Book Review: All Grown Up by Vi Keeland

When I first encountered Ford Donovan, I had no idea who he was…well, other than the obvious. Young, gorgeous, successful, smart. Did I mention young? If I did, it bears repeating. Ford Donovan was too young for me.

Let’s back up to how it all started. My best friend decided I needed to start dating again. So, without my knowledge, she set up a profile for me on a popular dating site—one that invited men ages twenty-one to twenty-seven to apply for a date. Those nicknamed Cunnilingus King were told they’d go straight to the top for consideration. The profile wasn’t supposed to go live. Another point that bears repeating—it wasn’t supposed to. 

Nevertheless, that’s how I met Ford, and we started messaging. He made me laugh; yet I was adamant that because of his age, we could only be friends. But after weeks of wearing me down, I finally agreed to one date only—my first after twenty years of being with my high school sweetheart. I knew it couldn’t last, but I was curious about him.

Though, you know what they say…curiosity kills the cat.

My legs wobbled walking into the restaurant.
Ford was seated at the bar. When he turned around, he took my breath away.
His sexy smile nearly melted my panties. 
But…he looked so familiar. 
As I got closer I realized why. 
He was the son of the neighbor at our family’s summer home. 
The boy next door.
Only now…he was all man. 
I hadn’t seen him in years.
I left the restaurant and planned to put the entire crazy thing behind me. 
Which I did. Until summer came.
And guess who decided to use his family’s summer home this year?

All Grown Up is a swoony age-gap romance that will melt your heart. I love when I read a story and it makes me laugh, smile and swoon all at the same time. This story has all the feels. 

Valentina is thirty-seven, divorced and starting life over with plenty of sticky notes and a 'My Turn List'. Valentina's best friend was happy to help her along by creating a dating site account. 

Ford's employee recommended placing a business ad on a dating site.  Ford decided to test out the site and created an account. He made a connection, although Valentina was older it didn't deter him from coxing her into a date.

To Valentina's surprise her date was none other than Ford Donovan, the boy next door to her summer home. The same kid who used to keep an eye out on her son Ryan.  Although Ford is now twenty-five and all man, she can't stop thinking of him as the boy next door. 

Ford had to grow-up quickly after losing both his parents and taking responsibility for his younger sister and family business.  Valentina struggled seeing Ford as a man because of the age-gap. She uses it as an excuse for not moving forward. 

The struggle is real. Valentina was married young. She's learning how to live her life. Ford is happy to help her with her endeavors. In the end will it be enough to convince Valentina that age is only a number? The story combines beautiful heartfelt moments with the perfect amount of humor.  5