4.5⭐

"If everything works out, there’ll be no doubt in Emily’s mind that she belongs here with us. And with me.”

This book was just perfect - I was nervous at first because part of their situation hit close to home for me but I was not disappointed this was everything I wanted it to be and more! Josh had such an emotional past with so much loss that he was looking for a new start outside of Valentine Bay and Emily was looking for a new start inside Valentine Bay after her last relationship ended up with her feeling alone and broken - they were both searching for something that would make them feel whole again.

“I could love you, Josh, forever if you’d let me, but if there’s someone out there you need to rescue, it’s not me. It’s you.”

I love a good fake dating story and this one didn't disappoint! These two were so perfect for each other and there were times I wanted to reach into the booth and shake Josh for how he was acting especially at the bonfire scene BUT his grand gesture at the end so made up for it - when he finally let himself accept that he loved her and that that was perfectly okay he was all in and it was just beautiful

“You told me you could love me forever if I’d let you. Emily Jones, I want to love you back if you’ll have me.”

Thank you Samantha for reaching out to me and giving me a chance to read this book - it was so healing and such a beautiful story about going through real issues in a realistic way - Josh and Emily were exactly what the other one needed! Emily got the family she so badly needed and deserved and Josh learned to love again and more important he started living again