Robyn Douglass and Erik Richards have
been best friends since they were twelve years old. The
met in the summer’s when their families when camping at the same campground. The always kept in touch, telling each other their
secrets, their joys and heartaches.. After one disastrous summer, they stopped keeping
such close contact with each other as they usually did. Then five years passes and Erik
calls Robyn to wish her a Happy Birthday and convinces her to meet him at their campground
for the weekend, and doesn’t take no for an answer.
That weekend changes their lives forever and neither is prepared for it.
There are times when reading romances
that I am a basket case of emotions and with this book, I was out of control. I loved this book and the characters. I wanted to strangle both Robyn and Erik a number
of times for their pride and their lack of communication, but wanted to hug each of them
as they pushed each other away and continued to hurt each other. I felt connected to Robyn, the plump,
plus-sized girl who couldn’t believe a man like Erik could ever fall in love with
her. Even when tragedy strikes and I
disagreed with many of Robyn’s decisions I still felt for her.
With Erik I identified with his pride
and his loyalty to Robyn and thinking of her first. Even
after all the times that Robyn turned him away, the minute she calls him in the middle of
the night and begs to see him, he is there for her.
Rida Allen does a phenomenal job with
this story about two friends who don’t want to admit that their relationship has
changed and that they will never be just friends again, and that they really never were,
they have loved each other for years. The
emotions in this book were tense, thrilling and it was a roller coaster, but I enjoyed the
ride. This story delves deeply into two lives
that hide a lot of fears and insecurities from the outside world and watching each
character grow was beautiful.
Rida Allen tells a beautiful, gentle
and heart-wrenching love story that
doesn’t disappoint and had me hoping that Robyn and Erik would find their way to each
other and live happily ever after. This book is for the romantic at heart, one that I will
recommend for a long time to come. Sometimes
the greatest loves begin with friendship.
Erik's brother George also has his own story.
Be sure to read TRUTH AND LIES to see what happens to George and his little girl
Jessica. I am eager for
this release!
Reviewed by Tracey West for The Road to
Romance
February 4, 2003 |
