It’s essentially a slower burn AND THEN a friends with benefits story, so it felt like it took a long, long time before actual feelings entered the equation. This was a solid 4-star read for me for the majority of the book, but my enjoyment had fallen by the end. Zander might not be the right guy for forever, but surely they can have some fun in the meantime. As the two run into each other again and again – they’re neighbors, after all – Daphney finds it impossible to ignore her attraction. He’d love to have some no strings fun with the beautiful girl, but Zander seems to have lost his game around her. When Zander meets Daphney, he’s immediately attracted. That means the former manhoe and carefree guy has the weight of the world on his shoulders.

It should be an amazing, exciting time in his life, but the sports star recently lost his father and learned that his mother has been hiding a secret his whole life. The story follows Zander, an American soccer player who has been recruited to play overseas. Their chemistry was great, and I loved the playfulness of their interactions.

The only bright spot in his life is the girl next door, and he’s not even sure that she likes him. The vibe ended up being a little heavier than anticipated, though that worked for me – our hero is still reeling from the death of his father, friction with his mom, moving to a new home and a new team, AND dealing with a massive game-changer of a secret. While this will technically read as a standalone, anyone who has been following the series will appreciate the interconnectivity and rich history woven into these characters. There’s a lot to love about this, from the vulnerable hero to the banter to the sense of community. I’ll offer up the unpopular opinion on this one, because – while I liked it – I can easily identify some things that really bugged me.

Amy daws sweeper