If We Were Perfect (If Love): Huang, Ana: 9781735056647: Amazon.com: Books

OH. MY. GODDESS. I’ve been waiting to unravel the story and mindset of Sammy and Olivia since the first book. What drove them apart? Why is there so much animosity towards the other? I wasn’t prepared for how horrible their ending was, nor how beautiful it would be when they finally, just let it be.Olivia’s intellectual drive, determination, independence, and passion for her future helped carve out the career she dreamed of. Sammy made the decision to fallow his dreams of owning a bakery instead of a job for NASA. His ability to make delicious creations, and determination to prove to everyone and himself that he didn’t make a mistake, made his business successful.The heartbreak, longing, desire, self deprecation, ghosts of the past, lost trust, pulled them back together. After fighting the tension of what they used to have, Olivia and Sammy finally laid out everything on the table, and there was no going back. After all of the twist and turns of their story, I wanted to wrap them in a protective embrace and never let anything happen to them.When people have known each other for a long period of time, and they trust the other with their secrets, dreams, insecurities, struggles. And when they feel betrayed, anger takes over and they will use everything against you. When I read how Olivia and Sammy broke up the first time? I sat up and reread it over and couldn’t believe how vile and vindictive one could be. Then the instant guilt set in but it was already too late.Olivia’s relationship with her mother had me in a vise grip of anxiety, hatred, and rage. I know not all people can be parents, but my god. This woman was beyond disconnected and was the textbook definition of a narcissist. The gaslighting, manipulation, verbal abuse, towards Olivia and her sister was disgusting.“The chemistry was as devastating now as when they’d first started dating. Fk. This threw a wrench in Sammy’s plans. He’d thought he had better control over his hormones, but suddenly, all he could think about was how soft Olivia’s lips looked and how good she smelled—like freshly washed linens with a hint of jasmine.”“Real love consumed you and demanded sacrifices you’d never thought you’d give.”“Sammy should’ve gone for something stronger than beer, like tequila. Or bleach. Might as well just end it here and now. He’d rather cut his losses and join the afterlife early than suffer through another second of this conversation.”“What are you doing? Let me down!” “No. You might knock down the poor coat tree again.” Sammy marched them down the hall toward her room. “This is kid napping!” “Yes, I’m kid napping you inside your house and bringing you to your room. The horror,” he said, tone dry.”“Sammy cupped her chin with his thumb and forefinger. Olivia’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?” He leaned closer until their mouths were centimeters apart. “I’m going to kiss you,” he said calmly. “Do you want me to kiss you, Olivia?”“The moment I set eyes on you in that crappy orientation room in Shanghai nine years ago, I was a goner.”“That was all there was to it. Love. Such a simple concept that humans liked to twist and complicate with their fears and insecurities, but eventually, everyone had to make a choice—let the doubt consume them, or let love carry them through.”

If We Were Perfect by Ana Huang is the fourth and final book in the If Love series. This can be read as a standalone book.Sammy and Olivia have had a complicated relationship for years, but that undeniable chemistry they’ve always had is still sizzling hot. After running into one another while out at dinner, Olivia finds herself calling Sammy to come help when the apartment she rented for the summer is flooded that same night. Will he answer her plea for help or should he run the other way?I think including the aspect of having family meddling in both their lives, although different aspects, helps both Sammy and Olivia realize they must finally stand up for themselves, even when it is against family or in the workplace setting. I love seeing the character development throughout this book and even in comparison to their Shanghai days.Another part that I absolutely loved was that Olivia was part of an erotica book club and I love how finding these female friendships was woven into the story as well. And let’s just say some of the steamy moments between Sammy and Olivia definitely benefited from those books she loves to read