REVIEW: Catching Cassidy by Melissa Foster

In Catching Cassidy (Harborside Nights #1) by Melissa Foster, Wyatt Armstrong and Cassidy Lowell have been best friends for years. Celebrating their graduation was supposed to be a happy time, but when Wyatt’s parents are killed, Cassidy finds herself needing to be strong to help Wyatt and his sister through their grief. Spending time at the Armstrong’s summer home in Harborside is just what the three of them need, but the more time Cassidy spends trying to comfort Wyatt, the harder it becomes to not see him as more than a friend? Can she help him through his grief, or will their growing feelings for each other end up destroying their friendship?

After I take a drink, Cassidy grabs the bottle again. “I do love the beach.”
I put my arm over her shoulder and pull her close. “Don’t fool yourself. You love me and Dee, too. We have a plan.” They both roll their eyes. “What?”
“You? Plan?” Cassidy laughs and leans forward again. “He’s got a plan, Delilah. He doesn’t even know how to spell plan.”

Lately, I’ve read quite a few of Ms. Foster’s books, of which I’ve enjoyed every single one of them. This first book in her Harborside Nights series is a story encompassing best friends that become lovers where the hero and heroine face numerous obstacles to achieve their happy ever after. Will Wyatt admit to Cassidy how much he wants her before it’s too late? Will Cassidy follow the future her parents want for her, or choose her own destiny? Right from the beginning, this story was captivating, fast-paced and I liked how protective of Cassidy the hero is. He would do anything to stop her from getting hurt, and what her boyfriend does definitely hurts her. Then again, it’s palpable that she’s better off without him.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories; the death of Wyatt’s parents and how it affects him; the decisions Cassidy has to make when it comes to her future; and the challenges Wyatt and his sister face when it comes to their own future. Wyatt and Cassidy are really close and care about each other so much, so I could understand why Wyatt didn’t want to lose Cassidy’s friendship. Yet, at the same time, the way he was pushing her away and fighting his feelings was tearing them apart. Why couldn’t he make up his mind about what he wanted? Since it was obvious, Cassidy was different to the other women he’s been with in the past. That she wouldn’t have been easy to let go of once he gave into their strong attraction.

”Screaming orgasms, huh? You dole them out to just anyone, or do I have to be someone special?” Her voice is seductive, and her eyes are playful.
I lean across the bar and lower my voice. “Depends. You want the kind that come in a glass?” I have no business taking the bait, but I can’t resist her.

I really liked both the main characters, as well as the secondary ones. Emotions run strong throughout this story, and Wyatt’s friends in Harborside are a great bunch of friends that would do anything for them. I loved the advice and the way many of them helped Cassidy and Wyatt determine whether they should remain friends, or risk their friendship in hopes that it becomes so much more. Because there was no way they could continue their ‘do-they-or-don’t-they’ pursue their growing relationship, as it was tearing them apart.

Cassidy is strong and brave. Her back story made me feel sorry for her because her parents have always neglected her and caring about her only when it suits them. Indeed, Wyatt and his sister are more like family to her than her parents. I also liked that Cassidy finally began to make her own decisions. That she wasn’t willing to let her parents continue to dictate her future, especially when it wasn’t what she wanted. But most of all, I enjoyed her feistiness; that she was willing to fight to make Wyatt see that them being together wouldn’t ruin their friendship. Certainly, their teasing banter creates some seriously strong sexual tension between them, which eventually spills over onto the pages through hot sex scenes.

”I need to be sure we both understand what we’re getting into so we can weather this together. The risk…It’s still there. We have to know that going in.”
She lowers her eyes. “I know, but it’s you who sees a risk. I see the only man I want to be with. Ever.”

While Wyatt, he’s confident, honorable, and protective of both Cassidy and his sister. He goes through a lot in this story, because the death of his parents isn’t easy to accept. He became responsible for things he didn’t think he’d need to take on for several years, and although he wasn’t ready for it, he impressed me. Especially with the way he accepted the challenges he faced with the bar his parents owned, and handled it to the best of his ability. But most of all, I liked when he finally realized that he couldn’t keep away from Cassidy. He needed her just as much as she needed him, and they couldn’t keep avoiding the changing of their feelings towards each other.

Overall, Ms. Foster has penned a wonderful novel to launch her Harborside Nights series where the dialogue was emotional and well-written; and the characters will keep readers coming back for more Harborside stories. The way this story ended was perfect, as Cassidy made the right choice when it came to her future. Since no way would she have been happy following the path her parents wanted her to follow. Then again, Wyatt’s words to her right at the end cemented their relationship all the more, so how could she leave. I would recommend Catching Cassidy by Melissa Foster, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope, especially when the couple are best friends.

Book Info:

 April 28th, 2015 | World Literary Press | Harborside Nights #1

Wyatt Armstrong never imagined that instead of celebrating his college graduation, he and his twin sister would be dealing with the death of their parents. Then again, Wyatt had never been one to think past tomorrow. He heads to their summer home in Harborside, Massachusetts, with his best friend Cassidy Lowell in tow, to deal with his parents’ death and to try to figure out his next step.

Six foot two, infuriatingly handsome, and flirtatious, Wyatt Armstrong has always been there for Cassidy, helping her pass her classes and fend off unwanted advances, while driving her insane with his one-night stands–but that’s what best friends are for, isn’t it? Having each other’s backs. There was never any doubt that she would accompany him to his family’s summer home–but she never expected to begin seeing Wyatt as more than a friend. Or has she been ignoring her feelings all along?

It’s impossible to ignore the sizzling heat between them as Wyatt and Cassidy get even closer, but Cassidy knows Wyatt’s past, and she has a real job to begin in the fall. Wyatt may be a sure thing for the summer, but Cassidy needs more. For the first time in his life, Wyatt is forced to look toward the future if he doesn’t want to lose the one woman who’s shared his past and owns his heart.