Review:
As soon as I was approved for an ARC of this novel, we picked up the previous novel in the series: Ten Reasons to Stay. When I finished reading Corrine’s story, I was not looking forward to reading Jack’s story. Jack was a complete tool. I’m glad I read both novels. Reading the first book gave me a better understanding about Jack–who he is where he comes from. It makes it easier in his novel to understand why he wants to change and never wants to be that guy again. In Jack’s story: Five Reasons to Go, I had more sympathy for Jack because of everything he went through before with Corrine and after. Jack is flawed but still relatable.
Jack’s story begins at the same point Corrine’s story begins–with both of them together. But unlike Corrine’s story, the reader is moved through those last few years with Corrine fairly quickly. I’m not sure if I would have understood everything that happened with Corrine had I not bought the previous novel. This part of the novel still paints Jack in a negative light even in his own story.
Jack Swanson has been married to Corrine since shortly after graduating college. The harder he works to appease her the worse their marriage gets. He has the brilliant idea of an open marriage. Every Thursday–home by midnight. No staying over and protection is a must! This concept blows up in his face when his wife falls in love with Cole (All of this in in the previous novel). Jack is a complete wreck after Corrine divorces him. He realizes how terrific his life really was with Corrine. He also realized how horrible of a person he was to Corrine and Jessica. How his actions have hurt both women.
Jessica has been stuck in a loveless marriage with a husband who constantly cheats on her. They don’t even share a bedroom. Her husband is a good father–terrible husband. Her kids are the only reason why she stays. She has been with her husband Hank since she was 16–when he knocked her up and was kicked out of the house. Hank has been angry, distant, and abusive since.
She meets Jack in a bar. He makes her feel wanted–loved for the first time in her life. She knows that she can’t keep Jack. Not even two years later when she finds out that Jack is divorced and living down the street from her.
Jack isn’t the same man he was before. He’s changed. No longer concerned about materialistic items or his stature in life after leaving his corporate life behind him. He now owns rental properties and maintains a simple life. Until he sees a facebook posting for Jessica’s newly acquired women’s shelter.
Jessica decides to go see Jack at the apartment they used to share two years ago on every Thursday. She kicks his act into shape. From then on Jack volunteers at Jessica’s shelter every day. He spends as much time as possible with her. He still keeps a bit of himself guarded. Jessica is even more guarded than Jack. Once she finally gains the courage to leave Hank. But can she let Jack into her heart? Does Jack still not want children as he did before? How will her kids feel about a new man in her and their lives so shortly after their separation?
Synopsis
One day a week. That was his rule. And it was also our downfall.
My marriage to Hank was one of convenience. When I got pregnant at sixteen, he took me in and kept a roof over my naïve head. We had an agreement—we could sleep with whomever we wanted so long as our children were kept in the dark. It worked great… until it didn’t.
Cocky Jack Swanson was never supposed to be mine. His marriage was open, but his heart was guarded… until he slowly let me in, revealing an alluring man with a painful past. With him, I felt what love could be. I felt wanted… needed. I’d never wanted to fall in love… but then I did.
And now… the rules have changed.
Jack isn’t the same man I fell for. Broken and gutted from his divorce, he’s a shell of who he once was. Sullen and worn down. I know I can bring the good in him back out, if only he’ll let me in. If only he’ll just stay, instead of giving me all his reasons to go.
Goodreads:
**Amazon links coming soon!**
About the Author
Candace Knoebel is a hopeless romantic with an affinity for whiskey and good music. Her love of words began when she met the boy who lived in the cupboard under the stairs. She’s a self-proclaimed Lost Girl. Words are her mirror.
With two completed series, her work ranges from paranormal to contemporary, all centered heavily around romance. Currently she lives in Florida with her husband and two children, and has just completed her fifteenth novel, Ten Reasons to Stay.
Connect with the author:
randaknightbooks.com 