Excerpt: Just One Week

Mia...she is the definition of a runner. She hides, she avoids, she holds back and is ruled by her fears and insecurities. She has walls up. She does not think she will be able to have a real relationship. I understood what she was fighting against, but sometimes I totally wanted to shake sense into her. She's stubborn, strong willed, secretive, scared, and resistant. She has deep fears and insecurities based on things that happened in her past and keeps a lot bottled up inside. She has other issues bearing down on her. But she is a good friend and always there for everyone else. She just has a hard time asking for or accepting help. We gradually learn what the issues are that have caused her to be this way. I was surprised where Stacey took this story. I was not expecting some of the plot twists. It made it more interesting and emotional. 

This woman is going to be the death of me. She runs from hot to cold, turned on to scared out of her mind in a matter of minutes.

But there's this other part of Mia, beyond the laughing and smart-ass comments and great sex, that is closed up in a box, taped and packaged tighter than a bomb. 

Chase is like this cuddly, big, alpha teddy bear. he is pushy, assertive, a bit hot-headed, a little sneaky, but also not afraid to admit his feelings. He is also loving, caring and wants ALL of Mia. I love that he acts like "the girl" in this relationship. Sex is not enough for him and he wants a real relationship. I totally adored him! He finds ways to take control, but is so sweet and adorable doing it. He is determined, but tries to be patient. But Mia could seriously try the patience of a Saint. And as Mia kept pushing him away, my heart broke for him. He had to make a bold play to try to shake things up. And I thought it was a great move. But it seems like he is always reaching for her and she is slipping out of his hands. 

"I just want one week. One week to take care of you, to know you, to prove to you it's okay to let down your guard every once in a while."

He's essentially everything I would want in a long-term relationship, if I wanted one.

Will Mia ever figure out that sometimes it is okay to lean on people? Will she ever let Chase love her?

I loved following the continuing stories of Nic and Zack, Sammy and Jake, and Garrett and Chloe. These characters are fun, supportive, and humorous. They make their own little band family. I enjoyed getting to spend more time with them. I absolutely love this series. It is well written, flows flawlessly in both points of view, and is completely engaging. The characters have in depth personalities and emotional issues. Their connections are deep, but complicated by problems. The plot lines have unique situations and twists that are not typical. The characters have to fight for their happiness. This was an angsty, but beautiful story of determination, love, and hope. It was about letting go, taking a chance, holding on, and moving forward. 

Thanks to Stacey Lynn for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. 

at Word