First off, let me start with this.......if you did NOT read book 2, STOP READING THIS NOW!!!!!!! This book and review would be a major spoiler to the second book, which truly deserves its own read. Much of the content and emotion of this book is a follow up to incidents occurring within the first two books. And lets be honest, no one wants to just be thrown a spoiler with no warning....or maybe that's just me.
Ok, on with the book and review. I was told about this series by my blog partner April and we have a wonderful review of book 1 earlier this fall. We did not do a review on book 2 as our opinions of the book differed so much. This series captured my heart from the very first page. I grew up in the era of the first book, I understood so much of the content within the first book. But mostly, I connected with Layla on a personal level, because I felt her personality was so close to my own. In fact, sometimes I felt she could have been writing about me!
Book three begins with a look at Trip's POV while waiting in the hotel for Layla to show up (one of the last scenes in the second book). He is confused, frustrated, and mostly in serious need of a drink. When Layla doesn't show up, Trip gives into his innermost demons and gets wildly out of control drunk, setting up a span of many years dealing with the continued path of alcoholism that has plagued his family for years.
When the first chapter begins, we learn of Trips' fathers death. Layla, currently living at home in NJ with her parents, drops everything to be there for her long lost boyfriend and best friend. Over the last multiple years, Trip has been in rehab for alcohol abuse and also started a charity to give his life and money meaning, versus the phony notoriety that follows living a celebrity life. Layla has watched through entertainment magazines Trip's self inflicted demise and his rise back to the top. The pain caused from the misunderstanding between the two of them in book 2 has taken their toll on each of them. But the death of Trip's father will bring the two of them back together for the first time in years.
When their eyes meet for the first time in the funeral home, nothing matters.....not the engagements, misunderstandings, not the years that have passed between them. They both know in that moment that their love has always been for each other....no one else. This moment sets up the entire story for book 3 and how two people who have had so many misunderstandings over the years can make a timeless relationship work, even when things aren't always at their best.
It is clear from the beginning that Tina wants you to know we ALL want to see Trip and Layla together. And she does to. But just like with any relationship, especially one built through maturing years and oceans between them, not everything can come easily. Yes, their spark and physical attraction is undeniable. But their insecurities are patterns that have followed them throughout their 20 year history. How easy can it be to break those patterns?
When Layla moves to LA with Trip to finally be with the man she has loved almost her entire life, she finds out that having paparazzi and beautiful women around all the time is not exactly a walk in the park. Jealousy and impatience soon take over her being and it creates a tension filled environment where their relationship can be knocked over any moment. Trip is trying to do his job as an actor and charity director while trying to help Layla adapt to her new home. Needless to say, their past problems come crashing back again causing them to reconsider if together is the place they are meant to be.
I loved seeing the softer side of Trip in this book. I loved seeing him vulnerable and openly in love with Layla. This was something I think the readers have been waiting for. There is a moment that Trip is just hoping that everything they've worked for isn't going to fall apart. You get see him at his weakest in front of her, begging her to forgive him.
There are some great scenes in this book that will really take your breath away. The tree scene at the end of the book is likely to bring tears to your eyes, as it is such great symbolism to everything this book is about. There is also a throwback to Sixteen Candles which I absolutely LOVED because Jake Ryan is my ultimate dream man and that is my all time favorite movie.
The book can also be considered a reunion of sorts. Many of the characters from the first book show up during the funeral scene and also throughout other areas of the book. It was nice to know that "seeing" some old favorite characters 2 books later can be so nostalgic, even if they are only characters in a book.
Trip and Layla's journey could not be real if there were not significant bumps in the road. Sometimes the things that tear people apart are the things that ultimately bring them back together and makes them stronger than ever. But in the end, their love remains the center of the story and figuring out how to make their love story successful is what every reader wants, and Tina makes sure that you are satisfied without it being too fluffy.
Oh yeah, one warning......the very last line of the book had me bawling. I expected the first part, but was bursting with joy at the other. It was written so cleverly and cute that you cannot help to either bust out your biggest smile or your biggest tears of joy.
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