It was a surprise to me when I saw that Laura was going to get a book in this series. It’s not something that I usually see in a romance series. You see, Laura is the mom of one of the MMC from a previous book. She is the best friend of the mom of most of the MFCs. I mean, the title of the book says it all.

Laura has led her life pleasing others. She comes from an abusive home and always walked on eggshells to ensure her father wasn’t upset. While her marriage wasn’t bad, she did find herself bending to what her husband wanted. His shows, his food preferences, his choices. (To be fair to her long-deceased husband, it doesn’t seem she ever tried to speak up about her wants and needs. She was used to going along with what was decided.) Upon their first meeting, Laura and Riley have an instant connection. For once, Laura wants to do what makes her happy. Yet that people-pleaser mentality is ingrained in her and it is very hard for her to override the intrusive thoughts.

There seems to be so much more to explore when the age gap consists of an older woman instead of an older man. Laura is a grandma and has no desire to become a mom again. Riley hasn’t had kids yet, is that going to bother him? Things along those lines are never addressed when the MMC is older. The author did a great job of incorporating the thoughts and fears of Laura as well as Riley.

I was rooting for Riley and Laura and adored how comforting their relationship felt. It seemed both characters were truly themselves with one another in ways they weren’t with other people. I didn’t feel fire with them, but there was definitely a smoldering. When they were struggling through figuring it all out, I had that hollow feeling in my gut. Plus, I loved watching their friends and families come to accept their relationship at different speeds along different paths. But love does conquer all and it works out in the end.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**