Review: A really good read.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 17, 2013
Back then Emmalina Carson was the shy teenager who had a big crush on her neighbor Cole Marlowe, he was 3 years older than her, and seemed more interested in her older sister Layla.  Fast forward to now Emma, and Cole bump into in a coffee shop Cole, for Emma all the feelings she had for Cole come flooding back, and for Cole, he now sees Emma in a new light she is so not that young awkward shy neighbor that he used to know. However, there is a problem, and would be Emma's sister Layla who has history will Cole and want him for herself.'Cole Marlow hadn't crossed her mind in a while. But just one look in to those blue gray eyes and she was weak in the knees again'.'Layla wasn't the Carson sister who would be on his mind all afternoon'.Emma is independent, confident, friendly, and working as a graphic designer, but painting is her real passion. I like Emma, but she was frustrating at times, and I really wanted to scream at her because of some of decision and choices she made. She is too worried about upsetting Layla she kept on putting Layla happiness before her own. Some things could have been avoided if Emma just said what she was thinking.'If she allowed herself to dip her toe into the water with Cole, she knew she would find herself struggling for air soon after. His effect on her had been the same for 12 years; he panties practically fell to the ground when he walked in the room.'Cole is good-looking, confident, caring and is working as a lawyer who has his own family secret. Cole wants to be with Emma wants to be more than friends; he doesn't care what his or her family thinks. I loved Cole, I loved how he never gives up, he is determined to show Emma that they should be together, even when Emma tries to push him away. I could feel his frustration at times with Emma"I can't f***ing stay away from you...... You're all I think about, Em By the time I get through with you, you won't want to see anyone else"~ Cole"I want you. Not just sex. I only want you, and not just tonight. Be with me" ~ColeI loved chemistry and the passion between Emma and Cole, they were really sweet together, the attraction was instant, but I liked how the friendship they have slowly developed into more.  They had their ups and down due to some misunderstandings, lack of communication, and family drama and I felt sorry for them at times."I can't believe the most beautiful, smart, compassionate girl in the world lived across the street from me when I was younger and I was too blind to see it" ~ Cole'Emma was breathless when she pulled away, looking up at him in a daze. She knew it wasn't her high school crush, but the man standing before her now, who was affecting her so deeply'.I enjoyed the storyline it was heart warming with some angst. It jumps between Now (the present) and Then (the past) which works really well, I felt I was really able to get to know Emma ad Cole and connect with their emotions.Secondary charters like Dani and Emma and Cole's parents were great, and I liked them a lot, but as for Layla, I wasn't really a fan didn't like the games she was playing, and the word bitch came to mind. She somewhat redeemed herself by the end but only slightly. But I have to admit their sibling rivalry did make me smile. Loved the Christmas Eve scene that made me really laugh, and so reminded me of an episode between my two sisters."Friends tell you what you want to here, .....Real friends tell you what you need to hear" ~Dani"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" ~ Em's mumOverall this was a fun sweet sexy read that I didn't want to put down. I had not read any of Brenda Rothert books before, and I'm really impressed. I liked the writing style. I thought the story flowed well and that he created characters that I warmed to. There was no cliffhanger ending, but also no epilogue, I didn't mind so much as I normally would because everything was tied up, and I was happy also I think we will get more of Emma and Cole in the next book Now and Again which is Layla's story, and if I'm honest even though I wasn't a fan of Layla I'm looking forward to reading.