Brayden

Great read

Really enjoyable, lots of heart. Characters have depth.

So. Much. Chemistry. Loved the hero and heroine and their unique backstory. And loved the PhD storyline — this same thing happened to a colleague of mine at a top university with her dissertation — nice to see it portrayed accurately.

So realistic and genuine — I adored this story.

The book was alright. I feel like the build up of their chemistry is a bit forced. And I hate reading books with girls in relationships that are sooo obviously controlling and demeaning but they can’t see it or admit it, which is 100% realistic and how these things usually go. My biggest issue with this book was the whole thing about her dissertation and the data being flawed. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but it made me wonder if this author has her phd or tried to get one? I don’t understand on a advisor doesn’t actively stop you if your DATA is flawed but tells someone else to tell you?? Take it rom a current PhD student who is currently distracting herself while she waits for APA internship invites, the whole data was flawed issue is unrealistic. Like who was her chair?? Where was her committee?? Sometimes it’s your advisor but clearly this advisor was no help. My chair had to approve everything and my committee has to be in agreement. If my data is flawed, there’s no way he’s going to let me get to the point of of writing up the results sections let alone defending it in front of a panel. It’s makes him look just as bad because he’s name is tacked on it too.

Twelve years ago he saved her and gave her her first kiss. She ran and they didn’t trade names. Now she’s run into him again and suddenly all the “safe” choices she’s made in her life seem questionable. His name is Brayden and he’s working part time for her sister in order to get enough money together to buy a ranch of his own. Leleila’s been taking the safe road ever since the incident 12 years ago and finds herself engaged to a man that ignores her, she failed her dissertation and she’s preparing to go to Africa after her wedding. In the meantime she’ll help her sister. June, her sister, immediately sees a connection between them and since she hates her sisters fiance, she doesn’t hesitate to give a little prod here and there. When her fiancé bails on a dance class, Brayden steps in, as a friend and they spend time getting to know each other. This is a wonderful story about two people who are perfect for each other and have been since the first time they saw each other. Now, as adults they’ll have to weigh their options for the future. I loved the characters in the book. Both Leleilani and Brayden were well developed and their story took the main stage. Lei’s sister June was very helpful and the fiancé was a waste of time. They had to deal with a number of obstacles including her ptsd from the event 12 years ago and he didn’t want to poach someone who belonged to another guy. One question from Brayden explains everything—she is going to Africa after the wedding and he asks if she wants to go—no one has asked her until now. She’s allowed herself to be pushed around but now, for Brayden she’ll make a stand. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC),