This is a seductive, forbidden, small age-gap love story built layer by layer as Harlow initiates a plan to ensnare Bridger's attention. There is temptation, distraction, and sexual tension. But it is also a story of two people with common interests, mutual admiration, and attraction, but in a situation that could be seen as inappropriate and could also cause repercussions for his business and both of their lives. 

I adored these two and enjoyed their small stolen moments. The want and need between them are undeniable, but it is a slow burn to get there.  But I always felt like Harlow was mature enough and that they felt like a good match despite the situation. She is also on her own journey to figure out what she wants to do with her life. And she is hoping to experience as much as she can with Bridger along the way. Bridger is such a good, caring, protective guy, but he has a lot to lose. These two are passionate and just so good together. I loved seeing them be more vulnerable and finding their footing. But they have to deal with some challenges that could have major life implications. 

There are some surprises and fun cameos from the LB universe. I liked her brother, Hunter, and her friends, Layla and Ethan. This is a start of a new series and it captured my attention with forbidden themes and strong, complex characters. I am looking forward to more books with the side characters. 

Harlow has a crush on her father’s business partner, and now that she is turning 21 feels like she is old enough, and her feelings developed enough, to consider pushing the boundary with him. She has a good head on her shoulders, despite being put in the middle of her father’s affairs for years, and though she isn’t entirely sure what she wants to do with her degree, knows she has several options available to her - she just has to find the right fit.

Bridger has been her father’s business partner for some time, developing a hit tv series and subsequent spin offs together. Bridger is the business side of the partnership and tends to avoid the social scene involved with tv.

I loved watching as these two flirted with the idea of being together, and then as they formulated how to make a relationship between them work. Because even without the age gap, there is still the working relationship between Bridger and Harlow’s dad to consider. But Harlow has a plan to capture his attention, and as she puts each step into place, the bond that develops between them became stronger as they worked through several challenges together.

The age gap threw me off in the beginning. There are 10 years between Harlow and Bridger, and for the bulk of the story both are adults (and act like it) and it didn’t bother me. Something about her having developed her crush at an early age stuck with me though, making it hard for me to fall in love with Harlow. In the beginning she felt naive in a way that just wasn’t working for me, especially for as much drama as her dad created in her life. As she grew up over the course of the book though I got over what was definitely a Me-problem (not a book problem) and loved them together.

This didn’t feel quite as rom-com as I’ve gotten used to from Lauren Blakely, it was more serious and full of layers that each had to be explored. Even though I struggled with Harlow’s character in the beginning, I grew to love her and her friends (and can’t wait for their stories to come). Her best friends added some moments of hilarity as they egged on her plans and supported her from the wings.