“Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder looking more beautiful than ever standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go won't be a mistake he ever makes again.”
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Blurb
That moment your life changes.
That moment that changes your life.
That moment you love someone more than you love yourself.
That was the moment we gave our son up for adoption and the moment I was left bare. A wide-open space that would forever be empty.
There are moments that define you as a person, moments that prove just how strong you are, moments you push yourself to keep going forward when all you really want to do is give up. It was in one of those moments when I reached out and found him waiting for me.
When Shelby Calder left home fifteen years ago, she never planned on returning to the Alaskan town she left behind. But after the death of her grandfather and a bitter divorce, she hopes going home will be a fresh start for her and her ten-year-old son.
Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder, looking more beautiful than ever, standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go won't be a mistake he ever makes again.
Some things never change and love is one of them.
Excerpt
“Then why did you marry her?” I ask, wondering if I’m really ready to go there with him, but it’s too late to change my mind. The question is out, and as much as I don’t want to know the answer, I need to know the answer.
“I wanted my kids to have what I didn’t. I believed that, with time, we could find a way to be happy.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this,” I say, changing my mind as nausea and jealousy turn my stomach.
“You loved your ex, baby. I know you did. I didn’t have that. I wanted it but never had it with her or anyone else since you.”
“Please stop.” Feeling tears burn the back of my eyes for him, I close them tight. Max and I were happy and in love in the beginning, and I hate knowing Zach never had that… the kids didn’t see or feel that.
“I wish my past didn’t hurt you so much. I’m sorry for hurting you the way I have. If I could take your pain away, I would.” He gathers me against him and tucks my head under his chin.
“As sad as it makes me, I wish you would have had that with her or someone else,” I say, and his arms tighten so much that my lungs compress.
“I don’t,” he growls.
“What?” I wheeze, and he loosens his grip just enough for me to take a breath.
“I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I had been with her or someone else when you came back. I don’t want to face that demon inside of me that knows what I would have done.”
“Zach—”
“I’ve been in love with you for almost eighteen years. I carried your missing pieces around inside me for that long, Shelby. I know it would have made me an asshole, but there is only one you. You’re the only place I’ve ever called home.” His voice is thick with emotion, and that wound inside of me fills up a little bit more. I hate his words, but a part of me is relieved he feels that way, that he feels so deeply for me.
“There’s been a wide open space inside me since we placed Samuel and I left you behind. But, from the moment I came back, it’s slowly been filling up.”
He goes quiet at my words. Several moments pass before he speaks again. “One day, that space will be full. I swear, with everything I have in me, I will make sure it’s overflowing and that you never feel empty again.”
My Review
After being introduced briefly to Shelby and Zach with a quick look into their complicated history, I was really excited for this book. And while I was excited, I was also honestly a little apprehensive. I mean their story is heavy. It's beautiful and tragic platform made me a tad wary but knowing Aurora Rose Reynolds and her love of the alpha and the HEA, I dove in. And I'm glad I did.
Shelby has spent the last 15 years trying to get over her past with Zach and the adoption of her son. She's also a bit jaded now after divorcing her husband and moving back home with her young son. What she doesn't expect is for her old boyfriend to be living next door with his two teenage kids barley a year older than the son they adopted out. Battling her emotions is difficult though when Zach reintroduces himself back into her life and as tensions with her ex heat up.
In ARR fashion, Shelby and Zach have insta-everything, but since I expect it, I actually look forward to it in her books. Both are now single navigating a life they never thought they'd be living but second chances are rare and they're able to admit they still love each other. In the first book of the series, I felt like some of the emotion was missing but I didn't feel that here. I actually had a clammy hands and a nervous stomach as I read the first part as Shelby revisited her past. It was not at all the way she thought it was and I found much relief in that. I would say that safety readers are okay to read this and outside drama is really only a minimum. I would have liked to have a more in depth look at their relationship and reunion, but I was happy to see them (and their kids) portrayed pretty realistically even if the situation they found themselves in would probably face many more obstacles in the real world. The sex was also HOT though there was a lot of it taking the place of relationship tidbits I would have loved but ARR knows how to write steam.
As this story wrapped up and introduced the couple in the next book, Ms Reynolds has me absolutely salivating for an even more emotional and heart-wretching addition to this series. I cannot wait for it.
Reviewed by Paige
★★☆ 3.5 "Full Circle" Stars ☆★★
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About the Author:
Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it's beauty.
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