Love... A four letter word that could take someone and drag them to hell or give them something from their literal version of Heaven. To me, heaven is like a wet dream, you'll have to wake up sooner or later and realize it'll never happen.
Love exists only in your dreams.
Scrum; A different letter word except this one I understand; I apply not just to the sport I love but to my personal life: Transparency, Inspection and Adaptation. The 3 pillars of upholding every implementation of empirical process control. Basically what helps is to control the unexpected.
I don't expect the unexpected because I control everything.
Style: Multicultural Romance Story: 4/5 Enjoyment: 4/5 Dark Level:0/5 Sexual Level: GOOD Triggers: No Violence: No Male: Sexy & Ruby Player Series: Book 2 Pages: 188 Audio: N/A Kindle Unlimited: No
**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**
STORY R.I.P Juan Carlo and Davina. Not going to lie, I was a little bitter and upset. This story wasn’t about Davina and Juan Carlo. In book 1, Jesse’s girl, yes, Davina was hot and cold with Juan Carlo but personally, I felt their chemistry was so good. I think apart of me felt cheated that I didn’t really get to see their story played out before he jumped ship.
With that being said, whatever expectations I had for Juan completely went out the window in his story. His brother, Jesse, his book was dark while Juan was more intense in book 1, and we got to see a bit of that in his story. He has a lot of internal issues that plays out and like book 1, we see this plays out in therapy sort of way. My mind is sometimes stuck on the Juan Carlo in book 1 and I have to remind myself it’s 3 years later, so he is a little different in some ways. Rae in my mind, I wanted to not like her but I did. She matched with Juan on a lot of levels. She also has her issues. To note, there is an age difference and Juan Carlo is the younger man if anyone wants a heads up on that.
To read this book, you will definitely need to read book 1. First few chapters pick up from book 1, then transitioned on. The vibes are definitely different in Juan Carlo’s book.
SEXUAL CHEMISTRY: Their sex scenes was steamy and I felt it got better with each encounter. Omg, the book cover with Juan Carlo’s tattoo on his neck, it was put to good use.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS: I like that there could be other characters at play whose story will be next. It was good seeing most of the characters from book 1.
OVERALL This was a quickie read. It’s not what I expected based on book 1, however, I still enjoyed the ride.
✰✰TRIGGERS:
****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful.
I liked this book. I think the first book was better . It's odd that in both books there's a lot of music references, I understand the Latin because of the brothers heritage but having both women have no connection to black culture especially its music is interesting considering every other demo is obsessed with black culture. Running from it seems deliberate. Black girls that love black culture not only exist, they are the majority of black girls.It's weird when authors feel like the gotta "other" black girls to make these interracial romances work. Cool black girls that can code switch to aave, dance & love their culture are the overwhelming majority & yes some do find love with non black men. These books tend to force bw characters to conform in order to be appealing & that's nonsensical because everybody loves black culture & most try to emulate black Cool to various degrees. Stop using country & rock music to prove she's different. It's corny. It's fine to like other genres but let's not use it as some point to prove. Black women not connected to their culture aren't edgy, interesting or better.
There is nothing that can be said about the excitement I had when this book hit my Kindle! I have waited for the story of Juan Carlo after I read "Jesse's Girl," and it was worth the wait and more. The Mercado brothers cannot be rivaled and just like Jesse's story I fell in love once again. Juan Carlo is anything but ordinary. He dominates the Rugby field, the bedroom, and the hearts of any woman who is graced to be in his presence. He is purely driven to be his best, but is also tormented by past demons that he can't seem to overcome. This intense Alpha can sometimes be his own worst enemy. When he meets Rae who is the Rugby teams Physiotherapist he is immediately drawn to her and vice versa. The pull between them is intense, and the chemistry is very much of a hot and heavy nature. Rae is a single mom to her son Noah, and a true southern girl who loves her country music and boots. You will never find a more honest, loyal, and care free individual. She has dealt with a tragic past with past relationships and family, but has never been jaded. She is truly the most honest, loyal, and care free individual. Like Juan Carlo she is devoted to her family and she loves hard.
When he is forced to attend a family dinner one night he encounters Rae alone at the restaurant and somehow entangles them in a fake relationship to avoid his ex Davina. From there every moment between them is anything but pretend and very much something real. Together they find something in one another that they have never had before. As Rae and Juan Carlo see each other for who they truly are they won't allow each other to run from one another, or ignore what could be. I was drawn into Rae and Juan Carlo's story and completely emotionally invested. I know I will read this book again and again, and each time will be like the first. Thank you Mona Merlin for these Mercado boys!
I love love love Juan-Carlo’s story. I can’t tell you how please I was when I realized that Juan and Davina broke up. Rae was the right person for Juan, she understood him and loved him for who he was. There was no jab at his age or any rejection and that is a plus in my book. I’m happy that Juan faced his demons because he wanted a better life for himself. Little Noah was a beautiful bonus. I truly enjoyed this book and I’ll definitely be rereading it. It is impossible to not love the Mercado Boys. Well done Mona Merlin
Jesse and Juan know what woman is better for them. They spot them and claim them. The definition of an alpha male. I am so proud of Juan finally confessing to his father and brother how he feels. He come a long way to get to that point. Jesse is a wonderful brother. These guys are a work in progress and it paid off in the end. Love the character development. Ms. Merlin, you are a very dedicated and creative author. You did the darn thing. I can’t wait to see what is next.
This was everything I didn't think I wanted it to be. I want to learn more about Davina and her family. Can Carlos get a book too? I also want to know more about Rae's brothers and family. I want to know about the ex too... why is he such a hater? Awesome!
This was short, teasing, and just what I needed. I am very happy that Juan got his happy ending. I guess the only thing I wish for was that it was longer. this was really good and collectively the brothers deserve their pot at the end of the rainbow and they got them.
I would definitely recommend this if you want a pallet cleanser or if you just want something quick and easy to read.
Enjoyed! This was a surprise on whom the author chose for Juan and now I understand why, the storyline was good I enjoyed the main two characters the kid was fun and sassy too. I wished we could have gotten a better look at Juan Carlos’s back story. I would recommend.
I read Jessie's girl. I was so excited to read about Juan Carlo and Davina. I waited almost a year for Juan Carlo's story to come out and lo and behold it's not about him and Davina which really, really upset me as I was looking forward to their story. Instead, the author changes her mind and makes Davina into kind of the villain to explain why Jesse's not with her in the beginning of the book. At that point, I no longer wanted to read the book. But, as I was dying to know more about this character from the last book, I gave the book a chance along with the new love interest, Rae. It wasn't a bad story It left openings for other characters towards the end for spin-offs. The story had potential. I don't know if I'm still a little bitter about the change of the love interest. But I will say the way she left the intro to the possible spin-offs was better as I have no idea where it's going but I'm looking forward to the journey. I feel like I got to know Juan Carlos more in the last book and in this book it was not as an insightful even though there were some insights into his past. I mean the guy plays the guitar wears eyeliner, nail polish, is kind of goth, used to be in a band and none of that was addressed really or how it came to be. And I got all this from the last book and This info is barely touched upon in this book. This guy was such an awesome character and I would have loved to to know more about him as per the insights in the last book. The conclusion to my rambling is it's a cute story that had so much potential to be great. Nonetheless, I'm very much looking forward to authors future stories.
Please don't tell Jesse but I think I might have liked Juan-Carlo's book a bit better. It was just that good. Going into the book I assumed we would get the love story of Juan-Carlo and Davina...well I wrong but I am not at all sorry. The book takes place three years down the road and both brothers are professionals. Juan has to see his team's PT person who turns out to be the lovely, sweet and a bit broken...Rae. When Juan is supposed to met his family and friends...including Davina, he asks Rae to pretend to be his girlfriend. She is 7 years older and has a child .....But they fit so well together. They both have never really felt loved..... Like Jesse's Girl I am going to purchase this book for my library. I really hope Ms. Merlin is working on the next book.....the Garcia cousins sound intriguing.😁
I truly enjoyed everything about this book. It had some very real moments and some pretty hot and intense moments which I absolutely loved. Rae was the perfect woman to love Juan-Carlo, he was the perfect man for Rae. Juan-Carlo has alot of pain and hurt that he is working through but he not a victim and he doesn't take his issues out on anyone. Rae also has some darkness but whatever demons they both have makes their love and relationship so much stronger . Also I really loved his bond with his brother Jesse that was really sweet to see how much of their love was unbreakable. I definitely believe everyone will fall in love with this series yes it's dark but that's what makes it so freaking great.
This was a great follow up to Jessie’s Girl. I wanted to read more about Juan Carlo. This book was the opposite of what I was expecting but good nonetheless. Juan Carlo suffered years of rejection from his father and lack of acceptance in his relationship with Davina. in this book he comes to a turning point. Rae, a single mother and Juan’s physical therapist, had experienced nothing but disappointment and hardships in her relationships but found solace in her son, Noah. I like how lighthearted the couple were. Neither one of them cared about what others thought. They were two unique souls who just wanted to be loved. And boy, did they get a high off each other! 😉
I really enjoyed this book. Carlo out the gate gave me a something I didn’t expect from him. This story of Rae and Carlo hit so much differently than Jesse’s Girl. Carlo was so much more contained, mature and in control! Rae was beautifully written. She came across strong and grown woman vibes! No petty jealousy, just understanding and mature! Loved this story!
I expected Juan-Carlo to come from a dark place. But he was broken. Rae helped him, which helped herself. That went together so easily. I couldn’t stop reading till I reached the end. I wasn’t overly excited with the ending but it gave them a HEA. I wished We could have read more about the damage relationship Rae had with her brothers and how they fixed it. Great story.. highly recommend it!
I thought I was going to only live Jesse and Sutton, but baby Rae bought the house down with her special guest star, Noah…. I truly thought Juan-Carlo was going to end up with Davina. So happy it didn’t happened. This was superb, light, refreshing and exactly what Juan-Carlo/Carlo needed. Carlos is fool as well as Jason, but oh well, some can’t be helped. Can’t wait to read another book from MS. Merlin.
Juan-Carlo had daddy issues, feeling like his father Carlos never loved him. He always tried to be strong for his older brother Jesse and to always support him. When Jesse asks him to come to dinner, Juan-Carlo knows not only will his father be there, but also his ex, Davina! Juan-Carlo quickly devises a plan when he runs into Rae and promptly introduces her to his family as his girlfriend!
Truly wanted to see how the family dinner with the Rae's brothers and dad went. This was such a wonderful storyline. Rae and Juan are perfect together. Noah is such a great kud. The relationship between Juan and his brother Jesse is soooooo heartwarming! They love one another so deeply. But spend it comes to how much Juan loves Rae, age ain't nothing but a number.
First I want to say I am so happy Juan-Carlo found his HEA, Davina was not it she was selfish and didn’t deserve him. Rae and her son Noah was exactly what Juan needed to be him come back to his real self. I again love the relationship between him and his brother Jessie. This was an amazing second book I am looking forward to what’s next.
So yes I'm glad I gave the first book 📖 a second chance to wow me. I must must it did the job. I'm glad because I got to read this one as well an it also wowed me and I can't wait to see what is next from this author
What a book! Juan is intense and I love Rae and Noah. Juan and Rae make a good match. Raes ex is a jerk. Mona Merlin is my new author. Keep up the good work. Until the next book
Carlo's journey to love is a process! He meets Rae and realizes what love is all about! Their road to individual happiness was not easy, but together they are force!
I've waited a long time for Juan-Carlo's story and I was not disappointed. I'm so happy he chose Rae because I was not feeling him and Davina in Jesse's girl. Everyone should give this story a chance. It's amazing. 5 stars!
This book would have been more believable if Juan was a little older. Your not gonna tell me he's that mature. Just too unbelievable. I couldn't even finish it
I admit after reading P1, I was a little hesitant about picking up book 2. However, I am so glad I did! There is childhood trauma, but totally different from Jessie. This one is a more subdued love story with an HEA. I can't wait to see how you develop the characters introduced towards the end.