“Love isn’t always pretty. Sometimes you spend all your time hoping it’ll eventually be something different. Something better. Then, before you know it, you’re back to square one, and you lost your heart somewhere along the way.”
Chapter 1: Tate Collins Meets Miles Archer
Tate Collins, a nursing student, moves to San Francisco to live with her brother, Corbin. She meets Miles Archer, a brooding airline pilot and Corbin’s best friend. Their first encounter is tense, but there’s an undeniable attraction between them.
Chapter 2: The Rules of Attraction
Tate and Miles agree to a no-strings-attached physical relationship with two rules: no asking about the past and no expecting a future. Tate struggles with her growing feelings, while Miles remains emotionally distant.
Chapter 3: Flashbacks to Miles’ Past
Alternating chapters reveal Miles’ past six years earlier. He was deeply in love with Rachel, his high school sweetheart, and they were expecting a baby. Tragedy struck when Rachel died in childbirth, leaving Miles shattered and unable to love again.
Chapter 4: Tate’s Growing Emotions
Tate tries to keep their arrangement casual but finds herself falling for Miles. She notices his nightmares and emotional scars but respects his boundaries, even as her own heart becomes more vulnerable.
Chapter 5: Miles’ Inner Turmoil
Miles is haunted by memories of Rachel and their son, who also died shortly after birth. He pushes Tate away, fearing he’ll hurt her like he believes he hurt Rachel.
Chapter 6: The Breaking Point
Tate confronts Miles about his emotional distance, demanding honesty. When he refuses to open up, she ends their relationship, realizing she deserves more than half-hearted love.
Chapter 7: Miles’ Redemption
After Tate leaves, Miles is forced to confront his grief. He seeks therapy and finally acknowledges his love for Tate. He writes her a heartfelt letter, confessing his past and his fears.
Chapter 8: A Second Chance
Tate reads Miles’ letter and sees his genuine effort to heal. They reunite, this time with honesty and commitment. Miles learns to love again, and Tate finds the emotional connection she craved.
Chapter 9: A Hopeful Future
The book ends with Miles and Tate building a life together. Miles adopts a rescue dog, symbolizing his newfound ability to care, and they embrace a future free from the shadows of the past.
Key Ideas
- Healing from grief and learning to love again.
- The complexity of no-strings-attached relationships.
- Emotional vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness.
- The impact of past trauma on present relationships.
- Second chances and personal redemption.
Who should read this book?
- Fans of emotional contemporary romance.
- Readers who enjoy dual timelines and angsty love stories.
- Those interested in themes of grief and healing.