Beth Harbison (Shoe Addicts Anonymous) has created a world where ex-boyfriends from high school do not work at a car wash 20 years later.
Protagonist Erin reconnects with her first love, Nate, two decades after their teenage break up to find a man who's as successful, sexy and in love with her as ever. There's nary a paunch in sight as the two romantically collide in a supremely moving sexual reunion. The problems begin on the way to the bathroom, when Erin finds Nate's wedding ring. Meanwhile, Erin is engaged to a catch of her own--the wonderful Rick, who, for all his attributes, doesn't light Erin's fire the way Nate does.
Harbison's wry sense of humor tempers the angst-ridden portions of the book. The story moves back and forth in time, from the passionate teenage Erin to the jaded adult Erin who is torn between doing the right thing and following her heart. We find out what broke up Erin and Nate in the first place--when they were madly in love--and wonder why he didn't try to win her back sooner.
This book will make you want to go through notes from old boyfriends from high school and wonder what might have been, although in most of our cases a trip to the car wash can alleviate any regrets. However, in considering why people stay in mediocre relationships, Harbison's love story is somehow both hopeful and gratifying. --Natalie Papailiou, author of blog MILF: Mother I'd Like to Friend