Blush: This is a suggestive romance (love scenes are not graphic).
Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw … raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.
Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick’s abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.
Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick’s abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she’s starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she’s content if not happy — until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He’s back…and he’s not alone.
Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she’s built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson’s death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.
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I’ve heard many great things about this book, and I was not disappointed. While this is a romance at the core of the book, there are so many outlining things happening throughout. While any sexual content is toned down and is a pretty clean read, there are some subject matters included that may not be suitable for younger readers. This book has …
4.5 stars
What I loved most about this book is seeing Alix and Nick meet, and grow up together. I just have a thing for childhood friends turn to lovers. Nick was so protective and took on the world. Alix was a special little girl with such a big heart. These two were great together but I was annoyed by a couple of Nick’s decisions. However it …
A long time ago this book was super popular. Every time I logged into Goodreads, I saw another friend reading this. Each and every one of them loved it. If there was anyone that didn’t love it, I just don’t remember that. But me, well…call me a rebel, but since it was so hot and EVERYONE was reading it…I avoided it. I’d seen so much about it that …