Summer in the city heats up when the girl who got away moves in next door.

Dean “The Machine” is a South Philly legend.Much to the dismay of fans who still hound him, the broody former fighter walked away from his boxing career right before clinching another championship belt. Tight-lipped on his reasons for retiring, he’s busy trying to figure out his future when the past literally falls in his lap.

Tabitha Tyler, the fiery redhead who captured his teenage heart, is back in town and staying next door. Only now the girl that got away is all grown up and offering him a strings-free, summer fling. Dean knows better than to start something that will leave him flat on his back and seeing stars. 

But there’s only so much temptation a man can take.

Kept away by the secrets that tore her family apart, sparkly filmmaker Tabitha is home for the first time in nine years. And her old friend and new hunky neighbor is just the distraction she needs. It’s the perfect relationship for her – one with an expiration date.

She’s got two weeks to convince him to cave. 

He’s got two weeks to convince her to stay. 

But when she refuses to let down her guard, Dean realizes that this time…he just might get knocked out for good.

Author’s note: A smokin’ hot, friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract love story in a close-knit South Philly neighborhood with a quirky cast of nosy but well-intentioned neighbors.

Universal Amazon Book Link https://mybook.to/OTR

*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher for an honest review. ***

This story made me swoon so freaking much and falling in love with them on the spot. Bringing such warmth and charm wrapped up in a steamy package. The moment Tabitha and Dean met again, it was like a sucker punch. I was already falling in love watching the magic reveal, seeing stars, smiling tons and mostly swooning.

I have so much love for this story and the way Kathryn Nolan made me feel all the butterflies, that feeling of falling in love, intoxicating and bewitching. A mix of lightness combined with something more deeper, introspective where the two main characters have found the missing piece, it just clicked. 

So many things blossom throughout the story, where all the characters add their own piece, creating this beautiful journey. Every story was unique and different but they all lead to the same place, same love for this place and their people. 

I adored this story about community, family, friendship and finding your own way. Doing things for yourself and not for others, showing love in all forms, whatever the gender and the hardships some people went through. I appreciated seeing main characters with a rich and interesting background and representation. 

This book is just a knockout love! Sexy, swoony, romantic with a dirty mind. All the things in between!! Tabitha and Dean… all the freaking swoons and love!!!