I think what I enjoyed most about this book is how easy it was to see the main characters together. Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this book is exactly why. It was easy to picture them together and frustrating when neither of them realized they were meant for each other. The way the story started was really frustrating to me, because I couldn't stand to see these two apart. Of course, like any couple they have things they had to work out together before they could find their HEA, but even those challenges felt so natural.

They weren't my only favorite characters in the story. No, Aria and Will both had a strong presence in this story and I know they will be in the next book, but I don't want to wait to find out what happens with them. I enjoyed how they both brought a lot to this story and made it all seem like one big family.

I did find the story to drag on a little bit at the beginning, then at times, everything moved a little too quickly. I think some of the later moments in the book I would have liked to see drawn out a bit more. Other than that, I really did enjoy the story and fell in love with these characters. Getting more about them in the later books is a must, because I have to know everything about them. I'm really excited to see where things go in the town, with all of the characters.

I received an ARC of this book from the author, and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. ( )

The Proposal by Jess Mastorakos is the first in the new series of small town military romances, Brides of Beaufort. Shelby and Paul have been best friends since school but after finding out about her heart condition she tells him they are just friends so he is not subjected to living with her situation. To avoid living in the same town, he joins the military and finds a girlfriend. Shelby gives up her dream of dancing and gives dance lessons instead. She arranges a dance proposal for Paul and his girlfriend, but when he is rejected, Shelby is there to be a friend.

This is a well written fun story to read. This is a sweet romance story that focuses on chronic health situations and how they affect not only the person with the condition, but others in their lives. This story also shows that true love does endure and last despite distance and hard situations. I enjoyed reading how Shelby was able to live with her health condition and how she managed to live independently with limited resources because of it.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, this is my honest review. ( )