4.8 stars (standard rounding rules apply)
Nicole Abrams debut novel is one I can absolutely get behind. The character's she has introduced us leaves me wanting for me. Finding Caroline brings us our first couples who have their fair share of baggage. There are times within the novel where you question are they going to be able to move beyond their pasts and find their happily ever after together? Or will they let the baggage weigh them down and cause their budding relationship to sink to the bottom of the ocean?
Caroline is a newly divorced from a controlling marriage, and she definitely isn't looking for love. She is looking to regain who she once ways, many years ago - before her ex-husband slowly broke down her self-esteem and self-worth. Throughout the beginning of her journey, she found friendship with two fellow co-workers whom I absolutely ADORE. They push her to join their gym to help support the wonderful strides she has been making with her running, a passion she long since had given up.
Sebastian has been scorned by his past relationship, and he is just going through the motion. He wasn't expecting to find love at his gym, and certainly not in the broken girl who at times just didn't seem sure of herself. One thing he learned through his heartbreak though is that when it comes to the next girl to grab his heart, he will give her time and presence... as much as she needs.
What I loved about these two characters is that they are each finding themselves in different ways. Throughout it all though, they help each other with this. Each of them has come from a past that leaves them leery when it comes to love, but they also can't ignore the attraction and connection they share. With a little help from each of their friends they see that maybe their past isn't what is holding them back, but ultimately themselves.
Another thing I appreciated within this novel and the representation of mental health therapy. This is something that I believe is getting more traction throughout novels, and I love when it is done in a realistic manner. This had been accomplished, while there aren’t many scenes what is there, and what is mentioned it done in an appropriate manner.
One thing I felt would have been great was seeing more of the past coming back into play. There was a good balance that kept the story going, and while there wasn't a full-on need for me... the dramatic of it all I would have enjoyed more. What was there was needed, and fed into the storyline perfectly, I am just a drama junky where more sometimes is all I want, even if not needed. This, of course, is a personal preference, and doesn't in any way mean there isn't enough.
Something that wasn't lacking would be the spiciness in this book. Sebastian is definitely what one may call a soft top. He knows exactly what Caroline needs, and how to give him what she is looking for - while also taking for himself. There was such a chemistry between the two that even when they kissed you knew they were meant for each other. I would give it a three-point-five chili peppers out of five chili peppers (this may be more or less for you personally, as there isn't a universal scale for spiciness.)
As a whole I really loved this book. For Nicole Abrams debut novel she definitely left me a greedy reader for the others to come in this series. I would absolutely recommend this novel to any of my friends looking for new to the scene contemporary romance authors.