Review: The Space Between Us

Reviewed by Allison
 

Tesla Martin is not really sure what she’s doing with her life, but she’s not exactly in a hurry to figure it out either. She works at Morningstar Mocha as everyone’s favorite barista while living with the man (and his wife and two adorable kids) who took her and her brother in when her parents decided their lives were more important than that of their children.

Tesla enjoys the customer interaction and the constant stream of caffeine. However, there is one regular in particular that she wants to be more than just a barista to – Meredith. Meredith is one of those people that is so charismatic that she can convince you to tell her anything, to confide over a cup of coffee (or three) with a sparkle of mischief in her eye. And Tesla does. She lays bare her history in hopes the connection will give them an intimate edge she might not otherwise have…considering Meredith is a married woman. The story she weaves definitely has an effect on her, but not in a way Tesla expects. Meredith begins to flirt, to get to know her better, to develop a more-than-a-regular rapport with her only to invite her to bed… to sleep with her husband.

While shocked, Telsa considers it, requiring she meet Meredith’s husband Charlie first. When the three of them meet up for a very unorthodox date, they immediately click and end up talking and laughing the night away. One date turns into two, turns into three, turns into falling into bed together. All together.

In the beginning, the relationship was definitely geared more towards Tesla trying to get closer to Meredith, but the more she got to know Charlie (who is incredibly irresistible, no doubt about it!) the more she explored the extraordinarily complex dynamic between them. I liked Meredith for the purpose she served in the story but the characters that really shone for me were Charlie and Tesla. The way they completely changed for Meredith but owned their change and made it work for them so thoroughly, impressed me. I loved the way Charlie and Tesla bonded, the way he stood up for her, made her feel so special. Their relationship was such a pleasure to read.

My favorite aspect about any Megan Hart book is her characters. They are always so real; their emotions inspire you to feel, to experience life through their eyes. This book is no exception. While it certainly makes you think twice and can serve as a cautionary tale to be careful of what you invite in your bed and in your marriage – the other side of the coin shows us that not all connections we find in life will be conventional and that if it’s real, it’s worth fighting for.

Grade: A+

*ARC Provided by Harlequin via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon 

The Space Between Us

by Megan Hart

Release Date: September 4, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA