Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends ever since they met at a weight-loss camp as teens. When Emerson tragically passes away, she leaves one final wish for her best friends: to conquer the fears they still carry as adults.

For each of them, that means something different. For Marley, it's coming to terms with the survivor's guilt she's carried around since her twin sister's death, which has left her blind to the real chance for romance in her life. For Georgia, it's about learning to stop trying to live up to her mother's and brother's ridiculous standards, and learning to accept the love her ex-husband has tried to give her.

But as Marley and Georgia grow stronger, the real meaning of Emerson's dying wish becomes truly clear: more than anything, she wanted her friends to love themselves.

An emotional journey of friendship, self-awareness and finding the ideal way to just be YOU! Through a roller coaster of emotions, Kristan Higgins takes us on a journey of three women who met and became the best of friends just before they all embarked on that all encompassing journey of starting college and starting a life on their own. They stayed in touch through the years and even as life’s ups and downs took them further apart, they all held the others dear to their heart and knew one day they’d do that dream get together again. Only the end comes way too soon for one of them, and it leaves the other two reeling and finding comfort in the friendship they shared. The story brings forth a beautiful message of not judging a book by it’s cover, and to truly attempt to see people for who they really are, not through an obscured view of what’s acceptable … even yourself!

Emerson, Georgia and Marley met and instantly clicked at weight-loss camp the summer before they were starting college. Georgia and Marley settled closer together, so they stayed in better contact, but Emerson was further away and brought into the loop when possible. Now in their thirties, Georgia and Marley are saddened to be called to Emerson’s side as she wanted to secure a promise from them on her deathbed … she wanted them to complete the list of dreams they compiled as teens.

Georgia loved and lost early in life because she failed to see the worth she gave to life and her relationships. An ever unpleasant family dynamic between an impossible to please mother and a judgemental brother made for a warped view of love, family and self-worth. When a second chance at happiness crosses her path, will she be able to see a brighter future for herself in time to jump out and hold on?

Marley has spent her life living on the edge of guilt because she still has a life that she feels like the twin sister she lost at the age of four just might have deserved more than her. She comes across as the most confident of the three, but part of her doesn’t live for herself, and doesn’t allow herself to be treated the way she deserves. When faced with the possibility of love, will she be able to overcome her demons and believe she deserves it?

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Scarlett Ray owns a home décor shop full of Christmas cheer, but she isn’t feeling much holiday spirit. Her to-do list is overwhelming and it’s tough to navigate the first Christmas since her parents’ divorce. Then she learns that her landlord is planning to tear down the beautiful, historic building where she lives and works!

Chase Bailey hates to remove such a great looking building, but it’s falling apart and beyond repair. Plus, he needs to turn a profit so he can start a trust fund for his autistic brother. His decision seems simple until Chase meets his quirky, fiery tenant. Scarlett swears she’ll challenge him every step of the way to save the old building she loves.

Chase and Scarlett gear up for a fight, but the battle lines get blurry when they find themselves working on the same volunteer project. It’s hard to stay enemies when anger becomes friendship, and friendship feels a lot like love.

Touching, humorous and attention grabbing! They might have come together as enemies but this attraction that is flaring up between them is undeniable! A sweet holiday story that brings in a family atmosphere while taking us on the ups and downs of trying to fight the attraction you have for the person you consider the enemy. The cast is a lot of fun and I enjoyed the story line!

Scarlett Ray is having a tough holiday season this year. It’s the first one to roll around since her parents divorce, and old traditions are just not going to be the same anymore. It only gets worse when she gets a letter informing her she is going to have to move and finds out her Scrooge of a landlord is planning on tearing down the gorgeous historical she lives and works in … she can’t let this happen!

Chase Bailey loved the charming building he recently bought, but an inspection from his contractor puts it in the “there’s no hope” pile and he has no option but to tear it down and build something new. He can appreciate Scarlett’s passion for the building, but this feisty lady has no right to tell him what to do with his money. He needs to make sure his mom and autistic brother will never want for anything again!