Addicted to Ansley by Linda KageRelease Date: March 15, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an ecopy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis
*contemporary sweet adult romance*
**no explicitness**
Through all the years that passed,
the memory of their love never faded.
Motivational speaker and drug rehab counselor Ward Gemmell can hold an audience in the palm of his hand-because he knows what it's like to have everything he loved slip through his fingers. When a particularly heartfelt speech reunites him with the daughter he never knew he had, suddenly the love of his life is back within his grasp. What could a guy like him do to earn a second chance?
Good girl Ansley Marlow was heartbroken the day Ward revealed his hidden life-the kind of secret that would tear anyone apart. But so many years have passed and so much has changed that it isn't as hard now for her to believe in fate and redemption, even when those around her are unforgiving. All she needs is the strength to reach out and reclaim the beautiful life she should have had so long ago.
I'm a total sucker for the second-chance romance trope. Addicted to Ansley is a sweet, sweet story of a couple who gets a second chance at a love that survived against all odds.
Ansley Marlow is a single mom doing quite well for herself and her daughter, Brooklyn. She hasn't always had it easy - becoming a teen mom and Brooklyn's dad being completely out of the picture. But she's a good mom and has raised a smart, compassionate sixteen-year old. In the back of her mind of her mind, she holds out hope she'll one day meet the only man she's ever loved.
Ward Gemmell is an ex-addict working as a counselor with troubled teens. He's worked hard to get where he is today but he's a real success story. He's been clean and works hard to be a respectable man, if only for the memory of the only girl he's ever loved. While doing a presentation at a local high school, he is approached by a lovely young girl wanting to volunteer at his center.
As I said, this is a sweet story. Obviously the second chance is for Ansley and Ward. They each have some reservations over re-connecting. Not only is Brooklyn a consideration but both have hurt feelings over the past and lots of doubts. There is also tension due to Ansley's current relationship. But love will always find a way, right? Their connection to one another is palpable - even after so many hurts and so many years.
Addicted to Ansley is a feel good read. Ms. Kage has a gift in telling a story and captured my attention immediately. The pacing was nicely done as well. Although I did feel things wrapped up a bit too quickly and neatly, I still really enjoyed getting to know Ansley and Ward's story. And I was delighted this couple, who'd had the odds stacked against them as youth, got their second chance.
I grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the youngest of eight children. Now I live in Kansas with my husband, daughter, and our nine cuckoo clocks. My life's been blessed with lots of people to learn from and love. Writing's always been a major part my world, and I'm so happy to finally share some of my stories with other romance lovers.
