Parker Montgomery was once America’s sweetheart. She took her first steps in the Capitol when her father was a congressman, and starred in his senatorial campaign ads. But in high school, during his first bid for the White House, she disappeared from the political limelight, leaving her home and best friend, Fitz, behind.
Known for his grit and unwavering determination, Fitzgerald Rhodes is a seasoned quarterback who has just led his team to the Super Bowl. But the bigger win is a chance reunion with his childhood partner in crime, the now sitting-President’s daughter, and–unknowingly to Parker–Fitz’s greatest love.
Reunited, Parker turns to Fitz when a question of inheritance involves not only a wedding, but a return to the spotlight she had been banished from. Seeing this as an opportunity to come clean about his feelings, Fitz agrees to help. But their mutually beneficial relationship grows less convenient as he begins to do just that.
In prime election season, Parker’s revenge on the political dynasty that harmed her unearths not just unrequited love, but secrets and scandal leaving Fitz and his career as collateral damage.
It took days to decide what to say about this one because it really affected me on a deeper level than the average book. There’s some heavy subject matter here so it’s not all hearts and rainbows but these characters are so real and raw and engaging, it never felt heavy at all. Despite the darker aspects of the plot, there’s humor, heat and a few surprises and I loved everything about it. Parker is the President’s daughter, but she’s been estranged from her family for years, after her parents institutionalized her. They were too busy and neglectful to help Parker deal with her grief after the death of her beloved grandmother.
Instead of getting her therapy or trying to comfort her, they sent her to hell on earth and Parker has never forgiven them. She’s been biding her time, waiting for an opportunity to tell the entire world the truth about her parents. Her father has made a career out of his family values talking points, but his own daughter was abused terribly, and he did nothing to save her. She’s decided that the party convention is the best place to make her speech. After all, her father is running for re-election, and the eyes of the entire world will be on them. Parker has been patient but she’s also eager to get her revenge. There’s a whole industry built around troubled teens, an industry that makes enormous profits abusing and exploiting these kids and Parker is going to use her place in the spotlight to bring this issue to the public’s attention and help affect change.
But she runs into a little problem when her mother tries to marry her off to an up-and-coming congressman in the hopes of creating a political dynasty. Fitz and Parker haven’t seen one another in years but he knows the instant he lays eyes on her that nothing has changed. He would still do anything for this woman, including agreeing to marry her so she can focus on her plan. I adored these characters so much. Parker is amazing, strong and determined and so brave, but despite everything she’s been through, she’s still funny and sweet. Fitz was so patient and sweet with her, just everything she needed.
I don’t want to spoil anything so won’t get into any other detail but have to say I really loved this book. I couldn’t get enough, couldn’t put it down and did not want it to end. It was my first book by this author but won’t be the last because this one was an instant favorite. I’d like to thank the authors and The Author Agency for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
