Oh my, did I love this book! Isabelle Peterson has created unforgettable characters and such an absorbing story that I could not put it down. It’s got all the elements that have me ordering everyone, “Read this!” It’s sexy, charming, fun, and at times sad. Ms. Peterson’s writing style flows seamlessly and carries you along just as if you were part of the story. Believe me, if I could have jumped in, I would have in a heartbeat. As it was, I felt these character’s emotions in vivid detail during much of the story. Whew! Thankfully, I came to this series late in the game so now I can binge read the rest of books!

Elizabeth Fairchild has it all. A beautiful house in Napa Valley, three fantastic children, all out of the house and in college now, girlfriends to do lunch and book club with. And Greg, her successful husband of twenty two years. Elizabeth was a stay-at-home mom who immersed herself in the kids’ school and outside activities while maintaining a perfectly organized household. She was damn good at it and loved every minute of it. But now that the nest is empty, disturbing realizations about her marriage have begun to crawl out from under the rug where she’s kept them hidden for years. She and Greg had pretty much hit the ground running right after college; he began working for a demanding financial firm while Elizabeth set up house and shortly became pregnant. Three children in rapid succession was a handful which Greg gladly left her to manage as he climbed the corporate ladder. So Elizabeth didn’t think too much about Greg’s lack of interest or enthusiasm in regard to the kids or her. After all, he was working hard to give them a fantastic life. There would be plenty of time to enjoy each other once the kids were gone. Unfortunately, that never entered Greg’s mind. He still works just as many long hours, is glued to his phone even during dinner, and prefers hanging out with his buddies rather than his wife in his spare time. In short, Greg is an idiot. Really, Greg is an idiot. I’m tempted to repeat that but I think you get the idea.

Elizabeth could very well have lived her life doing lunches and spa days and book clubs. But she needs more. She needs passion, she needs to be wanted. Hell, she’s only 42! She’s never lived on her own or held a job. But she knows she’s damn interesting and intelligent. Her efforts to connect with Greg have failed repeatedly. So when she leaves Greg a letter detailing her thoughts, her feelings, her needs, then hops a flight to NYC, it’s not impulsive. It is not without fear or regret either. She still loves him and hopes to work things out, however, this is her time now. Her time to discover who she is as a woman, not merely a mom or a wife.

I loved Elizabeth! She’s not only a smart cookie, she’s funny and sweet, and adorably unaware of her beauty and sensuality. Arriving in NYC with no plan other than to find a job and a place to live, she just goes for it. After all, she’s no stranger to getting things done. Within a week she’s got a cute, furnished apartment and a bartending job at an upscale steak house. All in all, Elizabeth is pretty proud of herself even though she’s harboring a little guilt over not responding to Greg’s texts or calls. She’s not ready for that confrontation. Especially when not one but two gorgeous men fall into her life.

Jack Stevens, Mr. Hottie McHottness times ten, notices Elizabeth while lunching at the restaurant and is instantly attracted. There’s something familiar about her but he can’t put his finger on it just yet. Maybe when he gets to know her…Because he’s damn sure going to know this woman who just gave him a hard on by absentmindedly caressing the back of her elegant neck. In all his 50-something years he’s never felt such a desperate need. Elizabeth can’t understand why such a gorgeous man would give her a second look. Especially when she learns he is a former model who now owns his own agency. Trying to avoid Jack is not possible. Even more so after she gets a taste of their explosive chemistry.
To complicate matters, (or not, depending on how you look at it) Elizabeth’s new neighbor Kevin is tall, tattooed, and delicious. He’s gorgeous and adorable, and his neighborly intentions involve way more than sharing Chinese take-out.
Isabelle Peterson has written a sexy, thought provoking story about a woman so many of us can relate to. At some point in our lives we feel the need to step out of our comfortable box and, despite the fear of failure, take a chance on something new. Elizabeth stepped out of her comfortable box and blossomed. Ditching The Dream left me wanting more. Luckily the story of Elizabeth is by no means finished…