This was more than just a romance. This was about friendships and family that aren’t related by blood. It’s about people with character flaws and backgrounds that influence their present day decisions and how they learn to let it go. And I loved it all.

There are actually two relationships included in this book. The main couple is Joy and Royce who have recently met. With her son Jack as the center of her life, she’s been on her own since her parents disowned her. But when she allows herself to open up to Maris and a friendship develops between them, she also finds herself opening up to Royce. Royce has his reasons for wanting to remain unencumbered but after getting involved with Joy and Jack he’s quickly decided that he’s all for entanglements.

”How could Joy ever be a burden? Wasn’t possible. She brought laughter into his life, warmth and direction. All good emotions, with lots of sizzling physical need, too. Around her, he felt completely alive.
Somehow, without obvious effort, Joy had drawn him from his sad, burdened past and focused him squarely in the positive present.”

I loved Royce and the way he instantly connected with not only Joy but her son as well. A part of that is accepting an injured pup into his household that literally causes chaos. I have to admit, Chaos pretty much stole the story from the main characters but I’m not complaining.

The other couple included here were Maris and Daron. They’ve known each other for years but she was always closed off to him until her friendship with Joy makes her stop and take a moment to just enjoy time with a friend. I actually felt the connection and chemistry between this couple more so than Joy and Royce. Daron was cute and charming and so very careful with Maris. He was pretty perfect as heroes go.

This is a very low angst read, a bit slow because there wasn’t really anything driving the story onward. It centers on the various relationships and the growth of each woman as well as the development of their relationship with each hero. I loved watching these women open up to each other and evolve from that moment on. The culmination of the conflict between Joy and her family was satisfying but the lack of an epilogue left me wanting. I’m sure there will be more books to come and we’ll see these characters again, but that doesn’t curb the craving I have for more right now.

Overall, this is a sweet read heavy on character development, rich with humor and great friendships and electric with sexual chemistry.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Harlequin. All thoughts and opinions are my own.