Review: 3.5 solid stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 20, 2014
Ryland and Pepper were high school sweethearts, making plans to stay together after graduation and Ry goes away to college on a scholarship. But everyone said she wasn’t good for him, and when there’s some major trouble what they say about Pepper seems to be true.Six years go by. Star-student Ryland never gets out. Never goes to college. The reader doesn’t know why or what happened that fateful night when everything fell apart. But as the truth is slowly revealed, it’s easy to feel sympathetic toward Ry and even Pepper.I liked the story, and I was convinced that Ry still loved her after six years, even though he had some things he had to say first. But like matches and gasoline ;) -- another tragedy strikes, forcing Ry, Pepper and Pepper’s sister Hadley on the run.The second half of the book had a nice fast pace, and the story kept moving along. And even though circumstances are very dire for all of them, it gives Ry and Pepper time to reconnect.. and reconnect… *wink*. There’s some heat there!The final resolution of their plight is a bit unbelievable and left me a bit conflicted as to whether the ends justifies the means. But since this is a HEA, it’s all good.Overall, I liked the characters, the fast pace and the slightly unpredictable plot. A solid 3.5 for me, with an honorable mention for a very hot cover.