After a horrible day at work, I came home to find my boyfriend...in a curious position. After determining why he was unhappy, I, Anne Watson, decided to try and fix our broken relationship. My four closest male friends, however, had another idea. Revenge.
**Content Warning: This book contains a sexual assault scene and mature material. **
EXCERPT
“Oh, look!” I shouted, pointing ahead. Ben looked ahead at the large park in front of us. “Do you have any idea where we are?” I whispered. He shook his head. I laughed so hard that I snorted. “Come on; let’s go see what trouble we can get into over there.”
We walked through the park for a while before I complained about my feet hurting from my high heels. In front of me, I saw a fountain, so I let go of Ben’s arm, running towards the monument.
I yanked off my heels, tossing them and my pocketbook onto the ground before climbing into the fountain.
“What are you doing?” he shouted in exasperation.
“Cooling off,” I explained as I began running around in a circle. When I made my way around to him, I splashed him with water. “Come on in.”
He glanced down at his now wet clothes, then up at me.
“That’s it. You’re going to get it now.” I shrieked as I began running in a circle, wading through the water, making sure that I didn’t slip on the coins littering the bottom of the fountain. I heard splashing behind me, so I knew he was gaining on me. I turned around, kicking water, spraying him from head to toe. He wiped the water off his face, before splashing me with water, his strong arms being able to spray me with more water that I could ever hit him with in one try.
My hair and polka-dotted dress were soaked, and I wrung my hair out before shrieking and running away from him.
“Watch out! I’m gonna getcha!” he shouted as we ran around the fountain. On one trip around, I was looking behind me and smashed right into his chest. When I looked up, I realized he had figured out to run in the opposite direction. He flashed me a cocky grin as his hands grabbed my arms to keep me from falling over as I laughed loudly. I placed my hands on his chest to steady myself more as the world began to spin, feeling the wet cotton beneath my fingertips, his chest heaving. I glanced up into his whiskey-colored eyes, who were staring down at me with an emotion I couldn’t place. They slowly made their way down my face, stopping on my lips before his brows pulled together. He took a step backwards, and then hopped out of the fountain.
The world was still spinning, though, so I stumbled backwards and held on to the statue in the middle of the fountain, throwing my arms around the marble. I wrapped my right leg around the base, while my head rested against cool tile as the water sprayed down onto my body. I licked a drop of water hanging from my upper lip and when I opened my eyes I found Ben looking at me with that same expression I had never seen on his face before.
“Why did you get out?” I asked.
“Someone needs to watch out for the cops while you frolic around like a faerie.”
With my head still against the cool stone, I said, “What can I say? Every once in a while, a girl needs to frolic.”
I could feel rather than see his smile. “In that case, keep on frolicking, Princess, just be ready to run when I tell you to.”
I yawned while enjoying the feeling of the water pouring down on my overheated, alcohol flushed face. “God broke the mold when he made you, Ben.” I rolled my stiff neck to listen to it crack. “He really outdid himself that day.”
Chuckling, he pulled his cigarettes out of his back pocket. He opened them, and groaned in annoyance before sliding them back into his jeans.
“Too wet to smoke? What a shame.” Part of me thought that I was being a brat for mocking him.
He threw me a half-dirty glare, though he smirked. “Just get your dancing out now. I still need to get some food in you.”
“Yes, food does sound good,” I admitted.
“Let me guess. You skipped dinner.” I heard the tone of disapproval in his voice.
“Maybe.”
He made a tsking noise, and I didn’t bother to defend myself. He was right; I had been stupid.
“Come on. Let’s get you some food.” I released the marble statue, walking towards him. I stumbled to get out of the fountain, and he caught me before I fell. He shook his head. “You’re such a mess.”
I glanced down at my shoes and grimaced. My feet were still killing me.
“Do I have to wear them?”
He rolled his eyes. “You can hop on my back while I hail a cab.”
I smiled widely at the idea and he turned around while I picked up my shoes and pocketbook. I wrapped my arms around his neck and jumped up. He grabbed the back of my knees as he starting jogging out of the park.
Review - ARC received for honest review
The title Winning Back Ryan had me from the get go - so many possibilities!
One girl, 4 smoking hot guy friends. Anyone else jealous?
Annie comes home to from a crap day at work, ready to veg out and eat icecream, only to find her boyfriend Ryan cheating. Gotta say - Ryan is a douchenozzle! Ugh the way he talks to Annie when she catches him out - ugh!
Annie leaves her apartment and goes to her best friend of 5 years Brian.
Now Brian has had a thing for Annie since a failed date all those years back, but never did anything about it,afraid of ruining his friendship with her. But, now she is a free agent.
Annie decided to win back Ryan the Douche - but Brian, Ben, Max and George have other plans. Revenge is sweet.
For wanting to win back Ryan - I wanted to do this
But Annie's personal growth was wonderful. From whining and pining and trying to change for Ryan the douche, to coming into her own, realising what her relationship had really become, and thankfully, moving on.
The boys are fantastic. I really am jealous of their friendships. All four guys have a different relationship with Annie, and all are something that she needs in her life.
I have found 4 new BBF's - now which to choose lol
And now that she is free, both Brian and Ben are fighting for Annie. And both worthy suitors! But who will she choose,if any, and will it ruin their friendships?
I have to say, I am TEAM BEN All.The.Way!!
The book delves into the darker side of relationships, lovers scorned, and also sexual assault.
Oh, and I totally agree with Annie's view of clowns **shudders**.
Winning Back Ryan is well written, the characters developed well throughout the book, as we learnt a little about each and every character along the way.
I look forward to seeing where things go with "Getting Back Annie" later in the year
