Jessica was a total bitch coming down to the ending of this book. In the beginning, I felt for her, and I was supposed to. Mark dumped her and left for the army, leaving her heartbroken. Now years later he's back and the both of them are acting as if there's no history between the two.

Okay, I can get with that, but then they're forced together because they both want the same plot of land. Then through a series of unfortunate events, they have to team up to purchase the land together........and then those plotlines totally fell away and was barely mentioned until the falling out phase of the book.

This book just had random plot ideas that were introduced into this book and barely used. Because as soon as they started getting romantic with each other, all plot fell away and sex was introduced. They barely talked about feelings, they barely communicated in general but the story did have space for loads of unnecessary sex scenes.

This book was going along the basic three-star review until Jessica crossed a boundary that have absolutely nothing to do with her. Never took into account Mark's feelings or childhood and made everything about her. Then instead of asking him a question, she accused him of something he has yet to come to terms with, which in turn made him shut down and retreat.

Yet the author is making it out as if Jessica was in the right. She crossed a line that she had absolutely no right crossing without asking questions first, and made a painful situation worse. This book went straight to a one-star after that, I couldn't take the random storylines anymore.

I’ve enjoyed Rachel Lacey’s Risking It All series immensely and Can’t Forget You was a great addition to the series. Teenage lovers are reunited in this contentious yet heart- warming romance.

I’m always a bit fascinated when people who were together in high school are reunited years later and the attraction and passion is still there despite the years apart. In this case the boy from the wrong side of the tracks joined the Army and left the good girl without even a good-bye. Ten years later he is back in town and in business with his two best friends and they are competing against her for a piece of land that sits between their respective businesses.

Mark Dalton has aspirations of being career Army, but after a bomb ends those plans he is back in his hometown and running an adventures company with his friends and quietly trying to avoid Jessica Flynn, the woman who he left behind almost ten years ago, but with them both trying to buy the same property and then agreeing to buying it jointly they end up spending more and more time together making it harder for them to deny the attraction that still boils between them.

I enjoyed this story quite a bit and it was easy to see that Mark was a bit of a tortured soul. Abandoned at a young age, Mark has never quite understood how relationships work and while Jess goes all in, Mark holds back which causes a bit of conflict between them. I was glad to see Mark grow in this story and begin to understand what it took to be in a relationship and Jess’s ability to forgive and understand where he was coming from is what made this book work. I also appreciated that with Mark was there for Jess during her medical crisis and stayed by her side through her diagnosis and treatment. While he had his faults, he proved time and time again he was loyal and cared fiercely for Jess even when it was hard for him to admit his ever deepening feelings.

A strong willed but emotionally stunted hero, a feisty, smart heroine and a whole lot of patience and love made Can’t Forget You an entertaining romance.

What can I say, except for, Wow!!
Rachel Lacey has written another
awesome book. Can't Forget You,
is a touching, & emotional story
abour Jessica & Mark. They had dated
in high school, & were talking about
the future, when Mark, up and enlists.
Jessica had no idea, till the day he left.
10 years later, they see each other again.
They are both interested in buying
a piece of land, to expand their separate businesses. Mark still cares about Jessica, but she is still so angry at him for just leaving her, without an explanation,
10 years ago.
I loved this book, & thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The story is so well written.
You won't stop reading, till the end.
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!

I actually own this paperback signed and I lovingly don't crack the spines of signed paperbacks but I didn't take my Kindle on a trip and wound up taking this on vacation - I fell in love with the characters. It's not very often that you read about the love that two characters have like Rachel Lacey wrote about. This book was such a much-needed relief from what I had been reading lately that I could have jumped up and down. The characters were a breath of fresh air. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this title.

Rachel Lacey is back with her risk-taking, zip-lining, butt kicking heroines in her new Risking It All book, Can't Forget You.

Phew, that was quite the mouthful.

That's what she said... Sorry, I tried to resist. Really, I did.

I know what you're thinking... Crystal, how are these heroines risk-takers? Anyone that participates in grueling obstacle challenges are risk-takers. As much fun as it sounds, I could never do it so hats off to these insane ladies. Especially Jessica... For finishing the challenge with an injury.

I am loving the hell out of this series and I was extra excited for Jessica and Mark's book. Oh, the daggers Jessica shot at Mark at the end of the previous book... I knew that their history was going to be epic and I was right. They had a lot of hurt to overcome. It wasn't just wounds from their relationship as kids, but also hurt from their families. I loved watching their new budding relationship. Mark became a rock for Jessica to lean on. He was her support during a very scary time. And Jessica helped Mark come out of the shell he built around his heart. She showed him that it was okay to let loose and that she's there to help him. Toss in their supportive group of friends and you've got an adorable romance. One that I loved to pieces.

Rachel Lacey's Can't Forget You is a wonderful addition to the Risking it All series. I have loved all of the books in this series and this one just shows how amazing Rachel's writing is. I can' wait to read what she comes up with next!

Once in awhile a first love burns so strong that it's ever-lasting ... and this book gives a great story detailing such a situation. It's sweet, it's sexy, it's emotionally charged! If you've read the earlier books in this series, you'll recognize most of the key players and will get an update on some of our favorite couples from the past. The storyline is well-developed with enough strife to keep us on pins and needles about whether they will be able to make a relationship work, but also a great amount of friendship, love and overall general warmth that makes for a close-knit cast of characters. I really enjoyed it!

Spa owner Jessica Flynn is excited to put in an offer on the newly listed piece of property adjacent to her spa! She's been dreaming of expanding for years, and her opportunity is finally here. She feels like she's walking around in the clouds until trouble is brought to her attention ... the guys at Off-the-Grid Adventures want the property too, and none other than her high school sweetheart himself, Mark Dalton, is standing there with her realtor trying to burst her bubble!

It might have been years since he left Haven, NC, but Mark is still just as attracted to Jessica as he was the day he left her to join the Army. She has basically acted like he doesn't exist for the last year since he's been back in town, but now she's being forced to interact with him. He knows he hurt her, and he also knows he's not the type of man she needs if she's looking to settle down ... but man, the sparks that tear through him at the slightest touch of her hand tell him he needs to convince her to live it up with him a little!

If you've been following this series, you were probably waiting for this story just as much as I was.  Jessica and Mark were in love in high school.  He was the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks but she felt their love would conquer all.  Until he disappeared and joined the military never to be heard of again.  Now that Mark is back in town, they've acted as if they never happened but their love for each other was always like no other.

This book was the perfect small town, second chance story.  The tentative way they interact with each other, the undeniable attraction and feelings that still simmer between them.  I genuinely liked both characters individually and together.  I may even go as far as saying this is my fave couple in the series.  They have their own issues to deal with while also working on issues that keep that apart.  They have to re-learn how to be together and while it's not an immediate jump into where they left off, it felt very natural how things pick up and old feelings that were never forgotten resurface.  The ease in which they are together was comforting and relatable.

Of course, we also get to re-visit with the previous characters in the series and I love how Ms. Lacey is able to incorporate that feeling of friendship in a way that just makes sense and isn't forced.  It was fun to see them show up throughout the story and seeing what they are up to now.  And one of my faves in this one was the stray dog, Bear.  I'm a sucker for an adorable pet and even more so when the hero is so reluctant to keeping him.  Bear was just what Mark needed.

If you want a book that will leave you with a smile on your face from all the romantic goodness, then give this one a try.  CAN'T FORGET YOU was definitely a feel good romance and I can't wait to see what Ms. Lacey does next.

Although this is the third book in a series, I haven't read the first two books. This read very much like a stand alone. And I enjoyed it so much that I intend to go back and read the first two in the series. I love a reunited story line and this one is a really good one. The characters were all very well fleshed out. The relationship between the hero and heroine was really sweet. It was lovely to see them reunite and come together with a new start. The hero is a bit of a tortured soul which is also compelling. Watching them come together while he's working to heal himself was really interesting. The heroine (Jessica) is a smart, feisty character which was a nice contrast to the hero who was struggling emotionally. All in all, this was a really nice, sweet romance. I definitely enjoyed it and plan to read more of the series!

I loved this series and couldn't wait to read Mark and Jess's story. These two have some heavy history from 10 years ago when Mark abruptly joined the service and left Jessica behind. She's still pretty angry and only the thought of expanding her business makes her join forces with Mark and his friends.

I loved everything about this story. Second chance romance of course but also the mystery surrounding Jess's health, Bear the dog and catching up with all residents of Haven. Excellent series!!

When you love, you are “Risking It All”. And who better to understand than Jessica Flynn and Mark Dalton. Teenage love and the dreams and of happily ever after come to an end when Mark leaves to join Special Forces.

Returning to Haven after nearly a decade, and partnering with his buddies at the Off-The-Grid-Adventures, Mark seems to be easing into civilian life one day at a time. Jessica’s dream of expanding her spa salon seems to be becoming a reality as circumstances bring Mark and Jessica to partner with each other in buying the land that both of them want to expand their business.

Old flames ignite a spark, and the attraction that both deny takes them between the sheets. Secrets come to light and past pain and betrayal is gets a closure. And when Jessica needs Mark to support her in goodness and in health, he’s right next to her. Both Mark and Jessica are such resilient and wonderful people that deserve happiness and a future together. These two are one of Rachel’s best couples I’ve come to love.

Rachel Lacey has been always so eloquent with feelings and situations. She does a fabulous job of handling the tricky family situation just right with not too much drama. The placing of supportive characters, the banter and chemistry among the friends and the resident so Haven is a perfect blend of romance and pleasure to read, “Can’t Forget You”.

Received an ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing), via NetGalley for an honest review.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.25 Hearts OK this book hit really close to home. Why, you ask? Because I have recently reunited with my high-school sweetheart. Because of this I really found myself wanting to find out how things turned out.

It has been ten years since the young lovers were together and now they are back together after the same property. And yet Mark realizes there are more important things than property like getting an unexpected second chance.

The story felt real. That feeling of not knowing what to say the first time you see each other again. The emotional roller coaster of not knowing why you feel the attraction even after he hurt you. It was just so real and exactly what I needed to read right now.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful second chance and small town romance. I really enjoyed reading Jessica and Mark's story which kept me reading through the night. I also loved the other characters so much that I can't wait to read the other two books in the series.

I have to admit, it’s been a difficult experience reading this book. Not because it was bad, not because I couldn’t connect with the characters or the plot. Not at all because this story didn’t make me feel anything because it did. It so did. I’ve been going through a tough time for the past few months, so the timing wasn’t great for reading but this book spoke to me in ways I can’t even begin to explain.

CAN’T FORGET YOU is a second chance romance between two people who have been together when they were teenagers. They’re all grown up now, and while Jessica was a responsible young woman, it was Mark who was the loose cannon of their young love. Now though, Mark knows the meaning of responsibility and perhaps wants a second chance with Jess.

I loved this story for several reasons, but the most important was that I could relate to these characters more than I did to any other favorites. Much more. Maybe it’s the timing, maybe it’s the fact that there was a lost dog who was adopted, maybe it was the healing through your love for someone else, I don’t know, I was able to find many a pages to stop and think about how much I could understand them. And isn’t this why we love to read anyway? It is for me. I love reading through a solid romance and enjoy their ups and downs but I also like relating to them.

And this was a solid romance. A strong romance between two people who would be there for each other no matter what. And while they made their mistakes in the past, it was clear they developed into better versions of themselves. It gives me immense pleasure to see that.

Add to this the fact that the story takes place in a small town, and there’s a tight group of friends who support each other and meddle in only when it’s absolutely necessary, then you have this sweet, sexy romance that’s a pleasure to read.

I’m adding four spoonfuls of this story into my hodgepodge.

I've been IMPATIENTLY waiting for this book from Rachel Lacey for a while now, but boy did it not disappoint! Mark and Jess were such a fantastic couple, and their story tugged at every single one of my heart strings.

Haven is a place I want to move to after reading these books. Rachel Lacey does such a FANTASTIC job of drawing you in, describing everything so perfectly, and just making it somewhere that you are comfortable being.

The story takes turns you aren't ready for, and I don't think there is anything I would want to change about it! Well done! Loved this book, and would definitely recommend it to others as well!

I have to tell you there is nothing I like better then reading a romance and having a good feeling about the main characters. You want, no need them to be together. Right away you see that they are meant to be. Now if someone...Mark (I know, usually I'm more mad a heroine for something) would get over himself and man up we could move on and be where we need to be.

Oh he (Mark) is so frustrating. At times I wanted to yell at him to deal with his past crap and grow up. Not that he really acted childish he just needed to grow a pair and be a man. Sounds rough and I'm not sure why I feel that way. To be hones I really liked Mark other then his past issues.

I could what a sweet guy he was behind the blank stare. He just needed the right person or persons to help him become the man he could be. Again that makes him seem like he's not a man and I don't mean that I just mean the people around him help me to become whole.

Now Jessica I loved right away. There is just something so nice about her. I also really liked her family too. They are all in each others business and are they to offer support. I liked how the author kept you glued to the pages but not only the relationship between Mark and Jessica but also with Jessica's illness that you're kept guessing about. Lacey did a good job of that.

As a whole Can't Forget You is a very good story with the characters from the other books in the series in this one too. I loved it and couldn't put it down until I knew both Jessica, Mark and Bear were happy.

Jessica Flynn is looking to expand her spa and now that the land next door is up for sale, she'll do anything to buy it. But when things happen and she finds herself competing with her ex for the unspoiled piece of land, it seems the only way they'll both get what they want is to join forces and buy it together. However, Jessica never imagined she'd fall for Mark Dalton all over again. Will Mark and Jessica get their second chance at forever after, or will Mark break her heart all over again?

What a wonderful and very engaging second chance romance Ms. Lacey has delivered in this third book of her Risking it All series where the main characters have never gotten over each other and definitely need to find their way back to the other; the dialogue was intense due to the main characters back stories and the obstacles these two face to be together again; and the secondary characters had me enjoying the tight friendship they share with either the hero and heroine and how determined they were to see both happy. Will Mark and Jessica get their second chance at happiness?

Both the main characters were riveting and I loved the moments the hero and heroine interacted, especially since the heroine challenges the hero to lose control during their very intimate moments. Will Jessica get her wish for Mark to lose control? Moreover, the heroine goes through a lot in this story with what's happening to her in terms of her health and I liked how Mark was there for her every step of the way. I also liked how hard-working she is and that even though Mark broke her heart in the past, I liked that she was willing to give him another chance. While the hero, he's been through a lot in his past and I felt sorry for him when it comes to being reunited with someone he'd rather forget but needs to forgive to be completely happy in life. I also liked how hard-working the hero was and how determined he was to earn the heroine's forgiveness because of what happened between them in the past. How could he have left the way he did, especially with the way he blindsided the heroine? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is that he opened up to the heroine about his past before he lost the heroine for good.

Overall, Ms. Lacey has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance full of exquisite heat and passion; and the ending had me loving how determined the hero was to win back the heroine, even if it meant facing his past. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, because this couple deserve their second chance at happiness after all they've been through. I would recommend Can't Forget You by Rachel Lacey, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Rachel Gibson, Sarah Richardson, Katie Lane and Miranda Liasson.

4.5 stars! I adore this series so much! I love this group of three men who run Off-the-Grid Adventures and met in a group home as boys and have stayed close. I was so glad to finally get to know Mark in Book 3 with a second chance romance. Lacey writes with warmth and creates such real characters who show authentic emotion. Closed-off Mark has never stopped caring for his high school girlfriend Jessica- and she's never met anyone who held a candle to Mark either. Thank goodness business dealings brought these two back together! Their chemistry was immediate and off the charts! This was a fast read, perfect for a winter day by the fire. I'm super sad to see this series come to an end!

Mark, the son of a mom who abandoned him at six years old, grew up a very angry child. His mom dropped him off at school with a note in his back pack, never to return. While bouncing around various foster homes, Mark meets Ryan and Ethan. The trio become "brothers". In high school, Mark meets and falls for Jessica. Wanting what's best for Jessica, her dad decides to have a talk with Mark with hopes of steering him in the right direction. Mark takes the advice to heart and enlists leaving Jessica to suffer her first broken heart.

Fast forward several years.....the band of brothers are in business together running an outdoors adventure zip lining course, rock climbing area, etc. Looking to expand their business by adding a mountain bike trail, they put in an offer to purchase the land next to them. Little did they know there were other interested parties...

Jessica always had dreams of opening her own spa with hot springs. When the land beside her goes up for sale, she places a bid. The bidding war begins. After losing the final bid, Jessica concedes and believes her dreams are lost forever. Days later, she's approached by Mark with a joint venture. Mark suggests they go in together so they can top the other buyer's offer. Mark suggests they divide up the land and they will both get what they want. Jessica reluctantly agrees.

As Jessica and Mark work together to build their dreams, they can't deny they still have strong feelings for each other. When Jessica is confronted with a health scare, Mark is right there by her side. He vows to help her and convince her he's a different man than the boy who left years ago. But he will makes mistakes...

This is the third in the Risking It All series and my favorite novel yet!!! I loved it! The chemistry was off the charts. Mark was broody, but sexy. Silent, but charming. He was supportive without being too pushy. The ultimate Alpha! As a RN, I also enjoyed the medical illness theme. While I wouldn't wish an illness on anyone, it's great to educate others concerning various medical conditions. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.