This is just a fun book to read, about the crazy antics and love missteps, of Harlow Raine. It opens with some diary entries of bad dates that just didn't measure up to her needs. There was always something, just not right. But, gurl some are real deal-breakers so, there is no judging here. However, as you read the story and think back about all these guys, it's because none of them measured up to the man she had fallen for long ago.
But, she is a roommate with, the one who shall remain nameless, his little sister, Evie, their male roommate: (no not gay just a virgin but owns it, not lying like she is) Cameron, and Jess. She was eighteen and the mystery man was twenty-six. Back home that’s normal there. So it was a huge mix of ages at the party because back then, some people took advantage of any party. After all, the town was that small. Anyway, she threw herself at him saying she wanted him to take her cherry. And he turned her away. Even in her drunk state, she was ashamed and, embarrassed.
Then, a year ago at twenty-one, he kissed her like nobody’s business. Pissing her off more than at the bonfire at eighteen. So, the sneers, snide remarks, and cold shoulders for, Derrick Olsen are cover-up for the one man. The man who no matter what, she can’t seem to shore up her protective walls, against the embarrassment of being so naive, the pain of rejection, and the hurt of not measuring up to all the past women. Of course, she had no clue who he must have been with that she could have, compared herself to, but compared she did, and knew she could never compete with them.
Derrick comes over to get the ski rack from Evie and while the three of them talk he mentions, Shufflebottoms’. So, when she does she lowers her head, and a crease forms between her eyes. He asks why, and she tells him, it is her gram’s favorite place. Evie tells Derrik he should drive her up because she hates the train station. The look of panic greets both sets of eyes when they first look at each other.
But, then the moment switches quickly, and the moment of calm comes over them and they both say, okay. Then, she asks what time should she be ready. Then she said she needed to pack. That's when her inner debate started. All over the idea she had been kicking around for a bit. But, Derrick would be perfect. Because he already knew a little bit. Now, she just needed to build up the courage. With her gran’s health failing, they take the winter break at, Shufflebottoms. Normally they take her during, June but the doctors say her body is shutting down.
Before getting in the car she hits him with the fake girlfriend story for gran. Talk about all kinds of awkwardness for them both. Him because he has been crushing on her since he turned him down. But, the beautiful drunk, Harlow deserved more for her first time. Like remembering it, pass the hangover. Plus, their age gap back then mattered whereas now not so much, because in truth it is only eight months. Such a good book. She had me worried there at the end laughing too especially when she walked in on her sister and her husband.