Time River #2
e-ARC provided by Valentine PR
Author: A. L. Jackson
If you, like me, are a sucker for “it’s always been you”, pining (oh the pining!), forbidden love, childhood friends to lovers, brother’s best friend… this is for you. I was lucky to read this in advance.
Dakota and Ryder have always been each other’s person. He was her knight in shining armor, defending her from the bullies at school who’d teased for being chubby. He was the ultimate taste tester for her baked good and she was his “Cookie”. They lived a sweet life until Ryder’s mom passed away, sending him into a tailspin of grief that has him make bad choices that will forever impact their lives. They grew apart until Dakota becomes a single mom. He can’t stay away. He has apparently cleaned up his act and they become close again. Everything is fine until someone breaks into Dakota’s house and Ryder takes her and her adorable toddler, Kayden, to stay with him until they figure out what happened. One single look through a half open bedroom door and they can’t deny what they have always felt for each other. But Ryder is pretty much still tied to his shady past and it will not let him go… but he can’t let it taint Dakota and Kayden.
What a ride!!! Amy takes us back and forth in time and we have glimpses of how things got to be the way they are between Dakota and Ryder. The pining is mutual and oh so strong in this story! When they finally give in, it’s fireworks!
As always, there are twists and turns, surprises and OMG moments. There were some moments that I must confess I was “Girl! You need to consider his side of things….” but it makes for good tension in the story.
Kayden is a tiny special treat in this story. He’s freaking adorable! “I see you!”
Another great story from A. L. Jackson. Full of small town goodness, baked good with named after special things, undying love, forced proximity, suspense, diehard friends who’ll stand by you and little boys who’ll steal your heart.
I’m definitely doing a repeat in audio!
Rep: Dakota is plus size
Possible triggers: death of a parent, drug use, death by OD, violent acts, kidnapping, blackmail and coercion
