ARC Review: Can't Let Go by Michelle Lynn

Can't Let Go by Michelle Lynn was a lot different than what I had expected going into the book. I hadn't read the previous three books in the series, and although I didn't have any problems understanding this story I think it did affect how I went into this book. I had been expecting more of a rock star story about friends who find their way to love, but this book was completely different. I liked both Chrissy and Dex, and I felt like they really deserved some happiness together after everything that they had been through. But I also really loved the secondary characters as well and can't wait to go back and read their stories as well as get Rob's story next. I can't wait to see more of him after reading Can't Let Go.

Dex and Chrissy grew up spending every other weekend hanging out with each other while their fathers left them to gamble. While Dex would return home to his mother's house after, Chrissy was stuck with her father. Dex and Chrissy's lives played out completely different and while they did have some things in common, Dex had a whole other life that Chrissy couldn't relate to at all. When Dex leaves for college, him and Chrissy lose touch for several years until one day she resurfaces and calls him out of the blue. Needing help, she asks Dex to come to her and he ends up providing a place for her to stay while she gets back on her feet. When the two sides of Dex's life collide, Chrissy discovers that she doesn't know this Dex and the boy she once knew is now completely changed. But the attraction and chemistry between them is still the same, even if they have never acted on it. Dex doesn't do love and commitment, but for the first time in his life he is beginning to think of a future with someone as long as it is Chrissy. Can Chrissy and Dex find a way to take their friendship to the next level and have a future together, or will their lives be too different for them to take that step together?

I liked both Dex and Chrissy. These two had a ton of history and had grown up being best friends and sharing something that most people would never understand. Dex had two different lives, and they didn't mesh at all. Even though he always cared for Chrissy and Chrissy cared for him, they knew that those two sides of his life just didn't fit together and that also meant that things with Chrissy were always a certain way. I did have a few things with Dex that I didn't care for, and I thought that he made some huge mistakes with Chrissy. He wanted her in his life forever and was determined to always have her as a friend, and yet he didn't try very hard to make sure that she knew that. He would push her away and lose touch with her, and just let her run every time. I also really didn't like that even though he knew his feelings for Chrissy were changing and that he was scared that he continued to let things happen with Sam. That really bothered me, and I think that it was unfair to Chrissy and Sam both. I thought that Chrissy was independent and smart and she did what she could with the life she had been dealt. She didn't like to take anything from anyone and was determined to make it on her own, and I wish she would have accepted help a little easier especially from Dex. But she really started to allow others in as the book progressed and it was nice to see her getting over that. I was glad that she never gave up on Dex and that they never lost their connection no matter what happened. These two were meant to be together and that was clear from the start.

I also really loved the way that Michelle Lynn told their story. It was great to see how they met for the very first time and how their friendship and the love between them grew and changed over the years. I loved seeing them as children and getting the whole picture on their past as well as the present, and it really just solidified how strong the bond between these two was. I do wish that it wouldn't have taken so long for Dex to really wake up, but I am glad that he cared so much about Chrissy to want her in his life always even if he went about it wrong. I could have done without the portions of him and Sam because I really felt like when he was with her he almost seemed to forget about Chrissy and I felt like that hurt the relationship between him and Chrissy. It was hard to believe that if he really loved her that much that he wouldn't be thinking of Chrissy instead. I did love Rob though, and I thought that his friendship with Chrissy was one of the best parts of this book. He was there for her when she needed someone, and I thought that he was so sweet with her. He really showed her a different side to himself that he didn't show to others, and he was able to help her get through some tough times. I can't wait to read his story next and get to know him even better. Despite the few issues I had with this story, I would still recommend this one and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I think that NA fans will enjoy Dex and Chrissy's story especially if they are fans of Michelle Lynn and her Invisibles series.

**ARC Provided by Book Plug Promotions**

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