Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years of separation, she is elated that, for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date.

But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life—and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life.

For the record, I really didn’t like the first book. At all. But the way it ended left me needing closure; I had to find out what happened next. I’m glad I decided to pick up this sequel, because it gave me the sense of resolution I was looking for and allowed me to say goodbye to these characters.

I will say I enjoyed this installment much more than the first, though it still ended up being just an okay read overall. I personally didn’t care for the profanity or open-door spice scenes, but I did appreciate getting to see Lily and Atlas continue their journey together.

This book felt more like a typical romance novel, unlike the first, which leaned more toward contemporary fiction and dealt heavily with themes of domestic abuse. (If you haven’t read the first book, be sure to check trigger warnings—it’s intense.) This sequel, by contrast, focused on second chances, childhood love, and rebuilding after an incredibly toxic relationship.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did a great job bringing the story to life. It was a short, easy listen, which I appreciated. I especially liked the dual POV format and getting more insight into Atlas’ perspective. The way he navigated the complexities of Lily’s situation, especially involving her daughter, was thoughtful and admirable. Atlas is truly a good man with a kind heart, and it’s easy to root for him as he finally gets a real chance with Lily.

There’s not much in the way of conflict or surprises in this sequel, but honestly, that felt appropriate after the emotional intensity of book one. I needed a moment to breathe, and this story delivered a gentler, more hopeful tone. While it didn’t wow me, it was a sweet conclusion to a very heavy and difficult story.

If you’ve read the first book, I do recommend reading this sequel for closure. Just go in with realistic expectations—it’s not a groundbreaking read, but it offers a satisfying, heartfelt ending to Lily and Atlas’ story.