Hall Pass Fridays

by Amber Warden

417 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2026

About the author

A former numbers cruncher, Amber Warden left the accounting world to write emotional and steamy contemporary romance instead.

Her main hope is for those reading to take away the feeling that they are more than enough for anyone.

When she's not writing, she's reading shoujo manga, playing otome games, and listening to her favorite J-rock music.

She'd love to hear from her readers:

amberwardenauthor@gmail.com

Instagram @amberwardenwrites

Facebook @amberwardenauthor

Reviews

[Jaedin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking the safest choice isn’t always the best choice and we see that throughout this book. When I first read the blurb for this and then actually read the book, I was not prepared for it. Neil was pretty much the only constant in Hailey’s life and she didn’t want to lose that, but I feel like in doing so she lost part of herself. This hall pass Friday really opens up Hailey’s eyes to the truth she hasn’t faced about their relationship. I loved seeing her growth and her being taken care of instead of doing the caring. This was definitely an emotional roller coaster.


I have read a good amount of Amber Warden books, but by far this was the spiciest one.🤣


Thank you to booksprouts for this arc.


safety notes/spoilers:

Cheating can definitely be a trigger for some, but this isn’t your typical “cheating” troupe. It’s literally so much more than that. After Neil and Hailey break up, Hailey explores and shares herself with Jack and Sean. This book isn’t for everyone, and there is a mfm scene that focuses just on Hailey. Any mfm typically isn’t my cup of tea, but alas. This is told from Hailey’s pov only.

Hailey (31)
Jack (39?)

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender, spicy story about choosing yourself

I first fell in love with Amber Warden through her Gentle Sinners series, a mafia romance series with wounded but vengeful heroines and protective, morally gray heroes.

If you are looking for any tips in finding your next book husband, read any of below books:
1️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Broken Support (book #5), he kneels for her!
2️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Broken Resolve (book #4), he submits to her!
3️⃣ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Broken Worth (book #3), he overcomes her touch-aversion!

Back to Hall Pass Fridays...

As per her signature style, Amber wrings another emotional and steamy contemporary romance with:
❤️‍🩹 caregiver heroes
❤️‍🩹 hurt/comfort scenes
❤️‍🩹 overcoming tragic pasts
❤️‍🩹 he falls first or harder

I highlighted quite a few quotes, but there is one note that I want to share.
I wrote manipulative little shit for one of Neil's many, many atrocious comments. 😤

My favorite quotes:

"Did I ever tell you I have a thing for feet?" "You do not!" I slid into the car. "I'm not sure about yours yet. Send me a picture of them when you get home."

His lips curled into a smile. "Are you really molesting me in my sleep?" he grumbled in a voice still rough with sleep. "Only your nose."

"Wow, from rock star to nerd in five seconds," Sean teased. "I love speadsheets," I admitted, releasing Jack's phone.

What it is about:
Hailey reluctantly agrees to an open relationship - with one rule: hall passes on Fridays.
She experiences one disaster after another while trying to do casual hookups for the first time. Not that men didn't want to sleep with her, they did, but there are all sorts of dangers to a solo woman while dating.
Luckily the bar owner, Jack, is there to help keep an eye on her. They become friends and soon she finds herself drawn more and more to Jack. It doesn't hurt that Jack is a former musician with tattoos.

What I loved:
🧑🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻the characters are in their thirties
🫠the slow, respectful sexual exploration with men that pay attention #swoon
⚡how accurately it portrays the risks of dating, including uncomfortable or unsafe situations and threatening behavior
🥵how her beauty and sexuality is not written out, but demonstrated through Jack's and Sean's reactions to her
😏the little moments that Jack gave her, like charging her horrible date for both his and her tab #LOL
🗣️how Sean talks them through their MFM scene 🔥H.O.T.🔥
🍍how Jack likes pizza with pineapple, like me!
🔥her first orgasme 👀 IYKYK

What I struggled with:
😇the fact that she could not orgasm with anyone else was very realistic, but her suddenly being able to do it multiple times with a different partner felt a bit like... fiction (ironic, right! 🤣)

What you need to know:
📚standalone, part of the Necessary Temptations series
🫂dual POV, 1st person
💕strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
💗emotional awakening
⛓️‍💥consensual rule-breaking
⚡"he sees her" energy
🐌slow burn, but spicy af!
🧑🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻MF, with one MFM scene
❤️‍🩹choosing yourself
👨🏼Jack: bar owner, former musician, tattooed, soft heart, quietly obsessed
🧔🏻‍♂️Sean: bouncer, demisexual, married to Derrick
❤️HEA

For the safety squad:
🌶️spice: explicit sexual content with different partners
🦺content warnings: (none of the following are between the MCs:) emotionally abusive dynamics, manipulation, control, fear of abandonment, attempted SA, stalking,...

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally when I see cheating listed anywhere within the blurb or tropes I scroll right past a book listing, but for some reason I didn't this time. Something made me stop and delve deeper, not only into the blurb, but also into what the author was writing about. Amber Warden is a new author for me, and like I said, normally when cheating is a part of the story, it's a no go, but Hall Pass Fridays was so much more than what I could have imagined and better than I was expecting. There was something more wrapped within the pages of this book and I was really happy that I stopped to dive into something new and unknown because this book was fantastic.

From the moment I first opened the book it caught and held my attention, and I'm really glad it did. Hall Pass Fridays contains material that is at a level of touching and emotional that, for women, a lot of times is overlooked, not talked about, and most times brushed aside because...hey, we're women and we should just deal with it. It was astounding how often I found myself identifying with the internal thoughts of Hailey Miller and that is just one aspect of what made this a book amazing and kept me up until the early hours of the morning. Seriously, I think I was up longer than I ever have been before because I just couldn't set this book down and it had a lot to do with the emotional development and character depth that sucked me in and refused to let go.

Hailey is in a relationship with her long term boyfriend for yearsssssss and until the moment he says he wants to change things up by, you guessed it...sleep with other people, for the sake of their relationship 😑 🙄 😒, Hailey never saw it coming. She assumed they would actually get married. However, to appease her boyfriend, because she didn't want to lose him, she agrees with his idea. Even when she doesn't want to step outside of their relationship, even when she wants to refuse, even when the thought of someone else touching her disgusts her, but she agrees because what else is she supposed to do.

Hailey struggles with being a people pleaser. She is an avoider of emotional situations, and has gotten to the point where she is frustrated with her body because it doesn't respond appropriately when her boyfriend touches her, which is counter-intuitive to her people pleasing nature. Talk about a never ending mental cycle when it comes to intimacy 🥺 It's basically added salt to her wound when her boyfriend wants to have a hall pass which gives her permission to sleep with someone else, while he does the same, but only on Fridays. She doesn't enjoy the act with the one person she thought she trusted, so how is she supposed to get past her insecurities for a one night stand? Say yes, because that is what she does and has always done.

If there was one thing Hailey did right it was pick the spot for their first Friday night, a bar close to their home called The Muse. Jack, the owner and Sean, the bouncer take her under their care and protection, which is a blessing many women don't have in her situation, but one that Hailey thankfully found from the beginning. They are her guardian angels who become friends, found family, and over time something more. Both Jack and Sean helped Hailey find her inner strength and their friendship was the backbone of the emotional depth that grew throughout the story. They were both beautiful people, truly just lovely and if there was anything I wished I'd gotten more of their thoughts, but I also liked how the book was written, so there's that.

I was engaged in what happened to Hailey and I didn't want to set this book down for anything. Like I already said, I typically wouldn't want to read a book that encourages cheating, but this was so far beyond what I would classify in this realm, so I encourage you to give Hall Pass Fridays a chance. It's told strictly from Hailey's POV and it's written extremely well. It captures not only the inadequacy and hurt feelings she carries from years of emotional manipulation and feelings that she felt she deserved, but it also shows the horrible moments of putting herself out there emotionally and physically in a scary dating world. It's heartbreaking and devastating especially in the moments when she's still clinging to a dying relationship, but it's also what she knows 🥺. At the same time she's gaining beautiful new friends and it's wonderful to remember that there are good people in the world, especially if you are willing to step out beyond what is comfortable and familiar.

This is a first in a new series that has completely intrigued me and I'd love to return especially if some of the same characters appear. Like Sean🥰 yes please! Also a few other decent people came along that gave Hailey good advice and I wouldn't mind seeing them again.😉

Thank you to BookSirens for the advance review copy and all opinions are my own.

[Anij · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It was like looking at the path not taken, and regret dug into my heart."

I've read, and loved, almost every single book Amber has ever written, and she never fails to touch my heart or make me cry, usually both in the same book. While this one isn't really all that angsty when compared to most of her other books, there's still a lot of emotions involved and yes, it still touched me heart and made me cry a bit, although this time it wasn't for the main characters. This time, it was because Hailey found herself having to confront a decision she made many years earlier with longing and deep regret. I also found myself doing the same with her, over something I had pushed to the back of my mind years ago. It was pretty painful but probably something I needed to do.

I really liked Hailey. I felt sorry for her. She had a really rough childhood, and I can't imagine what would have happened if she had never had the Millers.

Jack was the best part of the book. I absolutely adored this man. In my eyes, he could do no wrong. I wish some of the scenes and chapters had been from his pov. I feel like I missed out not getting to see his thoughts and opinions. Amber has written a few books from a single point of view in the past that I not only was fine with, I also understood and agreed with. This time I didn't. I believe the book would have been better if it had been dual pov. (My personal opinion.)

Sean was an interesting character and the one I was often surprised with. I won't say why as that would be a spoiler. I sometimes questioned why he was doing some of what he does, but he was a loyal, solid comfort to Hailey, and she deserves to have that in her life.

Neil, who was a major prize ass, didn't deserve Hailey. He was incredibly selfish, arrogant, manipulative, and unnecessarily cruel. There was no real reason or excuse for his actions as Hailey literally did nothing wrong, ever. It was always all about him. The world exists to benefit himself, and he can't imagine that he isn't as important as he thinks he is. He never takes responsibility for anything. When he doesn't get what he wants or things don't go the way he thinks they should, he lashes out with cruelty and pain. More than anything, I wanted Sean to beat the crap out of him, and I wanted him to lose everything.

While there isn't a ton of plot or action, this book is much more focused on emotions and feelings, mostly Hailey's. It was wonderful seeing her grow and become more confident with herself and her body. I have no doubts she will have a very happy rest of her life. The final chapter is actually more of an epilogue as it occurs almost a year later, and I loved seeing her happy in a different life than she imagined at the start of the book.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even better than I was expecting. Obviously it looked interesting to me, but it held me enthralled. I’m admittedly not very good at putting myself to bed, especially if I’m reading, but the only things I put this book down for were bathroom breaks and feeding my cats. I ate cheese and crackers for supper so I wouldn’t have to do anything that takes up time. I had to feed my cats in the middle of the night because the poor confused felines got hungry because we were all still awake. I was awake so late it was early, and I got more of a nap than a night’s sleep…

Totally worth it.

Amber Warden is an incredibly skilled author. Hall Pass Fridays is a single POV novel, and we experience Hailey’s Friday nights (and some Saturdays) from the night her boyfriend/best friend of 10/20 years introduces the “hall pass” through… well, that would be a spoiler. Neil and Hailey are a prime example of how *not * to explore polyamory/ethical non-monogamy, but there is positive representation in the book as well.

This book isn’t so much a romance (although romance is a factor) as it is a story of personal growth and development and healing. At almost 30 Hailey is still carrying deep wounds from a childhood in and out of foster care due to her biological parents’ inability to parent or love their child. The book explores the way this has affected Hailey’s relationships and choices in life.

Helping her along the way are Jack and Sean, the owner and bouncer for the bar Hailey chose for her and Neil’s first hall pass date. They recognize on the first Friday that Hailey is out of her depth, and they are the embodiment of the kind of bar staff who came up with Angel Shots. Over the course of the months that Hailey goes to the bar on Fridays, she becomes friends with the two men, and then friendship grows into something more.

This book is a beautiful tale of how growth and healing can be bolstered or hindered by the people around us, and how there comes a time when we have to take the reins for ourselves no matter how scary it may be.

Here I was expecting something shallow and spicy, and instead found thoughtful depth and erotic love scenes.

5/5 y’all. Absolutely fantastic book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hall Pass Fridays by Amber Warden absolutely wrecked me in the best way.

What starts as a story about an open relationship quickly turns into something so much deeper and more emotional than I expected. The premise alone hooked me. A boyfriend proposing hall passes instead of a proposal is wild enough, but watching the heroine agree out of fear of losing the only relationship she has ever known hit hard. It felt real. Messy. Vulnerable.

Her Friday night disasters had me cringing one minute and wanting to hug her the next. The awkward dates, the rejection, the constant questioning of whether she is enough felt painfully relatable. This book is not just about sex. It is about insecurity, self worth, and the quiet ways we shrink ourselves to keep someone else comfortable.

And then there is Jack Carson.

Tattooed bartender with a musician past and the softest heart. He never pushes. Never pressures. He simply shows up. Every single Friday. The slow burn between them is perfection. The way he supports her without judgment, the way he makes her feel safe when everything else feels chaotic, that emotional build was everything. You can feel the shift from comfort to friendship to something undeniable.

What I loved most is that this story is not about choosing between two men. It is about choosing yourself. About realizing that love should not feel like rules and negotiations. It should feel steady. Safe. Easy in the ways that matter.

Amber Warden delivered a romance that is tender, spicy, emotional, and empowering all at once. I closed this book feeling satisfied and slightly heart sore in the best possible way.
Five stars without hesitation.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hall Pass Fridays by Amber Warden is emotional, messy, and so real in a way that sneaks up on you.

Hailey’s situation hits hard—being in a long-term relationship where something just isn’t working, and instead of fixing it together, her boyfriend suggests an open relationship. You can feel her fear, her uncertainty, and that desperate need to hold onto something familiar… even when it’s no longer right.

And then there’s Jack. The bartender who quietly becomes her safe place through all the chaos. He’s steady, patient, and never pushes—just shows up for her again and again. Watching their connection build slowly in the background of her “hall pass” disasters is honestly the best part. He doesn’t just want her physically—he sees her, respects her, and cares in a way her boyfriend never really did.

The story does such a good job showing that this isn’t really about experimenting—it’s about self-worth, emotional connection, and realizing you deserve more than something that feels forced or incomplete.

It’s not just steamy—it’s heartfelt. Watching Hailey come to terms with what she actually wants (and deserves) makes the ending so satisfying.

If you love emotional growth, “wrong guy vs. right guy,” slow-burn connection, and finding yourself after a relationship that no longer fits, this one really delivers. 🍷📚💔➡️❤️.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey and Neil are in a long term relationship, but instead of a marriage proposal Neil shocks Hailey by proposing they open the relationship to explore their sexuality. While their sex life has never been great, Hailey isn’t sure Neil’s idea is the remedy. But hesitantly she agrees.

While trying to find someone to fulfill their new agreement, Hailey visits a local place, The Muse Whiskey Bar, and that’s where the story really begins. She meets Sean, a sweet and friendly bouncer who puts her at ease. She also meets Jack, the owner and occasional bartender. The two men will come to mean more to Hailey than she realizes.

And that’s about all I want to say about the plot. I would hate to give away anything.

What I can say is that I really enjoyed the book. The author has a good writing style and the story flowed really well. The characters were well-rounded and interesting. It surprised me at times, and in a good way. It was pretty obvious who Hailey would end up with, but the author gave us a lot more than a love story. Or at least a love story between two people. Hailey also learned to love herself. And I appreciated that the author recognized that Hailey needed to discover who she was before she rushed into another relationship. The book was a gratifying surprise. Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erica Marselas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, once I started I couldn't put it down. It was more real in feels and emotions than I thought it would be considering the subject.
After Hailey and Neil have been together for 12 years he asks for a hall pass because Hailey struggles with more ot less the enjoyment of ya know... Neil the clueless jerk (add more words I cant say here) never thinks maybe its him. Nah, and I liked the subject of a women even when she meets the other men that she still struggles with the "big O" with them and how mental it is. BtW shout out to Isaiah and I hope he gets his own book! Small character but yum and powerful. Now to Sean and Jack.. Hailey can only be sooo lucky to meet them. I wish our girl had more backbone, and wasn't soo navie BUT BUT its what made her real. Because though stressful, she has been gaslight for 12 years by Neil and her family. It takes so much to break out of that and become your own person and Sean and Jack were those people and never pushed her. Angels. Evey Friday, you see Hailey grow just a little bit out of the shell and not just with $me× but herself even afteer a huge set back. Highly recommend I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[love2read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally intense and very steamy🥰
Hailey lived with her foster family on and off since the age of ten. They were an older couple and passed away too soon. She has always wanted a family of her own. Neil was her first steady friend since she was ten. Over a span of 20 years, they went from friends to lovers, losing their virginity to each other. This book examines their long-term relationship which is marked by emotional abuse, manipulation, and a constant fear of abandonment. This story also explores polyamorous and open relationships.
Prior to this, my experience with the author’s work was limited to the Gentle Sinners Mafia series and a couple of holiday-themed books. This book is so different from both those and anything else I've read that I find myself reflecting on the range of my reading experience. 😔 I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Hailey’s journey to true love and the path she took to self-discovery. I was captivated by the characters and titillated by the sexual adventures.
I’m excited to continue with the rest of The Necessary Temptation series, eager to broaden my horizons. 😊
I am grateful to Booksirens and the author for providing me with an advance copy of this book, and I am sharing my honest opinion voluntarily.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure hour to even explain how I felt about this story. Hailey is such an amazing person. Sweet, and caring. But stress also a people pleaser ands doesn’t know how to say no when she should because she doesn’t want to upset things between her and them. When her boyfriend asked for a Friday night hall pass, I was blown away. Like what an a$$. But she said okay because she didn’t know what else to do.
So when she started spending her evenings at the bar with Jack the bartender, I was happy to see the connection that was slowly developing between them. I’m glad that she started questioning things. Coming to some major realizations. The boyfriend was emotionally abusive but it took her awhile to see it. This story was an emotional and de deep. But I really enjoyed reading this. It wasn’t about her growing a spine. It was about her seeing things and becoming a stronger woman. This was an absolutely woeful read.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey captured my heart very quickly and her story was beautifully poignant, truly inspiring, and I loved the way she found herself! Amber Warden is one of my favorite authors and this book just made feel all the emotions. I felt Hailey’s confusion and hurt when her boyfriend let her down, her nervousness meeting Sean and Jack, and her vulnerability every time she found herself in a harrowing situation!

There’s a love story mixed in with upheaval, hurt, anxiety, and learning how to make friends again. It’s a slow burn, awakening sexuality, ‘cheating’ boyfriend, and friends to lovers that touched my soul! Hailey’s life was difficult from a young age, her personality was people pleaser, and it’s a testament to her strength that she found her voice and a love of a lifetime!. Jack is an amazing man: supportive, protective, and sexy!! 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟4🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Good Booking Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an intriguing and unexpected read for me. I’ll admit, I usually shy away from anything that even hints at a cheating trope—but this story handled it in a completely different and refreshing way. It’s less about betrayal and more about self-discovery, trust, and being open to exploring desires in a safe and consensual space.

The dynamic between the characters is what really makes this book stand out. Watching them navigate vulnerability, communication, and emotional boundaries added depth to what could have easily been just a steamy read—but wow, the steam is definitely there. 🔥

At its core, this story is about growth, connection, and redefining what love and fulfillment can look like. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way, and I ended up really enjoying the journey.

Thank you to the author and Booksprout for the ARC. This review is only my opinion.

[Salima · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. Just wow from beginning to end I was hooked. A definite page turner. Hailey is such a sweetheart. Has gone through a traumatic past. Neil her boyfriend of many years is a real loser. He wanted an open relationship on Fridays as their hall pass day. Hailey gave in reluctantly.

She meets Jack and Sean at the bar she goes to every Friday. Jack being the owner and Sean being the bouncer. She tries to do the hall pass Fridays but it’s just not for her.

Neil has really shown his true colours throughout this period. He’s such an idiot. He had a diamond and didn’t appreciate it. His actions all about him. So selfish. Hailey is a people pleaser and so kind and caring. Love her. Love how Jack and Sean are so supportive and protective they are of her. They are her safe space.

This is the first book I’ve read by Amber Warden. I will definitely be reading more!!!!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. After reading the author note in all honesty I wasn't sure how this book was going to read. Neil already pissed me off frome the jump. It's a great read but just prepare to feel anger, like my red flag alarm was blaring. The first chapter angered me so much I almost stopped reading but powered through the anger and man am I glad I did. Hailey I just want to reach in and give her a hug. Sean and Jack are amazing though greatly written characters that are easy to love. These two are a balm to my soul after reading the hall passes. Chapter thirty woof, I don't know how else to articulate, I sat here trying and all I got was woof 🥵🤤

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy with an S, but heartfelt with a capital H. This book had so much content and meaning woven into it, and it ended up being far more than just a romance. At its core, it’s one woman’s journey toward finding her power, her voice, and her sense of family. I loved this book much more than I thought I would, especially because it doesn’t shy away from adult topics and darker themes. While I did find myself skimming a few sections, it didn’t take away from how much I ultimately enjoyed the story. Please check content warnings before reading. Overall, this was a strong, emotional read for me.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber Warden does it again🔥🔥

She does such an amazing job making me fall in love with her characters I always want more😅😭 This story was absolutely no different.

I loved Hailey so much, and related to her in so so many ways. It’s always refreshing reading a book and knowing something you experience isn’t just you.

I highly recommend this book!! There is some slight SA on page but it never happens. Mostly just aggressive kissing and handling.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[RAECHEL THOMAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy!!!!

This is exactly what you think it is based off the title. I was a little wary I wouldn't like this when I first started reading it, but it sucked me in and I read this quickly.

Hailey is a very likeable main character from the beginning, but I loved seeing how she evolved throughout the book. Her boyfriend.......not so much.

The author is very clear about the trigger warnings and subjects being talked about, so it won't surprise you when those different situations happen.

I really enjoyed the storyline and find myself wanting to find somewhere like The Muse for drinks and music.
Thank you to BookSirens for the advanced reader copy. Opinions are my own.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of the Necessary Temptations series.

'Now I have to decide: do I keep pretending this arrangement is freedom…
or admit I don’t want a hall pass anymore. I want it all.
Just not with the man I started with.'

The characters were well written and developed. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ewa Iwanska · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me 2 days to read this book. That itself says a lot. It was different from what I expected however in a good way. I love how author showed that abuse it is not only physical. The insecurities of main character make me sad for her. Her journey to become who she meant to be showes it can be done. We are stronger than we think we are. I was proud of Hailey. It is amazing and deep. And of course I love happy ending even if not everyone can have one.

[Patricia Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lot different than I expected. I love how author showed that abuse it is not only physical, but emotional and mental also.
She turns her insecurities into something more and becomes the woman she is supposed to be and finds her HEA.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite books from Amber and I was hooked from the start. It's emotional and I really didn't like her boyfriend of 12 years, When she meets Jack the bar owner and bartender, Amazing story,.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo

No third act break up. ✅ Characters who know how to communicate openly. ✅ Cinnamon roll book boyfriend. ✅ Fantastic character growth. ✅ This was such a refreshingly original read.

[Jamee hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking loved this book. It is my new favorite book and the best book. I’ve read in a while. I don’t wanna give anything away, but definitely read this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and gonna check out the rest of the authors books. I fall in love with Sean, Jack and Hailey so I couldn’t put the book down.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kara Vynesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of a “hall pass” in a relationship immediately intrigued me, as this was my first time reading a book built around that trope. Hailey was a reasonably likeable character, and the emotional trauma she carries makes it understandable why she stayed with someone like Neil for so long.

Neil, however, was extremely frustrating. While I assume that was intentional, he came across as weak and irritating with virtually no redeeming qualities. The fact that he introduces the idea of a hall pass—supposedly to help Hailey explore her needs—only added to the red flags surrounding his character.

I enjoyed the early development of Hailey’s friendship with Sean and the way the dynamic between Sean, Jack, and Hailey begins to form. However, the transition from friendship to a physical relationship between them felt quite sudden and not as gradual or natural as I expected.

That said, it was satisfying to see Hailey eventually find a sense of safety and acceptance with Sean and Jack after years of toxic relationships. Overall, this was a decent read, though not entirely my cup of tea.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.