SHOW ME THE WAY (Fight For Me Standalone #1) by A L JACKSON

‘Someday you’ll know what it’s like to be in love…You know you’re in love when their happiness counts more than yours. The key to your happiness meaning most to them, too. Put those two together. That’s what real love is. It’s to people giving all they have.’

Show Me The Way is the first standalone in the new Fight For Me Series by A.L. Jackson, and it’s one we couldn’t wait to start, to get in on the ground floor of one of her series if you like, after immersing ourselves in the Bleeding Scars books part way through the series, this year.

‘But that was the thing about the past. It was over. All except for the scars it left behind.’

Show Me the Way included so many elements we love in a story. A closed off single Dad who lived and breathed his gorgeous little girl’s happiness as if his life depended on it. A strong, yet in some ways vulnerable heroine who would break down his defences, a bit of mystery, some heartbreaking backstories, a little suspense all added up to an entertaining and emotional read.

“This is wrong, Rynna. You can’t do this to me.”
“Do what?” I whispered.
“Make me want you.”

We meet Corinne (Rynna) Dayne, when she returns to her hometown of Gingham Lakes following the passing of her Gramma. We slowly uncover via flashbacks and dialogue why Rynna uprooted and moved to San Francisco in such a hurry without going back over the years to visit Gramma Corrine. The reasons, once they came to light, were cruel and heartbreaking and we couldn’t help but feel for her and completely understood her actions. But now she’s back and intends to honour her Gramma’s memory by reopening the Diner, Peppered Pies, she loved so much.

Rex Gunner runs a construction business in Gingham Lakes and he’s Dad to the adorable little Frankie Leigh…and just wait for your heart to melt in a puddle over these two! Frankie was a delightful, rambunctious little breath of fresh air who lit up the pages every time she made an appearance. In contrast, Rex cut a sad, lonely figure so full of guilt and misplaced loyalty. Rex had put his life on hold to raise Frankie after his wife left him and Frankie without as much as a backward glance, three years earlier.

‘The day she was born, I’d sworn an oath to myself. I’d never allow her to be torn up by this vicious, cruel world. Refused to let it tarnish her the way it had me.
My entire life was protecting her from it.’

Rex and Rynna’s paths cross and there is an instant attraction between them, however the scars of their pasts are barricades they both need to work through. As much as they try, they can’t deny the chemistry between them and explore where it could lead. However it’s not long before they’re forced to face their demons and what a whirlwind this story became. There was suspense, emotion and times we wanted to hurl our Kindles.

‘A guy like that had heartache written all over him. And I’d had enough of that to last me a lifetime.’

A.L. Jackson has become a firm TBB favourite. We’ve embraced every character, every moment, every frustration and every emotion of her words. She provides the drama and pulls at our heartstrings in a way that ensures we’ll keep coming back for more. A captivating story of love, redemption and second chances. And like us, we know you’ll be championing for this couple to find their much deserved HEA.

‘All moments matter. We just rarely know how important they are until the chance to act on them has already passed.’