ARC Review: An Ounce of Hope (A Pound of Flesh #2) by Sophie Jackson

From the fanfic phenom whose debut A Pound of Flesh had over 4.5 million reads, this sequel, An Ounce of Hope, tells the passionate love story of Carter’s best friend, Max.

Max O’Hare can’t seem to let go of his past: his drug habit, the end of his relationship with Lizzie Jordan, the woman he knows he’ll never get over, and the loss of their unborn son.

After successfully completing rehab and learning to explore his deepest fears and dreams through painting, Max meets Grace Brooks. With her innate optimism, and her love of art and photography, Grace appears to be the perfect girl. Yet no one knows where she came from, or why she keeps her past so closely guarded. Over time, Max and Grace gradually allow each other in—but will he ever be able to fully let go of his past? Or will his heart remain closed forever?

4 stars

In the first book, A Pound of Flesh, we briefly met Max. He is Carter's best friend, but he was the bad boy, the one we had a lot of issues and seem to take Carter down with him. So I wasn't a huge fan. But...An Ounce of Hope, showed the real side of Max O'Hare and his heartbreaking story of loss. 

Max has been struggling with substance abuse and past demons that he can't seem to beat back, but he wants to fight it. And with Carter's help he does. But being in rehab is no walk in the park. He has a hard time to opening up and facing the truth head on. I loved reading about Max's time in rehab. I felt every struggle and hesitation that Max went through. And when he successfully completes his stay in rehab, it doesn't end there.

Being back in the "real world" after rehab is a lot harder on Max. There are plenty of temptations for him. So he feels the need to move on from the past to start over (at least for the time being) and he ends up meeting Grace Brooks. Grace seems to be full of life and looking on the bright side of things. She's new in town, so little is known about her. 

Overtime, Max and Grace build up a friendship and they tend to keep their secrets guarded, but eventually both of their walls fall down with each other. But both of their pasts will soon catch up with them. 

An Ounce of Hope is exactly what title is...all about finding hope and love for these two characters, who have gone through so much and are looking forward to move on. Another great book that is filled with heartbreaking, sweet and sexy moments with these characters!