Daniel Finley has been summoned home to Sunset Cove, Florida by Brantley Hayes, his older first love who is also the one who sent him away to Chicago seven years ago.

Daniel is now back, but he's not the same easy-going guy. He's hardened, cynical, and guarded. He has always been direct, but now he is downright bossy, demanding, and likes control. Brantley used to be the more dominant one, but now he feels even older and more vulnerable. He's intellectual, caring, and a bit stuffy, but also has a magnetism about him.

Finn's agenda is to come and stay two weeks and get Brantley out of his system once and for all. He still has some anger and resentment about being sent away and about what it meant for both of their lives. There is more of  a role reversal now with Finn becoming the more dominant one and taking over control more. Finn loves teasing and pushing Brantley, and Brantley is just fine letting Finn take on more of a role of aggressor. But they are both dynamic, strong characters that play off each other well.

As they fall back into each other's lives and reconnect, there is an underlying desperation, a twisting up of the past and present, and fear of rejection and loss again. Each touch, each longing glance, and memory adds to their incredible sexual tension and need. Their chemistry is explosive and they cannot resist the pull. But can they really keep feelings out of it when neither of them really let go of the them in the first place? They've really just been on pause for seven years.

And now they know they are on borrowed time. Their lives and careers are fully established in other parts of the country. Both of them are just about to achieve their highest career goals that they have worked years for. There is no easy resolution that does not include major sacrifice.

What happens this time when it is time for Finn to go?

Both of the guys were charismatic, sexy, and likable. I adored them both. They both had unique personalities that grew and changed over the years and their interactions together even shifted. I loved their power exchanges and how they could make the other lose control. And how strong their bond was despite the years and distance. At the heart of this story were two men with an intense, soul-deep connection that had been broken but was still strong despite the cracks. As they began to repair them, it was beautiful, passionate, and emotional.

It is so intricately woven, layered, and the build up just kept me in suspended animation. I was tense during the whole story as it kept building.  I rejoiced in their happy moments, and sometimes my heart plain hurt. I laughed and cried. I wanted them to find a miracle to make it all work out. It was a challenging journey for them both to face their shared past and come together in the present with an uncertain future looming ahead of them. 

This is a mix of a forbidden student-college professor romance and second-chance M/M love story. It was heartwarming, heartbreaking, passionate, sweet, and swoon worthy. It made me want to believe in  soul mates, faith, hope, and the power of true love. It is told in both Finn and Brantley's points of view in present and in clearly marked flashbacks, so we were able to see their connection growing in both time periods.

I loved the side characters of Brantley's animated professor friend, Jordan, and Finn's sarcastic, crude, gym owner buddy, Derek. Ella, PLEASE we need more of them! I also liked Finn's mom and sister, Katrina. They all added some extra humor and drama to the story. And there was a super fun cameo of a couple that made me squeeeee outloud! Ella Frank was the author that started me reading M/M when I was not sure it was for me. I trusted her when TRY came out and it has now become one of my favorite genres (and her Temptation series is one of my all time faves). And I am so glad that she is taking another foray into the M/M genre, because she brings amazing, unforgettable male characters and stories that touch my heart. 

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.