I keep saying it, but y'all: these books just keep getting better and better! I needed Ford and Eva's story as soon as I finished Southern Gentleman, and good Lord.. these two did not disappoint!!
Ten years ago, Ford broke Eva's heart when they graduated college. She's dated some since then but has never found anyone who came close to making her feel the way Ford did. She has spent her time and energy as a blogger (back before everyone was doing it) a cookbook author, and trying to hold her parents failing marriage together. She's come back home to hopefully find some inspiration for her new book, when she runs into Ford at Julia and Grey's baby shower.
Ford has always regretted how he ended things with Eva and the cruel things he said. When he broke her heart he ended up breaking his own, and started comparing her to every woman he dated after her. He's surprised that after all this time, the explosive chemistry and that undeniable pull is still between them. They spend more time together after the baby shower and I absolutely love how Ford sincerely apologises to Eva for all the hurtful words he said to her-- words that she has carried around with her every since. I also love how she forgave him when she realized how sincere he was, and how grown-up Ford is so different than the boy she used to know. (I also loved how they didn't let that be the reason why that they weren't together now. That dealt with the issue from the past and moved on. That's so rare in romance novels, and real life!!)
It becomes clear that these two were always meant for something big, but there's just one thing holding Eva back: Ford has a daughter, and she absolutely doesn't want kids. She's seen first hand that her mother has to sacrafice her own dreams for her kids and the husband that barley acknowledges her existence, and Eva doesn't ever want to feel trapped like that. She wants to fulfill her every dream she has in her life without feeling like she's settling. Even though this disappoints Ford, he gets it. And the kicker? He doesn't judge her or try to persuade her to change her mind. HALLELUJAH in a bag pipe. Men, take notice of that. Women should not have children just because society tells us from an early age that we're supposed to want to experience the beauty of raising kids. Not every woman wants that, and that's totally ok. If she chooses later in life to have kids, more power to her, women shouldn't have to be guilted into having kids, and Ford GETS that. That is just so damn refreshing.
Eva brings out a side to Ford that he forgot existed: fun. Being a single parent, running a company, and keeping himself functioning is more than most can handle, but he's determined that Bryce (his four year old daughter) knows that all is hard work is for her, and how much he loves her. Even though he genuinely loves being a parent, be acknowledges that it's exhausting, thank-less, and you rarely have any time for yourself. Eva makes him realize that he's still a man, and even though he loves his life, he can still put some of his needs first too. They embark on just having 'fun' with each other, since Eva doesn't want to be a parent, and doesn't want to break three hearts in the process if she were to choose to walk away, but we all know how these situations turn out, right? Just after one day of sailing, good conversation, fun, and *fun*, the more they both realize that the way they felt back in college is not only resurfacing, but is greater than they ever experienced. But with how incredibly busy they both are (seriously, it's insane) will Eva be able to trust her heart enough to want to live the rest of her life with Ford and Bryce, or will she worry that she'll end up like her mother and her dreams will always be pushed to the side? You'll just have to read in order to find out! ;)
There's so many things I absolutely LOVED this book. I had the intention of just reading a little bit while I had some time, but before I knew it, I was 40% in and could NOT put this book down!! Jessica always sucks me in with her words, and how amazing each one of her characters are. I loved both Ford and Eva, and little Bryce was just adorable!! I touched on this in my review of Southern Gentleman, but I am so amazed by how authentic this author is about parenting, and all the feelings it comes with it. I have two small terrors -- I mean children-- myself and I related to how both Ford and Eva felt. And let me tell you: the sex screens in this book are SO HOT. Especially the sexting scene. Whew!!
Seeing all of our amazing characters from the precious books, and the snippets we got from Olivia's new historical romance was another thing that was just amazing. Here's hoping that Eva's sister and her grumpy beau get a story of their own, because I'm not ready to leave this world!!
I can't stop gushing about these books, but don't just take my word for it: go out and buy these books so you can experience first hand why Jessica Peterson is one of my favorite authors!!
**I I received an advanced copy of this book and these are my honest opinions!**