☆ AN AMAZON TOP 10 BESTSELLER & USA Today “Must Read” ROMANCE! ☆The boy next door. That’s what he was. Dash Frasier–my hero from the day we met, when I was six and he was nine. His sister was my best friend, the three of us one happy crew. Then one sweaty summer night changed everything.No one understood me like Dash. No one made me feel so loved. That’s why, when he skipped town, it … one made me feel so loved. That’s why, when he skipped town, it wrecked me.
Now I’m older. Wiser. I’ve just snagged my dream job, writing at a film studio. The lead animator on my project? You guessed it.
He’s not the boy next door. Not anymore.
I’m guarding my heart this time.
But Dash has secrets that could break us both.
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A second chance, childhood friends to lovers romance with secrets and twists galore.
Dash and Amelia were childhood neighbors, and Dash’s sister was Amelia’s childhood best friend. He’s a smidge older, goes to college, and returns for the summer- and the two share a steamy night. Things got derailed, and Dash leaves down, breaking Amelia’s heart. Flashforward a few years later, the two reconnect as their professional lives cross, and this is our story.
The chemistry is still there, but Amelia is guarding her shattered heart from further hurt from Dash, and Dash has some secrets that prevent him from thinking he is even worthy of Amelia’s affections.
I loved the early chapters most- younger Dash and Amelia, watching the angst in their early feelings. As adults, they are both so fearful of emotionally connecting to each other- despite their physical attraction- you can just SENSE the foreboding. The secrets we don’t know but are a cloud over this reconnection relationship- challenging because it is the kind of secret you need trust to reveal but also the secret hinders the feeling of true trust as these two evolve their relationship.
This is not a “find it our early” and the rest of the book deals with it kind of secret story- it is held onto- even as you start to see the impact it has on Dash and his complex emotions surrounding it- why he doesn’t feel worthy, what he doesn’t’ want to share with her.
Dash and Amelia were wonderful together. They balance one another, and the relationship they have from their shared past is a bond that you are not able to break, which is a good thing. You sense his attraction to her from the beginning, you can tell that he is holding back, that he wants more with her, but feels that he can’t go there. To me, that was a challenge- juxtaposing this emotional, sensitive secret with the physicality of their relationship – I wanted to swim in the emotional journey of that a smidge more, while I also understand why it can’t be revealed too early. I felt the emotional connection, however, and the book is steamy and keeps you turning the pages.
This was a sweet romance, very angsty and heartbreaking. Great character development and believable plotline. I was really hoping for an HEA and for a while there, I wasn’t so sure I was going to get one. In the end, it was happily ever after for Dash and Am, so I was quite pleased.
OK lets talk about this book . I enjoyed the concept of this book and loved the characters. Dash is a perfect friend up until the day he isn’t anymore. Amelia was in love with Dash for awhile , but he was one of her best friends and also her best friends brother that makes him off limits. However that doesn’t stop them one night when Amelia gives Dash everything and what does he do but destroy her . .
Years later guess who is back in the picture , Dash. Can Amelia forgive him or will Dash’s secrets ruin them both .
I am a big fan of Ella James and the way she writes. I love how she pulls you in and gives you a little bit of mystery to hang on to. If you love those types of stories then this book is for you .
This book was definitely unexpected. I cried throughout the entire book. The love/loss felt between the characters is palpable. I definitely did not see the ending coming. Don’t judge this book by it’s cover. I actually almost did not read it because of the cover. This one is worth the read!
This is a book about a childhood love.. a little girl name Amelia who just lost somebody close to her…. meeting a boy and his sister whom she had the biggest crush…
Dash… a sweet boy who grow up to be charming sexy next door guy 😉 time create story.. memories… as well as lie.. secret and fear.
I love on how Ella wrote the story…the chemistry between Dash and Amelia is sexy.. sweet and hopeful in a sense… a girl who fell in love since she was a little girl..there is so much emotions…
Young love can be cruel…deceiving and hurt…
Ella.. its an unexpect twist.. didnt see it coming.. 😉 such a great read… thank you for the chance
Boy this book had my emotions all over the place and was worth every turn of the page, what a great book!! Looking forward to reading more of Ella James.
Really enjoy Ella James’s well written stories and characters!!