4.5+ stars 
 Emiline is a struggling writer trying to figure out how to take her career to the next level. When she reluctantly agrees to read J. Colby's bestselling hit, she is startled to find the fictional novel is her childhood and the author is none other than her former best friend and first everything, Jason. Her 7 year relationship is stagnant, and the rut that her life has become is suddenly in a tumble as she is forced to face the past she has all but ignored. 
 This is a story within a story, with chapters flipping between present day, and Emiline's progress as she reads J. Colby's novel. For as angered as she is at discovering Jase has sold her story as fiction, it sure did take her a long time to read the book. As a faster reader myself, I found myself wishing she would just finish the book so we knew everything about her, or at least everything that Jase had written. Her reluctance to finish does drive part of the plot, but it almost felt contrived and too convenient that she stopped where she did. 
 I loved everything about Jackson, the fictional version of Jase. But the present day version was harder to pin down. His love for Emiline was clear; he had a patience that hid the force of attraction he had held on to for 12 years. I couldn't understand why he had waited 12 years to go looking for Emi, especially as the details in his book shed more light on everything they had done for each other in the past. 
 There is a lot of emotion to dig through with all the history between Jason and Emiline. Emi is a runner, and her initial reaction to hurt is to block it out. Her insecurity and indecision had me tied in knots for much of the book as she wavered between her existing boyfriend, the lasting feelings she'd held for Jason, and how she was going to deal with everything she had learned from the book. 
 The story within a story kept things moving, giving readers the background needed without bogging down the narrative. When Emi finally reaches the end of the book and is able to read between the lines to the message Jason was trying to share with the novel, the ending moved fairly quickly. I wish there had been more of an epilogue, or a longer scene in the present day. I was left with a few lingering questions, but this was one of those books I couldn't put down while I was in the middle and found myself wondering about long after I had finished. 
 I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.