⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and if I could give it a million more, I WOULD)

Jessica Peterson is out here RUINING me in the best way possible. Each book in this series just keeps getting better, and Sawyer? It took me out. I am unwell. I am feral. I am OBSESSED. 

Sawyer and Ava’s story was ✨PERFECTION✨. It starts with a one night stand that absolutely scorches the pages, and then fast forward three months and fate decides that these two belong together, because SURPRISE, they’re now neighbors. And not only that… they’re both single parents to the cutest three year old girls ever. Are you kidding me?! The found family vibes were STRONG, and so beautifully done.

Let’s talk about parenthood in this book: it felt real. The exhaustion. The fear. The constant questioning. Both Sawyer and Ava are doing it alone, and Jessica Peterson didn’t shy away from showing the hard stuff, but still gave us so much love and joy in the in between moments. It made me want to hug them both.

Now Sawyer… SAWYER. I don’t even have the words. This man is a walking green flag. Sweet, loyal, protective, kind—but in the bedroom? That mouth. FILTHY. He’s so emotionally intelligent and soft hearted, it physically hurt. He’s not just looking for a partner; he’s dreaming of building a life with someone. He wants to carry the weight of the world with someone, not for them. I wanted to crawl into the pages and live in his arms. Also, he calls Ava pretty girl and I have not stopped screaming since.

And Ava? What a queen. She’s a free spirited, wild, resilient badass who got out of a toxic marriage and is rebuilding her life on her own terms. She’s fierce and independent and still allows herself to feel everything. She never dims her light again, and Sawyer? He worships it. He sees every part of her and doesn’t just accept it, but he adores it. I’m OBSESSED with her. She’s the kind of FMC I want to be best friends with.

Their chemistry is absolutely off the charts, but what really made me melt was their compatibility. Sure, they want different things at first, like Sawyer’s dreaming of weddings and white picket fences, and Ava’s holding on tight to her freedom, but their emotional connection, their respect for each other, their yearning... it’s magnetic.

And the communication? Chef’s kiss. No third act breakup, no unnecessary drama (except Ava’s ex trying to stir the pot, and Sawyer handling it like the KING he is). Just two adults figuring things out while parenting, healing, and falling so hard it’s breathtaking.

Some of my favorite tropes done to absolute perfection: 
✔️ single parent x single parent
✔️ one night stand turned forever
✔️ cinnamon roll cowboy hero
✔️ “who did this to you?”
✔️ he falls first (and hard)
✔️ found family
✔️ he calls her “Pretty Girl” 
✔️ cowboy hats and backward caps 
✔️ no other woman drama
✔️ real, heartfelt parenting moments
✔️ slow build to HEA

Sawyer is what dreams are made of: adoring father, dependable brother, phenomenal barista, filthy lover, cowboy hat wearing, emotionally aware KING. And Ava? She’s fire and freedom and everything he never knew he needed.

The Rivers Family strikes gold AGAIN. My heart is so full. Already frothing at the mouth for Duke’s book, because if Sawyer did this to me, I don’t even want to imagine what’s coming next!

Thank you to Valentine PR and Jessica Peterson for the eARC of this book.