Just in case you didn't know what the book was about...
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Willow experienced all her big firsts with her high school sweetheart. Now, reeling from their very public breakup, she wants to get a re-do on those important moments. While dog-sitting for her brother during his deployment, she has a chance to start over and spending time with his best friend gives her the confidence to start checking items off her “Re-Do list.”
Deacon promised his best friend two things when Cruz left for a deployment: that he’d look out for Willow, and that he’d keep his hands off Cruz’s baby sister. “Operation Re-Do” is innocent enough at first: Deacon likes Willow and he’s willing to help her out any way he can. But when the list of firsts turns from a first dance to first kisses and more, Deacon can’t deny the connection he feels to Willow. As Deacon’s and Willow’s firsts turn to seconds, thirds, and fourths, this pair can’t get enough of each other—and they support each other through new challenges. But they are both aware there’s an end date to Willow’s time in town… and even if she were to stay, Deacon doesn’t know how to choose between his loyalty to his closest friend and the woman he’s fallen in love with. With no more romantic moments on her list for them to re-do, can these two still find a way to stay together? |
What inspired the book?
I've had this idea for a few years and I've always loved the idea of our pivotal firsts. The romantic ones like first kiss, first dance, first...well...you get it! But also the other firsts--the professional and personal firsts that set us on a path, the emotional and physical firsts that give us a starting place. The people we are when those firsts happen and the people we love during those firsts say so much about them. This is a story about firsts...and getting a re-do on them.
In the author's note, you'll read about an experience I have when I was a teenager that impacted how I wrote this book. A week after my junior prom, I had a tumor removed from my spine during emergency surgery. During a long road of physical therapy, re-learning how to walk, and managing pain and healing, I had a lot of time to consider what firsts I might or might not have. Decades later, I've been lucky to have a lot of them. All of that went into how I wrote this book.
In the author's note, you'll read about an experience I have when I was a teenager that impacted how I wrote this book. A week after my junior prom, I had a tumor removed from my spine during emergency surgery. During a long road of physical therapy, re-learning how to walk, and managing pain and healing, I had a lot of time to consider what firsts I might or might not have. Decades later, I've been lucky to have a lot of them. All of that went into how I wrote this book.
Inspiration for Deacon
Deacon Quotes I love:I didn’t like the idea of sharing her smiles with some other guy.
I stroked my finger under her chin and tipped it up, bringing her gaze back to mine, “Stop hiding from me.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and not because of her face or her body. It was her posture—her shoulders were back and her smile was wide and she wasn’t hiding anymore. She moved like she was in charge of the ground beneath her feet, and I felt like I was witness to her blossoming. “You’re amazing.” I held out my palm for a high five, and her hand connected with mine again. “Willow. Have I ever told you no? I’m with you one hundred percent. If you asked me to consider a career with you in black market trout dealing, I’d ask how many boats we’d need. If you wanted me to wear hoochie shorts to the bank, I’d ask if you had a color preference, and if you needed two kidneys, I’d get my affairs in order. Whatever you need, just ask.” “Stop hovering, beautiful.” His hand was at my waist, and he guided me down. “Sit.” “Don’t go anywhere,” he groaned in my ear. “I don’t wan to miss a single squirm.” “I know your face is beautiful. I’ve memorized every freckle. When I tell you that you’re beautiful, it’s not because I’m just realizing it. It’s because it bears repeating.” 
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Inspiration for Willow
Willow Quotes I loveIf I was going to be alone, I wouldn’t be alone and beige.
By the time I declared I could buy myself flowers, I heard the volume on my voice go up. Other people in the bar were singing along, and there was cheering and clapping. I felt good. I felt strong, and I felt a little bit invincible, like thinking small wasn’t an option anymore. I subtly inhaled the scent of chlorine on his body, then took a bite of my cupcake with the city spread out before us. “You sniffed me again,” he said, the weight of his arm on my shoulder comfortably warm in the morning breeze. “I’ll let it slide this time.” “One does not proposition someone over brunch” Willow: when I first learned to drive, my first stop was always Spencer’s place. This time, I don’t know where I‘m driving, well, riding. Deacon: To me, I thought. Ride your bike to me. Steer your whole world to me. No one had ever made me feel like he did, like he’d catch me when I leaped into the air, but maybe more importantly, he made me fee like I could make the leap in the first place. I wasn’t sure he was the kind of guy you could just like—he was the kind of guy you had to fall head over heels for and I desperately wanted my heels to remain on the ground. The feel of his lips was indelible, like the press of his mouth tattooed something on me I’d never lose. “I love you and I love how you’ve helped me love myself.” |