Synopsis:
It’s Naomi Clemons’s big day. Her dream wedding. And she’s outta here.
One moment. A chance meeting of gazes through the church window pane with someone familiar who radiates intrigue. Independence. It’s the final push Naomi needs to realize…she’s boring. A blonde, cookie cutter, well mannered trophy wife-to-be. How can she expect to lead a fulfilling married life when she’s never lived?
Special Forces diver Jason Bristow needs a beauty pageant coach. Not for himself—although the tattooed bruiser could definitely use some charm. For his little sister who he has returned to St. Augustine, Florida to raise. When a beautiful southern debutante lands on his doorstep, she awakens a hunger that won’t be ignored. If only she wasn’t planning on winning back the ex-fiancé she left at the altar…
Despite the potential for ruin, heat continues to build between Naomi and Jason beneath the sultry Florida sunshine, consuming them both. But they’re on borrowed time…and it’s about to run out.
My Review:
Ok. Guys. I’ll start off by saying if you take away one thing from this review, it’s that you MUST READ this book (well, you MUST READ Getaway Girl first and then this book). I loved this book HARD CORE. And moving on…
I’ll admit that I wanted to not like Naomi. I mean she legit left her groom at the alter and fled her wedding. I didn’t really mind that she left Elijah, per se, because he ended up finding his perfect match, and that wouldn’t have happened if she married him, but still. As much as I didn’t want to like her, I was also dying to get to know all about her. Why did she leave her entire life behind on a split second decision? Why run the way she did? I was going to be a tough sell, but if anyone could have made me like a gal I wanted to not-like, it’s Tessa Bailey.
Once Naomi’s story began, and we got a glimpse into her head, I was totally Team Naomi. Hell, I was president of the Team Naomi Fan Club by the end of the first chapter. This character you guys. THIS CHARACTER! She is a freaking hot mess and I loved her. She’s a lost soul who had her whole life planned out for her from the day she was born. She’s never done things that most of us have, and don’t give a second thought to. Make tacos, eat at a restaurant alone, traveled to another city by herself…none of it. I mean how could you NOT have empathy for a woman who wants to know what it’s like to just be free? Yep, Team Namoi all. the. way.
So, Naomi takes off on her journey of self discovery and lands on the doorstep of Jason and his sister Birdie. I am now also the president of the Team Jason Fan Club, btw. Jason is an Army Ranger home temporarily to help with his sister. Now, if you’ve read a Tessa Bailey book you KNOW she does alpha males like no other. Of course, Jason is totally alpha male all the way but there’s a side to him that is so opposite his outward bad ass appearance. It’s a side of tenderness and understanding. A side to him where he has taken all of his life experiences and turned them into a need to protect without being smothering, to love without leaving words unspoken, to live without regrets. He’s hands down one of my all-time favorite heroes.
Together these two are opposite in every way, and that makes them perfect in every way. She’s a southern belle, groomed for galas and high society. He’s a gruff rugged soldier, groomed for sacrifice and war. No two people could be more different but no two people could be more well matched. I freaking loved them. So I combined my two fan clubs and am now the president of the Team Nason Fan Club. I have a bazillion spots open if you want to join 😉
The other character in this story is Birdie. Oh, Birdie. Beautifully complicated, emotional, snarky, witty, teenage Birdie. I loved her just as much as Naomi and Jason. She’s had it pretty rough over the last few years and most teens would wallow and just trudge through life but not Birdie. She’s taking the crappy cards life has dealt her and making the most of it, even when it’s not an easy task.
Altogether these three make for an unforgettable book. Add in the gang from the first book, Getaway Girl, and it serves up a sublime journey with a cast of folks I just adore.
Thank you, Tessa, for bringing these characters into our lives. I miss them already <3
Five Loves
Book links:
About the author:
Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.
Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.
She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of ten years and six-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.
Find out more on her website
Excellent review jillian!!! I know a lot of people didn’t like this character,but I did!!! She was one of my favorites from getaway girl ! Can’t wait to read!!! Shared on all my socials!!💋💖😉