I love when a book takes a complicated character, and as the title of this one suggests, redeems him and makes you fall completely in love with him. Life is not always black and white, and good people can do bad things.. things they never expected they would do. I think there is something so beautiful in taking a flawed character and making him into a person you root for, a person you want to end up happier than they ever thought was possible.
If you have read Reputation, you know that Ash is Blake's brother, and he is hiding a huge secret. He's a high level functioning alcoholic, and it is taking over his life. He is rarely sober, and is quick to anger no matter what. This was the reason why he gave Zach the ultimatum to break his sister's heart, and ever since, he hasn't been able to look at himself in the mirror. His entire life he's given up pieces of himself to those he loves, and even though he doesn't regret it, he wants his chance of happiness. He just doesn't know how to accept it without sabotaging it.
During his lowest point, the object of his affection, the untouchable, very conservative, religious, and virginal Taylor helps him in a way neither of them expected. Taylor is his sister's best friend, and he's always denied himself feeling more for her than he already does. He believes she deserves so much better than him, and refuses to taint her. However, one evening whether he lets his guard down and Taylor sees the pain he's been hiding for so long, turns into a night of passion that Taylor will never forget. Unfortunately the same can't be said for Ash.
Five months ago, Taylor gave a huge piece of herself to Ash, and in turn is now carrying their baby. Before finding out she was pregnant, she left Ash in the bed they shared during their night of passion. She knew he couldn't handle what happened between them once he sobered up, and she didn't want to be another reason why the one man she has always wanted continued to drown himself. So she let him go. Fast forward to the present, and she tracked him down to a wonderful small town, and he's unlike the Ash she's known her entire life. This Ash is sweet, considerate, passionate, and everything she knew he could be. She struggles with telling him what transpired between them that night, and the result of it. She asks for refuge from her uber conservative Catholic family, whom she knows will judge her for having sex and getting pregnant while not being married. While her and Ash become closer than ever, their mutual feelings take over and they can no longer deny how they feel. But once Taylor tells Ash the truth about the father of her baby, will he stay or break her heart?
This book is so much more than your average love story. Alcoholism effects so more than just yourself, and watching Ash overcome it, and be the man he always wanted to be was so real, and so amazing. He never thought he would have Taylor's love, and you saw him just bloom into such an amazing man. There's also new characters that are introduced that I so hope get a story of their own, because I'm not ready to leave this magical place!! Another knockout from this amazing author!!
**I I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!!**