Kinsley James is a realtor in South Lake Tahoe.
Riley Sanders, a lawyer, grew up in the town is has returned to be closer to
her aging parents. Kinsley has nursed a crush on Riley since their college days
– where Riley was three years Kinsley’s junior. Riley is in the midst of
sorting out her three-year-old, long-distance relationship with Evelyn, a
firmly closeted mayor in Texas. Riley is in the market for a house and reaches
out to Kinsley for help. Kinsley realises that while she remembers every single
thing about Riley, the latter has little memory of Kinsley. However, the two
start spending time together and begin building a friendship.
We had a very, very serious problem with Kinsley. She is
insecure, scared, jealous, a person who flees and never reaches out to repair
things, creates unnecessary drama, and someone who ghosts. None of these
attributes make for a healthy relationship. The author tries to justify and
explain Kinsley’s behaviour – but that doesn’t save the character. On the other
hand, Riley is wonderful. She is completely open and honest, willing to go out
on a limb, forgiving and utterly sexy. It is only in the impossible world of
books that these two can have a relations, a happy one and a lasting one, at
that.
Despite our intense dislike for Kinsley, the book is
excellently written and a thoroughly engaging read.
⭐⭐⭐☆
