The theme of friends to lovers is a favorite of mine and fuels this upcoming story of a school reunion that sets two friends on an unexpected path to HEA. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Shoulda by Pepper North, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this second installment in the A Second Chance at Mr Right series to your bookshelf!
Fake relationships happen all the time at reunions, right?
Harper has adored Colt since the first day of third grade. The talented athlete shoulda avoided his chubby, academically-challenged classmate, but somehow they've always been the best of friends. As they grew up together, Harper hid her deeper feelings for her best friend, knowing there was no way the handsome hunk felt the same way.
Colt's friends have always meant everything to him. In high school, he wanted to be more than friends with Harper, but she kept him at arm's length. Pouring his heart and soul into his music, Colt headed for Nashville after Harper's rejection, but when she calls to ask him to pose as her boyfriend at their upcoming reunion, wild horses couldn't keep him away.
For some, there is a second chance at having Mr. Right. Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda explores a world of connections that can't exist...until they do. Forbidden love abounds when these Daddy Doms refuse to live with regret and claim the women who own their hearts.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Harper Bensen and Colt Ziegler have been part of each other's lives since they were young, drawn to each other by feelings they were just starting to understand and held back from acting on. For Harper, issues regarding her size and her hesitancy in standing up for herself has kept her from admitting there's more to her friendship with Colt. She doesn't think a popular and successful country singer like him would want to be with her and has let others fuel those thoughts. For Colt, his thoughts regarding Harper have always been of an erotic nature and he never thought she was ready for him to claim her...so he's held back for years, laughed at by his bandmates for never inviting groupies backstage. With their upcoming high school reunion, and a moment of subtle revenge, things will change dramatically for them though if he can just get her to see herself the way that he does. Their reunion ultimately becomes a slow-burn of him building up her self-worth through words and actions, a steamy journey full of heart and soul.
This was a quick read, a sensual read that brought two friends together in an erotically-charged web. The overall story had a familiar feel, with a stereotypical high school villain (still being nasty), and the seamless inclusion of daddy kink. Colt's a delicious hero who has no problem showing Harper how he feels. I don't quite understand why he didn't return home before now, but better late than never. Harper's a likable heroine with a big and caring heart, someone who always wants to help and see the best in others. Her self-esteem is low though, leaving her open to being kicked around, which left me frustrated by her at times as I desperately wanted her to stand up for herself. Despite these few quibbles I still found this an entertaining read and a nice addition to Pepper North's steamy series.
My rating for this is a B-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
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