It's been a while since I've read a Riley Edwards book. As for this one, it falls mostly under a novella (182 pages), so everything moved too fast. Since I haven't read any previous books in this series, many characters were introduced at the beginning. But the MCs and the important characters were easy to remember.
Anyway, I don't know if I should consider this insta-something or not. Evan (50) and Josie (52) have been around each other for quite a while, it was implied. Their friends are friends, so that sort of acquaintance. He said he finds her attractive, but since he's not really into relationships, he didn't even think about pursuing anything with her. But apparently all they needed was one night to change everything, and things went from 0 to 100 just like that. There was a tiny pushing away in the beginning after Josie snuck out after their ONS. But with Evan's daughter's scheming, they eventually faced each other and, you know, had conversations like the grown people that they are. And after they talked things out, it's basically smooth sailing.
There's an added suspense that blows up in the end, but that's kind of expected with this author.
Overall, it might just be that it's a bit too short, but I found it difficult to get into the romance or whatever relationship was starting to develop between them. I don't know; it just feels like there wasn't enough chemistry between them and I just felt meh during their interactions. 🫣 But I really liked their blended family and how everyone was so welcoming in it.
Book info:
- Novella
- Suspense
- Midlife MCs
- Single parents (h - 2 sons, H - daughter)
- Insta-something
- Mention of abuse (verbal), spouse infidelity, substance trafficking, death
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- HFN (engaged)
Notes:
- Both MCs have been divorced (Josie - 15 yrs, Evan - 13 yrs). Both of their ex-spouses were also absent in their kids' lives.
- After divorce, Josie got back to studying and put all of her focus on her career and sons. She didn't date, but she mentioned that she didn't live a life of nunnery. And if we're going to take her words at face value, I think after her ex-husband, her affairs were pretty much few and very far in between.
- As for Evan, he developed abandonment issues after his ex. So he decided to focus on his job and daughter, too. Regarding relationships, he has never been in one. He said that his interactions with women were mostly a one-time thing, and if they got a repeat, he always made it clear where he stood. He said he has no problem committing; he just didn't want to. So he never introduces them to his daughter, but apparently Josie was the exception.