I got to read this book early because I am LUCKIER THAN YOU.
AND DAMN IF THIS BOOK WASN'T SO MUCH MORE THAN I EXPECTED.
You can see from my history that romance novels tend to be hit or miss with a batting average of about .095, so like, you know, it's hard to please me. I find a lot of novels tend to be heavy on misogynistic, weird alpha-male dynamics, or if they aren't, they just don't find the heat level needed in a romance, whether it's emotionally or sexually.
BUT THIS BOOK. HOLY SHIT.
Golding's character openings are absolutely stellar, from the very second we meet Taryn, the FMC, I was IN LOVE. The language was so intentional, and the images were so absolutely vivid that I was like crossing my legs and trying to convince myself that I'm really bi and not just SUPER GAY because Taryn is strong and intense and so fucking gorgeous. And then there's Billy, who is somehow all the great things about the masculine romance heroes, but minus the alpha male bullshit. He made me squeal so many times it's alarming.
There's one scene in this book where Billy has a chance to be the possessive jackass I've seen so many times, hell, it might've even been warranted, but the way he handles it is so refreshing and so FUNNY. The humor in this book was another thing I didn't expect. It was so GOOD!
Golding just manages to combine so many elements. It's always interesting going in when something is done differently, like the dual timelines, I wasn't sure how it was going to work, but it works so well. It's kinda like we get two novels in one, but in a way that weaves together brilliantly at the end to make one amazing novel. We get the fresh whirlwind of the initial romance (though I loved the spin on this too with how their jobs keep them apart, like it's amazing how the author ramps up the steam and anticipation without overusing sex scenes, likes its a masterclass in how you can do tension and longing in SO. MANY. WAYS.) and we get a breakup story about second changes and mistakes.
And seriously, when she brings the heat, she BRINGS IT. I loved how she wasn't afraid to slow down and emphasize the realness of sex, and somehow, that made it feel even sexier. God, I needed a BRISK SHOWER after her sex scenes. For real. I'm pretty sure one even taught me how to have sex better, BUT THAT'S A LOT OF INFO, ANYWAY MOVING ON...
Both of these characters are so positively flawed, which is crazy, because you meet them and fall in love immediately, and then their flaws shot up and you're like that meme of "you don't have all the facts, which are I love them." Like that's how I felt about Billy and Taryn because these idiots make some dumbass decisions. But they're so real, especially Taryn, I have honest to god never felt so represented by a girl character in my life. She's so deeply emotional and trying so hard to get what she wants and stick to her guns, and god, I could talk for hours about how much I understood Taryn. She was so complex, and emotional, but strong and she's exactly the kind of heroine I feel like so many romance novels are missing. Funny, how Golding managed to put a brilliantly fresh spin on the hero and heroine. And also the plot of a romance novel. You just find yourself so desperately rooting for these idiots to find their way back to each other, I literally gasped and laughed aloud, and yes, got teary eyed a couple times because while it's being supremely hot and tense--it also has these insights into human flaws that just, damn.
God, everything about this is so fresh, OH! I also especially loved the Moto elements. My adrenaline just RACED the few times she goes into details about it, like I don't know if the author's ever actually raced? But now I feel like I HAVE RACED. I WOULD RACE RIGHT NOW if I wouldn't 100% die.
Anyway, if you can't tell I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK. AND ALSO SHE TEASES A SEQUEL AS THESE ROMANCE NOVELS ARE WONT TO DO AND SHE TEASED IT SO WELL THAT I'M GOING TO CHEW OFF MY OWN HAND WAITING ON IT.