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Review Tour: If It's Only Love: Lexi Ryan

by - Wednesday, September 11, 2019

If It's Only Love 

Lexi Ryan
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Release Date September 10, 2019


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.
I have been looking forward to sister, Shay's book since the beginning of the series. And I have to say as much time as we spent with her, I never expected this to be her backstory. This is an emotional and angsty ride that spans years.

Shay has crushed on her brother's best friend, Easton Connor since she was seven years old, but it was not until her late teens that he noticed her. But she was his friend's little sister and totally off-limits. At first the missed chances were expected due to circumstances, but later on they just become more and more serious and heartbreaking. These two could never seem to quite get their timing right and always seemed pulled in different directions. It was like life had other plans for them and fate kept them apart. And it was all a big secret from her close-knit family that always considered East one of their own.

But now Easton is moving back to Jackson Harbor and his next goal is to win Shay once and for all. But their past is fall of disappointments, unresolved feelings, and broken promises. Shay is already a woman with self-worth issues and is already at a crossroads in her own life. And Easton's' return threatens to stir up a lot of mixed feelings.

I loved Easton. He is a charming, caring man with a big heart. For the most part he tried to do the right thing, but it just could not be the right thing for everyone at the same time. There were extenuating circumstances and hard decisions that had to be made. But he knows what he wants and is not afraid to go after it. I have always liked Shay. She is stubborn, sassy, and independent. But now we see more of her vulnerability, insecurities, past pain, and current issues. And not even she is not sure what she wants her to future to hold at this point. She has a lot of big decisions to make. These two have history and chemistry, and definitely pull strong feelings out of the other.

Can East convince her to take chance on getting it right this time? And how will Shay's plans affect that?

I have loved this series and it was fun catching up with all of her brothers and their significant others.  There was so much more to Shay and Easton's story than I was expecting, but I was totally invested in them. It was a heartfelt, angsty, raw story of first love, second chances, choices, and consequences. It's sad to say goodbye to Jackson Harbor and this lovable family.
Shay Jackson is the final Jackson sibling to settle down. She has loved watching her brothers find their perfect matches and loves having new “sisters” but her focus has been on her academic career, and her doctoral degree is finally within reach. She has a casual boyfriend she is keeping secret from everyone around her, and isn’t prepared for the feelings brought up when she learns Easton Connor is returning to town after years playing professional football.

Easton Connor has lived the NFL since he entered the draft early. He may have left Jackson Harbor before he had planned, but it has always been the place he called home, especially around the Jacksons. He may be returning to Jackson Harbor with his daughter (who may not biologically be his, but is every bit his daughter in his eyes), but he doesn’t know what welcome he is going to receive from Shay after their many near misses over the years.

I loved watching as Shay’s crush on Easton is revealed in flashback scenes. Because both characters serve as narrators, readers know it is not a one sided crush, but watching as each character questions what is really going on made the present day scenes mean more. Knowing they were each regretting decisions made with the best intentions so many years later had me cheering so hard for these two to figure their issues out!

Shay’s story had more depth that I think I was expecting. She always seemed so focused on school, I never imagined she would have so many other things going on in her life. There were times I wished she was as confident in herself as she was in the people around her. I guess I missed that she had body confidence issues when her influence was background because I wasn’t expecting the confidence struggles she had to work through as she faced her feelings for both her secret boyfriend (whose existence I questioned in early books) and Easton. But as she stood up to the situation with the secret boyfriend and confronted her feelings with Easton, I loved watching as she really come into herself and decided what was most important in her life.

This felt like a fitting end to the Jackson Harbor series, though I am sad to see this family’s story finished. All the Jackson siblings are happy and settled, and that’s what a reader starts a series hoping, but it’s also hard to say goodbye to a group of characters that have felt so familiar.

“We need to figure this out.”
She spins back to me, her eyes blazing. “Do it yourself.”
I huff out a laugh and prowl toward her. “What did you say?”
Those defiant eyes brim with tears and her bottom lip trembles. “I said do it yourself. I have nothing to say, but you’re the one so determined that we have this conversation.”
I come closer. She backs against the wall, and I keep coming until there are only inches between us. “That’s real mature, Shay.” I cup her jaw and stroke her bottom lip with my thumb as I study her face. “This is what you want?” I dip my head and bring my mouth a breath from hers. “You want me to corner you and make you talk? Maybe I need to remind you how good we are together.” I cock my head to the side, touching the bridge of my nose to hers. “You try to keep hating me, but you lose your grip on it when I get close, so I wonder what would happen if I got closer.”
Her breath is sweet against my lips, and she grabs my arms and curls her fingers into my biceps.
“Is that how it has to be, then? You want me to press you against this wall and kiss you until you can’t remember your name and can’t blame yourself for letting your guard down?”
Her pulse quickens beneath my fingers and her back bows as she arches into me. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“Bullshit. But maybe first you want me to track down that fucker you’re sleeping with—the one who you’re fine to let ‘see other people’? I could throw my weight around a little. He’d probably leave you alone just so he doesn’t have to deal with me.” I drag my nose along her cheek until my mouth is at her ear. “Then you wouldn’t have to tell him that you don’t want him. You wouldn’t ever have to admit that even after all these years, even after all the shit fate threw at us and all the mistakes I made, you still want me more than you’ll ever want him.” 
She swallows, and when she draws in a breath, I think she’s going to deny it. But she doesn’t say a word. Her only response is sliding a hand up to cup the back of my neck. Fuck yes.
“I’m not going to do that for you.” It takes every drop of my will to force myself to step back. “I want you to talk to me. I want you to scream at me for every shitty decision I ever made. Then I want you to kiss me and tell me I get another chance. I want you to break it off with that douchebag completely and be with me, but I’m not going to do it for you.” I take another step toward the door. “You’re going to have to make the choice yourself.”
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)

The Wrong Kind Of Love (The Boys of Jackson Harbor #1)
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From New York Times bestseller Lexi Ryan comes a sexy new romance novel about a runaway bride, a single dad who’s sworn off love, and the kind of family secrets that can threaten to break even the deepest bonds.

You never forget your wedding day. Or the moment your twin sister pukes on your bouquet and confesses she’s pregnant . . . with your fiancé’s baby.

I wanted to get away, to hide until my heart mended. I found myself in a strange town with a mysterious stranger whose talented mouth and hands almost made me forget it was supposed to be my wedding night.

Afraid to go home to face my broken life, I pretend to be my twin so I can take her job in Jackson Harbor caring for a six-year-old girl. Imagine my surprise when I find out my new boss is my mysterious stranger—Dr. Ethan Jackson.

I never meant for Ethan to discover my secrets. I never meant for them to matter. But the longer I work with him and his sweet daughter, the harder I fall, and the clearer it becomes that I’m not the only one carrying a secret that could tear us apart.

Get ready to fall for the boys of Jackson Harbor in Lexi Ryan’s sexy new contemporary romance series. These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!


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Our 4 star reviews


From New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a sexy new standalone romance about a woman who’d do anything to have a baby and the man who’d do anything to have her…

For my 30th birthday, I’m giving myself the one thing I want most: a baby. Sure, this would be easier if I had a husband—or even a boyfriend—but I refuse to be thwarted by minor details.

When I drunkenly confess my plans to my friends, they convince me to ask Jake Jackson for help. Jake, the best friend who’s been there for me through thick and thin. Jake, who also happens to be smart, funny, ridiculously good looking, and the winner of all the genetic lotteries.

So when Jake takes me up on my request—with the stipulation that we get the job done the old-fashioned way—I’d be a fool to decline.

The only problem? I don’t know if I can separate sex from all the things I feel for this amazing man. If I can’t keep my heart under lock and key, I risk losing the relationship I need the most.

Jake has his own reasons for granting my baby wish. But when I discover his secrets, it could mean the end of us. I have to choose—run or stay and fight for love.

Fall for the boys of Jackson Harbor in Lexi Ryan’s sexy new contemporary romance series. These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!


Dirty, Reckless Love(The Boys of Jackson Harbor #3)
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I’m in love with a man who tried to kill me. At least that’s what they tell me . . .

Six weeks ago, paramedics found me unconscious in my apartment. Beaten. Bruised. Hardly breathing. When I woke up, I couldn’t remember the last three years or anything about my life in Jackson Harbor. They tell me my fiancé, Colton McKinley, is on the run for what he did to me. They tell me I’m safer if I stay away. 

I don’t care if my memories ever come back. I want nothing to do with those missing years . . . until a sexy stranger with angry eyes shows up on my doorstep and demands I stop ignoring him. 

Levi Jackson is my fiancé’s best friend, but seeing him sparks something inside me. As the truth unravels in my mind, I know they’re wrong about Colton. My own secrets are far more dangerous than the man I was engaged to.

I return to Jackson Harbor to search for answers and find myself running from a faceless boogeyman and seeking refuge in Levi’s arms. And in his bed. 

I can’t deny my feelings for Levi. But as the pile of lies between us grows, I realize that sometimes the truth can’t set us free. Sometimes, it’s the very thing that can destroy us.


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A one-night stand with the boss was never in her plans. Neither was falling in love . . . 

The rumors are true. I am a hot mess with an awful track record at love. Single mom. Down on her luck. Yeah, I’m bad news. 

So if the hardest part of moving back home to Jackson Harbor was going to be people talking? I’d be fine. I’ve kept my chin up through worse than their decade-old gossip. 

I was wrong. The hardest part is resisting my boss. Brayden Jackson is the very picture of tall-dark-and-handsome. And thanks to an ill-advised one-night stand we had seven months ago, I know exactly what I’m missing when I turn him down. Every. Single. Delicious. Inch. 

But I have my son to care for and my job to keep, so I’ll keep on saying no. 

Until my string of bad luck continues, and suddenly my precious four-year old and I find ourselves with nowhere to live. At Christmas, no less. It’s for my son that I accept Brayden’s offer to stay at his place. One by one, my defenses are falling, as fast as I am. If Brayden was smart, he’d run, because it’s only a matter of time before he realizes he deserves better than what a girl like me can offer. 

Unless, for once, my bad luck is leading me exactly where I need to be.
Crazy For Your Love (The Boys of Jackson Harbor #5)

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A family wedding with a fake boyfriend, meddling parents, and an obsessive ex . . . What could go wrong? 

The only thing worse than being single at my sister’s wedding is finding out that my ex will be there too. Not just any ex—the guy everyone expected me to marry, the man I came to Jackson Harbor to escape.

Now I need a date, and fast. Enter Carter Jackson—the firefighter who’s dealing with an unwanted five minutes of fame ever since a shirtless photo of him saving a puppy went viral. He’s warding off propositions left and right, and he needs a fake relationship as much as I do.

Sweet and sexy, Carter is completely off-limits. See, I have a rule. A no heartache rule. Not only is Carter my friend and a known heartbreaker, but his job as a firefighter puts him in danger daily, and that’s something I just can’t handle. 

The commitment between us might be pretend, but the passion all too real. As crazy as it makes me, I have to keep Carter at an arm’s length. Even that might not be enough to spare my heart

Lexi Ryan 
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Lexi Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles. Lexi is the 2018 winner of the Romance Writers of America® RITA®  award for Best Long Contemporary Romance. She considers herself the luckiest girl around to make a living through storytelling. She loves spending time with her crazy kids, weightlifting, ice cream, swoony heroes, and vodka martinis.
Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog. You can find her at her website: www.lexiryan.com

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