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Powell Sanctuary #2
Strayed
Ten years ago I left my marriage and the love of my life.
On paper my husband checked the boxes.
1. Devastatingly handsome
2. Wild and carefree
3. And a skilled lover… if you know what I mean
But Corjan Powell was a bad husband.
I knew we both deserved more and were too young to be saddled with a lifetime of resentment and regret. After a year of confrontations and no change, I didn’t even give him the chance to refuse divorce papers. One disastrous fight too far, I wrote him a note and I left.
“But Bree, what happened over those ten years?” you ask.
Resentment.
And regrets.
Until one random Sunday afternoon, I collide with someone in a crowded airport and look up into Corjan’s familiar intense blue eyes.
I’m scared of my own reaction. The racing heart, the sweaty palms, the shock telling me I’m not over him. I do the only rational thing and escape as fast as I can onto my connecting flight.
The problem? I accidentally grab his cell phone from the floor and leave mine behind.
Now we’re a thousand miles apart, and he has my entire life in his hands and I have his in mine.
And we’re about to find out if there’s love left between us or if we strayed too far after all this time.
On paper my husband checked the boxes.
1. Devastatingly handsome
2. Wild and carefree
3. And a skilled lover… if you know what I mean
But Corjan Powell was a bad husband.
I knew we both deserved more and were too young to be saddled with a lifetime of resentment and regret. After a year of confrontations and no change, I didn’t even give him the chance to refuse divorce papers. One disastrous fight too far, I wrote him a note and I left.
“But Bree, what happened over those ten years?” you ask.
Resentment.
And regrets.
Until one random Sunday afternoon, I collide with someone in a crowded airport and look up into Corjan’s familiar intense blue eyes.
I’m scared of my own reaction. The racing heart, the sweaty palms, the shock telling me I’m not over him. I do the only rational thing and escape as fast as I can onto my connecting flight.
The problem? I accidentally grab his cell phone from the floor and leave mine behind.
Now we’re a thousand miles apart, and he has my entire life in his hands and I have his in mine.
And we’re about to find out if there’s love left between us or if we strayed too far after all this time.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2023
613 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Wilson
22 books818 followersA. M. Wilson is a USA Today & Amazon Top 20 bestselling author of contemporary romance. She loves writing small town romances and dark suspenseful reads, depending on her mood that day. When she isn’t furiously typing on her computer, she can be found searching for her next all-consuming read. A. M. lives in the Midwest with her husband, two children, and two adorable dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
July 15, 2024
Second chance done right❤️
I wasn’t sure about Corjan since he was such a flirt in book one but man it was just for show! This man didn’t stray at all in the whole 10 years of them apart.
I can understand why Bree left him. She gave him years to grow up and talked to him so many times without him trying to change. He was jobless and would rather hang with his friend or brothers. They were so young, married right after high school. After 4 years she had to choose herself! He messes up once again and she’s finally had enough.
I don’t have it in me for a full review, I’m still recovering from a horrible chest cold, but this was a good one. I didn’t care for such a long separation but the fact he stays celibate is a huge win for me!
Sweet second chance❤️
Celibate H❤️
No ow/OM drama❤️
Unclear on celibacy of h but it seems she dated but never went that far🤷🏻♀️
I wasn’t sure about Corjan since he was such a flirt in book one but man it was just for show! This man didn’t stray at all in the whole 10 years of them apart.
I can understand why Bree left him. She gave him years to grow up and talked to him so many times without him trying to change. He was jobless and would rather hang with his friend or brothers. They were so young, married right after high school. After 4 years she had to choose herself! He messes up once again and she’s finally had enough.
I don’t have it in me for a full review, I’m still recovering from a horrible chest cold, but this was a good one. I didn’t care for such a long separation but the fact he stays celibate is a huge win for me!
Sweet second chance❤️
Celibate H❤️
No ow/OM drama❤️
Unclear on celibacy of h but it seems she dated but never went that far🤷🏻♀️
December 15, 2025
honestly 3 even though it had 10 years of celibate mmc in a second chance romance i was bored and some of his tactics annoyed like,
Jack couldn’t be further from the truth if he tried. For years, I allowed rumors to fester about my bedroom activities, but now with Bree possibly coming around, I regret not putting a stop to them long ago.
In the immediate aftermath of Bree abandoning our marriage, my brothers projected onto me what they would do if their imaginary wives walked out on them. While I worked on myself and made going to bed early on the weekends a priority after Bree left, they assumed I was one town over in some random woman’s bed simply because my house was dark and my phone was on silent. And I let them.
How will it go over when I tell her the last person I kissed was her the night we went to that disastrous dinner? Or how about that I haven’t fucked anyone since the morning of the day she walked out? That the only action my cock has gotten has been between me and my hand and my celibacy was a choice?
I didn’t want to be like other guys, revenge fucking my way through the available women I knew. I only wanted one woman. I still only want one fucking woman, and she’s sitting beside me with fortified walls.
“It’s okay, you know,” she goes on after my extended contemplative silence. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Or you know, I won’t be mad if you want to tell me you’ve dated the entire town. I heard what they said about you at the bar.”
Like a lit match, frustration flares, pressurized beneath the rumors and facade I’ve carried for the last ten years. The flirtatious one. The playboy. Even my own family suspects I have a woman in my bed every night, but for some reason, I can’t stand the thought of her thinking of me that way. Not after I’ve worked tirelessly to make something of myself in the fissure left behind by her departure.
Jack couldn’t be further from the truth if he tried. For years, I allowed rumors to fester about my bedroom activities, but now with Bree possibly coming around, I regret not putting a stop to them long ago.
In the immediate aftermath of Bree abandoning our marriage, my brothers projected onto me what they would do if their imaginary wives walked out on them. While I worked on myself and made going to bed early on the weekends a priority after Bree left, they assumed I was one town over in some random woman’s bed simply because my house was dark and my phone was on silent. And I let them.
How will it go over when I tell her the last person I kissed was her the night we went to that disastrous dinner? Or how about that I haven’t fucked anyone since the morning of the day she walked out? That the only action my cock has gotten has been between me and my hand and my celibacy was a choice?
I didn’t want to be like other guys, revenge fucking my way through the available women I knew. I only wanted one woman. I still only want one fucking woman, and she’s sitting beside me with fortified walls.
“It’s okay, you know,” she goes on after my extended contemplative silence. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Or you know, I won’t be mad if you want to tell me you’ve dated the entire town. I heard what they said about you at the bar.”
Like a lit match, frustration flares, pressurized beneath the rumors and facade I’ve carried for the last ten years. The flirtatious one. The playboy. Even my own family suspects I have a woman in my bed every night, but for some reason, I can’t stand the thought of her thinking of me that way. Not after I’ve worked tirelessly to make something of myself in the fissure left behind by her departure.
August 8, 2024
a second chance romance done right.
i love this with my whole heart.
i love this with my whole heart.
April 17, 2023
3.5stars
I’m totally torn in my review for this book. My emotions where pinging from one extreme to another. I’m glad that Corjan and Bree worked things out and got their HEA but I felt that he forgave her why too easy for leaving him hanging for 10years. Corjan made mistakes but he finally wised up and was taking responsibilities for what happened in their marriage. At least he went looking for her to try and mend their relationship and it was nice to see he wasn’t horn dogging around while they were separated. I also understood where Bree was coming from and why she left the way she did. She had to take care of herself first but what I didn’t agree with was her not making any contact for 10years. Was she going to spend another 10years ignoring him if they hadn’t run into each other? Why not reach out to the guy after some time had passed? It just seemed like she moved on in some ways but he was left in limbo and it would have gone on for longer if they hadn’t run into each other and that just didn’t feel right.
I’m totally torn in my review for this book. My emotions where pinging from one extreme to another. I’m glad that Corjan and Bree worked things out and got their HEA but I felt that he forgave her why too easy for leaving him hanging for 10years. Corjan made mistakes but he finally wised up and was taking responsibilities for what happened in their marriage. At least he went looking for her to try and mend their relationship and it was nice to see he wasn’t horn dogging around while they were separated. I also understood where Bree was coming from and why she left the way she did. She had to take care of herself first but what I didn’t agree with was her not making any contact for 10years. Was she going to spend another 10years ignoring him if they hadn’t run into each other? Why not reach out to the guy after some time had passed? It just seemed like she moved on in some ways but he was left in limbo and it would have gone on for longer if they hadn’t run into each other and that just didn’t feel right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2023
I have no idea where I found this, a nice second chance story, with a long separation. No cheating, no OW/OM, just 2 people who found themselves 10 years later. He needed to grow up and she couldn’t continue to hold them together.
January 9, 2025
Zero stars for the heroine and five for the hero.
This might be the first time I hated the heroine with all of me and I loved the hero and thought that he deserved much better than her.
- I liked the book because it is different. It’s the heroine the one who leaves the hero. They reconnect accidentally at an airport, they collide and they accidentally pick up the other phone. So she has to go back to her hometown to pick up her own phone.
- they were high school sweethearts, got married at 18. He’s a kind guy but typical manchild. All day thinking about having fun, no real project about his future, no job. The heroine is the one who managed all, and for all I mean all. She does the house, the groceries, works 50 hours a week and pays the bill. He has no aim. Oh he’s kind, fun, loving, respectful, faithful and committed. He’s not a pothead or a drinker, but he’s not responsible and self sufficient. She’s basically his mama. So, after four years and a lot of fights, and a health scare for her, she leaves him. As in, ghosts him totally leaving just a note with all his failures.
He tries so hard to find her but she’s just vanished and he’s no rich so he has no money for a pi.
This was a hard wake up call for him, he was forced to grow up and become an adult. He found a job, paid and bought the house where they were living, and lived in hope she would one day come back, because she never sent him divorce paper.
So, ten years later, he’s ready to win her back, to show her the man he’s become.
During her stay she falls in love for him again and in the end she decided to stay.
My impression
The hero was a dream man.
I admit he was very immature when they got married and was very lazy and selfish. He promised he would change but never did. So she left.
But he stayed faithful and never stopped loving her. I mean, after being dumped like that, he stayed faithful for ten years, and he also told her that men are not robots unable to control their urges. I loved him! This, this is what I like. Finally, a man who is real, who is honorable and respectful his vows. And believe me, there are many in real life.
The heroine though. I didn’t like her at all. I admit she was acting like his mom, and she was tired of taking care of everything while he lived his best life at her expense. But they were married. Marriage is forever. He didn’t betray his vows. He was immature but she was wrong to leave. She should have asked for help to his mother, a very good and strong woman, or to his brothers. They would have helped to kick his ass. I found his behavior very immature but hers was selfish and immature too.
And when she met him again until the end she was determined to leave him and divorced him. It didn’t look like she loved him at all. He was good and kind when she married him, but when she met him after ten years he was a prize. He had a dog sanctuary and managed it all himself. He was kind, honest. Loyal and faithful. She didn’t deserve him. I felt pain for him because until the end she rejected him and was cold and unbending. I so wished for another woman for him. And this might be the first or the second time it happens, that I admit that I would have liked if he had other women and even another love interest. But for him. It was always her. And for her, it was always her too. Because she kept saying like it was gospel, that she had to put her needs first. Really? Is this the way a family could work? That everyone put their needs first? No, sorry, I don’t agree. There may be times when you put your needs first but some other times you have to compromise and put your partner needs first or your children’s. This is a very selfish statement and one that can lead to only one thing. Stay single. I don’t even think she was completely celibate. While he was. I know that it’s usually the opposite but since I don’t like when men leave the heroine and then have sex while the heroine that is dumped stays celibate I also have to admit I don’t like when the heroine dumps the hero, screws around and he, who was dumped wrongly, stays celibate. No double standard goes two ways for me.
So the extreme feminists and self centered kind of thought the heroine always had made me hate her immensely. In the end she realized she had a real prize and she had better keep him and hold him tight.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book and it deserved three stars.
This might be the first time I hated the heroine with all of me and I loved the hero and thought that he deserved much better than her.
- I liked the book because it is different. It’s the heroine the one who leaves the hero. They reconnect accidentally at an airport, they collide and they accidentally pick up the other phone. So she has to go back to her hometown to pick up her own phone.
- they were high school sweethearts, got married at 18. He’s a kind guy but typical manchild. All day thinking about having fun, no real project about his future, no job. The heroine is the one who managed all, and for all I mean all. She does the house, the groceries, works 50 hours a week and pays the bill. He has no aim. Oh he’s kind, fun, loving, respectful, faithful and committed. He’s not a pothead or a drinker, but he’s not responsible and self sufficient. She’s basically his mama. So, after four years and a lot of fights, and a health scare for her, she leaves him. As in, ghosts him totally leaving just a note with all his failures.
He tries so hard to find her but she’s just vanished and he’s no rich so he has no money for a pi.
This was a hard wake up call for him, he was forced to grow up and become an adult. He found a job, paid and bought the house where they were living, and lived in hope she would one day come back, because she never sent him divorce paper.
So, ten years later, he’s ready to win her back, to show her the man he’s become.
During her stay she falls in love for him again and in the end she decided to stay.
My impression
The hero was a dream man.
I admit he was very immature when they got married and was very lazy and selfish. He promised he would change but never did. So she left.
But he stayed faithful and never stopped loving her. I mean, after being dumped like that, he stayed faithful for ten years, and he also told her that men are not robots unable to control their urges. I loved him! This, this is what I like. Finally, a man who is real, who is honorable and respectful his vows. And believe me, there are many in real life.
The heroine though. I didn’t like her at all. I admit she was acting like his mom, and she was tired of taking care of everything while he lived his best life at her expense. But they were married. Marriage is forever. He didn’t betray his vows. He was immature but she was wrong to leave. She should have asked for help to his mother, a very good and strong woman, or to his brothers. They would have helped to kick his ass. I found his behavior very immature but hers was selfish and immature too.
And when she met him again until the end she was determined to leave him and divorced him. It didn’t look like she loved him at all. He was good and kind when she married him, but when she met him after ten years he was a prize. He had a dog sanctuary and managed it all himself. He was kind, honest. Loyal and faithful. She didn’t deserve him. I felt pain for him because until the end she rejected him and was cold and unbending. I so wished for another woman for him. And this might be the first or the second time it happens, that I admit that I would have liked if he had other women and even another love interest. But for him. It was always her. And for her, it was always her too. Because she kept saying like it was gospel, that she had to put her needs first. Really? Is this the way a family could work? That everyone put their needs first? No, sorry, I don’t agree. There may be times when you put your needs first but some other times you have to compromise and put your partner needs first or your children’s. This is a very selfish statement and one that can lead to only one thing. Stay single. I don’t even think she was completely celibate. While he was. I know that it’s usually the opposite but since I don’t like when men leave the heroine and then have sex while the heroine that is dumped stays celibate I also have to admit I don’t like when the heroine dumps the hero, screws around and he, who was dumped wrongly, stays celibate. No double standard goes two ways for me.
So the extreme feminists and self centered kind of thought the heroine always had made me hate her immensely. In the end she realized she had a real prize and she had better keep him and hold him tight.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book and it deserved three stars.
April 26, 2023
Sometimes love isn’t enough. Sometimes one has to put self first before the toxicity destroys everyone. But that doesn't mean that love wasn’t true. This is how I felt about Strayed by A.M. Wilson. An incredibly well written angsty second chance romance that shows the ugly sides of love but also shows the healing power and unbreakable bonding of true love. This is not an easy or simple or unrealistic love story. This is a very relatable and raw story that many many couples are living through and I salute the author for bringing that side of love in her story.
10 years ago Bree left her high school sweetheart and husband Corjan Powell just with a note. 10 Years later, they literally collide at airport and in hurry, their phones get exchanged. She has to come back to the small town she once called home to get back her phone. Corjan is making it clear he will try his best to keep her here..for a second chance but is Bree ready for it?
The choices people are entirely theirs and no one else can really understand that. Life doesn't run on a simple or single rule. Bree and Corjan married just after high school and he was all about living a free life. Bree was running on fumes to make the money and maintain the home and though Corjan's love was unquestionable, she just couldn't go through him. And so she left. They were young, the odds were high and she couldn't take it. Should we expect her to be a martyr and kill herself in the name of love? I don't think so. Her leaving broke Corjan but he also took initiative to get his life together and now he is successful and stable. Bree really was not ready for this new version of Corjan. He is not shy to express how much he still loves Bree. He is desperate for her to believe that he is changed for better. He is definitely making all the right moves. Being charming and caring and possessive..a perfect husband in every way. And Bree could easily give in but the past held her back. Did I want her to run to his arms and forget about past on the first day? Yes, my hopelessly romantic heart did. But that would be too unrealistic. Corjan had to show her that his love is more solid now. Bree never stopped loving him and coming to the small town forced her to face her terrifying feels. It was definitely hard for her..The blame, the anger, the guilt..but the Powell family has a big heart and that just helped them to heal. The chemistry exploded like she didn't leave for all these years. It was a heartaching second chance romance where love does conquer all.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
10 years ago Bree left her high school sweetheart and husband Corjan Powell just with a note. 10 Years later, they literally collide at airport and in hurry, their phones get exchanged. She has to come back to the small town she once called home to get back her phone. Corjan is making it clear he will try his best to keep her here..for a second chance but is Bree ready for it?
The choices people are entirely theirs and no one else can really understand that. Life doesn't run on a simple or single rule. Bree and Corjan married just after high school and he was all about living a free life. Bree was running on fumes to make the money and maintain the home and though Corjan's love was unquestionable, she just couldn't go through him. And so she left. They were young, the odds were high and she couldn't take it. Should we expect her to be a martyr and kill herself in the name of love? I don't think so. Her leaving broke Corjan but he also took initiative to get his life together and now he is successful and stable. Bree really was not ready for this new version of Corjan. He is not shy to express how much he still loves Bree. He is desperate for her to believe that he is changed for better. He is definitely making all the right moves. Being charming and caring and possessive..a perfect husband in every way. And Bree could easily give in but the past held her back. Did I want her to run to his arms and forget about past on the first day? Yes, my hopelessly romantic heart did. But that would be too unrealistic. Corjan had to show her that his love is more solid now. Bree never stopped loving him and coming to the small town forced her to face her terrifying feels. It was definitely hard for her..The blame, the anger, the guilt..but the Powell family has a big heart and that just helped them to heal. The chemistry exploded like she didn't leave for all these years. It was a heartaching second chance romance where love does conquer all.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
August 20, 2023
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK or decent reads.
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An okay read. I confess that I was undecided between 2 and 3 stars, because there are very boring parts. But I finished reading. Time lost due to immaturity of both. Very annoying heroine.
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An okay read. I confess that I was undecided between 2 and 3 stars, because there are very boring parts. But I finished reading. Time lost due to immaturity of both. Very annoying heroine.
April 21, 2023
I wish that I could give this book more stars, but I can't. And this is why:
To my opinion both MC's were too young when they got married. They didn't had any experience how to be married and rely on each other. When you love the person you gave your heart to, you should not be giving him up, because one fight. Yes, it is difficult, it takes time, but all the problems you have, you resolve them between yourselves. For me Bree made a pretty hastily decision. Which resulted in them being apart for 10 years.
I just couldn't feel the love and more importantly Bree's love and feelings. They both deserved their second chance and they needed to make an effort, but I didn't see Bree doing anything about it. This constant push and pull was just giving me a headache.
I am thankful to Grey's Promotion for providing me with this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
To my opinion both MC's were too young when they got married. They didn't had any experience how to be married and rely on each other. When you love the person you gave your heart to, you should not be giving him up, because one fight. Yes, it is difficult, it takes time, but all the problems you have, you resolve them between yourselves. For me Bree made a pretty hastily decision. Which resulted in them being apart for 10 years.
I just couldn't feel the love and more importantly Bree's love and feelings. They both deserved their second chance and they needed to make an effort, but I didn't see Bree doing anything about it. This constant push and pull was just giving me a headache.
I am thankful to Grey's Promotion for providing me with this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
January 20, 2024
They were separated for ten years and he was celibate so YAY! in that part, but the book didn't work for me 🤷
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April 18, 2023
I laughed and cried while reading this book. I read it in 2 days too. It was really good. 4½ stars
August 3, 2024
I had high hopes for Strayed because who doesn’t love a good second chance romance? But honestly, this one left me feeling more "second thoughts" than "second chance." Things were going fine until suddenly all the past drama was swept under the rug, and boom—they were in baby-making mode like they'd signed up for a fast-track parenting course. And don’t even get me started on the IUD removal scene at the end—talk about a cringe-fest! It went from sweet romance to “Wait, did that really just happen?” so fast it gave me whiplash. Sadly, this one just didn’t do it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2023
I know I’m in the minority here but I’m not understanding all the five star ratings on this one. To me the best part of the book was the prologue which is why I gave a two star rating but to be honest I DNF at 58%. I found zero character development with either main character. The author definitely can write some steamy scenes so that also earned the two stars but not enough to keep me interested in these two at all… I feel bad but it just didn’t work for me.
April 22, 2023
Dear lort Can there be a more perfect book boyfriend/husband/man than Corjan!!! I mean we thought we got a sense of the man in Lee's book but we only got what he wanted us to believe not the real man and that man well that man is just so heartbreaking perfect I just want to wrap him up and love him. Now that doesn't mean he didn't need the kick in the but he needed but lord the way he got it broke my heart too!! And Bree I know it was hard on her as well and she did everything she did for her and I don't blame her one bit. Because if you don't look out for yourself sometimes no one else will. And fate had other plans for them never seeing each other again. Can I just say how much I am loving this family and I can't wait for the next book!!! I absolutely love the way A.M. is bringing true family and love and forgiveness together without hardly any actual blood relatives. But it just proves it doesn't take blood to make a family. And then the way it has the puppies is just a bonus!!! I highly recommend this book and the entire series so far!! This was a fantastic read!!!
April 25, 2023
Loved Bree & Corjan’s story. Full review to follow
I loved heading back to hang out with the Powell family. Corjan and Bree were a young couple in love. Navigating the transition to marriage seemed to be something Bree took more seriously than Corjan. His inability to take her needs seriously drives Bree to flee.
Fast forward 10 years…… a chance encounter in an airport and life is suddenly nothing like it was. Memories swirl, feelings that have been buried start the resurface and Corjan refuses to let the opportunity to win Bree back slip through his fingers.
Bree and Corjan were easy to route for. But 10 years is a long tine to be separated from your spouse. It seemed odd that two people who cared so deeply for each other wouldn’t try to reconcile sooner. Bree seemed to build a good life for herself in Nevada but returning to Minnesota and spending time with Corjan began to unlock her heart. Could she let the walls down and let her one true love back in?
Would Corjan be able to show Bree how he’s changed and let her know that he she was his one and only? He loves her so much and understands where he went wrong all those years ago. Will he be able to let her go if she decides she still wants to go back her life without him?
Great story telling and characters deliver a heartfelt read with some sexy banter and a little game play. Grab your copy of Strayed and see how things turn out for these two.
I loved heading back to hang out with the Powell family. Corjan and Bree were a young couple in love. Navigating the transition to marriage seemed to be something Bree took more seriously than Corjan. His inability to take her needs seriously drives Bree to flee.
Fast forward 10 years…… a chance encounter in an airport and life is suddenly nothing like it was. Memories swirl, feelings that have been buried start the resurface and Corjan refuses to let the opportunity to win Bree back slip through his fingers.
Bree and Corjan were easy to route for. But 10 years is a long tine to be separated from your spouse. It seemed odd that two people who cared so deeply for each other wouldn’t try to reconcile sooner. Bree seemed to build a good life for herself in Nevada but returning to Minnesota and spending time with Corjan began to unlock her heart. Could she let the walls down and let her one true love back in?
Would Corjan be able to show Bree how he’s changed and let her know that he she was his one and only? He loves her so much and understands where he went wrong all those years ago. Will he be able to let her go if she decides she still wants to go back her life without him?
Great story telling and characters deliver a heartfelt read with some sexy banter and a little game play. Grab your copy of Strayed and see how things turn out for these two.
April 24, 2023
Tough Start – Fabulous Resolution!!
We meet Corjan and Bree as they are still early in their marriage. They are madly in love. Bree is working overtime to make ends meet, while Corjan has no direction, no job, and doesn’t even do chores around the house. When Bree tries one more time to express her frustration with no effect, she packs a bag and leaves.
Ten years later, we are back with our couple – separately of course. Bree is on bereavement leave and her demanding boss is calling her and referring to her absence as “vacation”. Going through the airport Bree literally bumps into Corjan. They end up with their phones swapped. Corjan has taken these ten years to become the man Bree said she wanted. He is traveling to create a partnership agreement between a Chicago rescue and his family’s rescue.
Corjan convinces Bree to return to Fairview Valley to switch phones. There she meets old friends, sees the changes in Corjan, and realizes she is not happy in her current circumstance.
A medical emergency has them spending more time than expected together. Emotional, romantic, little remembered details, and definitely a “new leaf”. A delightful read.
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
We meet Corjan and Bree as they are still early in their marriage. They are madly in love. Bree is working overtime to make ends meet, while Corjan has no direction, no job, and doesn’t even do chores around the house. When Bree tries one more time to express her frustration with no effect, she packs a bag and leaves.
Ten years later, we are back with our couple – separately of course. Bree is on bereavement leave and her demanding boss is calling her and referring to her absence as “vacation”. Going through the airport Bree literally bumps into Corjan. They end up with their phones swapped. Corjan has taken these ten years to become the man Bree said she wanted. He is traveling to create a partnership agreement between a Chicago rescue and his family’s rescue.
Corjan convinces Bree to return to Fairview Valley to switch phones. There she meets old friends, sees the changes in Corjan, and realizes she is not happy in her current circumstance.
A medical emergency has them spending more time than expected together. Emotional, romantic, little remembered details, and definitely a “new leaf”. A delightful read.
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
May 9, 2024
What a heartbreaking and healing story of love and the journey to find one’s self! 😭❤️ Why I subject myself to stories that make me cry and feel so intensely is beyond me, but wow did this one tug at the heartstrings.
I find myself sometimes being a bit harsher of a critic than I want to be, and these amazing stories by indie authors are humbling. Is it perfect? No. It’s a flawed story, but it’ll make you feel everything. Are there occasional typos? Yup. If you’re gonna be a grammar nazi critic, I’d steer clear. It’s crazy because I’ve read some of the popular Booktok romances and mostly I think they’re overhyped.
Then I find stories and authors like this…. And wow! Absolutely worth reading! 🙌 My best advice with this one is don’t overthink it and just enjoy the story. The Powell brothers are THE definition of swoon-worthy. 😍
I find myself sometimes being a bit harsher of a critic than I want to be, and these amazing stories by indie authors are humbling. Is it perfect? No. It’s a flawed story, but it’ll make you feel everything. Are there occasional typos? Yup. If you’re gonna be a grammar nazi critic, I’d steer clear. It’s crazy because I’ve read some of the popular Booktok romances and mostly I think they’re overhyped.
Then I find stories and authors like this…. And wow! Absolutely worth reading! 🙌 My best advice with this one is don’t overthink it and just enjoy the story. The Powell brothers are THE definition of swoon-worthy. 😍
April 17, 2023
The beginning and ending chapters gutted me. They ripped all kind of emotions out of me. AM captured Bree’s emotions and frustration perfectly in the prologue. I wanted to scream and yell at Corjan myself. “what the hell do you do everyday?” “ help me please! I’m drowning!” I felt it all!
There are not any slow or boring parts. Nothing I want to skip over. The book flows really well with Corjan showing Bree the life that he has now because of her. He grew up to become the man he needed to be and one she deserved. One who never stopped loving her. Bree seems a little cold and stand-offish at times. She definitely seems hell bent on not having feelings for Corjan. I don’t see how she’s resisting him especially after seeing how he’s filled out and become not only a gorgeous man on the outside but the inside also. Can he finally push past all her walls and get her to see she still loves him too?
BTW: everyone needs a grownup, new & improved Corjan! *wink and a friend like Juniper
There are not any slow or boring parts. Nothing I want to skip over. The book flows really well with Corjan showing Bree the life that he has now because of her. He grew up to become the man he needed to be and one she deserved. One who never stopped loving her. Bree seems a little cold and stand-offish at times. She definitely seems hell bent on not having feelings for Corjan. I don’t see how she’s resisting him especially after seeing how he’s filled out and become not only a gorgeous man on the outside but the inside also. Can he finally push past all her walls and get her to see she still loves him too?
BTW: everyone needs a grownup, new & improved Corjan! *wink and a friend like Juniper
September 23, 2024
3 ⭐️
I didn't feel like Bree really deserved to be forgiven so easily - I completely understand her reasons for leaving but the way she did it wasn't okay, especially not leaving him any way to contact her, I mean what if he wanted a divorce or met someone else? Obviously he didn't, because he loved her way more than she loved him, but still.
– Dual pov
– High-school sweethearts, separated for 10 years
– Celibate H/somewhat-celibate h (says she didn't go all the way)
– No OW/OM drama
– HEA ending + epilogue
I didn't feel like Bree really deserved to be forgiven so easily - I completely understand her reasons for leaving but the way she did it wasn't okay, especially not leaving him any way to contact her, I mean what if he wanted a divorce or met someone else? Obviously he didn't, because he loved her way more than she loved him, but still.
– Dual pov
– High-school sweethearts, separated for 10 years
– Celibate H/somewhat-celibate h (says she didn't go all the way)
– No OW/OM drama
– HEA ending + epilogue
April 24, 2023
A new to me author, and I enjoyed reading Bree and Corjan’s story. Sometimes love is not enough. Sometimes it is not the right time. But Bree and Corjan have an unfinished story, mixing up their cell phones at a chance meeting years later, and we get to be along for the journey. In their time apart, has Corjan grown up? And is Bree any less stubborn?
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
April 30, 2023
This is a well written second chance romance with strong characters in Bree and Corjan. The author does a great job developing the story and weaving an entertaining and emotional storyline. She moves the story fluidly and delivers a great addition to the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
April 15, 2023
This book has an easy way of giving you hope of a second chance. Corjan definitely has matured, but Bree is still very stubborn and scared, so there is always the uncertainty of if she will allow herself to see all the changes in Corjan and stop wasting time. But aside from that idea of impending doom when it comes to their relationship, there's no denying that Corjan and Bree are magic together. This is an easy and very romantic read.
April 8, 2023
Story started out strong with lots of feels to begin, then jumping to 10 years later and it contains all the new feels. We don't know how to feel about either character both happy and sad, anxious and excited. Bree is the strong woman standing up for herself and Corjan is the fun loving guy and together they are some kind of HOT, but will they be able to be together yet remain as strong as they have become?
Growth and trust for each is a task that they must achieve but will they each take that extra step to get there? Moving toward their HEA brings the story full circle with the discussion of the original good bye note, as well as the mystery of the health question.
Great read...
Growth and trust for each is a task that they must achieve but will they each take that extra step to get there? Moving toward their HEA brings the story full circle with the discussion of the original good bye note, as well as the mystery of the health question.
Great read...
April 24, 2023
A wonderful second chance romance.
Bree and Corjan got married young, and things didn’t work out for them.
Ten years have gone by, and they encounter each other again.
Will they get a second chance of a HEA?
I rooted so hard for these two characters. Their story was emotional, but did have laugh out loud moments too. It was great second book for this series.
Bree and Corjan got married young, and things didn’t work out for them.
Ten years have gone by, and they encounter each other again.
Will they get a second chance of a HEA?
I rooted so hard for these two characters. Their story was emotional, but did have laugh out loud moments too. It was great second book for this series.
January 11, 2025
3.5 stars … Second chance at love is sweet for Corjan (uhm what kind of name is that?!) and Bree, separated 10 years until a random airport bump spins their orbits back together.
I applaud Bree for standing up for herself when she realizes Corjan just needs to grow up, and thankfully he does.
Not my favorite trope but it’s sweetly and steamily penned by the author.
I applaud Bree for standing up for herself when she realizes Corjan just needs to grow up, and thankfully he does.
Not my favorite trope but it’s sweetly and steamily penned by the author.
May 5, 2023
Strayed by A.M. Wilson
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶🌶
Second chance
There was so much miscommunication, tension and heartbreak. Both main characters seemed to need to grow and learn as they we so young when they were first together and mistakes we made. The story felt rushed in spots and I felt like the MMC didn’t have enough anger towards the FMC as he should have giving us more angst. He was so quick to forgive and held so much love still for her. But the FMC didn’t give the impression that she cared from him as deeply as he did. She frustrated me at times. But I loved the growth of the MMC!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶🌶
Second chance
There was so much miscommunication, tension and heartbreak. Both main characters seemed to need to grow and learn as they we so young when they were first together and mistakes we made. The story felt rushed in spots and I felt like the MMC didn’t have enough anger towards the FMC as he should have giving us more angst. He was so quick to forgive and held so much love still for her. But the FMC didn’t give the impression that she cared from him as deeply as he did. She frustrated me at times. But I loved the growth of the MMC!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.
Read
June 20, 2023DNF 30%
Uggh,another clunker...I couldn't stay awake,or care to! So yeah,I am bored and find the premise ludicrous! The dude took it in stride when they erroneously bumped into each other after she took off 10 years ago....no Anger?? 🤔
According to.GOODREADS, I've not read anything from this author before.It would have to sound pretty dang enticing for me to give.her work another go.( note.to self!)
Uggh,another clunker...I couldn't stay awake,or care to! So yeah,I am bored and find the premise ludicrous! The dude took it in stride when they erroneously bumped into each other after she took off 10 years ago....no Anger?? 🤔
According to.GOODREADS, I've not read anything from this author before.It would have to sound pretty dang enticing for me to give.her work another go.( note.to self!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
This book was meh
I really liked the hero’s devotion to the heroine
Their chemistry was sweet
Nothing too exciting
BUT
When he
REMOVES
Her IUD
In the middle of sex
I LOST IT
WHAT THE F***?! I’m screaming
That was so bizarre
I really liked the hero’s devotion to the heroine
Their chemistry was sweet
Nothing too exciting
BUT
When he
REMOVES
Her IUD
In the middle of sex
I LOST IT
WHAT THE F***?! I’m screaming
That was so bizarre
July 19, 2024
this randomly popped up on my feed, saw it was a second chance romance, and i immediately started reading it. i read this in one sitting and spent the first 70% of the book teary eyed, the prologue broke my heart. it really fucking sucks seeing a couple who deeply love each to their very core separate 💔 this wasn't extremely sad or very angsty but i just sympathized so much with the characters and their story. i cried multiple times to be honest. even at the happy stuff because i was just happy to see them happy. they were so in love but this just shows how sometimes love is not always enough. but they were meant to be, so they eventually found their way back to each other. their relationship was so beautiful and corjan's devotion to bree, even when though they were separated for 10 years, had me always on the verge of tears. the second chance delivered! in a way that was not annoying and it actually made sense why they separated. it wasn't because of some petty stupid reason.
some quotes that had me either crying or smiling so much my face hurt (spoilers!)
🩷 “You’re wrong.” I drop my attention to her pouty pink mouth. “I want everything.”
“Back up.” She presses against me, fighting a little against my hold. “I don’t remember asking to share my oxygen with you.”
“I believe that’s what our vows were for,” I rumble, basking in the way her guarded gaze snaps to mine. “And I haven’t taken a full breath in ten years.”
🩷 “There’s nothing left for me here anymore, Corjan.” She can’t quite hide the sadness in her voice. It gives me a lifeline. If the pain I feel was visible, she’d see the wound her words cause open across my chest. I’m bleeding out here, begging her to give us a chance. Hearing that she feels even a fraction of that too gives me hope
“Give me one night.”
“What?”
“One night. I don’t want you to go back without us actually talking about this. If you still want to leave it in the past, then fine. But you had a lot to say back then that I didn’t listen to, and I have a lot to say now.”
“Why? Why would I do that when it’s just going to hurt us both?”
“Because I need you to fall back in love with me.”
🩷 “I don’t know where you live.” He pauses. “Do you remember the house we rented near the edge of town on 247th?” My memory stops easily on the one and only house we lived in together.
“I do. It’s near there?”
“It is there.”
“I’m sorry?”
“That’s where I live. I live in that house.” My brain short-circuits.
“When did you move back in?”
“I never left.”
🩷 I don’t even know if she likes dogs anymore. The Bree I used to know couldn’t walk past an animal without trying to pet it or take it home. She once tried to coax a fox into our house because it looked cute until I shut the door and told her no. She was so upset that I found a fox rescue and took her on a tour so she could pet a goddamn fox and smile at me again.
~ how fucking precious is this 😭😭😭😭
some may say the reason for their separation could have been avoided but it felt very realistic to me. they were also both so young and trying to figure of their lives together and we’re only human! corjan was in no way a bad person to bree, he truly loved her but he needed to grow and find his priorities and focus on them. bree choosing to leave him was his wake up call. it's really sad that it had to come to that, and i was so heartbroken for the both of them because i could feel how much they deeply loved each other.
i can't talk about this book without mentioning how fucking cute their text messages were and that corjan kept their wedding anniversary date for his phone password the whole time 😭 he was also celibate during their separation. i honestly did not expect that but he said it himself, bree was the only women for him, and he showed that in both actions and words. 🥺❤️🩹
i will never forget this couple.
some quotes that had me either crying or smiling so much my face hurt (spoilers!)
🩷 “You’re wrong.” I drop my attention to her pouty pink mouth. “I want everything.”
“Back up.” She presses against me, fighting a little against my hold. “I don’t remember asking to share my oxygen with you.”
“I believe that’s what our vows were for,” I rumble, basking in the way her guarded gaze snaps to mine. “And I haven’t taken a full breath in ten years.”
🩷 “There’s nothing left for me here anymore, Corjan.” She can’t quite hide the sadness in her voice. It gives me a lifeline. If the pain I feel was visible, she’d see the wound her words cause open across my chest. I’m bleeding out here, begging her to give us a chance. Hearing that she feels even a fraction of that too gives me hope
“Give me one night.”
“What?”
“One night. I don’t want you to go back without us actually talking about this. If you still want to leave it in the past, then fine. But you had a lot to say back then that I didn’t listen to, and I have a lot to say now.”
“Why? Why would I do that when it’s just going to hurt us both?”
“Because I need you to fall back in love with me.”
🩷 “I don’t know where you live.” He pauses. “Do you remember the house we rented near the edge of town on 247th?” My memory stops easily on the one and only house we lived in together.
“I do. It’s near there?”
“It is there.”
“I’m sorry?”
“That’s where I live. I live in that house.” My brain short-circuits.
“When did you move back in?”
“I never left.”
🩷 I don’t even know if she likes dogs anymore. The Bree I used to know couldn’t walk past an animal without trying to pet it or take it home. She once tried to coax a fox into our house because it looked cute until I shut the door and told her no. She was so upset that I found a fox rescue and took her on a tour so she could pet a goddamn fox and smile at me again.
~ how fucking precious is this 😭😭😭😭
some may say the reason for their separation could have been avoided but it felt very realistic to me. they were also both so young and trying to figure of their lives together and we’re only human! corjan was in no way a bad person to bree, he truly loved her but he needed to grow and find his priorities and focus on them. bree choosing to leave him was his wake up call. it's really sad that it had to come to that, and i was so heartbroken for the both of them because i could feel how much they deeply loved each other.
i can't talk about this book without mentioning how fucking cute their text messages were and that corjan kept their wedding anniversary date for his phone password the whole time 😭 he was also celibate during their separation. i honestly did not expect that but he said it himself, bree was the only women for him, and he showed that in both actions and words. 🥺❤️🩹
i will never forget this couple.
April 23, 2023
Strayed by A.M. Wilson is book two in the series and is a second chance romance between Corjan and Bree. They were high school sweethearts and Corjan was the love of her life. This can easily be read as a standalone but to really understand the backstory of the Powell siblings, I advise you read Abandoned first. The story starts a year into their marriage and then we meet them again ten years later. There is resentment and regrets to work through and healing and forgiveness to be had as this couple attempt to find the HEA they originally wanted.
Corjan and Bree dated and got married but things didn’t go as planned. There was no denying that this couple loved each other, it was all the other stuff that got in the way and they struggled with. He was a free spirit type of guy so she was left working and looking after the home. Love couldn’t keep a roof over their heads or pay the bills. His past had a big influence on his attitude to life and he couldn’t appreciate how it effected his wife. I understood her frustrations but felt as they were so young and she had a good relationship with his family that she could have turned to them for help. You may not agree with her choice to leave and how she gave up on her marriage.
Ten years later they unexpectedly crash into each other at an airport and accidentally take the wrong phones. This blunder leaves them with a way of connecting again. She is determined not to let him get to her but once she decides to go back home, it becomes so much harder to push the old feelings for him away. Bree has to work through everything and see if she can let go of the past. Their texts are very amusing and I loved their constant truth or dare exchanges.
Corjan had a poor start in life and marrying her was the best thing to ever happen to him. I felt sorry for him because he did realise his mistakes and went looking for her when she left. Even after all the years he still feels guilty at the hurt he’d caused her. Neither had stopped loving the other but can they find a way back together. He certainly seems to put all the effort in as he tries to persuade her to give him a second chance. He has matured and worked on being a better man. She has become a strong and independent woman. They have both changed but she is surprised how well he still knows her. Can she see the man in front of her and how hard he’s worked to be the husband she deserved.
I loved being back in the Powell Sanctuary World and their dog rescue business. His family were amazing and most were very pleased to see her again but it didn’t help they didn’t know the whole story over her leaving. The dogs again have a starring role and it was great seeing how well Lee and Juniper were getting on. I am looking forward to seeing whose story will be next.
The ending was great as Corjan righted his wrongs and proved that he knew he’d made mistakes and owned up to them but could Bree believe he really was her HEA. I enjoyed this very honest look at married life and the problems a couple can experience when true love and a strong bond is not enough to keep them together. Really sweet story about getting a second chance with the love of your life.
Corjan and Bree dated and got married but things didn’t go as planned. There was no denying that this couple loved each other, it was all the other stuff that got in the way and they struggled with. He was a free spirit type of guy so she was left working and looking after the home. Love couldn’t keep a roof over their heads or pay the bills. His past had a big influence on his attitude to life and he couldn’t appreciate how it effected his wife. I understood her frustrations but felt as they were so young and she had a good relationship with his family that she could have turned to them for help. You may not agree with her choice to leave and how she gave up on her marriage.
Ten years later they unexpectedly crash into each other at an airport and accidentally take the wrong phones. This blunder leaves them with a way of connecting again. She is determined not to let him get to her but once she decides to go back home, it becomes so much harder to push the old feelings for him away. Bree has to work through everything and see if she can let go of the past. Their texts are very amusing and I loved their constant truth or dare exchanges.
Corjan had a poor start in life and marrying her was the best thing to ever happen to him. I felt sorry for him because he did realise his mistakes and went looking for her when she left. Even after all the years he still feels guilty at the hurt he’d caused her. Neither had stopped loving the other but can they find a way back together. He certainly seems to put all the effort in as he tries to persuade her to give him a second chance. He has matured and worked on being a better man. She has become a strong and independent woman. They have both changed but she is surprised how well he still knows her. Can she see the man in front of her and how hard he’s worked to be the husband she deserved.
I loved being back in the Powell Sanctuary World and their dog rescue business. His family were amazing and most were very pleased to see her again but it didn’t help they didn’t know the whole story over her leaving. The dogs again have a starring role and it was great seeing how well Lee and Juniper were getting on. I am looking forward to seeing whose story will be next.
The ending was great as Corjan righted his wrongs and proved that he knew he’d made mistakes and owned up to them but could Bree believe he really was her HEA. I enjoyed this very honest look at married life and the problems a couple can experience when true love and a strong bond is not enough to keep them together. Really sweet story about getting a second chance with the love of your life.
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