Free Me – Kimberley Ash – NextBookAroundTheCorner

When you love something, let it go…

To everyone in his hometown, Matthias Van Allen is a hero. Back from his posting as an army medic, he’s welcomed with a party the whole town attends. Everyone’s happy to see him – except his ex-girlfriend, Raya. First, Raya lost her father, and when Matt joined the army, she was left with no one.

Raya Piacenza‘s used to being alone now. She’s made her way in the world and doesn’t need anyone or anything except her jobs: an EMT captain and personal trainer. But now Matt is back, pushing her buttons in a way she thought she’d grown out of. Worst of all, she’s now his boss.

As Matt settles back into the community and Raya is offered a chance to leave it, they will have to figure out if their lives have room for each other – or if they should set each other free.

My review

Since the cover felt familiar I checked my Goodreads: yep, another part in the Van Allen Broters series. Since I read Forget Me of Jonah, I was very happy to read on about Matt. He left to join the army eight years ago and returned home now, since their father, Peter, hinted it was time for him to get home.
Worried about his father, Matt decided it was time to return home. And to face the love of his life, Raya, after abandoning her eight years ago.
Raya is probably one of few people, who are not overjoyed to see Matt returning home. And she will make sure that Matt will regret his decision to walk away, when she needed him most. Now, she doesn’t need him – or any other man – any more. She is just fine all by herself.
All she has to do is convince her treacherous body that Matt is off-limits. And of course try to behave like his boss, now that he rejoined the EMT Squad.
What she didn’t count on, was the changes in Matt. And while Matt tentatively explores his new relationship with Jonah, he also learns about Peter’s past and the effects on different lifes.
Reeling with emotions, Matt turns to the only one who ever believed in him and who understands him like no one else: Raya.
Can Raya let him in? Or will she walk away just like Matt did all those years ago? Find out for yourself in this wonderul read about second chances, self esteem and family ties. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.