This book contains:

• References to and discussion of addiction
• Death of a loved one
• The impact of a fatal car accident
• Controlling parents.

Ares is our cocky, playboy, goalie who knows what he wants and makes sure he gets it. He comes across confident and sure of himself, and yet there’s so much more to him that reminds me of an onion and its layers.

Eloise is still struggling from the impact of a devastating car accident she was a passenger in, years after it happened. While she has some physical scars as a result of the accident, they only tip the surface of what she’s continuing to struggle with today, and she’s not the only one.

Ares and Eloise meet in a wholly unexpected (for Eloise) way. While it’s not something that bothers Ares too much, that exact behaviour is what causes them problems as they learn more about each other and fight to make their relationship be seen as “real” by those closest to them.

I always enjoy a good story that’s all about overcoming the odds. But in this case, the entire time I was reading this, I had a dark shadow impacting how I interpreted everything in it which is such a shame.

I wish I was objective enough to give you a rating and review that wasn’t impacted by that cloud, but I can’t. So, I’ll do my best, but please keep in mind that if that cloud wasn’t hanging over me this may have (most likely really) scored a little better in my books.

Despite my own personal feelings, Ares and Eloise wormed there way into my heart. Some of their moments were so epically sweet, and others gave me a good chuckle. And yes, there were times where I felt like I needed to tell them to grow up and take some ownership, but they got there by themselves in the end.

And all the while, they continued to pull me along and kept me intrigued all the way until the end where I got my sense of satisfaction at their story coming to a close.