3 ⭐ Enjoyable but forgettable

I definitely had a good time reading this story, but it's only been a day after I finished, and I'm having a tough time remembering what even happened. Be right back. I'm going to look over my kindle highlights and notes.

*10 minutes later*


Okay, so with that refresher, here are my thoughts. . .


I enjoyed the found family trope. Liv, Deiss, Phoebe, Mac, and Simone seemed to make up the perfect little group of friends. They each have their own unique personalities that don't seem to go together at first, but they make it work. It was fun seeing them bond in college during the flashbacks and their interactions during the present.


However . . .


I honestly don't get why anyone is friends with Simone. Even during college, she was the most random addition to the group. She's rich, spoiled, and unaware, and just an unlikeable character. I was confused but accepted her place in the group at the beginning, but after Simone reveals Deiss' secret, I am dumbfounded and pissed off. If I were them, I'd drop her. I was shocked that the friend group just swept Simone's betrayal under the rug.

Also, did she or did she not have a crush on Deiss??? I still don't know.


I liked Liv and Deiss, but I wanted more. This is a classic friends-to-lovers story, but where was the lovers part? After 70% of this book and loads of sexual tension, Liv and Deiss FINALLY have sex only for the author to skip right over it. Um, WHAT??? Deiss is HOT and I needed to see him rock Liv's world! I live for the spice, so leaving out the dirty little details pains me. And after this one almost-spicy scene, there's no more. So if you're interested in a steamy romance, this is not it.


There were so many different plot points that had me confused as to where the story was headed.

- Liv learns to say the word 'no' and changes her life plan/career.
- The pact not to hook up with anyone in the friend group.
- Background drama between Phoebe and Mac. Will they or won't they get together?
- Liv's life financially gets flipped upside down.
- Liv and Deiss tiptoe around their feelings for one another until they finally cave in.
- Deiss' secret past.
- Liv also struggles with her past.
- Simone betrays Deiss and Liv.

These were just a few of the major events that happened in the story, and as you can see, it was a lot to digest. Also, the story tended to jump into the next drama-filled moment, quickly patching up the previous conflict or leaving it unresolved. I think this is part of why I don't feel attached to the characters or the story.



Overall, this was a relatively fun contemporary romance. I love the travel aspect and the found family trope, but the idea that you should forgive your friends for anything is a terrible message. There should have been a bit more to the ending and dealing with Simone.



Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.