If It's Only Love

This is book 6 in The Boys if Jackson Harbor series and even though it’s the last book in the series it can certainly be read as a stand-alone, I can say this hand on heart because I haven’t read all the previous books but I will be going back to play catch up as soon as time permits. This is a story spanning over time and it will touch you on so many levels because those years cover every emotion you ever want to feel. It’s a book full of regrets and doubts but it’s also full of love and happiness as love takes its toll when time and distance comes into play. This is single dad Easton Connor and Shayleigh Jackson’s story and let’s be honest it’s going to take a special type of man to win Shay and her 5 brothers over. Easton has returned to Jackson Harbor with his daughter to start over and he can’t wait to reconnect with the Jackson’s the family he missed the most when he moved away but will they welcome him with open arms after all its going to take time to win their trust and love back.... This book has it all second chance romance, a single dad, great characters with sizzling chemistry and a well written beautiful love story. All I can say is Shay and Easton are taking chances why don’t you and one click this great read you won’t be disappointed .

4.5 Why I Want You Stars! I have always loved the Men of Jackson Harbor and the women who bring them to their knees! But move over boys, cuz Ryan has saved the best for last with Shayleigh and Easton’s story! What she put this pair through to finally get the timing right took my breath away, brought me to tears, but had me totally cheering for their HEA! Shay and Easton were always drawn to each other. Easton was best friends with Shay's older brother, and Carter warned him to stay away. But East had issues that only Shay was able to soothe. Shay was the little sister who followed them around. Shay had her own image problems and never saw that she was good enough for the popular star quarterback. But East saw her for who she really was and didn't want to hold back his intelligent, loving, sexy friend. With East being four years older and drafted to a football team across the country, they were never in the same place and same time in their lives to act on their love for each other. Now that Easton is moving home, he is through with taking the easy route, and is determined to fight for Shay, and make her his. But Shay has been through too much heartbreak and loss and isn't willing to open herself up to him again. Their forbidden, friends to lovers romance was sweet, steamy, and riveting. Ms. Ryan expertly and exquisitely portrayed life with all it's complications, joy, heartbreak, and pleasure. She skillfully revealed this story in alternating past and present sequence allowing the reader to be truly engaged both emotionally and thoughtfully. She expertly weaved a tale of friendship, love, loss, and heartbreak, and ultimately of hope and healing. This story is a raw and emotional journey that will keep you captivated from beginning to end. I am so in love with the whole Jackson family and how loving, supportive, and essential they are to each other. Two scenes at the end, with Shay's mom, and then with Easton had me in tears, in a good way! What a perfect ending to this fun, exhilarating, emotional and steamy family saga series. I have grown to really care for each of them. I am sad it is done but so happy I was along for the ride!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** I'm a fan of friends to lovers romances and I also enjoy a good childhood friends to lovers romance, so considering this one was both of those, it was right up my alley. Throw in an athlete and I'm even more in my element! Shayleigh (Shay) Jackson is the only girl of the Jackson siblings and she's extremely loyal, loves her family and is working on earning her PhD. She has always had a crush on her brother Carter's best friend, Easton, and she's never felt like she would be good enough for him due to her insecurities about her looks/weight, but she also didn't think the destined for the NFL athlete would ever see her in the same light she has always seen him. Easton Conner was the star high school football player who has now made it to the NFL. He's always been close to the Jackson's as he's Carter's best friend, however he's always had a soft spot for Shay as well. Shay has always been a calming influence on him and when he leaves Jackson Harbor for LA, he not only leaves behind his second family, he leaves behind the girl he's developed feelings for. Over the years, Easton and Shay have had a series of romantic encounters that both of them have kept secret. The timing for them has just never been right and there is a mountain of hurt feelings and circumstances have always pulled them further apart instead of closer together. When Easton moves back to Jackson Harbor, the two are now in one another's orbit more often and they have to figure out how they feel about one another and what the feelings they are feeling really mean. Easton is dead set on proving to Shay that she is what he wants. Can he truly convince her? And for Shay, can she forgive him for things that have happened in the past? I absolutely loved these two characters. They both know what they want and are driven to get it, whether it involves school, work, or personal relationships. The chemistry between them is absolutely incredible and the way they fit together as a duo and how Easton fits in with the whole Jackson family is so wonderful. I enjoyed this story so much and it demonstrates what forgiveness and finding what makes you happy is all about.