Thank you SO much to the author Kayla Grosse for the advance copy!

This book will be out on April 17th.

This is my 2nd book from Kayla and I think it has become my new favorite (I know I know I still have the backlog to work through). You could really tell how personal Kayla was with this book and how much she put into it. And if this didn't pull on your heartstrings (pun intended) then I'm not sure if we read the same book.

"You really want to do all this with me?"
"What else am I going to do, hang out here with all the ghosts?"

I was unfamiliar with Kawasaki Disease and everything that came with it so I appreciate Kayla taking a topic that isn't talked about enough (esp in romance books) and bringing it to light. I know Kayla herself has the disease and as I mentioned above, you could tell the amount of research and the vulnerability within the lines and that this book meant a lot to her. I thought it was done so well and didn't feel like it was information overload on the disease.

Jesse had gone through a lot in such a short time. She was still adjusting to this new life and the last thing she wants is a relationship. Jesse had 2 heart attacks and now has an ICD implant (which is still healing) and it has given her a new perspective on her life. She decides to make a Change of Pace bucket list because morbidly she doesn't think she has time and wants to complete this list before she runs out. First on the list that she goes for is to have a one night stand. Enter Asher. Asher is this tall, burly man with curly dusty blond hair with a brown beard and she is taken by him. And equally, Asher is taken by her. The whole moment in the nightclub was just so great! I have mentioned in other reviews how dancing in any setting has become such a favorite micro trope of mine so I was elated to see it happening on page.

"Well, I figure if you murder me, at least my family and friends will be able to find my body. I also have a security camera."
"The only thing I'm going to murder is that pussy of yours."

Jesse thought she wasn't ever going to see Asher again after she woke up the next morning alone after the best night she had in awhile. He did leave her number but she did not want to complicate things. But fate had other plans. Turns out Asher is her roommate/best friend's brother! One thing leads to an another and suddenly Jesse will be living out her bucket list with the help of Asher and his RV!

I love that we got both Jesse and Asher's point of view. Asher had it BAD for Jesse from the moment he saw her at the bar. He knew when he saw her that she was the one for him. Asher has ADHD and with that he tends to go all in on what he wants. And in this case it was Jesse. The way he left his number on her bucket list - swoooon! Pretty much everything he had done was swoony. Jesse was very adamant that she didn't want to be coddle and treated any differently on their trip and Asher tried really hard to respect that. I think also Asher was just such a nice guy and he had the means to do things and wanted to share that with Jesse.

I was a little frustrated with Jesse as a reader because we all could see how perfect Asher was for her and she would just keep pushing him away. I just wanted to scream HE IS THE ONE FOR YOU. I understand completely why she was scared to let him in but I'm guessing she also didn't realize that even as friends, he and everyone else in her life would be sad if something does happen to her. I will say there was a few times I find myself relating to Jesse. One moment came closer to the beginning talking about herself, "But the trauma of living in a bigger body in a society that tells you it's wrong doesn't go away overnight. I'm not used to men calling me stunning in bars or wanting to hook up with me." And another came towards the end of the book when she says "And you don't deserve to have someone defective. You deserve someone whole." This line specifically cut me deep. I had in the past referred to myself as defective in my inability to have children so it really hit me. I know now that is not the case and my husband loves me either way just like Asher loves Jesse and would never think that of her.

I know this has become a rather long review. But this was such a good and fun read with of course the signature Kayla spice thrown in there. I love all the moments of Jesse and Asher together! Asher really brought out this confident side of Jesse. I love seeing all their adventures and I had to laugh at the world tallest file cabinet visit as I have seen this in person LOL Asher truly made this experience for Jesse worthwhile and I was glad he had not given up on her.

This is a stand alone book. I recommend this book if you love one nights stand - friends to lovers, best friend's brother and a road trip from coast to coast!