Daily Archives: 01/12/2023
BOOK TOUR – Letting You Go by S.L. Sterling
Posted by Book Loving Pixies
Title: Letting You Go
Author: S.L. Sterling
Release Date: November 20, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn, Second Chance Romance
Cover Design: Thunderstruck Cover Design
Goodreads: https://geni.us/LettingYouGoGR
Blurb:
Bailey Scott had been my world from the time I was fifteen. I had always thought we could make it through whatever life threw at us. But I was wrong.
Five years ago, everything changed in an instant one weekend in December. Her brother had been shot and killed in the line of duty, and his killer had gotten away. I spent my days buried in work trying to track down his killer, while she sat at home not only blaming herself but everyone else for what had happened. Included in that everyone else, was me, her fiancΓ©e, and his partner. Unfortunately, that blame drove a rift between us that neither of us knew how to fix.
I was always told that time healed everything. Itβs been five years. In that time, I spent my days at work, and my nights with women trying to release the hold Bailey still had on me. Iβve also been trying to release the guilt Iβve felt from that night.
I was doing pretty good until my best friend and partner tells me that he is getting married and he wants me to be his best man. Problem is, Bailey Scott, the girl whoβd ripped my heart out is the brides to be maid of honor. She was finally returning, and I knew the moment I would lay eyes on her, I would do whatever it took to win her back.
S.L. Sterlingβs, Letting You Go is a sexy, emotionally charged, slow burn second chance romance that will leave you swooning.
Buy Links:
Universal: https://geni.us/LettingYouGo
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SgJBZS
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3skJJgb
Kobo: https://bit.ly/45VPwqz
Smashwords: https://bit.ly/3QkBMzH
Excerpt:
I looked at my best friend and shook my head. βWhat did I think about what?β
Cara gave me a knowing look and smiled. βWell, about Jackson. What did you think?β
I blew out a breath and shrugged, rubbing both of my temples again as the pain shot through my head at her question. βWhat am I supposed to think? Heβs still hot, I guess.β
βStill hot, you guess. Bailey, any woman would have to be dead not to notice that man. Those blue eyes against that dark, tanned skin, dark, thick hair, those shoulders, abs, hands, that assβ¦β She winked.
βWhoa, arenβt you supposed to be getting married in, like, eight weeks?β
βYes, of course, and Iβm very committed to Ryan. But come on, Bailey, you canβt seriously say that you wouldnβt or didnβt notice him.β
βI never said that. Besides, that was always the way with him, though. I can still remember the first time I ever laid eyes on him,β I said, picking a piece off the muffin in front of me, getting lost in my thoughts.
βWhat is it?β
βItβs nothing.β I shrugged. Even though I was adamant that we were through, a part of me still wanted to know about him, if he was involved with someone. I wanted to know who held his heart in her hands now. βSo, tell me, what do you want to plan for this wedding?β
βOh no, donβt you dare change the subject! Just ask me the question that I know is eating away at you?β
I looked at my best friend, her eyes shining with mischief. She could always read me like a book. βWhat question might that be?β I smiled. Two could play this game.
βBailey, as if you donβt want to know?β
βListen, I came here to talk about someoneβs wedding, not about what happened last night at The Crooked Judge, nor about Jackson Walker. Now, could we please get on with things?β
Cara shrugged. βI just figured youβd want to know whether he was single because somewhere in that heart of yours, I know youβre dying to ask. I also know that somewhere deep down inside, you still care about him, and donβt pretend you donβt.β
I shook my head and looked out the window just in time to see a Sunset Cove cruiser drive down the road. I bit my bottom lip to stop the tears I could feel building in my eyes at the fact that he could very well be happily involved with someone, maybe even have kids. What bothered me the most was the fact that if he had that, then the thought of us having another chance together would be taken away instantly. Iβd have lost out on him. I turned back to face the only girl who truly knew me.
βLook, heβs obviously with someone. I mean, he could barely even look at me last night. He certainly didnβt want to speak to me. Do you know he couldnβt even ask me questions in relation to what had happened? Also, that as soon as his partner had finished, he ran out of there faster than the gang member who started the whole thing.β
Cara stuck her spoon into her coffee and added another sugar packet before looking up at me. βImagine that the man whose heart you ripped out doesnβt want anything to do with you. Thatβs shocking.β
βThatβs a little harsh, donβt you think?β
βNo, I donβt think itβs harsh to tell the truth. You, Bailey Scott, ripped that manβs heart out, tore it into little pieces, stomped on it, and left it in the dirt. Proofβs in the pudding. You can ask anyone around here. They will tell you the same I am going to. That since you left, he hasnβt been in one relationship, butβ¦β
I frowned, βBut what?β I questioned, waiting for her to continue.
ββ¦but heβs been with everyone.β
βEveryone?β I looked at her in shock, thinking about every woman whoβd wanted a piece of him when heβd been mine.
She nodded. βSadly, yes, ever since you left. Heβs had what we used to refer to as bedroom cheerleaders, but he lets no one get close to him.β
I blinked to clear my vision from the tears that were now burning my eyes. The information she had just given me struck a chord, and I no longer wanted to discuss Jackson, or hear about the current sex life of my former fiancΓ©e.
βBailey?β Cara reached across the table and placed her hand on mine. βAre you okay?β
I cleared my throat and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. I reached into my purse and pulled out a small notebook and began writing.
βOkay, so the wedding. We have what, about eight weeks to get this thing together?β I said, completely changing the subject, pretending everything was okay.
βBailey?
I looked up from the notebook in front of me and met Caraβs eyes. I could tell from the look on her face she knew I was upset about what sheβd told me.
βIβm sorry if I upset you,β she whispered.
I didnβt doubt she didnβt want to upset me, but hearing those words fall from her mouth had done just that. It stung knowing the truth.
βLook, you didnβt upset me. I guess Iβm just hurt. I have only been with one man since we split, and heβs been with an entire town.β I inhaled, focusing on my breath, like my therapist had taught me, and looked at Cara. βTo be honest, I really donβt want to talk about this anymore. So instead, letβs talk about bigger, and better things, okay? Like your wedding. Now, tell me, what do you need me to do?β
She respected my wishes and reached into her purse, pulling out a purple planner, flipping it open to a page that she had scrawled some information.
βWell, I thought perhaps you could help me choose a color scheme, flowers, food selection and then arrange the seating plan. You were always good with that sort of thing.β
I nodded. βOf course. Do we have a list of the wedding party and a guest list?β I said, making some notes for myself.
βWe do. We are keeping it relatively small. You know, friends, family and a few work people. I think everyone has been waiting for this wedding, so we are pretty sure everyone we invite will attend. Iβm just about finished with the invitations and am hoping to get them out later today.β
βOkay. That is one thing off our plates. Now, what about the wedding party?β
Cara bit her bottom lip and flipped through a few pages in her journal. Then she lifted the book up off the table toward her so I couldnβt see what had been written on the page in front of her.
βWe have what you would call a rough list.β She said, biting her lip and looking down at the page in front of her.
βWe can work with a rough list. It would help if I could I see it?β I asked, holding my hand out.
Instead of handing me the book, she dropped it off the edge of the table and down onto her lap. βNo, you canβt. I think we need to make a few adjustments or two, maybe three, before you see it.β
I gave Cara an annoyed look. βBefore I can see it? Cara, I canβt make accurate plans without it. What is the problem? Why wonβt you let me see it? Itβs just a list of names.β
βI just told you why. Itβs just a rough list.β
βCara? I donβt believe it. Youβve probably had this list planned for nine and a half years,β I said, standing up and reaching for the book, which Cara ripped away and shoved behind her back.
βYouβre not seeing it.β
βCara, I know you know who you want in your wedding party. Hell, youβve had that list planned out when Jackson and I got engaged. I know because Ryan told him. If you donβt want me to see the list, there is no way I can collaborate with anyone to get anything done. We already have a tight enough window. So that means no parties, no shower, no nothing. Now show me the book.β
βBailey, I canβt.β
βWhy not?β
βBecause you donβt want to talk about Jackson.β
βWhat? Cara, just give me the list.β I said, holding my hand out.
Cara slowly placed the book in my hand, and I began reading the list. I hadnβt even gotten down the list when Cara spoke.
βBecause Jackson is the best man. Heβs your opposite in the wedding party.β
Iβm sure my face was filled with shock as I looked over at my friend. I should have known. It was stupid to say I wasnβt expecting this, because I knew full well that he would be part of the wedding party. Ryan and he had been friends since preschool. To think he would have chosen anyone else was just foolish.
I sat there, staring down at our names listed side by side, thinking about all the things weβd be forced to do together, including walk down the aisle.
βItβs okay. Iβm going to have Ryan redo his side,β Cara said, pulling the book back over to her.
βHeβs the best man?β I swallowed.
Cara nodded. βLike I said, I will have Ryan redo his list. I donβt want you to be uncomfortable or to have a hard time. So, we can always just switch one of the other guys into Jacksonβs spot. Ryan will understand.β
Even though I really didnβt want to think about or see Jackson, I was here for their wedding. I needed to figure out how to work with him and put our differences aside. There wasnβt a doubt in my mind that Ryan wouldnβt change it, but it wasnβt fair to ask him, either.
βLook, Cara, donβt,β I said, reaching across the table and placing my hand on hers. βIβm here for your wedding, to stand up for two people I love dearly. Iβm here to help you in whatever way I can, and I wonβt have Ryan redo his list. I will do my best to put aside my feelings to make your day amazing.β
βReally? Are you sure?β
I nodded. βI promise. So, give me the list and Iβll get started on everything.β
βYouβre the best,β Cara said, looking up at me and smiling. βI canβt tell you how much this means to me.β
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
I really enjoyed this read. Thereβs a lot packed into a few hours read and I was fully invested throughout.
Bailey Scott and Jackson Walker had a future planned out until one fateful night changed everything. It might not have happened immediately but the impact on their relationship was catastrophic none the less.
At the start of this book we see Bailey waiting for another man and thereβs a scene with Jackson and a woman whoβs a fwb. I get that when you read a book about a couple you donβt really want to see them with others but I felt that these 2 chapters were necessary to understand where Jackson and Bailey stood emotionally.
We had one trying to move on regardless of how not right things might feel and another who was emotionally stuck.
This made a lot of sense to how things happened once this pair were back within each others orbit.
There was so much emotion and feeling in Letting You Go.
A happy couple, hit by tragedy, who didnβt communicate and lost themselves in grief. It wasnβt an easy road to a possible HEA – Bailey got in her own way a bitβ¦. while Jackson looked like he was going to fall to old habits that caused them to fall apart!!
A solid 4* read and one Iβd definitely recommend.
Author Bio:
S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs.
An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel “It Was Always You” was born.
When S.L. Sterling isn’t writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors on her e-reader. Her favorite authors include Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Lauren Blakely, Alessandra Torre and Willow Winters.
In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.
Social Media Links
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/SLSterlingGoodreads
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hearomance/
Instagram: http://bit.ly/SLSterlingInstagram
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/SLSterlingBB
Sterlings Silver Sapphires: http://bit.ly/SterlingsSapphires
Amazon: http://bit.ly/SLSterling
Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64d6991578891ef5c9a2f474
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