Cuffed might look harmless on the surface, but it will cut you open and drain the feels right out of you!! Emerson and Grant were best friends. But his believe that he shouldn't let anyone get hurt leads to her feeling betrayed and leaving town. 20 years later she is back and still pissed.
Emmy's childhood scarred her and her life changed forever. She has tried to run from her past and put it behind her, never telling anyone because she never wanted another pitying look. But, back in her small hometown, she has to face the past. Grant is all grown up too, and now he is a cop. These two are oil and water! Emerson has a sharp tongue, designed to keep everyone at a distance, but Grant isn't falling for it. He keeps pushing his way into her life even when she keeps trying to throw up barriers.
While they are getting reacquainted, Emerson refuses to talk about the past. Grant dances around it, but he really wants to apologize for breaking his best friend's trust. These two have so much baggage they would rack up the fees on an airline. But, it works! The way they orbit each other, dancing around issues and feelings until they are in too deep to back out...sigh. Its magical.
As if the past isn't enough for these two, Emerson is having trouble with a smarmy loan officer. The whole storyline is very apropos given the current sexual harassment allegations in Hollywood. His behavior is exactly the type of thing too many women have to deal with and they handle it just like Emerson-by saying "I can handle it" and just trying to avoid the problem. Grant is applying for a promotion but his competition is a asshat whose father was fired by Grant's father and the asshat has never moved on.
Dispersed between all the heavy is smatterings of light. Desi, Emerson's BFF brings some levity with her hilarious commentary, and Grant's brothers are a hoot!
As Emerson says, "Head up. Wings out." This book will take you for a ride! I am super excited to get the Malone brothers' stories too! Grady and Grayson seem like they will sweep me off my feet just like their brother Grant!
- POV: 1st dual
- Tears: yes
- Trope: 2nd chance, friends to lovers
- Triggers: Emmy was sexually molested by her father; she was a cutter for a time as well and still deals with the urge to cut at times
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes with epilogue
Racer by Katy Evans, Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, Salvaged by Jay Crownover...then you will probably like Cuffed!
See full review on The Book Disciple