Every Time He Leaves

Posted February 3, 2016 in review Tags: second chance

Every Time He Leaves by Anna Karington

I'm different now. I won't be that girl again. I'm in control. I'm the one who's going to leave him wishing he'd given me his everything when he had the chance...
Lana Raeven and Jarek Dean shared a night of passion, but the next morning, she woke up alone. Nine years later, Lana works as a successful event coordinator for a prestigious company. Bold and confident in every area but love, she hasn’t ever recovered from Jarek’s abandonment. However, a chance encounter with her former lover grants her an opportunity to take back her power.
Rather than chastising him for his cruelty, she plays unfazed and invites him back into her life. Using her ingenuity and sensuality as weapons, she draws him in with the intention of destroying him as he once destroyed her. But her plan for revenge isn’t as simple as she initially believed, for the more time she spends with Jarek, the more she’s reminded of why she loved him. And if she isn’t careful, she could lose him all over again.

Every Time He Leaves
Anna Karrington

Every Time He Leaves is a second chance romance many years later. I think this trope is hit or miss. Sometimes, is so well done (Appealed by Emma Chase) and other times, it doesn’t work for me. The characters can sometimes have too much bitterness over a simple one night stand, or they have built up what happened in the past to something it never was and they have idealize the other person. Or, even more annoying in my eyes, they forgive the other person and move on with nary a mention of the previous event. Its a fine line to walk between bitter old hag and doormat. So, in this case, Lana and Jarek have a 1 night stand. He leaves. The story starts 9 years after that event. Boy, Lana is bitter and leaning towards ‘bitter old hag’ status! Now, add to that her horribly rude family and I can see why she wouldn’t be living the awesome life. Here is where things get tricky and I felt Lana really moved into bitter old hag territory. It was a 1 night stand. He didn’t leave her at the alter or anything like that. Yet you would think he had, based on how bitter and vindictive she is. Let me repeat: ONE NIGHT STAND. Pity party, table for 1 anybody? Cause thats where Lana is hanging out. I will admit that some of the scenes with her sister, Damnit Janet, were hilarious! The sex scenes are very steamy. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if Lana was more likable. Or, you know, less bitter hag, more guarded but moving on woman.

PS: I can’t say the title of this book without getting the song “Everytime you go away” stuck in my head. Its a bit maddening…

POV: 1st (all Lana-another reason this might not have worked for me since I didn’t really care for her!)
Tears: No
Trope: Second Chance
Triggers: No
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: View Spoiler »

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