The first AND most important thing you should know about this story is that it is overwhelmingly emotional. Not in your typical, that's a sad moment emotional, but the story itself is emotionally charged. When I was reading this story, I felt this overwhelming longing ... I couldn't quite put my finger on exactly what was causing it until I realized it wasn't any one thing or event. The story is electric, charged with emotion! The second thing you should know is that in my opinion, this is by far, Zoe York's best work yet. She exceeded my expectations with this novella length story. Exceeded because it doesn't read like a short story. It has depth and meaning and purpose beyond anything a short story can normally carry.
This is the story of Melissa Vincent and Cade Duncan. More aptly stated, this is the story of Melissa Vincent and the man who walked side by side with her on her journey of growth and discovery and ultimately love.
To say Melissa Vincent is emotionally 'closed-off' is an understatement. She's an only child with a very skewed perception of what relationships and love should be all about. No, that's not right ... she knows what it should be about, she just doesn't have a point of reference. Her parent's relationship was dysfunctional at best. Her father was nothing more than a sperm donor and she's never let anyone in close enough because of it.
Until Cade ....
Cade Duncan knew the minute he set eyes on Melissa, the prettiest girl he'd seen in a long time, that he needed a date with her. It wasn't smooth sailing getting to that date, but he got it ... and then some.
The story goes like this ... Melissa and Jared Sutter (her best friend's husband) were scheduled to fly to Hawaii to take part in an endurance race/challenge. But Jared becomes unavailable so Cade grabs on to this opportunity like his life depended on it. Because he knows there's a special girl under all that prickliness and this is his ticket to get to know this special girl. As I mentioned before, this book is more about Melissa than anyone or anything else. This endurance race is not just any race. It's both an opportunity to connect and a journey to discover for Melissa. You'll have to read for yourself the how and the why. But trust when I say this is not your ordinary short story.... it's short and sweet and packs a punch like no other.
This is a story embroidered with feeling, hope. vulnerability, acceptance, trust, growth and love ... Easy ~ Beautiful Love
:)