James and Rob have been best friends for longer than they can remember. Women have never come between them, that is until James falls for Lou, Rob's girlfriend and future wife. When James meets Lou, something changes for him. As time goes on, Rob and Lou get married and James faces the music that he needs to move on with his life. James enters into a a relationship with Kathleen, but she wants children and he doesn't. He ends the relationship and continues to pine away for Lou.

Ten years into their lives together Lou and Rob's marriage begins to fall apart. He is too busy working on his career and Lou finds herself tangling with James when her husband can't be bothered. The star-crossed pair eventually fall into bed, but despite regretting their rendezvous, Lou winds up pregnant. Rob leaves Lou when he discovers the truth, making way for James to finally have the one woman he loves. Even if that means never speaking to his best friend again.

Of course, love is never easy. As their daughter grows up James and Lou must deal with his fatal ALS diagnosis and the heartbreaking reunion between the two former best friends, James and Rob. This is a true emotional roller coaster.

Camille Pagan, this book made me cry. I was almost finished when I was sobbing so bad I had to put down the book. I can't remember the last time a book made me cry. Camille all I can say is wow. There is a quote in the beginning of the book "This story ends with loss." How true this statement is. You made me think about stories in my life, and it is true, all stories end with loss. My nephew, mom and two sisters have all died, and while their stories were happy they ended in loss. I loved the way that you showed how true friendship never really goes away. Sometimes it just has to be hidden for a while. I really want to read your other books, but don't know if my eyes can take it. Again great story line, it will melt your heart and soul.

Book Summary

From acclaimed author Camille Pagán comes a wry, heartfelt exploration of love and loss.

When struggling novelist James Hernandez meets poet Louisa “Lou” Bell, he’s sure he’s just found the love of his life. There’s just one problem: she’s engaged to his oldest friend, Rob. So James toasts their union and swallows his desire.

As the years pass, James’s dreams always seem just out of reach—he can’t finish that novel, can’t mend his relationship with his father, can’t fully commit to a romantic relationship. He just can’t move on. But after betrayal fractures Lou’s once-solid marriage, she turns to James for comfort.

When Lou and James act on their long-standing mutual attraction, the consequences are more heartbreaking—and miraculous—than either of them could have ever anticipated. Then life throws James one more curveball, and he, Rob, and Lou are forced to come to terms with the unexpected ways in which love and loss are intertwined.