When August Ends

by Penelope Ward

[Cocktails and Books]

When August Ends is one of those slow burn books.  I spent the majority of the book wondering if Noah and Heather were ever going to act on the obvious sexual tension between them.

I could understand Noah's resistance to being anything more than friends with Heather.  Noah was letting his past dictate his future and given what he'd been through, that was absolutely his right.  But the one thing I didn't agree with was his use of their age difference.  C'mon...it wasn't that big (it's not like he was fifty and she was 20).  Once he started getting to know her, it was clear that age difference wasn't relevant, but I felt like he kept using that as his big shield when there were so many other reasons he could have gone with.

I really liked Heather.  She never seemed to let events in her life knock her down...even when it was OK if they did.  Given what she had to deal, I could understand her need to be level-headed and not let her emotions drive her.  But what I really loved is how OK she was with Noah pushing her for an emotional response to situations and teaching her that it's OK.  She was so much older than her years and she really needed someone to help her be young once in a while.

If you like a slow burning romance, this will be a book you want to pick up.  This couple could frustrate you sometimes, but in the end, the friendship they built that summer was the foundation to give them something very strong for the future.