Noah (27) got into the town because his online girlfriend of six months asked him to come and be with her. But it turns out this woman is a witch who only played him and didn't want to do anything with him. With no job and enough money, he applied to become a "huber" driver in that place, and this is how he met Luanne/Lu (25).
He became her driver to all of her first dates (blind dates), and their setup gradually developed into friendship. Noah's skittish, always on guard, and distrustful of people because of what he went through. This man kept his secrets to himself for far too long because he's ashamed to admit that he got played. He can't believe how he fell for that, and every time he remembers his encounter with the "gf", it makes him mad and embarrassed.
Yet despite his attitude, it didn't stop Lu from befriending and spending time with him. In fact, it fueled her desire to know more about him. She's very patient, understanding, and accommodating of him. She handled him with so much care because she knows he's flighty. And although Noah didn't make it any easier for the two of them. Lu's persistence eventually broke down his walls bit by bit.
I saw the source of conflict from miles away, and, tbh, it was very predictable. Then again, this is a light read that didn't need much deep dive into the plot. Apparently Noah's online girlfriend was Lu's witchy, mean stepsister. So when all of them met, emotions ran high, and Noah ended up leaving Lu. They got separated because he didn't know how to handle the situation, and his insecurities got the best of him. And once again, Lu displayed her never ending patience and understanding for him.
Now that I look back, most of the books in this series were all about the FMC's catering to the needs of their MMCs. And maaan, the baggage of the MMCs was freaking unhealthy. Then they're going to realize they messed up and would apologize for what they did. 🤦♀️
Anywaaay, it was still a good small-town romance. And readers have to be patient with Noah before it gets better. But the HFN ending definitely killed my mood. 😬
Book info:
- Small town romance
- Huber driver
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Stangers to friends to lovers
- Slowburn
- Loss of loved one (past)
- No cheating (but she did go on some dates)
- No OMD, separation.
- OWD (Not really, but his ex (her stepsister) eventually appeared)
- No V
- HFN (in a relationship 🤷♀️)