I go into all romance novels with an open mind, but this second-chance romance between divorced co-parents who just might rekindle their love left me disappointed. While the premise of revisiting a past relationship is one of my favorite tropes, this one is not it.
The biggest frustration? NO ONE in this book EVER talks to each other. Seriously, every misunderstanding feels like it could’ve been solved with one honest conversation. Instead, we get page after page of assumptions, misinterpretations, and characters jumping to the worst conclusions. It’s baffling that these two people, who supposedly know each other better than anyone else, can’t manage a straightforward conversation.
What’s most aggravating is that the story wants us to believe they’re perfect together, but when they’re actually together, they’re just a hot mess. If these two had just gone to some intense, focused couples therapy—preferably with a therapist they both trust—this book would’ve been over in about five pages.
HOWEVER I did like how Atlanta serves as almost a third character in this book, a trope (?) perhaps, but one that when done well can really add to the atmosphere of a book. I last visited Atlanta years and years ago, but then went again this year for work and had some time before and after to explore the city and some of the surrounding areas (e.g., went for a hike). Where some romance novels are just set in a generic large/small town with clubs/small libraries, when a book takes a stand and is set in a specific location you feel that you can believe the set up no matter how unrealistic is it.
That being said, feeling some more verisimilitude had the opposite effect for me and this book. Because it made it even less of a romance and more like a lesson in why some couples should stay separated. If the focus had shifted to co-parenting in a healthy, mature way without rekindling old flames, I think I would have enjoyed this more.