Every Little Piece of Me (Orchid Valley #1)
Lexi Ryan
An unlikely meeting after a decade apart, a drunken Vegas wedding, a note goodbye, a broken second chance at love . . . and the wedding invitation that changes it all. The first time I saw Brinley Knox, she was crying and heartbroken at her own sweet sixteen party. The daughter of the wealthiest family in Orchid Valley, she was off limits to someone like me—the teenage charity case, the hired help. But that didn’t stop me from kissing her. Or from promising if she were ever mine, I’d never let her go. The last time I saw Brinley Knox, I made good on that promise. Forget that it was the first time we’d seen each other in ten years, or that we were drunk in Vegas when we said I do. I meant every word, every touch, every promise. The problem? When I came back to the hotel, she was gone—the ring I slipped on her finger and the note she left behind the only reminders she had been there. Well, those and the hole she left in my chest in place of my heart. We haven’t spoken in the six months since, and I’m not the kind of guy who’d file for a divorce he doesn’t want. But when I get the invitation to her wedding to another man, it’s time to return to Orchid Valley and remind the bride-to-be that I’m a man who keeps his promises. Every Little Piece of Me is a sexy, standalone second-chance romance in Lexi Ryan’s all-new Orchid Valley series.
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3.5⭐
I received an ARC copy of this from the author via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review
Summary
It's been six months since their night together in Vegas and Brinley ran off. Marston is trying to give his new wife space, but he rushes back to Orchid Valley when he receives a wedding invitation from her. It never occurred to Marston that Brinely might not remember their wedding at all.
He promised himself he'd never let her go without a fight. And this time, Marston plans to keep that promise.
Overview
➸ POV: 1st person from Marston and Brinely's POVs. Takes place in present day with flashback chapters to Marston & Brinley in high school.
➸ Marston Rowe: 28, Owns a consulting firm, Mother was an addict, Moved to Orchid Valley to leave with his aunt, Self-made
➸ Brinley Knox: 27, Engaged to Julian Hallison, 10 year old daughter Cami, Rum the Orchid Spa and dreams of owning it, Strained relationship with parents
➸ Content Warnings: Drug abuse, Violence, Anxiety, Emotional abuse
My Thoughts
This was another super angsty and steamy romance from Lexi Ryan!! I love how much drama and tension she weaves into every one of her romances. Her books are always the most binge-worthy breaks from the real world - which is definitely what I need right now.
However I do have some mixed feelings about this book.
Brinley was such a strong and independent heroine (almost to a fault)! I loved how she fought to stand on her own and go after what she wanted. Sometimes her choices drove me completely bonkers but I feel like that made her even more realistic - albeit a little unlikeable at times. I really enjoyed the exploration of wanting to please people who have hurt you or don't deserve your effort. Brinley had a very tenuous relationship with her parents which caused a lot of mistrusting tendencies.
There was an absolutely amazing female friend group in here! I love when books include really supportive and empowering female friend groups. These woman were there for each other at the drop of a hat and I was living for it. I absolutely cannot wait to get all of these women's books!
I wanted to love Marston. I really, really loved him in the prequel but I felt like we didn't get enough of his personality in the book. He was just a alpha guy constantly reminded Brinley that she married him once so they should obviously be together. So much of their relationship was based on feelings they had for each other 10 years ago and I wish we got more time to see those feelings explored as adults.
While I loved the story line of Brinley trying to get out from her parents (and her fiancé's) thumb, I felt like so much time was spent there that we didn't get a lot of growth in the MC's relationship. I loved their chemistry but beyond the physical, I didn't really feel they had a strong relationship base. I just wanted more time with them getting to know each other as adults.
Overall this was a really great start to a new series! I loved this town and these characters and I can't wait for all of their stories!
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