⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. An emotional journey about a love that grew despite all the doubts and insecurities that got in the way.

When Gabrielle Solomon falls, she falls hard. Even if that means literally toppling over a porch railing in nothing but a flimsy towel, right in front of her sexy new neighbor. Jay Stetson is 100 percent hero material with those arms, that chest, and his deliciously oh-so-sexy smirk. The chiseled hunk in flannel has an irresistible off-limits attitude while plucking Gabrielle out of the bushes and saving her from a snake. Unfortunately, he’s not indulging in what Gabrielle is offering, not with his emotional train wreck of a past. Just neighbors. Just friends. Or so he says. Secretly, he’s smitten with the single, fierce mama bear of two who plays Miss Fix-It at the house next door. He doesn’t even really mind the noise or the chaos her young sons cause. What he does mind is how his lonely heart races when looking into her emerald-colored eyes. Can Jay let his painful memories go, or will he let the woman of his dreams slip between his fingers?

MY THOUGHTS

With that hilarious opening scene, we were introduced to Gabby and Jay and learned quite a bit about their living situations. But Jay was markedly closed-off, grumpy, and really not ready for Gabby. I have to admit, I was not that enamored of him at the start. His hot-and-cold attitude towards Gabby and her boys just became increasingly frustrating.

I really felt for Gabby. She was slowly getting ready to move on, but her two boys and her concerns for their wellbeing made that more complicated. There was an immediate and undeniable attraction between her and Jay, but their personal baggage was like an obstacle course that looked to be an insurmountable challenge.

It was painful to experience all these roller coaster feelings with Gabby and Jay, and more notably from Dylan. Jay had the most trouble overcoming his hangups, but his capitulation was sweet indeed. Gabby’s sister and friends added some much-needed levity and I enjoyed their shenanigans.

I can recommend this if you like a romance that is hard won, with flawed characters and plenty of introspection. See what other readers are saying on Goodreads.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 17, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Tropes: Grumpy Neighbor, Single Mom, Small Town, Neighbors to Lovers