When I’m gone is book 11 in the Rosemary Beach Series. This is Reese and Mase’s book.

Mase Colt-Manning, son of famous rock star Kiro Manning of Slacker Demon. He’s lived his life in Texas, as a rancher away from the spotlight of his fathers. But when he makes his way back to Rosemary Beach to catch up with one of his sisters, her husband and niece. While there, he stays at his father's home, which is also where his other sister and Nan lives when she's in town. Fortunately for him Nan is away in Paris, he has the house to himself. After hearing someone in the house, a sleep deprived Mase goes in search of who is making too much noise and keeping him awake. But who he finds when he goes in search is not what he expected.

Reese Ellis has not had an easy life, growing up in an abusive home and school life has lead her to live a life of solitude. Leaving home was the best decision she ever made. But the demons of her past haunt her daily, being told she was stupid and worthless have stayed with her forever. She believes what she was told, she thinks she's not all there. She now has her own apartment, a job and a steady income. Her one true friend and neighbor Jimmy is all she needs. She enjoys her job cleaning, especially the biggest house, with no one living there, her job is easy but when someone unexpectedly pops out of a room Reese is startled, and surprised.

“I knew that my mother and my stepfather and all the kids at school had been right; I was stupid. I had to be. My brain didn’t work the way everyone else's did. I was twenty two, and I still went to the library and got picture books and tried to read them.”

Over the next week Reese and Mase find themselves in the same places. Their friendship grows, but when Mase soon learns that Reese is hiding things, demons and fears, he wants to help her. Being the son of Kiro isn't always bad, it means you can get things done, and quick. With Reese now having a diagnosis, and a tutor to work with, Mase checks in with her frequently. Their friendship grows as do their feelings for each other, but her fears slowly creep in, intimacy is hard, and her self worth is always leading her to doubt that she will never be enough for Mase.

While both Mace and Reese work on her trust issues, things seem to be going well, but when Reese reads a message on Mase’s phone, she shuts down, she pushes him away. He has just proven he is everything she thought men were, he was no different from every other guy. Will Reese be able to trust again? Will she be able to get over the heartache that she feels?

“Every step I’ve taken in life has led me to you,” she said in a whisper. “And because I’m here now, I don’t regret one thing. For every bad thing that happened, I’ve been rewarded something even more beautiful than all of the bad in return. You made it worth it. You’re my gift in life. I lived through the bad and survived. My reward was that God gave me you.”

Another beautiful book from Abbi, I can never fault anything she writes. I loved Mase, I think he just may be my favorite guy in this series. He was a true gentleman with a great big heart and a sexy mouth to go with it. He was so careful with Reese, he treated her like she needed. If only there was a Mase in every man. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, When Your Back which is due for release on the 30th of June. This is a continuation of Mase and Reese’s story.