books

There Goes the Groom -- Jana Richards

There Goes The Groom

Eight years ago Tony left Olivia at the altar, sure she didn't really want to marry him. Now he's back, and they're forced to work together.

Coming home isn't easy for Tony. The choices he’s made with his career and his life have resulted in an uncomfortable relationship with his father. Even before Tony's return, Olivia began questioning the depth of her love for her fiancé, a man she chose because he was safe and reliable. The last thing she wants is a faithless marriage like the one her parents suffered through.

When Tony, who never stopped loving her, insists her fiancé is the wrong man for her, Olivia sets out to prove him wrong. But the sexual chemistry between them is still strong, and so are her feelings for him. Even so, how can she break her engagement, hurt her fiancé as she was once hurt? And how can she trust Tony not to abandon her like he did before?

If anyone does the jilting this time, she will.

Read Reviews | Read Excerpt

BUY: Uncial Press | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA
| B & N | Kobo US | Kobo CA | Untreed Reads | iBooks | Chapters/Indigo

BUY in Print

Heat Level: Sizzling

reviews

A really amazing tale of second chances. Jana is really such a gifted writer, you fall in love with all her characters and feel for them when they are going through the ups and downs. Another well written novel and a must read.
Adrienne Woods – Goodreads

If you’re a sucker for second chance stories, this one is for you. I thought the tone is perfect for the story, you can feel Olivia’s animosity towards Tony and Tony’s hesitation with Olivia. Another wonderful read for Jana Richards.
Emily’s Reviews - Goodreads

Can Tony prove to Olivia what love is or is it too late? A funny romance with plenty of sizzle to make any reader pleased. I loved the chemistry between Olivia and Tony.
N.N. Light’s Reviews - Goodreads

An entertaining romance about second chances. The characters are engaging and the storyline is well-written. The author does a great job of leaving you guessing ‘who will be left waiting at the altar this time?
Still Moments Magazine

To sum up my thoughts of this book are…wonderful, funny, swoon worthy, sigh worthy, sexy and completely relatable.  Reading the story of Tony and Liv made me realize that while you might be too young to figure out…your first love can also be your true love…Overall, if you are looking a second chance at love story, There Goes the Groom is perfect. 
Harlie’s Books

If you’re a sucker for second chance stories, this one is for you.  I thought the tone is perfect for the story, you can feel Olivia's animosity towards Tony and Tony's hesitation with Olivia.  Another wonderful read for Jana Richards. 
Musings from an Addicted Reader

This was a good story about love redeemed…There still is a wedding date, the question is who is the groom going to be and will the bride even show after a miscommunication between Olivia and the groom? 
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

 

excerpt

“Stuart didn’t remember my birthday,” she said softly. She turned her head to look at him, her eyes large and sad. “Am I that forgettable, Tony?”

“No Liv. Definitely not.”

Tony’s jaw clenched in anger. Didn’t Stuart know how special Liv was? How could a man who professed to love her stay away from her so long? How could he possibly forget her?

The irony of his thoughts almost made him laugh. He’d been in love with Liv and yet he’d let her go. But no matter where he went and what he did, he’d never quite managed to forget her.

Liv remained quiet the rest of the way to Tony’s rented condo. She leaned on him for support as he helped her from the car to the condo, laughing as she walked unsteadily on her high heels. He knew her well enough to know she’d be horribly embarrassed to learn tomorrow that she’d lost control and got so drunk. He hoped she was drunk enough that she wouldn’t remember.

Tony unlocked the door and deposited Liv on the living room sofa, carefully untangling her arms from around his waist. “How about I make us some coffee?”

“How ‘bout we have some birthday cake? I though you said we had birthday cake,” she said, her lip pouting prettily.

Tony couldn’t help smiling at her. She was even cute when she was drunk.

“Dani’s bringing it. She’ll be here soon.”

Liv kicked off her shoes and followed him into the kitchen, weaving a bit as she did so. She climbed awkwardly onto one of stools sitting at the island.

“Don’t tell anybody, but I think I drank too much,” she said, bringing her finger to her lips and making a ‘shh’ sound.

Tony grinned. “Don’t worry. It’ll be our secret.”

“That’s good. Stuart wouldn’t like that I got drunk. He’s pretty strait-laced, you know.”

The mention of Stuart’s name had Tony’s jaw clenching again. This time he couldn’t keep quiet.

“Do you love him, Liv? Do you really want to marry him?”

She just smiled. “I want to get married.”

“How do you know he’s the right one for you? He didn’t even remember your birthday. What’s he going to forget next, your name?”

“That’s funny,” Liv said with a laugh. She slid sideways on her stool and nearly fell off before grabbing onto the counter and managing to right herself. “Maybe he will forget my name.”

Her smile suddenly disappeared and she sat staring at him, looking completely vulnerable.

“That was a stupid thing for me to say, Liv. Of course Stuart won’t forget your name. I’m sorry.”

She waved off his apology. “S’okay,” she slurred. “Perfectly understandably. You forgot me, so why shouldn’t Stuart? I guess I’m not the kind of woman men want to remember.”

Tony felt like a stake had been driven through his heart. “Liv—”

“S’okay,” she repeated. “I understand. There’s just something about me that’s unlovable, I guess.”

Liv folded her arms on the counter and laid down her head. Her words hit Tony hard in the gut. He’d known eight years ago that he’d hurt her, but until this moment he hadn’t understood the depth of Olivia’s pain. He wanted to explain to her how he’d felt eight years ago, why he hadn’t gone through with the wedding. But Liv was in no condition for explanations right now.

A powerful emotion welled in Tony’s chest, making his voice choke in his throat and his heart pound in his chest. He laid his hand on Olivia’s dark, silky hair and gently stroked.

“You’re wrong, Liv,” he said softly. “You’re the most lovable person I know.”

With those words a door opened in his heart, and for the first time in eight years he dared to look inside.

He knew with complete certainty that he loved her, that he’d never stopped loving her all these years.

His elation at finally acknowledging the truth was quickly tempered by the knowledge that Olivia was engaged to marry another man. Now what did he do?