Review: An absolute treasure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2012
Every once in a while I discover a book that speaks to me.  It has a wonderfully written heart-wrenching storyline, engaging dialogue, a hero and heroine who have the odds stacked against them and a supporting cast that feels like your best friends.  This was one of those books (and for the record, there have only been 2 in the past 5 years...this being one of them).Jake has a middle school crush on Angie and couldn't think of a way to get her to notice him.  When she does notice him, in high school, it's only as a friend.  But then by the beginning of their senior year of high school, the best thing happens to Jake and he's dating Angie.  He loves her with all his heart, but he's also scared about the feelings and what that means.Angie may have played hard to get with Jake, but she was absolutely in love with him and knew that he was her life.  She was planning her future and never for a minute doubted what she thought were plans that both she and Jake wanted.  When she finds out that Jake lies to her and changes their plans without talking to her, she's devastated.This teenage heartbreak molds both Angie and Jake as they move into adulthood.  Neither of them are able to hold meaningful relationships with anyone, tainted by what happened between them as teenagers.  Angie, who is still best friends with her high school best friend, won't even travel to her old hometown because of the reminders.It takes the skillful deception of their friends and one goddaughter to bring Jake and Angie face to face.  While things don't go as planned, reading what unravels between the two of them is riveting...to the point you have to wonder what else they're going to have to deal with.Wonderfully written, with engaging characters and an emotionally charged storyline.