Arc Review: As Good As New by Jennifer Dawson

He was the high school hottie. She was the teacher's pet. But in private, none of that mattered...
At the tender age of six, Penelope Watkins fell for her best friend's brother, Evan Donovan, future hunk. By the time they were teenagers, they were having heart-to-hearts…and hot and heavy top secret make-out sessions. All that changed when Evan's father suddenly died. Abruptly, Penelope lost him to grief—and to his true love: football. But now an injury had ended Evan's NFL career. The notorious bad boy was in a depression no one could penetrate, except maybe the one woman who still knew him best—and still wanted him most…

Penelope is the last person Evan wants to witness the wreck he's become. So when she shows up at his door he's less than welcoming—even though the sight of her brings back the same old rush of desire. As a teenager, the emotions overwhelmed him. Now, when he wanted to be overwhelmed, Penelope wasn't playing. She was telling the golden boy it was time to man up. It may have taken a concussion for Evan to realize it, but that's exactly what he wants to do—starting with her…

Review:

I absolutely loved this book by Dawson for for many reason but one being it was a second chance of love story and I truly love those books most of all. 

In this story we meet Penelope and Evan. Penelope is the COO for Evans brother but mostly she is a honorary member of their family. She grew up with the Donovan siblings and had a major crush on Evan. Only by the time she reaches high school her and Evan were secretly seeing each other. They became close, talked about many things and she lost her virginity to him but after his father died he pulled away from her and they have been staying away from each other ever since. 

Evan dreamed of being in the NFL but in order to do that he had to let Penelope go because he knew that wasn't the life for her. When his career suddenly ends he starts drinking and pushing his family away until Penelope shows up to knock some sense into him. Evan is now trying to get his life back on track and win back the only girl he has ever loved but it's not going to be an easy task. 

Evan started out as a real jerk but slowly you could see how much he wanted to not only improve for himself but to be the man Penelope knows he could be. He is smart, determined, funny and definitely has some swoon worthy moments. Penelope was also smart, successful, independent but she didn't trust so easily when it came to Evan which is understandable. 

I enjoyed the storyline from the beginning to the very end. Although this started off as a typical second chance romance Dawson made it special with Penelope second guessing herself and pushing Evan away even though she loved him. 

One of my favorite parts is when level headed Penelope gets drunk. It was funny yet was so right for her to show some feelings that she kept hidden inside for way too long. 

Of course in true Dawson fashion she wrote some really hot sex scenes that had me saying damn Penelope is one lucky girl! Lol And Evan yummy!! This couple just steamed up the pages! 

I loved seeing the previous characters from other books and loved when they all interacted. It was like going on a family reunion. I didn't realize how much I missed these characters until I read this book.

Hopefully Dawson won't stop this series now and it will continue to grow.