I have heard so much about this book and this series and was very excited to finally get it under way! This read like a lot of first books do in a series. The pacing was a little off for me, and though I did connect with Alex and Ana I had a hard time with their connection. Overall though I would give it 3.5 stars. I am a legit sucker for brother's best friend EVERY TIME. I liked the underlying mystery in this one. We knew there was more going on behind the scenes with Alex, but when it all came into focus I did NOT see that coming. I am also a sucker for a grump meeting his sunshine- and though Alex was more of an ice king than a grump the concept was similar. He seemed different around her. He was different around her. I liked reading all of the side characters and realizing which FMC is going to be next in the series and am excited to see it continue and get better!

Ana has kind of always had a thing for her brother's best friend Alex, but nothing has ever developed for one reason or another. They have known each other for a while and though that is the case- he has just seemed out of reach. Well now that her brother Josh is moving out of the country for a year, none other than Alex is moving in next door to her. So she tries to hang out with him more. Brings him cupcakes. Kind of sees some emotion in him that she hasn't before. Her friends put her up to continuing to pull emotions from him. Can he get jealous? Yes- yes he can. Can he get sad? That is a hard fail. Can she get him to laugh? Yes and OMG it is magical. And all along the way of this experiment, Ana is starting to realize she has feelings for Alex. Feelings that she doesn't want to ignore anymore. She wants to experience the rumors that are being said about him bed. So when she sees hunger in his eyes like she feels, she takes her shot. And now they are a couple. Something he hasn't ever done. But there is darkness lurking- Ana's memories from her childhood are starting to resurface and she is starting to question everything. So when Alex's past comes to get her she is heartbroken. Was everything a lie? 

Alex has one focus in life- revenge. It has been his driving force his whole life. It is all he knows. Sure he has needs but that is all those are and they can be satiated within reason. He does have his friendship with Josh which though part of his plan has turned into genuine friendship. So when Josh asks him to keep an eye on his sister- he says yes. When Ana shows up with cupcakes or wants to watch a movie- he finds himself intrigued. He finds himself feeling things he hasn't felt in a LONG time. Things he hasn't allowed himself to feel. She is so strong and free and the light to his dark. He shouldn't go there though not only because of Josh but because she is a distraction. But he can't help himself. He is too drawn to her to ignore it anymore. And what they experience together breaks all the rules he has set- no kissing- not happening with her. And now he finds he can't let her go. She is his. He tried to tell her. And now she is going through her old memories, and terrible things are coming to light. He wants to be the man she thinks he is. The man she deserves but then his worst fear is imagined and he pushes her away. Out of necessity. To save her. But when he learns of her future plans he wants her back. Is he too late? What Ana doesn't know is that he is a patient man. And he will wait forever if that's what it takes. 

Though I liked Ana and Alex, I had a hard time vibing with their chemistry. The buildup was great, and I also liked the spice. I think Alex was a little TOO much of a grump/ice man to get a good read on him with her. I liked the ending- I didn't see the plot twist coming. It added an element of suspense that I liked. I am looking forward to continuing to read about these women and who gets wrapped up in them. TBH I am looking the most forward to Josh and Jules- hoping they live up to the hype!