Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in advance for my honest review.
This book was an emotional journey. from pain to happiness to emotional turmoil to fear. everything was there. I absolutely loved the journey it took me on. The characters were so well developed and had purpose. It would be impossible not to fall a little bit in love with Gavin. He was the perfect character. Jamie was amazing too, She was so courageous and independent her entire life, but allowed Gavin in with no issue. They made the perfect couple.
The end was a little touch and go for me, but it all worked out.
My only complaint I think, would be the use of full names constantly (mostly in the beginning) ie. Gavin Lake, Jamie Evans, Detective Jarrod Reid. after the first time, we don't need to constantly be told their names. other than that, this book was a full 5 stars for me. I'll definitely read from this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and everyone involved for this ARC copy!

Happy Release Day!

I loved this book! When I wasn't reading it, I was constantly thinking about it. I spent every free moment reading and I got sucked into a story that is not only emotionally deep (I cried more than just a few times) but also had wonderful characters and crazy twists!

Reading Jamie and Gavin's story was so deeply emotional for me. I could feel their love and emotions as if they were my own. It's safe to say I felt ALL the emotions haha, from wanting to throw my Kindle on the floor to crying to giggling, the whole spectrum.

I didn't know if, because of the time jumps at the beginning, I wouldn't be able to connect well with the characters. But that changed super quickly, once the scenes from their past were mostly over and I was hanging on to every word. Every character in this book had depth, was lovable, and the absence of miscommunication was the cherry on top for me!

The plot, Jamie and Gavin, the side characters and the shocking twists were exactly what it needed to keep me hooked until the very last page!
An amazing book and an author I'll definitely come back to <3
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A few things I noticed grammar wise (just a few words that were missing here and there and some things which affected my reading flow):
Chapter 24: “Jamie, dpn't—”
Chapter 26: When walks toward me, she leaves her hands at her sides. ("she" is missing?)
Chapter 29: [...] a colleague.I’m the [...] ; That not how wages work. ("That's"?)
Chapter 35: Heremoves his hand [...] ; [...] into his eyes whileI run my fingertips
Chapter 36: [...] he told me … he Mum.” ("killed" is missing?)
Chapter 40: Taking the mug from my hands, she places on it the counter [...] ("it on" ?)

this book was stunning. that started with that cover(wow someone needs extra bravo points for that) to the blurb that pulls you in to these two characters even before you know more about them. and then the story. the book. the pages that you almost fall over yourself to read more of. wow. loved it.
it was an emotional journey of the characters but also for us readers. and for the readers it was in the best of ways.
This book is definitely a slow burn, but it keeps you intrigued enough to keep turning the pages. The chemistry between the Gavin and Jamie is palpable and really well done. I also have to say, I have a soft spot for Benny — he's a great character!
the surprising twists were spot on and unexpected so it added more layers and tension.
it was also full of beautiful and tender moments and connections that made me smile so much!
i was rooting for our pair from the get go and i would not have been ok if they weren't ok. so much so i worried, yes actually worried at certain points as to where the ending would take them...and me.
this book gave us a man who was wrongfully accused of murder and the daughter who hated him for taking her mother. but things dont turn out the way they were portrayed. secrets and lies come out. and wrong need to be righted. things need to be uncovered. things definitely need to be buried. but there so much more to come that you wont see coming until your do the readers gasp.
you worry for them as you read about them both, ache for their losses, and then break when they do. and then love swells your heart when they come together. but oh! wait no! well...you'll have to see what comes next.
i loved this book. its stormed its way onto my top reads as of late.