4.5+ stars 
 Bryson had a lot of learning about herself to do in this book, both in what she was capable of and what she wanted from life. As a high schooler, she met and fell in love with Will. The storybook tale of their romance stood, despite a moment at their senior prom where Bryson faced a possible change to her story, one that would lead to a bad boy rather than her sweet prince. But she wanted the prince and thought she had found him in Will. 
 Years passed before she ran into that bad boy again, and things had changed for both of them in the meantime. They develop a friendship that fills a gap in both of their lives. Bryson needs an ear and finds it in Hart's solid presence. But it can't be easy when your fairytale isn't as perfect as it looks from the outside, and Bryson struggles with what she wants and needs. 
 Hart was the bad boy with a heart of gold. I liked him from the moment he spoke at prom, though I didn't understand his reaction after prom until much later. His own struggles and the way he calmly handles (most of) the challenges that jump out to derail him made me love him even more. 
 There were times I wanted this story to go a different direction. I struggled with the pacing because I couldn't stand Will and the way he treated Bryson, even in the beginning. Bryson's relationship with Will throughout most of the book was a point of frustration for me. It brought so much angst to the story, but it also needed to be that way based on who they were to each other. 
 When I reached the end, I realized it didn't matter if the timeline fit what *I* wanted for these characters, it fit for them. There were so many factors involved in Bryson's decisions that I couldn't help but feel conflicted as I watched her struggles. 
 I still would say that the beginning and parts of the end went on longer than I think was necessary. This was a story filled with ups and downs, much like real life. It is unconventional in the treatment of the hero and heroine, but this is one of those hold-on-and-follow types of stories. I wish things could have worked out easier for Bryson and Hart, but overall their story was a great journey. 
 I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.