Olivia Valenti was always a sucker for a love story. But growing up as a shy young girl who felt awkward in social situations meant she never thought she’d have a love story of her own. Until she caught the attention of Josh Anderson, the high school equivalent of a celebrity with a reputation for being a heartthrob and a heartbreaker. Despite their differences, they became fast friends, and that friendship quickly bloomed into a first love. Until a tragic series of events ripped them apart, leaving their hearts shattered and their faith in each other broken.
Now, fifteen years later, life throws them back together when Josh lands a job at the same publishing company as Liv.
As they try and fail to deny the feelings they still have, the truth of the night that ruined them is revealed.
Josh and Olivia must confront all the ways that life and love have changed them as they learn how every version of themselves has helped bring them exactly where they together.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Josh and Olivia had me hooked from beginning to end. This is the kind of second chance I like. The pacing was spot-on, not knowing if I wanted to know their story from the beginning or see them navigate their present day and the challenges of learning about each other again and finding out the truth of what transpired in their past. The dual timeline worked for me, and while it was predictable, and most (all?) of us detest the miscommunication trope, it made sense considering the age at which they met and fell in love. I do wish that since their love was portrayed so beautifully and I felt Olivia saw beyond Joshua’s past persona, and he opened up to her in return, she would have chosen to talk to him instead, considering they had planned their lives together. Though, that would have been a different story, and maybe we would have gotten bored, but fifteen years is a significant time apart. Olivia’s friendship with Maggie was so good even when she was pushing Olivia out of her comfort zone. Joshua was so down bad for Olivia, and I just loved being in his head, and I thought he was a great book boyfriend. I couldn’t help but root for them. 💜
I hope you guys take a chance on this lovely second chance romance and fall in love with Josh and Olivia’s story. Also, be sure to check the trigger warnings and take care of yourself first.