If there is a theme in this series I'd say it's how FREAKING ADORABLE all these couples are. This one was a DELICOUS slow burn best friends to lovers which is my absolute favorite trope. I read it in one sitting not wanting to put it down (also why I timed it on the weekend ;)). Skyler and Clark might seem to be polar opposites but I don't think they are and if they are they totally and absolutely complete each other.
Skyler and Clark first met when they were 12 years old at gymnastics. Though they come from VERY different backgrounds they hit it off from the start. They might have not realized it at the time but they were each other's first crush. When Clark's parents saw the class brought somethings they weren't so pleased with they pull him out of the class and that's the last they see of one another until a very familiar face pops up on Skyler's Instagram.
The years went by, they grew up into the men their mothers shaped them to be - Skyler's mom has always been hard working but having him at 17, she worked at bars to make ends meet - which wasn't easy, they are best friends but sometimes he feels like the parent, especially with her always falling for the wrong guy, giving her heart away only to get it back broken to pieces. Skyler might be working basically in the same field his mother did in a bar/club - as a dancer - but he won't be following in her footsteps were men are concerned. Commitment isn't for him. Clark is a serious 24 years old working for him family's real-estate investment company. The only thing missing in his life is a life-partner. Unlike Skyler he is looking for "The One" to start a family with. Clubs and hooking up simply isn't for him. But when they meet after all these years the spark that was always there returns in an instant.
Their lunch turn into so much more when, well, let's just say Skyler needs to deal with a true emergency and Clark offers his help no questions asked. This is how they find themselves spending quite a lot of time together. They might want different things but it's hard to ignore the attraction. But they shouldn't act upon it, not if they want to keep the friendship they missed all these years.
I think they don't even share a kiss in the first half of the book. They spend time together, getting to know each other as adults and anyhow better than they did back then. Skyler's colorful personality makes Clark step out of his comfort zone and explore parts of himself he never allowed himself. For Skyler, Clark's stability has a grounding effect. It allows him to try and take steps to improve his life and take them to where he wants to be/go. He might enjoy his job but it's not what he wants (and expects) himself to be doing for the rest of his life. Skyler and Clark believes in each other. It was beautiful seeing how they see each other and how expressing these views to each other changes how they see themselves.
Though they don't want to admit it for a LONG while it's obvious they are falling for one another (I'd say even before the first kiss). Clark is reluctant to even dream Skyler will change his mind and TRY to give them a chance. Skyler on the other hand is SO AFRAID of his feelings towards Clark, especially with his mother having at least two breakups just during the few months they reconnect. He doesn't want to turn INTO his mother (especially with how similar they can be).
The mother theme is pretty huge in this one. I really likes how Christina and Riley spun the whole thing. I think you should just keep in mind - no one is perfect and everyone is doing the best the can and what they think is the best thing for themselves and the people they care about. So don't go looking for villains.
I simply ADORE these sugar filled stories and getting the two other couples as well was more than a treat. I hope Christina and Riley will be gifting us with more of these.
HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMENDED!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.
She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.
Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.
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Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.
Now I live in the Midwest with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I've been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn't until I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that I realized I could turn the fairytales inside my head into the reality of writing fiction.
I write Adult, New Adult, and M/M Contemporary Romance. I'm addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. I believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.
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 | Rating: ★★★★★ | E-Book Edition | 297 pages | Read on: 19 March 2021 |  |  |
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