4.5 Stars
Brigid Anderson is determined to achieve her goal of making partner and nothing is going to stand in her way. Sacrificing her friends with benefits deal with Grady Coughlin is for the best, but while she's on vacation and staying with him and a group of friends for the week, Brigid finds herself again succumbing to the intense chemistry they have. With lots of decisions to make about her future, will Brigid do what's best for her and Grady, so they can have a shot at happy ever after; or will she continue on the path she's on now and find herself all alone?
Any story that Ms. Ryder pens has always grabbed my undivided attention and this story was no different, as Grady does his best to show Brigid there's more to life than work. Really, this story was enthralling, fast-paced and one I could not get enough of, because of the main characters and their friendships with the secondary characters. Friendships that had fizzled until this time together, as things happened to cause everyone to go their separate ways, but now they have a chance to reunite and solidify the tight bonds that they used to have. Especially since the bride is determined to see her bridesmaids as happy as she is.
The dialogue was compelling and had me glued to every moment Brigid and Grady conversed, because the hero was determined to prove to the heroine that they're good together and that they shouldn't allow the fact that their opposites and he doesn't fit into her world to ruin their chance at happy ever after. I also liked the interactions the main characters had with the secondary characters, as Brigid wasn't afraid to give advice but not so willing to take it, because she had her mind set on her future. Will she realize that love, family and happiness are more important than work before she loses the most important person in her life? What will she do to prove to Grady that she wants a relationship between them to work?
As for the main characters, the hero charmed me from start to finish, because he had it tough growing up with what his mom did to him, but he's gone on to accomplish so much in his life. I also liked that he had such a good relationship with his brother, considering what their mom did. How could a mother be so cruel to abandon a child? I also liked how kind and caring the hero was and all he was doing for the couple who were getting married. Yet, what I liked most about the hero is that he didn't give up on winning Brigid over until the moment where he believed all hope was lost. The moment where she did something he thought she wouldn't do after everything they talked about.
While the heroine, she's always felt like the inadequate sibling of the family, which is why she pushes so hard to be successful and achieve her goals at the expense of putting aside everything that could make her happy. Certainly, I could understand why she worked herself to the bone, but at the same time, if she wasn't enjoying what she did then why do it just because of the pressure her parents put on her to be as successful as her brother and sister. Yet, what I liked most about the heroine is the decisions she made for her future. She had me smiling, because it was palpable that she would be a lot happier in the long run.
Overall, Ms. Ryder has penned another exceptional read for this series where the chemistry was intense, the romance hot and which made me think Brigid was a lucky woman to have the attention of Grady, because no one would treat her better or support her as much as he does. The way this story ended had me cheering for the heroine to make things right, as she has a lot of making up to do not just with Grady, but with the secondary characters. However, I liked how she won Grady back, because it shows she was willing to do whatever it takes, even if it meant she might make a fool of herself. I would recommend Something Borrowed by Megan Ryder, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope or books by authors Shelli Stevens, Marin Thomas, Kate Hardy or Eve Gaddy.