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Review

3 stars

Penelope Ward’s latest standalone is an NA enemies-friends-to-lovers romance that is sweet, sexy and functional with great chemistry. It’s a slow burning love story with a gorgeous feel, and I enjoyed this one.

Teagan is entering her sophomore year in college when her family takes in a British exchange student. She and Caleb met on campus during an embarrassing run-in and she is horrified to learn that he is the one that will be living in her family home for a full year. But their snark and banter soon turns to friendship which very quickly develops into a raging attraction. The flirting and banter is lots of fun, and the chemistry between them sizzles! They resist it, because Caleb is due to return home in a matter of months, and they don’t really want to get involved and start something that’s going to have to finish. But then… hormones.

Things progress pretty quickly from there, and there is lots of sexy time, lots of sweet, cute moments and lots of swoony, emotional declarations. But that deadline is looming, and Teagan and Caleb have heartbreaking decisions ahead of them as their lives lead them in completely different directions. They have some pretty big lessons to learn as they sort themselves out and find their place in the world, and in each other’s lives.

The friendship that develops between them is really beautiful. They become so close, and they have a profound impact on each other. And there are strong themes of family as both Teagan and Caleb have private struggles that they are dealing with, and their relationship and working through their family issues form a big part of their character development.

It’s a really sweet read. I really liked Caleb and Teagan as characters, and their romance was cute and fun, but I just didn’t feel this one as much as I was hoping. I was right on board with their friendship, I loved watching it shift to more, but I found it a bit dull, and I’m really not sure why. I usually love a functional relationship without unnecessary angst, and while I was happy that there was a HEA, I just didn’t get excited about this one and it felt a bit dull.

So not my fave of Penelope’s books, but still a good read. 3 stars.

Note – I listened to this as an audiobook narrated by Andie Arndt and Shane East, and they do a great job as always.

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