Josh Hurst was supposed to be my forever. Instead, he became the villain in my origin story. I gave him my heart. He broke it without flinching. So, I did what any self-respecting, heart-shattered girl would do—I declared war. Our revenge game? Legendary.
Until I left for college and swore I’d never look back.
But life doesn’t care about vows made in the dark. When my father dies unexpectedly, I’m dragged back to the hometown I outgrew, handed guardianship of my grieving kid brother, and forced to take over my father’s struggling veterinary clinic. And waiting for me—like karma with a smirk—is Josh. Not as a memory. Not as a ghost. But as my new business partner.
Avoiding him? Impossible. Forgetting what we were? Laughable. He still looks at me like I’m his. Like we’re a story paused instead of over. Like one spark is all it would take. And God help me, the spark is still there.But we don’t do soft. We don’t do safe. We do oil and fire. War and wreckage. Whatever we once were..Whatever we still could be— We’re enemies. And this time, nobody’s walking away unburned.
About The Author
My Review
This book is about returning home, confronting old heartbreak, and rebuilding a life while unexpected love resurfaces. In this book, Erika is forced back to her hometown after her estranged father’s death, only to discover he forged her name as guarantor on debts owed to his veterinary partner who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend, Josh. To repay the debt and care for her young brother, Erika must work at the very clinic tied to her painful past.
The emotional core lies in Erika and Josh’s complicated history. Their dynamic is full of sharp banter, unresolved hurt, and lingering affection that bubbles beneath their constant clashes. Erika’s bitterness and fierce independence contrast nicely with Josh’s patience and quiet kindness, creating a believable push-and-pull romance rooted in shared history and small-town familiarity.
The supporting cast adds warmth and charm, especially through the close-knit community and Josh’s role coaching Vinny’s baseball team. While the romance sometimes feels rushed due to their hectic lives, the story remains engaging and heartfelt. The dramatic ending leans slightly into thriller territory, but overall delivers an entertaining blend of second-chance romance, family responsibility, and emotional healing.
My Rating
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