(Second-chance romance, forbidden love, older brother’s best friend)
A promise written on a coaster.
A lost night in a dark room.
Grayson Bennett was my brother’s best friend.
He was all of my firsts.
Then he went away…
Drew Harris was just a kid, a senior in high school, my best friend’s little sister.
They said she was too young to know her feelings.
I was too old to have them, so I left to … know her feelings.
I was too old to have them, so I left to join the military.
Four years passed.
Loss, injury, angry words I can never take back…
I’m home, but I’m not the same.
Neither is she.
Now she’s a woman with flashing blue eyes, long blonde hair, and gorgeous curves.
Still, she’s the same sweet smile, the same sassy mouth…
I could never say No to her before.
I should for her sake.
She deserves better than what I’ve become, scarred and damaged.
“They told me to stay away from you.
I went away to try… God, I tried.
Now everything has changed. I’m back, and
I’ll do whatever it takes to make you mine…”
(A full-length, STAND-ALONE CONTEMPORARY romance about first love, redemption, and finding your way home. No cheating; No cliffhangers.)
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This was one of the most emotional second chance romances I’ve read in possibly ever. Gray won my heart from the beginning, always being a hero & protector to Drew since she was 8 years old. Drew is this amazing woman with an amazing heart. Different backgrounds, connected through her brother, in a small town that’s set in its ways. But they have some fierce love going on. There were definite hard times (not gonna lie, this book brought me to tears more than once) and heart break, and healing and love. Overall, Tia Louise wrote a heart breaking, heart warming, full on love fest of a book that will draw you in from her first words
Drew and Gray are sure to steal your heart. They quickly became one of my favorite couples. The commitment and love was strong from the beginning. They time apart makes your love grow finder and theirs certainly did. My heart ached for Gray and I was angry on his behalf most of the time. That’s how you can tell it’s a great book when you want to fight for them like their your true friends. I hope evergreens this and dives in or your truly missing out.
Drew and Grayson are what older brother’s best friend romance is all about. The slightly forbidden, the long term friendship that becomes more and the inevitable heartbreak.
I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between the characters, it made their relationship feel very real, you could see it had developed over years of growing up together. Getting Grayson’s POV really helped me very quickly warm to him. Drew is a strong, wise beyond her years character that I loved. There are tough subjects explored in this one including PTSD & alcoholism and the author handled them beautifully.
I got very emotional at points in this story and really felt for everyone involved. Grayson’s gruffness and vulnerability really endeared him to me. And Drew’s compassion and strength made me admire her. Add in their sexual chemistry and you’ve got a very REAL love story. Definitely recommend.
Such a beautiful story about two people who go through a lot to finally end up together.
I’m not sure how it’s possible that this is my first Tia Louise book but it sure as hell won’t be my last. This book was pulling my heart all over the place. It could feel the struggle that Gray and Drew had to go through. My heart was breaking while reading his struggles how to keep her safe. But what I loved most was her love for him. I loved that she wouldn’t give up even when everything and everyone was suggesting otherwise.
Tia Louise has just make a new fan and I’m super excited for Ruby and Remy’s story. I have a feeling were in for a hot ride
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
What a roller coaster ride of emotions this newest book by Tia Louise took me on. Grayson and Drew’s journey to their happily ever after was bumpy. They knew each other as kids, Drew was Grayson’s best friend’s little sister, their story was the forbidden kind. Grayson is constantly reminded how he is not good enough and is even threatened to keep his hands off of her, but with their chemistry, it was inevitable. When Drew turned 16 and Gray 20, they finally gave into their feelings, but had to hide it from everyone. I was so angry with how Gray was treated in town, this eventually made Gray realize he really was not good enough. So when he and Danny, Drew’s brother, have orders to serve 4 years overseas, even though Gray promises to return to Drew, he told her to move on. My heart broke for Gray with what he endured while serving. There were a few scenes with Danny that made me cringe, again with emotions all over the place, I was angry, and then so much sadness. Gray finally returns home, but he has changed, he is suffering from PTSD and is so lost. He still feels like Drew can have better than him, but when she finally gives up and tries to move on, Gray is reminded what Drew really means to him and knew he could not let her go. But again, the feelings of unworthiness rears its ugly head, but this time Drew refuses to give up.
I debated quite a bit on what to rate this book. I really had some issues with the townsfolk, Danny and their father. They made me so angry! But both Drew and Gray had such strength and compassion and the love they had for each other made this a 4-star read for me.