The Reason (Book 1 of the Just Say Yes Series)

Book Title:The Reason Author: Jen Andrews Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: March 30, 2014 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Zoey James is in a funk. She has been through more in her twenty-three years than most people have experienced in their entire lives. After her ex-husband tries to take everything she’s worked so hard for, she makes one rule: Never date someone she works with. When her father’s newly hired mechanic moves into the apartment above their family-run business, Zoey’s lonely life is flipped upside down. As a teenager, New Zealand native, Andy Tate’s family is tragically killed in an accident, and he is taken in by his aunt and uncle. Andy is pulled away from the only place he’s ever known as home, and moved halfway around the world to Northern California. Ten years and one failed marriage later, Andy finds himself living in a new city, with a new job at James Racing, and living in an apartment next door to Zoey, his new boss’s beautiful and damaged daughter. After an interesting chain of events over one weekend, Andy and Zoey form an unexpected bond. Even though he’s the only one who can get through to her, she will do all that she can to keep him at a distance and not break her one rule. Will Andy be the reason for Zoey to start living her life again, or will she continue on her downward spiral, until she finally hits rock bottom?

“Zoey, it’s no big deal. I’m not upset about you seeing this at all. It’s my mum and dad’s life insurance money.”

That made sense, but I still felt bad about opening it. “I’m still sorry. It is none of my business how much money you have, or why. Forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” he said in an irritated tone. “It’s fine, really. At least you know I’m not interested in you for your store or money now, right? I have more than enough money of my own, trust me.”

Ouch, that hurt.

He stood and stalked toward the door to leave. My mouth dropped open, and I sat back in my chair. His comment went straight to my heart. Does he really think that’s why I told him no?

“Andy, I’m sorry if that’s what you thought…” My voice wavered, and he was instantly back at my side.

“Zoey, I’m so sorry I said that. It was uncalled for, but there are things you don’t know about me too. I’ve had people do shitty things to me, but it’s not going to stop me from trying to make a life and be happy. Too much has been taken away from me already.”

His voice dropped to a whisper as he spoke, and he took a seat in the chair next to the desk. Andy gently took hold of my hand and rubbed his thumb back and forth across my knuckles. “It’s not going to keep me from falling in love with someone who makes me happy.”

What was he saying? Did he mean me? Oh God, this has to end. Now.

“Andy, stop!” I pulled my hand from his, stood, and began pacing around the office. “I can’t do this. It’s hard enough as it is, but having to deal with it all here…at work—” Jen Andrews was raised in a small town in Northern California, and still lives in the same county where she was born. She is a self-proclaimed music and lyric addict. She grew up in ‘car family’ so her life has been spent around old hot rods. She and her husband, Jake, even have a few of their own. In her spare time, Jen loves to travel wherever she can. She finally lived her dream of traveling to New Zealand to see her favorite rugby team, the All Blacks, play. Jen loves to do photography as a hobby and continues to write.