Review: 4 1/2 stars for sweet, loving, engaging book!! Enjoyed it to the last sentence!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 8, 2013
Lindsay Ross is returning to a small town in NY after dropping out of college due to a 'situation' (trying not to reveal too much of the book). Since it is a small town, it takes no time for her to run into her old boyfriend, Grady Hawke. When Lindsay with 16 and visiting her aunt for the summer, she fell in love with a 19 year old Grady. They declared their love for each other and agreed to spend the rest of their lives together.Lindsay dumps Grady via email 3 months after she leaves the town to go back for school and Grady is devastated.Seeing Lindsay again (5 years later), he is just angry and pissed off.This book reunites the two characters, reveals the true reason for Lindsay leaving, and gives these two love birds their well deserved HEA.Even though this book is in a series, it can be read as a stand alone book.It was very sweet. This is not a book to be read for it's sex scenes (although I think there are a few, I can't remember since it wasn't important for this book).I hopped onto the website immediately to write this review because I had a huge smile on my face after I finished.It's not a complicated book with angsty issues, nor with major plot twists. I genuinely cared about the characters (as well as the other non-main characters as well) and enjoyed reading about them. Wanted to see them happy at the end.What did I like most?- The characters. Yes, Grady is a bit of a tool when Lindsay returns to the town, but it shows how hurt he was. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have done anything. He was immature, but he is also only 24. He redeems himself 100% by how he treats her after they reconcile. He 100% loving, caring, loyal and kind. Lindsay is also sweet. She was only 16 when she left, so to expect her to have been more forthright, stronger or rebellious would have been difficult for a girl so young. She takes Grady's anger in stride and when she finally explains, she handles everything going forward perfectly.- The other characters. They all add to the book. Round out the town, plot and depth to main characters.- Love story itself. The reunited young lovers was so well done. Thought it flowed easily without major silly interruptions in the form of silly ex's, major misunderstandings, overreactions, etc. Just smooth and easy.- The pseudo-villain stays villainous. I like that the 'bad' person doesn't do a 180 degree change and is all wonderful and supportive. The villain stays mean. Cool. That's reality for ya.- The happy ending. I love how happy the happy ending was. Again, smiles.What I didn't enjoy about this book.....- How angry Grady was. It didn't make me mad. But I was surprised at the level of his anger, even after 5 years. Am surprised that a 19 year old could truly have fallen in love like that. I could see him avoiding her and being hurt, but his anger was pretty strong. That was a bit surprising.This book is light, sweet and easy to read. I didn't give it 5 stars because I wish Lindsay's family of origin was more flushed out - didn't feel we knew her super well. But 4 1/2 because if you take it for what it is, a light romance - then it fits that bill. Every romance doesn't need to be heavy. Let's enjoy a light one as much as the heavies.Enjoy!