It’s been 10 years since Josh left Sydney in his rear view mirror. Troubled youth, detached parents, low expectations – outside of the love and support of his best friend’s family, the Carters – there was nothing keeping him there. Now, a decade later – an opportunity has arisen that is allowing him to return home and set down roots. New job, old friends, clean slate – what more could he ask for? How about the number of a gorgeous redhead he spots while disembarking the plane. Never one to pass up an opportunity, Josh gets her number but not her name. Upon exiting the airport, he finds a wonderful surprise – his best friend Will and the rest of the Carters. Although he doesn’t remember telling them his flight information, he can’t believe his luck – or lack there of when the gorgeous redhead interrupts his reunion by greeting her parents and her brother. Floored, Josh quickly realizes his airport pickup is Greer, Will’s little sister! Apparently 10 years can do wonders as Greer is a knockout BUT still his best friend’s sister which means – hands off. Greer, on the other hand, has a better idea. She isn’t fourteen anymore and with a crush that hasn’t waned in the 10+ year she has known Josh, coupled with his obvious interest, she is about to put the Carter stubbornness to the test and prove to Josh, once and for all, they are meant to be together. 

There is so much I enjoyed about this book. The character development, the dialogue, the family dynamic, the supporting characters and the roles they play in moving the story forward – I could gush about the writing all day. What I realized about Carrie’s writing is that you don’t notice how deep and invested you are until you find yourself commenting out loud as you are reading! 

This book is a high energy, high impact mental workout. Josh and Greer’s back of forth tug of war of knowing why but not knowing why will make your brain hurt! Greer got it, she understood the major risk and loss for Josh if they got together but she didn’t understand why that was enough to stop them from being more. Josh knew Greer was it for him but couldn’t risk hurting or losing the only people who have ever cared about him. It was two strong walls of logic pushing against each other and neither were budging.

I loved how Greer was the aggressor when it came to the two of them getting together. Poor Josh didn’t stand a chance! In a lot of best friend’s sister to love troupes, the female protagonist just accepts her fate, secretly pining, until the male protagonist finally breaks and makes a move; then she deals with the his internal struggle passively until she gives up or he comes to terms. Greer refused to sit on the sidelines. She started plotting from the beginning! She knew what she wanted and she went for it. Yes, Josh still did the alternating of sides but if there was a crack or hint of weakness, she pounced! She wasn’t taking the excuse of being hands off because she was Will’s little sister. Josh deserved a medal for holding out as long as he did!

There absolutely no question that Carrie can write heat! The spiciness of this story was summer heatwave level. The moments they connected, you could feel these two people giving each other everything they had. Greer was right, those intimate moments were more than lust or seeking a release- it was the chance for two hearts to speak without consequences.

While there were an abundance of ups and moments of sheer joy in this story, there were a lot of downs. I hated how Greer still had to deal with bullying, even as an adult. It just shows that some people never outgrow high school. I am proud that she eventually stood up for herself but to watch the paralyzing crippling fear and helplessness goes to show that the effects of bullying don’t just simply go away as we get older and leave school behind – it follows us, taunts us, haunts us, and waits to remind us that we are less than.

A side observation (as these are fictional characters), but felt like mentioning it: Zoe, what was the point of that?! She lost her job because of what, an inferiority complex! Intellectual property theft, security breach – she would never be hired in her field again and she can kiss a reference goodbye. I am curious if her animosity had anything to do with Tony having a thing for Greer. Again, well aware that this is a fictional character but these type of stunts happen in real life and it is concerning just how far some people will go to outshine someone else.

I don’t even have words for Josh’s parents but I commend Carrie on using Ty to illustrate what Josh experienced as a wayward youth. Two absent parents, availability of money, privilege, and no one to rein them in – Josh is right, Harry more than likely saved his life which empowered him to do the same for Ty. I was hoping something more would have happened with his mother but Carrie seems to keep parental relationships true to form, removing the miraculous resolve and doubling down that some people are just the way they are. Even his father was able to change his ways towards woman but was still the same absent father toward his sons.