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Review

“You know how sometimes, your high school crush grows up to become an insanely famous movie star?
Okay, probably not.
But I do.”

4 ‘almost’ second chance stars

Nine years have passed since Layla and Trip fell in love, and then separated to follow their dreams at the end of Remember When. Yes! Nine years! Layla is living in New York City, trying to make a career in journalism, and Trip has appeared in a few films and is on the cusp of superstardom. And in all of that time, despite a few phone calls and letters, they haven’t seen each other once, although Layla has never forgotten her first love.

It was excruciating at first, getting over Trip. Not that I ever really did, mind you. But during those first years, I had no other choice but to go on with my life. Because do you ever really get over your first love? Even during your twenties, when you experience that initial taste of being a grown-up… that teenager still lives inside you. That person you were before the world started telling you how to be, what to say, who you should be with. Before you lost yourself in expectations and plans, and could just be a work-in-progress with only the vaguest of results in mind.
At the age of twenty-six, I hadn’t yet mastered the art of growing up. Truth is, I was a bit lost. I wasn’t quite sure I knew who I was or if I’d ever be found again.

When Layla discovers that Trip he is town filming his latest movie, she wrangles her way into an interview with him, and the sense of anticipation builds and builds until the moment they see each other again, and from that very first moment, you just know that nothing has changed between them. The easiness that they always had together, and the banter-filled friendship is still very much in place…

“Hey Chester. How’s it hangin’?”
His mouth went slack, but the corners of his lips were turned up into a smile. His eyes went wide as he said incredulously, “Layla. Effing. Warren.”

… as is the spine-tingling chemistry.

“Can we bump the next interview back so I can grab something to eat?” His palm slid down my right arm, then he took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles. He was looking into my eyes, but his words were directed toward his publicist. “This is the girl that got away, Sandy. I’m going to need more than just a few minutes with this one.”

But with both of them in serious relationships, their reconnection is not the big love-fest we all want. Instead, it’s a tension-laden tease-fest that had my stomach churning and my heart pounding as they spend time together, catch up on all of the years they have been apart, and reminisce about their past and what it meant to them.

His voice was soft. “I did, you know. I did love you.”
… “I know. You did it well.”

It’s a delicious torment, as they both so clearly want each other but their circumstances keep them (mostly) at arm’s length. And the whole time I prayed for them both to give in and GET IT ON ALREADY!!!! But the frustration just heightens everything – for both Layla and Trip, and the reader. And that, plus the heartbreak they share over their years apart, makes everything between them so much more intense.

“When you want something you can’t have, it can get… frustrating.”

“I’m sorry about … ever letting you go. I’m sorry for all the time we wasted. I’m sorry for being here with you right now when we can’t do a damned thing about it.”

I love these characters! Grown-up Layla is just as enjoyable as teenager Layla. She is still struggling to find her place in life, but she is slowly starting to figure it out, and once again her narrative is realistic and highly entertaining. And I really enjoyed getting to see grown-up Trip. His rise to fame has left the man with some demons, and we get to see just a little bit of that. I like the darkness there, it gives him an edginess that only serves to make him sexier than he already was and I’m hoping this side of him gets explored more in the next book.

“I need this, Layla. I need you. Help me to remember, Lay. Help me to remember us.”

But with all that is against them, will they be brave enough to take their chance the second time around. And if they do, how will they ever get their happy ending?

I had a great time reading this book – like the first in the trilogy it was fun and immediately engaging. The angst and sexual tension makes this one a more intense read, and all I can say is thank God I wanted until all three books were out before I read this, because after that hideous ending, I need the rest of this story NOW!