Dutch Girl - Robert Matzen (Goodknight Books - Apr 2019)

Twenty-five years after her passing, Audrey Hepburn remains the most beloved of all Hollywood stars, known as much for her role as UNICEF ambassador as for films like Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Several biographies have chronicled her stardom, but none has covered her intense experiences through five years of Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. According to her son, Luca Dotti, "The war made my mother who she was."
 
Audrey Hepburn's war included participation in the Dutch Resistance, working as a doctor's assistant during the "Bridge Too Far" battle of Arnhem, the brutal execution of her uncle, and the ordeal of the Hunger Winter of 1944. She also had to contend with the fact that her father was a Nazi agent and her mother was pro-Nazi for the first two years of the occupation. But the war years also brought triumphs as Audrey became Arnhem's most famous young ballerina.
 
Audrey's own reminiscences, new interviews with people who knew her in the war, wartime diaries, and research in classified Dutch archives shed light on the riveting, untold story of Audrey Hepburn under fire in World War II. Also included is a section of color and black-and-white photos. Many of these images are from Audrey's personal collection and are published here for the first time.
 
Terrific look at the events that impacted Audrey Hepburn all of her life and made her the incredible woman she was. I have been a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn since I was a little girl and watched movies like Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady. As an adult, I was familiar with her work as an ambassador for UNICEF and her efforts to help the children of war-torn countries. But I had no idea about the tumultuous years in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands.
 
The book got off to a slightly slow start for me as the first few chapters were spent talking about her parents. Audrey was born to an English father and a Dutch mother and spent much of her first few years shuttled off to her grandparents while her parents traveled. Both were German sympathizers, with Audrey's mother Ella finding Hitler to be a charming and charismatic man. While Ella eventually saw the error of her ways, Audrey's father spent most of the war imprisoned as a traitor in England. The book's pace picked up as Audrey took a more central place in the narrative.
 
Audrey, her mother, and two brothers moved to Arnhem to be closer to Ella's parents and other relatives. Audrey, who dreamed of becoming a ballerina, began lessons there. She was never a studious child, but dance spoke to her soul, and she would practice for hours. Life progressed calmly until Hitler invaded Poland, and the war began in earnest. Ella was sure that Hitler would leave the Netherlands alone, as the Germans had ignored them during the First World War. That belief came to a screeching halt in May 1940, when Germany took the country in just five days. Even then, they were treated well at first.
 
But slowly, things began to change. Audrey's Jewish friends and neighbors disappeared. She recalled seeing train cars full of people headed east, a sight that stayed with her all of her life. As the months went on and the Germans cracked down on the freedoms of the Dutch people and the news of the war grew worse, Audrey lost herself in dance whenever possible. As a young teen, she participated in performances attended by their German occupiers, but later she danced to raise money for the Dutch Resistance forces.
 
Her life was forever changed when her beloved Uncle Otto was taken as one of many hostages held to force the cooperation of the locals. When Resistance fighters took action against the occupiers, the Germans selected five hostages for execution. Uncle Otto was one of them. As the war dragged on, life in Arnhem became more difficult. Then came the days of "A Bridge Too Far" and the battle that all but destroyed the town. With no other choice, the family relocated to nearby Velp and tried to pick up the pieces.
 
But the war wasn't going well for the Germans, and the advancing Allied armies created new problems. The descriptions of the constant shelling, strafing runs by Allied fighters, and German reprisals were vivid. Audrey danced when she could, taught dance to children to escape the nightmares, and spent a lot of time helping the local doctor treat the injured. She also got involved in delivering messages and papers for the Resistance. Life went from bad to worse in the winter of 1944-1945. Rail strikes meant that no food was coming into the country; there was no coal or wood for heat. This was known as the Hunger Winter when many people starved to death and had a tremendous impact on Audrey for the rest of her life.
 
Throughout the book, there are sections from Audrey's adult life as they relate to her experiences during the war. She was a very private person and rarely talked about those experiences. I found it especially interesting that she never saw herself as beautiful or talented and never intended to become an actress. Her heart was always with dance.
 
There was an especially intriguing section that paralleled the lives of Audrey and Anne Frank. They were born just six weeks apart and lived only 60 miles from each other. Years later, Audrey was given Anne's diary to read and was gutted by the similarities felt by the two. She later met Otto Frank, Anne's father, who asked her to portray Anne in a movie. But Audrey couldn't do it.
 
The book dips a little into Audrey's life as an actress, but mainly to show the war years' impact on her. Other people's opinions of her mattered very little, and she lived her later life the way she wanted to. Her four years working for the world's children were some of her most satisfying and yet hardest, especially her trip to Somalia.
 
The book opened with a foreword from her younger son, Luca, who learned things he never knew about his mother from this book. This quote from him stuck with me the most:   "When my mother wanted to teach me a lesson about life, she never used stories about her career. She always told stories about the war. The war was very, very important to her. It made her who she was." - Luca Dotti, youngest son of Audrey Hepburn. 
 
One of the reasons this book impacted me is that, as Americans, we don't get much in the way of in-depth World War Two education. I've lived in Germany for the past five years, and the effects of that war are well-documented. I've been to many WW2 museums here in Europe, and each one has been an eye-opening experience. One of the best was the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. 

The Marine's Reluctant Return - Sabrina York (HSE #2892 - Feb 2022)

Series: Stirling Ranch (Book 3)

She'd been the girl he'd always loved.
 
Until she married his best friend.
 
Now Crystal Stoker was a widowed single mom and Luke Stirling was trying his best to avoid her. That was proving impossible in their small town, especially when Luke learned her young son needed help that only he could provide. The injured Marine was just looking for a little peace and quiet -- not expecting any second chances, especially ones he didn't dare accept.
 
Terrific book. Luke has been back in his hometown for a year after his medical discharge from the Marines. He is doing his best to avoid Crystal, whose husband Brandon, Luke's best friend, was killed in the same IED attack. Luke blames himself for Brandon's death and is sure that Crystal would want nothing to do with him.
 
Crystal's son Jack has changed since his father's death, constantly in trouble at school for fighting. She's at her wit's end trying to get through to him. When circumstances make it impossible for Luke to continue avoiding Crystal, he realizes there is something he can do to help Jack and honor his friend's memory.
 
Luke's school years were miserable because of undiagnosed dyslexia. His home life wasn't much better, thanks to the cruel taunts of his grandfather. It wasn't until Luke left home and joined the Marines that he found out what the trouble was. Thanks to the help he received, Luke found a new way to learn, opening up the world of education to him. I loved hearing about his extensive experiences and the vast difference they made to his life. Unfortunately, recovery from his injuries was a long, slow process, and he still suffers from pain and PTSD.
 
Like Luke, Brandon had had dyslexia, and Jack inherited the issue. Luke tells Crystal he will work with Jack, teaching him ways to work around the problem. It warmed my heart to see the nearly immediate difference that Luke's lessons had on Jack. Because of his own experiences, Luke knew precisely how to reach Jack, and there are some great scenes of the two of them together.
 
The amount of time Luke spends with Jack creates other complications. Luke has always had feelings for Crystal, but she was his best friend's wife. Though Brandon is gone, Luke's guilty feelings make him feel unworthy of her. Crystal was stunned to discover that Luke rouses feelings in her that have been numb since Brandon's death. Too bad that Luke doesn't show any signs of returning those feelings, keeping her firmly in the friend zone. Fortunately, a hint of jealousy when she goes on a date with another man gives her hope. A bit of boldness on her part, and the sparks between them burst into flame.
 
I loved watching them grow closer over the next few weeks, though each was wary of being the first to express their feelings. It takes a frightening accident and Luke's fear of a return of an old injury for them to break through their reluctance. I loved the epilogue and how Luke involved Jack in the planning for his big moment.
 
My favorite scene was when Crystal, a certified massage therapist, finally convinced Luke to let her work on him. I loved seeing him go from skeptic to believer in one session. 

Proving Colton's Innocence - Lara Lacombe (HRS #2164 - Jan 2022)

Series: Coltons of Grave Gulch (Book 12)

A battle for justice
pits brother against brother
 
Bounty hunter Baldwin Bowe works in the shadows, finding fugitives no one else can. But now he's hired to bring in his own sibling and help prove the innocence of CSI Jillian Colton. Baldwin sticks by her side, aiming to lure in his criminal brother and exonerate Jillian. Yet as danger escalates, Baldwin never expected to fall for the woman by his side…
 
Good conclusion to the series. With the death of serial killer Len Davison in the previous book, things are looking up for the Grave Gulch Police Department. If they could catch escaped CSI forensic scientist Randall Bowe, they would earn back the trust of the people they serve. One of the people most interested in getting him off the street is Jillian Colton. As a rookie CSI, Randall made her life miserable, blaming her for things he was doing. Now she's working extra hard to help fix the things he did.
 
The book opens as the chief of police, her cousin Grace, and a man from Internal Affairs show up at her house with a search warrant. They have evidence that she robbed a home of some costly jewelry. Jillian protests her innocence and is shocked when the jewelry is found in her closet. She's placed under arrest and taken to jail with a relatively high bail set.
 
Bounty hunter Baldwin Bowe is in Grave Gulch because he's been hired to find and capture his brother Randall. There is no love lost between the two, and Baldwin will do whatever he must to make it happen. So when he hears of Jillian's arrest and that she worked with Randall, he pays her bail, hoping she can give him some insight into Randall's whereabouts.
 
I liked the first meeting between Jillian and Baldwin. He's frank with her about what he wants and the help he hopes she'll provide. Jillian's first impression is that he's big, imposing, and heartless, but she wants Randall caught just as much as he does. She is confident that Randall set her up on the jewelry issue, but she has no way to prove it. Interestingly, Baldwin thinks appearing as a couple will draw Randall out faster, so he suggests that he move in with her. This will serve both as baiting Randall and protecting Jillian.
 
Neither Baldwin nor Jillian expected the intense attraction that flared between them. Jillian tries to fight it because he won't be around for long. Baldwin tries to fight it because he's used to being alone and doesn't need the distraction. But the more time they spend together, the hotter the sparks burn until they can't help but give in to them. I loved seeing them get to know each other. Jillian discovers that far from being heartless, Baldwin feels emotions deeply but keeps tight control over them. I enjoyed seeing her get him to open up to her and share some of his experiences with her. The scene after their visit to his parents was both heartbreaking and profoundly moving. The depth of his growing feelings for her is evident when she is shot and is in the hospital. Jillian also realizes that her feelings for Baldwin have turned to love and wonders what it means for the future. I could feel her fear for him when he went after Randall on his own. I ached for Jillian when he disappeared without a word right after Randall was captured. I loved his return and the emotional confession of what he'd been through. I especially liked the difference his love for her made to his plans for the future.
 
The suspense of the story was excellent. Randall has been on the run for the better part of a year, and the GGPD is frustrated that they haven't been able to find him. It doesn't help that he finds ways to taunt them and make them look bad. Jillian and others believe that he set her up for the jewelry thefts, and she can't help wondering why he is so fixated on her. I loved seeing Baldwin and Jillian work together to bring Randall down. The scene at her house was intense, and I ached for Baldwin with the way it turned out. When he got an idea of where Randall might be hiding, nothing Jillian could say would stop him from checking it out on his own. I wanted to shake him for being an idiot because things did not go well. But Baldwin was of sterner stuff than Randall knew. When the final confrontation came, the teamwork between Baldwin and Jillian brought the intense situation to a satisfactory conclusion.
 
I loved the epilogue. There's a big family party with all the Coltons and their new partners and babies. The scene between Jillian and her mom was sweet. My favorite part was Baldwin's shell-shocked reaction when faced with the whole family. I loved that he went from no family to more than he could ever imagine.

Agent Colton's Takedown - Beverly Long (HRS #2160 - Dec 2021)

Series: Coltons of Grave Gulch (Book 11)

A murderer has her in his sights…
But not if an intrepid agent gets his way!
 
For months, a serial killer has been haunting FBI agent Bryce Colton's every waking moment. And now the lethal criminal is obsessed with Grave Gulch local Olivia Margulies. Bryce knows Olivia is the key to drawing out the town's terrorizer. But as the lawman works to protect her 24/7, the sparks that fly between them can't mask the danger that looms ever closer…
 
Good book. At the end of the previous book, Uncovering Colton's Family Secret, the serial killer Len Davison broke into Olivia Margulies's deli, forcing her to make him a sandwich before robbing her. In this book, FBI agent Bryce Colton becomes Olivia's protector as he waits for Davison's next move.
 
I like Bryce and have throughout the series. He's a good man with a tough job. He initially sees Olivia as a means to an end, but that changes as he gets to know her. Thanks to his career, Bryce tends to be a glass-half-empty kind of guy but being around Olivia's brighter outlook on life begins to change him. I enjoyed seeing him hang out in the deli with her, stepping in to help in the kitchen and becoming part of her life. Complicating matters is the intense attraction he feels for her. It manifests in heated kisses that he then regrets as being inappropriate and tries to back away from. Olivia feels the same attraction and wonders if it will continue after Davison is captured. There are some sweet scenes between them as they grow closer, such as Bryce's care of her when she's sick to Olivia's trying to help him through his feelings about his father's return. I loved seeing them come together at the end after the terror of nearly losing each other.
 
The suspense was excellent. After that first visit by Davison, the tension continued to build as they waited for him to try again. The situation took a creepy turn with the second visit and his confession that he had a crush on Olivia. I could feel Bryce's frustration as each lead led to a dead end. When the final confrontation came, I was glued to the pages as Bryce raced to find Olivia before it was too late.  
 
The epilogue was great and included a lead-in to the final book in the series. It will be interesting to see if Baldwin Bowe, bounty hunter, succeeds in finding his estranged brother Randall.

The Durango Affair - Brenda Jackson (SD #1727 - May 2006)

Series: Westmorelands (Book 8)

"I'M HAVING YOUR BABY."
 
Savannah Claiborne's simple statement set off an avalanche in Montana ranger Durango Westmoreland's carefully ordered life. Suddenly, an unforgettable night of passion with the hazel-eyed beauty had turned into a lifetime of obligation for the confirmed bachelor.
 
But Westmoreland men always honored their responsibilities, and leaving Savannah to raise his baby on her own was not an option. So he proposed and she accepted...with one condition: Theirs would be an in-name-only marriage.
 
Durango agreed. For now.
 
Good book. Durango Westmoreland and Savannah Claiborne met at the wedding of his cousin Chase to her sister Jessica. Their attraction was instant and intense, and they snuck away from the reception to enjoy it. Two months later, Savannah shows up at his Montana ranch to let him know she's pregnant.
 
Durango was stunned at the news and reacted like a complete jerk. Years earlier, he'd fallen for a city woman who had used and manipulated him, destroying his trust in women. With that at the back of his mind, his suspicious and dismissive comments made his opinion clear. Savannah was hurt and furious. She came to tell him in person because it was the right thing to do, but she didn't need him. I loved seeing her push back and walk away.
 
But it isn't over. Durango quickly realizes that the baby is his, he acted like a jerk, and as a Westmoreland, he has to step up and take responsibility.  He immediately goes after Savannah and catches up with her at the airport, where she's just learned all flights are canceled because of an impending blizzard. Durango offers the use of his guest room and says it will give them a chance to talk.
 
Durango wants to be involved in Savannah's pregnancy and their baby's life. He proposes that they marry now and plan to divorce when the baby is six months old. Savannah is wary. She doesn't believe in love and marriage thanks to her father and doesn't see the need to marry Durango. He eventually wins her over when he agrees that it will be a marriage in name only. This made me laugh because it's clear that he wants her back in his bed.
 
The sparks of attraction between Durango and Savannah are just as intense as before. Durango accepts it and plans to use the attraction to get her back in his bed while she's living there. Savannah also feels the sparks but believes that she can resist them. It was fun to watch her try to fight the battle against Durango's campaign of sexy kisses. Eventually, they give in to the power of the attraction, both believing that it's just for fun while they are together. With their time together and getting to know each other, the attraction deepens into stronger feelings. Both fight hard against admitting those feelings until forced to do so in conversations with others. I loved those conversations - Durango and Jared, and Savannah and Jessica - who brought the voice of experience to the situation.
 
Thanks to a document Savannah received in the mail, there's a bit of a hiccup in the prospect of a future together. Believing Durango doesn't share her feelings sends her fleeing into the teeth of a blizzard. I loved Durango's big moment and the emotional confession of his feelings. The epilogue was fantastic. I loved the big family get-together and Durango's meeting with the other Westmoreland men. I especially enjoyed the tagline, "Which one of you will be next?"

Grizzly Creek Standoff - Cindi Myers (HI #2064 - Apr 2022)

Series: Eagle Mountain: Search for Suspects (Book 4)

When her daughter's threatened…she fights back.
 
When police deputy Ronin Doyle happens upon stunning Courtney Baker, he can't shake the feeling that something's not right. And as the lawman's engulfed by an investigation that rocks their serene community, more and more he's convinced that Courtney's boyfriend has swept her -- and her beloved daughter -- into something sinister. If Ronin's hunch is right, he must help Courtney before it's too late for them all…
 
Terrific conclusion to the series. This is the story of Courtney Baker, Lauren Baker's sister-in-law, and the subject of a missing person search in the first book of the series (Disappearance at Dakota Ridge). She ran off with Trey Allerton, a man who claimed to be friends with her late husband, and talked about building a ranch to help disadvantaged kids. Over the first three books of the series, we saw increasingly suspicious activity from Trey and worrisome events involving Courtney.
 
As this book starts, Courtney realizes that Trey is not the man she thinks he is. She attempts an escape but is caught by Trey. He threatens to harm her daughter Ashlyn if she tries to leave him again. Right after he makes these threats, Deputy Ronin Doyle stops to check on her because the situation looks suspicious. With Trey's threats fresh in her mind, Courtney tells him everything is fine. Ronin doesn't buy it, but there's nothing he can do right now.
 
I ached for Courtney, who came so close to breaking free from Trey, only to find her life become even more difficult. But she now desires to try again, and when Trey slaps Ashlyn, she has the motivation to do so. Her desire to learn some of the things he's kept hidden from her leads her to discover some gold bars he's hidden away, and she takes a few for later use. When he finds the hidden bars and the papers she concealed, Trey drags them off and locks them in an abandoned mine. She's terrified they'll die there until help comes from an unexpected source.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Courtney and Ronin. Ronin couldn't forget Courtney even though she was "taken." His instinct that something was off also kept her on his mind and caused him to stop by her trailer several times. Courtney was drawn by his kindness and the compassion she saw in his eyes. She kicked herself after each visit for not having the courage to ask for help, but her fear was too great. I loved when Ronin took her the photography book and its effect on her. Their feelings had a greater chance to grow after the rescue at the mine allowed them to spend more time together. I loved the realism at the end, where Courtney and Ronin make an intelligent decision about their relationship.
 
The suspense of the story was complex, with several layers. First was the situation with Courtney and the increasingly abusive Trey. I was invested in seeing how she was going to escape. The second was the ongoing question of the youth ranch and whether it was real or a scam. All indications during the series said "scam," but there were a few instances where it seemed legit. Then there was the addition of a detective from a nearby town who is looking for youth-related drug activity. The elusive Bart Smith remains a person of interest in that search. Detective Fletcher also seems inordinately interested in Trey. The storylines come together in an intense confrontation that had me glued to the pages until it was all over.

Uncovering Colton's Family Secret - Linda O. Johnston (HRS #2156 - Nov 2021)

Series: Coltons of Grave Gulch (Book 10)

Coming face-to-face with her past…
Jeopardizes both their futures
 
When Madison Colton comes face-to-face with her presumed-dead father, her entire world is turned upside down. The unexpected discovery endangers Madison and brings Marshal Oren Margulies to her rescue. Madison can't believe she's being targeted, but Oren's presence fills her with feelings she never knew she had. But blossoming romance might be cut short by a vengeful killer…
 
Good book. In the previous book (A Colton InternalAffair), Madison saw a man who looked like her father while in a nearby town with her cousin Grace. But Richard Foster has been dead for twenty-five years, so how is that possible? This book picks up a week later as Madison returns to that town looking for the man she saw. But just as she is about to follow the man into a store, Marshal Oren Margulies stops her. Oren has good reasons to stop her from speaking to the man, but Madison refuses to leave it alone.
 
I laughed as kindergarten teacher Madison outwitted the marshal and succeeded in speaking with her quarry. She never expected to find that it was her father and that he's been in witness protection all this time. Oren fears that now that contact has been made, both Madison and her father could be in danger, and he is proved right within hours.
 
The action and suspense took off as a revenge-driven adversary attempted to take out Madison and her brother and sister. Madison was the main target at this time, and Oren was determined to keep her safe. I was glued to the pages as each attack seemed closer to succeeding. I loved seeing the partnership between Oren, the Grave Gulch PD, and Madison's brother Bryce, the FBI agent, as they worked to track the attacker. Just when the reader thinks they have him located, a bit of deception puts Madison in extreme danger. I loved seeing her keep a cool head and exceed even her law enforcement family's expectations when her pursuer confronts her. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and kept me engrossed to the end.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Oren and Madison develop. Oren is fascinated and attracted to Madison from the beginning but determined to remain professional. Madison is equally attracted and has no problem letting Oren know her interest. Oren's protectiveness had him sticking to Madison like glue, and I enjoyed seeing him fall under her spell. Oren has had bad luck with previous relationships and believes there is no future for them as much as he would like it. There are some terrific scenes between them as they get to know each other and bond over his sister's matzo ball soup. I wanted to shake Oren at the end as he pushed Madison away, ostensibly to protect her from being hurt by him. I loved the lecture he got from his sister, followed by the advice from Madison's father. His big moment at the end was sweet, romantic, and pretty impressive.
 
The story of Madison's father and what happened to him was heartbreaking at times. It was easy to understand Madison and her family's disbelief, hurt, and anger when they found out the truth. There were also times I wanted to shake him for possibly carrying it too far. The final scene with the family dinner was a hopeful sign for their future as a family.
 
There was a brief mention of the story arc about the missing forensic scientist. The serial killer story had an odd turn at the end of the book when he robbed Oren's sister Olivia's restaurant, but it serves as a lead-in for the next book.

Half Moon Harbor - Donna Kauffman (Kensington - May 2014)

Series: Bachelors of Blueberry Cove (Book 2)

Bold, brash, Irish--Brodie Monaghan's been breaking hearts ever since he arrived in Maine to rebuild the family business. Still, there's one woman he just can't wow. Grace Maddox claims she's now part-owner of Monaghan Shipbuilders, and she has her own dreams for the weathered dockside buildings. Tiny Blueberry Cove has a way of welcoming strangers with wide-open arms, but is the sleepy coastal village ready for the fireworks these two spark?
 
DIY is so much better with two. . .
 
Terrific book about two people who come to Maine, making significant changes in their lives. I loved the small town, coastal Maine setting, and the colorful residents of Blueberry Cove.
 
Brodie left his home and large family in Ireland a year ago. He wasn't interested in following the family tradition of pub and inn owners. His heart was set on the older boat-building tradition and revitalizing the long-defunct shipyard in Maine. After securing possession of the docks and two boathouses, he splits his time between building and selling boats and restoring the boathouses. He needs the boat sales to earn money to pay the back taxes on the other boathouses. It's a slow process, and that slowness bites him in the butt when he loses one of the boathouses to another newcomer.
 
Grace was a successful estate attorney in DC when she realized she wasn't happy any longer. After years of witnessing the horrible ways families treated each other regarding wills and estates, she is determined to repair her relationship with her much older and estranged brother, Ford. She takes her sudden desire to build and run an inn to the tiny Maine town where Ford now lives. There she purchases a boathouse she intends to remodel into a high-end inn. She never dreamed that the real estate agent who sold it to her had an agenda of her own.
 
I loved the first meeting between Brodie and Grace. He's awakened by the sound of her cussing and her little dog (Whomper) barking. When he goes out to see what is going on, he's stunned to find out Grace claims to own one of his boathouses. Understandably angry and confused, he still can't help being a charming Irish gentleman and helping Grace with her current problem - a dead-fish-covered pup who shared the stench with her. Grace's reaction to all of that Irish charm is predictable, and the sparks between them are undeniable. I ached for Brodie as he realized that the sale of the boathouse was legal though extremely underhanded, thanks to a woman whose advances he'd rejected and who used his boathouse to get even.
 
I loved that Brodie and Grace quickly accepted that they couldn't change the circumstances, but they could control how they dealt with them. Though they started as adversaries, it didn't take long for them to become friends, visiting back and forth between their two properties. Brodie was smitten with Grace from the very beginning and wanted to do anything he could to help and protect her.  Grace was a little warier but rapidly found herself leaning on Brodie and depending on his support when her belief in herself wavered. The attraction between them also continued to build until they could no longer resist it, bringing them even closer.
 
In addition to their developing relationship, Brodie and Grace also had to deal with small-town politics and personalities. The real estate agent who sold the boathouse to Grace, Cami Weathersby, is also married to a town council member and is the daughter of the richest man in town. So when she wanted to get even with Brodie for his rejection, she knew exactly how to do it. Cami and her privileged attitude were very easy to dislike, especially her refusal to give up her pursuit of Brodie. Complicating matters was her father's plan to have Brodie build a four-masted schooner that Mr. Winstock plans to use to bring tourists to town. He also wants to make Brodie's largest boathouse into a yacht club. The negotiations between Brodie and Winstock were very interesting, especially when it came to Cami (eww). It all came to a head when Cami made another play for Brodie in front of Grace. I laughed out loud at Brodie's deer-in-the-headlights look and cheered when Grace took action to rescue him. It also precipitated unplanned talk of feelings in a fun "after-action" conversation.
 
Another storyline in the book is Grace's plan to reunite with her brother Ford. After her mother's death and Ford's joining the military, her life was not an easy one and made her leery of sharing her heart. I ached for both of them as they grew further apart until Ford stopped visiting altogether. Grace's feelings of abandonment lasted for a long time. I liked her story of how she decided to find Ford and reconnect with him. I understood why she kept putting off that meeting once she arrived, worried about his reaction and what she would do. I loved when she finally worked up the courage. That scene was emotional, nerve-wracking, and ultimately satisfying. It was a good start, and I was happy to see a little more progress by the end of the book.
 
I enjoyed seeing the various secondary characters. Fergus, the pub owner, was fun with his grumpy commentary during Brodie's visit. He's also one of two gossip-masters in town, the other being Delia, the diner owner. Delia has an interesting backstory with Ford. I liked how she connected with Grace and the rapid progression of their friendship. I especially enjoyed their conversation on Brodie's boat near the end of the book. The other fascinating character was Grace's friend Langston, the architect. He was a terrific friend to her while also being an over-the-top illustration of an eccentric artist. His conversations with Grace were always fun yet filled with wise advice. His flirtatious ways were a riot to watch, and I loved the scene at the end with Delia. 

An Heir of His Own - Janice Maynard (HD #2833 - Nov 2021)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Fathers and Sons (Book 1)

Did he really just agree to live with his ex for the sake of a baby in need?
 
After he raised his stepsister, being a father feels been there, done that for Texan Drake Rhodes. But when his ex-lover, Cammie Wentworth, needs his help to care for an abandoned baby, Drake steps up. It's ironic that Cammie's desire for children was why they broke up. And two years apart hasn't cooled anything between them. Cammie will be back in his bed. But when it's over, will he walk away again…or go after a legacy of his own, with her?
 
Good second chance romance. Two years earlier, Drake and Cammie had been together in a heated relationship. But when Cammie's desire for a family ran up against Drake's absolute refusal to become a father, she broke things off.
 
Two years later, Cammie is shocked to encounter Drake in the hospital parking lot as she leaves a meeting there. Drake, who returned from an extended trip to Australia to care for his stepsister, Ainsley, was equally surprised to see her. As he walks her to her car, both are stunned to discover an abandoned baby left on her car. After calling 911, Drake isn't surprised to find that Cammie wants to care for the infant herself. Because she isn't certified as a foster parent, and he is, he reluctantly volunteers himself as her helper.
 
Cammie is stunned but grateful and also wary. The years apart haven't diminished the attraction between them, and Drake makes no secret that he wants her back in his bed. One other thing hasn't changed - they are still miles apart on their parenthood opinions. When Drake was twenty-two, his father and Ainsley's mother were killed, leaving her an orphan. Drake left school and became her foster parent. It wasn't an easy task to parent a teenage girl who displayed her grief in inappropriate ways, and it put Drake off ever becoming a father himself. Meanwhile, Cammie still wants a child of her own and is pursuing ways to make that happen.
 
I loved watching Cammie and Drake deal with their unresolved feelings while caring for the baby. Cammie is all-in for the baby care but also a little overwhelmed at times. Though Drake had no intention of doing anything with the baby, he couldn't bear to see Cammie struggle. Over the next few days, baby "Pumpkin" wiggles his way into Cammie's heart, and Cammie wiggles her way back into Drake's. And neither of them can resist the attraction that still burns as hot as ever. But reality is never far away. Drake is supposed to return to Australia any day, and Pumpkin's parents could be found at any time. Can either Cammie or Drake give up their dreams for a chance to be together?
 
I liked the ending, as both Cammie and Drake took hard looks at their deeply held beliefs. Both had to decide what was more important to them. Drake had a bit of a wake-up call thanks to a doctor's appointment and an unexpected decision to make regarding his ranch. I liked how he involved Cammie and used the opportunity to have a serious talk with her. The scene on the ranch was very emotional, and I loved seeing how they came together.
 
The story ended with Pumpkin's fate still up in the air. I wonder if that is the story arc that will carry through the series. There is also some page time spent on the estrangement between Cammie's brother Rafe and their father, which may refer to the series subtitle of Fathers and Sons. I look forward to reading the rest of the books to see how everything turns out.

Home for the Holidays - Brenda Novak (Mira - Aug 2021)

Series: Whiskey Creek (Book 10.5)

Natasha Sharp was just a teenager when her mom married Mack Amos’s dad, and despite her crush, Mack always held her at arm’s length. Years after their parents’ divorce, they’re both adults when they run into each other at their hometown Christmas market. Will Mack still keep his distance, or is the timing finally right for their love?
 
This short novella serves as a bridge between the Whiskey Creek series and the Silver Springs series. Mack and Natasha met when she was sixteen, and he was twenty-five. Her mother had married his father, but those two were no kind of parents. Mack and his brothers took over looking after Tash. She made no secret of her feelings for Mack, but he always treated her like a little sister.
 
Years later, Tash returns to Whiskey Creek to visit her mom during the holidays and sees Mack again. Her feelings for him are just as strong, but what about his for her? I loved seeing Mack finally admit to himself that Tash is now a grown woman and what that means to him. There are some sweet scenes of the two as they wander the Christmas market, and you can feel the tension between them.
 
When they finally give in, it's everything that Tash hoped for. She has high hopes for their future, but the distance grows between them after her return to medical school. Heartbroken, Tash vows to move on until she realizes something that will make it impossible to forget him.
 
The story stops there, to be picked up in the Silver Springs book When I Found You. 

A Firefighter's Ultimate Duty - Beverly Long (HRS #2150 - Sept 2021)

Series: Heroes of the Pacific Northwest (Book 1)

A local hero must put his life on the line in the ultimate mission
 
Firefighter Blade Savick keeps his eyes on his job…not on his white-hot desire for a single mom! Especially when Daisy Rambler insists all she wants is a fresh start for herself and her daughter. Once Blade bonds with Daisy on a level he never imagined, a menace from her past rears its ugly head. But can Blade rescue Daisy…and their chance at a new life together?
 
A terrific blend of romance and suspense. The romance gets off to a quick start when Blade participates in a rescue involving Daisy and her new employer. He is immediately smitten with her, and when he finds the scarf she left behind plans to return it to her personally. While Daisy certainly noticed Blade, her mind was understandably occupied with other things.
 
The reader learns that Daisy and her sixteen-year-old daughter Sophie have just arrived in the small town of Knoware, Washington. Daisy left Denver after breaking her engagement to a man whose controlling actions set off warning bells and who refused to accept her decision. She hopes she's gotten cleanly away but can't relax her guard just yet. Her friend Jane helped her find a new job and home in Knoware. On the other hand, Sophie is decidedly not happy with the move and makes sure her mom knows it.
 
Blade is divorced but still friends with his ex-wife. This makes parenting their sixteen-year-old daughter Raven much easier. Blade is a good guy, liked by his coworkers, and active in his community. He is also, reluctantly, the co-chair of the fire department's spring fundraiser, which currently has no corporate sponsor or second co-chair. Daisy is also the first woman who has stirred his interest in some time, for which he gets some teasing from his friends Marcus and Jamie.
 
Blade's hopes for romance took a bit of a hit when he showed up at Daisy's house the next morning to return her scarf. Daisy was grateful but not particularly receptive to his hints. All thoughts of romance were derailed when Daisy discovered Sophie was gone, along with one of Daisy's credit cards and her car. After determining that Sophie was headed back to Denver, Blade offered to help by getting his friend Jamie to fly them to a spot along the route where they could intercept Sophie. I loved Blade's voice of reason in the crisis, though he did stick his foot in his mouth at one point. They parted on relatively cool terms after finding Sophie, leaving Blade wondering about his chances.
 
Fate isn't through with them just yet. In gratitude for his rescue, Daisy's boss signs on as the corporate sponsor for the fundraiser and assigns Daisy to be the liaison/co-chair. When she discovers that she'll be working with Blade, Daisy is taken aback, but they quickly make peace over their last encounter and move on. Blade hopes to advance his interests, but Daisy reiterates her "friendly cochairs" expectations. I enjoyed seeing them bond over cooking chili for the station and Blade's introducing her to a day in the life of a firefighter. Daisy gets a wake-up call about the dangers Blade faces and realizes she is more interested in Blade than she thought.
 
I liked seeing Blade and Daisy get to know each other over the next few days, but Daisy remains wary, hesitant to trust herself. When a troubling delivery arrives, she tries to hide her unease from him. Blade senses something is going on but doesn't push. When another incident happens a few days later, Daisy is spooked enough and has come to trust Blade enough that she confesses all. Blade's protective instincts are aroused, as is his desire to find Jacob and fix the problem. When circumstances make Daisy unwilling to stay in her house, he insists that she and Sophie stay with him.
 
I liked seeing Daisy and Blade grow closer during this forced proximity. Their attraction continues to build, as do their feelings for each other. Daisy is in denial about her feelings, still reluctant to trust her judgment, but it's getting harder to do. When danger comes calling, Daisy regrets not telling Blade how she feels and wonders if she'll have the chance to do so.  Meanwhile, Blade refuses to entertain any doubts that he will find her in time. I loved his confidence and that it wasn't misplaced. I enjoyed how he got the satisfaction he wanted when he confronted Jacob. He followed it up with an unexpected question to Daisy and a chance for her to follow through on her previous thoughts. The ending was sweet.
 
The suspense of the story was very good. We get the hint of things to come when Daisy thinks about her past and her worries about escaping Jacob. The tension builds as we wait for that first sign of danger, and it's almost a relief when it happens. I loved that both Blade and Marcus (the cop) take her seriously and treat the incidents as the threats they are. The period of no activity ramps the tension up higher because we're sure that Jacob hasn't given up. I wanted to shake Daisy for getting complacent. When the final confrontation came, Jacob knew precisely how to get Daisy to cooperate with him. The things he said to her on their journey were disturbing, and I fully understood Daisy's fear. Blade was fantastic with his logical deduction of where Jacob might be headed. I loved seeing Blade and Jamie take to the skies again. I laughed at their recalling the antics from their younger years and how they used one of those events to stop Jacob. The confrontation with Jacob was great, and I loved seeing him get what was coming to him.
 
I liked meeting the various people of Knoware. They were unique and well-developed as characters, and I look forward to seeing more of them in the following books. I loved both Sophie and Raven. Sophie's actions and reactions were spot-on for her age and the circumstances of their move. I also liked that her relationship with Daisy was strong enough that they overcame their initial problems and built a better relationship. I liked Raven too. Her friendship with Sophie was great. I also liked that she has a strong relationship with both parents, attributed to their excellent parenting. I can't wait to read Marcus and Jamie's stories.

Best Laid Wedding Plans - Karen Booth (HD #2826 - Sept 2021)

Series: Moonlight Ridge (Book 2)

“You could use a lesson in
giving in to temptation.”
 
But who's Autumn Kincaid to talk? Her reputation as a wedding planner is on the line after she's left at the altar. So is her job at Moonlight Ridge -- unless she proves herself to grumpy Grey Holloway, whose family owns the resort. Grey doesn't even believe in true love. She has to convince him romance is real, that all he needs is to give in to the heat threatening to burn them both. Maybe this time Autumn will get her own happily-ever-after…or is this just another best-laid plan?
 
This was a good opposites-attract story. Autumn is the wedding planner for Moonlight Ridge, but things aren't going so well for her. Her fiancé called off their wedding just days before it happened, thanks to her Hollywood producer, PR nightmare father's latest sexual misconduct scandal. This put Autumn front and center in the gossip rags, which affects her business, as brides begin to cancel their arrangements with her. She's confident she can recover if given a chance, but that chance comes with the supervision of Grey Holloway, one of the sons of her employer.
 
Grey is one of three brothers who were very close while growing up until a tragic accident tore them apart. Now they rarely speak unless it has something to do with their father. When he takes ill, each brother commits to spending a few months - separately - helping at the resort until he recovers. Mack came first, reconnected with his high school sweetheart, and decided to stay (Homecoming Heartbreaker). He also wants the brothers to reconcile, though it won't be easy. Grey accepts helping out for his father's sake but is none too happy about having to shadow the wedding planner.
 
I loved the first meeting between Autumn and Grey. Always an optimist, Autumn takes coffee and pastries to Grey's cabin, hoping to get off to a good start. She doesn't expect to find the handsome and sexy man exercising on the deck and be told he "doesn't do breakfast." Grey is honest that he doesn't believe in love and marriage and has no interest in following her around, but has no choice. Faced with Mr. Grumpy, Autumn lets her optimism bubble up, tells him that he doesn't know what he's missing, but she'll fill him in on everything he needs to know, even though she doesn't want him there either.
 
It doesn't take long for Grey to realize that the wedding problems are not Autumn's fault professionally. He's incredibly impressed with her abilities and has no trouble telling Mack so. I loved the support he gave her when confronted by an unpleasant mother-of-the-bride. He's fascinated and attracted to her, even though he knows he's going back to New York at the end of the summer. Autumn is equally attracted to Grey, and it isn't long before they give in to the heat between them. Neither expected the deeper feelings between them, and Grey fought especially hard against them. I loved his "aha" moment, and his big scene at the end was sweet and romantic.
 
A few other things are going on during this book. Mack and his father, Jameson, are trying to get everyone reunited and moved back to Moonlight Ridge. Mack tends to be a little heavy-handed, and Grey does not respond well, adding more stress. However, Grey agrees to design the new brewery on the resort grounds in time for Mack's wedding, which helps smooth things between the two brothers. There is also romance brewing between Jameson and his nurse/housekeeper, who have known each other for years. Giada is no pushover, and I like the sparks that fly between them.
 
Lastly, the resort isn't doing well financially, and Mack suspects someone is stealing from the resort. He had no luck finding who in the first book. The subject is lightly addressed in this one, with the secret presence of a forensic accountant on the property, but no conclusions are reached. I have my suspicions and can't wait to see if they are correct.

A Nurse to Claim His Heart - Juliette Hyland (HMED #1237 - Apr 2022)

Series: Neonatal Nurses (Book 1)

Will a fake relationship turn into a forever romance?
A picture is worth a thousand words…What about a viral video?
 
When Dr. Benedict saves an infant on the Washington Metro, the treatment he performs with nurse Penny becomes the talk of the town—and social media! Not least because the world thinks they’re a couple… While a real relationship is a no-go zone for divorced Benedict, prolonging their “faux-mance” is the perfect way to raise vital hospital funds. But the longer their ruse goes on, the more real it feels!
 
Good fake-relationship-turned-real story. Benedict and Penny work together in the local NICU. They've known each other for several years and were friends before Penny became engaged and moved away. Benedict had a bit of a crush on her but has many reasons to keep his emotions locked up. Then Penny returned to DC, no longer engaged, and took up her old position in the NICU, but their friendship didn't follow suit.
 
Penny came back after she ended her engagement to her lying ex-fiance. It turned out the man was married and managed to hide it all that time. Devastated by the betrayal and angry that she missed the signs, Penny has difficulty trusting her judgment.
 
Benedict and Penny were in the same subway car when a medical incident happened with a baby. Their teamwork kicked in, and they handled the emergency efficiently, quickly becoming a social media sensation. Because the hospital is fundraising for a cause near Benedict's heart, they reluctantly agree when the PR department asks him and Penny to pretend to be a couple for a few weeks. Neither expected the strength of the sparks that flared between them.
 
Benedict and Penny fool themselves into believing that they can indulge their attraction without their feelings getting involved. Penny already knows that Benedict doesn't believe in love, while she still hopes for the kind of love and marriage her parents have. Benedict's history is heart-breaking, and I ache for the load of guilt that he carries. At the time of his brother's death, he also did something that speaks well of his kindness and compassion but is about to come back and cause problems for him with Penny.
 
I liked seeing Benedict and Penny spend time together. Penny's powers of observation give her some good insight into Benedict, but nothing she says gets through his layers of guilt. And despite the feelings he refuses to admit, he hangs on to his opinion about love. I ached for Penny, who could no longer deny her feelings, and whose feelings of betrayal hit hard when she found out Benedict's secret. Benedict redeemed himself very nicely, with an excellently carried out surprise.

A Chef's Kiss - Nina Crespo (HSE #2886 - Jan 2022)

Series: Small Town Secrets (Book 1)

A welcome second chance…
Or a recipe for disaster?
 
After their ill-fated fling quashed her dreams, small-town chef Philippa Gayle's onetime rival-turned-lover Dominic Crawford upended her life. But when Philippa's forced together with the celebrity cook on a project that could change her life, there's no denying that the flames that were lit years ago were only banked, not extinguished. Can Philippa trust Dominic enough to let him in…or are they just cooking up another heartbreak?
 
Good second chance story. Philippa and Dominic knew each other six years ago when both competed for a sous-chef job in the Caribbean. Despite the competition, they became good friends, sharing dreams and having fun outside the kitchen. But when a distracted Philippa made a mistake with the wrong customer, she lost her chance at the job. After receiving some advice about distractions and priorities from the head chef, Philippa broke things off with Dominic and moved on.
 
Now, after a varied path of cooking jobs and an unexpected course change, Philippa is head chef at her own restaurant in Maryland. She has good friends, loves her work, and is preparing to cater a high-end film premiere on the property. So she is stunned to arrive at work one day to discover that she's been replaced for the event by a celebrity chef. Adding insult to injury, that chef is Dominic.
 
Dominic's path had been very different. He went from being a chef in a restaurant to being picked for a reality cooking show. His charisma, charm, and talent made him very popular, leading to his own cooking show, cookbooks, and restaurants. He's looking forward to working with Philippa again and is furious when he finds out that no one has given her a heads up about the change in plans.
 
Philippa and Dominic are caught between a rock and a hard place. If they don't work together, the rumors won't be good for either one. But if they do work together, they risk stirring up old feelings. I liked their honest conversation about their expectations but laughed at their belief that their past wouldn't matter. It was fun to watch them work together. Their styles are complementary, with each having particular strengths. Neither one is big-headed, and I especially liked Dominic's easy way with all of the kitchen employees. I loved watching him go to bat for them when the publicist tried to take over the cooking demo.
 
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Philippa and Dominic. It was clear from the start that the sparks between them were still there, but Philippa was wary of risking her heart again. They spend as much time as they can together, both in the kitchen and out of it. There is a heartwrenching scene where Philippa shares some of what happened after they parted, but it goes a long way toward healing her heart also. I enjoyed the scenes where Dominic involved Philippa in his world, such as her guest appearance on one of his shows.
 
Though they are honest about their feelings for each other, their lives are very different. The tension builds as the day of the event draws near, and Dominic is called away because of his other commitments. A near-disaster almost derails things the night of the event, but Philippa works her magic, and all ends well. But their plans for Philippa to join him in California hit a snag when she realizes what she'll be giving up. I ached for both of them as choices had to be made. I wanted to shake Dominic for assuming what he did and hurt for them both as it seemed there was no way to fix it. I loved when Dominic was told to take a few days off to get his head together and the effect that being away from the pressure had on him. His solution didn't surprise me, and I loved his big moment at the end.
 
The setting of the story, involving the chefs of high-end restaurants, plus the reality and cooking show aspects, gave the story an added depth. I loved the behind-the-scenes looks at the kitchen activities and what goes into the shows. I especially enjoyed Dominic's reaction to the sudden appearance of his reality show "girlfriend" and what it meant to him and Philippa. 

Finding Forever on their Island Paradise - Therese Beharrie (HR #4802 - Apr 2022)

Saving their home…
Healing their hearts!
 
Morgan’s mission to save Penguin Island, her South African paradise, is personal. She just wasn’t prepared for how personal it would be when striking a deal with tycoon Elliott! Both have something to lose if they fail, so putting the island back on the map is their number one priority. But working together has Morgan’s head and heart racing because with every accidental touch, keeping things professional becomes more challenging…and walking away feels impossible!
 
Good story about two people whose family issues affect how they see themselves and look at relationships. Morgan blames herself for messing up her parents' lives - they were teen parents. Even as a child, she would do anything to make their lives easier. That carried over into looking after her younger brother and sister. She still puts their needs over her own. When she traveled to Penguin Island to help her grandmother, she worried about how they'd do without her.
 
Elliott's brother and father own the development company that purchased the area where Morgan's grandmother lives. Though he has nothing to do with the company, he agreed when his brother Gio asked him to check on the progress. Elliott always feels second best in his family, as his parents always paid more attention to his certified genius older brother. Elliott is willing to put his own business on hold and help but doesn't count on one little old lady.
 
I liked the first meeting between Morgan and Elliott. Both of them realize that they are caught in a dilemma. Elliott wants to finish and leave as quickly as possible, while Morgan wants her grandmother's wedding to be everything Edna wants. I enjoyed their negotiation, as Morgan points out that, as a local, she wields a fair amount of influence. Her cooperation will make his job more manageable. In return, she's willing to help him make things better than his brother had envisioned.
 
As the two work together on the renovations, neither expects the closeness that develops between them. Elliott is disturbed by how easily Morgan sees past the façade that fools everyone else. She sees how his parents' preferential treatment of his brother has made him doubt their love and his lovability. He holds himself back from relationships, preferring not to risk rejection. For her part, Morgan also holds back on relationships, unwilling to risk making the same mistakes her parents made.
 
Both Morgan and Elliott fight the attraction and feelings that build between them, afraid to risk their hearts. I enjoyed their conversations and seeing them slowly open up to each other. Interestingly, each one so clearly saw the other's problem but couldn't apply the same logic to themselves. I enjoyed the sudden appearance of Elliott's brother Gio and the eye-opening conversation they had. It gave Elliott a different perspective and a willingness to look at his future differently. I loved that seeing Elliott's changed outlook helped Morgan look at her relationship with her family in a new light and make some important decisions about her future. A little shove from Edna helped bring Elliott and Morgan together.
 
I enjoyed the descriptions of Penguin Island, from the houses to the town to Morgan's hidden waterfall. I could almost smell the flowers and feel the ocean breezes. I was sad that the penguin sanctuary was gone, but by the end had a glimmer of hope that it might come back. 

The Rancher's Baby Surprise - Sasha Summers (HSE #2883 - Jan 2022)

Series: Texas Cowboys and K-9s (Book 3)

With a wounded body and a broken spirit
He needs his best friend more than ever
 
Former soldier John Mitchell has come home after being discharged and asks his best friend, Natalie, to help him decompress. They're both in for a shock when a precious baby girl is dropped on Natalie's doorstep -- and John is the father! Now John needs Natalie's help more than ever. But Natalie has been in love with John forever. How can she help him find his way to being a family man if she's not part of that family?
 
This was a difficult book to rate. I just wanted John to get a clue for the first half of the story. He was whiny, selfish, and I felt little sympathy for him. We learn that his father's death hit him hard and that his stepfather was no good. His older brother, Hayden, tried to step in to guide him, but John wouldn't accept it. He spent most of high school fighting, skipping classes, and getting into trouble, then decided to join the military. Rather than straightening him out, he continued misbehaving until he was finally kicked out. Unfortunately, during his last stay in the brig, he was injured when it was bombed. He spent the first months afterward in rehab and then driving aimlessly around the country because he didn't know what to do with himself.
 
He finally shows up in his hometown, but he goes to his best friend Natalie's house instead of going home. They've been best friends since childhood, and John has no idea that she is also in love with him. He stays the night with her before going home and immediately having a blowup with his older brother and stalking off back to Nat's. He spends the next couple of weeks hiding out there, doing nothing but watching tv and drinking beer, with an occasional repair around her house—some friend.
 
Nat is dealing with problems of her own. After her grandfather's death, she discovered that their accountant hadn't paid taxes on the house or the bar in five years, and the government will take it if she can't produce the money. She's at a loss, and having John around distracting her isn't helping anything.
 
Then comes the shocker. A woman John hooked up with a year earlier shows up with a newborn baby and a bunch of papers. The little girl is John's, and it's up to him whether he keeps her or puts her up for adoption. John is ready to give her up, but Nat is enchanted and believes John will regret it if he follows through. Their adventures in baby care are pretty funny at times, as in John's nickname of Banshee Baby. But the longer they try to deal with the baby and John's apathy, the harder it is on Nat. I was thrilled when she finally had enough. I cheered when she kicked him to the curb and told him to take the baby and go home to his family. He needed to take a hard look at himself and grow up.
 
I ached for Nat. She loves John, but she can no longer watch him destroy himself. I loved seeing her practice tough love and make him face the truth. Nat's actions floored John. She'd never not stood behind him before, and he doesn't know how to handle it. He's also trying to deal with the other feelings that have popped up. Before, she was just a friend, but he now sees her as a woman, freaking him out. When the light bulb finally goes on, he realizes he loves her but has a long way to go to get back in her good graces.
 
The second half of the book was good, with John finally making peace with his past and family. I liked the support he got from his family when he stopped being a jerk. When he stopped feeling sorry for himself and started to think about his future, he came up with a doable plan. There were some sweet scenes with Banshee Baby, and I loved seeing him take to the daddy role. Best of all, he found ways to help Nat with her problems, and as they spent time together, their relationship strengthened. I liked the ending and seeing John's big moment with Nat.