"If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours."

We have seen Xander Wilde (River's brother) and Ivy Taylor in other books in this series. But now we get their full story. We see them as teens totally in love and who get separated and how their lives together veered off course.

She's not just a girl I used to date...she's the only girl I ever really loved. She's also the girl whose heart I broke. 

But now twelve years later as they are both going through difficult times, they find themselves in the same place and in a position to help the other with their current problems. Now they are back in close proximity and both afraid to admit how the other still affects them,. They are the "one that got away" for each other, but secrets, misconceptions, and half truths from the past still lurk under the surface. And neither wants to get hurt again.

Oh, Xander! He gives his brother River a run for his money. We have seem him be bossy, controlling, uptight, protective, and even rude in the past. But now we see him as a boy that was hurt and a man who suffered the consequences. He is loyal, caring, still protective, sexy and magnetic. His past loss and guilt really messes with his head though and he has demons that haunt him. And this man who thrives on control, finds himself losing control whenever Ivy is involved.

But with her I can let my guard down; I don't have to control every little thing I feel free--free to have fun and explore the emotions I've locked away for so long.

Ivy is the girl who was naturally beautiful inside and out, but did not have an easy life. She is sweet, sassy, and talented. But she always gets pushed into doing what others want, but now she is trying to charge of her own life. But that is not easy with toxic people in her life trying to pull the strings and willing to do whatever they have to in order to get what they want.  Xander broke her heart and that makes her vulnerable, but it is hard to deny that she is still drawn to him.

"Because Xander, my body might want you but my heart doesn't."

Together they share a deep connection that survived time and distance, but they are affected by past pain, secrets, and misconceptions. They are such a sweet, passionate couple with a solid basis in friendship and first love that just got totally ruined by circumstances. But they still have a strong chemistry and easy rapport when they let their guard down, and it is obvious that the truly care about the other one. The sexual tension and longing is so intense between them.

We were always so much alike. We covered up our feelings, pushed them aside, wore a strong armor to face the world, but with each other were were bared--no shields, no masks--just what was real and what was true. And the emotions I'm feeling between us right now tell me that hasn't changed--they tell me I'm home.
But their situation is complicated and they have not only their past to deal with but other outside influences, secrets, and hidden agendas. There were times I was frustrated with the secrets and miscommunication between them, and I wanted them to push each other more or faster. But their past was only one small part of the big picture threatening their future happiness.

So will it be a new start or another road to heartbreak?

Even though this can be read as a stand alone, part of the fun of the series are all of the connections and interweaving stories. We see more of River and Dahlia(Connected and Torn), Aerie and Jagger(Dazed), his sister Bell, and of course the band The Wilde Ones: Garrett, Nix, and Zane. We learn more about the Wilde's family history and past. There is more with Damon Wolf who I continued to hate with a passion.

I felt that this book was less angsty than the first two, but still had many twists and surprises especially in the second half. There were several mysteries that unfolded as the book went on and the reader learned about them piece by piece making it interesting. It was told in both Xander and Ivy's points of view that let us see right into their deep feelings, fears, and insecurities. I really enjoyed this installment and stayed up til 2 am to finish it. This series just always seems to suck me in since I know there will be surprises and twists and the characters are so well developed. It was an engaging story of love, loss, healing, and second chances. I am looking forward to more with Ben and Bell in Blurred and Frayed and the remainder of the series.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.