Lake and Ryker parent's are married, but they have limited contact as stepbrothers. When Lake needs financial aid, Ryker offers to help him by using his trust fund. Only catch, he can only access it early if he marries. Lake reluctantly agrees and they share a kiss that changes everything Ryker thought about himself. Ryker pursues Lake, wanting to explore this new side of his sexuality and connection with him, but Lake has his own issues with relationships and commitments and doesn't make it easy. 

As always with Briar Prescott, the banter is top notch with these two. It kind of carried the book for me because I didn't really connect with their relationship like I have with her other books. I liked them, I think Ryker was such a sweetheart and endlessly patient. He knew when to push and when to just make Lake feel loved and wanted. Lake didn't really try hard to keep things casual, no matter what he thought. He did have some past issues to work through, but he realized in order to be with Ryker he had to face his past. Lake went from being very guarded to letting Ryker in, being honest about his feelings and insecurities. I loved the way they leaned on each other in the end, supporting the other when they really needed it. 

I enjoyed the beginning and end of this story, it just got bogged down a bit in the middle. I don't feel like we got a ton of insight into their relationship except at the end when things got more serious. I liked the last bit of the book, but I didn't realize this was part 1 of their story (out of two I assume?). I'm glad there's more because there's a good amount of loose ends left to be tied up. The ending definitely intrigued me enough to want to read their next book! 

Read if you like: 
• grumpy/sunshine      
• stepbrothers lite   
• secret relationship           

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