Six years ago, Dewayne Falco's life changed. He lost someone he never expected to lose. Resigned to punish himself for something he felt he could have prevented, he goes through life without getting too close to anyone.
What he didn't expect was for the girl across the street to move back home and remind him of what they both lost: Dewayne's younger brother Dustin. However, when a miniature version of Dustin opens the door to greet him, Dewayne realizes he might not have lost everything after all.
Sienna Roy loved Dustin Falco most of her life. He was the boy next door, the high school basketball star and her best friend. But when his life was cut short, she realized he left a part of himself behind.
Now, she's back in Sea Breeze, thankful to have a home for her and Dustin's son, but not sure if she can ever forgive the people across the street who abandoned her when she needed them the most — The Falcos.
Betrayal, lies, and forbidden attraction might end Dewayne and Sienna's story before it's even begun.
I'm a big Abbi Glines fan and her books are such pleasure to read. At first I was a bit surprised that Dewayne was getting his own story. He appeared in the previous books, but always very much on the background, so I had no idea what to expect from him. I knew, like most of the guys in this series, that he very much liked women and preferable a couple of different ones each week. Also that he gave off this scary vibe towards people who don't know him. Other than that, no idea what made this guy tick, where he's from and what his history is.
With this book we do get to know him better and we definitely learn more about his past, but I can not quite put my finger on it, something was missing. All things from the past were centered around two people, his brother and Sienna Roy. I really would have liked to have gone deeper on a personal level as to what made Dewayne him. There is no real explanation to why he was the trouble child and his brother the golden boy for example. I feel we just got to see this one side of Dewayne, when he's surrounded by the people he loves and cares about and I don't know, I just wanted more from him.
Sienna was a more rounded character, though it seems most her life has been about the Falco boys. They grew up together, but because she was Dustin's age and Dewayne was older, it seemed everyone expected them to be together. Though it was clear even back then, it wasn't quite right. What I liked most about her, was the way she dealt with Micah. She was seventeen when she had him and she's an amazing mom. This gives her a silent admirable strength.
Now Sienna and Dewayne have been pretty much in love with each other since they were teens and now being back into the same town, denying it seems to be impossible. Dewayne tries to keep his distance, but it seems that the years apart only made his feelings and attraction grow. There are some hurdles along the way, mostly ones they've put there themselves, but it was fun to read.
I think Micah was actually my favourite character. That little boy stole my heart. He was simply adorable and I loved that he kept on talking and talking. Meaning awkward moments for the adults and a smile on my face.
Hold On Tight was okay read, as in it was fun to read and Dewayne certainly has a dirty mouth, but it isn't Abbi Glines' best work. If you're a fan, you will like this. I would not recommend this to be the first book you read of hers. Normally authors get better during time and I already felt it a bit with Bad For You, but I'm missing some depth in these stories that were there in the first ones and in the Rosemary Beach series. So I know she can do it and can do it well, I'm just wondering where it went.
Sea Breeze - Reading order and purchase links
All Sea Breeze books except While It Lasts and Sometimes It Lasts can be read as standalone novels
The Author
When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.
