Straight up Love

The Boys of Jackson Harbor, Volume 2

By: Lexi Ryan

Narrated by: Summer Roberts, Tyler Donne

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan comes a sexy new stand-alone 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 listened to as stand-alones, but you'll enjoy listening to them as a series!

©2018 Lexi Ryan (P)2018 Lexi Ryan

NOT A FEEL-GOOD ROMANCE

This should’ve been a sweet fell-good friends-to-lovers romance.. but instead I just felt oh so bad - especially for the hero Jake who’d been in love with Ava his best friend for as long as he could remember.. and that was a long long time. We learn he even declared his undying love and devotion the night Ava got engaged to someone else but this self-centred annoying heroine sent him packing. However, her childless marriage failed and an invitation to her ex’s new wife’s baby shower arrives which sets off Ava’s biological clock and longing.. so now she’s going to use Jake as a sperm donor to make her dreams come true. This starts off an emotional and heart-achingly difficult push ‘n pull for Jake as he’s gambling his heart to win Ava.. but all of Ava’s past relationship insecurities (which are many) are brought to life and Jake has to first demolish every one of her demons. But Ava isn’t the only one with demons of the past.. because a flesh and blood demon is going to stir-up trouble and cause waves just as their HEA horizon is in sight.

Worth a credit? No, not for me. It’s narrated well and Ava’s closed-off feelings towards Jake are eventually clarified.. but it’s too little too late as there were several times I just wanted to stop this annoying feel-bad dual POV story that unfortunately didn’t bring out the best of me. Because my heart broke again and again for Jake, my anger rose over their drawn-out undeclared feelings, my temper flared wishing someone would please knock some sense into them, I prayed for patience.. or that they’d just talk to each other.. and, as the predicted angst played out threatening their HEA ending, I cringed at the drama that followed. I usually like Lexi Ryan’s books.. but sadly I’ll be returning this one because it hurt too much.

Meh, just ok.

I quickly got frustrated with this story as it dragged on and on for pretty much most of the story. It was annoying. I was also annoyed because I read this story on Chapters and it wasn't anything like the book. It was VERY different. But overall Ava was pretty silly and a doormat for most people especially her dad. It was hard to get through. Poor Jake was a love sick puppy who would let Ava walk all over him and then ask if she had anymore to dish out. I've read a few of her stories and i might be done after this one. They are all a lot of back and forth that moves really slow and then seems to come to a head the last chapter or two. but the entire book is just buildup that goes on and on and on.

Jackson Harbor is one steamy city

Jake and Ava have intense chemistry and it’s incredibly fun to read. This is an angsty friends to lovers you won’t regret.

The narration is easy to listen to.

🎧AudiobookObsession🎧

The hurdles for best friends to lovers

Jackson and Ava have been best friends since grade school. They’ve been through lots of trials together...including her divorce. Now Ava’s biological clock is ticking and she wants to go to a sperm bank...that is until Jake agrees to be her sperm donor but the old fashioned way. Jake has loved Ava forever and is using this opportunity to make her see the truth. But there are secrets that can destroy their friendship...what will Ava do?
As I’ve said before, I love this series, however, I was having a difficult time liking Ava. Ava was too insecure and selfish for a 30yo. That said, glad that she and Jake got their HEA.

Loved it!

Wow, what a story! This is the second book I've read from the Boys of Jackson Harbor series and I loved this one as much as the other. It was Shay's story I've read previously that made me fall in love with family! While these are stand alone books I definitely think it helps to read each of them, it helps to understand it more since each book is about a sibling. I can't wait to read the rest, I will for sure be reading them all now!

Slow burn

Narration was wonderful. It’s a shame the story did not meet expectations. The whole thing was much ado about nothing. If real people go back and forth, do or not do as much as this book, no one would have a family. Two steps forward, three back. I could almost predict what was going to happen. I do not recommend this one. The narration was great. I will look for these narrators. I just won’t look for this author.

The main female lead was way to needy and insecure

At times the female lead was almost cringe-worthy with her neediness. I did however appreciate the setup for the next following books.

❤

I have read them all from this series and love them! Each their own but linked! Great job!

loved the story ...but

love this story 😍 love this whole series of the boys if Jackson harbor. Wish they would have given a little more after the happy ending.

Another winner

I am in love with this series so far. Makes ya wish you could have the excitement and fire these people have for love and passion. I could honestly see these turned into movies and I would watch them all.

Not too bad overall

I was a bit unsure about this story after I read the reviews but decided to give it a go because I enjoyed the first one in the boys of Jackson harbour series. Overall it was a really good story but I did find myself getting a frustrated with the back and forth and wished they’d just tell each other how they felt. Once they did I really enjoyed the rest of the book. Looking forward to see where the third book leads with the Jackson family.