If you are reading this review before you have read the book, just start reading, This is the best book I have read in years! Seriously, get this book. For a more detailed breakdown, read on.

Let's address a possible trigger warning because I don't want anyone to have a trauma trigger and ruin this bomb-ass book for you. There is discussion of DV in the hero's childhood and he clearly has trauma about it to deal with. The descriptions are not graphic, but if this topic is a hard line for you, then you have been advised.

Do you have to be a fan of reality tv or ever actually seen an episode of the Bachelor/ Bachelorette to enjoy this book? Nope. Is this a fun romcom that also had me reaching for tissues in chapter 23? Yup. Did I get to the end of this book and immediately join the author's email list so I can know as soon as another book comes out? Hell yes.

Now, sometimes books that alternate perspective chapter by chapter are actually terrible and frustrating. This is not that. It actually flows really well, doesn't cover the same ground which keeps the story moving, and the character voices are clearly defined so that even without the name at the top of the chapter, it is obvious whose voice it is.

And sometimes "second chance romances" get bogged down by extensive flashbacks or long bouts of info dumping. This book, thankfully, does not. Instead it works more like real life when you see, say, touch, smell something and it sparks a memory of something specific. I hope more authors take note of Kay Marie's writing of these scenes because not only were they short, to the point, and felt sharp in that way that some memories can be, they also didn't give the whole game away and they leave you wanting to know more of what happened when and what will happen. It was pretty damn brilliant.

Without giving the plot points away, I can tell you that the angst and standard misunderstandings of this genre actually make sense in this story. At no point did I think either character made a choice just to serve the plot (ok, maybe one thing, but it was so reality tv that I think it is fine). Oddly they made decisions because they loved each other and wanted to protect the other in ways that really only make sense to you when you are 17 and in love. And then when they are grown, they try to make better choices and it is refreshing to see growth.

That ending tho???