Review: 4.5 stars! Loved Kai!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 20, 2014
Rachel's life was destroyed in an instant three years ago. Her whole life changed and she needed time to recover. Then she made her escape to a new life in college. She lost her boyfriend and left her best friends, Dakota and her brother Kai, and Shane. She met new friends Avery and Ella in college, but she did not share her past pain and tried to be a new person. She kept up a facade as a more outgoing flirt with a penchant for jocks. But now she is home again with her old friends and back to being that girl she was before she left.Kai was there for her during the hardest time in her life and developed feelings for his sister's best friend. After they went their separate ways, he tried to forget her, but it was difficult. And now that they are back together for the summer, it is impossible to ignore the feelings he has been carrying around for her. But his life is a mess and he knows he is not good enough. He is rough, tatted, pierced, and loves music. A far cry from the preppy jocks that seem to be her type. And he does not think she feels the same way about him.But as they spend more time together she is remembering how Kai has always been there for her. She begins to start seeing him as more than a friend, but someone she is attracted to that really knows and cares about her. But Rachel is a girl who lost her way. She has put up walls and kept people out. Her personality had undergone changes over the years and she is trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in.It is confusing for both of them navigating between the attraction they are feeling and resolve it with their past friendship. Kai won me over early on. He was so sweet, protective, and had such strong feelings. But he was totally vulnerable, had fears, insecurities, and was afraid to scare her away. He also had a lot of guilt. I loved that in this story, it was the guy who held the torch for years. And she really had no idea how he felt since he had hidden it so well. They both had crutches to help them cope with their issues and the void in their lives.But she has kept secrets from him, her old friends, and new friends. She has to deal with her worlds colliding and coming clean to all involved. She really needs an anchor and to let someone really in. And he needs to find direction for his life. He needs passion and purpose to overcome feeling numb. And their decisions do not only affect themselves but also their whole support system.Their connection was sweet and built on history. I loved how Kai had been there for her in various capacities and really knew how she had changed. Together their sexual tension and chemistry was hot. And his dirty talking was so in contrast to his soft, sweet side. But their communication seemed to be really good in some ways and lacking in others. So they were often confused about the others' intentions. And their lives and goals were not always compatible.Can they overcome all of the obstacles, open up, and make it more than just a summer secret fling?This is the first book I have read in this series, but I had no trouble reading it as a stand alone. I enjoyed her friends from college, Avery and Ella, even though I have not read their books in this series(but now I want to). And I liked their best friends Shane and Dakota. I would to see their full story in another book. There also seemed to be a little tease with his cousin Nate and a girl named Jessie.I really liked Christina Lee's writing style. It flowed well, sucked me in, and kept me enthralled in their story. It was told in both points of view which was very important due to their confusion and hidden feelings. The characters were complex and well developed. The plot line was interesting. Overall it was an engaging story about friendship, love, and finding your own way. It was funny, sexy, sweet, and Kai was totally swoonworthy.I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.