Connor has returned home with his four brothers after their father's death. He forms an immediate connection with Hadley, a girl who is hanging out in his childhood escape, a treehouse. He walks the injured Hadley home and discovers her mother is the woman he had a no-strings one-night stand with eight years ago. The only problem, this woman, Ellie, is now married and has a child. Ellie is struggling herself. She has been in an abusive marriage for nearly 8 years and knows she needs to escape. One scary night leads to her and Hadley leaving and she and Connor reconnection. Secrets are exposed and both Connor and Ellie must decide if they can forgive and move forward together, or go their separate ways. 

Corinne Michaels pulled me in with the story and tugged at my heartstrings with all the emotions going on. This book wasn't easy to read, there are times when what both Connor and Ellie have experienced is downright heartbreaking. 

Connor and Ellie have an instant connection, but there is so much complexity to their lives that they take the time to develop a friendship while learning about each other. I loved the friendship Connor formed with both Ellie and Hadley, he gained their trust and learned he could love without causing pain. Ellie was so strong having left an abusive and figuring out how to move forward. 

This was a heartfelt story and I loved reading about these characters. I look forward to checking out more in this series