A story about 2 small town high school sweethearts, Dean and Sawyer, who lose each other, have never stopped loving each other.

They have their HEA.

AFTER:

He leaves her. Twice.
6 years ago and again now. (She leaves their hometown after that too and the book starts up where they are now both back in town)

He is now in a committed relationship, with the ow, her ex bff, Lily. At the start of the book, when Sawyer comes back, Dean and the ow have been committed for 1 yr and they love each other.

The other woman:
SAWYER'S POV"
“The last time we talked, she (Lily) was trying to tell me how Dean wasn’t worth any more thought. She was trying to convince me to move on with my life. She was the one that convinced me a move out of state was a good idea.”

LILY SAYS:
“……….I chose you, Dean. Over anyone else, I would always choose having a life with you. It trumps any other relationship.”

DEAN'S FLASHBACK:
“Is there something going on between you and Lily?” she asks…………
I’m shaking my head in disbelief. “Why would something be going on between Lily and me?”……………
“I see the way she looks at you”……….
“I could never want anyone but Sawyer. Not Lily. Not Scarlett freaking Johansson…….”

DEAN'S POV:
- She (Lily) went to high school with Sawyer and me. She knows
what we had, what I threw away, and yet Lily loves me anyway…….
- I follow Lily with the picnic basket in my hands. Lily decides where we're going to sit…It happens to be under the willow Sawyer and I spent nearly every week under during our junior and senior year.
- Sunlight glimmers through the willow branches, lightening the blonde in her hair that falls across her face. She really is beautiful.

SAWYER'S POV:
“Lily might have been one of my best friends in high school, but I always knew she had a thing for Dean.”



Dean and Lily’s relationship:
DEAN'S POV:
- “I love you,” she (Lily) says sweetly.
It gets caught in my throat on its way up, but I force it out. “Love you, too.”…………….”.
- She wants to move forward, which makes sense. I was nearly on the same level as her until recently. My love for her hasn’t changed. But is it the kind of love she deserves?


SO HE BREAKS UP WITH LILY -
And then this happens between Dean and Lily after the first time Lily sees Dean and Sawyer in the same space:

“He steps forward, reaching out to hug her, but she lifts her hands to ward him off. She’s definitely not happy. He says one word that I can’t decipher, and her hands withdraw back to her sides. Dean leans in and kisses her cheek. He hovers for a moment, and I can’t look any longer.”



SAWYER'S BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT HE WILL LEAVE HER AGAIN.
She has a really hard time accepting the choices he made and the burden she had to bear when he left 6 yrs ago. She tried very very hard to move on and become whole again.



SO YES, HE LEAVES HER AGAIN.....Sigh.....



HE DOES COME BACK:
“I got a flat tire a little ways up the road.”



I WISH.......
HE HAD FOUGHT FOR SAWYER
He doesn’t take time to prove his worth to her. Like he does with Lily:
HIS POV:
- I’ve decided focusing on Lily is the only way I can get on with my life……. I owe it to her to try and make this work. She gave me a chance. I want to give her one in return.
- Her (Lily) arms wrap around my neck, and she kisses me. I kiss her back and search for more. I want to get lost in her touch.



HE GROVELS AND CRIES, YES:
But not as firmly as he makes conscious decisions to find a new life without her. He’s done it before and he can do it again.



THE STORY IS RICH WITH HAPPENINGS
There are many, many other issues they deal with : their sorrow at being apart, her husband and their relationship. The heartache she deals with when he leaves her at a time she needs him most. Many other, deep, meaningful issues that make them who they are.



He’s not an AWFUL guy.
Just not the kinda guy I want my heroines to spend their futures with.
One who would fight for her cos she’s worth it. One who would invest in the time it would take to break down her barriers and not depend on a flat tire to set the ball rolling.

I prefer a hero with strength, resilience and loyalty.
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I don’t usually like contemporary books but I love Mindy Hayes. I will read anything she writes because her writing is always so beautiful and emotional.

Sawyer’s life is utterly heartbreaking and while some readers might be annoyed with the way she handles it all, I found her reactions to be very human. There were many times throughout the book I felt her grief pour from the pages. Losing a significant other at such a young age would be crippling even for the strongest of people. While seeking solace in Willowhaven, Sawyer finds out that Dean is also back. Dean was her first love and left a gaping whole in Sawyer’s heart the first time he walked out of her life.

Dean as a character is quite flawed. He isn’t always your knight in shining armor type of character and a lot of times doesn’t do the right thing. But I find these types of characters more life-like. Sawyer and Dean’s stories will keep you reading past your bed time and walking around the next day like a zombie.

This tale of first love will leave you both clutching your heart and wearing a reminiscent smile. There is not one person that doesn’t remember their first love and those feelings! I would recommend this book to all my adult YA readers and for the mature teenagers.

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Me After You by Mindy Hayes is an amazing book. Filled with angst and regret and guilt and first true love. Oh I was so hooked. I love when a book literally has me in its grip when the emotions run high. You know, that grip on your heart squeezing a little at the pain of your characters.

Sawyer is back home much to her dismay. It's been weeks and nothing is getting easier. Nothing. Her husband is dead. ointlessly dead and he's never coming back. Now she' sback in Willowhaven where she swore she'd never be again and she's just learned Dean is back too. she's the only one that didn't know. Her mom, her best friend, they never said anything! Dean is her one that didn't just get away, he practically ran away screaming. She thought him leaving her was going to kill her but she picked up and moved to Seattle and met Grayson. But now he's gone too.

Dean didn't think he'd ever see Sawyer again, but now maybe he has a chance to set things right. If she will let him. Oh, and while he's doing that he should probably decide what to do with his girlfriend Lily. What a mess. He left for a reason but never told her why. He didn't mean to come back to Willowhaven but perhaps it's fate that they both be here now. Or maybe it's just a dandelion wish.

A beautiful must-read (pack your own tissues, chocolate and wine)! ( )