Audiobook, Audible
E-book, Kindle Unlimited
Author: Penelope Douglas
Narrators: Andrew Eiden and Jennifer Mack
Jordan Hadley is having the crappiest 19th birthday EVER – her boyfriend bailed on picking her up on her late-night bartending job and she ends up holing up in movie theater watching an eighties movie, which is kinda her thing anyway. At the movies, she ends up sitting next to Pike Lawson, a very attractive, though “a little” older man. They ended up talking, laughing, and having a good time. She’s sort of taken by how nice he is. But fate has never been a friend of Jordan’s and when Pike’s phone rings, it’s his son in need of being bailed out of jail… and his son is her boyfriend.
Fast forward a bit and Jordan and Cole have been evicted and have nowhere to go, forcing them to take the offer his father has made them: they move in rent-free in exchange of chores around the house. One “tiny” problem: Pike has been attracted to “the girl from the theater” before he knew who she was.. and the attraction is mutual.
I had been hesitant to read this one for the longest time because I taught high school for my whole professional life and any romantic relationships between an adult and anyone whose age ends in -teen has an ick factor that goes beyond 11. But then one thing hit me: my grandmother was 18 when she met my 38-year-old single-dad grandfather and their love story is one for the ages… Different times, but I’m so glad I gave this a try! Mostly because Jordan may be young but she has lived a lifetime of hurt and disappointment and had to grow faster than her years. She’s not your typical 19-year old. Also there are zero pedo vibes coming from Pike. He’s acceptably conflicted by her age and to the unfortunate fact that she is his son’s girlfriend.
I also liked that this is more on the slow burn side, giving them time to sort out their feelings. Yes, it’s steamy and taboo but it’s also a beautiful love story about two people who belong together despite society’s constraints.
A wonderful surprise!
Narration: Andrew Eiden (you know who he “also” is) is amazing in this! I must confess that I only listened to his parts. Let’s just leave it at that.
Possible triggers: mentions of assualt, traumatic death of a friend, parental neglect and abandonment
