Forgetting Rafe Thomas by M.J. Padgett: Book Review

 ** ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Getting over love shouldn’t be so hard.

Luna Parsons broke up with Rafe Thomas despite her reservations. Why? Because the clock is ticking, and no woman wants to wait a decade for a wedding ring. He made promises he didn’t keep and spent more time developing video game apps than planning a life with her. When Luna receives an offer to curate the new pottery exhibit at the Chatswain City Art Museum, she leaps at the opportunity and packs her bags.

Rafe Thomas is a deep thinker. Unfortunately, the things he thinks fail to exit his mouth in effective communication, so when Luna tells him she wants to move to nearby Chatswain City for a dream job without him, he doesn’t try to stop her. He doesn’t tell her he finally sold his first major gaming app, nor does he mention that he just signed on the dotted line, purchasing the gorgeous farmhouse she’s always wanted. He definitely doesn’t show her the diamond ring that’s been burning a hole in his pocket for months.

It's the break up heard around the world, and everyone in the Thomas family feels the hurt. But when Mav, his youngest brother, accidentally stumbles upon the ring he bought for Luna, he corners Rafe and discovers the truth. Together they develop a plan to help Rafe win Luna back, but it’s going to cost him a lot more than he realized, especially when Luna has a few plans of her own.

Forgetting Rafe Thomas is a second chance, secret admirer, sweet new adult romance with swoony kisses, everyday faith in action, and a side of comedy.

The Author

M. J. Padgett is first and foremost a mom. Her free-spirited daughter has quite a vivid imagination, and her antics sometimes find their way into her mommy’s work. She is a lover of all things chocolate, a Grimm and Dickens addict, a self-proclaimed smarty-pants, and an introvert to the core.

Writing is her true passion (after raising her daughter, of course), and she writes as often as possible. One of her favorite things about writing is creating a world where people can escape reality for a little while, maybe even walk away feeling hopeful about the real world around them. When it comes to reading, she loves a book that can make her forget where she is no matter the genre. If she can get lost and feel like the characters are her real friends, she’s a happy reader.

Book Review

Forgetting Rafe Thomas is the fifth book in the Life With the Thomas Brothers series.  While I think those who have read the previous books might have a better understanding of the family dynamics, this could probably be enjoyed as a standalone as well.

Second chance romances are so often some of my favorites, in part, because I love seeing the growth that characters make from that first attempt to the last. This one does that so well. Rafe and Luna were high school sweethearts who loved each other deeply… but communication? Not their strong suit. Determined to try and make it work once and for all, Rafe rents them cottages side by side in Ireland so they can have a chance to get away and talk things out. I loved how big of a role communication played in their story— they certainly had their rough moments, but seeing how they both were trying to put in the efforts and actually learn from their past mistakes? I absolutely loved that. This is exactly how second chance romance should be! And their amazing chemistry certainly didn’t hurt things either. M.J. Padgett does a great job of weaving in faith elements that add so much to the story in a way that feels natural to the characters lives, which I always very much appreciate. If you love a story with a second chance, strong communication and faith, this is definitely one to check out.  

Forgetting Rafe Thomas is a closed door, Christian romance with kisses only and no language. 

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