Too Hard to Forget

Tessa Bailey

Apr 2017 · Sold by Forever

About this ebook

This time, she's calling the shots.

Peggy Clarkson is returning to her alma mater with one goal in mind: confront Elliott Brooks, the man who ruined her for all others, and remind him of what he's been missing. Even after three years, seeing him again is like a punch in the gut, but Peggy's determined to stick to her plan. Maybe then, once she has the upper hand, she'll finally be able to move on.

In the years since Peggy left Cincinnati, Elliott has kept his focus on football. No distractions and no complications. But when Peggy walks back onto his practice field and into his life, he knows she could unravel everything in his carefully controlled world. Because the girl who was hard to forget is now a woman impossible to resist.

Ratings and reviews

AudioBook Review Stars: Overall 4 Narration 5 Story 4 Peggy is the youngest sister: bold, thoughtful, brash, brave and often impulsive: there’s something or someone who hurt her badly – and while she plays with her former bubbly self, it’s apparent to her mother, however distant, that there’s more to her story and issues than their more than dysfunctional family. And Peggy is determined to get something of her own back – so an alumni weekend is the perfect time. She’ll be sure to face off with Elliott, and lay those ghosts to rest. Elliott – ugh. He was self-serving, stuck in his own guilt circle about his now dead wife and his attachment to the very alive Peggy. His guilt over his behavior isn’t particularly difficult to see – it’s just the inability he shows to change his attitude: his superiority, his judgment and his ability to focus on his work and maintain that cold manner no matter what. He’s an ass, with little ability to see just how much damage his words and his constant fobbing off Peggy have done to her…and he’s not good at staying away from all of the emotions, chemistry and pain that her return has brought back. The chemistry here between them was intense, but it was hard to reconcile Peggy so wanting a man who was so dismissive and hurtful, with his retreat into schoolboy Catholicism and guilt – not for how badly he acted but his constant belief that somehow he wronged his wife and daughter with new affections for another. Constantly I felt myself wanting Peggy to see that she was worth more than someone who was half in at the best of times, and usually willing to toss her to the wolves when he was particularly guilty. I was happy to see him finally come to his senses, and grovel, but I wanted Peggy to work out just why she wanted someone so decidedly unformed and wishy-washy when it comes to her feelings and needs before that point. He did – sort of….. but Dare played these two from totally toxic to working it all out for them both to be better with flair. Narration for this story is provided by Greyson Ash, and she managed to provide that almost frenetic energy that was Peggy in her ‘youngest’ role that was often aggressively apparent in times when she was most unsure. Elliott was exactly as I expected: a slightly dismissive and pompous ‘I know best’ attitude that only Peggy derailed. From his sorrow to coldness, to his recognition of the hurt he caused (at least superficially) with his retreat and pushing her aside, he was solidly present as well, and the layers and depths added to these characters from the performance did add to the story in ways I didn’t expect. An interesting, if not my favorite installment to the series, with unexpected issues handled in ways that felt natural and human, and often in conflict. I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Those Clarksons are a powder keg of personality. It's hard to resist falling for these lost and lonely souls, but sometimes it's hard to decide whether to be tempted by their antics, feel sorry for their pain or lean toward giving them a stern talking to. Either way, Ms. Bailey sets the bookshelves on fire with ever Clarkson novel and Too Hard to Forget is no exception. Elliot and Peggy electrify the senses with their dramatic past. He broke her heart. What better payback than to blow his mind? Too Hard to Forget makes sure a good time will be had by all. Never has a reunion been so much fun and revenge so sexy.

Another winner! I loved this book and immediately found myself immersed and totally engaged. Honestly, the doorbell or phone could have rung and I could have missed it - it was that good. I've each book in the Romancing the Clarksons series, but wasn't sure about this one with Peggy's story. Up until now, she had been my least favorite Clarkson, but, wow, did the author change my mind. She brought Peggy from my least favorite Clarkson to my absolute favorite Clarkson. This is a story about the one who got away and what could happen if you did go back...even if it's just to stay goodbye. This is a full and rich novel which explains so much about why Peggy is the way she is. We finally meet the man that made her that way and I'm surprised my kindle didn't ignite with all of the sparks flying between them. This is a must read for fans of the genre and should be at the top of your tbr. The author is on my must read authors' list.

About the author

Tessa Bailey is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after her high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans, and laptop, and drove cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend, and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

You can learn more at:
TessaBailey.com
Twitter @mstessabailey
Facebook.com/TessaBaileyAuthor