Too Hard to Forget (Romancing the Clarksons)

“Peggy Clarkson is returning to her alma mater with one goal in mind; confront Elliott Brooks, the man who ruined her for all others and remind him of what he has been missing.”

Too Hard to Forget is the third book in Tessa Bailey’s Romancing the Clarkson series and for me was the one with the most mystery surrounding it. The few glimpses of Peggy Clarkson in the previous two books let us know she had a score to settle but that was it. The mystery made this story full of surprises and for me and by far my favorite of the series.
Peggy is the youngest of the Clarkson siblings and a former college cheerleader who wears 4 engagement rings around her neck from her failed engagements. On their way to New York City to fulfill her mother’s last wish she stops in Cincinnati to see Elliott Brooks, famed college football coach nicknamed the “Kingmaker”. Not much is talked about in the previous books about their relationship but there are plenty of flashbacks throughout the book that show exactly what kind of relationship there was between Peggy who was a student at the time (teacher/student taboo.. yes!!!!) and Elliott. Flashbacks are very hard to do right but in this book they were perfect and added a depth to both the story and the characters which really helped me to understand exactly why they were both so pained even after 3 years.
Throughout the book as we see Peggy and Elliott dance around each other (and crash into each other!) Tessa gives us glimpses into Elliott’s internal struggle with his past and his strong faith. What started as the embodiment of the sin lust turned into something more which neither one expected and were unsure how to deal with. Add in Elliott’s daughter and his high profile coaching job and this story had more layers than an onion. What I loved most though was how as the book went on we started to see the layers peel one by one. Not too fast, not too slow. The flow and the character development was perfect from beginning to end. Often in series the later books can seem forced or rushed. There was absolutely none of this. Of course as expected there were plenty of the steamy scenes that Tessa Bailey is known for however what pleasantly surprised me was the sweetness of this story as I viewed the synopsis as a “women with a score to settle” type book.
Overall I could not have loved this book more. It had something for everyone. Sweet second chance love story? Check. Teacher/Student taboo? Check. Super-hot sex scenes with an ultra dominate and powerful hero? Double check. Too Hard to Forget left me wanting more and definitely lived up to its title as I will not be forgetting it any time soon!

The third book in the Romancing the Clarksons was very angsty with a side of hope and second chances. This was truly an intense book but it worked brilliantly for Peggy and Elliott’s story.

With each stop on this road trip we get another puzzle piece in the Clarksons siblings’ lives. Tessa wrote a beautifully turmoil story that makes you believe in second chances. The characters are raw with real emotion and heart.

Both Peggy and Elliott are dealing with fears and past demons but gradually see that they are good for each other.

I really am looking forward to Belmont and Sage’s story.

Those Clarksons are a powder keg of personality. It's hard to resist falling for these lost and lonely souls, but sometimes it's hard to decide whether to be tempted by their antics, feel sorry for their pain or lean toward giving them a stern talking to. Either way, Ms. Bailey sets the bookshelves on fire with ever Clarkson novel and Too Hard to Forget is no exception. Elliot and Peggy electrify the senses with their dramatic past. He broke her heart. What better payback than to blow his mind? Too Hard to Forget makes sure a good time will be had by all. Never has a reunion been so much fun and revenge so sexy.

Sexy, angsty... all with a little bit of revenge and forgiveness in the mix. This book exceeded my expectations!

Tessa is a new to me author and I thought I would have a difficult time since this book is the 3rd in a series, but I still really enjoyed it without knowing any background from the other books.

The H & h don't have the easiest time on their journey to finding love, but what fun would that be??

This series does a great job showing how road trips are more about the journey than the destination. We haven't even gotten to the destination yet! I really enjoyed the dynamic between Elliot and Peggy. :)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Dang. This is my new favorite of the series. Tessa seriously cannot do a single thing wrote in the writing world. She is a genius!!!!

Peggy and Elliott are GOLD!

***patiently waiting for Belmont and Sage***

Tessa Bailey's prose and story telling reach new levels of greatness with Too Hard to Forget. Peggy and Elliott's story is a PERFECT second chance romance. The Clarkson family's tales are becoming deeper with every volume.

Another winner from Tessa Bailey!
A book you cannot simply put down, packed with over the top chemistry, hot scenes and two wonderfully built characters. This is one of the rare books that shows you incredible transformation in characters, and it's a beauty to see them coming together.

*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley and I'm freely giving my honest review.*

********** REVIEW************

I love this story so much I could write a book about it........joke aside, I will try to make the review not all over the place but I can't promise anything because this book just broke me.

Peggy is returning to her old university for alumni weekend in hope of closing the doors for good on a relationship from her past. But she seems to have awoken something that never really can be closed. Elliot has never forgotten Peggy even though he has tried. Will they make it to the end without breaking each other apart?

I read many really good books throughout the year but this author always gets to me in a way no other can. The rawest of emotions and the most special characters makes me feel like I'm sitting by the ocean watching the changes in the sky and hearing the waves washing over rocks. And that is my favourite spot to be, so her books is like the ocean and I just let the feelings and impressions wash over me.

There is a sense of sin layering the story in the beginning. Older man, younger women, but as you get deeper in the story you forget about age and just see the characters deep care for each other.

When I started reading this series I didn't like Peggy much, she seemed so fleeting and shallow, but this book put me in my place. She's everything but those things, she's caring, strong, loving and resourceful and so many other things. There are layers of Peggy and I think the only man who can understand her is Elliot. And then again maybe it's because he has his own layers. He's struggling with his conscience and his religion.

Halfway through the story I thought; oh, he got to make a grand gesture or he's never getting her.

The conversation between Elliot and Alice was my breaking point, I cried for them both and it was so beautiful written. It hit me on so many levels not only because I'm a parent but because it speaks of love in such a honest way. I cried for Alice who has lived with a father that has only been there for her on the most basic level and not with his emotions. And I cried for Elliot who had switched off his emotions and lived like a dead man for years.

This is my favourite so far in this series now but the chanting in my head won't stop: Belmont, Belmont, Belmont.......... I'm so excited to read the last one in this series. We've been teased with Belmont and Sage throughout the whole series so; bring it Tessa, I will have me handkerchief and comfort food ready.

This has been one of my longest reviews ever and to say some last words; if you like books with well written characters, lots of emotions and a good storyline, read this book! This is a series so I recommend reading them in order although every book has a HEA for each of the couples.

Tessa Bailey returns to her Romancing the Clarksons series with Too Hard to Forget. As I have said previously, I really enjoy this series. The characters are engaging, the dialogue is amusing and as is to be expected from anything Bailey touches, the love scenes are smoking hot. There is always that worry with a series that new books will not hold the magic and appeal of previous books. That is no something to worry about here. If anything, each new Clarksons book gets better!
In Too Hard to Forget we get Peggy and her story of second chance love. I was really excited for Peggy's story and boy did this surpass my expectations. Peggy decides to use this family road trip as the perfect opportunity to get some romantic closure at her college. She may seem like a superficial, self-centered man-eater on the outside, but deep down she is still dealing with the hurt left over when Elliott broke her heart ending their relationship once she graduated.
Elliott is a man being eaten alive by grief. He feels like he has always let his family down and is especially torn apart over not being their when a tragic accident took his wife's life. Bow he's left shattered, barely able to breathe past his grief and finding it hard to connect with his daughter.
When Peggy arrives, Elliott is a different man. She planned to reconnect to him and this time be the one to break a heart and never look back. You know what they say about best laid plans. Peggy sees the good in Elliott and finds herself wanting to help him heal. For his part, Elliott appreciates Peggy in a way he never could have when they first were together.
This second change romance had everything! Fabulous characters, past angst, groveling, wooing and sexy times aplenty. This may be my favorite book in the series to date which is saying something since the first two books were fabulous in their own ways.