This is such a heartrending story, mainly because the characters are so engaging, but also because what they go through is entirely possible. Mistakes are easy to make in relationships, and the more you love someone the higher their capacity to hurt you. The story of Morgan and Shae is a perfect illustration that love is not always enough – communication, trust, and the ability to forgive play at least as much of a role as simple physical and emotional attraction.

Morgan has a lot to learn. He made a huge mistake when he cheated on Shae and is still paying for it. He thought he had moved on – even got engaged – but he finds out that relationship wasn’t everything he thought it to be. And not just his part. He also learns all kinds of things about his so-called friends. But, most of all, he finally learns to open up, listen to his partner, and build some trust. Only to have everything almost come apart when it is his turn to forgive – and that is the most important lesson of all. It is far easier to ask for forgiveness than to grant it.

Shae has made as many mistakes as Morgan, even if they were less obvious – initially. He hasn’t had it easy, and what he has done is very understandable, but he too, needs to learn and change before he ever stands a chance of finding happiness. He has to hear the truth of what happened, admit the part he played in it, and face the fact he needs to ask for forgiveness as much as Morgan does. Not an easy fact to accept for someone who has seen himself as the victim all along.

I really liked this story because both main characters are very flawed, very “normal” human beings. What they go through could happen to any of us, and how they deal with it contains a lesson for everyone. The emotional depth Sue Brown has created here is wonderful, and it made me turn the pages, brought me to tears, and let me draw a breath of relief when it was finally over. If you like real-life drama but prefer reading it over living through it, if you’re interested in a story about love found, lost, and found again, and if you’d rather see the main characters suffer for a bit before they get their happy ending, you will probably love this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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My thoughts are similar to other reviews: this was a good read but too much sex, not enough dealing with the actual issues. I actually got really pissed off near the end when everyone pretty much handwaved away the fact that they'd made all Morgan's decisions for him. Shae was the only one who really did have a good reason: he'd been lied to by Teresa's mother. So I finished the book kind of annoyed.

But it's a Sue Brown book so the quality of writing is excellent, the pacing is good, and the characters are nicely developed. The sex is hot and plentiful. ( )