.

OMG I looooved the enemies portion at the beginning! Alex was just so hateful and unnecessarily mean, but the chapters from his POV just made me want to hug him into submission. Yara’s description of him was spot on - a big dog who’s just a scared puppy wanting to be loved. And how can you not fall in love with that imagery?? Poor widdle puppy-man.

I truly hated how Yara was so easily walked all over by the townsfolk. Especially Mrs Levels. What a horrid woman. But back to Yara - I just don’t understand how she could make the unbelievably brave and difficult move to divorce Cole, something that undoubtedly took a LOT of backbone, and yet she couldn’t say no to a miserable old bat? I found that a bit bizarre.

Alex and Yara’s progression to friendship came very easily and they were so good for each other. She softened him, and he hardened her. The perfect balance.

My only real complaint was that there was zero smut. There were a few moments when I thought this is it! We’re getting our freak on! But we never got it. The pottery scene was such a tease! As was the fridge scene. Gutted.

It was sweet, a hint of romcom, a touch of hallmark, with some darker moments/characters woven in for the angst factor. But we got our HEA, they got their comeuppance (yay!) and for once I didn’t ball my eyes out at a Brittainy Cherry book. Save the tissues, save the trees! Or something like that.