When I saw that Meghan Quinn recommended this book as being like, If you liked Top Gun the movie, and wanted to read a book along those lines, I ordered it right away. This book followed, Colby and Ryan. I’m assuming that before this book, if you read the “Blue Line” Duet, this book will make a lot more sense since the characters from that duet came back in this book. At least that’s what I gathered by reading the first few chapters. Regardless, you don’t need to read a certain book before this one, but me being me, I liked to read anything that’s connected to the stories. 

Anyways, this book opened up with Colby attending his best friend, Stryder’s wedding to his ex-girlfriend, Rory. There were no hard feelings since Colby was genuinely happy for the married couple, but still must have been awkward considering he use to think that he was going to end up marrying Rory. Colby was the best man, and Ryan (Rory’s best friend) was the maid of honor. Right away when Ryan was brought up, I could tell she was so outgoing, blunt, and didn’t hold back on anything. Compared to Colby, Ryan was the life of the party and unapologetic, whereas Colby was quiet, “kept to himself”, didn’t like the attention brought on him. That being said, I could see that there was some “opposites attract” trope going on throughout the story.

What I found interesting with Colby and Ryan was that they obviously knew each other beforehand, especially since Colby use to date Rory. So Ryan and Colby were aware of each other, but in this book they got more one on one time, started to open up to each other, and of course reveal things about themselves to each other. Not to mention, they had a steamy one night together that blew both of their minds. Even through the first few chapters, I got the sense that Ryan’s backstory played a significant role in the way that she acted, and behaved around others. Colby was reserved and stuck with his military ways. Aside from his passion of flying and being in the Air Force, it seemed like that’s all Colby lived and breathe, and as far as his off time.. he didn’t really do much aside from reading… about planes. Colby hoped to find someone that he could potentially settle down with, have someone to be by his side, and finally have someone to come home to. 

I liked the juxtaposition between Colby and Ryan. Ryan literally said and did whatever she wanted, and I kind of liked that about her. I mean, I don’t know if I would have been comfortable just chilling in underwear while in a “friends” hotel room, but hey, that’s Ryan for you, not a care in the world. Meanwhile, Colby was both shocked with surprise and trying to mentally/physically calm himself down from hearing and seeing the things Ryan did haha. In addition, to the differences between Ryan and Colby, by them being different from each other, they were able to bring out different sides of themselves and just enjoy the moments together. 

The use of dual point of views between Ryan and Colby were good. I’m always a sucker for dual P.O.V’s since you always get to see the different perspectives of a moment, or get into the thoughts of the characters. Reading what was going on in Ryan and Colby’s mind made me laugh and reflect on their individual lives. On a more significant note, some of Ryan’s chapters were flashbacks from when she was a kid and what she went through in terms of getting picked on by kids at school to even her own mom reprimanding her on her weight. That kind of treatment definitely affected the way Ryan thought of herself and while it was no doubt that she was a beautiful woman, Ryan still dealt with the negative association of herself as not being enough, seeing flaws as opposed to embracing them. Ryan was the kind of woman who would put on a smile and mask her true feelings to everyone even to Rory. The insecurities that Ryan felt on a reoccurring basis was part of her story and over the course of the book.

When I got to the part of the book where the meaning of the title was mentioned in the book, I really liked it. The significance behind the left and right side of perfect made sense as to how Ryan imagined what was deemed “perfect” and the true beauty behind accepting flaws and all when being in love. I also liked how the tattoo Colby picked out for Ryan fit perfectly for her, and of course tied back with the overall story and her. The meaning behind the title and story made me reflect on what I would want out of love and the way Ryan talked about the left and right side of perfect, I could empathize with what she said. 

I initially thought that this story would only focus on Colby and Ryan, but when Sage was introduced not only was it unexpected, but it meant a new potential love interest for Colby. Usually when there’s  another potential love interest, they tend to be someone I don’t like, but with Sage, it was impossible not to like her, she was sweet and kind and I liked her relationship with Colby. In a way, it was like I didn’t know who to root for because I genuinely liked both Sage and Ryan, and especially since they were all friends and got along together, there was no hard feelings. Until, Ryan finally realized she was in love with Colby, my heart hurt for her because, in the midst of her feeling more for Colby, Colby was preparing to take the next step with Sage, a step that would forever keep them bound… marriage. The book ended on kind of a cliffhanger with Colby having proposed to Sage, and sadly Ryan feeling all the heartache at having helped out with the proposal, and witnessing the man she loved propose to someone else. 

Overall, this was a good book that had friends to lovers, Colby being a fighter pilot in the Air Force, little “Top Gun” movie reference, humorous, a mixture of lighthearted and mentioned some deep stuff in terms of what Ryan dealt with from a young age with her body. There was also romance, little spice, and lovable characters. I’m interested to read what happens in the next book of the duet to see how the story ends, and how Colby and Ryan’s story comes to an end.