I actually had the pleasure of chatting with Harlow about this book right after I finished it. I was a blubbering mess at the beginning, but, through talking everything out with her, I was able to process the masterpiece that I had just read. That’s exactly what this book was. A masterpiece. A gem. Her best book yet. As I continue to get to know Harlow James as a person and an author, I’m drawn to her creative writing style and expert craftsmanship. She creates characters that are not only charming and irresistible, but relatable. I think that’s what makes for a good author. Someone who can write about real life, real people, real events. Cash and Piper are two of her most advantageous and memorable characters to date.  It’s almost impossible to put this book down because you don’t want to let go of these characters, you don’t want to have to step away from their world. When I finished the book, I cried for so many different reasons, but one of them being the fact that I wished the story would have never ended.

Cash Cash Cash. Holy hell, ladies. This guy is it. This is the one we’ve all been waiting for. I know many people have said that Harlow writes the perfect book boyfriend and I agree. Up until now, Kane was my favorite. I loved how beautifully broken he was. But then I met Cash. Kane will always hold a special place in my heart, but Cash has taken the top spot. He’s a player. Hands down, right out of the gate, that’s your first impression of him. He tries everything he can, every move, every one liner, everything to get Piper to cave and give him what he wants, but she won’t budge. It’s only after he lets his guard down and shows her his true colors does he have his chance with her. Witnessing vulnerable Cash is probably the highlight of this entire book. It’s priceless. There’s comedy in it, like during his first date with Piper and there’s also pain in it, like at the very end of the book. (You should read the book because I’m not giving anything away here). Cash’s character arc is ginormous. He goes from sleeping around with any vagina he sees and treating women like objects to falling in love in a matter of weeks and effectively changing his entire life. 

Now let’s move on to Piper. This woman. I can’t even begin to explain to you guys how much I love and admire her. She is resilient, resourceful, kind, and giving. She is everything good in this world. She changes Cash’s life by just being herself.  I love that Piper is so down to earth and grounded in who she is, even though she comes from a very privileged upbringing. She’s strong and smart and determined. Piper is a nurse who just moved to Emerson Falls, but at the beginning of the novel, we don’t know why. It’s a mystery what brought her here and who/what she might be running from. As our book progresses, we catch glimpses here and there and bits and pieces of her past. This story is intense and frightening but also beautiful and wonderful. When it all comes to fruition at the end, I couldn’t control my emotions. I was laying in bed, sobbing. You’ll understand why when you read it. These two lose so much but gain each other in the process, and it’s pure magic. I feel so humbled that Harlow asked me to beta read this one for her. This is her best work yet. Take a chance on this book, friends. You won’t regret it. AND it’ll definitely make you want to read the first two books in this series 🙂 I love you, Harlow! 5 stars!

“Everyone has a part of them they reserve for only a select few to see. Maybe Piper is one of those people that deserves that part of you.”