The Bad Boy Is Back

Evan Downey needs a new beginning. Since the death of his wife five years ago, the brilliant tattoo artist has shut himself away in a prison of grief that not even his work can break him out of-and what’s worse, Evan knows his son Lyon is bearing the brunt of his seclusion. Moving back to the lake town of Evergreen Cove where he spent his childhood summers is his last chance for a fresh start.

Charlotte Harris knows she owes it to her best friend’s memory to help Evan and his son find their way again, but she can’t stop her traitorous heart from skipping a beat every time she looks into Evan’s mesmerizing eyes. Charlotte is determined to stay strictly in the Friend Zone-until a mind-blowing night knocks that plan by the wayside. Now, if they’re brave enough to let it, Charlotte and Evan might just find a love capable of healing their broken hearts . .

Bringing Home the Bad Boy is a very emotional start to Lemmon’s newest series.  I love the idea of these three “bad boys” all grown up.  Who doesn’t like a reformed rake, right?  (Evan is related to characters from her Love in the Balance series, but as far as I can tell, since I didn’t read those books, this one can stand on its own.  I’m sure his history makes an appearance but Lemmon does a great job of keeping readers current with the new series.)

I was very impressed with how Lemmon handled this story.  There were so many ways that this could go but I really enjoyed the fact that in the end it was just Charlotte who needed to get past the fact that Evan was married to her best friend.  It’s been years and he’s done his grieving, accepting the things that cannot change and that life moves on.  It’s not been easy and he knows that to fully heal he has to make a new life for himself. 

Charlotte’s difficulty is complicated by the fact that long ago, before Evan and Rae got together, she had a thing for him.  She got past those feelings when it was obvious that Evan and Rae belonged together but it just gives added depth to her current guilt.  Evan is willing to help her come to terms with the change in their relationship but it’s a step she’s going to have to be willing to take. 

With a sexy single father, who is doing a fantastic job raising an absolutely adorable kid, and a fun-loving but hesitant “Aunt Charlie”, Lemmon delivers a can’t-miss emotional read.  With a devilish twinkle in his eye and a smirk to his smile, Evan will become your new fictional boyfriend.  Although he may have some competition from the other bad boys, Asher and Donovan – I can’t wait to see what comes next in the Second Chance series.