![]() ![]() The conflicts, family dynamics and resolutions were deftly addressed without a lot of unnecessary drama and with an authenticity I found refreshing. While it was primarily Garrett’s story to tell, the heart of it belonged to Devlyn. I really loved this story and especially Devlyn who loved both Garrett and Mia fiercely and unselfishly. The angst she later experienced was natural given the human condition and was realistically portrayed. Devlyn’s feelings never wavered and Garrett was the one most surprised by the awakening of his latent feelings for her. There’s something beautiful about two friends who love and respect each other deeply changing the direction to intimacy. I loved their relationship and how it slowly (and I mean slowly!) transitioned to something more. Without both perspectives providing clarity, their long-term friendship without benefits may have seemed highly improbable but it made perfect sense given the small town community, his total commitment to his daughter and her absolute fear of ruining their friendship. The story is told from Garrett and Devlyn’s points of view and that made such a difference. Garrett devoted his life to his daughter from the day she was born, with Devlyn being a major fixture in their lives. He’s now 34-years old and Mia has just graduated from high school and headed for college. Sheena gave birth to Mia and walked away that same day, leaving Garrett to raise his daughter on his own. When beautiful Sheena reluctantly accompanies her family to the town for the summer, she hones in on Garrett right away, thus beginning an intense relationship that ends with a pregnancy that shattered his life. He and Devlyn Drake have known each other since they were five years old and she’s secretly crushed on him ever since. He was handsome and popular with a bright future ahead of him. Garrett Hollis had it all as a sixteen year old athlete in small town Eden Valley. So do read a few more reviews before you decide on whether to read it or not. Still, a lot of people will love it, and they should. Had the daughter been younger, and not so many years had passed, I probably would have given this one a much higher rating. So yea, it was pretty much the timeline, and the fact I couldn't help but feel that the heroine was a self-sacrificing doormat, that did this one in for me. Nor did find it remotely believable that after 20 years this hero all of a sudden saw the heroine as more than a friend. All these things made it extra hard for me to feel a connection between Garrett and Devlyn. Nor the way too often mentions of what he did with OW (and he wasn't even a manwhore, but it got repeated way too many times). Nor the plethora of OW that show up to date the hero. I also wasn't a fan of the letters by Mia's Mom (or her coming back into the story to cause a bunch of ridiculous drama). You are adults, just be upfront! As well as the whole "she wants kids he doesn't" thing that should have been resolve before even starting a relationship (IMO). The whole "keeping the fact they were together a secret" from everyone, seemed entirely unnecessary. Then BAM figuratively out of the blue he is all over her like white on rice? Since I was already annoyed about the above stuff, I started to get extra prickly, and a lot of things started to annoy me more and more. On top of that, we have a hero that not once thought of the heroine as more than a friend (and quite frankly took advantage of her friendship) for 20+ years. She just pathetically sat on the sidelines while Garrett lived his oan. She gave up opportunities because Garret and Mia needed her. And of course, she has had nothing but shitty relationships. She sees him going into the house of his Thursday night hookup. ![]() She sees him ask out, fall in love with, and knock up Mia's mother. ![]() That said, as soon as I found out the hero's daughter was 17/18, and not a young child (as the cover suggested), I knew this was going to be a struggle for me to get through because now we have a heroine that has been pining for this hero for 20+ years. The flashbacks of Garrett and Mia were cute. It wasn't a bad book by any means (hence the 3-Stars). Sigh.I don't really have much to say about this book. ![]()
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