Although I had mixed feelings about the first book in this series, Just Like That, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read and review this story. I always like to give an author more than one chance since so many factors can influence a read. Plus, there were things I really liked about that first book. And while I wouldn’t classify this story as a “must read”, it definitely was a wonderful book that I’m glad I got to read.

Rian and Damon have amazing chemistry throughout the entire book. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to kiss already! They had such a strong pull, but also such a strong push. Both internalizing way too much leading to tons of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. There were times the author, in my opinion, was too wordy. Yet it was nothing like my thoughts from the first book where I was literally skimming huge chunks before of the over abundance of descriptions.

On top of the will they/won’t they part of this story, the thing that brought these two together really kept me invested in the book. There’s a student in trouble, but what exactly is the trouble? Both Damon and Rian have huge hearts and truly care about their students as if they are their own flesh and blood. It’s tearing them up inside to see one of the kindest, most talented students wither to a shell of himself right in from of them. So, as much as these two men attempt to keep their distance from one another, their devotion to their students keeps throwing them back together.

This story is by no means perfect. There was a bit of wordiness and some timeline issues. But overall, I was fully invested in the story and the characters. As with the first book, there is an overall melancholy feel to this story. There’s a definite HEA and a lot of hope throughout, though.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Carina Press. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can find an excerpt from this book on my blog, All In Good Time.

Merged review:

Although I had mixed feelings about the first book in this series, Just Like That, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read and review this story. I always like to give an author more than one chance since so many factors can influence a read. Plus, there were things I really liked about that first book. And while I wouldn’t classify this story as a “must read”, it definitely was a wonderful book that I’m glad I got to read.

Rian and Damon have amazing chemistry throughout the entire book. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to kiss already! They had such a strong pull, but also such a strong push. Both internalizing way too much leading to tons of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. There were times the author, in my opinion, was too wordy. Yet it was nothing like my thoughts from the first book where I was literally skimming huge chunks before of the over abundance of descriptions.

On top of the will they/won’t they part of this story, the thing that brought these two together really kept me invested in the book. There’s a student in trouble, but what exactly is the trouble? Both Damon and Rian have huge hearts and truly care about their students as if they are their own flesh and blood. It’s tearing them up inside to see one of the kindest, most talented students wither to a shell of himself right in from of them. So, as much as these two men attempt to keep their distance from one another, their devotion to their students keeps throwing them back together.

This story is by no means perfect. There was a bit of wordiness and some timeline issues. But overall, I was fully invested in the story and the characters. As with the first book, there is an overall melancholy feel to this story. There’s a definite HEA and a lot of hope throughout, though.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Carina Press. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can find an excerpt from this book on my blog, All In Good Time.