Ratings32
Average rating3.5
A random connection sends two strangers on a daylong adventure where they make a promise one keeps and the other breaks, with life-changing effects, in this breathtaking new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After.
Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in the city. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.
At thirty-two, Fern’s life doesn’t look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern’s back home, running her mother’s lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend’s the manager, and Fern doesn’t know where to begin.
She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern’s going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern’s not sure she wants to know what it is.
But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?
Reviews with the most likes.
Fern is so horrendously down bad and Will just kinda ¯_(ツ)_/¯ 99% of the time.
Yet another (non-cheating!) second chance book that hooked me. I liked how the book flipped back and forth between the present and the past. It allowed me as the reader to fall in love with Will for the first time at the same time that Fern does for the second time. So much of the plot was about plans made and whether you should stick to them or be allowed to change. Being able to see the past and all of Fern’s wants and wishes for the future made the present more easily understandable. I really liked Fern and Will’s story and their chemistry. It was cute, and I feel like they deserve a sequel of just being happy. I will say that one thing that I did not like (and why my rating isn’t higher) is how wishy-washy Will was. He was so secretive for literally NO REASON. He hid his sister and niece like some sort of secret mistress. He was also really reactive if anyone mentioned them for again…no reason. I’m not sure if red flag is the right word…but it was definitely an ick at minimum. Outside of that though, I don’t have any complaints which is pretty good all things considered. I’d recommend it for sure, especially as a beach/ summer read.