Peggy Clarkson is a force to be reckon with.

We got introduced to her in the other books in this series but she totally redeemed herself for me in this book about her & the hottie Elliott Brooks.

I wasn't sure about Peggy but she totally redeemed my faith in her in this book.

I was a hot mess once I started reading this book. Peggy wants to make Elliot remember their past when they reunite but what she doesn't realize is that the past is about to catch up with her.

Elliot is not the only one feeling this way.

I loved how this story brought up soo many emotions between the two main characters. Yes I was balling and didn't expect the nice little twist that made this story come together.

Also, as always: the sexiness from Author Tessa Bailey was super cherry red hot!

You will need a fan to cool yourself as you read.

OVerall this story was amazing & I am ready for the next book in this series.

Go One click this book!

Too Hard to Forget is a story full of angst.I think I liked this one a little bit more! The main characters are raw and deep and this make me feel so many emotions reading this book.

This is the third book in this series about the Clarkson siblings. Peggy is the wild one of the bunch. Which probably, explains some why she has never settled down. Although, the biggest reason is Elliott. The one that Peggy can't get out of her system. Instantly, from the moment that I saw Peggy and Elliott together I felt the anguish they experienced so long ago and just now reuniting. At the same time, the chemistry between these two was steamy. Peggy really does bring out the best in Elliott. She is the only one that can get away with pushing all of Elliott's buttons. There might be a slight age gap between these two; however, Peggy shows that the heart will want what it desires no matter the age. In Peggy fashion there was some laughs to be had in this book.

This story may have been about Peggy but I was glad to see Belmont and Sage featured some as well. Belmont had been pretty reserved throughout the Clarkson's road trip so I am looking forward to checking out his and Sage's story in the fourth book. I have enjoyed every book in this series. Too Hard to Forget is a great summer read.

Although this is the 3rd book in Romancing the Clarksons it can easily be read as a stand alone. Now let me say this "Hang in there, if you feel anything like I did then the first part of this book can be hard to get through and you won't like Elliot!" But if you just keep going and push through the second half makes it all worth while.

This book is intense in a lot of ways. It's hot and sexy and not a book I would read it public as it had me squirming a bit. It's also gets a bit uncomfortable with Elliot's Catholic guilt. Peggy is a senior in college and Elliot is the football coach who's wife just died. Elliot and his wife didn't have a good relationship at all and he wasn't there when she died. When Peggy inspires such strong emotions (emotions he didn't have for his wife) in him so shortly after the death of his wife he doesn't handle the guilt at all well. He thinks of Peggy as a temptation and a sin and the way he treats her isn't pretty. Thank goodness we get this is flashbacks spread out throughout the first half of the book because to be honest if I was reading it real time I don't think I would have stuck with the book and I'm so glad I did!

This book starts 3 years after the end of Peggy and Elliot's relationship when she comes back for Alumni week. The connection/chemistry between Peggy and Elliot is instant but Peggy is back with a plan. She wants to get Elliot out of her system and to make him miserable and regret breaking up with her. Through the first half of the book we see Peggy pursuing Elliot and through the flashbacks we see just how much pain Elliot caused Peggy and the repercussions of that in her present. Just as Peggy starts to find her closure and accept that Elliot is bad for her, he wakes up and realizes with the help of his 12 year old daughter that he has been an idiot. The second half of the book the tables have turned and Elliot has to fight for Peggy. He has to prove to her that he can be the man for her and that the past was his failure and not hers. He sets out to show her that she is a wonderful woman and that he not only accepts his feelings for her but doesn't want to live without her. So the Elliot I didn't like became a character I was rooting for and I ended up loving him.

I love a good second chance romance and when a hero is as big of a jerk as Elliot in the first half I want to see him grovel. This book did that in spades. Elliot had to work hard to get his second chance and Peggy didn't instantly forgive him. At the same time, Elliot's realization that his actions due to his guilt because of his devout Catholic beliefs had truly harmed Peggy and his remorse was beautiful. Sometimes the timing of meeting someone is just wrong and that was the case in this book. Elliot wasn't ready for his feelings for Peggy and he wasn't ready to let go of his guilt. This book is a beautiful picture of getting through the tough times to find the wonderful at the end.

3.5/5 stars

Warning: This is third book in a series that should be read in order.

If you are new to the series, check out my review of book one- Too Hot To Handle HERE and book two, Too Wild to Tame HERE

Too Hard to Forget is the third book in the Romancing the Clarksons series by Tessa Bailey. I really loved book, Too Hot to Handle. and I liked book two, Too Wild to Tame. This series is an adult contemporary romance series. Book one is still my favorite, but this second installment was good as well. I just love all of Tessa Bailey’s works. This book, Too Hard to Forget, might be my favorite book in the series yet!

What I liked the most about this book and this series is the concept. I love a series of interconnected standalone novels, each focusing on a different character. There are tons of books which follow this pattern and it is a big winner for me. Even better if they are books that center around a family or group of siblings. I think that is very interesting and adds another layer of complexity and familiarity between the novels. This series centers around the four Clarkson siblings, but the interesting thing (in my opinion) is the set up. The four Clarkson siblings have not always gotten along, but when they find the journal from their mother, who was the glue of the family, they all head out on a cross-country road trip to fulfill some of her wishes. I love a road trip book, and I love a good, or dysfunctional, family dynamic. So when I found out where this book was headed I was super pumped.

Too Hard to Forget is Peggy Clarkson’s story. Peggy’s story is a second chance romance, which I love. She goes back to her college intent on finding an old flame. Peggy and Elliot are something else. There is plenty of drama and angst when it comes to the two of them, but it suited them. I really liked their interactions. So much of what happened in their past really affected each of them, so I knew it wasn’t going to be all sunshine and roses. They had a pretty toxic relationship before (at least with some aspects of the relationship.) but it was really nice to see how they grew as people, and to see how they would approach each other this second time around. I think they might be my favorite couple out of the whole series. I liked this book even more than I liked the first book in the series.

Bottom line: If you are a character driven reader, you will love this series. Characters are Tessa Bailey’s specialty and she certainly delivers with this book and with this series. One of my favorite things in the first book was seeing all the different sibling dynamics, so I was happy to see more of them in this novel as well. Too Hard to Forget is my favorite book in the Clarkson’s series so far!

What you have to know to begin with is that Tessa Bailey always hits it out of the park for me. She is a go to author, a one click, an OMG a new book is coming how am I going to wait patiently, I'll just 'stalk' her everyday waiting for any little piece she might drop type of author. I know that when I pick up a book of hers I will walk away totally satisfied but sometimes, sometimes she leaves me completely wordless because the book was pure perfection and that was Too Hard to Forget for me.

The minute I finished this book I hit Twitter to announce that this book holds it's own against the one Tessa Bailey book I hold all the others up against, Duke's book from Made in Jersey, Worked Up (click to read my review). Duke is the standard for me now, he's practically a Goliath so facing him is a daunting task but one that Elliot goes toe to toe with. While Duke is a big teddy bear of a man who holds his emotions close to his great big barrel chest and is afraid to let love in, Coach Elliot Brooks is truly flawed. He's not a hero who just doesn't know how to let himself be loved, he's a hero who has created an entire world around his belief that he is undesirable unless he's on a football field. He takes Catholic guilt to a whole new level and honestly I am never going to look at my rosary the same way again.

Sidetone: Good Night Tessa, I am going to have to go to confession just for using my rosary from now on and 10 Our Father's and 7 Hail Mary's is not going to be enough, haha!

You almost don't want to like Coach Brooks but true to a Tessa Bailey book you will end up falling in love with him, his flaws only make him more relatable in the end, more deserving of the love he finds, and more devoted when he gives it in return.

Peggy, this lady. I am going to be straight up honest, (as one should do) I did not think I was going to like this book because I did not think I was going to like Peggy. Tessa's build up to Peggy's story gives us a glimpse of a spoiled girl with commitment issues and a whole lot of audaciousness and, dare I use the term, cockiness. All the siblings on this road trip have their issues, but hers always rubbed me a bit of the wrong way and I am going to be even more honest when I say at the start of this book I still didn't think I was going to like it or her. She does to portray I suppose what we have come to see as a typical heroine. She comes across as brash, seemingly self absorbed, risky and risqué, and flippant. The thing is she is so much more that then woman we think we know. Her story is deeper and more emotional than any one realizes. Her secrets will bring you to tears and her fight for her heart and the heart she knows is hers to care for will have you falling just as in love with her as you will with Coach. Both of these characters are so deeply flawed that you want to jump in the book and try to fix them yourself.

This story is as beautiful as it is devastating at times. It is full of broken pieces being glued back together with love and hope. It's a book about commitment on so many levels, commitment to faith, ethics, values, love, hope, trust, family, friends, self. This is a book that will have you rooting for the couple from, eh, maybe to exactly at the beginning but not much later, to the end. All the couples in Tessa's books deserve happiness and I am so glad that she gives it to them, but this couple have earned that happiness and they earned it through pain and tears. They earned it by completely laying themselves open to each other and finding that having just a little faith that you deserve something beautiful opens a whole new world. I could go on and on about this book and this couple, but I will leave it with this: You know when you go into a Tessa Bailey book you are going to get ALL the steamy moments. She's going to give you a romance that is going to knock you off your feet but she gives us so much more. Every book she surprises me because every book has a story with in a story to tell. Her characters face emotional obstacles that tear at your heart. I think I say this in every review of one of her books; go for the romance but stay for the heart and soul. These books are deeper than you would expect and that just makes them all the more satisfying.

Final note, Belmont. Crap, Belmont and Sage. I do not know how I am going to make it through their story in one piece. Belmont is going to tear you up in this book so I can only imagine what he is going to do to us when he finally gets his own. I am already so in love with him and Sage and I know they are going to break me before making me smile. I feel a little twisted that I can't wait for it.

~ HAPPY READING ~

4.5 stars rounded up

OH MY EVER-LOVING GOD. Tessa has done it again. Too Hard to Forget was pretty damn amazing. The most emotional read in the series so far, which is crazy because y’all know that the first two books in the series are overflowing with emotion. But seriously, Peggy and Elliot’s love story BROKE. MY. HEART. (don’t worry, the pieces were put back together)

While their love is incredibly angsty, it’s also incredibly passionate and oh-so-naughty. I’m big fan of the forbidden teacher/student trope (in this case, college football coach/student cheerleader), and HOLY HECK was the sex HOT. Up against the locker, take-me-even-though-you-know-it’s-wrong sex. Like I said, HOT. But, I do have to say that at one point, I really just got fed up with Elliot treating Peggy like this horrible sin. His hate for himself was taken out on Peggy, which is so not cool. But it was a frustration for a minimal amount of time, so I was able to look past it and thoroughly enjoy the HEA.

Ultimately, I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Too Hard to Forget by Tessa Bailey. It’s emotionally intense, oh-so-sexy, and the HEA is so worth waiting for. I loved getting to see all the siblings again, and the further glimpses into Sage and Belmont’s relationships have be antsy for the next one!! Can’t wait!

Too Hard to Forget is the third book in this series and is Peggy's story. I have to confess that I wasn't real excited to read Peggy's book in this series. Peggy had been my least favorite character up to this point. However, my feelings have done a complete 180. This is my favorite book so far in this series.

Too Hard to Forget is a story full of angst, regret, heartache, hope and second chances. And I loved how Tessa wrote Peggy and Elliot's story. There is a lot of angst - ALOT! But it's so damn good and works perfectly for this story. I went back and forth from cheering them on to rooting for Peggy for standing up for herself.

Let me back up and explain why I didn't care for Peggy before reading this book. Peggy from all outside appearances is the perfect cheerleader who gets what she wants and walked away from great people because she was selfish. Yea - I could not have been more wrong about her. And this is what I love about this book. Tessa was able to make me go from loathing a character to absolutely loving and wanting to protect her. Peggy is something else - as her mother put - she is a Rubix Cube.

Back to the book. As much as I wanted these two to get their HEA, I was so happy to see Peggy find her confidence and realize she deserved so much more from a man. She is worth more than he was willing to give. But it was when she realized this, that he also realized he was losing the best thing in life, for a second time. And I won't give you any more than that because the reasons behind everything is what makes this story so good.

Tessa wrote a beautiful story. I told Jillian (co-blogger) that the best part of this book was the journey. I won't go into details but Peggy and Elliott's path is one filled with a lot of curves, potholes and unsuspecting left and right turns. And it just makes the whole story that much more entertaining.

What I am trying to say is go read this damn book. It is in a series. Do you need to read the others to understand Peggy's story, no. Should you read them in order - if you want the full effect, yes. Because there are snippets of each siblings story embedded in the previous books that it gives you glimpses of what is to come. But it is not necessary.

Ok - now go read!!!

I have now grabbed my cup of coffee and can finally bask in the pleasure that this book has given me. Even though I had my doubts in the beginning. The previous books of the series didn’t invoke this feeling of wariness in me with both the hero and the start off of the story. It was excitement on its own to be this cautious towards Elliott and what he presented for Peggy. But I guess it’s the mark of a good author when she can grab you and make you come back for more in the hopes of, well, that the story will finally end up where you wish it would.

Those who’re familiar with the series will know the general tone of these books and I’m sure they’re coming back for the rest exactly for that reason, but those who’ve never read this series should definitely give it a try. The books revolve around siblings of four who, after the death of their mother, take the road trip of their lives to grant their mother’s dying wish. They drop down the hole of love one by one along the way until I don’t know what’ll happen. But it’s a sweet, sexy and emotional ride for me too until then.

There’s a certain intensity to these stories that I only find in a number of my romance reads. An intensity that makes me feel like I’m intruding upon something very special and intimate, and that maybe, even as a reader of the book, I should not interrupt, instead quietly leave the couple be. All this, and a great amount of envy for the kind of deep, sexy, intense emotional involvement the hero and heroine have with each other. It is rare to read this kind of story, and when I come across it I want and tend to be soaked in it.

Elliott and Peggy, I like to think, were a bit different than the previous couples. Elliott sure surprised me. While I like it when heroes tend to be on the scary-until-the-right-woman-comes-along side, Elliott was a bit more challenging. His nature alone was the wall that stood between him and Peggy and the obstacle they had to overcome. His past mistake, and again his own nature, had defined the woman Peggy has become, but only because she allowed it. I liked the transformation they both had, and loved the strength and courage they found in both themselves and each other to take that final step to forever.

I’m adding four spoonfuls of this story into my hodgepodge. Now, about the final book, not to be a pressuring crazy lady, but I’m expecting thunderstorms and lightning. I’m expecting to be buried under piles and piles of emotion, to be overwhelmed by a story like I was never before. Why? Because the remaining couple have one of the most magically strange emotional connections I’ve ever read before. Yes, their book should be explosive in terms of romance and emotion and if there’s one person who can make that happen, it’s Tessa Bailey.

The first two books in this series have been wonderful stories, and after getting to know the youngest Clarkson a little bit on the siblings' cross country road trip, I was really looking forward to getting to know Peggy's history. The beauty who wears the rings of her 4 failed engagements around her neck like an albatross is more than she seems on the surface, and I love her mother's description of Peggy in her journal.

Peggy is a Rubix Cube. Just when I think I’ve got one whole side fashioned into a solid red block, a white square twists into place and throws off everything.

The angel. The devil. The baby. The old soul. You never know what you’re going to get. Especially now.
But look closer.
She’s not what you’re expecting.

Peggy is on a mission: make the man who ruined her for all others finally pay for breaking her heart. Coach Elliott Brooks is so much more complicated than he seems based on the blurb alone. As one of the most successful coaches in college football, he feels the weight of responsibility to his team and his fans to continue that winning streak and has become a legend in the process. He was also raised by devout Catholics and grew up in a house with parents in loveless marriage. He carries rosary beads to constantly remind him of his shortcomings, and he is a master at emotional self-flagellation. The death of his wife in the years when Peggy attended the college caused him to shut down what very little emotion he allowed to show through as he was left to try to figure out how to raise a young daughter on his own. When Peggy comes along, she is like a light in the darkness to him but she is forbidden on so many different levels. He doesn't want to want her, but she is determined to win both his attention and his heart. He comes to see her as his temptation, his downfall and and his punishment for deviating from the path of righteousness before he finally sends her away when she graduates.

When he looked at Peggy, he felt too damn much, making her a constant reminder of how little he’d felt for someone he’d sworn to serve. In the eyes of God. He would never forgive himself for that.

Elliott was very difficult for me to like when the story first opened and I seriously considered throwing in the towel several times up until almost the halfway point, but by then I figured I had made it that far so why not keep going. Besides, this author hasn't let me down in the past so I had to give it a chance and see it through until the end. When Elliott and Peggy reconnected for the first time in 3 years, you could tell that this story was about to become an angst-lover's dream and an emotional roller coaster. Peggy would push, Elliott would turn to stone then go molten hot, then revert to ice cold and push back... and rinse and repeat. Every time she pushed you see the cracks in Elliott's armor widen just a little bit especially when Peggy came to his daughter Alice's rescue a few times. And in turn, Peggy just becomes more and more confused. She wants to hurt him the way he hurt her... doesn't she?

“Do you ever wish you were a million miles away… and then a second later, you can’t stand the thought of being anywhere else, but right where you’re standing?”

When Elliott finally faces the fact that he still wants her more than ever, he has to find a way to cope with the fact that he feels more for Peggy than he ever did for his wife- and he has to consider Alice's feelings on the subject too. Of course having a serious and meaningful conversation with his daughter after years of barely communicating is a challenge all its own, but add in the fact that she is a somewhat moody 12 year old and he is completely at sea. It did lead to some very heartwarming moments though as Elliott finally learns how to live in the moment and to see the world in vibrant color thanks to Peggy, Alice and one of his players who needs his help in a big way. Despite their scorching hot encounters and Elliott's seriously dirty mouth, he has a long way to go to repair the damage his attitude has wrought on Peggy's heart and to convince her that he is finally ready to move forward in a healthier and loving relationship.

“You left me without a soul. I can barely remember the days since you left. They passed without me feeling a single thing . Because you are feeling for me. You’re the only thing that keeps me from being numb. Twice in my life you’ve turned me back into a living, breathing man, and missing you… missing you, Peggy, doesn’t even begin to cover it. You revive me.”

So all in all, I am glad I stuck it out until the end because the second half of the book made the first half all worth it. I have to say, Elliott seriously creeped me out a few times early on, but it did get better before all was said and done. Peggy's vulnerability to this man was heartbreaking at times, but she believed in the power of love above all else and she persevered until she finally had the answers she needed. Through it all, her brother Belmont and best friend Sage supported her even as they continue to struggle with their own slightly odd relationship. They are the last 2 remaining travelers on the road to New York City to fulfill their mother's last wish, but I think they have a lot of demons to slay on their path before they finally find happiness. The Clarksons have been on an amazing journey so far, and I am looking forward to seeing it all come together in the final book.

I am the BIGGEST sucker for angst – and if Tessa Bailey writes it? It goes without saying that I’ll probably love it. I’d been DYING to read Peggy’s story ever since I heard it was going to be a second chance romance with an older hero who would have some major groveling to do. I love me some good grovel, and Tessa Bailey didn’t disappoint. I loved this book so, SO much. I adored Peggy and Elliot and their angst-filled, intense, steamy romance. If you’re a fan of second chance romances or groveling heroes, you need this book in your life!

Back when Peggy was in college and in the cheerleading team, she couldn’t resist the allure of the football coach, Elliott Brooks. She had plans to seduce him, but fell in love with him instead… but he never reciprocated her feelings, and pushed her away. Now, years later, during a stop along the Clarkson family road trip to New York, Peggy is back at her old college and ready to make Elliott remember exactly what he threw away. And yeah, maybe she’s never been able to forget about him, despite her several ex-fiancés, but she’s determined to make Elliott suffer for all the hurt he caused her. But is all this effort worth it on a man who will never love her back?

Elliott’s life revolves around football and it’s been his sole focus for years… except for that one period when he was obsessed with a certain cheerleader named Peggy Clarkson. But he pushed her away years ago and never expected to see her again… so when she shows up out of the blue, he’s knocked right on his ass and doesn’t know what to do with himself anymore. Then Peggy decides that she truly is O-V-E-R him, and what’s a man to do but fight for the only woman he’s ever loved and not let her go a second time?

Too Hard to Forget is my new favorite read of Tessa’s. It’s my favorite so far in the series, and it’s up there at the top with Risking it All for me. This book had my heart in constant palpitations – the angst, the tension, the frustrations, the steam, all of it had me utterly hooked and infatuated with Peggy and Elliott’s story. From their torturous flashback scenes to their tension-filled, erotic present, their story was everything I could have hoped for and more. I adored Peggy and how she knew when to let go and stop fighting for a man who wouldn’t fight for her. Elliott had me frustrated and hot and bothered at the same time, but I truly fell in love with him when he realized how much he loved Peggy and was willing to move heaven and earth to prove his love to her. This man does some major groveling – you won’t be disappointed!

I had crazy high expectations for this second chance romance, but Tessa went above and beyond my expectations. I completely loved it! It’s got all sorts of tropes to love – a second chance romance, an age gap, opposites attract, a groveling hero… honestly, how could I NOT end up loving it? If you’re a fan of Tessa Bailey and her dirty, delicious reads, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on Too Hard to Forget!

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Too Hard to Forget by Tessa Bailey
Book Three of the Romancing the Clarksons series
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

This time, she's calling the shots.

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's been missing. Even after three years, seeing him again is like a punch in the gut, but Peggy's determined to stick to her plan. Maybe then, once she has the upper hand, she'll finally be able to move on.

In the years since Peggy left Cincinnati, Elliott has kept his focus on football. No distractions and no complications. But when Peggy walks back onto his practice field and into his life, he knows she could unravel everything in his carefully controlled world. Because the girl who was hard to forget is now a woman impossible to resist.

What I Liked:

I hate to say it, but I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed this book! I had pretty low expectations, because there are several tropes in this novel that I absolutely hate (and I'll get to them). Don't get me wrong, I adore Tessa Bailey and the vast majority of her books that I've read. But I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this one. If you'll recall, I was fairly certain I wasn't even going to read this book, after reading Too Wild to Tame. I'm happy to report that I liked this book much more than I expected!

Peggy and her siblings started their road-trip from California to New York, the four of them, and now it's just Belmont and Peggy (and Sage, Peggy's best friend). Aaron is in Indiana with his new girlfriend, and Rita is in New Mexico with her new boyfriend. Peggy knew the trip would take them through Cincinnati, where she went to university, and where she met a man that would change - and ruin - her life. Coach Elliott Brooks is known around the nation as the "Kingmaker", a legendary college football coach who has sent many football players to the NFL. He has always been focused on football and his religion, and so many Peggy came into his life three years ago, he isn't prepared for the temptation. Even three years after she left Cincinnati, Elliott has never gotten over, and Peggy has never gotten over him. Peggy was out to make him suffer, during alumni weekend, but it isn't Elliott alone who will suffer, and it isn't suffering along that they'll share.

I didn't even think I liked Peggy, after reading Too Hot to Handle and Too Wild to Tame. Sure, she's young fun and bubbly, but she seemed a little too much for me. And it was painfully clear that she was in some sort of denial, with four engagements broken (by her). But I liked Peggy a lot more in this book. It was clear to me that she has a lot of depth, she's friendly and kind, and she goes after what she wants. Yes, she wanted to make Elliott miss her like she missed him, and she wasn't planning on sticking around, but I liked how Peggy went after him again and again. She's relentless, even if she was totally clueless as to if she wanted more with him.

Elliott is an extremely successful college football coach and definitely not the type of guy that would bang a cheerleader. He has at least ten, maybe twelve or thirteen years on Peggy, and at the time, his wife had died about a year ago. At first it seems like Elliott didn't like how Peggy made him feel, but it became clear that it was because he didn't think he deserved her. Fast forward three years later, and he's still sinking in the guilt and shame. Elliott seems like a cold, hard man who is almost robotic, with his love of football and his religion. But he, like Peggy, has a lot of layers to peel back. I actually really liked how intense and sometimes scary Elliott is, with his commanding football coach nature.

The two of them are such an interesting pair. One is hard and unfeeling, the other is bubbly and vivacious and flirtatious. But they are a great match, and this shows from page one. I like that Elliott only ever had eyes for Peggy, and vice versa. You know that annoying thing that some girls do, in which they flirt with other guys in order to make the one guy jealous? Yeah, I'm glad Peggy didn't play that head game with Elliott. Peggy may have been out to make him feel bad for breaking up with her years ago, but she wasn't malicious.

The chemistry is pretty hot, between these two, as expected. With Elliott's inner struggle, you can see him pulling Peggy close and pushing her away. There are a number of tug-of-war scenes that are unfinished and yet very hot. Bailey always does well with cooking up a good amount of tension and chemistry in a romance novel. I like how each of her romances are different, and the smoking chemistry too. Elliott and Peggy like things a little rougher than your average couple, which was interesting to see play out.

Okay, so I mentioned before that I really didn't think that I would enjoy this book, because it contained three tropes that I don't usually like (or just absolutely hate): 1) second-chance romances, 2) children, and 3) older man/super young woman. I actually found that NONE of these tropes bothered me, in this story! The romance was really swoony, sweet, sexy, and occasionally heart-breaking. But it wasn't too dramatic or angst-ridden - well, not as I expected. And the children part - Elliott has a young daughter in middle school. I mentioned that his wife had died a year before he met Peggy. Elliott has never had a wonderful parental relationship with his daughter Alice, but that changes a lot in this book. And the third, the older man/younger woman thing. I'm pretty sure there is at least a ten to fifteen age difference between Elliott and Peggy. And it comes up from time to time. But I actually didn't mind it that much, and it never really bothered me.

So, in a nutshell, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! Probably because the drama/angst wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and those three tropes that I hate that are in this book didn't seem to bother me as much as they usually would. Even the ending of this book didn't irritate me - Elliott's grand gesture to win Peggy back was sweet, and very much warranted. Cute cute cute!

What I Did Not Like:

I kind of wanted more of a resolution in terms of Elliott and his religion. You know from the start that he is Catholic and his religion is very important to him. But then that aspect kind of disappears, towards the end of the book. I don't think Elliott turned his back on his religion - the whole religion thing just kind of disappears. Since it was such a big part of the story in the beginning and sometimes in the middle, I expected it to reappear or have some sort of progression, towards the end.

Would Recommend It:

While this isn't my new Romancing the Clarksons favorite (sorry, Too Hot to Handle still claims that spot!), I really enjoyed this book. It's nice when a book filled with tropes that you usually hate surprises you. If you're like me, and hate second-chance romances, books with children, and older man/super young women tropes, don't let these aspects of this book deter you! I'm not saying this book is for everyone, but I am saying that I was pretty convinced that it wasn't for me.

Rating:

4 stars. I liked this book! I'm actually not AS excited about Belmont and Sage's books (like most Romancing the Clarkson fans are), but I will definitely be reading it when its publication date rolls around. But I think I'm even more excited about Too Close to Call!

Source: Advance e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hello lovely readers! Today we celebrate the release of Too Hard to Forget by the incredibly talented and filthy (only in the best way, of course) Tessa Bailey! Yay Tessa!

I'm a big Tessa fan and enjoy her dirty talking heroes. The Romancing the Clarkson's Series brings together a four siblings who aren't particularly close, but agree to a roadtrip to honor their late mother. Along the way these siblings work on their issues, cause general mayhem, and find love. *Awwww*

In Too Hard to Forget, baby sister Peggy Clarkson goes after the football coach she can't forget. If the coach-cheerleader thing squigs you out like it does me, maybe avoid this one and read Too Hot to Handle. Or any of Tessa's backlist. She's prolific and fantastic!

This couple has a lot of issues and if it weren't for the coach-cheerleader and religion aspects, I would have really liked it, but there are some things I can't get past, even for a Tessa Bailey book. However, if those don't give you the squigs, then definitely read Peggy & Elliot. As always, Tessa writes characters with amazing chemistry and insanely hot sex.

Once you've read Too Hard to Forget, go join Tessa's facebook group, Bailey's Babes. You will get lots of "check-ins" with the characters from all of her books, as well as frequent pictures of super hot guys and loads of fascinating conversations about everything. And I do mean everything! For now, check out the excerpt below, Tessa's Dream Cast, and enter the giveaway!

I had zero expectations before starting Too Hard to Forget by Tessa Bailey. The reason behind that was that we'd met Peggy, our heroine and she seemed flighty so I thought the book would be light and fluffy. Boy, was I wrong! And I couldn't be more happy about it because this book is definitely my favourite of the entire series. I think it may just be my favourite Tessa Bailey book to date because I couldn't stop thinking about it for days afterwards.

Okay, let's start with Peggy. Like I said before Peggy comes off as a flighty person, all rainbows and sunshine, that is, till you get into her head. She decides to go back to her college town for the alumni weekend because this time she has plans to get over Elliott Brooks. I LOVED Peggy. She was smart and sweet and just so so vulnerable. She tried her hardest to get over Elliott and failed. Peggy had a complex personality and she was so much more messed up than I thought.

Then we have the infamous Elliott Brooks. Elliott and Peggy had an affair three years ago. The biggest hurdle at the time though was that Elliott was the coach of the football team. Elliott thinks at the time that what Peggy and he have is completely wrong and sinful. Elliott was a hard guy to like at first. He was stoic and silent and unfeeling. At least it seemed that way until he starts thinking about Peggy.

Peggy and Elliott have one of the best second chance romance story. They have an amazing amount of chemistry- which is to be expected from Tessa Bailey -but more than that they have an emotional bond that cannot be broken. Too Hard to Forget is such a perfect title because they both can't forget the other, no matter how many years have passed. Also, Elliott definitely comes through when needed.

Too Hard to Forget had me feeling so many things. Most of all, I was super happy for Peggy and Elliott because no two people deserved a happy ending more than them. I loved seeing Sage and Belmonte and I can't wait for their story next. Elliott's daughter was also a great addition to the cast and definitely provided more depth to the story. Overall, I can't praise this book enough. I LOVED it!

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Iam a huge Tessa Bailey fan , I have just loved every book that I have read by her so far . The Romancing the Clarkson series is just fantastic so when I got the chance to read Too Hard to Forget I was thrilled and I basically devoured this book the minute I got to and Omg was it fantastic.

In this book we follow Peggy the youngest Clarkson and I think her mom described her best as a Rubix Cube lol , after spending time in Peggy's head you will completely understand why this is said . In this book she goes back to her old college to confront the man who as the blurb says ruined her for others and this really where this story takes off. Peggy and Elliot feel like complete opposite when it comes to there personalities but at the same time they feel perfect for each others. If I had to describe this romance in three words they would be sexy ( seriously this book is smoking hot but again this is a Tessa Bailey book so every book by her has me wanting to read it in front of a fan anyway lol ) , swoon worthy and heartwarming . I loved Elliot's daughter, Alice this little girl had me cracking up so many times in this book , I also loved seeing how she interacting with her father and Peggy as well . I l love that we also got to see flashback scenes , I found it really added to the story.. I love this story so much it grabbed from the very beginning and did not let me go even after I finished it lol . I am still thinking about Peggy and Elliot lol .Too Hard To Forget was sexy , addicting contemporary romance and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series . If you love all these things in your books you should definitely pick up a copy as soon as possible

5 The Second Time Around Really Is Sweeter Stars!!!

Finally we get Peggy Clarkson's book and what a fabulous book it is!!! I've a devoted Tessa Bailey fan and have loved this entire series, but I can unequivocally say, this book is my favorite of the entire series.

Peggy is determined to finally get over Elliott by visiting her alma mater...unfortunately or fortunately in her case all this does is reinforce why she fell for him and why she really just can't get over him. For Elliott, he thought he'd moved on, but no, he hadn't when she strolls back into his life, all bets are off!!

These two have quite the history, which we've gotten glimpses of in the first two books but we really get the one-two punch this time. There's angst, passion, love, hate and everything in between. Who knew I was going to be an emotional wreck after reading this book? Even knowing what I know now, I wouldn't change it for the world. Going in with no warning as to how I would emotionally connect with these characters and want them to so desperately find their HEA.

Ms. Bailey does such a marvelous job of involving the reader in each and every nuance of her characters and storyline that you can't help but be their cheerleader on the sidelines. There is so much depth to Elliott that when we really see inside him and his religious convictions it explains a lot of how and why he treated Peggy the way he did. But at some point, a man has to decide if living in the past that can't be changed and people that can't come back is worth more than putting his arms around the second chance with the woman he can't get out of his head and heart

I loved everything about this book and am so glad, that even though I shed tears and felt the pain and angst of these characters, I'd do it all over again. Too Hard To Forget is a phenomenal story and I highly recommend reading not only this book but the entire series!!

This is the third book in the Romancing the Clarksons series and it is a standalone. It is a compelling story about Elliott, a college football coach and Peggy, a former cheerleader and student. Tessa Bailey is a wonderful storyteller and I think it was a great idea to write a story about a college football coach. However, the Elliott has a lot of issues and I found it difficult to connect to him. I don't want to give too much away, but I didn't like the way Elliott treated Peggy, especially in the first half of the book.

When Peggy was a senior in college she had an affair with Elliott, who was the football coach. Now, three years later, she decides to return for alumni weekend to resolve some issues between them. She is frustrated because she is still in love with Elliott and has not been able to move on.

When Peggy was in college, she and Elliott had a highly charged relationship. Unfortunately, Elliott was so racked with guilt he never allowed himself to enjoy the time they were together. Elliott is a revered coach but his personal life is a mess and he is a tortured man. He is deeply religious and believes what he feels for Peggy is wrong and his constant dismissal of Peggy hurts her. Elliott is closed off and has few expectations in life beyond winning football games. He has a daughter he has no idea what to do with and his feelings for Peggy scare the hell out of him. I admired Elliott as a coach, but he is so distant with the people he cares about, it drove me crazy. I can understand why Peggy was attracted him but I also feel sorry for her because he continually makes her feel inconsequential.

peggy clarkson has commitment issues. she's been engaged four times and not married once. there's this guy she can't seem to get out of her head. only he's not just some guy. he's elliott brooks. the very catholic, super hot, ridiculously talented football coach of her alma mater.

their story sounds like such a cliché. she was a cheerleader. he was grieving the loss of his wife. she caught his glances during practice. he couldn't stop thinking about her. she followed him to the locker rooms. they had the hottest sex of their lives. it was illicit. it was thrilling. he felt like such a sinner. she felt like his dirty little secret. he ruined her for all others. he was ruined without her.

they both have so much pain between them. she's only come back to alumni weekend because it's been three years and she keeps running away from decent guys. she knows it has everything to do with elliott. she needs closure. she hasn't been able to move on for three years and she just needs this to stop. she needs to feel whole again.

if only just being around elliott didn't feel so right. and so wrong. he's had her all turned around inside that she can't get off without feeling guilt and pain and unworthy. the thing is, elliott never meant for peggy to feel unworthy. the truth is all that guilt and pain and unworthiness is his, and his alone. and when he realizes how he's made her feel. well, it's more guilt and pain and unworthiness, but at least he thinks he can make it right.

for three years he's been dreading seeing her again. when he got the invitation to her first wedding, he assumed that she had moved on. seeing her again, realizing that there was so much fire and hurt and love and anguish still living and breathing between them. it's still almost too much for him to bear. he's got a football team to manage. he's got a daughter he's raising. he failed his first wife in so many ways, if he failed peggy like that he'd be devastated.

too hard to forget is so emotional and passionate and is my favorite kind of love story. i can't explain why i love angst so much in my romance. and this story, oh, it has just the perfect amount. elliott and peggy's love isn't easy. it's complicated and fragile and heart-stoppingly beautiful. with every story tessa bailey has told in this series, she's upped the ante on the emotional depth and anguish. these clarkson siblings are something special. i love that we get some updates on aaron and grace. and we see the bond between belmont and sage continue to grow and develop. they're up next in too beautiful to break and i can only imagine the emotional rollercoaster that story will be. i can't wait!

***ARC Provided by the Publisher Via NetGalley***

Tessa Bailey just keeps getting better. Her characters are great, the stories are interesting, and oh my, Ms. Bailey writes a dirty talking alpha male like no one else.

Really. No one else.

This book was hot.

Peggy and Elliott have a history. And, it is one that Peggy wants to resolve so she can finally move on fully with her life. And, she thinks that seeing Elliott again will get him out of her system.

Well. That didn't work out quite like she expected.

Elliott knows what is right, he knows what he should want out of life, he has a strict code of behavior that he follows.

And then there was Peggy. He broke all his rules for her the first time. he convinces himself he can spend time around her without doing the same again.

Nope. And, the ride as he figures this out, as he comes to grip with the fact that he never got over her, is so worth reading.

I recommend this book.

3.5 Stars

The story of their struggle and final acceptance was a very good book. But a devout Catholic would NEVER use God's name in vain.