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Review

4 stars!

The first book in the Alabama Summer series, this book has been on my TBR for so long, and I’m so glad I finally got to it! A sexy, swoony and intense, small-town, best-friend’s-brother, enemies-to-lovers romance that sucked me in from the very beginning. I loved it.

Mia is returning to Alabama to spend her summer with her childhood best friend. But before she arrives, she’s determined to lose her pesky v-card, so she stops off at a bar on the way and has her world rocked by the hottest guy she’s ever seen, with a filthy mouth, who treats her right all night long. It’s just the start to her summer that she wanted. Now, she’s finally reunited with her friend, Tessa, and settling into their beachside accommodation when her childhood nemesis appears – Tessa’s brother, Ben. He tormented for years as a child, teasing her in ways that have left their mark on her even now as an adult. She was planning on avoiding him all summer, but wouldn’t you know it – it turns out he’s the mystery man from the bar who rocked her world.

Ben is a small-town cop and devoted single dad with a lot on his plate, yet he can’t stop thinking about the girl he spent one insane night with. He never thought he’d see her again, and now here she is, right on his doorstep, and hating him with every fibre of her being. It’s not the greatest of beginnings, but he wants more, he is completely smitten and knows that she is the one for him, and he’s determined to win her over.

“I just need her to see me as the guy I am now and not the shithead I used to be.”

It’s a fun set-up. Mia is determined to hold on to her hate, and I loved watching Ben work so hard to prove to her that he’s changed and that he’s a good guy. I love a smitten hero, and Ben is completely open and honest about his feelings and that he wants more. He puts his heart on the line and holds nothing back from Mia, and I love that! His efforts to get through to Mia, and to nurture the instant connection between her and his adorable 3 year old son, is so sweet!

“I know what being around you does to me.” I grab her hand and place it against my chest, my other hand reclaiming its spot on her hip.
Her eyes dart from my face to where her hand is, and I see her eyes react to the effect she has on me.
“Do you feel that? That’s what you do to me. Every fucking time I’m near you.”
I can hear her heavy breathing while her eyes stay glued to her hand. I don’t say anything else. I just let her feel it.
You own this part of me. Take it.

But under his nice guy persona, there is a filthy sex god, and when Mia finally gives in and they start to explore everything that has been building between them, these two are hot as hell, and the sexy time is seriously steamy! The strong emotional connection between them only makes it all the more intense, and I loved watching them fall so hard for each other in all the ways.

I can’t imagine loving her any more than I do right now. But I know I will. Because every second I’m with her, I fall harder.

Is it realistic that they didn’t recognise either other on their first meeting? Do people really change that much from 14 – 23? Pfft, whatever, I was enjoying the story enough to just let that go. It’s fast moving with lots of emotion, but I felt it all, and was right on board with the swoony romance. There is drama, but it’s all external to the relationship, so it’s just a matter of watching Mia and Ben deal with it all to get to their happy ending.

“This is where I belong. Wherever you are. Always.”

We get to meet a bunch of Mia and Ben’s friends, and there’s already a strong introduction to the next book, and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.

4 stars.

A Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.