3.5 ⭐
This was okay. I did enjoy it, but then the third act conflict ruined it a bit for me. But the epilogue made up for it, so... 🤷♀️
Jade's business closed, and her ex screwed her over. So she needed to start afresh, and she wanted to do that in her best friend's town. She went there but got stranded along the way in a snowstorm. Then Maverick picked her up, and she stayed at his home for two days until the storm passed. They've been around each other, seeing as their best friends are married (book 1 MCs), but they don't really talk that much.
Anyway, this incident started as a way for them to become friends as well. I would say this has a medium burn because they were purely platonic in the first half of the story. Jade's history with dating kind of made her wary of starting anything with Mav, and Mav doesn't do serious relationship thanks to his mommy issues.
Anyway, Jade went on a date with OM (they're still friends atp), and Mav found out about this. So he subtly invited the girlfriend of his other best friend to the restaurant where Jade's supposed to meet the guy, he's definitely stalking her. 😂 It turns out the OM is freaking married, and before this night ended, Mav kissed Jade for the first time, and this started their secret FWB relationship. They didn't put a label on it, even though they're exclusive.
While Mav did mention in the beginning that he's never going to get married, I hoped that, in due time, he'd change his mind about this. They're both slowly falling for one another, and it was very obvious to everyone around them (after they outed they've been seeing each other for awhile) But the conflict happened when they attended a friend's wedding, and Jade told him that she wants to get married and have kids someday, not particularly with him but more like a general thought. Then Mav told her the next day that he didn't want those things.
I have to say that I'm so freaking proud of Jade at this moment because she prioritized what she wanted and didn't settle for anything less. She ended their situationship and although it freaking broke her heart, she knew she deserved so much better. 🥹 How I wish some MCs would hold their ground like this. 😮💨
Then four days passed, and they're both miserable, but Jade still maintains her stand. Then Mav's sister intervened and told him to get his sh*t together and don't let the best thing happen to his life slip through his fingers.
Was I expecting some grand gesture? For some reason, yes, although I know his fxcked up wasn't that awful, I still felt like he should've done more to make up for crushing Jade's heart and dreams. So him going to her workplace, saying he lied, apologizing for what he said, and saying that he's willing to get married and have kids, but only with her, isn't doing it for me.
Idk, but it felt insincere, and I don't think it's believable for people to have a 180 about marriage and children within a few days. However, he said in his POV that he knew deep down he wanted the same things, but his parents' dysfunctional relationship messed up his view about those things. 🥲 I know that this is true, but the way he apologized and explained didn't feel heartfelt, at least to me. 🤷♀️
On the other hand, I don't think there's anything wrong with not having kids. Society shouldn't make a person feel less if they choose not to bring a child into this world. People should learn to accept this stance. Some folks aren't just made for parenthood, and that's totally fine.
😮💨
Anyway, back to the story, it was heartbreaking to read Jade's POV in that scene and reading her pain made me sad that Mav turned out to be just another of those men who entered her life and let her down. I hoped he'd be different. 😩
Anyhoo, since she's understanding, she gave him another chance right then and there. The epilogue was three years later; they're already married with a son, and Jade's a surrogate for their best friends. It was enjoyable for the most part, but I didn't love the conflict, and I could do without that. Setting aside my issue, this is still a good read nonetheless.
Book info:
- Friends to lovers
- Small town romance
- Friends with benefits
- Trust issues
- Parent abandonment
- No cheating, OWD
- With OMD, separation (4 days)
- Found family
- No Vs
- HEA (3 yrs later, married with a son)