I picked this up on a whim and was not sure if I would like it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I might even read a few more books by Naima Simone.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Harlequin finally changed up from their regular books and it worked for them! This book was modern, fun and relatable. Aaliyah is a last pastors daughter who always does as her parents ask her. Even if its agreeing to marry a man she doesnt love. The story jumps rkghr in with Aaliyah running on her wedding day and being on the doorstep of her, black sheep, cousin Tamara. Eventually she convinces Tamara to bring her back to Chicago with her and leave the small.towm in Alabama behind. She starts college for art there as it was another thing she wasn't allowed to do at home but quickly realizes that it's more expensive to live there and applies for a nanny job at a tattoo parlor because the 'dad' owns it. She gets the job and while there is definitely immediate attraction and interest both fight it because of the little girl Gia and because of each other's baggage. Von had been through a messy helpful divorce and Aaliyah with the overbearing parents anz wanting to have freedom she's never had before. After some time the attraction gets the best of them (maybe drinking at a strip club together not the best idea if trying to remain friends lol) anyways they end up having to dighr for each other but in a 3rd act heartbreak Von let's Aaliyah down. Will they get back together? Read to find out lol anyways the only thing I didn't enjoy about this book was actually something that REALLY aggravated me, it was the US's of the word Nut during sexy time. It was almost comical it wasn't sexy at all and the word was over used for sure. Besides sexy time scenes needing more and better terminology the book was a great change of pace for Harlequin

This was a fun read and I can definitely see it being a success once published. Von was… a lot. And sometimes that lot felt like too much but he was surely smitten for Aaliyah. It was kind of cute to watch Aaliyah do his head in like she did. I’m glad she found her voice and herself. It was long overdue.