Review: One of the best holiday novellas I've ever read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 17, 2013
"Places are like time capsules, I think. Right now I'm transported to two years ago when Sawyer and I used to sit here under this blanket and watch the ocean and talk. Or sometimes we wouldn't. He's the only person I've ever met that I can be completely silent with and it's not awkward."Ivy Emerson is a small-town girl who has spent the last couple years in New York City after escaping her small-town California upbringing. Now she finds herself back in her hometown after being guilted into coming home for the holidays by her mother. To make matters worse, she's run into her first love, Sawyer McCallister, the only person she is sad to have left behind. He's back in town after the death of his father. Suddenly, being home for the holidays isn't looking like such a bad option."Sawyer stares down at me and something shifts and then his lips are on my lips, like two magnets being drawn together. Can't stop it, can't fight it. Let it happen."It's obvious from the minute they set eyes on each other again that their feelings for each other are still incredibly strong. The chemistry and sexual tension between them leaps from the pages. I adored both of these characters. I connected with Ivy immediately, but was able to see Sawyer's side of the story too. They were so obviously right for each other. I wanted them to stop fighting it and give in. The novella was incredibly well-written and I found myself simultaneously wanting to reach the end to see what happened and never wanting it to end. As much as I loved this as a novella, I would have loved it more as a full-length novel. There was just something about these characters."Not much has changed. The more time I spend with him, the more I realize that. They say time heals, but time doesn't make you forget."This was a beautiful and heartwarming novella about true love and second chances. I found myself completely sucked into Ivy and Sawyer's story. This story made me really emotional. I guess it hit a little close to home. I loved the way their families rallied around them, realizing they belong together and trying to gently nudge them towards each other. There was a lot of emotion and passion in these 72 pages. I definitely had a case of the warm fuzzies when I finished it.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.