Winner Takes All: Baxter Park, Book 1

After losing her mother, Divina wanted to know her Mom's side of the family but she knew her Dad was against it. Secretly visiting Baxter Park, she ends up meeting Grant. She's a heiress to a makeup company, he's a poor white boy nowhere near her level. They fell in love but Divina's Dad wasn't going to let her lose her mind nor everything that he's worked hard for. Tillard had a plan, power and money talks.Sixteen years later, Grant has been waiting to enact revenge on Divina and her father. While Tillard was playing checkers, Grant has been playing chess ever since his own Dad won the lotto. Grant has been petty and done things the only way that he saw fitting, while still treating Divina the same way that her father treated her. In the end, Tillard deserved to lose it all and Lincoln and Grant are doing what they said from the beginning and is making Baxter Park, a better place to live.

Can't believe how much I love this installment. There is so much treachery, pain, corruption, secrets & anger that I was tempted often to just toss it aside and move onto something else.Grant and Vees' journey was just a cyclone of hurt and betrayal that you will wonder how anything good will evolve. There are so many characters and loose threads but Young manages to flesh them out and tie them up clearly so that you do get the whole picture and aren't left hanging. Whew..ok let me put thus tablet down for a well earned break. Bravo!

There are characters in a story or a series that calls out to you and draws you in . In Second Chances, we're introduced to Grant & Divina, given a snippet of a past that still haunts the two. Forever Yours spills more secrets and a revealing embrace showers us with their potential. Alas, Ms Young writes their enthralling tortuous love story in two part novella of Grant & Divina's humble beginning as two sixteen years old teens in Baxter Park to 16 years later in Kismet Cove. Following the death of her mother, two cousins from their maternal side seek each other for friendship. Upon her cousin advice, Divina ventures in Baxter Park and the community center within where her cousin, Savannah works and she volunteers to spend time together. A surprise clash on the sidelines greets our two fated young lovers. Part One is told from Grant's perspective, his immediate attraction to Divina, his close knit loving family and Grants relationships with his best friends Lincoln & Roarke. Grant is a charming flirt who meets his match with Divina. Ms. Beauty Cosmetic heiress is not immune to him either but just cautious...for good reasons. If Lincoln is Grant's wing-guy then Savvy is his master cock-blocker. The heart wants what the hearts wants, so Grant and Divina get together. Just when Divina is ready to stand up to her father, tragedy strikes that brings family ills to the forefront, Divina's father confronts her on her deception and betrayal to him , confronts/bully her into his submissive will. Tillard's underhand treachery sets young Grant Easton on a different course in life brings him face to face with he girl-now a woman who decimated his heart.Ms. Young blends certain characters from both Whiskey Row and Baymoor into Grant's & Divina's story beautifully. Also love the family relationship of the Eastons & Walsh business venture after Dale Easton won the lottery; The close knit Baxter Park friendships/brotherhood and their promise to give back after the tragic loss of one of their own. Individually, Ella & Lincoln revealed their best friend's truth separately to Grant & Divina; that was absolutely brilliant. A deeper look into the Easton's family life, Grant and Wyatt's differences as teenagers. Meeting Grant himself before Divina, gives me hope that we'll see this charming, happy Grant again in the future now that as the winner, he got it all. Above all, underneath the ruthlessness, Grant wanted to right the wrongs done not only done to Divina but her Aunt Amber & cousin Savannah too. Strip the bullies of their power whose deceit further kept bitter salt on his wound fester for cold humiliating take downs!! Grant Easton & Divina Langely remind me of Romeo & Juliet with HEA. This one is definitely a keeper.

Tillard Langley was an SOB. With a father like him, who needed enemies. He was a nightmare by himself. The man was absolutely reprehensible. Divina Langley's world was rocked when her mother Simone Lisa Hawkins Langley unexpectedly died. She was isolated and lonely until she connected with family that her father forbid her to associate with and fell in love with the love of her life Grant Easton. Their young love was so pure and innocent until Tillard Langley found out and put an end to their love and threatened all of the people Vee loved. He, unknowingly created a monster in Grant who was dead set on getting revenge on everyone responsible for ripping his heart out and leaving him a cold and heartless man. Sixteen years latter, that same heart has made him a ruthless, successful and savvy businessman in a position to exact his revenge. What he did not expect was to reopen his heart and re-find his love for Divina. As much as Divina fought her feelings for Grant, she always loved him and never forgot about him, even when she was married to her best friend's brother Donnie Kemp. But she still did not let Grant get away with bossing her around. She was no longer a young and innocent girl any more and was very tired of all the men in her life thinking they could just order her around. She stood her ground with all of them, including Grant.The author, D.A. Young wrote an excellently crafted story that I did not want to see end. The plot was great and the story line was on point. I just loved the way the friends stayed close and supportive friends after high school and college in thier adult lives. My emotions ran the gambit reading this story. It went from being very angry with Tillard's behavior and attitude to crying over Roark and happen with Vee and Grant re-connected. I can see several new books spinning off from this one. The untold story of what happened to Lou and Tommy and also, the story of Savvy and Lincoln. I can't wait to see what else will happens in Kismet Cove and Baxter Park. Well done D.A. Young. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

Interesting, do I dare to say the Baxter Park series is just as good as Kismet Cove, yes! Divina and Grant had an interesting love story that made you feel an array of emotions. It was gripping from the first chapter right up to Savvy & Lincs intro. DA young is a new author I recently discovered and I’m happy to say her books are becoming a few of my favourites.

Loved this book, really well developed characters and storyline. Loved the way the Kinsey cove and Baxter Park combined. It was great to catch up on the lives of some of the characters from Kismet Cove. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

So into Kismet Cove & Baxter Park Series and was really intrigued to see the history and development of Grant and Divina's relationship. Lots of twists and turns along the way. Brilliant read and highly recommended.