The Best Man is the second book in the Jasper Falls series by Lydia Michaels, and it just released on April 27, 2021! I had read Wake My Heart (book 1) back in February, and enjoyed that emotional story between Maggie and Ryan. Ooh the tears that book caused! When I finished Wake My Heart, I knew I would want to continue on with the series. So when I saw that The Best Man was coming soon, I knew that it would be an automatic read.
As per usual, the only thing I knew about The Best Man, was what the teaser told me. So I knew that Pat Cooney was returning home to Jasper Falls to open a private medical practice. I also knew that he was returning home to celebrate Ryan's marriage to Maggie. (you can read their story in Wake My Heart.) The teaser also mentions a woman named Julie, but other than knowing they were childhood friends, I didn't know anything further.
So fast forward to me reading the story. Pat was living in Philadelphia with Jo Cook. They had been childhood friends, and when they both left Jasper Falls it just made sense to live together. As friends. For you see, Pat has been in love with Jo's twin sister for YEARS, but he's never made a move or expressed his interest. Pat convinces Jo to come back to Jasper Falls for Ryan's wedding, and they agree to go as each other's date. Meanwhile in Maryland, Julie Cook is trying to remind Lance that he agreed to go back to Jasper Falls for the wedding. The relationship between Julie and Lance has been rough, and Julie doesn't know what to do. But she does know she's going home for this wedding with or without her fiancee.
There is so much that happened in this story. There is so much that was revealed about Julie's relationship with Lance. I could spoil the entire story and tell you all of it, but that wouldn't be the right thing to do.
What I will tell you is that I am so proud of Julie. I'm proud of her for realizing what was happening to her. I'm proud of her for walking away. I'm also proud of Jo, and the fact that she finally told her parents what she needed to say. Now, I do want to smack the parents for their reaction, but from how the story is written, that reaction is on par for who the parents are. I also want to give kudos to Patrick on FINALLY putting his heart out there and telling Julie all the things. I know that couldn't have been easy for him. Patrick having Julie set the pace for the relationship was also pretty amazing. Patrick was just there for her in whatever capacity she needed him. Then there is Lance, and ooooh that man. I hope karma comes for him.
The Best Man was seriously such a fantastic read. I do wish the book had been just a smidgen longer, and that we could have witnessed a few more things happening. But it is what it is, and even without that extra that I crave, I loved this story.
If you are a fan of the friends to lovers trope, the best friend's sibling trope, and/or small town romance, please give The Best Man a read. I think you'll enjoy it.
Thanks for reading,
Please scroll a bit further to read the teaser for The Best Man. There will also be links to connect with Lydia Michaels, a link to add the book to your Goodreads, and (if you want to) a link to purchase the book.
The Best Man by Lydia Michaels is now live!
When Patrick returns to Jasper Falls for his brother's wedding, Julie is there--alone--and he decides it's time to hang his heart on the line, but Julie has been keeping secrets, too.
Is it ever too late for a first love? When it comes to Julie Cook, there could never be another. And, this time, Patrick Clooney is determined to prove himself as the best man.
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Lydia Michaels is the author of over thirty-five novels and the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media, as well as the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured in USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, Love & Lace, and more. As the host and founder of the East Coast Author Convention, the Behind the Keys Author Retreat, and Read Between the Wines, she continues to celebrate her growing love for readers and romance novels around the world.
Lydia is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Some of her favorite things include the scent of paperback books, listening to her husband play piano, escaping to her coastal home at the Jersey Shore, cheap wine, 80's pop culture, coffee, and kilts. She hopes to meet you soon at one of her many upcoming events.
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