~ she who reads, is booked every night ~
BOOKED EVERY NIGHT
Review
Love Surfaced is a wonderful second chance love book. Two people who have been in each others’ lives for as long as they can remember crossed the line between friendship and more. Tanner and Piper were always together since Piper’s twin brother Brad was Tanner’s best friend. All three of them were Division I swimmers for a large University. All three of them had a chance at the Olympics, but Tanner was already a shoe in.
Tanner and Piper had been attached to each other for a long time but neither had been willing to cross that line for fear of the repercussions if it didn’t work out. Not only would they lose their friendship, but it would put Brad and both of their families in the middle. Their parents were best friends and it trickled down to their children.
Once they crossed that line everything seemed to be going well. They were exploring what it was like to be with each other as a couple before they decided to go public and being their families into it. Before they got the chance Tanner committed a big betrayal. Piper left and did not talk to him for two years.
Both Tanner and Piper were more hurt and affected by their time together and ultimately their breakup than either realized. Until they are thrown back together by Brad’s upcoming wedding. Tanner as the best man is home and makes no qualms about telling Piper he is still in love with her and that no one has ever compared to her. Piper is still upset and hurt over Tanner’s betrayal that she doesn’t even want to speak to him but he heart and body have other things on their mind.
I loved the way Tanner didn’t give up on Piper even over the years. They have a love that goes beyond anything normal. Nothing and no one is going to stand in his way of finally talking to Piper about what happened years before and winning her heart back. Tanner was such a sweetheart but you could tell that Piper had broken his heart when she left him and refused to even speak to him all those years.
Piper was truly hurt by what happened with Tanner and has tried to move on but she definitely didn’t pick the right person to move on with. Curtis is a rich guy who has had everything handed to him. He is sneaky and underhanded and not to be trusted. He comes across as snobby and too good for Piper and her family even though he introduced himself to Piper when they met.
This was a quick enjoyable read with characters that you are rooting for and wanting to get the happily ever after. I can’t wait to read Brad’s story. I want to know what happened with him in the two years that were skipped while Piper and Tanner were not speaking.
“Piper.” He hesitates before joining me on the cement stoop.
I question why he even searched me out even though it’s been his MO lately, popping up wherever I am.
He places his arm across my shoulders and pulls me into him, which only brings a ripple of warmth to the pit of my stomach. “Come here.”
My head burrows into his strong chest, and his hand soothingly roams up and down my back. I sink into him. With the comfort of his arm, the tension in my shoulders from placing fifth in my swim meet slowly releases.
Refusing to let him make my mind race with his confusing affection, I sit up. Swiping the tears from my eyes, I honestly confess, “Tanner, it was my last shot.”
He begins to shake his head, but I stop him, “No, I have to realize it. My dream of swimming in the Olympics is over.” I rise to my feet, and the heaviness in my chest sinks back into place now that I’m out of his embrace.
He follows me over to the oak tree. Coming up behind me, his hot breath tickles my neck. My pulse races into overdrive, reminding me of how badly I want him.
Why does he keep leading me on?
He continues to toe the line between friendship and more, but he never actually steps over it. Each time his hand brushes mine or his eyes search me out, my heart stops beating for a moment as I hope this is it—until he crushes the fluttering butterflies and steps away.
I close my eyes from the view of Michigan University’s football stadium because I need to calm my insides. “Why are you here?”
He should be with my twin brother, preparing for their own meet.
“You should be in warm-ups.”
His hands land on my shoulders, and he leans down. At our connection, a tingle spreads through my body.
“I saw you leaving the pool house.” His voice cracks.
I hear his deep intake of breath.
“That’s not what I’m asking, Tanner.”
When I turn around, I almost collapse when I come face-to-face with this gorgeous guy. He’s absolutely one hundred percent the perfect male.
My perfect male.
His brown hair is tucked away in his MU hat that’s flipped backward. His lips and cheeks are rosy from the early spring chill in the air. With only a sweatshirt and track pants on, he’s the epitome of a college student. His good looks remind me of the unbearable yearning that pulls me toward him.
His eyes are so transparent that I can see the torment of his inner turmoil from our situation, meaning nothing has changed for him. He’s as conflicted as ever because I’m his best friend’s sister.
“I don’t know.” His voice is soft, caressed with the sweetness he’s shown me the last few months.
My stomach drops at his words. I want to grab his face with my hands and beg him to admit that the small seed of attraction has grown over the years and we can no longer dodge around it.
Instead, I stand there, with my hands at my sides, silently pining for the day he acknowledges our desire for one another.
“Then, that’s a problem.” My heart thumps as I sidestep him and weave through the sporadic clumps of snow that have yet to melt from the harsh winter.