I jumped into a new series by reading the third book first. If you know me, you know this isn't my norm. I always start at the beginning. But you better believe I will be going back to read the first two books in the Perfectly Imperfect series. Especially since I know those are about Drew and Vince. I wonder if Dani has a story. Hmmm. I'll have to go look at Amanda Shelley's backlist titles.
Anyways, late last night I finished reading Damien by Amanda Shelley. It is a new adult, single parent romance, with some insta-love action happening.
Damien has recently relocated to town, and is working on a construction project at the college. He had discovered a little diner on one of his first days in town, and has been eating breakfast there almost daily. It helps that his usual server is absolutely gorgeous. Vanessa is a nursing student at the college, and she is also a single mom who works her butt off to make all of it happen. Her daughter, Julia, is 5 years old and the bright spot in her world. Vanessa hasn't dated in years, and so when Damien eventually works up the courage to ask her out, she is shocked, and then turns him down. Many days later Damien asks again. Vanessa had already talked to her friends about this, and agrees to a date. And that is how it all starts.
I absolutely loved this book. The relationship between Damien and Vanessa is so good. I love how Vanessa isn't afraid to tell Damien the hard things (single parent, loss of parents, etc). Then there's Damien, who isn't afraid to talk about the hard stuff, and he realizes that Vanessa being a parent comes first. He is willing to do anything in his power to make the relationship work. The chemistry between the two is spectacular. The connection between Vanessa and Julia is top notch. The way Julia and Damien interact is impressive. A bond has definitely been formed. I will say I thought the point of conflict would have been greater or drawn out. But I wasn't disappointed in it. I liked how Damien and Vanessa worked through it, and it allowed Damien to share a bit about his past and what he had been through.
Loved the book. I cannot wait to read more of the series, and also check out other works by the author.
Thank you for reading my thoughts,
