After reading When Forever Changes, this story is so different, so lighthearted, although it’s not. Summer Peterson is an incoming college freshman looking for a fling and finds it in Ryan James. They enjoy a passionate night together and go their separate ways, never to cross paths again. But when Summer’s living arrangements fall through, she moves in with her brother to find her hot fling is her new roommate and her brother’s best friend. It starts off light enough with some sneaking around but things get serious fast when life throws Summer one curveball after another.
She does a lot of soul-searching to find herself while Ryan wrestles with his fear of commitment. They both struggle with the age gap (she’s eighteen, he’s twenty-six) and the forbidden element of the relationship. This started as pure lust but now they fear this is turning into real feelings for one another.
They have a compelling story but there’s a lot more going on here than just the romance. There are lots of family dynamics and Summer’s friends have some odd stuff going on that affects her in a big way, all of which affect the MCs and help shape the action. I liked both characters immediately and understood their reservations. There was a nice balance of angst and decision-making without being melodramatic or drawn out. These two have great chemistry and are drawn to one another no matter how hard they fight the attraction.
There’s a twist about halfway through which isn’t much of a shocker but then things took an unexpected turn and caught me by surprise. There are a lot of supporting characters but Davis paces things nicely so it’s never overwhelming. I enjoyed Summer and Ryan’s story very much, especially the epilogue. Getting to see so many familiar characters from the previous book in the series is always welcome and seeing them years into the future is especially satisfying.
No Feelings Involved on Amazon
No Feelings Involved
by Siobhan Davis
Forever Love duet book 2
Published 2019
Can this skeptical player let down his guard long enough to let love into his life, or is this forbidden romance a train wreck in the making?
Ryan James doesn’t believe in love.
It’s a truth he learned early in life. A truth he carried with him into adulthood. He broke his golden rule one time, but Myndi trampled all over his heart, cementing his belief that love is a lie and not worth the effort.
Now he’s returned to his cynical views and promiscuous lifestyle, racking up more notches on his bedpost than he can count.
Until Summer Petersen comes crashing into his world, threatening to knock down his walls with her tempting body and sunny, sweet personality.
Summer is determined to lose her V-card before she starts freshman year of college, and the hot, older guy with the cute dimples, dazzling smile, and rippling biceps is just the man for the job. Ryan doesn’t take much persuading, and he rocks her world, giving her a night to remember.
When they walk away, there’s an unspoken agreement it was a one-time thing. Ryan doesn’t do feelings, and Summer doesn’t want to be tied down at eighteen.
But when she moves into her brother Austin’s apartment, she’s shocked to discover her new roomie is the guy who recently popped her cherry.
Ryan can’t believe he slept with Austin’s baby sister, and if he finds out, he’ll literally kill him. Keeping their hook up a secret is nonnegotiable. Keeping his thoughts, and his hands, off Summer, less so. Because the longer he’s around her, the more he finds himself catching feelings for the gorgeous brunette.
Summer doesn’t want to care for her older brother’s best friend, but Ryan makes her feel things she’s never felt before, and she’s slowly falling under his spell.
Embarking on an illicit affair behind Austin’s back has train wreck written all over it, but provided they keep their feelings in check, they can end this before he ever finds out.
It’s not like either of them is in love.
Right?
