Author: Jessica Lemmon
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Page Count: 432 pages
Format: E-Arc
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Second Chance (Book #2)
Heat Level: Hot & Sizzling
Release Date: 5/26/2015

NOT ALL SCARS HEAL

For Donovan Pate, the lake town of Evergreen Cove is a minefield of tough memories—including the day he had to let go of Sofie Martin. Years later, he still can’t forget the taste of her lips and the feel of her killer curves. He knows he’s too damaged, that he should stay away for her own good. But what the head says and the heart wants are two very different things…

Seven years ago, Donovan broke Sofie’s heart. Now her career depends on playing nice in order to pull off the charity fundraiser of the decade. She vows to keep things professional…yet working by his side every day doesn’t make it easy to fight temptation, and it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for this bad boy all over again. But loving Donovan means helping him face his past–so they can fight for a future together.

A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.

You can also find her here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Read on for an excerpt, review, details on where to find Rescuing the Bad Boy online, as well as a book spotlight for the first book in Jessica Lemmon’s Second Chance series, Bringing Home the Bad Boy, AND you will also find a tour-wide giveaway link where you can enter to win one of five autographed copies of Rescuing the Bad Boy.

From Rescuing the Bad Boy:

Her soft touch landed on Donovan’s arm, and the anger shuddering inside him shifted into an ache. She stepped closer, the warmth between them radiating enough heat to set him on fire. But like the fireplaces he built, he could handle it. He could handle the heat from her, not because he was impervious, but because he was strong enough to soak her in and not burn to ash.

She turned his arm where paint was drying. She swiped at it with her sleeve. “I made a mess.”

He’d forgotten about the paint. “Don’t… I can… There is a shower in the…” He lost his train of thought when she turned those emerald green eyes up to him. He watched her delicate throat work as she swallowed. His eyes traveled up her neck and landed on her mouth. Needing her mouth, he lowered his face, watched her eyes grow dark and wide, watched her lift her chin to meet him.

Heat. He wanted more. If only to test his own strength.

He moved his lips gently against hers, but resisted holding her to him. She held onto him though, grasping his forearms with both hands, her fingers wrapped around his elbows. Pressing her body against his, pressing her tits against his ribs.

Hell, sounded like an invitation to him.  Deepening their connection, he thrust his tongue into her mouth, reached around, and grabbed her ass with both palms. When he squeezed, she sucked in a breath.

“Told you,” he rumbled.

“Told me?”

“Not a complaint, Scampi.” He squeezed again. “Perfect.”

A choked laugh left her throat. “Big.”

Still moving his hands over her backside, he said, “First thing I noticed about you at the Wharf.” He’d been plating up a chicken scaloppini when the manager walked in to show around a few new servers. Two he couldn’t remember, and Sofie. Bent over the plate, he’d peeked between the metal shelves framing that perfect ass . He’d stood to get a better look, and she’d pegged him with those moss-greens.

“Second thing I noticed was your eyes.”

Her lips parted slightly. “And the third thing?”

He kissed her. She tasted incredible. “The first time you talked to me.”

She rolled her eyes. “And what did I say?”

She didn’t think he remembered. She was wrong. “‘Can I get a side of cock?’”

Laughing, she shook her head.

He smiled back at her, unable to help himself. “Then you cleared your throat and said, ‘cocktail sauce’.”

Shaking her head, she said, “Worst abbreviation ever.”

“Kitchen guys are immature.”

She blinked up at him, studying him, like she was trying to piece him together. He didn’t want her to. Once she pieced him together and had the whole picture, she wouldn’t like what she saw.

He kissed her again, keeping his hands on her body.

“Are you testing my boundaries?” she asked, her tone teasing. He recognized that comment from the night he rescued her from Torsett.

“Mine,” he corrected.

Sofie bit her lip. “I don’t date much.”

“Me either.” At all, actually.

She shook her head, more in thought than in argument. “I don’t think I have any boundaries with you.”

He was beginning to think he had none with her, either.

* ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review *

First Impression: Rescuing the Bad Boy is such well-written and entertaining read. Jessica Lemmon’s writing style immediately draws readers in and keeps them turning the pages throughout the book. I loved the small town, every person feel to this story, and I’m certain we’ve all met people just like the characters depicted in this book, which, to me, is what makes Rescuing the Bad Boy an interesting, thought-provoking read.

Donovan “Donny” Pate is an angry, troubled guy, though he tries to hide his anger through his looks and charm. The quintessential bad boy hero if ever there was one, and one of my favorite kind of heroes to read about. One that can break your heart in a million different ways and still make you want to reach out and hug him for all the pain he’s experienced. He’s a strong man who has endured more than anyone should ever have to and for that reason alone, I wanted to see him find closure and happiness. Because I liked him. And that hadn’t been the case when he was first introduced in this book.

Sofie Martin was a naive, starry-eyed girl when this story first started and because of her feelings for Donny, I knew going in that she wasn’t going to have an easy time of things. Because caring for someone like Donny wouldn’t allow for things to be easy, but I knew it would be worth it. I knew Donny needed someone–needed Sofie–to go that extra mile for him. He needed her to see beyond his bad boy persona to the troubled boy of his youth and as a reader, I wanted her to see that side of him, too. Because he so badly needed someone to know and accept him, hard, jagged edges and all.

Final Review: I completely loved this book! There’s so much I could say about it, and about the main and even the secondary characters. But I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone so I’m just going to say I loved it and highly recommend reading it. Especially if you love stories with deep characterization and heartfelt connections in a small town setting where both the hero and the heroine grow and change because of each other. To me, this is the best kind of romance book, and one that will stay with you for a while after reaching the end.

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Tour-wide rafflecopter giveaway:

5 grand prize winners will receive an autographed copy of Rescuing the Bad Boy

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here!

The Bad Boy Is Back

Evan Downey needs a new beginning. Since the death of his wife five years ago, the brilliant tattoo artist has shut himself away in a prison of grief that not even his work can break him out of-and what’s worse, Evan knows his son Lyon is bearing the brunt of his seclusion. Moving back to the lake town of Evergreen Cove where he spent his childhood summers is his last chance for a fresh start.

Charlotte Harris knows she owes it to her best friend’s memory to help Evan and his son find their way again, but she can’t stop her traitorous heart from skipping a beat every time she looks into Evan’s mesmerizing eyes. Charlotte is determined to stay strictly in the Friend Zone-until a mind-blowing night knocks that plan by the wayside. Now, if they’re brave enough to let it, Charlotte and Evan might just find a love capable of healing their broken hearts . . .

Released on 1/27/2015

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