Good second chance romance. Attorney Alexa took a leave of absence from her Miami job to help her family back in Texas. While there, she encounters her high school nemesis, Jackson. They were competitive all through school, with Alexa frequently coming out on top, earning her the nickname "Alexandra the First." She never knew that he'd had a crush on her all through school, and his competition was a way to get her attention. Jackson is now a successful and confident man who still has a thing for Alexa.

I love their first meeting at the TCC charity barbecue. Alexa was manipulated into attending by her mother and would have preferred to skip it. Instead, she's hiding in a cabana by the pool when Jackson finds her. He'd seen her arrive and was determined to make her notice him this time. I loved their banter about their past as he challenged her to a chess game and later to experience the barbecue cook-off. Alexa notices that her high school rival has become a handsome and charming man but isn't interested in starting a relationship with anyone. Meanwhile, Jackson refuses to give up on getting closer to her.

I liked Alexa, but she frustrated me at times. She is intelligent, independent, and loyal to those she loves. But she is so hung up on being the best at everything that she misses out on life. That need to excel also hides the insecurity she experiences because she feels that she is the odd one out in her family. As the book goes on, we see how she puts up a front, even with them, as she hides the issue she has at her job. When she meets Jackson again, she doesn't expect her instant attraction to him. Though she tries to resist, citing her intention to return to Miami and disinterest in starting a relationship, Alexa can't help rising to his challenges to step outside her comfort zone. I liked watching Alexa blossom under Jackson's attention, learning how to relax and have fun. But part of her can't help but hold back her troubles, refusing to look anything but a winner. I wanted to shake her for not confiding in him whenever he tried to find out what was bothering her. When the truth came out, Alexa had to decide what was more important - her pride or her feelings for Jackson.

I loved Jackson. He is intelligent, successful, and determined. He remembers his competition with Alexa fondly because he had her attention. Though he thought he was over his crush, he realized he still had feelings for her as soon as he met her again. I loved his determination not to miss his chance with her this time. It was fun seeing how he knew what buttons to push to get her to follow his plans. He also paid close attention to what she said, which enabled him to pull off the sweet surprises at the cabin. The "prom night" was especially moving. Jackson could tell that something was bothering her and was frustrated by his inability to get her to trust him. I felt his pain when he discovered it and understood his hurt and anger. His need to do something was evident, and I loved what he did, even though he didn't get the reaction he wanted from Alexa. I liked that he didn't give up on her or their relationship. His big moment at the end was terrific as he faced her, and they finally talked things out.

There is a little progress on the series storyline of the claim on her family's ranch and that of their friends. Alexa's grandfather, Augustus, has memory problems, making getting details from him challenging. Information is uncovered about an oil survey, but Augustus claims to have no memory of it. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and getting to the bottom of the mystery.

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