A cliffhanger that will have you anticipating what will happen next between two friends are finally accepted fate to find so much more.

I received this arc for an honest review.

First, let me say that though it's stated that this is book one you are left with what I feel is a cliffhanger. Nothing is settled other than Tabi standing up to her father which she was needing to do and walking away. She accepts the job with Baxter’s campaign and then you have to wait for the next book to see what happens, or will these two be carried on from book to book with no end in sight. It is difficult for me as a reader to have to continue to remember all of the different authors that have cliffhangers and then try to receive their next book and then be denied. So anyway, on with the review. The story goes back and forth from the present time with them at 35 years of age to different times of their childhood and throughout their years until this night.
You have two wonderful characters in Tabi and Baxter who have grown up together and have been there for each other. Though at most times I felt like she was there more for him than the other way around. You follow them growing up and through the passing of his mother which she really helps him that year which no one knew about yet her own grades suffered yet like a true friend she powers on.
Everything changes between them their third year in college when she transfers from a school in California to one in D.C. which is where he is going, they end up spending a weekend together after she tracks him down and her sees that she has now turned into a Greek goddess. That weekend is special for each of them yet they still decide not to become a couple.
Then later she talks him into driving with her across the country back to California. It is here along the way that they begin with their relationship for a while again until they get back to California. It is also where one of the best-written scenes that I have ever read about of all of the books I have read. Her going off on the morning at the B&B when the owner disrespects Mr. Schroeder, that whole is to die for and just catches the Tabi character for me perfectly. It was there that I was in her corner and not Baxter’s as the story progressed.
When you get further along into their story and when the day comes that Shawana has put herself into Baxter’s life. I have a problem with him being so ignorant or just dense that he did not recognize his best friend's handwriting from the notes she took from his classes that day. That he really did not know that was her grandmothers’ soup and not from a restaurant. That she really knew about blue Gatorade and the other items give me a break. And much later when they are 35 and at the party for him announcing to run for Senator why is Shawana kissing Baxter on the check yet kisses Jack his friend and campaign manager on the lips?
I really liked this story and as much as I want to give it four stars because of the cliffhanger I am going against my norm and giving it five because I think the Tabi character is one of the best I have read about in years. I really like her and overall, really liked this book, it is really worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com