I really enjoyed this romance. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given this a 4.5* rating but it is not for the under 18 readers. This contains some sexual content. These best friends find that now that they are older, maybe they have some deeper feelings. It shows that what we tell our children, does influence their thinking. He thought he had no heart. His actions start to show her different. It has a good ending. ( )

3.5* ( )

Terrific friends to lovers story. Nissa is a teacher who takes temporary jobs during the summer to earn money for her dream trip to Italy. This summer, she accepts a house-sitting job, then sublets her condo for the summer for extra income. When the house-sitting job falls through, she has no place to stay. Since Nissa can't stay with her brother, he suggests staying with his best friend Desmond in his huge house. Nissa is reluctant because she's had a crush on Desmond since he stepped in to take her to prom when she was seventeen. Desmond remains a friend to their entire family, so she has buried her feelings for years.

Desmond became friends with Nissa's brother Shane when they attended the same boarding school. Desmond was tutored at home until he was sent away to school, so though he was book smart, his social skills were nonexistent. He was raised by parents whose marriage was more business merger than marriage and actively discouraged expressing emotions. Shane immediately befriended Desmond and absorbed him into his family, showing Desmond what a loving family looked like. Shane's family treated him as one of their own, and there is nothing Desmond wouldn't do for them. Inviting Nissa to stay with him is a no-brainer, but it also makes his life more difficult. He's never forgotten their goodnight kiss, but she deserves better than him.

I loved watching the relationship between Nissa and Desmond develop. Their friendship is strong already, thanks to knowing each other for so long. I loved how easily they talked and laughed and teased. But underneath the comfortable friendship, the sparks of attraction simmer and grow. Nissa believes that if Desmond had been interested in her all those years ago, he would have done something about it. So she keeps her unrequited feelings buried. Besides the fact that, at the time, Desmond felt he was too old for her, Nissa's brother made it clear it was hands-off his little sister. Having Nissa there now stirs up feelings Desmond doesn't know what to do with.

There are many sweet scenes of the two together, and it's easy to see that they get closer. I ached for Desmond as he shared his family life with Nissa and his conviction that, like his parents, he has no heart. He truly believes that he is incapable of love. No matter what she said, Nissa could not convince him otherwise. And yet, his obvious care for Nissa's friend Marisol and her daughters on their boat trip showed that there was more to him than he knew.

Desmond and Nissa's relationship undergoes a considerable change when she slips and confesses her attraction to him. I loved seeing how Nissa's frustrated rant led Desmond to prove that he was just as attracted, and things snowballed from there. The connection between them burned hot until interrupted by an emergency call from Marisol. I loved the effect that seeing Nissa drop everything for her friend had on Desmond. Though he's always been someone who supported charities and good causes, always ready with his checkbook, this is the first time Desmond experiences helping first-hand. He warmed my heart with how he brought Marisol's daughters to his house for Nissa to take care of them. He's so good with them, yet he can't see that it's because of his big heart. Even better, he involved himself even more deeply in their lives, planning a massive surprise for Marisol.

But when Nissa can no longer hide her feelings and tells Desmond of her love, Desmond panics and sends her away. His conviction that he has no heart and is incapable of love is too firm for Nissa to overcome. I ached for Nissa as she tried to deal with her broken heart. I also hurt for Desmond, who couldn't understand why he was so miserable. An unexpected call from his mother spurred Desmond's "aha" moment and a call to Nissa's father. I loved that conversation and the one in person a few hours later. Because Nissa's dad was almost a father to Desmond, too, he gave some fantastic advice. I especially loved the bit about groveling. Desmond's big moment was terrific. I liked the ring's description and would love to see a picture of the author's inspiration for it. ( )