August Wells is a man with something to prove. He's on a journey to heal himself, to lift his guilt, to father his son. He doesn't want or need distractions. But then his pastor sends him to connect with Mary, an older woman on her own journey and he meets Mary's granddaughter, Anastasia. Asia is also on a journey, and the way seems blocked. But August makes her look up and pay attention, and she does the same for him.

Wow. This book was more emotionally charged than any of the Summer's books and it was well worth the wait. I love how August acknowledge every stage of his growth, how he made sure everyone around him knew he saw them, and heard them. August became a listener, which was the most important thing for him. He learned how to pay attention to who was in his corner. I love how the author played this out. How she weaved these lives together and showed August conquering everything that held him back before. It was very well-written and you could see his maturity in the pages. I loved the way he loved on Faith, the way he made amends with her through their son, and through his friendship, and his brotherhood with Jericho. How he encouraged her and made sure she knew she could call on him. I also love the way he and Kingston's bond grew deeper and they made the hard decisions together about their father. And even got some extra family out of it.

His slow and easy walk into love was a wonderful way to show his growth. The way he kept his eyes wide open with Asia, and did everything with intention. August didn't fall in love. He walked, fully aware, and fully on board. I knew the moment he lifted her in his arms and carried her out of that hospital that it was a wrap for Asia. Lol. He scooped her up, literally and figuratively and there was nowhere for her to go. But next to him. He made his presence known and felt and didn't let Asia run away from him, or her life. It was the best kind of protection and faith in her ability. Plus he reads!

Asia was the sweetest character. Trying to hold onto the one piece of love you have and can feel is a courageous mission and she did it, every day. I love her sense of humor and her spirit. Her too big glasses and her artistry. I loved the way she loved her Gran, and how she and Mary brought something back to August while helping him reconcile what was lost. It took her a while to lean into trust and having someone catch her when she fell, but when she learned, it was magic. She was written well. And she and August had real passion, palpable and tactile. You could tell how important touch became to her when she'd first had an aversion to it. 

Faith and Jericho provided a great side story. Faith's past had some solid emotional weight and I loved how Jericho was her man, even back then and always. His family didn't understand why he waited, but he did, and he never let anyone undermine that. Faith's bravery was the key, and I love the way she and August gave each other the push. 

I love the Summers series. Grey's intention, Blu's focus, Kingston's intensity, and August's protection is a top tier combination.