After a horrible relationship in her past, Alexa Reed doesn't go out or date anymore. She has no interest in going out but when her friends talk her into going out for her best friend Luke's birthday she can't say no. She literally runs into the hot and notoriously single Julian the owner of the nightclub where Luke works. There is an instant attraction and connection between them and the two find themselves thinking of each other constantly. As Julian tries to get to know Alexa, things between them are far from easy. They are both used to not being committed to anyone, and they both have secrets in their past. But they both realize that what they are feeling is beyond just physical and make an effort to try and let each other in and move forward together. But they both have insecurities and their relationship must survive more than just themselves. When outside influences continue to threaten their relationship they must learn to trust one another and be honest about everything.
I really liked Julian. At first he comes off as an arrogant player used to getting what he wants. But he was so different with Alexa. He was patient and kind and gave her so many chances to work through her issues and see that he was really interested in a future with her. I loved that he never gave up on her and that he was truly interested in seeing where things would take them. He was always honest with Alexa, and I thought that it made him so much easier to like. Alexa had a lot of issues. She was fun and easy going at times, but she was also really vulnerable because of her past and would freak out and run easily. You could tell that she really wanted to see where things with Julian would go, but she was already really scared and had a hard time letting anyone in and trusting them. I really loved that although she was still struggling with things all the way through that she was also making progress and Julian was helping her to heal and move forward. It was so real and believable because it didn't happen overnight. They had amazing chemistry together and were always hot with one another. But I really enjoyed seeing them begin to develop feelings for one another and start to let each other in. They had a great connection, and I loved seeing different sides of each one that they only shared with each other.
I will admit that when I started this book, I was really expecting to love Luke and be on his team the whole way through. But Julian was impossible not to fall for, and I really loved his character. Both Alexa and Julian had moments that weren't their best and their actions could have been better. But they worked through them and never gave up. I ended up really thinking that Alexa belongs with Julian, and was surprised by Luke. I was really disappointed with his actions and think that he made some seriously bad choices. I understand his motivation and the feelings behind what he did, but I was really frustrated with him because he had waited too long and I felt like Alexa was right in that he just didn't like seeing her with someone else. I had a hard time believing that his feelings for her were beyond friendship and it was more that he was just jealous. I was not ready for this book to be over, and I really need to know what happens next. I will admit that I thought that the push and pull got a bit old after awhile, and I am hoping that it doesn't become a problem throughout this series for me. I know that there are at least two more books planned for this series, and I am really curious to see how that will play out. I am hoping for the best and that it doesn't continue with the hot and cold because I am just not sure that I can take it. I find myself getting irritated if the back and forth goes on for too long, and I think a lot of times that it is just added for extra drama and can really distract from the story. So I will be curious to see how things continue. I will also say that I didn't care for how detailed things were at times, especially when it came to the descriptions of everyone's clothing and the brands they were wearing. It was a bit ridiculous at times, and I didn't need several paragraphs full of those details. I found myself just not caring about that stuff and would feel the need to skim each one after the first few times it happened. I am curious to see where things go though, and will definitely be interested to read more from Hilary Wynne in the future. I would recommend this series if you are looking for a sexy story about characters with painful pasts learning to love again and heal.
**Review Copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours**
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Great review, Casey! I like the sounds of this one especially how realistic the characters all sound. And I can really never get enough of the broken characters who find each other storyline! :)
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