A review by mrooney_reads
500 First Editions by Maggie Gates

adventurous challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Willow Winslet (Autumn) is the last single friend in the WW friendship.  She publicly spars with relationship coach Ryan Ford at a romance authors panel.  Ryan challenges Willow to try his dating method, The Ford Method, for 12 weeks to see if he can get her to fall in love with him.  She begrudgingly accepts.

Willow hates everything about Ryan Ford and is adamant that she will not fall for him.  But Ryan is tatted, swooney, and a man of actions, not just words. He fell for her at the checkout line without even knowing her name. 

Willow is headstrong, with a travel bug, who is trying to love herself. She has trust issues and is kinda cynical. 

Willow gets tragic news and must go back home to Manhattan Kansas.  Ryan joins her on the roadtrip home.  He is a constant support for her.  He understands her and shows his intent with actions. 

They fake date, navigate through tough relationships, and explore their chemistry.  The entire time Ryan has her back. And Willow fights her feelings for him.

There was a great twist at the end of the book!  There is a 3rd act breakup.  The site characters are amazing.  Miles and the rubber chicken is hilarious.  Whitney and Wander show us what true friendship is like. And Step Shep breaks my heart and puts it back together again.  

This book had great banter and tension.  Plus an awesome storyline. Ryan was the ultimate book boyfriend.  Willow had to truly navigate her feelings, put up boundaries and finally let her heart make the decisions.

Thank you to Maggie Gates and the Author Agency for the ARC.

This is my honest opinion.