DO OVER by Serena Bell-a review
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 30, 2018
Toe-curling? Check. Sheet-twisting? Check. But is that enough for a second chance?
Jack: I’m pretty much as tough as they come. But when a woman comes to me in tears, I’m jelly. Scratch that—when Maddie Adams comes to me in tears, I’m jelly. That’s how we ended up making our incredible son five years ago, and that’s why I practically beg her to move in with me when she’s in a tight spot. Of course, the last time I got the chance to be the hero, I let her down, but I’m not making the same mistake twice. This time, I’m going to be the man she deserves—and then I’m going to lay every ounce of sexy on her until she lets me back into her heart.
Maddie: Jack Parker is hot, and he knows it. What he’s not is a family man, something this single mom had to learn the hard way. Still, moving into his place until I get back on my feet makes all kinds of sense. He’s an old friend. He’s, ahem, the father of my child. And let’s face it, now that I’ve just been colossally dumped, we’ve got nowhere else to go. The truth is, I never could resist Jack. Living under the same roof puts dirty thoughts in my head. And when my brilliant plan backfires, my whole body is begging for a do-over. . . .
Do Over is a standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a satisfying happily ever after.
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REVIEW: DO OVER by Serena Bell is an adult contemporary, erotic, romance stand alone story line focusing on construction worker Jack Parker, and pharmacy employee Maddie Adams.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Maddie and Jack) using present day and memories from the past DO OVER is a second chance romance that follows the rekindling relationship between our leading couple following the break-up of Maddie’s most recent relationship. Five years earlier a pregnant Maddie walked out of Jack’s life but in the ensuing time the couple have remained friends for the sake of their son Gabe. Having caught her boyfriend Harris in bed with her best friend Mia, Maddie runs to the only person with whom she can depend, the father of her son, and the man who originally broke her heart Jack Parker. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Jack and Maddie when Maddie and Gabe must take up temporary residence with Jack, and the potential fall out as their time together comes to a close when Maddie finds another place to live.
Jack Parker is a man used to his freedom: drinks with the boys; weekends at the games, and a ‘friends with benefits’ sexual partner who has no expectations except the here and now, but saying that Jack’s attitude at times is disconcerting especially his inner turmoil as it pertains to being a father, his son’s behaviour, and the curtailing of his freedom to come and go. It is the inner turmoil and thoughts where the reader is up close and personal with a man who is ambivalent about fatherhood and the future but thoughts many parents have as they struggle with the bigger picture.
The relationship between Jack and Maddie is one of mutual attraction but issues of trust made for some heartbreaking decisions that pulled Maddie out of Jack’s life. With Maddie in close proximity, their time together begins to rebuild the bond between Jack and the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Jack’s friends Henry and Clark; Jack’s sister Sienna, and his ‘benefits’ partner Lani; as well as Maddie and Jack’s son Gabe.
DO OVER is a second chance story line; a rekindling romance between two people whose lives were pulled apart by betrayal and mistrust but brought back together by an innocent child hoping for a happily ever after. The premise is sweet and emotional; the romance is passionate and heartbreaking as past betrayal and issues of trust are kept at the forefront; the characters are coloful and dynamic.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
