And when Jesse Malone kissed Sarah Ramsey, he thought his life would change, but not in the way that it did. An unlikely childhood romance between a poor boy and a wealthy girl began the day Jesse decided to do the impossible and cross the creek. A love was born, one that would become their shelter, protecting them from the storms of their lives, until the day Jesse witnessed his mother’s murder, forcing him to leave his childhood home…and first love.
Ten years later, life has finally gotten better for Jesse. He has a loving family, a charming pet shop to run, and one semester left before graduating with a degree in architecture. Everything is great, until the day fate intervenes and his long-lost love walks into his shop and back into his life.
Sarah, engaged to a budding attorney, is struggling to keep everything together. Her father, diagnosed with terminal cancer, is running out of time. Sarah races to build their dream business while planning her wedding in time for her father to walk her down the aisle.
Their brief encounter starts a series of events that neither Jesse nor Sarah expects. After a decade of running, Jesse is now forced to face the demons from his past, while Sarah has to choose between her handsome attorney and her first love.
Just when they think love has given them a second chance, Jesse is faced with an impossible decision, one that will change their lives forever.
'Love always comes with a consequence.' This line right there sums up Jesse and Sarah, and honestly life in general. Everything you do, including love, comes with consequences both positive and negative. Something I say so much it hurts. However, for Jesse and Sarah there is so much more than that. There's not a lot I can say about the storyline that isn't covered in the synopsis without giving away major plot things. So I won't. However, if you are looking for happily ever after, this may not be the book for you. Perhaps the series? I've not made it that far yet.
What I did like is that the characters, for the most part, are well developed. It's easy to fall into their emotions. Their experiences. It's easy to cheer them on. And want to slap them into next week too. Not every supporting character was well developed but they are supporting and there are more books in the series for that potentially. Right? There were times I just wanted to shake Jesse and tell him to spit it out already, you know. And there were times I wanted to tell Sarah to stop being such a twit and actually use her brain. Sadly, book characters don't listen to me. Which is probably a good thing. Then there wouldn't be a story to tell.
I'm gonna pick on Kevin for a moment. Kevin is the budding attorney that Sarah is engaged to. He reminds me of every anti-hero in every book/movie/what have you. The stepdad in 'Georgia Rule' (that's a movie) kind of jerk. He's so twisted and up and down and entitled and how the heck does anyone fall for his shtick? He totally gives off the creepy jerk vibe from his first scene but everyone seems oblivious. Is it because he has money? Because of his career? Because they are blinded by love? Whatever it is I can't begin to tell you how frustrating it is because let's face it, there are real people like that in real life. And when they blow their circuit everyone is shocked by such a 'good' person being so horrid. No, he's not a serial killer. He's just a toad.
I liked this book. I liked it well enough that I'm interested in reading the next one. I need to know if Sarah marries Kevin or if she finally ever sees him for the cretin he is. I need to know if Jesse comes out ahead for himself and his family. I need to know if his family, particularly his brother, pulls together for themselves. I just, there are so many things I still need to know!
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