Jenn Amy Reads: Us, Again by Elle Maxwell: REVIEW

BLURB

"It's really him. The former love of my life. The man I gave everything to, who broke me so badly the pieces never healed back together properly."

Graham Wyatt might be 6’2” of irresistible muscled, tattooed, angsty Alpha male (and don’t forget the man bun)—but sorry, ladies! He’s a one woman man. Specifically, Mackenzie Thatcher, the love of his life whose heart he broke 5 years ago. Now that he’s out of prison (yes, prison…it’s a long story) he’s determined to redeem himself and prove he’s reformed his bad boy ways so she’ll give him a second chance.

Mackenzie, on the other hand, has vowed off love forever. She's already experienced excruciating heartbreak, and she has no intention of ever getting near that particular fire again...especially with the very man who burned her in the first place. She’s perfectly happy being a badass independent woman, thank you very much. That is, until seeing Graham again stirs up feelings she doesn’t know what to do with (besides a little quality time with her B.O.B.).

She’s not going to give in easily, but he isn’t afraid to play a little dirty. (Like that time he showed up to her yoga class and took off his shirt…) Graham is determined to do whatever it takes to win her back, even when some drug-dealing demons from his past show up and threaten the progress he’s starting to make.

Can Graham keep from repeating his past mistakes and find redemption with the woman he loves?

This contemporary second chance romance from debut author Elle Maxwell is a full length novel that is a standalone with no cliffhanger.

**MY THOUGHTS**

This was an excellent debut novel by Elle Maxwell. It is a second chance romance that deals with 2 high school sweethearts reuniting after 5 years apart. Elle's writing flows well, the way she develops her characters is spot on and her writing is the perfect balance of sweet, swoony and serious. Graham had so many demons to work through but you do see a ton of growth in his character. He is definitely that alpha male type that I love in a romance novel. Mackenzie's strength is awe inspiring and I really connected with her. As Mackenzie and Graham reconnect it is steamy, swoony and I could not get enough. I recommend this if you love a good second chance romance with angst but without the slow-burn. 4 stars.