Synopsis for Let Me Love You (from Goodreads):
Twenty-three year old Ren Haynes returns home after graduating college with two goals–start his engineering career and claim the heart of his parents’ thirty-one year old divorced neighbor, Stacey Williams.
Stacey is nursing her broken heart and shattered ego. Not only did her ex-husband have an affair, he got the woman pregnant. Picking up the pieces of her life isn’t easy, so when Ren taps into her need to feel desired again, she finds herself in a position she never imagined.
Can Ren help to rebuild her confidence and convince her that age is just a number?
Author: Jessica Jayne
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Heat Rating: Hot
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Date: December 18, 2017
Source & Format: Xpresso Book Tours–eARC
Add: Goodreads | Buy: Amazon / Kobo
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
In romances, age difference can play a huge factor in the relationship and so I always enjoy books that explore this situation because it can cause some tension. I was particularly drawn to this novel because it is an older woman/younger man relationship–one that we don’t often see in novels (as it always seems to be the reverse). So I couldn’t wait to explore this scenario and get some great sexual tension along the way.
The Plot:
I really enjoyed the fact that this story was all about the romance. We don’t get any unnecessary drama along the way. It’s focus is all on Ren seducing Stacey and showing her that he is serious about her and in turn, Stacey reacting to his feelings and deciding if she wants to pursue a relationship with him. I found that this singular plot helped to develop the characters a little more and focus on their hopes and fears about the relationship. It made the story more character focused–which is what you want in a romance.
The Characters:
I really liked this small cast of characters. Stacey is a great heroine. I found her wants and fears to be believable given her past. I loved watching her self confidence grow as the story progressed.
As for Ren, he’s a good lead. He’s mature and driven but a nice guy. He was really sweet with Stacey so I understand her hardship in trying to resist him.
But what I really liked about all these characters (including the side ones like Ren’s parents) was their honest and upfront conversations. They didn’t beat around the bush so to speak. I enjoyed their candid conversations and how they laid everything out. It created some great dialogue and helped progress the story in a positive way.
The Romance:
While I really liked Ren and Stacey as a couple, I wanted a little more build-up to the revealing of Ren’s intentions. We get told a lot that they had this great connection before the novel started; that they’ve talked and shared a lot over the last few years and consider each other friends. And while I never doubted Ren’s intentions (ie that he wanted Stacey as a forever girl), I think it would have sold me sooner on the romance if I had seen some of that tension build between them. If I got to see them fall in love instead of being told they were in love. Regardless, they did have great chemistry so I enjoyed their scenes together.
My Rating: 3/5
This is a very quick albeit sweet romance about pursuing love and learning to love again after a betrayal.
Read if You Like: “off-limits” romance, romance focused plot
Avoid if You: want a longer read
- Keep Her by Faith Andrews (Grayson Siblings Series #1)
- All That Matters by Liana Key (Family Matters Series #2)
Jessica Jayne
Jessica is a born and raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. She graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in English. What college major could possibly be better than one that makes you read novels and write about them! Now she is thrilled to be able to share all the hot stories floating around in her head!
Jessica loves to travel and travel often! She shares her love of travel with her husband and children. She’s a huge sports fan, especially football. She ❤ the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ohio State Buckeyes! She’s a wine-making (and wine-tasting) aficionado. She loves all music. And nothing is better than sunset at the beach!
In the journey of life, she also married a wonderful man and had three beautiful (and sometimes crazy) children. Life is always an adventure!
Add: Goodreads | Buy: Amazon / Kobo
Open Internationally:
Book Tour Organised by:
I actually love the whole younger man trope. We don’t get to see it enough!
Right?! Whenever I see it as a trope in a synopsis I immediately add that book to my TBR. I find it a refreshing take on the everyday romance 🙂
Thanks for hosting today! This sounds like a fun, sweet read! 🙂
Giselle recently posted…5 Bookstores On My Bucket List
It was a very cute read 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and write a review on Let Me Love You. 🙂