Shayla Perkins isn’t the kind of girl who makes the same mistake twice, especially when it comes to Sean “Stitch” Molina. So when he gives her the world’s biggest rejection, that’s it—she’s done. Until the sexy, silent, unavailable Sean makes Shay a very personal offer. Of course, it still doesn’t mean he’s interested in her. Or does it?

Sean has done things in life. Bad things. And he’s paid the price. All he wants now is to make up for his past by doing good in the present. And no one deserves more good than Shay. Beautiful on the inside and out, Shay is the kind of woman who should be cared for and protected—especially from a man like Sean. He’s tried to keep his feelings for her in check, but a single, reckless impulse pulls them closer than ever before.

Soon the two are sharing their biggest dreams and satisfying their deepest desires. But what will happen if the only way to truly give one another want they want most . . . is to let each other go?

I have been looking forward to Shayla and Stitch since the beginning of this series and it was even more than I expected! 

Shay is a waitress at Whitecaps Restaurant and is also working towards realizing her dream of becoming an independent hair stylist. She has been crushing on the broody, quiet, closed-off cook at the restaurant for a year. 

Sean "Stitch" Molina did not have an easy life. He never had support and had to do all kinds of things to survive and has paid the price. And the first step in getting his life back together was taking the cook job at Whitecaps. He works hard, keeps his head down, and doesn't talk much. He does not think he is worthy of love or a real relationship and that he has nothing to give. But Shay would sit and talk to him and they had a connection. But that connection, scared him and he ended up pushing her away to protect her and himself...but that made things at work awkward.

Sean is having a hard time dealing with his own crush on Shay. And when he sees she needs help, he ends up jumping in. But now he is getting in deeper than he should. 

Shay is taking on new responsibilities and feeling overwhelmed and Sean's unexpected support is invaluable. They are also both working hard on their own goals and dreams. And Shay is not going to be pushed away again. They become unlikely friends with an underlying attraction and sexual tension. She pushes him and stands up to him and for him. He begrudgingly soaks up acceptance and someone believing in him...but it is so hard for him to think positively about himself. My heart broke for Sean over and over how he  was conditioned to believe that he was nothing and did not deserve anything good. Shayla really had her work cut out for her trying to stop his self deprecating ways and to make him feel worthy. He never expected anything good to happen to him or figured he would screw it up if it did.

This was an intense, slow burn, friends-to-lovers story full of so many feels. I truly loved these two together. Sean was so lost and broken, but he had a good heart. And Shayla was so positive, fierce, and determined to show him what love feels like despite his fears and resistance. It was a beautiful story about hope, healing, love, sacrifice, and redemption.

It brings back the other characters from books in the series and I enjoyed seeing more with them. It also introduces some new ones that added depth to the story. This is my favorite of the series by far. It is more serious, emotional,  and heartwarming rather than funny or over the top. Sean and Shayla totally touched my heart and made me feel everything. I was totally immersed in their story and hated to see it end. I am looking forward to Nate finally getting a book.

I was gifted a copy by the publisher through netgalley