Maxine James has been broken.When she was just thirteen, an act of unspeakable violence ended the innocence of her childhood. She was abducted and violated on her way home from school.Now twenty-six, the terror of her teen years is never far from her mind. She fears she won't be able to overcome her past to enjoy a normal, healthy relationship with a man.She lives with her sister Nadine, and her husband, Eric, and even though they are sympathetic to her trauma, home life is a challenge. When Max catches them in the throes of passion, something changes. Despite the pain of the opposition they've faced as an interracial couple, her sister and brother in law have found happiness. Max realizes that it's time to stop living in fear and regret. Encouraged by Nadine, Max agrees to return to therapy.Nadine's brother in law, Matthew has never been quiet about his feelings regarding his brother Eric's marriage. He has also never been quiet about his dislike for Max, a woman he feels is too outspoken for her own good...and Max has never hesitated to call him out on his racism.Neither of them want to admit the undeniable attraction which is at the root of their animosity, but their siblings know what's really the cause of all that tension. Max and Matthew are persuaded to go on a "pretend" date and the date turns out to be anything but pretend, opening the door to feelings that both of them had to accept.
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