Fairytale Love by Melanie Shawn

Crossroads #8
We’re just friends…
Fair and beautiful Becca Sloan was used to saying this to people…and it was true. The youngest of Harper’s Crossing’s Quad Squad, she knew she could always rely on her best friend, Brian. Ever since their first encounter on the slide in pre-K, they’d had each other’s backs and were inseparable, through good times and bad.
Sexy and charming Brian Scott kept nothing from his best friend, Becca. He knew that she would always be there for him, and she knew that she could always count on him. They had a once-in-a-lifetime friendship that was a constant in both of their lives.
When both Becca and Brian are cast in a dating reality show to find love elsewhere, it becomes clear to them that they may have already found it. With cameras rolling, they’ll have to decide if they should protect their friendship and live un-happily ever after with someone else—or trust in their amazing bond and live happily ever after with each other in a Fairytale Love.
**Author's note: Each book in The Crossroads Series can be read as a stand-alone**
Our tongue has four tastes: sweet, salty, sour,  and bitter- I like to call it spicy - and when all these elements are in harmony, comes 'the perfect taste'.
The story is sweet - the friendship Becca and Brian have had since pre-kindergarten is adorable. How they are always there for each other, have each others back, how they center each other with just one look or touch... The list could just go on and on, they are so precious to each other.
It is savory - how Brian takes on his shoulders the responsibility of his family, and the financial burdens, is admirable. How he reacted to his parents illness had me in tears. The first fourth of the book happens in 24 hour period, and mostly focuses on reflection of the past of Becca and Brian's lifelong friendship, how it has developed over the years. Several times I was in tears reading it, it was incredibly touching.
And it is spicy - when Becca and Brian finally come together and admit the new feelings to each other, it is passionate, beautiful, and sensuous.
You also get the hint of the sour, with the reality show storyline, their reaction to the other contestants, the actions they have to take to try to win the show, and what is shown to the audience of the TV show.
The story was so addictive, I read it on one sitting, late to the night (or early to the morning hours). Yes, all the books in the series can be read as stand-alone novels, but I don't know why would you: Crossroads is fresh, adorable romantic series with the perfect balance in taste! Five stars all the way.

---