During Brad Ashby’s downward spiral in Love Surfaced, readers knew he was dating a girl, but something happened to send her running. Now, more than two years later, Brad has gotten his life back in order, kicked his drug habit, and is working to find his place in a world without swimming.

Taylor Delaney returned to her hometown as soon as graduation was over, trying to put her heartbreak behind her. Heartbroken and alone, she had nowhere else to turn when Brad ripped her heart out with his betrayal.

These two were so sweet together, but boy did they have some baggage to unpack. At their core, neither had gotten over the loss of the other, though both had tried to move on. I was shocked by the amount of issues these two had to work through. Not only did Brad implode their initial relationship, but Taylor has her own reasons to ask forgiveness from Brad. The pain they caused was immense and while I was surprised at how quickly they seemed to wade through their issues, it felt natural for the way they were together.

As Brad tries to make amends for the things he did, he is also trying to figure out how he can make swimming a part of his life again, even if he can no longer compete. I loved the addition of Wes and the challenges he brings to Brad’s journey. The agreement they make seems like the perfect way for Brad to grow up, keep a job, and still have time around the pool.

Piper and Tanner do not play huge roles in this story except in the wings, but they have news as part of the epilogue that was certainly fun to hear. 

This was another easy romance with swimming in the background. Where training and a focus on the Olympics permeated Love Surfaced, this was more about Brad figuring out how to keep swimming in his life despite his past mistakes. 

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. 

I'm a cheater. There. I said it. Two years ago, I fell into a hole, and as fast as my fingers clawed to escape, the dirt continued to pile on me. I'm not saying it's an excuse. I'm not even saying she should forgive me. Although, I hope she does. But I can't live without her anymore. I tried. I found a girl and proposed to her, while imagining the delicate finger I slid the ring on belonged to someone else. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't go through with marrying anyone but her. For sure, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm nothing without her. She brings out the good in me. That's why I'm here, in some small-ass town, to grovel my way back into her heart.

She's different now, and I'm not referring to the disappearance of her bleached blonde hair back to her natural brown. I loved her as a blonde, but the dark suits her better. I wouldn't care if she had rainbow-colored hair. I'm not sitting outside the hospital where she works, watching her walk to her car like some stalker, because she’s gorgeous. I’m here because of her heart and kindness. That’s what I’m fighting to get back. The package it comes in is just an added bonus.

Her ponytail swings back and forth as she laughs with what I hope is a co-worker, unless she's turned lesbian in the last two years. She waves good-bye to the girl and throws her purse into the passenger seat of her Jetta. The car has a little more rust than it did back in the day, but it's held up well. Still, it’s old and she deserves something newer.

She pulls out of her parking space, and my heart constricts as I watch her drive away from me again. I should duck down so she doesn’t see me, but my eyes won't veer from her. The beat-up Jetta passes and my stomach clenches. My hand itches to yank the car handle open. My feet beg to disobey and run to her. I don't have to, because she slams on the breaks and her eyes are locked on mine. Hope pours from mine while hers fume with anger.