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OK ... I feel like I'm at war with myself because I absolutely wanted to love this book so much because I love the author soooo much, but it wasn't quite there for me. I'm fairly new to Samantha Young's books and I loved the two that I've read by her.
I truly love reading enemies to lovers romances, but the hate was more strong in the beginning than I expected it to be. And most of it was coming from the hero, Caleb. It's to be expected with this trope that the hero is usually the a-hole, but his hate was nearly on a level of its' own and that had me completely appalled by him. It'll keep you wondering how the heck he'll be able to redeem himself by the end, so that was a huge factor that made keep going as well because I wanted to know how Ava would completely capture his heart. There's hope for everyone, even this major [ insert whatever word seems fitting ].
Once you get past their many unexpected encounters and their spitfire towards one another, we dig deeper into each of their stories. And they're both extremely heartbreaking in different ways. Ava and Caleb are no strangers to heartbreak and that pulled at mine completely. With Ava being betrayed by the two people that she loved the most in her life and essentially building this huge barrier between everyone she has known in her life. And don't even get me started on her parents who were never there for her.
I think this was one of my turning points for Caleb's character was when we learn a bit more of his backstory, but it still wasn't enough for me to forgive his rudeness. But you can definitely sense the bitterness that he has taken on from his past. Sadly, it was enough for him to treat every woman that looked like his past like trash.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Ava and Harper's friendship! It's definitely something everyone should have in their life, a solid support that will always be on your side. And they would also be your voice of reason. I know I'm not alone on this, but I want Harper to have her own book. I loved her character a lot!
I have no idea how Ava was able to deal with Caleb antics and how she was a bit quick to forgive him, when he essentially hurt her in such a way that seems nearly impossible to forgive.
Despite certain things that I didn't like here and there, Samantha has a way with her words that keep you absolutely addicted to everything on the page. I still finished this in one sitting and found myself completely enamored the whole time. I just couldn't find any redeeming qualities in Caleb.
This may not have been my favorite of Samantha's, but you may love it, so I'd still give this a try!
Major thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy!