Persy: I wish you were here.
Ford: I have to turn off the phone, but I’ll be right there. I’ll tie you and eat you up.
Him
Saturday, May 29th
It’s been a year since Persephone N. J. Brassard-Chadwick came into my life. She’s Persy Brassard for everyone, but to her family, her name is Persy Chadwick. I had no idea what love was all about until she stormed into my life and taught me the art of loving, accepting, and living. She continues being this big phenomenon that helps people find their happiness and love along the way.
We aren’t in any way perfect. Our house is big enough, so when we need our space, we can have it, but when we need each other, there’s no cosmic force that can tear us apart. Her family taught me that not everything has to have a purpose, but everyone is here for a reason. My father isn’t perfect, his family is a disaster—but his wife makes him happy. I accept them just as he accepted that Nate and I deserve our own space.
We hang out with him once a month. He either visits us, or we meet somewhere to have a guys weekend. Now that Clyde is divorced, he’s tried to bring him along a couple of times, but as we keep telling our father, we’re not interested. My stepbrother lives with him and his mother. I don’t know what’s happening with Sheila because I don’t ask. She never answered Persy’s emails—and though she’s closed that chapter, she hurt her a lot.
Persy is fine with it. She has friends, Callie, and above them all, Nyx. She has her family’s love. My in-laws are just like my wife. They live every second that’s granted to them and try to give their best to everyone they meet. Persephone wasn’t afraid that I wouldn’t get along with them, but she never expected I would fit like a missing piece to the Brassard puzzle.
“Hey, I’ve been looking all over for you.” Persephone comes out of the house we rented for the annual Memorial Day week family vacation. It’s big enough, so we all can fit, and there’s a guest house, so her parents can have their own space. The last thing I want to see is my in-laws fucking.
“All tapped out from the Brassards?” she asks with a grin.
“Nah, you know I can keep up with them. I just wanted to enjoy the quiet night before we go back home tomorrow.”
“We can stay a few more days if you want to?”
“I only want to be with you,” I say, pulling her into my arms. She turns around and hugs me, her eyes shining with the reflection of the moon. “What are you thinking?”
“What if next year, it’s not only the two of us?”
“Do you want to bring Simon along?”
She shakes her head and smiles. “I was thinking a three-month-old baby … maybe four.”
“Are we?”
“Mom just looked at me and said, ‘You’re pregnant,’” she exclaims. “She might be wrong.”
“But she rarely is,” I conclude and kiss my wife, because this woman keeps giving me everything, and now, she’s giving me a family of our own.
“I love you—forever.”
Lovely,
* * *
Thank you so much for picking up a copy of Loved You Once. I am so grateful to have you as my reader and if you are new to me, I hope this is the beginning of our journey.
This book was my mental break from the world. Back in March, I was texting my best friend about romance/love in the time of COVID. I mean, really how can you date when you’re in quarantine. You can’t just meet anyone. There’s always the neighbor or texting someone by mistake… it can be via pm in an online chat room and maybe he’s your best friend or someone you know. The possibilities were endless but my characters spoke to me super fast.
Persy’s name … well, Stephanie Meyer revealed the cover for Midnight Sun and my middle child and I were discussing the pomegranate image and how we’re sure it has a relationship with Persephone, Hades and the seeds. We were discussing about how some people swear Persephone was taken while some of us are sure she went willingly.
It couldn’t be more perfect for my heroine I just typed my soul away. I had to write this book.
Wrong Text, Right Love wasn’t part of my 2020 schedule, but this year is definitely the year of the Unscheduled Agenda. I felt like I needed to escape into my super happy place and just write something light and fun.
Heather, my PR said, we can squeeze it if you can write it.
Let me tell you, it’s not always easy for me to write stories that are so new to me. I usually let them marinate in my head for months or years before I can say, “yes, it is ready to be written.” ((insert mad scientist laugh))
It just flowed naturally and if I had the time, I think I could write Nyx’s story too but now I have to concentrate on My Aldridge boys.
If you enjoy this book, I encourage you to review it on Bookbub, Goodreads, and all the main retailer where you purchased it. Your recommendation is what keeps my stories alive and make them successful.
Thank you again for reading Wrong Text, Right Love.
Sending all my love,
Claudia xoxo
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I’d like to thank God because he’s the one who allows me to be here and who gifts me the time, the creativity, and the tools to do what I love. Thank you for all the blessings in my life.
Thank you to my readers. I’m so grateful to have you in my life. The fact that you picked this book means a lot to me and makes it possible for me to continue my journey as an author.
To the husband, who is my biggest supporter and cheerleader. We might not exchange dirty texts anymore but we’re #livingourhappylife.
My super beta readers, you rock! Sandi, Melissa, Yolanda, Patricia, and Karen.
Casie, my PA who appeared like the best plot twist of my year. Words can’t express my gratitude. Everything you do is not only appreciated but cherished.
My Best Friend, pal, comadre, and everything in between, Kristi for always supporting me and proofreading this book, and listening to my crazy. Love you.
Hang Le, Thank you for always fitting me into your schedule and creating such an amazing pieces of art.
Becky Barney, thank you for being part of the team.
My amazing ARC team, girls you are an essential part of my team. Thank you for always being there for me. My Bookstagrammers, you rock!
To my Chicas! Thank you so much for your continuous support and for being there for me every day!
Thank you to all the bloggers who help me spread the word about my books. Thank you never cuts it just right, but I hope it’s enough.
To the readers, you guys are everything. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my words, spreading the word, and sending me messages about how much you love my characters or how the stories have touched your lives. It’s because of you that I can continue doing what I love.
Thank you for everything.
All my love,
Claudia xoxo
About the Author
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she’s the ruler of the house. She’s only partially right.
When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, I like to binge-watch shows with his equal geek husband.
To find more about Claudia:
website
Or come and hang out with her:
Reader group
Goodreads Group
Also By Claudia Burgoa
The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers Series
* * *
Loved You Once
A Moment Like You
(August 2020)
Defying Our Forever
(October 2020)
* * *
Standalones
* * *
Wrong Text, Right Love
Us After
You
Once Upon a Holiday
Someday, Somehow
Chasing Fireflies
Something Like Hate
Then He Happened
Maybe Later
My One Desire
My One Regret
Found
Fervent
Flawed
Until I Fall
Finding My Reason
Christmas in Kentbury
* * *
Chaotic Love Duet
Begin with You
Back to You
* * *
Unexpected Series
Uncharted
Uncut
Undefeated
Unlike Any Other
Decker the Halls
Wrong Text, Right Love Page 22