Ava Banks and Tucker Manning were inseparable as kids and teens. Their friendship finally blossomed to young love once they admitted it, but circumstances changed the course of their lives. She left him behind and went after her dreams. He stayed behind doing what he felt was right.

Five years later, they are having successes with their careers, but both are lonely and miss each other. Tucker uses his passion for writing and makes a bold play to bring Ava home and back into his life. And due to the story Ava has just read, she has had her own epiphany about the one that got away.

But just because they are finally going to reunite does not mean that it will perfectly easy. They have had time to grow and change, and also to realize what they have missed. They have a connection that was forged in infancy and cannot be broken. But they both have fears, insecurities, and trust issues that have to be addressed.

Tucker is a completely lovable hero. He is passionate, devoted, and loving, but also strong and can be a bit bold. He has reasons to be angry, guard his heart, and be scared of her leaving again. But he has a big heart and knows that Ava should have always been his.

I enjoyed the premise of the story within a story component and how Tucker managed to put down the words he needed to say. But it is not just about words, it is also about actions and fighting for what they really need and want. It was mushy-gushy, passionate, funny, and romantic. It was not too angsty, and was super sweet and smile-inducing. But sometimes a fluffy book with adorable characters is just a breath of fresh air.

I enjoyed getting some cameos from characters and their offspring from the Explosive series and especially getting more family time with her parents, Jeremy and Sierra (Fusion). They are still such a funny couple and I loved seeing their devotion to their kids as well as those they take in as their own. I really liked Tucker's brother, Tanner, and would like to see him get his HEA. Her little brothers were scene stealers as well. I am so glad Ava got her own book. I was really hoping she would after Fusion and her love story did not disappoint.

I am interested to see where the rest of this series will take us.

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

Tucker Manning lost the girl of his dreams 5 years ago when he pushed her away. Now he has devised the best way to win her back is with his words and actions to back them up. When a movie based on his best settling book is turned into a movie, his only demand is that Ava Banks play the role she inspired.

Neither Ava nor Tucker really moved on in the five years they were apart. But for all the time they have been apart and the hurt that sent them in such opposite directions, once they are in close proximity again there is a very smooth transition into the present.

This was a sweet story with so much love. Ava and Tucker are one of those forever couples, even as time and their choices sent them in different directions. The connection between them is strong. I loved the flashbacks and memories of the time when they were a textbook example of young love: innocent, starry-eyed, and full of promise and dreams. It was nice to see some of that playfulness come out as they reconnected in the present.

This was a low drama book, but was filled with emotion. The easy way in which they come back to each other doesn’t mean they don’t have things to sort out, but they don’t add extra tension to the already tense situation between them.

This books is filled with great cameos for fans of the Explosive series. Ava’s brothers are a hilarious addition to the story. This was a fun second generation story and I look forward to more from the series, possibly Tucker’s story, maybe even Ava’s brothers as they get a little older, or the other children from the Explosive books. 

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