4.5 - 5 stars!! This book took me by surprise. Loved the story and the writing! Gorgeous and heartfelt and sexy and a little angsty. I highly recommend this book to all fans of second-chance romance and military stories. I immediately connected with these characters and literally read this story in one sitting. 
 The author had my heart racing as I read Alex and West's story. As teenagers, Alex was firmly "friend-zoned" with West, a place she most certainly did not want to be. But she couldn't figure out how to get out of the friend zone and get him to really see her and reciprocate the feelings she had for him. 
 With one "ill-advised comment," Alex's irritation with her dad transferred to West. "His admiration and respect for my dad equals one thing for me-- a one-way ticket to Friend City as far as he's concerned." 
 Then just like that, West was gone, and Alex lost touch with him for years. She went off to school, and despite their connection and deep feelings toward each other, West does not contact her after being deployed overseas. It comes as a total shock when Alex finds West again. It seems he wants absolutely nothing to do with her. He is a changed man in many ways. But Alex knows what they had is special and she refuses to give up on him. Her heart literally breaks for West and the struggles he faces after returning from deployment. 
 "I'm so fucking tired of running to stand still. I still have a lot of issues to work through, but I'm trying like hell. Please be patient with me, Poppy." He squeezes my waist firmly and keeps his eyes closed. 
 Will West be able to live again among his family and friends? Will he let Alex love him and accept him for who and what he is? I absolutely the way the author dealt with the issues of returning servicemen and loved this story. It is sweet, emotional, tender, sexy and even a little funny, along with the drama. I love this author's writing style and look forward to reading more of her books! 
 Favorite Quote: 
 "Don't you know? You are not my burden. Never." I brush my lips lightly against his. "You? You are my gift."