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Saving Tess

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HIM

Casey Atwood, a top contender in this year’s World Finals for the Professional Bull Riders, would rather leave Dillon Creek in his rearview mirror. He wants the past in the past with each eight-second ride. He’s not into the fame or the money of it all, he’s addicted to the adrenaline that allows him to forget.

But when Casey receives a letter from a local attorney that would put him, and the only woman that’s ever owned his heart, in the same place for an extended period, he’s not so sure about his future with the PBR, about his heart, especially with their fragile past.



HER

Tess Morgan is scheduled, regimented. A first-grade teacher, proficient in organization and list management, she finds solace with her students and has loved teaching since she started the profession. But when Tess loses her job, everything starts to unravel, including her history with Casey Atwood.

When she receives a letter from a local attorney, tying her past to her future, she takes the opportunity—that is until Casey Atwood appears at the door, rugged, sexy, and unpredictable. Yet the secret that ties them together leaves them both grasping for anything to help mend their hearts.

Eventually, the madness and chaos of that night all those years ago return and they can’t seem to stop the heartbreak they’re both headed for.

Will Casey and Tess have the ability to face their demons, or will they both break before the healing begins?

Unknown Binding

Published May 18, 2021

1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read

About the author

J. Lynn Bailey

12 books369 followers
J. Lynn is a bestselling author, mother, and wife. When she isn't running between soccer practices, working on another school fundraiser, or chasing a new puppy, you can probably find her holed up in her writing room feverishly working on her next novel.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Shirley.
987 reviews233 followers
May 17, 2021
Original review

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you J. Lynn Bailey!

Saving Tess is the second book in the Dillon Creek series and tells the story of Tess and Casey.

Saving Tess was a beautiful and messy read about young lovers, loss, hope and addiction. Although it took me a bit to get into the story, I really enjoyed reading it. This book made me feel so many different emotions and I had to know how the story was going to end. 

Tess and Casey have a past together and it’s not easy for them to see each other again. I think that both characters are really strong. They’re fighting their feelings for each other, but they’re also embracing them. I really admire Tess and Casey, I think they’re both beautiful humans and I really enjoyed reading about them. I really liked getting to know them, their past and their true feelings.

Saving Tess was a great read and I’m glad that I got to read an ARC of this book. J. Lynn Bailey is a talented author and I love how ‘real’ her stories get. J. Lynn Bailey is not afraid to talk about the ugly things in life such as addiction and death. I really liked this book and I’m excited for the next book in the Dillon Creek series, Leaving Scarlet.

Profile Image for Annette.
249 reviews
May 18, 2021
Saving Tess brings us to another Atwood brother and his painful past. Tess and Case share more than just your friends to lovers and here we get so much of their past and not just the present. They really have had some heartbreaking moments that go beyond the loss of their brothers. This book had some mystery feels to it as well. I really enjoyed that because you weren’t to sure which way the author was going to go and it kept it interesting! We also get more of the Ladybugs. I love The Ladybugs and this time around they are just filled with so much sadness. It’s understandable after everything they are going through as well. The theme I hit from this book is forgiveness.....before we can truly move on one must find a way to forgive themselves and these characters truly needed that in their life.
Profile Image for Dora.
808 reviews11 followers
May 16, 2021
4.5 stars

Saving Tess is a wonderful second chance love story that will pull at your heart strings. To say Tess and Casey have history is a definite understatement. They were young lovers separated through tragedy, loss and life in general. You can see early on that even though it has been years since they have been together, their feelings never truly went away. When they both inherit property in Alaska, it gives them a chance to rehash their past and find their way back to each other. Along the way, many secrets are revealed that affect so many people’s lives, but in the end made everyone stronger, especially the love between Tess and Casey.

Overall this second book in the Dillon Creek series was a great read and looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Misty.
611 reviews13 followers
May 20, 2021
I have my fave authors for pretty much every trope or genre I read and I have to say Bailey is at the top of my small town romance list. She hooked me with her Granite Harbor series and I’ve never looked back. She has a way to sink her claws in then send you on an emotional roller coaster you never want to get off of.

I never thought I’d want to leave Granite Harbor but Dillon Creek and all it’s characters may just steal my heart. I love how the author not only has the main story but has The Ladybugs popping in every few chapters. It adds a depth to the story that just completes everything.

Tess and Case have a history of heartbreak but you can tell from page one they are meant to be. It was a ride that lasted way longer than 8 seconds but so worth it. Don’t sleep on this series.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
12.2k reviews91 followers
May 22, 2021
When Tess and Casey fell in love they thought that nothing could come between them until their lives took a turn that tore them apart rather than bringing them together. They have each moved forward with their lives professionally but neither has truly moved on from the other.

Years later they lives collide once again, but will this be their second chance to heal from the pain of their pasts or are they destined for heartbreak once again?

Tess and Casey take us on an emotional journey as they try to heal from the past and have the future that they have always wanted, and both deserve.
Profile Image for LLS.
920 reviews21 followers
June 30, 2022
Another great addition to this series! Casey and Tess's story is filled with twists and turns that made this another solid read! Tess was a first grade teacher who finds herself out of a job due to cutbacks. Casey is a PBR champion. An unexpected opportunity for both of them finds them spending time together and rekindle feelings they both buried deep. Once again, the secondary plots add depth and mystery to the book. Can't wait for more!

Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done
10 reviews
May 11, 2021
J. Lynn Bailey is the best story teller, she has a way with words that will hit you right in the heart and leave you begging for more. The love between Casey and Tess is beautiful and messy - you can’t help but fall in love with them and their story. Laughter, tears and chills…Saving Tess had me feeling all the things. With each story I fall a little more in love with Dillon Creek and the people who live there.
Profile Image for Gladys Avilés.
357 reviews5 followers
May 20, 2021
😍😍😍😍😍 I say it every time, this series gets better with each book.
Tess & Casey are so real and emotional... I loved them 😍😍😍

This book... this series... these characters... I’m in love with this world and the amazing stories J Lynn delivers.
The way the story is developed is absolutely beautiful and unique!

The way the characters continue to grow is so good to read.

Can wait to read what comes next
I highly recommend this book ♥️♥️♥️♥️
9 reviews
May 22, 2021
A Must Read-J. Lynn Bailey at Her Finest

I’ve read every book by J. Lynn Bailey and all are excellent works. However, Saving Tess is an exceptional piece of writing. This second book in the Dillon Creek series has reminded me of why I LOVE this author. Saving Tess packs together life lessons, the reality of imperfect love, and touches on themes of grief, forgiveness, and the beauty in life that we can all relate to. This is one of my favorite books by this author.
Profile Image for Hi'D's Book Hub Blogger.
280 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2022
I think every time I finish a book by J. Lynn Bailey I say, “This was my favorite” that’s how good her books and stories are. Saving Tess is book 2 in the Dillon Creek series and follows another Atwood brother Casey, a pro bull rider and the lovely Tess. A tragedy tore them apart years ago… but will that bring them back together for a second chance romance? You will have to see for yourself. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Profile Image for S. Zapata.
Author 2 books3 followers
May 9, 2021
My favorite so far in the Dillon Creek series J. Lynn Bailey did not disappoint. Tess and Casey are meant to be together, but a secret in their past and a bad car wreck left their families at odds. Can they move past all of that to take care of a cabin in Alaska they inherited to sell. Or will old feelings come up to haunt them?
212 reviews
May 18, 2021
I rec'd this as an ARC. The book was OK. I found myself skipping ahead occasionally. Intense in parts, but dragging in others. Story line and pace didn't keep me engaged. Kind of forgettable, and I just finished reading this last week! I think some of J. Lynn Bailey's other books were better for me.
Profile Image for Lisa.
16 reviews3 followers
May 5, 2021
Saving Tess hit me right in heart. The love, the pain, the secrets, it was a captivating story that once you started you can’t stop. The story of Tess & Casey will pull you in and keep you wanting more. I’m loving the Dillon Creek series so far and I’m sure you will too!
Profile Image for Ellen Eiden.
47 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2021
Timeless Love Story

Casey and Tess went through more tragedy than happiness but truly came out on the right side of love once they forgave each other! Beautiful love story.
Profile Image for Janice.
657 reviews
May 22, 2021
This was a beautiful love story, I really enjoyed it!
1,382 reviews10 followers
May 20, 2021
Wow! This is such a good book!
It will captivate you from the very
first page. Pulling at your heartstrings,
while reading. It's a heartfelt & emotional romance about, Tess & Casey.
Wonderful characters, small town charm
& a story of love, hope, forgiveness,
patience & understanding.
As the story's secrets are revealed,
it keeps you wondering till the end.
A DEFINITE MUST READ!!
Profile Image for Miia.
242 reviews3 followers
June 23, 2021

This is the second book in the Dillon Creek series, and a much-expected one.
We got some glimpse of Tess and
Casey in the first book and let me tell you that you won't get disappointed.

They were each other first, but just as strong as their love was just as strong was something that tore them apart and separated them for years.
Now they are both heirs to an old cottage in Alaska, a cottage that forces them to face what has have them running for years.
Powerful, emotional, and well written about an issue that is well presented from different points of view, getting the reader the understanding that sometimes the hardest and the right thing are the same.

* I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Tera.
433 reviews14 followers
May 11, 2022
Saving Tess is the second book in the Dillon Creek series, and I was ready for this one! Tess and Casey have quite the history that no one knows about. This secret should have driven Tess and Casey even loser together, but tragedy wedged them apart. Their secret was so well-kept, that as a reader, I was a little frustrated with how long it took to come to fruition. With that being said, I was mostly impatient because as I devoured this story, it really came full circle.

I loved how the choices of their pasts did not define what the future held for them. Tess had a lot of emotions to sort through and Casey finally came home to hold her hand through it all and finally finding peace with one another.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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