Forced to leave home as soon as he finished high school, Bailey McCreedy’s focus has been on earning enough money to survive. All he needs is a roof over his head and to keep his small mobile lending library running. Books are Bailey’s escape, and he loves to share the joy of reading with those who don’t have access to them.
Tom Brooks’s upbringing is very different to Bailey’s, with a loving family, a good education, and a high-flying job—that is, until things came crashing down. Tom opens a coffee shop, struggling to build his business and reluctant to accept help, operating under the misguided belief that he must pay penance for his sins. Watching Bailey work with the street kids opens Tom’s eyes to the reality that accepting help is not a sign of weakness, and that he is so much more than his past mistakes.
But as Bailey falls for Tom, with his charming manner, obvious care for others, and group of successful friends, Bailey’s own sense of self-worth threatens to tear them apart. In the face of intensifying challenges, he’s reluctant to confide in Tom, afraid he’s not good enough.
A bright future will require Bailey to heed his own advice—people aren’t defined by their failures or inability to live up to the expectations of others. It’s time for Tom to pay it forward, and Bailey needs to accept the help and love that Tom offers.
ARC Received for an honest review
This is my first Nic Starr read, and I can guarantee you that it won't be my last.
Bailey and Tom's story is sweet and beautiful and full of hope. We have all had those times when life keeps kicking us when we are down, and we can only hope to find someone like they did to lift them back up.
I loved that even though they came from such different backgrounds, they really do fit each other.
The middle did drag a little bit for me, however it did not stop me from reading. And the last 25% of the story was wonderful.
Friendships play a big part in this story, and in our lovelies lives. I loved Tom's friends from the minute they walked in the door of his coffee shop, and I love love loved how they were trying to get him to accept their help. I understood why he was reluctant, but I wanted to shake him and say "let them help".
I was away from home whilst I was reading this book, and I have to tell you, I became very anti-social as I sat with friends, Kindle in hand, as I needed to know where this story would lead me.
A big thing that I loved about this story is the location. Being set in my home town of Sydney just makes it so much enjoyable to read (especially when they are going to watch my beloved Swans play).
I was totally enamoured with this story, and I can't wait to see where this series takes us in the future.
Bailey and Tom's story is sweet and beautiful and full of hope. We have all had those times when life keeps kicking us when we are down, and we can only hope to find someone like they did to lift them back up.
I loved that even though they came from such different backgrounds, they really do fit each other.
The middle did drag a little bit for me, however it did not stop me from reading. And the last 25% of the story was wonderful.
Friendships play a big part in this story, and in our lovelies lives. I loved Tom's friends from the minute they walked in the door of his coffee shop, and I love love loved how they were trying to get him to accept their help. I understood why he was reluctant, but I wanted to shake him and say "let them help".
I was away from home whilst I was reading this book, and I have to tell you, I became very anti-social as I sat with friends, Kindle in hand, as I needed to know where this story would lead me.
A big thing that I loved about this story is the location. Being set in my home town of Sydney just makes it so much enjoyable to read (especially when they are going to watch my beloved Swans play).
I was totally enamoured with this story, and I can't wait to see where this series takes us in the future.
