Ami's Hoard

Connor is the older brother from the Garrett siblings. Three years ago, he lost his wife of eight years, and since then, Connor has been living like a hermit. His constant company is Jack Daniel’s, he is grumpy and seems to always be in a dark mood. But there is one person – outside of his brother and sister – who seems to be able to stand up to him when Connor is in the mood, and that is his best friend, Felicity “Liss” Foster.

I was eager to read Connor’s story because I LOVE friends-to-lovers themes. I don’t care if it has been hashed and rehashed a thousand times over; I don’t care if the theme usually comes with a cliché ‘argument’ a.k.a. “I don’t think this is a good idea because romance kills friendship”, etc … I just love it, period. Being friends eliminates the instant-love factor and there’s always something incredibly satisfying when reading how the hero or heroine realizes that the one they are supposed to be with, is the one who has been with them all along.

This definitely has the ultimate recipe of a great friends-to-lovers story. Connor and Liss have been best friends for almost two decades. Liss is also a good friend of Connor’s late wife, which is why Liss nurtures her secret crush in secret. I loved reading the process of Connor finally seeing Liss in a different light; how he starts to feel a ‘more than friendly’ feeling towards her. I LOVED the tension that happened between the two of them. I especially loved that Liss was not afraid to take her chance this time around. She was heartbroken when Connor and Jessie got married, but she stuck with the couple throughout. But now that there is a possibility for her longtime dream to be fulfilled, she is willing to risk it.

Connor frustrated me several times, though. His stubborn way to cling to his dark mood, his tendency to push people away, including those who love him the most, pushed my patience. However, each time I was just about ready to knock some sense into his head, Connor pulled either a thoughtful gesture … like buying the prom dress for Liss (there is a background story to that one) or sharing a heartbreaking story (the secret about Jessie that he has been keeping for the past three years from everyone) that made me forgive him for being such an ass. Plus, that love declaration in the end was pretty grand. Damn you, Connor! You made it hard for me to stay mad at you.

Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that Connor and Liss will make it together until the very end. There will be arguments – because Connor can be stubborn — but there is love and respect that grows from long-time friendship too *sigh*.

Now there is only one story left – and I admit that I’m giddy with excitement for it. I wonder how Jack will be brought down on his knees by his best friend’s little sister, Kate. Jack, the womanizer, and Kate, the tomboy. Imagine the possibilities, it will be delicious!

The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.