Good book about secrets and when not to keep them. Five years earlier, Riley's best friend, Breena, had a relationship with a visiting college student. Breena ended up pregnant but refused to tell the father because she didn't want him to feel obligated to marry her. Riley thought she was wrong but agreed to keep the secret when Breena insisted.

As the book opens, Breena is dying of cancer and asks Riley to contact Matt once she is gone so that Vikki will have another parent. Riley sends the letter, wondering what Matt's reaction will be. She carries a slight grudge against him, believing that he walked away from her friend and never gave her another thought. She would love to adopt Vikki and raise her as her own.

Matt is stunned when he receives Riley's letter. He has never forgotten Breena and tried for a year to contact her before giving up, thinking she didn't share his feelings. Matt's reaction to Riley's news about Breena's death and Vikki's existence was realistic. Disbelief, denial, and then cautious acceptance. His memories of his time with Breena showed that he genuinely cared for her, and I ached for him when she seemed to blow him off. I liked that he wanted to know the truth.

When Matt arrived in Forever, his first stop was at Miss Joan's diner. I loved his shock that she remembered him and took him to task for his actions. I liked that she listened to his side of the story. Matt got another shock when Riley showed up, and he had to deal with her hostility. A very emotional scene is when Riley takes him to see Breena's grave. I liked the effect it had on Riley and her attitude towards Matt.

I felt sorry for Matt. He's dealing with so many emotions as he comes to terms with Breena's death and his fatherhood. Being a father was not something that had been in his plans. I liked his first meeting with Vikki, who was only told he was a friend of her mother's. She's a sweet but precocious little girl (she speaks far more maturely than a typical four-year-old), and she takes to Matt immediately. I appreciated how he stepped up even though he felt overwhelmed.

Over the next few days, Riley finds ways to bring Matt and Vikki together to get to know each other. At the same time, she and Matt become closer. Neither expects the sparks of attraction that flare between them. Riley tries to ignore them because Matt had been her best friend's love, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is. Matt's growing feelings for Riley confuse him. How can he be so drawn to Riley while he's grieving for Breena? I loved the ending. Matt is sweet and awkward as he shares his feelings with Riley. I loved how caution warred with hope as she listened to him, with a terrific ending.

The secondary characters were great. I always love Miss Joan and her no-nonsense gruffness. Her scene with Matt was terrific. I loved Riley's family and their whole-hearted acceptance of Matt. Riley's grandfather and mother are very perceptive and play significant roles in bringing Matt and Vikki together, as well as Matt and Riley. The most important of the secondary characters is Vikki. I didn't find her entirely believable for her age, but I liked her anyway. ( )