Straight Up Love (The Boys of Jackson Harbor #2) by Lexi Ryan
Contemporary Romance
May 8th
Hiding your feelings for your bestfriend is hard, especially when you’ve been in love with her for years and you’re just waiting on the sidelines when she finally realizes that you’re meant to be together.
Jake is in love with Ava. Everybody around them knows this except the woman that he’s in love with, even if he already confessed his unrequited love for her years ago. So he decided that if he can’t have Ava right now, then he will do his damnedest to be there for her when she needs him. To make her feel loved and cherished, that maybe someday she will realize that her forever is right in front of her.
Ava wants to have babies. She decided she wanted a family, even if there won’t be a man in her life at least she would have her own baby to love. She felt inadequate when she couldn’t get pregnant and decided that it was the reason her marriage ended. Her mind made up, all she needed was a sperm donor to start Operation Pregnancy. Sperm banks scared her because of it being anonymous and not knowing the donors quirks and personalities. So her girlfriends suggested that she ask the one man that has been there for her no matter what. But Jake gave her a stipulation that scares her, because this might uncover the feelings that she tried very hard to hide.
Another one for the books. Ms. Lexi giving us another love story that would leave you giddy, guessing and keep your heart racing. As always, this was totally a fun read. Who wouldn’t enjoy a bff-turned-lovers trope? I admired how Jake was steadfast with his love, even though Ava didn’t show that she felt the same way. That he would always be ready and waiting when she would ready to acknowledge the fact that they are fated to be together.
“He grounds me. Always has. Even when he was a ten-year-old boy who made fun of my pigtails, he always knew what to say—or not say—when I was upset.”
“I’m pretty sure I was born in love with you, and every moment we’re together, this thing I feel becomes more of who I am.”
“I love him so much it hurts. I think maybe that scares me.”
***ARC graciously given in exchange for an HONEST review. :)
From New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a sexy new standalone romance about a woman who’d do anything to have a baby and the man who’d do anything to have her…
For my 30th birthday, I’m giving myself the one thing I want most: a baby. Sure, this would be easier if I had a husband—or even a boyfriend—but I refuse to be thwarted by minor details.
When I drunkenly confess my plans to my friends, they convince me to ask Jake Jackson for help. Jake, the best friend who’s been there for me through thick and thin. Jake, who also happens to be smart, funny, ridiculously good looking, and the winner of all the genetic lotteries.
So when Jake takes me up on my request—with the stipulation that we get the job done the old-fashioned way—I’d be a fool to decline.
The only problem? I don’t know if I can separate sex from all the things I feel for this amazing man. If I can’t keep my heart under lock and key, I risk losing the relationship I need the most.
Jake has his own reasons for granting my baby wish. But when I discover his secrets, it could mean the end of us. I have to choose—run or stay and fight for love.
Fall for the boys of Jackson Harbor in Lexi Ryan’s sexy new contemporary romance series. These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!
Ava’s crawling back down the bed and pulling the covers over her head.
“Can we talk about this?” I ask.
“No,” she says, her voice muffled.
I cross the room and pull the blanket off her head. I know she’s hungover, but I can’t just walk away from this conversation. I barely slept last night, freaking torn up about her pregnancy and all its implications, and now she’s telling me she’s not pregnant. She just wants to be, and she wants my help.
What the fuck does that mean?
“Talk.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“I want a family, and I’m sick of waiting for Mr. Right to come along, so I’m going to do it on my own.”
“And you want my help?” Hell. I’m trying really hard not to jump to conclusions here. Emphasis on hard.
“Yeah. I mean, no. I mean . . .” She takes a deep breath. “It sounded like a good idea last night.”
Doing baby-making things with Ava sounds like a good idea to me every minute of every hour of every damn day, but I’m quite aware that doing that with me doesn’t cross her mind nearly as often. Okay, or ever. “Last night, when you asked for my help, you meant you wanted me to get you pregnant?”
She scowls. “Are you being dense on purpose?”
“I promise I’m not.” But if ever there was a conversation where I’m going to need things spelled out for me, this is it. “I just want to make sure I understand.”
She presses her palm to her forehead. “I just wanted you to jack off in a cup and hand it to me. Not the weird way.”
Right. Because that wouldn’t be weird. “I’m sorry.” I hold up a finger. “Give me a sec.” I walk around the room, scanning the ceiling and the corners. I check behind the lamp and crack the closet to look in there.
“What are you doing, Jake?”
I spin on her. “I’m looking for the camera—the one you planted before you Punk’d me. Is that show even still a thing? Because I’m sure I’m being Punk’d right now.”
Lexi Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles. A former academic and English professor, Lexi considers herself the luckiest girl around to make a living through storytelling. She loves spending time with her crazy kids, weightlifting, ice cream, swoony heroes, and vodka martinis.
Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog.