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Review

4.5 emotional, second-chance, meant-to-be stars

I loved this book! A beautiful second chance romance with drama, heartache and a gorgeous love story between two soul mates separated for years who finally find each other again. It’s heartfelt and emotional, and beautifully written, and I was captivated from start to finish.

This book is a spin-off from the McKinney Brothers series. Nick was introduced in book #2, Worth the Risk, and is Hannah’s eldest brother. The drama surrounding Hannah’s past is a huge part of Nick’s story, and I loved that we got to experience his perspective on everything that happened. But rest assured that there is a lot of detail given in this book, and it can easily be read as a standalone.

Nick Walker was 19 when his parents died, leaving him as the ‘head’ of his family. With three teenage younger brothers and a two year old Hannah, his life was suddenly full of responsibility, but he took it all on board and stepped in when his family needed him. And I’ve gotta say – I LOVED the scenes showing Nick with his baby sister. It absolutely melted my heart the way he loved and cared for her, and it shows how, even at a young age, Nick became the strong, responsible, caring and protective man that he is.

And then along comes Mia, a medical student who is sweet and driven, and who has a huge heart. She and Nick immediately hit it off and easily and naturally fall into a relationship. Love follows soon after and they become one of those couples who just ‘fit’. It’s obvious that they belong together, and despite the obstacles in their way, they make it work and for over ten years they build a happy life together with Nick’s family.

“I loved you yesterday, I’ll love you tomorrow. Every day.”

I love that we got to see Nick and Mia’s past. The full story of their relationship is revealed in flashback throughout the book, showing their connection and the deep, deep love they have for each other. But there’s also that feeling of pending trepidation as each moment from the past builds up to the heartbreaking events that led to their split.

In the present it’s been over ten years since Nick and Mia have seen each other, and when they unexpectedly run into each other again it’s clear that there is still chemistry between them and that neither of them have been able to move on from what they lost. And wow, their reunion is wonderfully written. From that first glance I could feel everything that they were feeling, and I got that sizzling, heart-pounding anticipation just waiting for them to reconnect.

“I have no defenses against you,” she whispered sadly.” I never did.”
He spun on her so forcefully, she stepped back. “And you think I do? You think you aren’t burned in my brain? In my heart. You’re there. You’ve always been there.”

“I’m going to kiss you … I think I’ll die if I don’t. I think we both will.”

They don’t hide their reactions to each other, or the feelings that so clearly exist between them, and I love that they followed their hearts and so easily fell into each other all over again.

“I never stopped loving you.” He framed her face in his big, warm hands. “Not for a second. I might have buried it so deep, you couldn’t feel it, but it was still there. Always. I lost you, lost us. Now it feels like I have a chance again. Like we have a chance.”

But Nick is still struggling with his guilt over his past, and Mia has been through her own trauma and heartbreak in their time apart. They both have issues they need to deal with before they can move on to the life they always wanted together, and their journey to do that is emotional and full of feels (and yes, tears). My heart ached for all they had been through and the impact it had on the both of them, but there is never a point where things get stupid. You know how it’s all going to end, and I love that even though there is drama, there’s not a lot of angst, and it’s just a matter of holding on for the ride and waiting for everything to fall into place.

It’s a beautifully written story, with well-developed characters that I loved from the moment I met them. The emotion is real and raw, the romance is passionate, swoony and intense, and even though it broke my heart at times, I was captivated by Nick and Mia’s journeys.

Even though this can be read as a standalone, I did enjoy the tie in to the McKinney series. I loved getting to catch up with the characters from the previous books, and I’m excited about the possibility of reading about the rest of the Walker brothers – they are a complex and intriguing group, with lots of potential for great reads, and I’m looking forward to whatever is to come.

I loved it – 4.5 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.