When this second book in the Mackenzie series begins, Mac and Isabella have been separated for over three years. Their volatile relationship simply couldn’t withstand their fights and Mac’s drinking. Mac is challenged to paint some erotic paintings, and there’s a doppelganger Mac on the loose. So Isabella and Mac join forces, and then, romance….

The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
-Excellent dissection of a couple in crisis: Though it hasn’t gripped me in quite the same way as Ian...

When this second book in the Mackenzie series begins, Mac and Isabella have been separated for over three years. Their volatile relationship simply couldn’t withstand their fights and Mac’s drinking. Mac is challenged to paint some erotic paintings, and there’s a doppelganger Mac on the loose. So Isabella and Mac join forces, and then, romance….

The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
-Excellent dissection of a couple in crisis: Though it hasn’t gripped me in quite the same way as Ian’s story did, I still enjoyed the way Ms. Ashley let the story unfold, allowing the little snippets of gossip columns give a glimpse of Mac and Isabella’s past, while the reader stays in the present, watching them on the road to reconciliation. I enjoyed seeing them actually discuss the past, and work through their issues in an adult manner. There were opportunities to go the melodrama, but instead the story always pulled back and went for the true emotional punch instead.

-Mac gives good grovel: I liked Mac, the charming rogue that he is, and it was very easy to see how Isabella fell in love with him. Mac’s personality could be a force of nature and while he could be exciting to be with, I could also see how exhausting it would’ve been to handle his mood swings. In the time they were separated, he never strayed and I was never in doubt of his love for Isabella. When he finally let his vulnerability show, it really did touch me.

-Isabella’s another solid heroine: A debutante swept off her feet the night of her coming out, Isabella was thrust into deep waters with the Mackenzie family. She was cut off from her family and her life with Mac the constant subject of gossip. She handled it as best as she could, but what I really liked is seeing her take responsibilities for her actions as well. When their marriage floundered, it wasn’t all Mac’s fault.

-A little taste of Beth and Ian’s HEA: Seeing Ian and Beth was definitely a highlight. Yes, I’m still cruising in my Ian/Beth love.

-The doppelganger: About the only part of the story I didn’t really need, but it did set up some action and introduced Aimee, is the doppelganger. I understood its purpose, but it wasn’t the strongest part of the story.

The Bottom Line
Still enjoying this series and this is a very good entry in it. I’d definitely recommend it.

This is the second book in the Mackenzies series that I’m currently obsessed with 😂. From Ian’s book, we know Lady Isabella decided to leave her husband, Lord Mac Mackenzie, while both of them still loved and cared for each other. I was intrigued by this couple and curious to know what had happened to them to cause the separation, and how they were going to reconcile and make their marriage work again. It’s an epic second chance romance, with sexual tension, raw emotions, struggles and obstac...

This is the second book in the Mackenzies series that I’m currently obsessed with 😂. From Ian’s book, we know Lady Isabella decided to leave her husband, Lord Mac Mackenzie, while both of them still loved and cared for each other. I was intrigued by this couple and curious to know what had happened to them to cause the separation, and how they were going to reconcile and make their marriage work again. It’s an epic second chance romance, with sexual tension, raw emotions, struggles and obstacles from life and from within themselves that they must work out individually and together as a couple...

Isabella was swept off her feet by the charming Mac at her debutante ball and consented to elope with him that very night, causing a scandal and her being disowned by her family. Their marriage was wild with passion, at the same time, with frustration and emotional exhaustion. Isabella decided she needed a break from him and took the initiative to file for legal separation. I love Isabella for her strength and her determination. She knows what she needs and takes appropriate actions, even though it breaks her heart. She realizes they both need to grow wiser and more mature, so she gives them time and space for that to happen...

Heartbroken, hurt, angry at himself and at Isabella for leaving him, Mac went through the process of getting his act together and putting his life back in order. Since she walked out of his life, it has become dull and empty. He understood and respected her decision, and he knew he needed to work hard to win her back. I love seeing a wild and drunken wastrel Mac transforming into a family man, steadfast, responsible, and reliable!

This story is emotional, it portrays marriage struggles with heartbreak and pain. But they are both willing to put in their best efforts to make it work again. There’re also a mystery to be solved, reappearance of Ian and Beth, and the Mackenzie clan dynamics. There are some parts I feel a bit slow, but overall it’s still an enjoyable read 😍.

4.5⭐️ read for me!

I enjoyed this a lot. It was nice to read about a Mackenzie who isn’t dark and brooding. He’s still an alpha hero, but is very much a cheerful take as well. Isabella is perhaps my favorite character of the series, she’s so sweet but also formidable and strong enough to both leave her husband and take him back.

I enjoyed this a lot. It was nice to read about a Mackenzie who isn’t dark and brooding. He’s still an alpha hero, but is very much a cheerful take as well. Isabella is perhaps my favorite character of the series, she’s so sweet but also formidable and strong enough to both leave her husband and take him back.