by Shiloh Walker
ARC Review
Release: August 4, 2014
My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️
"It had always been her…
Ten years had passed since the doors slammed shut behind Decker Calhoun, taking away his freedom, but more importantly, locking him away from Elizabeth Waters, the only woman he’d ever loved—the woman he’d given up everything for.
The day he was sentenced, he’d looked at her and said, No regrets, Lizzie. But he lied, because he did have one. Although he’s been out of jail for three years now, he was a year too late. Lizzie never knew how he felt and just months before he was released, she found somebody else and it’s too late.
Or maybe not. It seems that Lizzie’s boyfriend wants an open relationship and two can play at that game. Now all Decker has to do is convince Lizzie that he’s the better man…and has been all along."
The day he was sentenced, he’d looked at her and said, No regrets, Lizzie. But he lied, because he did have one. Although he’s been out of jail for three years now, he was a year too late. Lizzie never knew how he felt and just months before he was released, she found somebody else and it’s too late.
Or maybe not. It seems that Lizzie’s boyfriend wants an open relationship and two can play at that game. Now all Decker has to do is convince Lizzie that he’s the better man…and has been all along."
*****
Best friends since childhood, Decker and Lizzie have secretly harbored deeper feelings for each other since they were adolescents. His protective instincts and love for Lizzie have ended Decker with 10 years behind bars, but his feelings never waned. Although Lizzie has remained a loyal friend, she has tried moving on the last few years and the few years since Decker has been out he has been forced to watch from the sidelines. Something he is tired of doing...
A hot short compelling story, that had enough potential interest for a full sized novel. Although the 'friends to lovers' trope is not one that is new to us, there are components to this particular book that make it particularly intriguing.
There is a deeper connection between Decker and Lizzie from before he was sentenced, but also deep insecurities within both, that escalated and resulted in his incarceration. Lizzie's insecurities have always been rooted in herself, whereas Decker's have had more to do with his circumstances and background. Neither ever bothered communicating their wants, needs or insecurities properly. When they finally do, they find they have never been that far apart....
Too short for me to get a great connection with the characters but I did love them a lot, which is why I really wished this would have been a full sized novel. It would have been easy for me to get lost in them.
"A touching, intense and tantalizing read."
**Copy provided in return for an honest review**
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