What can I say? Stephanie Renee did it again! This book earned 5 stars and was a glorious addition to the Lilly Leaf Falls series. You won’t regret reading this stand alone yet intertwined story of Jo and Beau.

Joanna, or Jo as she prefers to be called, is the youngest of the Lawson Clan of five siblings. As she was so much younger than most of her siblings her childhood was different than theirs. As she grew up she felt that she had a lot to achieve and strive for in order to be one of the Clan. However, from a young age she was very independent and listened to the beat of her own drum.

The book starts when she is 10 years old and in the 5th grade. She appears on the scene as a tiny yet mighty girl standing up for the new kid in school. The author does a wonderful job in setting the scene with so many of the students bowing down to ‘tiny Joe’ which throws the new student into confusion. His confusion only grows when she gives him his first kiss as an impulsive way to show that he ‘belongs to her’ and that the bully needs to ‘leave him alone’. This turns out to be the beginning of a wonderful and lasting friendship.

Until as we learn later in the book, Jo suddenly leaves at the end of High School. No word, no explanations, just tosses everything away. Why? Was this just youth revolting from college and family expectations or more?

Beau starts the story as a skinny, nerdy, comic book/game system loving kid. His world revolves around his friendship with Jo and his family (Mom, Dad and his brother). He grows into a tall, handsome yet still nerdy man. At the beginning of the story the love of his life is his golden retriever Mia. His friend Christie helps release his sexual tension yet they have an understanding that it will not be more. Why won’t it be more? Why is he alone with his golden retriever and his gaming systems?

As you read this hilarious at times, emotional many times, sexually charged multiple times book you will learn how love, loss, and life has lead Jo and Beau to grow up to be the young adults they turn out to be. How at 25 when Jo moves back home they need to not only face the past yet also face if a future can exist for them as more than friends.

Read this book! It is a quick read that will hold your attention the whole time. Learn how the youngest of the Lawson Clan finds her way in the world!

I received a free copy of this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

AMAZON COMING OUT 2/12/2026
https://a.co/d/02jr6QEQ

https://sandrabooksbooksbooks.com/