Book Review: Yours All Along

Book: Yours All Along (Loving on the Edge book #7.5) by Roni Loren

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication Date: Available now

Publisher: PEGUIN GROUP Berkley: InterMix

Description:

The new Loving on the Edge romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Nothing Between Us turns on the heat between two men who wonder how much they’re willing to risk in the name of love.

Four years after an accident tore their friendship apart, Hunter and Devon are living separate lives. Hunter is now the all-America hero—a congressman’s son and a pro pitcher in Houston preparing to marry his beauty-queen girlfriend. Devon is in Dallas running a new restaurant.

But when Hunter unexpectedly shows up in Devon’s bar, Devon can’t turn him away. Damn it if the man isn’t still gorgeous. But engaged? Hell no. All he’s doing for Devon is bringing back memories of their college-roommate days, and the night their relationship went too far. Turns out Hunter has never forgotten it either.

Now Devon can’t help but be drawn in all over again by the only guy who’s ever gotten close enough to break his heart. Maybe one more night together would be enough for both of them to finally move on. Or maybe one night will change everything…



Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

Yours All Along is a stand alone novella from the Loving on the Edge series, although this is the only book of the series that I've read. It focused on the college friendship turned romance between Hunter Riley and Devon Crowe that abruptly ended but the two eventually meet again years later.

The story begins with Hunter sampling wedding cakes with his fiancée Macy but his heart doesn't seem into it. Everything seems to be moving too fast for him and he's stressed out. His fiancée noticing this, decides he needs a vacation to unwind. She books him a room at a luxury hotel and spa in Dallas so he can get away for a few days. Although Hunter is a professional baseball player he is use to the attention of the media since his father is in politics.

With his trip set, Macy suggested he look up his old fraternity brother Devon to ask him to be his best man, since Hunter still has not picked one yet. 

The story then switched to Devon who manages an upscale restaurant dealing with all the problems associated with the job. He was taking a small break but it was cut short when he was needed to go speak with a customer. He was shocked to see Hunter sitting in the booth, especially since they have not spoken in years.

It wasn't hard for Devon to see that Hunter was drunk and in no condition to drive. By the time the restaurant closed, Hunter was still in no shape to drive and not wanting his former friend to possibly get into an accident he decides to drop him off at the hotel.

As Hunter was riding in the car, he flashed back to memories of when he was in college in California and of how him and Devon as members of a fraternity met and became friends. It began with Hunter offering to share a room at the frat house with Devon who is openly gay. Hunter figured that most of the other guys were perhaps not too eager to share a room with Devon so he decided to step up and be a friend. Things started out well between the two of them. It quickly turned into an easy friendship where they learned a good deal about each other such as learning that Devon was disowned from his family after he came out while Hunter's strict and conservative father controls nearly every aspect of his life.

However, as the story moved along their friendship was starting to change into something more but neither one was sure what that meant but they wanted to see. But everything changed once Hunter got into a car accident and that brought his high profile father down from Texas who quickly issued out an ultimatum which included breaking all contact with Devon. Not able to stand up to his father, Hunter went along with all his demands.

Which brings the story back to the present, is it even possible for Hunter to restore a relationship he let fall to the wayside years ago? Should he follow his heart to the love of his life even if might be too late or continue on with the "perfect" life that is expected of for him? Hunter's life is "perfect," he's a professional athlete, handsome and rich yet his life is turning into something he hates. He's not happy and planning the wedding brought up all of his problems.

Although a majority of this novella is set in flashback it gives the reader a good sense of who Hunter and Devon were so you can understand who they are now and what they've been through. This was a good story, there are a few steamy scenes with a some cheesy dialogue here and there but all and all this wasn't a bad read. 

I have only one problem with this story, it wasn't long enough. Too bad it wasn't a full length novel I wanted to read more. It was a story filled with friendship, romance and colligate Greek life. I really liked the characters and their romantic drama.