Reviewer: Tracy Deal Breakers by Laura Lee
Publication Date: September 1st 2015
Genres: New Adult
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
How were they supposed to know that one night would change everything?
Devyn has life all mapped out. She just needs to accomplish one more thing before graduating college and becoming a full-fledged adult-lose her virginity. And who better to assist her than her best friend, Riley? Riley is the self-proclaimed king of fling. His college years have been filled with meaningless hookups until the one night that ruined him for all other women. The one night he spends with his best friend, Devyn. Right before he screws it all up.
Balls to the wall, baby!
Now five years later, Riley is determined to atone for his mistakes and prove that he can be the man that Devyn deserves. Little does he know that Devyn's been keeping a secret from him all these years. A big secret. Now he has to figure out how to win back the only girl he's ever loved while navigating the pitfalls of her unexpected revelation.
Deal Breakers is filled with lots of laughs, a sexy romance, and an overflowing swear jar.
Warning: This review contains spoilers.
The first time that Riley sees Devyn he knows that he wants to meet her. He chains his bike to hers so that she’ll have to talk to him and a friendship begins. The pair spend the next four years being best friends and each date other people but Riley never gives up hope on Devyn seeing him as more than a friend.
When it’s time to graduate Devyn approaches Riley and asks him to do one thing – take her virginity. He’s shocked but totally up for the job. snort He’s no stranger to women so he knows that he can make this great for Devyn. He plans a whole day together and they have a wonderful time. When they finally make it to bed it’s incredible and moving for both of them. Devyn, however, tells Riley that she loves him and while she thinks he fell asleep before hearing that declaration, the truth is that Riley fakes sleep because he’s freaked the fuck out. He makes excuses and does a runner the next day. He’s off to graduate school in Boston and she’s staying in Portland doing an internship.
Five years later Riley, who never stopped thinking about Devyn but never contacted her after that day, decides it’s high time he do something about this love he’s tried to squelch. He heads to Seattle thinking Devyn is still in Portland but she’s actually living with her brother in Seattle – along with her 4-year-old son.
When Riley figures out that the son, Nate, is actually his he knows what he has to do – and that’s win Devyn back. It won’t be easy though as Devyn is still hurt and heartbroken by Riley’s abandonment (no, she never told him she was pregnant) after they spent the night together and she has a boyfriend. It won’t be easy but Riley’s determined they’ll be together.
This was a cute book. It wasn’t dark and angsty despite the fact that Devyn was heartbroken. I liked that the author made it a pretty light book without overlooking the fact that there’s a secret baby and Riley definitely screwed up.
I liked Riley a lot despite the fact that he took off at the first sign of love. I mean, he’d been after Devyn for years even though they were friends. He knew he loved her in the back of his mind so it didn’t make complete sense to me why he freaked so badly at her declaration of love. He was a bastard for not contacting her for four years. I mean they’d been best friends and had basically spent four years together and had seen each other almost every day. IDK it just felt wrong.
Devyn was a great character. She was strong and resilient, that’s for sure. She was confused when Riley came back to town and I could understand that. As much as she thought she’d gotten over him she never actually let go of the feelings she had for him so when he came back and wanted a life together I could see how that would confuse her. She was a good mom, too, and I loved little Nate and his potty mouth. Lol
While we never got to see too far into the characters I thought there was a good blend of drama and romance to the story. It was a fun book and I enjoyed it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5