He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
Rating: 3 out of 5
Dax Hartley has made flowers his entire life, just like his late father did. When his dad's shop is up for sale, he has to have it. The only problem is he can't afford it. The reality show Battle of the Blossoms is the perfect chance to win the money he needs, but with the arrival of his childhood crush back in his life, distractions risk taking his eyes off the prize. Hollyn Matthews has made some colossal mistakes in life. When she is dumped just as she's expecting an engagement ring, she knows she's put her heart into the wrong man. Hoping for another chance at being a grown up, she moves home to stay with her brother and his best friend Dax. Facing the hurt she left behind means facing some truths about herself, but there's only one boy who has always loved her, if she'd only take the time to notice him.
Dax has been in love with Hollyn since they were teens. However, she only ever saw him as her younger brother's best friend. In an attempt to escape a life where she saw herself as a disappointment to her parents, she moved away and cut off all those back home. After a comedic and devastating break up, she has no choice but to return home and is quickly confronted with just how terrible she has been to people who love her. Hollyn soon discovers Dax isn't the kid she remembers and when the two are forced to spend a lot of time together it's inevitable that a bond develops between them.
The book was full of some good characters and you could see a huge development in Hollyn's character, but it felt rushed and artificial to me. The book was full of lots of super convenient elements, which had the sole purpose of working to force Dax and Hollyn to spend more time together. However, it also had hilarious moments like the time Hollyn tried to attack someone with a lightsaber. I think the story was cute, but for me Dax and Hollyn didn't really know anything about one another as adults, it was all about the bond they had as teens. I did enjoy that the novel wasn't just a second chance at romance but a second chance at basically everything for Hollyn.
It is definitely a cute and fun read if you want a few laughs and a HEA. If you are a fan of closed door romances then you will love this one for sure. I just felt like the ending was a bit rushed and that the story was incredibly predictable. However, it was a fun take on the brother's best friend romance for sure.