Backlog #4
After finishing the second book in the series I was on the roll and decided to read the next one.
Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now.But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either.To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold.The man I’ve loved in secret for years.So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor.But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have.Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present.Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me.But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it.
Chestnut Springs. Book 3
It's all spoilers baby.
I'd shortly call it the story of two oblivious and pining. And the pining is loud and clear.
Sloane felt like she was attracted to Jasper since day one when she first saw him. Jasper may not be the part of the Eaton family by blood, but he's like an unofficial official brother.
Jasper treated Sloane really well. Sloane knew that her feelings for Jasper has been going on for years.
But neither of them took a step forward.
Only when Sloane sees a video of her soon-to-be-husband with some stripper during bachelor's party she decided to escape. Everything that led to this day was actually stiffling like a tight collar, but she allowed herself to be brought into this arranged marriage. Even if her fiance did not understand her, did not treat her well etc.
Jasper took Sloane away and they temporarily escaped.
But the devastating news arrive that Beau Eaton is missing in action. And with how Beau was the one who saved him from the streets and became the closest person it was hard on Jasper to cope with it and continue play normally. His coach made the best decision - sending Jasper home, especially after knowing the news Jasper kept away. Big spoiler but Jasper's sister died in an accident and he puts the blame of this accident on himself. His family fell apart after the accident, his mother got into trouble and d* but his father moved away and got new family, leaving Jasper cmpletely alone. So it's the second time he loses someone very importnat to him.
So both of them needed a time off and it's kind of a forced proximity when the two agree to deliver hay miles away and share this ride. Although it felt like they're closer than ever but there are still walls surrounding them.
And only an accident helps Jasper realizes that he spent too much time worrying about the woman he wants but can't have, but does it matter if they can one moment be taken away from each other, why not spend this moment cherishing each other.
Sloane was not impressed at that moment. Her motivation is that she spent so many years loving him and finally decided to take a step away, she almost married another man. The breaking moment was she asked him to the prom and he refused (but priorly agreed? slipped my mind). She was devastated thinking her feelings will never be returned.
But she never knew that his reason was not only because he was afraid, but he was also threatened by her father. And Sloane comes from a very wealthy family, so her dad could easily stiffle his only career he loved and any career he could have had. What is a young man against a giant. She had no idea and was devastated by what her father did. And that was part of the problem. Jasper saw her father for who he was, manipulative and not letting women in his life outside of his control. You could see by the look of Sloane's mom. This is why when she decided to make a closure to the manipulation and break free she told her father off personally, choosing what is right over her prior feelings for her dad and her almost blind belief in him.
Well, now it was better for them, Jasper was after all a popular player and Sloane had her own career as a ballerina. They do come together and she supports him during the rest of the season after the good news that Beau was found.
RATE: 3.5/5. I'm this far with rating because this book made me mostly sad. And at the moment of me reading it I didn't want any angst in my life, I had enough of my own. Jasper I think has it the worst out of all Chestnut Springs male main characters. His fate is so tragic. Even if he is so famous but you know he doesn't like his fame at all. He tries to blend with surroundings at all times. And only loving Sloane and having hope made him more open.