Two friends who recently moved to New Zealand unexpectedly find love as they try to forge new paths in their lives. Ally and Kristen quickly became friends when Ally taught Kristen how to rock climb at a gym in San Francisco. After Kristen divorced her husband, she wanted to live closer to her sister Hannah who resides in New Zealand. Kristen invites Ally to move with her. Ally decides that living in a different country could be a good idea.
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When Ally and Kristen attend a party, they meet rugby players Nate and Liam. Nate is the new captain of the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team. Liam is also a member of the All Blacks and Nate's best friend. Nate is interested in Ally, but he fails to make a positive impression with her.
Liam is attracted to Kristen, but she isn't ready to start a romantic relationship with anyone. Kristen is still trying to recover from dealing with an ex-husband who was psychologically abusive and cheated on her. She tells Liam that she plans on being celibate for the next few months. Liam is comfortable developing a platonic friendship with Kristen until she is ready to date.
Ally gets a job as a rock climbing instructor at the local gym. She has many marketing ideas that could increase the number of people who go to the gym, but the owner isn't receptive to her suggestions. In spite of the owner's resistance to her ideas, Ally starts working with a publicist named Devon who states that he can help her promote the gym.
Ally starts casually dating Devon. She finds out that he has an antagonistic relationship with Nate. Devon said he used to be Nate's roommate and friend when they attended college, but Nate became arrogant and distant after he started achieving success as a rugby player.
Ally thinks Devon is a great guy and enjoys spending time with him. Ally is disappointed and hurt when Devon abruptly stops contacting her after they have sex. She decides to move forward and accepts Nate's invitation to spend some time together.
Ally starts to like Nate as she gets to know him better. She finds out that Nate stopped talking to Devon after he slept with Nate's girlfriend in college. Ally is worried that Nate won't be interested in her any longer when she tells him that she slept with Devon. Nate doesn't have a problem with it, but wishes he warned Ally about Devon sooner. Nate and Ally become intimate and decide to have a monogamous relationship.
While Kristen and Liam are sitting in a coffee shop, they run into Liam's ex-wife, Anahera. She greets them and they exchange pleasantries. When Anahera leaves, Liam tells Kristen that he used to be an alcoholic and cheated on Anahera during their marriage. After the divorce, Liam started getting help for his emotional problems. He's been sober for the past three years.
Kristen appreciates Liam's honesty. She decides that she's finally ready to pursue a relationship with him and they become a couple. Liam and Kristen realize that they are in love with each other and want a future together. A few months later, Liam asks Kristen to marry him and she says yes.
Ally ends up falling in love with Nate. He cares about her, but he's not in love. Nate suggests that they take a break so he can focus on his responsibilities as captain of the rugby team. Ally is really hurt and stops speaking to him.
When Ally goes to work, she finds out that a naked image of her in bed was posted on the internet. She realizes that Devon must have had a camera hidden in the bedroom and recorded her while they were having sex. She is humiliated and embarrassed.
Ally's boss fires her because he thinks it is bad publicity for the gym. Devon left the country so that he wouldn't have to face criminal charges, but his new employer in England fired him after finding out what occurred.
Nate repeatedly tries to contact Ally, but she changed her phone number and email address. Kristen tells Nate that Ally went back to San Francisco. Nate flies to California and arrives at Ally's new apartment. He tells her that he loves her and wants her to return to New Zealand. Once Nate convinces Ally that he will be fully committed to her, she leaves with him.
About a year later, Kristen is pregnant with Liam's baby and they are still happily in love. Ally has completed a certificate in Sport Management. Nate throws a celebratory dinner with their family and friends. He also proposes to Ally. She is overjoyed and agrees to marry him.
Best part of story, including ending:
When Kristen and Ally initially move to New Zealand, they are grappling with insecurities and doubts. Even though they continue to face challenges, they never allow it to keep them down for long. As the book progresses, they become more confident and self-assured.
Best scene in story:
When Liam proposes to Kristen, it is a touching moment. Both of them have made a lot of mistakes, but they fully accept and love each other.
Opinion about the main character:
I appreciated how supportive and protective Kristen and Ally were of each other. They had different personalities, but they possessed complimentary traits that laid the foundation for a strong friendship.
