business after retirement are still dependent on that business for their retirement income. If the loser son tanks the business, he tanks his parents’ retirement income. Also, if he has enough personal savings to run the business that almost tanks after only two months, they have clearly been taking too much profit from the business.
November 12, 2025
Jack and Harper have been married for a few years and are a few months away from having their baby, when his ex suddenly comes back into the picture. This wouldn’t have been a big deal but his ex Madison has cancer and Jack had a hero complex he has a need to fulfill. He runs to her side to help her through this hard time but in doing so he slowly starts to push away his wife. He starts to miss important appointments and dates, while his wife Harper can understand to an extent it all becomes too much after he misses the birth of their daughter.
This is the straw that breaks the camels back and Harper decides to separate from him. She realizes his priorities are elsewhere and she won’t allow her daughter to be second choice to her husband. Upon realizing how bad he messed up Jack makes it his mission to prove himself to his wife.
This is the straw that breaks the camels back and Harper decides to separate from him. She realizes his priorities are elsewhere and she won’t allow her daughter to be second choice to her husband. Upon realizing how bad he messed up Jack makes it his mission to prove himself to his wife.
November 23, 2025
Harper and Jack
I love angst and lots of grovelling I my reads and this book really hit the spot on that front, though not so much on the sexy, spicy time between the two main characters.
But you know what? It really was a great read and what Jack did to Harper was not conducive to romantic encounters as he was too busy grovelling. Abd to top it off, Harper did not forgive him quickly which is one of tge problems in many books. It actually took Jack 2 years to be allowed back in the house.
Highly recommended
I love angst and lots of grovelling I my reads and this book really hit the spot on that front, though not so much on the sexy, spicy time between the two main characters.
But you know what? It really was a great read and what Jack did to Harper was not conducive to romantic encounters as he was too busy grovelling. Abd to top it off, Harper did not forgive him quickly which is one of tge problems in many books. It actually took Jack 2 years to be allowed back in the house.
Highly recommended
January 7, 2026
i need to stop w this stupid guilty pleasure shit and go back to real books but this was whatever, just a super fast read. a lot of repetition but anyways rounded up from a 2.5 stars lol
January 21, 2026
i forgot that i even finished this book. it’s a no from me.
February 1, 2026
Wow I hate him sm I hate men hate them hate them hate them I’m glad she took her time healing and protecting herself and Emma and making him grovel but he rlly fucked up like wtf
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
Has a “new author” right off of whatpad feel. Story has potential.
November 6, 2025
easily manipulated H
rage read
must be a little crazy to like
rage read
must be a little crazy to like
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