NicoleR.M.M.'s Reviews > Coddiwomple

So, this book...When I got the chance to read an ARC of the new S.E. Harmon, I jumped right in, because I love everything she writes. I would even read her grocery shopping list ;)
She always manages to include the right amount of humor and emotions in her stories, perfectly in balance with each other and I think that's why I love her books so much. She always knows how to tick all my boxes and so I never go wrong with any of her books.

There is so much to love about this book too. I loved the main characters, Journey 'JJ' and Cameron. They had a past in which they were engaged to be married, until JJ took a chance to finally fulfill his dreams and travel the world, becoming a well known photographer of mother nature's beautiful creatures and wonders. Cam stayed behind, because in his youth he had been moving around one time too many, due to his father's countless marriages. He became a vet, but never found someone to love after JJ.
Then one day JJ gets an urgent phonecall, and he finds himself back in his hometown after three years of absence. His father has had a stroke and according to his 3 younger brothers, he is the one who's going to take care of him. Has he ever done anything else then taking care of his family? After their mother died when he was a teenager, and his father couldn't deal with real life anymore, he was unwillingly forced into a father role for his brothers, and coming back home, he immediately falls back into old habits.
It was interesting to see how his relationship with his grumpy, disappointed father developed throughout the story. I loved their dialogues, the banter, JJ's humor.
And of course there was Cam, who had bought the house next to JJ's father, the house that was supposed to be theirs when they were to get married. Cameron has been part of JJ's family ever since they got together, and both realize there are still a lot of feelings left between them. But is Cameron willing to put his heart out there once again, knowing JJ won't be staying? Or have the years changed them so they might have a second chance at love?
Part of the charm of this story was also the small town setting and when that’s often kind of negative, in this story it makes for a lot of gossip fun and laughter, with funny and sweet side characters, including the furry ones from Cam’s vet practice.

The development of this story feels so organic, so natural. The pace is excellent, and both JJ and Cam feel real in their insecurities and their past hurt. The way they try to protect themselves, but fail epically. The misunderstandings were not just based on assumptions and 'why don't they talk about their issues', but they were about past experiences, they were about knowing the other person inside and out. But the only thing they forgot - and specially Cam - was that they'd changed and learned from their past mistakes. That things didn't have to be like that again, based on the past.
It was so beautiful to watch their relationship develop, to see how they even for a moment believed they could just be friends with benefits and find out that they can't. It was an awesome journey to be on.

I have to admit I highlighted almost half the book. So many beautifully written dialogues and musings, so much humor. I had countless LOL moments while reading. And on top of it all, there are some hot scenes in here as well!

Loved, loved, loved this and I can't recommend it enough. It's sweet, it's awesome and adorable and I know for sure that I will re-read this many times to come.

Highly recommended!!

I received an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.