Tessa Ever After by Brighton Walsh Pages: 304
Published by Berkley Trade, Penguin on May 5, 2015
Genres: contemporary, Love & Romance, New Adult, Romance
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
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.
I bow down to Brighton Walsh. She is offically one of my favorite New Adult authors. And the Caged in Winter series is one of my favorite New Adult romances. I loved Cage and Winter so hard last year, and now Tessa and Jason have stolen my heart! I don’t even know who I liked more, and that is something that I did not expect to say before reading Tessa Ever After. I expected to love the book because Brighton Walsh writes amazing romances, but Cage and Winter were one of my favorite book couples of last year, so I didn’t think that Tessa and Jason would come close to topping them. But they did. I love them both. And before I just start to fan-girl over Brighton Walsh, I will tell you why I actually loved Tessa Ever After.
Tessa is Cage’s sister, and she has had to grow up rather quickly. She got pregnant with her daughter Haley when she was 17, and it was just Tessa and her brother taking care of her. When Cage moved away to become a chef, Tessa is left juggling a million different hats, and she is finding out just how hard it is to maintain a house, a full time job that barely pays the bills, and a very, very energetic little girl. Thank goodness for Jason. He is so good to Haley and Tessa. I liked him right off the bat. He is always there for her. And poor Tessa is doing a great job juggling everything, but all she can focus on are her mistakes or the areas where she doesn’t think she is measuring up as a mom. I can relate because I am probably a little too hard and critical of myself too. But Jason and her friends were a wonderful support system for Tessa. I loved the group of people she surrounded herself with. And I loved the chemistry that her and Jason have.
Oh boy, do they have chemistry. I need to stop for a moment and fan myself. Jason and Tessa have known each other for years so they already had a great and solid friendship foundation. He knew Haley and they loved each other. I am not a kid person, and I don’t typically like to read about them in my books, but Haley is just too cute to dislike. And I loved how Jason was with her. There didn’t seem to be a as much drama as there was in the first book. And when there was drama it came from Jason’s family. It was kind of interesting and I wanted to know how the whole family foundation was going to work out. It complemented the romance very well.
I want there to be more books in this series! The Caged in Winter series is one that I would recommend to everyone. Whether you are a fan of new adult or not, you need to read this book. Each book works as a standalone so you can totally start with Tessa Ever After and follow the story and characters just fine, but if you can, I would suggest starting with Caged in Winter and then read Tessa Ever After. They are both such wonderful books. Brighton Walsh has now cemented herself on my ‘read-anything-by-her,-auto-buy-author’ bookshelf. She is incredible. Tessa Ever After is on my favorites of 2015 list for sure.
Other books in the Caged in Winter Series:
To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below
Note: This giveaway is NOT sponsored by Book Briefs. All of the prizes, terms and conditions of the giveaway should be contained in the rafflecopter below
While you are here…
Have you entered these awesome Giveaways?
Click the banner to enter
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- May Clean Sweep ARC 2015
tonyalee
Aw, I love the sound of this one! I haven’t read many where the MC is a mom. Thanks for bringing this to my attention! Great review, lady!
Jaime Lester
Another one, Michelle?! Seriously? Sigh… I am going to send you a link to the impossibleness that is my TBR! So, yeah, this one sounds good. I am going to head over to Goodreads and check out the first one, because I think I want to try these out.
Teresa Mary Rose
I finished this one recently and OMG I adored Tessa and Jason! This is my new fave Brighton book! I need for there to be more books in this series too! Maybe an Adam book and a Paige book or Adam and Paige together! Great review.
Olivia
Okay, that is it! I have heard SO many brilliant things about this author, I just need to have a copy of one of their books. I think I will start with Caged in Winter and then move on to the this one after that because of how much you loved it. Glad to see you enjoyed it 🙂
Katie Lowden
Great review! I haven’t had the chance to read these, thanks so much for the chance!! 🙂
Valerie
I loved this one too! Lots of fanning going on with their super hot chemistry! Great review.
kindlemom1
Oh gosh, you are not helping my TBR pile lately with all these wonderful five star reads! So happy you loved this. 🙂