The History Between Us | Ashley James

I am a total sucker for an age gap but throw in the fact that Colt is pining for his dads best friend.  YES YES PLEASE! On top of all of that goodness which is an immediate reason to one click- Colt Bishop is cockier than he originally presented himself;  William is totally a stern brunch daddy if I have ever met one! James totally did readers dirty and teased us in Burning the Midnight Oil with just a twitch of a glimpse of these two making us guess if they went for a one night stand or not.  However, all is forgiven because these two were absolutely worth the wait.  Colt Bishop is a champion bull rider like his father, so while he is nursing an injury that takes him out of the competition circuit for a while.  Colt isn’t feeling himself and is itching to stay busy.  So when his dads best friend, who he has crushed on for years, is back in town for good he goes after what he wants.  

Dr. William Andino is back in his hometown of Copper Lake to take over his fathers medical practice after retirement.  Dr. Andino is very proper, buttoned up in his starched pants and shirts. And he always does the right thing and doesn’t do things for himself.  He lives to serve others.  So when Colt starts to get under his skin he isn’t sure how to handle it.  So obviously avoiding is the answer.   

This book offered readers a perfect balance of humor, banter, and emotion.  William was able to see past what Colt portrayed to the world and see the giant heart behind all the sass and sarcasm. While Colt encouraged William to live, have fun and do things that made him happy.  You know a book is amazing when you have 17 highlights and notes.  These two not only kept each other on their toes but readers, too! William and Colt had amazing chemistry, and the sexual tension was so thick and when they gave into temptation they were electric. This book is not all about sexual chemistry, it really is about the connection that these two have and their ability to be their true selves with one another.  I love that each have someone in their corner that loves them exactly the way they are.  If you love an age gap, some amazing banter, a found family, nosey friends, and a meddling parent with adorable animals this is definitely something you should read.  Actually, just read this entire series and you will not be sorry! And the way the next book is set up has me stalking the author’s IG page for teasers…..it should go without saying that I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

• BOOK STATS:
• Rating: 5 stars
• POV: Dual POV, First person
• POP: 56% (but there are some steamy scenes & flashbacks) 
• Series: Copper Lake
• Type of Series: Interconnected standalone
• Tropes: Dad’s best friend, age gap, small town, second chance, forbidden, grumpy/sunshine, one night stand, secret relationship
•  Release Date: 8/30/24
• Available on Kindle Unlimited