Review: Great characters, great story, excellent book
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 14, 2013
I love books about characters with a crush or an attraction that started in high school or college and comes to a head when the characters are reacquainted later in life. Even better if the person in question happens to have been dating a friend or a relative way back when. The object of the crush is forbidden fruit. That is absolutely the case here. Emma has always had a crush on Cole, the boy next door. But, Cole was dating her sister, Layla, and she didn't stand a chance... then. Now's a different story.Emma has grown out of the shy, awkward teenager she once was. She spent time at art school in Paris. She dated and slept around. She's a successful graphic designer now. Emma's one major flaw is that she continues to seek the approval of her sister, Layla. Layla is a royal b***h. She's selfish. I found no redeeming qualities in Layla. She's used to getting what she wants, regardless of who might get hurt in the process. What she wants now is a husband. Sure, she's content to sleep around until she finds a husband, and that's fine, though it makes her more than a little hypocritical later in the story. When Cole enters the sisters' lives again, Layla decides they're long overdue for a reunion. She'll get him."When you girls get ready to settle down, I want you to remember how important it is that you choose a man who will be your partner in every way," their mother said earnestly. "Don't settle for attraction or money, because you'll be sorry if you do. Choose someone who's your best friend."There's one big obstacle in her way, however: Emma. When Cole and Emma run into each other in the present day, he realizes she's so much more than "Layla's little sister." But, he knew she should be off-limits. Their families are very close friends and it seems as though both sets of parents are secretly hoping Cole and Layla will get back together. He can't deny the pull he feels to Emma, though. They begin to hang out innocently enough, at first, but it doesn't take long for their chemistry and feelings for each other to overrule their better judgement. Emma insists they keep their relationship a secret. She doesn't want to hurt her sister or disappoint her family. Cole's hurt, but he agrees to play along. For awhile anyhow."Are you nuts? He wants you to claim him, Emma. Men need that. Be proud he's yours. If I was with Cole, I'd be wearing a t-shirt with his picture on it while tap dancing his name in Morse code."Emma's insistence on keeping their relationship a secret seemed silly to me - just like it did to her friend, Dani. Cole's a catch. He's a hot-shot lawyer, he's gorgeous, he treats Emma well and he wants to make their relationship public. They have a deep attraction and a ton of chemistry. But, Emma's still seeking her sister's approval and she doesn't want anything to get in the way of that. Not that Layla deserves a man like Cole, but that's just my opinion. Layla can play her sister like a fiddle. She lies and manipulates. She doesn't know that Emma and Cole are dating, but she sees that he pays more attention to Emma than she likes. She grossly exaggerates any interactions she has with him and Emma is soon doubting Cole's feelings and intentions. This puts a strain on their relationship. As you can well imagine, secrets don't stay secret for long. Layla's been lying to her sister for years. Emma's been lying to Layla and her parents about Cole. Cole has been keeping a secret about his sister from Emma.To say I enjoyed this book would be a gross understatement. I was enthralled with it. I admired Emma. I lusted after Cole. I wanted to slap Layla silly. Each of these characters brought something unique to the story. This one gave me everything I want in a book: love, friendship, lust, lies, family and STEAM! I know the next book in the series, Now and Again, is Layla's book. I have reservations about this one just because I felt so strongly against her in this book. But, I enjoy Brenda's writing so much that I simply have to read it. Maybe I'll find something about Layla that I can appreciate. Plus, hopefully there will be an appearance or two by Emma and Cole.***I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.***