3.5 STARS
This was a cute and steamy enemies to lovers type of story. It also had the whole little sisters bestie going for it, which I love. It was also in dual pov's, love that too. Mia is returning to Alabama to spend the summer with her best friend, Tessa. Mia's been taking care of her mom, who's sick, so despite being reluctant to leave her, her moms insistence seals the deal. Mia hasn't been back to Alabama in 9 years. The one person she's dreading seeing is Tessa's big brother, Ben.
For years, Ben had tormented and made fun of Mia. He was insensitive, a jerk and an asshole all rolled into one. But it's been 9 years, and Mia isn't the same girl, doesn't even look like the same girl.
The night before she's to meet up with Tessa, Mia decides to have a one night stand, and she does that with a stranger, a very hot stranger, at a bar in Alabama. Their night together is explosive and everything Mia has ever wanted. There's a connection there and despite the steamy night and the possibility of more, Mia leaves to start her summer with Tessa. Soon into her vacation Mia sees Ben and realizes HE was the man that rocked her world. But it's hard letting go of hate and getting past old memories. Ben's mission becomes making Mia his.
So this was sweet. I felt Ben really jumped right in, claiming Mia all for himself. He had to work for it, but that's expected after treating her as he did as a teenager. I liked Ben, he was a great guy: sexy, considerate, loving and of course, a dirty talker! I thought his feelings seemed rushed, but that's me. Mia was alright. She was a good heroine but she tended to get on my nerves with her behavior. She also lacked a filter. Yes, a filter--the thing that helps you decide what to say or ask, as apposed to spewing verbal diarrhea. Some of the things she said to Ben were inappropriate IMO. Some of the text messages she had sent were so crass. I was cringing. I honestly don't know ANYONE who would ask those things in a text, especially with someone NOT their boyfriend. But aside from that she was sweet.
I also found myself wondering what she did with her life, before taking care of her mom. Found it odd that those things weren't explained for her or Tessa. Do they just lounge around? Just things I thought about.
I thought the secondary cast of characters were good. I especially liked the sub-plot of Luke, Ben's partner ( he's a cop ), and Tessa. They were a pseudo-couple, but had some major problems at the end. I'm so interested in their story. Reed was also a mysterious friend of the bunch. His story sounds like it would be great too, he's been burned in the past, so I'd love to see a love interest for him. This group of friends were so sexually forward in their comments, it was funny. In the real world if someone was overheard saying some of these things, it would be crazy!
So a good book, 3 or 3.5 stars to me is good, not great and not a favorites contender, but still potentially recommendable and worth reading. Looking forward to the rest of the series.