Clean Lines (Cedar Tree #4) by Freya Barker @freya_barker

Freya Barker really took me on a unique ride this time. I can honestly say that it wasn’t easy and it wasn’t always a feel good thing either. From the history of these characters though,  I knew it was going to be some angst before the goodness.  Joe screwed up.  That’s all there is too it. He started something with Naomi and didn’t finish things that were “hanging” . One crazy ex and some time apart  ..and now Joe is right there again and thankfully Naomi was more receptive to let Joe clear the air. I don’t condone what Joe did in the beginning at all. I actually really hate anything that is close to cheating. The fact is ..he should have handled it differently.  So I feel like in some ways Joe deserved the cold shoulder from Naomi and he needed to man up and get things right this time.  Did Joe come through?  Yes he did, and I loved him. But it took some time to get there. I actually found some moments that Joe caused with his actions hard to take.  But Freya had a graceful way of clearing the air and making things better. I held on for the ride and really loved how much the characters grew and learned to trust each other. I’d have liked less crazy ex drama but I’m a romantic sap and that’s just on me.  There were some pretty suspenseful times and I wasn't expecting a lot of what happened. I really loved the previous books because there wasn’t any third parties to cause relationship angst.  But even though this story went a different direction I did feel like Joe and Naomi belonged together , they just had to fight a little harder then most to get to their HEA.  Freya had a way moving the characters towards  healing and redemption that is very important to me. Freya said it best, Real people that aren't perfect but still deserve epic love stories ..well those stories are sometimes harder to tell but still just as wonderful. The star of this book for me though was Fox. I adored this kid. I just did. I also can’t wait till I get to read Neil’s story. That guy is just right there in the forefront of my mind and his story is just one I really want. Even though I wasn't always in my comfort zone reading this sexy love story, Freya proved her brilliance with how she carried me through and kept me engaged, hopeful and faithful that she'd bring me down easy. Easy she did. Freya always gives me interesting characters and love stories I  believe in and that was still the truth for Clean Lines .