WRECKED by JEANNINE COLETTE

‘I was so lost in the boy he once was when in front of me is a spectacular man who is so angry at the world for all the right reasons.’

Jeannine Colette is an author we’ve wanted to experiences for some time now, her book synopsis’ continually call to us, and in Wrecked, a small town, enemies to lovers romance telling a story of loss, love and second chances, we finally got our wish and dove straight in once it hit our Kindles.

Wrecked is set in the small town of Cedar Ridge in present time with intermittent flashbacks to events seven years previous which changed the lives, and friendship of Adam Reingold and Leah Paige. Just what caused the deep rift, loathing, and antagonistic behaviour between the pair is slowly and beautifully brought to light as the story progresses.

‘If he’s been wrecked by me, then I’ve been shattered, damaged, destroyed by him.’

In this hate/love story, the author ensured we read her story with a desperate need to uncover the tragedy and eventuating fallout that transpired between 25 year old bad arse, sexy, local Police Officer, Adam Reingold, and his then 17 year old best friend, Bar Manager, Leah Paige, now 23.  What caused their feelings to change, why did they ignore one another for seven years, and more importantly, can their friendship ever be repaired?

Adam and Leah were wonderful characters. Leah with her self-assuredness and carefree, fun loving attitude, her drive, penchant for bargain fashion, her loathing of Police Officer Reingold, and her out and out love for the man of her dreams, Matthew “all right, all right, all right“, McConaughey, was a breath of fresh air.  Whilst the grouchy, troubled, pragmatic Adam may have been the seriousness to Leah’s flippant, we loved him for his kind heart and his dedication upholding the law and protecting his town, especially the young and vulnerable. Adam and Leah really were opposites…but you know what they say about opposites, right?

“You have no idea what it is taking me not to touch you right now.”
“Why aren’t you?”
“Because you haven’t let me.”

Through a series of events, Adam and Leah are brought together, and as a result, are forced to slowly and painfully confront their pasts and their feelings for each other, reliving the moment that saw them drift apart.

“Adam.” His name comes out as a whisper my words catch in my throat. “I don’t want to hate each other anymore.”
“Then let’s not.”

We adored the quirkiness of some of the characters, especially Leah’s sweet family. From her Mum and Dad (Bob and Pam), to her sister Emma and her brother Luke, this family entertained us no end. And let’s not forget Leah’s flirty and very modern Grandmother and her lustful attraction to Adam. This lady had us in fits. Especially her advice to her Grand-daughter about the very sexy Adam…….”Chain him to the bed, Leah. Cuff him, and don’t let him out of your sight for the next fifty years.” Yep, she was one feisty, giggle inducing lady!

If you enjoy an enemies to lovers romance that deals with guilt, secrets and longing from the past, then Wrecked is for you. A story with drama and emotion sprinkled with sweet, tender and funny moments. Whilst we didn’t experience the emotional punch we would have loved, Wrecked was a fabulous introduction to Jeannine Colette’s work and you can bet it’s left us wanting to experience more from this author.