mcs:
- asher, 29, football player
- wynter, 31, former figure skater / orthopaedic surgeon
book info:
- no third act breakup
- omd/owd (see notes)
- one night stand
- second chance
- surprise baby
- forced proximity
- parent abandonment
- cheating (not between mcs)
- he falls first and hard
- HFN (engaged)
- bonus epilogue
Notes:
- OMD/OWD. Asher's shoulder injury was supposed to be confidential, but someone leaked the info to the press, and his PR team wants to drive away attention from this. So they set him up for a date with an influencer so that Paparazzi could focus on something new. Wynter overheard the "date" part only, and she got pissed, hurt, and annoyed by this. tbf, Asher didn't want to go, but he still followed his PR team's decision, and he didn't tell Wynter about this (when he knew deep down he should) Anyway, that same day, Wynter was asked by some guy, and since she's still hurt, she agreed. Wynter and her date went to this fancy restaurant; coincidentally, this is where Asher and his date were set up too. Wynter was enjoying her date (or she was trying) all the while Asher was looking at them seething and raging. OM/OW didn't appear after this.
- Another ow, but not really. Wynter came to their home early, and she heard sounds from Asher and a woman, and when she saw them together, she jumped to the worst conclusion. But this woman is his physical trainer and also married. Asher ran after her and cleared up the matter.
This would've been a 4 ⭐️ read if he was celibate during their "separation." Sue me, I don't like the fact that Wynter's life changed so much because of the surprise pregnancy and that she went through it all by herself (I know it's not Asher's fault) But while she was going through pregnancy and medical school, nothing changed for Asher, and he's probably living his best life.
As for the celibacy, I know he wasn't, and that didn't sit well with me; it's a me problem, obviously. He was so happy when Wynter told him that there had been no one else after their lousy encounter, and he didn't tell her that it was the same for him! he also mentioned during one of their convos that he sometimes (not often) brings women to his apartment 😐 and when they're about to do the deed, wynter opens his drawer and there are condoms in there, and he said he's not been sleeping with anyone for quite a while. If these scenes don't scream that he's not been celibate during the past year and a half, idk what else is needed.
So, they met a year and a half ago in a bathroom, and they had the most unsatisfying rendezvous, and Wynter got pregnant after this. Then they meet again, after Wynter's biological father hired her to treat Asher's shoulder injury. Apparently, Asher didn't forget the night they met, and he became "obsessed" with her and was hoping to meet her again, but they never exchanged names, and he doesn't know how to find her. He was shocked to see her again and a bit disappointed because she didn't remember him.
Anyway, this ice queen behavior of Wynter didn't deter Asher. He flirts and invades her personal space all the time, trying to make her fall for him. He got it so bad for her, and he's acting like a clingy golden retriever all around her. If he's not hot and good-looking, this behavior is definitely creepy, but he's Asher Reyes, and everyone loves him. 🤷♀️
Then, when he confessed to Wynter that they'd met before, she told him that night that they had a kid, Mason. I'm glad she didn't hide it and offered to let him know about his son. After this news, Asher acted even more like a caveman, asking her to move in with him to spend time with his son (also with her). She agreed, but she put some boundaries between them since she has issues with ball players, thanks to her cheating-absentee father.
Of course, with the forced proximity and Asher's relentless efforts to win over Wynter, she eventually gave in to the attraction until they became an official couple. This book is disgustingly sweet, borderline cheesy, and corny, but I dig it. though sometimes I cringed with Asher's line because he really knows how to use flowery and swoony words, but that's my issue. Like I said he's so down bad for her, and he knows she's it for him.
But my issue is that for someone who wants to earn Wynter's trust, Asher sure as crap doesn't know how to be truthful to her, especially if the concern affects not just him but also Wynter and their son. He did two dumb things in this book, and I really want to smack his head. He knows Wynter's trust is fragile, and lying and hiding things from her won't work in his favor. Yet Asher still opted not to tell her anything and let her find out the info from other people. He's lucky that Wynter is trying to get over her trust issues by giving him another chance. I think it helps too that he's sincere with his apology, and he opened up to her and showed his vulnerability.
As for Asher and Mason's relationship, it's adorable reading how he's being a doting father to his son. He's so head over heels for him after finding out his existence, and he really is excited to be a father. He put in a lot of effort to make Mason and Wynter's living arrangements as comfortable as possible, and it's just too sweet to handle.
Overall, this is an okay read. way too sweet and cheesy for my liking, but I like Asher's devotion to Wynter and Mason. I liked the found family aspect, and there's no third-act breakup. still enjoyed it all the same.
PS: The last book is about Lenox, a second chance trope again 😑
=====================================
Self note:
- Second chance romance
- Sports romance
- MMC is a manhoe (implied from previous books)
- The MCs had ONS two years ago and she got pregnant
- They meet again, she's a surgeon hired by his team.
Not really a great start (for me) because of his reputation and the second chance trope. But I like Ms. Saman's books so I'll still read this. Hope it's not disappointing and rage inducing. 😅