Okay, let’s talk about how Jax Colton ruined my productivity for 48 hours straight. I picked up 'Second Chance Scandal' expecting just another spicy romance, but what I got was an emotional rollercoaster with a side of heart palpitations.

The way M. Robinson writes tension? Chef’s kiss. There’s this scene where Jax—a literal NFL god with a mouth dirtier than his cleats after a rain game—cornered Sophie in a library elevator. The man whispered one filthy sentence and I had to put the book down to fan myself. My cat judged me hard.

What surprised me most wasn’t the steam (though wowza), but how REAL their messy history felt. The flashbacks to their teenage years? That gut-punch moment when young Sophie overhears Jax say something awful? I cried into my chardonnay at 1AM like I was personally betrayed. The dual timeline structure made their second chance ache in the best way.

Special shoutout to the fake marriage trope done RIGHT. When Jax growled ‘Sign the damn contract, sweetheart’ while secretly keeping her favorite tea stocked? SWOON. The man had more layers than my winter wardrobe—arrogant jackass one minute, devoted dad/husband material the next.

That third-act twist with the secret kid? Nearly threw my Kindle. Robinson weaponizes miscommunication like Shakespeare tragedies, but the payoff when these two stubborn souls FINALLY talk? Worth every gray hair they gave me.

Pro tip: Clear your schedule before reading. I called in ‘sick’ to finish chapter 22 where Jax carries Sophie through a thunderstorm (don’t ask). This isn’t just a book—it’s an experience with permanent real estate in my highlights tab and dreams.