Kept

by A.C. Bextor

Michael
 
She’s a pain in my ass.
She’s everything I know I don’t want or need.
She’s the reason I’ve fought the darkness for so long.
And yet, she has no idea who I am.
 
I had no right to Lucy. She was never mine to have. My interest in her should’ve remained no more than an undisclosed business arrangement.
 
The day she forced her way into my life, everything I worked so hard to secure began to unravel. From that moment forward, my life has been a mixture of chaos and excitement.
 
Lucy awoke the beast I’ve struggled to live with. Now it’s up to her to ensure the threat of its ghost no longer holds the power to ruin me. 
 

Lucy
 
He hates me.
He’s guarded and locked down tight.
He’s a brute.
Yet, he opened my eyes to a future I was certain didn’t exist.
 
My life was ordinary. As a single mother living only to make ends meet, I stopped wishing for more. My hopes and dreams in finding Prince Charming ceased to exist. Life forced my priorities to change.
 
Then I walked into Michael Holden’s office and saw pain not so unlike mine reflecting through his icy gaze. He incited feelings I believed to have long since died.
 
Michael awoke the spring of hope I thought I’d finally set free. Now it’s up to him to show me fairy tales really can come true, if you believe.

Due to content, this book should not be read by those under the age of 18.

Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Emotional, Adult, Second Chance Romance

ebook

First published March 14, 2016

About the author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AC-Bex...

Twitter: @ACBextor

Official Website: www.acbextor.com

Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/A.C.-Bextor/e/B...

Email: Acbextor@gmail.com

Reviews

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

"You can learn a lot from fairy tales if you watch them closely enough."

This is a solid story that at times was long and drawn out with an okay heroine and a wonderful broody hero named Michael Holden. Michael Holden has been "kepting" Lucy Monroe for several years since an event happened that affected both their lives. Lucy doesn't know Michael but when his partner hires her to work at their firm the two finally come into one another's orbit and fall in love. When Lucy finds out the truth about their connection and her "kept" situation will it destroy this couple?

"The reasons I wanted to hate you are the same reasons I can't help but love you..."

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

Wow, the feels I had in the beginning of this book reminded me of books from a couple years ago…..ya know?

Lucy is a single mom struggling to survive after a tragic accident takes her husband away.  They were young when she became pregnant and then married.  Their marriage was a little shaky, but they were trying to make it work, especially for their son, Dillon.  And unfortunately, her mother-in-law is a little biatch who does nothing to help her or her grandson….just ridiculous!  And she has the audacity to fight her for custody!  Um, no!

So, Lucy loses her job and has the fortune of being offered a new one as a personal assistant for a law firm.  Her two bosses, Corbin and Michael, couldn’t be more different.  Corbin is approachable and friendly, while Michael is quiet, broody, and completely, completely unapproachable.  That is, unless your name is Lucy and you have brass ones!! Hahahaha!!  Yes, I loved her spunk and ability to get under Michael’s skin with one sentence or comment! His muttered comments to himself which Lucy could obviously hear made me laugh!

But there’s a reason for Michael’s broodiness and I fell for him hook, line, and sinker! And yes, there are many secrets going on here and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it would all play out.

Shout out to Michael and Dillon.......I just loved their interaction with each other!

I loved this book!  I was recommending it to everyone before I even finished so that’s saying something!  I’m actually hoping for a 2nd book about Corbin.  That’s not too much to ask, is it??

[Robin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and swoony with a good dose of angst. Just what I needed. Thanks Jean for the rec!

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly poignant story of loss and recovery and the whims of fate. It is a refreshing romance read with the focus on the characters instead of on the sex. A story of horrible loss which was, honestly, a little triggery for me to read. But it was written so well that I gobbled it up in a single day.

An awesome recommendation from my reading buddy Jean. Thank you Jean!

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive – lives fall apart easily when they are held together by lies – it’s probably better to bruise a heart with the truth than break one with a lie.

All these simple sayings hold true in the story of Michael and Lucy. Heartbreak and loss are at the center of their story – and believe me, the secrets and lies don’t make that unexpected second chance at happiness an easy one for them to achieve. Second chances are one of my favorite tropes and this one didn’t disappoint. Additionally, I loved all the little nods to the Disney characters throughout the story and how well they fit perfectly into the storyline. Of course, I loved that there was an adorable kiddo thrown into the mix that added his own extra touch as well. Michael took on the roles of both The Beast and Prince Charming – maybe a little too well in some circumstances. The running thread throughout the storyline linking the main characters was fairly easy to identify early on, but with one major twist that I never saw coming. Kapow! I like a hit like that to keep it all in perspective.

This is a new-to-me author that wowed me with her writing style, character development, and an overall well-rounded second chance at love plot. This book had all those little “something extras” rolled into an outstanding and captivating reading experience with a perfect pitch. I love finding a brand-new-to-me-author who wraps a package of surprises into one great big 5-Star treat!

[Natalie Weston Book Club Gone Wrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional charged story of second chances. Of realizing that seconds chances can be the best chances to take. A story so full of passion, love, and pain so raw that it just pours off the pages at you. Your heart will break wide open for Michael and Lucy.
Michael and Lucy are both broken. Their paths intersect one another purely by accident. Although Michael knows the reasons Lucy has no idea. Only when Michael's business partner goes behind his back and hires Lucy to be their personal assistance does Lucy become aware of Michael. As their professional relationship builds so does the attraction between them. Unable to fight their feelings for one another they give into them. But buried secrets are simmering just below the surface waiting to tear their world apart.
We are all searching for that one true love. That one person that makes us so happy we don't think we can breath without them. This story will show you that fairy tales do come true even if you weren't always a believer.
Being a lover of all things AC Bextor I can honestly say that this new book was something so different from anything she has written in the past that I'm hoping she will give us more.
I was given this advanced copy for an honest review. Book Club Gone Wrong

[Jos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Solid Stars

Author AC Bextor is still a terrific author as she ventures out of her "comfort" zone! The writing, the storyline and the characters were all very good.

Although I guessed one of the twists, there was another one revealed towards the end that I didn't see coming. As much as I enjoyed Michael and Lucy, I did find it hard to completely connect with them too. I am a very visual reader and I just couldn't visualize Lucy really at all in my head. I liked her character but just wasn't in love with her if that makes sense. Michael, I could visualize much more but still I think I needed just that little extra something too. The ending was perfect and beautiful!!!

Congrats AC Bextor and another very good book!

[Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc received for an honest review.


I've been a fan of AC for awhile. I remember reading Holding On and messaging her and I'd like to say a friendship was found. This. Book. Is proof that this woman is amazing! A totally different kind of writing from her previous books and I must say I think it's her best! All the feels!!! I'm proud of you woman! I'm sad I wasn't along for the ride from the beginning of this one. It's definitely one I wish I had read sooner. You guys will LOVE their story.

~~~~~~
AC has delivered another Great story. This one being quite different than her previous masterpieces.
This is a story of second chances. About those things you really do read about in fairytales. What happens when lives cross when others don't realize it. I found that I was immediately drawn to the story.

Michael and Lucy - I enjoyed the relationship they had. He was just enough of an Alpha A** and yet softer when he needed to be. Lucy - Strong! Whitty! and gave it right back to Michael. Their relationship was slow to build but when it did..... you smile!

There are some plot twists that I didn't really see coming. Perfect AC style to throw some things at ya that make you go "WTH?" This book rates as one of her best yet in my opinion. Click it up!

[S.A.M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book that I have read from this author. Unfortunately, I have mixed feelings. I had an extremely hard time connecting with both Lucy and Mike. We learn early on that Mike and Lucy have a connection that only Mike is aware of. It was pretty easy to determine what the secret was, so the big reveal was anti-climatic for me. Mike is an asshole to Lucy from the start, which I can understand why, however I didn't understand his hidden feelings for her when he didn't know her at all. It was almost like he had multiple personalities towards her.

The cover is beautiful, however the title threw me for a loop. Maybe I was expecting a more "kept" feel for Lucy? I'm not sure. Based on the blurb, I also didn't feel that Lucy was as distraught as it lead us to believe. I was expecting two broken souls, and instead got one asshole and a fiery and sarcastic girl. I also wish there was more of Lucy's son. I was excited to get to know him, and bring possible humor to the book, but that fell short.

This book had a similar story line to The Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry, however the emotional connection was lacking for me.

[beth myrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried and tried,

But I was bored out of my mind. At 10% I was skipping around looking for anything worth making me want to read this book. By the time I reached 40%, and there still was nothing about the characters or storyline to keep me interested I found my self at this point.....admitting defeat.

[Heather Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a contemporary romance that you will absolutely love. This is the first book I have read from this talented author and she left me believing in happily ever afters. The storyline drew me in immediately and kept me wanting more. I could not put this book down. I wanted to know if these characters would find their happy ever after. I devoured this amazing book in only a day and a half.

Lucy had her happily ever after until one day an terrible accident took it away from her. She is now a single mother to a beautiful boy. Lucy wants the best for her son. She ends up having to find a new job and that is when her whole life changes. Lucy becomes good friends with one of her bosses, Corbin but the other boss Michael can't stand her. She doesn't know why but it bothers her knowing that she is hated by a man that doesn't even know her. When Lucy starts to get to know Michael she starts to feel something for him that scares her too death. Will Lucy get her happy ending or will she always have heartbreak?

Michael is a very head strong almost arrogant man at times. He is a big shot attorney that always gets what he wants. Michael doesn't let anyone get close to him except family. He had a horrible past that he wants to forget about until part of his past comes into his life again. Michael can't stand Lucy because of what she stands for. When Michael gets to know Lucy he starts to feel things that he has never felt before. The only thing is he is hiding a dark secret that could destroy his future. Will Michael ever be happy again or will he always be covered in darkness?

This book is a true fairy tale even with a dark prince. This story has it all romance, mystery, and forgiveness. You will fall in love with all of the characters. Lucy is a wonderful mother that always puts her son first. She is very strong even when devastation hits she keeps her chin up. Lucy is the all American girl with a little bit a sas. Michael was a little arrogant at first but in the end of the story he is a true prince. He has a very hard past that made him cold and disconnected to other people until Lucy walks into his life. The ending of this book had me in tears of joy. My favorite part of this book is that both of the characters points of views were told. This give you a more personal connection to the characters that I loved. This author blew me away with her writing. I hope she will write a book about Corbin. I know there is more to his story that I would love to find out.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept: A Second Chance Fairy Tale by A.C. Bextor is a story filled with heartbreak ad loss. It is not the first book I have read by this writer and once again, she did not disappoint! A.C. Bextor is an amazing story teller who takes you on a ride of a lifetime!
Kept is the story of Michael Holden and Lucy Monroe, it is their story of second chances. I love the second chances stories … when you grow older and have more things you might regret, the second chance stories give you hope … Michael is a brooding handsome man (or like Lucy thinks, he is beautiful). He has suffered a loss that he has not been able to get over, or even to start accepting even though 5 years have passed. There is nothing in his life but work and his best friend who is also his business partner, their grandmotherly executive assistant … and his family – mother and a sister and a niece. Lucy lost her husband 5 years ago and she is fighting her way through the tragedy and I promise, you will also fall in love with her eternal hope and love for all things Disney!
I loved the writing, I loved the characters, I loved how they interacted, I loved the secondary characters and I really really hope that the writer will give us also Corbin’s story and Dani’s story and … You get my drift, right? I strongly recommend you to pick up Kept, you will not notice the time passing (I could not stop until I had finished the book and it was 2 am!!!). Thank you for a beautiful heart-breaking story that promises that we all have hope!

[Joann Herley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept: A Second Chance Fairy Tale was a beautiful story. It was not only a second chance love story for Lucy, but it was also a much needed second chance for Michael. Lucy's husband dies in an accident leaving her with a young child. Trying to make ends meet and doing her best to deal with an overbearing mother-in-law, she is offered a job at a law firm. She is in over her head but willing to make a go at it. There are plenty of sparks that fly between Lucy and Michael in the beginning, and not the good kind. There are surprises, twists, and turns in this story. It is an emotional ride. If you are looking for spice and heat, there is just enough to enhance the story. The characters are strong and the secondary characters are a nice addition to the story. It seemed to drag a little sometimes but it might have been me wanting the happy ending to come much quicker. All in all, it was a delight.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author A.C. Bextor has taken a step in a new direction with this fairy tale-esque romance. Known for her gritty motorcycle club romance novels, Bextor’s Kept is a sweet yet tragic story. Her adventure into the contemporary romance genre is in my opinion a success. Kept was engaging and a heartfelt look into the lifes of two people who were linked by a past tragedy.

Michael is a successful lawyer whose life has literally shattered after his wife’s betrayal that tied into a tragic loss. He is the kind of man you feel bad for hating knowing that his personality and actions are not entirely his fault, but at the same time, you want to smack the ever loving crap out of him for being an asshole. I’ll admit a few times I had my fist clenched because his words and actions in this book. He’s lived in his protective shell of indifference and moodiness since the day his life changed forever while secretly keeping the other person’s life that was affected by the tragedy comfortable out of guilt. Everyone around him seems the pain and remorse that’s taken over his life and desperately want to help him, but it takes an unlikely source to bring a semblance of love back to his heart.

Lucy is also no stranger to tragedy and pain, but raising her young son completely on her waitress’ salary has consumed her every waking thought. Even as she struggles, she clings to the fact that she has done everything possible to make her son happy. When the security of her job is ripped away from her, a twist of fate and well, meddling, Lucy finds herself stuck in a job she doesn’t exactly qualify and the crosshairs of Michael. He’s not exactly the nicest person to her, but there’s something about him that makes her want to stay and fight to hold the job she so desperately needs. Lucy has to embrace her inner spitfire to go toe to toe with Michael, which made me love her even more as a character.

I’ll admit that I was skeptical at first about Kept because it was so unlike any other of Bextor’s books, but it works for me. It fast paced enough that I didn’t feel like the story dragged on and the plot twists were exactly timed out to keep the story charging forward. Plus, it helped that my inner Disney Princess loved all of the fairytale references that were tucked into the pages. I know that some people may not like Bextor’s side trip into more of a contemporary piece, but I, for one, applaud her for not only taking a step out of her comfort zone, but for delivering a unique and entertaining read.

[Twin Sisters Rockin' Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

Sitting on the edge of your seat, secretly wondering what will happen next, while letting the romantic side of you play out the ending of the story is the type of book A.C. Bextor has created in her newest book Kept: A Second Chance Fairy Tale. While reading I kept wondering if there would be a happily ever after for Lucy and Michael.

Michael is a head strong big shot attorney who won’t let anyone get close to him after a life changing event that closed off his heart to anything good in life or love. Michael is just living each day in a shell of a man he once was but will never be again.

Lucy is a doting single mother trying to put her young son ahead of everything in life, including love. Her once happy marriage was torn from her heart and Lucy now believes there is no such thing as happily ever after. Not like the Disney movies she loved to watch since she was a young girl.

Never knowing if fate is going to twist its gnarly hands of despair and heartache or weave its intricate web of passion and love we find Lucy and Michael meeting one another. Some believe the road to happiness is never an easy road to travel. Pack your bags then....you're in for a real treat or a bumpy road.

I enjoyed reading this book from beginning to the end. The emotions of Lucy and Michael either break your heart or help you to believe in the power of love again. Take a moment and read their story. You will be glad you did! This is a wonderful addition to my library!

TSRBR Reviewer

Kept: A Second Chance Fairy Tale
A.C. Bextor

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW****

This is something completely new from A.C Bextor ~ I have read all of her other books and really enjoyed them. So was unsure how a contemporary romance from this author would go, wow A.C Bextor blew me away with Kept, a storyline that shows her writing talent is without a doubt outstanding.

Kept ~ Is a very powerful emotional romance based around past heartache and second changes.

Michael is a shell of his former self a grumpy man that lives a lonely life with walls built all around him, he believes that his heart will never be given away again until...

Lucy is an amazing mother, friend and works hard to support herself she is feisty, funny and speaks her mind which often gets her into trouble, life seems good for Lucy apart from the missing piece in her fairy tale ~ Prince Charming or maybe her Beast !

Kept is full of drama, twists and secrets that slowly unfold throughout the story, the passion and build up is so strong it will grab you early into this story and you will be taken on an amazing journey. I laughed, cried and screamed throughout and then smiled feeling fuzzy all over.

I hope to see more books like this from A.C Bextor in the near future and maybe Corbin & Shannan's story will be next !

[Willow Brooks]

What a sweet story. Two broken hearts brought together through one huge life altering tragedy. This was a heartwarming story that will have you rooting for the MC's to find their happily ever after.

Grab a mug of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and melt into this delectable morsel of sexy brooding hero who vows not to give his heart to anyone ever again. Love equates pain to Michael our delicious hero. If you love someone you run the risk of being hurt if they're ever taken from you. Why go through that when all you have to do is close your heart to anything or anyone that can make you laugh unwillingly, bring you pleasure, or put a smile of contentment on your handsome face.

Lucy, our fun loving heroine with a heart as big as the sky takes a job in a law office, and gets more than she bargains for. This heroine is cute, hilarious, sharp tongued with the wittiest comebacks that will have you chuckling to yourself.

One thing I like is when a book with high ratings lives up to all the hype. This book did that for me. I really enjoyed this story.

[Lesley Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well deserved 5 Stars. Kept is so different to AC Bextors other books. I loved how Michael and Lucys lives were linked without Lucy knowing it. I loved Michael and Lucy I loved their dynamic and how she gave as good as she got and how noone has ever come close to making Michael feel so out of his depth the way he feels when Lucy is involved. How do you tell someone you love your biggest secret without losing them. I literally couldnt put Kept down, my heart literally missed a few beats when l came to one point in the book when Christina Aguilera + A great new worlds's song Say Something came on tv. You can imagine this song playing in the background and it gave me chills. I loved all the disney and charater references it really suited this book and it was quite apt and through all the ups and downs it really pulls on your heart strings.
I received this Arc for an honest review

[Chianti Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC for an honest review. Kept is different than anything I have ever read by AC Bextor. She did a phenomenal job. I love Michael and Lucy. The emotions that are produced within this read are so amazing. AC Bextor really brought the meaning of the saying "it's a small world." The story comes together very well. The way AC Bextor takes you on the journey, you feel the love, secrets, pain and the humor. The sexual tension between these two is undeniable and when it is acted upon, hold on and get ready for the heat. You don't have to wait for the dirty talk Michael has it covered. I love the sass and strength that Lucy possesses. I love all the characters in this book. I hope we see more of these characters from AC Bextor in the future.

[Amanda Perrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

AC Bextor gives us this second chance contemporary romance. It is really different from her usual but no less good.

Kept is written with an amazing plot & multi dimensional characters that will pull on your heart strings.

When tragedy hits Lucy, Michael can't help but step in without her knowledge & keep her on her feet, with the intention of never crossing paths but life doesn't always go the way you want. Can 2 people with such devastation in their pasts heal each other for a better future.

I love AC Bextors writing and would never hesitate to recommended her books.

***Copy received for an honest review***

[Nina Piatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is high up on my list of favorites. The book centers around Michael and Lucy. They both are widowed and carry around a lot of baggage. I really do not want to spoil this book. I want you to enjoy the story, the twists and turns. When I picked this book up, I could not put it down. My eyes started crossing and going blurry. I still could not put it down. I felt emotionally invested in Michael and Lucy's story. I laughed and cried out loud in an auditorium filled with thousands. I have to say, I LOVED this book. The story was refreshing. The plot was interesting. The sexy was just enough. The love was intense. The characters were definitely well written. I hope to seen a book 2.

[Michelle Cage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is another one click for me there hasn't been a book of hers that I havent loved. This is a book that was different than her previous works, but it was just as good. This book centers on Michael and Lucy both have suffered terrible losses and they are connected through that loss. But only Michael knows just how connected they are. As Lucy begins to work at Michaels firm she begins to chip away at his defenses and before you know it they are finding a way to work through their issues with each others help. This is a story of finding through grief and forgiveness you can still have your second chance at love.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5 Star Happily Ever After Read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it is a beautiful just as much as it is devastating also. The pain I felt in this book had me in tears but I also felt the intense love as well as the banter which had me creasing up at times. A great emotionally filled second chance read ladies

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. This book dragged forever and I can't exactly put my finger on it but Lucy annoyed the living shit out of me. From him all I kept hearing was how good and kind and everyone could see it, but I just thought she was immature. He went from recluse to winking at the office. Hello sexual harassment law suit. Just didn't get it nor did I really care to find out how their lives were intertwined.

[Mizz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am so disappointed with this. I was expecting a second chance romance between a H and h who knew each other NOT a romance between a new couple.

Plus, this was too predictable and boring, filled with unnecessary drama.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't at all what I expected, but I loved it!

[Chantelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept is a second chance fairy tale read from author A.C Bextor. This is my first book from this author, and defiantly won’t be my last. I cannot wait to see what other great stories this author gives us, and whether or not something will be continued with this book into a series with the supporting secondary characters that I have also come to love during this book.

This was an incredible book, that I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would. I was well hooked from the first page until the very last. I was captivated, entranced and couldn’t wait to see what this book held for our characters Lucy & Michael.
This book had various themes throughout it from love, romance, passion, friendship, heart ache, loss & lies, but with it all it had a brilliant underlying story of two characters that find themselves at a point in their lives where they need something, to finally make that change. This book also had a great deal of emotions from the characters that as the reader I could truly feel, such as the love, laughter, passion and heartache, loss, devastation, happiness and sadness I’ve laughed, smiled, cried, been on the edge of my seat wondering what could possibly happen next, I was continually waiting for something bad to happen for these two perfect characters Michael & Lucy, I just had a gut feeling but I’m so glad that when secrets are revealed, time is taken and make things just a brilliant as they were before the devastation that occurred for Michael & Lucy. This book had some great scenes between the two main characters and I loved reading their interactions with each other. You could tell that what these two characters had is real, Michael might have taken a bit longer to truly realise what was going on with his feeling and what he wanted but being around Lucy only made things easier yet difficult for him to except especially because of the type of person Lucy was, she challenged him and pushed his buttons which only made him change for the better. But with that being said they have an undeniable connection that was passionate, real, challenging, humour filled and exactly what both of these characters needed at that point in their lives, to push both of them.


This book was made even more brilliant by the secondary characters that were in this story. I loved reading about Corbin, and Lucy’s best friend Shannan but also Michael’s sisters Denise(Deni) they were great additions to this book that I grew to love alongside Michael & Lucy, but I hope we get the chance to read their stories in full.

Another great thing with this book is that it was written in dual POV’s. I love reading it from the characters POV’s as we get to really see their thoughts and feeling from them rather than the other person. I also think it helps connect with a character as you get to understand some of their reasons of their actions!

I loved the continuous references to Disney movies in this book as well, it brings out the inner Disney lover, but I loved the main Disney story this book was inspired by, not wanting to give it away, but just see how many people catch on what it could possibly be?

I loved this epilogue that was in this book. It really wrapped up this book beautifully. It still showed the raw, realness of the situations that Michael & Lucy faced but also shows how far they have come to finally get where they are.

This is a great story of love, second chances, new starts and re discovering yourself, after being lost. I’d love for there to be a continuation of these characters even if they are through the secondary characters stories, that I’d love to read, but don’t miss this read, you won’t be disappointed.

[Anita Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept: A Second Chance Fairy Tale by A C Bextor is a contemporary romance story. It could be seen as a modern day Beauty and The Beast Fairy Tale. It tells the story of Lucy Monroe and Michael Holden. In a preface to the book the reader is warned that due to content the targeted audience is eighteen years plus.
Lucy Monroe: devoted mother to a six year old boy, widow for five years, fiercely independent with a quirky sense of humour. As a single mother Lucy struggles to make ends meet and be at home for her son. She enjoys watching Disney movies and knows all the Disney Princess’ names. At various points in the story she quotes dialogue from the films or likens her situation to those of characters in the films. Aware of the fact that although she loved her husband before he died they weren’t Disney Happily Ever After in love she wonders will she ever get her happy ending. She wants to meet a man who can show her that fairy tales really can come true. A chance encounter with Michael Holden on a night out with her best friend changes her life as it stands. When she looks into his eyes all she can see is pain. What has happened to him to cause him so much pain?
Michael Holden: dark and brooding, bad-tempered, silent partner in a law firm. Aside from his best friend Corbin (also his partner) and his personal assistant Lillie, no-one knows how to handle this angry, bitter and difficult man. So, what has made Michael the man he is? What has fate thrown at him to make him so bitter and angry? When he sees Lucy he feels his life has become a mix of chaos and excitement but he doesn’t want to feel, doesn’t want or need anyone like her in his life at all. Will he be able to resist her? Will Lucy be able to tame ‘the beast’? Is Michael the man to prove to Lucy that fairy tales really can come true if you believe?
The story of Michael and Lucy grabbed me right from the start. Their characters were so likeable, realistic and honest. The storyline contained everything you want in a story: intrigue, lies, deceit, secrets, and moments of anguish, love, humour, pain, passion and romance. Other characters in the story were also well-rounded; interaction between them all was also realistic and honest.
Although the preface warned about adult content I found some of the sex scenes a little oppressive; bordering on Dom and Sub scenes. A few times when Lucy was trying to push Michael away or actually saying ‘No’ I was worriedly thinking this is going to turn into rape but surely not? Then she’d give way to him because she absolutely did want him physically as well as mentally so everything was alright in the end and they had earth-moving sex. It was just an uncomfortable feeling for me at those times. I think for me it would have been better without the borderline Dom and Sub sex; maybe more vanilla type sex would have been better at the start of a new relationship until the characters were more knowledgeable and at ese with each other. However, I did find it hard to put the book down and every time I had to I couldn’t wait to get back to it to find out what would happen next.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

“You can learn a lot from fairy tales if you watch them closely enough.”

Kept is a second chance fairy tale by A.C. Bextor. This story is a little different from the other stories of hers that I had read. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, but she had never let me down before, so I trusted her to blow my mind yet again. I am in awe of this talented author, she delivered, and then some. Going from raw, gritty and intense MC romances, to delivering this touching, sweet and poignant story is no small feat…. and she nailed it, superbly!
Lucy Monroe is a bit of a quirky character- she’s spunky, lively and adorably odd. She’s also a wonderful mother and sole parent to six-year-old Dillon. She used to believe in fairy tales and happily-ever-afters- but after a tragedy left her a little broken she decided to forget such silly notions and concentrate on the ‘real’ world. Working hard to make ends meet and making sure her son is taken care of. She worked in a diner with work hours which allowed her to be with Dillon as much as possible. But when business slows down, her hours are cut- she’s left with no choice but to look for a new job. When a position as a personal assistant at a law firm opens up, she jumps at the opportunity, both excited and nervous to do something completely different. But her first day on the job starts badly when one of the partners at the firm leaves her with a really bad impression, when he acts like a bit of a brute. She isn’t sure how this job is going to go, especially since she’s fairly certain that one of her new bosses hates her.
Michael Holden is a partner in a successful law firm. His world was shattered five years ago, and he still carries the scars, feeling the pain of betrayal and loss. He’s brooding, moody and sullen, with serious trust issues. He doesn’t like social situations or feelings and has become a bit of a recluse. There are secrets he keeps and decisions that he’s made that have the potential to come back and bite him. When Lucy is hired by his business partner as their personal assistant, she’s the last person he wants to see. She may not know him, but he knows her, they have a connection that only he’s aware of at this point, and she’s a reminder of his hurt and all the circumstances that caused it. But at the same time, he admires her sassy, no nonsense attitude and her fearlessness in the face of adversity. She is also intrigued and drawn to him- so what starts out to be a volatile start soon morphs into so much more. Will these two be exactly what the other needs to heal?
I loved everything about this story. I really couldn’t put it down, I was entranced by every little detail. Ms. Bextor really surprised me in a really good way. This story is a testament to her writing prowess. I can’t wait to get ‘lost’ in another of Ms. Bextor’s enticing stories. I wonder what she has in store for us next? It can’t come soon enough.

Thank you, Ms Bextor!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept: A Second Chance Fairy Tale by AC Bextor is a modern day fairy tale story about second chances. This story will show you that you never know what fate might have in store for you, it may surprise you when you are not looking. This is not my first story by this author but I fully enjoyed her story. One of my favorite things about this author is her writing style. I love when an author can pull me in to their story from the first word and keep me engaged until the end. I also enjoyed her creativeness for characters. They are connectable, lovable and true to life. They will pull you into their story without any effort and keep you wanting more from them. This is the story of Michael and Lucy. Lucy thought she had it all until she didn't and found herself a single mother. Now she believes that there is no such thing as happily ever after. She puts her son in front of everything in her life including love. Then she meets Michael. Michael is an attorney that also is no stranger to hurt. He has a past that has left him closed off and not willing to let anyone near his heart. When these two meet you can just see and feel the tension between them. The more time the spend together the more an attraction starts and feelings start to change. But what will happen when secrets are revealed that can cause more pain then anything. These two will take you on a roller coaster ride of various emotions that will make you cry one minute and compassion the next. So as their chemistry grows so does their emotions. I found myself hoping that fate will allow them to find their HEA. They are both strong characters that know what they want and how to get it. They are both determined and head strong. They both have built up walls that need to be taken down but are they the ones to do it for each other? They both have just been hurt so much that their attitudes about relationships and love could really use a good dose of happiness. Michael is kind of a jerk but yet there is that kindness there underneath everything. Lucy stands up for herself and not someone to mess with. They are so great together, you will just have to read to see if fate will allow them to find their second chance and HEA. The secondary characters in this story are supportive and really do care what happens to Michael and Lucy. I highly recommend this story, I know you will want to find out if Michael and Lucy find their second chance at love.