4.5 
 Simon and Caroline wade through a relationship that takes some juggling. Because of Simon's heavy traveling schedule, they have developed a routine despite not always being in the same time zone. A chance at house-sitting outside the city, and increase in responsibility for Caroline at work, and Simon canceling several photo shoots changes the dynamic of their balanced relationship, making waves Caroline didn't anticipate having to navigate. 
 I went back and forth between being excited for the changes Simon and Caroline were making and facing, and worried that they weren't talking about what was bothering each of them. Granted, if they had talked right away, parts of the conflict would have been negated, but boy did they take on a lot of changes in a short amount of time! 
 The conflicts Simon and Caroline face were great examples of the things couples must face in order to make a relationship work. They each have their coping mechanisms - both the ones that work and the ones that only add to the conflict. While the relationship was smoother in the beginning of Rusty Nailed than it was early in Wallbanger, the chemistry, tension, and mix of emotions continued their story perfectly. 
 This set of friends still cracks me up. What are the chances that three best friends would end up dating another set of three best friends? The group had nearly as much drama as Simon and Caroline themselves. While Mimi and Ryan are engaged and happy as can be, Neil and Sophia are on the outs. When they aren't avoiding each other, they are trying to make the other jealous by bringing hotter, smarter, better dates to each group get-together. Any scene the two of them were in together became a challenge to see if they would behave or steal the show, and they often stole the scene. 
 As in Wallbanger, the humor comes through at times subtly, at times loud and clear. I love the addition of Clive's antics, adding to the scenes as only a cat can do. Alice Clayton has figured out the perfect mix of humor to make the jokes feel authentic and true to life without being over the top or corny. 
 This was such a great glimpse into the changes relationships take over time. While Simon and Caroline are the main narrators, and the story is theirs, there are so many relationships woven through their tale it is clear they do not exist in a bubble. 
 I've got to say, I loved Simon and Caroline in Wallbanger, and loved seeing them again here, but I am really excited for Viv, introduced here as an old friend of Simon, and the antics that I'm sure she will find in Screwdrivered, the next novel in the series. 
 I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.