Homecoming Heartbreaker: A sassy second chance, love hate romance

Joss Wood

Jul 2021 · Moonlight Ridge Book 1 · Sold by Harlequin

About this ebook

These ex-lovers are enemies hiding secrets that could change everything…in this explosive Moonlight Ridge romance by Joss Wood.

“You’re the one who left, remember?”

How could he ever forget?

Celebrated entrepreneur Mack Holloway has come home to Moonlight Ridge to care for his foster dad and save his family’s once-luxurious resort. But to accomplish either he must face his past—the woman he left without a word, resort manager Molly Haskell. He’s never admitted what drove him away, and he’s not ready to confess now, even when working in close quarters ignites a fiery passion that burns away everything else. But Molly is keeping secrets of her own that could bring them to the brink…

From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

Love triumphs in this uplifting romance, part of the Moonlight Ridge series:

Book 1: Homecoming Heartbreaker by Joss Wood
Book 2: Best Laid Wedding Plans by Karen Booth
Book 3: Just a Little Married by Reese Ryan

Ratings and reviews

This is the first book in the Moonlight Ridge series, a new multi-author series from Harlequin Desire. I very much enjoyed this introduction to the series, which is about three brothers. First up is Mack and Molly, his childhood best friend and first love. Mack left Molly behind years ago after a tragic accident and hasn't seen her in 15 years. He, and his brothers, are coming together after their father falls ill and working to keep the hotel running. This puts him back in the path of Molly, whom he left without a word. I not only enjoyed the love story between Mack and Molly, but also the family dynamics and the relationship between the three brothers and their adoptive father and look forward to the rest of the series! This is a sweet second chance, forced proximity romance. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Booksprout and have voluntarily left an honest review.

I quite enjoyed my initial visit to Moonlight Ridge with Homecoming Heartbreaker . I love the setup for the entire series and look forward to seeing how these brothers, and their dad, end up ensnared by just the right woman. ;) Homecoming Heartbreaker focuses on Mack, the oldest Holloway brother, and Molly Haskell, the girl he left behind. With Mack's dad being ill, he's back to run the business (a luxury resort) for a while. He's determined to clear the air with Molly so they can move on, leave the past in the past, and work together amicably (she stayed on a Moonlight Ridge and is an integral part of the business.) However, Mack's willpower to stay away from Molly is tested almost immediately. What Worked: *Plot I was instantly invested in the characters. I admired that Papa Holloway adopted 3 boys - all POC - and gave them love as well as taught them to love. Circumstances and certain events led these boys off track but they still love their dad. Therefore, with their dad falling ill, they're all coming back to pitch in. And if they each find love, a reason to come back together and stay? All the better. *Characters Mack has become a successful businessman, working in craft beer and gastro-pubs. Molly worked her way through business school and has ensured her place at Moonlight Ridge. They've had little interaction after an event forced Mack to leave 15 years ago, without an explanation, but when they're in close contact the air sizzles with their chemistry. It shouldn't be so hard to set things right with Moonlight Ridge OR between them. I enjoyed the interactions and the banter between these two as well as learning of their past together. Papa Holloway and his meddling added to the fun. What Could Have Worked Better: *Angst Yep. Angst. As in, there wasn't enough of it. LOL I would have liked a bit more angst, a little more back and forth. More of a battle. Mack and Molly were so adamant they wouldn't fall back into each other's arms. Yet they did - which wasn't unexpected - but they did so rather quickly and easily. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book introduces us to the intriguing premise behind the series, and I was immediately tangled up in their lives. I’m a sucker for a good second chance, plus these two need a second chance with themselves almost as badly as they need one with each other. Both Mack and Molly are punishing themselves for situations that were out of their control; shouldering the blame for things that weren’t entirely theirs to own. They’re also still dealing with the overwhelming feelings for one another that caused Mack to run in the first place. It was easy to see why this pair had taken ownership of all that guilt, but it hurt my heart that it had kept them from being happy for so long. I loved seeing them get their happy ever after, I just thought it would take a bit more effort for them to negotiate their resolution. There are still a few unanswered questions that I’m looking forward to finding out the answers to in the future books of the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

About the author

Joss loves books, coffee and traveling—especially to the wild places of Southern Africa and, well, anywhere. She’s a wife and a mom to two young adults. She’s also a servant to two cats and a dog the size of a small cow. After a career in local economic development and business, Joss writes full-time from her home in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.