REVIEW: Tessa Ever After by Brighton Walsh

In Tessa Ever After (Caged in Winter #2) by Brighton Walsh, As a young working mom, Tessa has been feeling the stress build up since her older brother Cade moved away a few months ago. Her and her four-year-old daughter Haley’s saving grace these days? Her brother’s best friend Jason. He’s been stopping by to check in on them, which Tessa appreciates, but there’s a new tension between them. As it becomes apparent that they now share a sizzling attraction, she knows acting on it would be foolish. Jason is a known ladykiller and she needs someone stable in her life. If only he could be the type to settle down, he would be the perfect guy for her.

‘I never imagined something like this from him, not in my wildest dreams. Never allowed myself to imagine it. But what would it be like if the future I’m so desperate for could be found with the one guy who makes me see stars?’

Jason has come to look forward to his time with Tessa and Haley. Maybe a little too much. Promising Cade he’d watch out for them seemed like a good idea until he realized how much he truly likes Tessa. With his own complicated family life to deal with, Jason doesn’t want to subject Tessa or Haley to that mess. And he’s never been known to hang on to one girl for longer than a weekend. But if anyone can change his mind, it’s Tessa. And now he’d give anything to make her believe he can be exactly what she and Haley need in their lives.

‘What’s the best way to tell a girl you’ve known more than half your life that you can’t get her out of your head? That, suddenly, I can see her as so much more than the pesky younger sister of my best friend?’

Brighton Walsh nailed it, yet again, with Tessa Ever After, where a young mom and a rich playboy discover there’s much more between them than just friendship. Talk about some serious chemistry!

After reading Winter and Cade’s story in book one, Caged in Winter, I really liked Tessa and fell in love with her cutie pie daughter Haley. There was obviously attraction growing between Tessa and her brother Cade’s best friend Jason, but with his aversion to relationships it left me wondering what it would take for Jason to settle down. Well, turns out it was Tessa’s honesty and Haley’s devotion that caused the heartbreaker to finally give in to monogamy.

Emotional turmoil. To me, that’s what New Adult stories are all about, and it was done so well in this book. Tessa was looking for a stable, steady man in her life to rely on and she was convinced that Jason couldn’t be what she needed. But she had a desperate longing for him she couldn’t ignore. And Jason knew he shouldn’t be starting anything serious with his best friend’s little sister, although the more time he spent with Tessa and Haley, the more difficult it was to picture his life without them in it.

I really felt invested in Tessa and Jason’s story, thanks to the realistic manner in which they were written. There were raw, tense situations between them and with their own families. They shared a wonderful connection initially as longtime friends, and then it transitioned into a sweet romance. (Love the friends-to-lovers trope!) And as much as I enjoyed the heat between Jason and Tessa, it was the way he took care of Haley that melted my heart. Hard not to fall for a guy who will play dress up for a four year old’s tea party…complete with yellow hat and feather boa. 😉

If you’re looking for a New Adult novel with a lot of depth to not only the characters, but to the emotions they portray, definitely check out Tessa Ever After. Highly recommended.

Book Info:

 May 5th 2015 by Berkley

In this grippingly emotional New Adult novel from the author of Caged in Winter, what you want isn’t always what you need…

Jason’s been living (and loving) the rich playboy lifestyle for five years, but now his parents are pressuring him to get involved in the family business. The last thing he wants is another obligation, but when his best friend moves out of state and asks Jason to look after his sister, he can’t just say no.

Tessa had to grow up way too soon. After dealing with the aftermath of her parents’ deaths, then becoming a teenage mom, she knows the meaning of responsibility. Which is why, at twenty-two, she’s looking for so much more than a party boy. She’s looking for someone who can stand by her and her daughter…forever.

A relationship between them is doomed from the start, but who says they can’t have a little fun? But as Jason gets closer to Tessa—and her daughter—fun starts to turn into something else… Something Jason’s not sure he’s ready for.