Black Tie Affair

Tie the Knot #3

by Piper Cook

She’s not the broken woman she once was, but still carries the scars. He’s learned from his mistakes and become a better man and owes it all to her. Can they work together to heal their friendship and make a fresh start to a love that could have been? Phoebe It’s taken years to come to terms with the painful memories of my troubled childhood and I’ve sworn to never return to my hometown. I’m grateful my journey to heal old wounds also led me to find my true passion in the world of fashion design. But when a family emergency requires my help, I’m left with no choice but to return home and face the past. A past that includes my childhood crush and the fallout of our broken friendship. Xander’s no longer the gangly brainiac I once knew who broke my heart. He’s filled out in all the right places and on a mission to make amends. But can I trust him to protect my heart when he failed me before? Xander I’m not proud of the past and how I chose popularity over doing what’s right. I let down by best friend and the only woman who’s ever held my heart. Her strength under pressure is what led me to become a better man. I’ve learned a lot through the years, and I’ve grown up since the old days. I’ve imagined the day I’ll finally be able to apologize to her and lay my heart on the line. That day comes unexpectedly when I walk into her grandfather’s tuxedo shop for a fitting that goes awry. Phoebe is strong, creative and has a womanly way about her that makes me weak in the knees. Can she forgive me after all these years or is it too late for a second chance at happiness for us both? My promise to Every short story is steamy and sweet, with insta-love romance and guaranteed happily ever after. Absolutely no cliffhangers and no cheating. I write sassy, strong, curvy women who don't need a man to save the day but love a man who can charm their hearts.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2021

About the author

Piper Cook writes sexy insta-love stories with strong, curvy leading ladies and their hot male counterparts. Guaranteed HEA without cliffhangers or cheating.

Reviews

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoebe’s, grandad is not doing well, and she needs to return to her hometown. She needs to take care of his, tuxedo shop, while he recovers. There is just one, minor problem. She swore to herself, that she would never go home, again.

You see when her womanly shape started to appear much faster than all the other girls, they made fun of her. The guys that used to treat her as one of them tipped in the other direction acting like she had coodies.

The worst part of all was her best friend of all. Her ride-or-die, friend. The one who was starting to come into his own. Decides to leave her out to dry when the bullying starts. He out and out ignores her to be in the popular group.

When she needed him the most during two of the hardest times of her life. He was nowhere around. Can you ever come back from a devastation like that where you had no one and her wants forgiveness? Read and find out.

[Gladys Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Tie Affair. This short story was sweet and romantic. I enjoyed this book. It was quick but good. Phoebe comes home to help her grandfather in his tailor shop while he is in rehab. Phoebe left town after graduation to pursue a career in fashion and because of the bullying she endured from so-called friends. She didn't expect to see Xander her ex friend. Xander finally apologized for his part in bullying or not stopping the bullies. Phoebe accepts and starts their friendship again but with the confession of wanting to make it a real relationship. Xander professes his love and plans to make it forever.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute second chance romance which is one of my favorite tropes. I really like this especially in short stories because I find it more believable when the characters already have a connection before the story starts. This was a cute story with a bit of perceived drama but resolved quickly. I really enjoyed reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know this was a quick read... leaving very little room for character or plot development... buuuut... this, for me, failed. I am so bored of these women who appear to have got their lives sorted to a degree... then in a few sentences they return to the person they didn't want to be.

It really is a trope that in order to have a different flavour needs to deviate from the norm. Or at least give it a little time and explanation.

Sighs...

[An Epilogue a Day Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance for best friends to reconcile, forgive and find their happily ever after. I usually don’t like second chance romance but his apologies and her forgiveness touched my heart. Seeing that they were who they were because of that bad things that happened and not despite them.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best of the series. It was super reasonable for them to have gotten back together after all these years. There was resolution to the conflict from years ago. I loved the epilogue, it was just the icing on the cake.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xander & Phoebe had an intriguing read. Good characters. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed reading this book

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoebe and Xander

Lovely novella about forgiveness and second chances. Love the ending and that Phoebe gets the future she deserves. Highly recommend.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a second chance romance. Phoebe returns back home to help her grandfather while he recovers from an illness. Her childhood best friend and crush, Xander walks into the store get fitted for his tux. This brings up hurt feelings for Phoebe as Xander broke her heart at the end of high school. Xander has always been remorseful and takes this opportunity to apologize and to hopefully claim her for himself. I thought this story was really fast-paced and the characters didn't have a lot of depth. However, it was a fairly entertaining short read.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.