Series:
Holliday Oregon (Book 2)
Rescued…
by the brother of the (ex-)groom!
Nikki Choi loves the boisterous family she was adopted
into as a baby. But dreams of her own happy-ever-after are dashed when her
fiancé suddenly calls off the wedding. Leave it to her BFF to come to her
rescue! Evan Northrup is the perfect faux beau, offering support and making no
demands -- making her feel loved. But the single dad seems intent on keeping
things pretend, while Nikki is shocked to be falling wildly, deeply for her old
friend…
Good friends-to-lovers story. Nikki and Evan have been
best friends for years. When her fiancé calls off their wedding, Evan steps in as
a pretend boyfriend. It's easy and logical and perfectly innocent - if it
weren't for that one night they spent together at the beginning of their
friendship!
I liked the friendship between Nikki and Evan. It's based
on shared interests and being secure in each other's company. But as close as
their friendship is, there are still things they keep to themselves. At
thirty-seven years old, Nikki feels her chances of having her own family
slipping away. The end of her engagement makes that feeling worse. Evan is a
single father whose son Noah is the center of his life. He never talks about
his marriage or his ex-wife, nor does he date anyone for longer than a month. He
has commitment issues thanks to that marriage and his father's parade of
stepmothers throughout Evan's life.
After reading about Nikki's ex-fiance, I was glad she
didn't go through with the marriage. I think his focus on her weight and
fitness was emotionally abusive, and she was lucky to get away from him. Once
out of his influence, she began working to be happy with who she was. Evan was
a big part of that journey, as he'd always liked her just as she was.
I liked watching the development of Nikki and Evan's
relationship. They've been friends for a while, so they know each other well.
But simmering under that friendship is the attraction that caused "that
night." Afraid of messing up their friendship, Nikki had insisted that it
never happen again. Evan would have pursued it, but Nikki began dating his
brother Drew a short time later. I liked how Evan seized his chance when he
stepped in to help after Drew bailed on Nikki. But I was also disappointed in
him because he knows she wants a family of her own, and he still avoids
commitment. Spending time with Evan as he acts like a boyfriend resurrects the
attraction she has been suppressing. As her feelings for him grow, she isn't
sure whether to risk their friendship by asking for more or leave things as
they are.
Evan and Nikki must confront their fears before they can
hope for a future together. Nikki has an eye-opening talk with her mother,
including being told that her and Evan's feelings for each other were obvious
to everyone around them and had been since the beginning. Mom's advice came roundabout
but gave Nikki the confidence to "jump in." In a surprisingly
emotional scene, Evan has a long overdue conversation with his father. I liked
his dad's blunt opinion on Evan's problem and agreed with him. Evan had some
ground to make up with Nikki, but his big moment was worth waiting for.
Evan's son Noah was adorable. Evan is a wonderful, loving
dad, which shows in Noah's happy attitude. Some sweet father-son moments melted
my heart. I also enjoyed Noah's connection with Nikki. Her attendance at his special
school event was heartwarming to see. I also enjoyed Nikki's family and their
support of each other. The relationship between Nikki and her sister Gia was
terrific and showed in Nikki's decision about her wedding plans. Evan's family
was entirely different. Though his dad redeemed himself a little at the end,
the relationship between the two is still awkward. Evan's half-brother, Drew
(the ex-fiancé), is a horse's arse. He is selfish, judgmental, insensitive, and
a cheater.
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