2)
She’s different now, and I’m not referring to the disappearance of her bleached blonde hair back to her natural brown. I loved her as a blonde, but the dark suits her better. I wouldn’t care if she had rainbow-colored hair. I’m not sitting outside the hospital where she works, watching her walk to her car like some stalker, because she’s gorgeous. I’m here because of her heart and kindness. That’s what I’m fighting to get back. The package it comes in is just an added bonus.
Her ponytail swings back and forth as she laughs with what I hope is a co-worker, unless she’s turned lesbian in the last two years. She waves good-bye to the girl and throws her purse into the passenger seat of her Jetta. The car has a little more rust than it did back in the day, but it’s held up well. Still, it’s old and she deserves something newer.
She pulls out of her parking space, and my heart constricts as I watch her drive away from me again. I should duck down so she doesn’t see me, but my eyes won’t veer from her. The beat-up Jetta passes and my stomach clenches. My hand itches to yank the car handle open. My feet beg to disobey and run to her. I don’t have to, because she slams on the breaks and her eyes are locked on mine. Hope pours from mine while hers fume with anger.
The first words of the book took my breathe away and I almost stopped reading it. Cheating is a hard boundary for me but the story really drew me in. I wanted to understand why it happened.
The story begins two years after Taylor left Brad, as they were graduating from college. He is going after his girl. He loves her and wants her back.
He had a lot of explaining to do to ME and TAYLOR. I wish the author had addressed what happened head on instead of allowing the one who cheated to skate a little. No spoilers but I wanted that scene to play out fully to understand what was in that character’s head at that point. I know drugs played a part and so did low self esteem. I don’t know that I would have forgiven as quickly…
Brad shut down when he didn’t make the Olympic team, he wouldn’t let Taylor in, and in fact pushed her away, so she had to do what was right for her. Leave him. Also, Taylor had a secret….and I don’t blame her for keeping it given what an a$$ Brad was at the time. It flat out made the story more spicy.
Second chance romances, done well, are one of my fav romance story lines. This author made the story cute and relatable with great dialogue and tons of funny moments.
Brad and Taylor had chemistry. I would have liked more sexy scenes but they were often foiled by another character. No spoilers!
I also would have liked to know more about their romance the first time around. That would add a bit more depth to the book and showcase why both were still so desperately in love.
Overall, this book was pretty darn great. The real Easter egg in this book, for me, was Dylan. I am formally requesting his story!
Synopsis:
finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed.
thank you for reading and reviewing Love Rekindled. YES, Dylan’s story is next! 🙂