I was so excited about this book because I have enjoyed the Center books I have read. Her books are so full of emotional punches and thought-provoking. This one did have a lot of emotional elements. Do look up trigger warnings. I should have done that because I had a hard time reading about cancer after my sister’s diagnosis last year.

One of the hardest things for me to enjoy about this book was the two main characters. Emma was hard to love and a bit over the top. I didn’t enjoy how she self-sacrificed her life and then complained about it. She didn’t take no for an answer, but not in a good way. How she treated Charlie was uncool and left me feeling uncomfortable. I get trying to look past things when someone is giving mixed signals, but no means no. He told her no many times before she stopped throwing herself at him. It wasn’t cute.

Now Charlie.. I also had a problem with how he treated Emma. For the most part, he was trying to fit this grumpy/grouchy trope, but it failed. He was rude, and I would not be happy with the comments. She frequently questions herself when it comes to things he says. He will act one way and then say something different. I get it; it’s a lot of mixed signals. The thing is, he was rude. Many of the comments he made about her to others were very hurtful. I didn’t love how she brushed past it and let it go.

The actual plot and romance were all very predictable. I know, that happens with romances but, I usually don’t find that with Center. It was a very fast-paced read. I started and finished it in two days. I loved the banter throughout the book! I thought Emma’s family was precious, and I adored her father. Even though this was fast-paced book, things happened rather quickly. Sometimes it felt a little too fast and like whiplash.

Overall, I am not sure how I feel about this one. I enjoyed it, for the most part, but it had some issues that had me questioning things. I love Center, and this book will not stop me from jumping into her next book. It just felt like it was written by someone else because it’s so different.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!