Second chances, a sweet pup, & some suspense
"When the moon hits your eye like a big piece of pie, that's amore!" ~Frankie's version
This song winds through Frankie and Luke's story like a stream through the woods.
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Honestly the first thing that caught my eye about the book was a dog as a side kick; I'm a sucker for pets in a story! The second item that pulled me in was the second chance/ friends to lovers... that hits home with me. The fact that Luke (Lucas) fell for Frankie/Franks (Francesca) the day she moved in next door, and having his POV all along, was enjoyable. I haven't read many books where he falls first, and I always love hearing both main character's points of view.
Frankie/Franks/Francesca was the new girl who moved in next door, and becomes best friends with Luke's older sister Lucy, who was the same age as Frankie, and all three were inseparable growing up. The night before Frankie heads off to Juliard, pursuing her dream of being a movie star, she asks Luke for a favor, forevermore becoming "That Night" ... one that nine years later still haunts him, and her.
When they run into each other again, him as an LAPD police officer, moonlighting as a security guard for a swanky exclusive party spot, and she, a world famous movie star on the arm of the hottest actor on screen, they immediately reconnect, and it rekindles the long-banked flame of first love. However, with both taken, they have decisons to make if they want to pursue the feelings that never went away.
Throw in an unrelenting stalker, and a sweet pup named Amore, there's a nice mix of second chances, sweet puppy love, and the suspense of what will happen next.
I enjoyed the flashbacks to the past best friend relationships between Frankie, Lucy, and Luke. When Frankie and Luke take the moral high road and wait to be together, instead of throwing caution to the wind made me feel better about the situation, too.
I would have liked to see more of the dog training involved with Amore, but know it wasn't the focus; I just love animals.
Overall, it's a feel-good, quick read I was glad to have read.
*TW/CW: there is an attempted sexual attack, and some PTSD lightly touched on, not fully-detailed and short-lived, but there.
My thanks to the author/PA for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No review was expected, and no compensation was received.