Change of Heart
Nicole Jacquelyn     


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series:
Book: 2
Heat Level: Hot

They've spent their lives pushing each other away, but what will happen when they need each other most?

Anita Martin doesn't expect much from life. Growing up on the street, bouncing from one foster home to another, she learned to rely only on herself. Even after she finally found a loving family to take her in, she was still an outsider-something Abraham, one of the family's older sons, never let her forget.

Abraham Evans doesn't know how Ani always manages to get under his skin, only that's she's been doing it since they were teens. She is-and always has been-undeniably gorgeous. But he's never met anyone as pissed off at the world as Ani.

For fifteen years, Ani and Bram have agreed on exactly one thing: they can't stand each other-until one night when their anger gives way to passion. Yet even as Ani and Bram begin to secretly seek comfort in one another's arms, they remain emotionally worlds apart. When Ani's life takes a dramatic turn and she realizes she needs more than Bram can give, their fragile, no-strings relationship unravels. One way or another, Ani is determined to survive. But when Bram finally admits his true feelings, he may discover Ani has moved on without him . . .

Other books in the series:


After reading and absolutley loving Unbreak My Heart by Nicole Jacquelyn, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into Change of Heart, the second book in the series. My expectations were super high and I’m happy to say that Ms. Jacquelyn didn’t let me down.

I won’t lie to you, but near the end of Unbreak My Heart, I wasn’t exactly feeling Abraham. I found him a bit too volatile for my taste, especially when he goes ballistic on Shane (hero in Unbreak My Heart). But in Change of Heart he’s a much more likeable character. Loveable actually. :)

The book starts with a prologue and a scene that gives some historical perspective to Anita and Abraham’s relationship. The incident occurs when Anit is sixteen and Bram is nineteen. He discovers her in his parent’s bedroom rifling through their stuff. A confrontation ensues and it ends with him searching her—something I’m sure he regretted immediately given her terrified reaction.   

Fast forward fourteen years, their relationship is as tense as it ever was. They bicker a lot and drive each other nuts.  But as we know in most romances, beneath the bickering and pointed barbs is sexual tension. Between Ani and Bram, it kept me on heightened alert. I loved that Ani has gumption. Not only isn’t she afraid to go toe-to-toe with Bram, but she’s also adventurous. I’m specifically thinking about when she follows him to a dive bar, where she discovers something she didn’t know about him…

What’s hard about writing this review is that there’s so much I can’t say about the plot without spoiling it. So much. What I will say is that it’s not long into the book that they first get together. But as great as that is, it’s not close to the best part of their romance. The surprises come quickly and create the conflict and drama that makes this story really shine. I went from shock, sadness, joy and heartbreak in the course of the book, before finally settling on elation.

It was wonderful catching up with Shane, Kate and the kids from Unbreak My Heart. It actually made me go back to reread (okay more like skim the best parts) the book. And I’m really looking forward to reading Trevor’s (another foster brother) book. At least I’m crossing my fingers that his book is next.

As for Ani and Bram, theirs is a wonderfully written and plotted romance with just the right amount of steam, conflict, angst and love to satisfy the most discerning romance reader. Ms. Jacquelyn has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors and I can’t wait to read more from her.

~ Beverley