The Cowboy’s Little Surprise by Barbara White Daille

March 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

SURPRISE
The Cowboy’s Little Surprise by Barbara White Daille
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (218 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

THE LONG WAY HOME

A guy like Cole Slater is hard to forget. Tina Sanchez should know—for years since high school she’s tried to bury the pain of Cole’s cruel betrayal. But it’s impossible to ignore the man she sees reflected in her young son’s eyes now that Cole is back in her life—and about to meet the child he never knew he had.

Returning home to New Mexico, Cole is determined to put his playboy reputation to rest. Especially now that he knows there’s a little boy looking up to him. And seeing Tina again reignites all the feelings Cole ran from as a teen. Despite his fear that he can’t be the man Tina deserves, he’s determined to try. For his son’s sake—and his own.

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Cole returns to Cowboy Creek in New Mexico, a place he’d run from. The back story of why he ran and why he was, as he put it, “such a jackass” in his teens certainly helps the reader see why Tina is skittish when it comes to trusting Cole.

Tina’s back story that connects her with her Abuela and Jedediah Garland, the owner of the Hitching Post Hotel, reaches right into and squeezes the reader’s heart. Tina’s self-esteem is fragile and she guards it well. The very presence of Cole, the love of her life, tries her resolve to the limit.

One of the best parts of the story is little Robbie and the way he sees the world. How he influences the actions of adults is delightful.

The secondary characters like Tina’s cousins Andi and Jane; Cole’s sister Layne and her little son Scott add facets to the story that augment the concept of coping and overcoming heartbreaks. Also, Tina’s Abuela and Jedediah, even though getting on in years, still guard secrets well and manipulate with expert skill, yet with a love that is undeniable.

The Cowboy’s Little Surprise entertains while it makes a strong statement about not letting the past control the future. Redemption and happiness can be realized.

Barbara White Daille’s smooth writing style eases the reader away from the mundane, then into the lives of the characters and a quagmire of emotions.

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Best Man for the Bridesmaid by Jennifer Faye

March 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

BRIDESMAID
Best Man for the Bridesmaid by Jennifer Faye
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (252 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

Always the bridesmaid

Planning her sister’s Italian wedding only reminds Jules Lane of how far away she is from finding her own true love. And worse, she’s doing it alongside the brooding, mouthwateringly handsome best man, Stefano DeFiore.

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Having seen the destructive power of love, Stefano has no time for weddings but Jules’s smile is captivating. Making her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world is one thing, but can he give this blushing bridesmaid a happily-ever-after of her own?

In the second novel of the DeFiore Brothers series most of the characters from the first book return for another Italian romance.

But this time the protagonists are Dante’s older brother Stefano, a widower filled with guilt, and Lizzie’s sister Jules. The two characters are so very different that despite the fact that they fall for each other early on, a happy ending seems impossible for them. But slowly, they begin to trust each other and reveal their painful secrets only to realize they are far less painful when shared with someone who cares. I was also very happy to see Dante and Stefano’s father slowly but surely letting himself be happy again in female company. I thought this was a very sweet, if brief, subplot.

There were some inconsistencies, like when Stefano was described as enjoying some downtime and seven sentences later he practically begs his father to give him work to do so he wouldn’t think of Jules. Also, having just finished the first book in the series, the biggest drawback of this novel was that it was too much like the first one. The characters or the plot didn’t bring anything much new, particularly in the first half of the story. I wished for fresh storylines and fewer clichés.

One thing that stood out and painted Jules as a strong individual, however, was how she realized it was time she started making her own decisions and not let Lizzie guide her through life anymore. Lizzie had always been her big sister and Jules loved her dearly so it was a hard choice to tell her she would not attend grad school even though Lizzie wanted her to and had already paid her tuition fees. This decision made me like Jules that much more.

Best Man for the Bridesmaid is a sweet read and you don’t have to read the entire series to be able to follow the story or get to know the characters. It brings a nice dose of the wedding fever, repressed emotions and angst, and ties it all up in Stefano and Jules’s romantic reunion at the wedding.

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Echo Lake by Carla Neggers

March 18, 2015 By Leave a Comment

ECHO
Echo Lake by Carla Neggers
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (342 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

In snowy Swift River Valley, unexpected romance is just around the corner…

Heather Sloan has landed her dream job—the renovation of Vic Scarlatti’s stately 1912 country home overlooking the icy waters of Echo Lake in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. It’s the perfect project for the family business, but for once, Heather is in charge.

Diplomatic Security Service agent Brody Hancock left Knights Bridge at eighteen, a few steps ahead of arrest and the wrath of Heather’s older brothers. Though Brody had never planned to return, Vic, a retired diplomat and friend, needs his help.

Staying at Vic’s guest house makes it impossible to avoid running into a Sloan at every turn—especially Heather. Seeing her again has affected Brody more than he wants to admit. But Heather is wary of Brody’s sudden interest in her, and she suspects there’s more to his homecoming than he’s letting on…
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Set against the scenic backdrop of a New England winter, Echo Lake is a captivating tale of family, friends and the possibility of new love.

Romance, secret intrigue, regrets, and redemption fuel emotions on multiple levels in Echo Lake. Carla Negger’s unique writing style sparkles and entices a reader into a memorable interlude with the people of Knights Bridge, Massachusetts during the cold, cold winter.

Heather Sloan is no longer the twelve-year-old girl who challenged the boys to a game of “Risk” and played with a “take-no-prisoners” attitude. Now, she is definitely a grownup, curvy, pretty woman with a “can-do” attitude. She is good at her job with Sloan and Sons. Her professional footing is solid. She’s in charge of a major renovation of an old home that retired diplomat Vic Scarlatti owns.

Her emotional footing hits a slippery place when diplomatic security service agent Brody Hancock, once the town’s bad boy and her secret love, visits his old friend Vic Scarlatti.

The change in both Brody and Heather is subtly and enticingly revealed as they interact, with the reader getting to enjoy the humor, the undercurrent of caring, the misgivings, the undeniable love that has abided so many years and now demands its place in their lives.

Family love and dynamics, the pains and adjustments in retirement, the hurts of bad decisions made long ago, along with community’s meddlesome caring take the reader on a vicarious cold winter experience that is thought-provoking, heart-warming, and sensory rich.

If the reader has read previous Swift River Valley novels, getting to catch up on what is happening in well-remembered characters is an added bonus in Echo Lake. This novel is a super good addition to the other novels that take place in this unique environment.

Carla Neggers, with a great plot and interesting, well-developed characters, delivers excellent reading once again.

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The Playboy of Rome by Jennifer Faye

February 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

ROME
The Playboy of Rome by Jennifer Faye
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (250 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

Taming the Italian playboy…

Lizzie Addler’s dream of working in Italy is about to come true—that is if she can convince passionate Italian chef Dante DeFiore to keep his side of their bargain. Dante might be hotter than the Italian sun, but he’s as cool as ice toward Lizzie…
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Dante hasn’t the time to pander to Lizzie’s dreams of culinary fame—he has a restaurant to run! But as Lizzie proves herself to be a spectacular addition to his kitchen—and to his life—Dante wonders…can he keep her forever?

The Playboy of Rome has an appealing premise: a hot Italian chef, a young, aspiring cook and the fiery tension between them, all filmed for a reality show.

The novel starts off very promising. There were great scenes with the chef, Dante, especially the scenes at his family home. His interaction with his grandfather, father and brother were intense and very revealing of his character. But unfortunately, they were also far more emotional than his scenes with Lizzie. I simply couldn’t feel any chemistry between the two of them despite the fact that I liked them as individual characters.

Perhaps this was due to the slow progression of the story – we get to see some action in the kitchen only in the second half of the novel, while in the first half they more or less only talk. I felt that the instant attraction between Dante and Lizzie was a bit overdone, a slower start would’ve been more believable. However, the deep feelings that they both feel towards the end made their break-up even more painful and angsty.

Lizzie’s character and her strength were heart-warming. She was a foster child and the neglect she’d experienced in her early childhood explained many of her characteristics, but towards the end this storyline became a bit too repetitive. However, I liked her gentleness towards Dante’s grandfather and father; it showed clearly what family meant to her.

Despite the protagonists being chefs, The Playboy of Rome focuses more on their romance and not on the cooking. However, their love story under the hot Italian sky is delicious nonetheless.

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The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London

February 6, 2015 By 5 Comments

DEVIL
The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (368 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A plan born of desperation…

Once the toast of society, Grace Cabot and her sisters now await the shame of losing high status and fine luxuries upon the death of the Earl of Beckington. The dire circumstances are inevitable unless, of course, Grace’s wicked plot to seduce a wealthy viscount into marriage goes off without a single hitch. But once a stolen embrace with the wrong man leads her to be discovered in the arms of Geoffrey, the Earl of Merryton, her plan takes a most unexpected—and scorching—twist.

…and altered by passion.
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Governed by routine and ruled by duty, Geoffrey had no desire for a wife before he succumbed to Grace’s temptation. Though his golden-haired, in-name-only bride is the definition of disorder, he can’t resist wanting her in every way. But once her secrets meet his, society might consider their lives to be ruined beyond repair…while Geoffrey might just see it as a new beginning.

Two imperfect wrongs just might make the best right of all.

Julia London writes engaging characters sure to charm the reader. This was definitely the case with this book. I loved them, I hated them and at times I wanted to put the book down, but I’m glad I saw it through. The writing is crisp. The characters are imperfect and frankly, this was a good book.

Grace is unique. She’s feisty and knows what she wants. Initially, she wasn’t one of my favorites because well…trapping a man in marriage seemed…silly. She’s so forthright otherwise, why doesn’t she stick to what works or better yet, find a guy who likes her pluckiness? That aside, I grew to enjoy her character and liked how she worked with Jeffery. They didn’t seem to me to be suited for each other, but that’s what I liked–seeing them having to coexist.

Jeffery…where do I begin? The guy has issues. I liked how the author tackled his form of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) because it made him realistic. People have issues. His fixation with seeing women tied up and in sexual situations was new, but it’s not really heavy BDSM. Honestly, he just likes a little satin mixed in. Honestly, I have yet to meet a guy who doesn’t see most everything in a sexual fashion. I didn’t dislike Jeffery, but he was hard to take at times.

Still, this made for a good read and one I’d pick up again.

If you like books that are a little off the beaten path and sure to please, then this might be the book for you.

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A Princess by Christmas by Jennifer Faye

December 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ORINCESS
A Princess by Christmas by Jennifer Faye
Publisher: Harlequin
Genres: Contemporary, Holiday
Pages: Full Length (256 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Thornapple

A royal kiss under the mistletoe

Prince Alexandro Castanovo arrives in snowy New York intent on protecting his royal family from scandal. And when Reese Harding—down-to-earth and heart-stoppingly beautiful—finds room for him at her inn, it seems like the perfect twist of fate.

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This story is a modern day fairy tale romance with a holiday backdrop which makes the romance that much sweeter.

Reese is a strong young woman who has survived some pretty big emotional wallops in her life. She doesn’t trust men, with good reason. As the story opens, Reese is struggling to keep the old mansion she has set up as a B&B afloat after her father left Reese and her mother in deep debt. Reese has had to give up her dreams in order to keep her business running and take care of her emotionally fragile mother.

When a handsome man with a sexy accept shows up at the house claiming he has a reservation, it’s immediately apparent there has been some kind of mistake. Arrangements are made for this mysterious, and rather persistent man despite having no available rooms for him.

Alex is a prince who has traveled to America in hopes of drawing attention from the media away from this brother and his latest scandal which could put his country’s regime in peril. He never dreamed he would meet the woman who would cause him to question his staunch adherence to duty and obligation.

The story was just a bit uneven at the beginning and was oddly disjointed which disrupted the flow. It was just little slow moving at first and the set up took up a little too much time. But, once the story reached the half way mark all those little kinks had been smoothed out and I found myself really involved in the plot.

Alex was so nice and sweet and so open with his feelings but, he was also bogged down by the rules of his family and country and their expectations. I thought it was kind of ironic that his wayward brother would teach Alex a thing or two about love and life. Reese would have to work hard to open herself up like Alex. Her guard was up at all times, but Alex was simply too irresistible…the ultimate prince charming. Who doesn’t love this fairytale like story where the poor girl who has given up her dreams to face life’s harsh realities winds up becoming a princess when she meets the love of her life? This is sigh worthy every.single.time. The poignancy of the holiday season was very difficult for Reese, so it was only fitting that she would find true love and all her hopes and wishes would come true at Christmas. This is a very sweet holiday themed romance and I really enjoyed reading it.

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His Favorite Cowgirl by Leigh Duncan

November 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment

COWGIRL
His Favorite Cowgirl by Leigh Duncan
Publisher: Harlequin American Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (219 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

You Can Go Home Again

A stint as ranch manager on the Circle P may be the perfect way for Hank Judd to reconnect with his ten-year-old daughter. And selling his former girlfriend’s family ranch will provide the cash he needs to restart his failed real-estate business. He just has to resist falling for the girl next door all over again.
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Kelly Tompkins needs to sell her grandfather’s ranch quickly to pay for his medical expenses and get back to Texas before she loses her chance at a promotion. Hank is the last person she wants to see, but she can’t deny she needs his help. But spending time with the boy who let her down twelve years ago may unearth a heartache that has never truly healed….

The Judd’s and the Thompkin’s had a family feud that had lasted for centuries, but even that was not enough to keep Hank and Kelly apart. As teens they found themselves in one another’s arms, and as adults they tried to resist letting history repeat itself.

It was clear that Hank is a good guy even if he has not always made the best decisions. I have always said sometimes the biggest mistakes are made with the best of intentions and that is certainly true in this case. He has made many mistakes in both is relationship with Kelly as well as his relationship with is daughter Noelle. Good thing he is man enough to recognize these mistakes and try to make them right before it is too late. It made me like is character that much more, as I get to see his flaws as well as his strengths. No man is perfect and it make Hank a bit more real and relatable.

Kelly is a sweet and determined woman who history has not been kind too. She has suffered a lot throughout her life when it comes to relationships. With Hank as well as her family it makes her less than excited to return to the home that almost broke her spirit. Lucky she did return cause she got to have a whole different experience. I think Kelly is a amazing character as she is selfless and continues to do what needs to be done despite her own needs and wants in life. It made me want to see her get a happily ever after whether it be in the city with her high paying job, or on her grandfathers ranch enjoying the hard work and fresh air.

Noelle is a very important part of this story as well. Her character also shows a lot of growth throughout the story. She begins as a spoiled privileged child who prefers her phone to people. Only, you quickly learn this is a defense she has created since the adults in her life have not always looked out for all her needs. Yes she might have the most high tech gadgets and designer clothes but she is missing one essential thing: loving parents. I really thought her character needed special mentioning as many things in the story would not be possible without her, and she really added depth and joy to the story.

This story is not steamy and erotic but has a soft, growing love that you know is meant to be and will last forever. It made me cherish the relationship more and made the plot more warm and fuzzy. Anyone can revisit a physical connection but the emotional and mental bridges crossed in this story will last forever. I would certainly say if you want a nice, warm and touching romance you would want to check out this story and learn all about Circle P and its host of wonderful characters.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Wrong Cowboy by Lauri Robinson

November 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment

COWBOY
The Wrong Cowboy by Lauri Robinson
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length(281 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

All the rigorous training in the world could not have prepared nursemaid Marie Hall for trailing the wilds of Dakota with six orphans. Especially when her ingenious plan—to pose as the mail-order bride of the children’s next of kin—leads Marie to the wrong cowboy!

Proud and stubborn, Stafford Burleson is everything Marie’s been taught to avoid. But with her fate and that of the children in his capable hands, Marie soon feels there’s something incredibly right about this rugged rancher and his brooding charm….

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Marie Hall may not have been blessed with a family or name, but she’s blessed with determination and intelligence aplenty. She needs all her innate abilities and her training to be sure the six orphaned Meeker children are not separated nor are they ever hungry or feel unsafe.

When things do not turn out as planned, she figures them out as she goes along. She soon finds her training to be a nursemaid had not covered a LOT of things she needs to know in order to cope with her and the children’s situation and with the rather overpowering Stafford Burleson. In her figuring out how to solve her lack-of-knowledge problem, she brings Gertrude Baker into their lives, who educates, nurtures, and adds to their quality of life.

Stafford Burleson, a hardworking rancher/business man, thinks he has his life set up just the way he wants it. A modern quote from Steve Jobs: “people don’t know what they want until you show it to them” fits Stafford so well. Stafford has authorization to handle his partner Mick Wagner’s business while Mick is on a cattle buying trip. Stafford never dreamed he’d have to cope with a “haughty” nursemaid and six children. My goodness, how his world does change! Problems, humor and emotional upheaval abound.

Lauri Robinson develops the characters so well. The personality of each of the six children shines. Each is distinctly his or her own person. Moreover, even the minor characters seem to come to life. Of course, the antagonist is really memorable.

The energy, determination, and bustle of building a solid community in the late nineteenth century in a settled but still raw frontier, the excitement of the railroad bringing prosperity, and the dedication of people, all come alive in The Wrong Cowboy right along with a beautiful love story that makes the heart happy. GOOD READING!

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The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts

November 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HOLLY
The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Full Length (354 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

How Santa Gets His Christmas Spirit Back…

James Claussen has played Santa for years, but now that he’s a widower, he’s lost interest—in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She’s arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet…Brooke wants Dad to be happy, but she’s not ready to see someone else’s mommy kissing Santa Claus.

Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge, too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas, and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can’t provide either one. What she’d like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman… But John’s girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls, and he’s going to propose.

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The Lodge on Holly Road reads like a holiday soap opera with nothing but happy endings for the main protagonists. It’s a feel good read that fits in with the theme of the season.

Not that it’s all fluff and cotton candy. Human emotions, expectations and assumptions not to mention life’s dismal realities do tend to give this novel a depth and richness. Most of the heroes and heroines have to overcome issues in order to find the happiness they all hope for in some part of their hearts. It’s getting there and how Ms. Roberts navigates the tricky personalities of her characters that made this book an entertaining read.

Like with most soap operas, there are one or two main plots that are highlighted with some background mini plots filling out the tableau, and somehow, they are all interconnected because for a week’s time, everyone is together in a very close setting. Not one character remains untouched by what goes on at the lodge.

There are those that start out like Scrooge but in the end show that they are marshmallows inside – while denying it the entire time. There are single moms and dutiful sons, grief and loss and new beginnings. There are kids on the cusp of not believing in Santa and adults who desperately want what the message of the season inspires. There are rich and poor, both in money and in spirit. Ms. Roberts covered all the bases, making The Lodge on Holly Road a busy but thoroughly engaging read.

The one that stood out to me, and I think that was the point, was John Truman. Every single time he did a monologue about his girlfriend, I knew, just knew where it was heading. I also had hopes, which the author gave plenty of hints that it was not in vain, as to whom he’d eventually turn to. The fact that the other lodgers noticed his plight somehow became the glue that touched every other character in the novel in some way and bound them together. His tale may not have started the story right away, but once he was on stage, I could see most of the plot threads being influenced by his actions and his presence.

There are too many heroes and heroines to go through in a review but I’d say they were all well done. The only one I was least impressed with was the romance of Brooke and Eric. Yes, it was sweet and happy but it didn’t have the detail nor was it as fleshed out as it could have been to convince me of their falling in love. I think the author was all about the “feel good” aspect of the story and if that was her aim, she was on target. Nothing wrong with that.

If readers are in the mood for a book that embodies the warmth, love and heart of the holiday season, especially Christmas, then look no further than The Lodge on Holly Road. It reads like a yummy dessert, with a crunchy outside and delicious multilayered gooey goodness inside. It’s a treat that I recommend for all readers who want a simple but busy character driven romance. The theme might be Christmas but at heart is a universal love story.

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The Dog Park by Laura Caldwell

October 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment

DOG
The Dog Park by Laura Caldwell
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, chick-lit
Length: Full Length (344 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

A couple’s best friend?

Stylist Jessica Champlin knows it takes more than a darling goldendoodle to save a marriage. She and her ex-husband, investigative journalist Sebastian Hess, had too many irreconcilable differences for even their beloved dog, Baxter, to heal. So they’ve agreed to joint custody, and life has settled into a prickly normalcy.
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But when Baxter heroically rescues a child and the video footage goes viral, Jess and Sebastian are thrown together again, and her life takes some very unexpected twists. The line of dogwear she creates becomes wildly successful, and suddenly she’s in the spotlight with everyone watching — the press, the new guy she’s seeing, Sebastian and the past she never imagined she would face again. Soon there’s only one person by her side — and it’s the person she least expected. She’s willing to open up to a new normal — just as long as Baxter approves.

I have a weakness for any book featuring a cute animal so I was immediately hooked on this one. The animal in question is Baxter, a goldendoodle. Baxter’s the fur baby of Jessica and Sebastian, now divorced and sharing joint custody of him.

The story is told in the first person, through Jessica’s viewpoint. She’s an interesting character and things get more interesting for her when Baxter saves a child and the video goes viral. All through the story you have a strong feeling that her relationship with Sebastian isn’t quite over, but then Gavin enters her life. He was a fun character but deep down I kept hoping that maybe, just maybe Sebastian would win the day.

The story is full of twists and turns regarding Gavin, and also Jessica’s past. I won’t give away the last half of the book but let’s just say it had me turning the pages and reading on longer than I intended just to see if this story has a happy ending.

The dialogue is natural sounding and pacing is fast so it’s actually a quick read. I wouldn’t categorize it as a romance per se, but more about couples finding second chances and moving into the second part of their lives with a new perspective type of book.

Most readers won’t have a past like Jessica’s but she dealt with lots of emotions that most of us can relate to and that’s what made this a compelling read.

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