Finding Dandelion (Dearest #2) by Lex Martin - Review

Blurb:

When soccer all-star Jax Avery collides with Dani Hart on his twenty-first birthday, their connection is instantaneous and explosive. For the first time in years, Jax isn’t interested in his usual hit-it and quit-it approach.

But Dani knows better. Allowing herself a night to be carefree and feel the intensity of their attraction won’t change anything when it comes to dealing with a player. So when Jax doesn’t recognize Dani the next time he sees her, it shouldn’t be a total shock. The fact that he’s her new roommate's brother? That’s a shock.

Dani doesn’t regret that night with Jax, just the need to lie about it. Since her roommate has made it clear what she thinks about her brother’s “type” of girl, the last thing Dani wants is to admit what happened.

Jax knows he’s walking a fine line on the soccer team. One more misstep and he’s off the roster, his plans to go pro be damned. Except he can’t seem to care. About anything… except for the one girl who keeps invading his dreams.

Despite Jax’s fuzzy memory of his hot hookup with his sister’s friend, he can’t stay away from her, even if it means breaking his own rules. But there are bigger forces at work–realities that can end Dani’s college career and lies that can tear them apart.

Jax realizes what he’s losing if Dani walks away, but will he sacrifice his future to be with her? And will she let him if he does?

FINDING DANDELION, the second book in the Dearest series, is a stand-alone novel. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.

Purchase Links:

Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1F8l5um
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NP2VoA
Amazon AUS: http://bit.ly/1hotFzE
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1fOrkNp

Kristine's Review:

Reviewed: August 2015.

After absolutely devouring Dearest Clementine I was excited to dive into Finding Dandelion, what I love so much is the cross over from Dearest Clementine, the step back in time that we get in the beginning gives the reader a greater understanding of Jax and Clem's joint birthday celebration. As the story continues we get to know more about Clem's brother Jax and her roommate Dani. On the outset Jax looks like the typical young guy, life isn't exactly a party but it's not sad, tough existence either, he's a talented soccer player, he's grown up surrounded by money, he's never financially wanted for anything, he has women throwing themselves at him and he's not academically challenged either.

When Clem's roommate Dani hooks up with Jax as their birthday celebration, it's already pushing her boundaries, but when he promptly forgets all about her and ends up on the arm of someone else she's mortified, embarrassed and humiliated. After hearing all about Jax's womanising ways from Clem she's even more disgusted in herself, for just being another woman in a long line of women before her, she's resigned to forgetting all about that lapse in her judgement and to forget it ever happened, which seems easy because Jax sure as hell doesn't remember her anyway.

When a series of event transpire that force Jax and Dani into close proximity, Dani suddenly gets to see another side of Jax, as they bond she's stuck harbouring her secret from him, the question is, will Jax turn out to be exactly what she always thought he was, or will he surprise her and be everything she hoped her could be.

Jax has this sweet side that so few see, he's got a past that left him jaded and untrusting, he used to people expecting certain things from him and he's been happy to live up to that expectation, but with Dani he's intrigued and more than interested, despite the hard knocks Dani has been on the receiving end of she's got a strength to her, she's tenacious, and despite feeling fragile at times, she's determined not to be one of those poor me people.

Finding Dandelion is definitely more of a slow burn romance, this is friends to...well not quite lovers, but definitely friends to more, and it left me with that warm and tingly feeling that this trope is sure to inspire, it's fun and sexy, and yet heartbreaking and poignant, because this is so much more than just another NA college romance. I read this in one sitting and can't wait to dive into Daren's story next.

About Lex Martin:

Author of DEAREST CLEMENTINE, FINDING DANDELION and KISSING MADELINE. I write new adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters.
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