REVIEW: If It’s Only Love by Lexi Ryan

If It’s Only Love by Lexi Ryan: Shayleigh has grown up with five very protective brothers, which makes it hard to date. But Shay also only wanted her brother’s best friend and almost family member, Easton. She’s smart, sassy, creative, and has plans for her future. She’s dedicated to her family and loves living close to them.

Easton was always destined for the NFL. He may have been raised by a single mom, but he really was accepted as a member of Shay’s family. He’s sexy, charming, handsome, and wants a family like Shay’s for himself. Now with his NFL career behind him, he’s ready to return home with his beloved daughter and have a fresh start and second chance.

Shay and Easton have a tangled history. They were really close and good friends growing up and then Easton finally started to notice her as more than a friend. While they had a combustible chemistry, life took them in different directions. Shay grew up and both have tried to move on, but could never forget their moments since he was drafted.

“That doesn’t mean I’m giving you the silent treatment.”
Leaning back in his chair, he folds his arms. He’s not buying my shit, and I don’t care. “You blocked me on social media-I sent requests.”
I snort. “Really, Easton? Do you care if some girl from back home keeps her accounts private?”
“You’re more than that to me, and you know it.”

Easton is definitely ready this time to go after Shay and not give up. Between trying to finish her dissertation and find a job, Shay doesn’t want to even deal with Easton’s return, the memories, and how he broke her heart. She’s not willing to forgive and fall back into his arms, but Easton is more persistent than ever and willing to take the displeasure of his friends and her brothers. They have a lot of pain, heartbreak, and baggage to sort through if Easton wants to win her heart all over again.

She blinks up at me. “Why do you do this?”
“Do what?”
“Just enough to keep me on the hook. Just enough so I can’t ever really let you go.”

Alternating between the past and present, If It’s Only Love is heartbreaking yet sexy with mistakes, surprises, and missed opportunities. Lexi Ryan provided angst, banter, conflict, heat, and family. Ms. Ryan provided an entertaining cast of characters in the Jackson family. If It’s Only Love can be read as a standalone in The Boys of Jackson Harbor series. Fans of Lorelei James and Jaci Burton will love If It’s Only Love.

Book Info:

Publication: September 10th 2019 | Ever After, LLC | The Boys of Jackson Harbor #6

From New York Times bestseller Lexi Ryan comes a sexy new standalone romance in the bestselling Boys of Jackson Harbor series. Meet single dad Easton Connor as he leaves the NFL and returns to Jackson Harbor to fight for another chance with the love of his life.

***

I don’t regret much.

Not my decision to enter the NFL draft before finishing college.
Not fighting custody of my daughter—even if, biologically speaking, it turns out she’s not mine.
And certainly not seducing my buddy’s little sister ten years ago.

But when it comes to Shayleigh Jackson, my no-regrets attitude stops there. I screwed up royally where she’s concerned. Then I made another mistake when I let her shut me out of her life.

Now after more than a decade living in different time zones, I’m coming home to Jackson Harbor. My first priority is getting my daughter away from the media circus in LA, but the moment I see Shay, I know I’ll stop at nothing to win her back.

So what if she won’t speak to me? So what if she’s changed? So what if she’s fallen for some douchebag professor? I’ve never gotten over her and I know she feels the same about me. I’ve let her go twice. I won’t make that mistake again.

If It’s Only Love and all other books in this series can be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them together.

The Boys of Jackson Harbor
1 – The Wrong Kind of Love (Ethan’s story)
2 – Straight Up Love (Jake’s story)
3 – Dirty, Reckless Love (Levi’s story)
4 – Wrapped in Love (Brayden’s story)
5 – Crazy for Your Love (Carter’s story)
6 – If It’s Only Love (Shay’s story)