This is
the first time I’m reading anything by Melody Anne. So, let’s meet Derek Titan, a billionaire and
shrewd businessman who is hell bent on seeking revenge on his childhood sweetheart,
Jasmine Freeman who broke his heart ten years ago. Derek grew up on the poor
side of town and fell head over heels for Jasmine who was from the wealthiest
family in town. But a misunderstanding and the cruelty of Jasmine’s father’s
lies sabotaged the relationship unbeknownst to Derek and Jasmine.  

For many
years, Derek succeeded in business but held a grudge against Jasmine and her
father for destroying his father’s business venture. So when the opportunity
presented itself for a hostile takeover of Freeman Industries (now Titan Medical)
due to bad management which left the stocks cheap and easy to buy up, Derek
jumped at the chance to buy it. Unfortunately, he didn’t know that Jasmine
worked at the company and when he laid eyes on her all his feelings from their
teenage years came to the surface. As much as he wanted to fire her, she was
good at her job as the Human Resources director, and he kept her on. 

While
plotting how he would seek revenge on Jasmine, he learns she has a son. When he
did the math, he realizes the boy was his son. He then plans to marry her for
the sake of their son. Derek’s father and his cousins (Ryan and Drew) were a bit
hesitant although Drew wants Derek to talk to Jasmine to understand what
happened at the church they were supposed to meet up at and run away.  

Overall,
this was a quick read that touches on second chances at love. Derek’s wish for
revenge for how Jasmine hurt him was a huge misunderstanding spurred by Jasmine’s
father who felt Derek wasn’t good enough for his daughter. He was simply a cruel
man. Anyway, the sparks and passion between Derek and Jasmine were still there
despite the years and the author did a good job at unfolding this. I also loved
that Derek connected with his son and the universe was made right after all was
revealed. I only wished I could see the further demise of Mr. Freeman.
Otherwise, this was a good read! 

Rating: 3.5
stars  

Some of my
favorite lines:  

Jasmine
looked up and her eyes met Daniel’s. Her reaction wasn’t what Derek expected.
Not even kind of.

“Daniel?”
she gasped as he stepped a bit closer.

“Yes,
Jasmine,” he answered, standing a bit stiffly between Ryan and Drew as he tried
to decide what he should say next.

“Oh, my
gosh,” she cried out as her eyes filled with tears and she ran to him, throwing
her arms around his neck as she cried against his solid chest. “I have missed
you so much.”

Daniel’s
eyes connected with Derek’s as his hands came up and patted her on the back.
His expression was of shock. It wasn’t the reaction any of them had expected —
well, anyone except for Drew, who looked at them as if saying, See, I am
right!

Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com

Deliah Lawrence Attorney, Author, Blogger, Workshop Facilitator

Deliah Lawrence is a Maryland-based attorney and award-winning author of two romantic suspense novels (Gotta Let It Go and Gotta Get It Back) set in Baltimore. She’s also a blogger and workshop facilitator who writes poetry and short stories.

When Deliah isn’t writing, you can find her reading a book, indulging in her addiction to investigation discovery shows; or painting her yet-to-be exhibited oil artworks of landscapes, portraits or whatever else comes to her creative mind. Constantly on the go, she is also a member of the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Sisters in Crime.