Book: Take the Risk by Bree Hayden
Reviewed by Amanda
Rating: 5/5
Teenage sweethearts turned heartbroken exes, a brother’s best friend reveal, and an ex who ends up living across the hall? Holy trope pileup, Batman.
What made this a five-star read for me was how Bree Hayden wove the past into the present. Every time I learned a little more about teenage Zariah and Denali, I understood something new about the way they acted around each other as adults. Denali still remembers the little things about her, which got me immediately. But the moments that really sold me were when he started to understand why some of the memories he held onto so tightly hurt her. The man is still obsessed. He’s also learned that sometimes keeping a promise means staying on his side of the hall. And we love a man who yearns.
Miscommunication is usually one of my least favorite tropes, and I could feel the pace dip around the 60–75% mark. Even so, the second chance felt earned. I also loved that Zariah had played hockey herself. Reading that during the same Olympics where both U.S. hockey teams won gold made that detail extra fun.
And the spice? Four peppers, fully deserved. This book played right up against the line between obsessive and romantic, and I had a ridiculous amount of fun with it. Boy Meets World , but make it sketchy.
I received an early copy of this book and chose to leave an honest review.