Twisted Ties (Ties, #2)

by K.A. Robinson

[Cocktails and Books]

First, if you haven't read SHATTERED TIES, book one in this series, you absolutely must before cracking this one open.

I wasn't sure what to expect for Emma and Jesse's story. Considering the way Shattered Ties ended, I couldn't imagine where the story was going to go. But the author did a great job of moving the characters forward two years.

TWISTED TIES picks up as Emma, along with her new best friend Andy, make their way to West Virginia for the start of Emma's freshman year of college. She'd picked the school with a purpose. She needed to find Jesse, apologize for what happened when they last saw each other and hope that maybe they might be able to work things out.

I loved that Emma was willing to swallow her pride and basically chase after Jesse. She had no clue what was waiting for her when she got to West Virginia or if Jesse was even there (or available), but she was willing to put herself out there hoping she would find him. Despite how Emma grew up, she wasn't the spoiled rich girl who expected everything to go her way. She knew this was a long shot and if Jesse was with someone else, she would take her broken heart and figure out what to do next. She chased her dream and I loved how she just put it out there.

Jesse had moved with his mother to West Virgina after what happened at the end of SHATTERED TIES. He was going to school, but he pretty much kept to himself. I was sad to see that Jesse had given up his dream of becoming a tattoo artist and instead was focusing on school to appease his mother. It was almost as if all Jesse's dreams were forgotten once he and Emma separated.

The anticipation of exactly when and where Jesse and Emma were going to cross paths had me on pins and needles, especially since it felt like Emma had so much riding on that meeting. I was not disappointed...even if when it happened was a bit more anti-climatic than Emma might have planned.

One thing that threw me for a loop was Ally. Her character, while a massive bitch in SHATTERED TIES, went a direction I wasn't expecting. She definitely added some suspense and emotional response. With Ally, be prepared one hell of a ride.

I was happy with the HEA for Jesse and Emma. It took quite a few twists and turns, but the second chance storyline proved fighting for who you love is worth it.