Evie Chapman is living a life interrupted. Her plans all disintegrated when her family received devastating news and she has been living with the repercussions for the past six years. When she should have been enjoying her young independent life, she was pulled back home due to the needs of the person she loves and admires the most. 

Men have failed her and it seems she is destined to live her solitary, lonely existence until an unexpected meeting with a charming, earnest guy completely interrupts her rigid routine. 

Butler Thompson is an ex-football player and new high school coach in town. He is handsome, built, genuine, a bit awkward, and determined to spend time with Evie. He charms his way into her thoughts, fights her resistance, breaks down her walls, and pushes his way into her heart. But she has learned to be guarded and is afraid to share her actual life and all it entails. So my heart hurt for Butler just wanting to be more a part of her life.

My heart also broke for Evie and her struggles. The story is told in both flashbacks throughout her life and present. We see how she came to be the Evie of the present. Her life is truly not her own and even to take small periods of time for herself (or with Butler) is a challenge. She is fearful to hope and trust in a man and be left again. She has lost herself, but with Butler, she is seeing glimpses of her old spark and humor.

I will admit that I did not like all of Evie's decisions and behavior. I could understand it and her need to try to hold onto a little bit of something just for herself, but I was not always happy about it. He was just so amazing that he had me swooning. I was glad that even though he was wonderful and caring that he also had a backbone too. They had great chemistry and a natural rapport with each other, but Butler was really always on the sidelines and he did not even realize how much. I did admire Evie's dedication. strength, independence, and heart. She sacrificed everything to give back to the one who needed her and had so many unresolved feelings about the situation. Her best friend, Maine was the perfect friend and foil. I totally wanted to hang out at her cafe and drink coffee and eat amazing donuts.

I felt this author touched on so many emotions that people in these types of situations face on a daily basis...loneliness, anger, resentment, hopelessness, fear, fatigue, burnout, and a sense of loss. She handled it all in a very honest and real way. 

This is a heartfelt, inspiring, emotional, sweet, and sexy story about finding a connection and love in the midst of personal turmoil. It has enough humor, passion, and tender moments to balance out some of the tension, angst, and harder ones. It illustrates the importance of trust, sharing, and honesty to make a relationship real. It shows that life is not always easy and sometimes it might seem isolated or impossible, but if you have a little faith, trust, and courage that there still might be possibilities and brighter days ahead.