RoomHate

4.5/5

3.5*

This was one of those books I could not put down. I had seen a lot of positive feedback online about this book and knew it was one I had to one-click. I'm SO glad I did. Penelope Ward You are a Goddess!

Amelia Payne and Justin Banks grew up together and were best friends. Circumstances made Amelia move away without notice leaving Justin with no explanation as to why one of the most important people in his life was suddenly gone. Fast forward many years and following the death of Amelia's grandmother, she and Justin are now the proud co-owners of her grandmother's beach house and based on the way they parted, that is probably not a good thing.

These two former best friends, who it's apparent have lingering feelings for one another, have to figure out how to maneuver their relationship now that things are so different and so much time has passed. Justin is in a relationship; Amelia is dealing with surprising revelations from her recent past that completely change the course of her future and they are both dealing with suppressed anger from how they parted years earlier. Will they be able to get to a place where they can be friends at a minimum?

This book had a bit of everything, but the thing that stood out to me is that it was a true love story. Both Amelia and Justin knew they had been wrong in the past, they both struggled to figure out how to deal with the feelings they suppressed and currently had, they loved fiercely and they hurt immensely. Penelope Ward crafted a story that quickly has become one of my favorite reads this year and I'd highly recommend it!