No one is guaranteed tomorrow.
Grant Carter knows that fact intimately. The shrapnel
sitting on his spine from an IED is a daily reminder.
But the constant pain won’t stop him from working at the
Resting Warrior Ranch, training service and emotional support animals to help
people with PTSD—something else he’s intimately familiar with.
He’ll fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
When his neighbor, shy veterinarian Cori Jackson, is
humiliated by her ex-boyfriend for things she’d like to experiment with in bed,
Grant is more than happy to show her real men aren’t threatened by an
adventurous spirit.
The more time he spends with her, the more he realizes
the literal girl-next-door is the one for him. And when Cori finds herself in
the middle of a dangerous conspiracy surrounding the animals she treats, Grant
will make sure she makes it out alive.
He's a fighter. Was one in the Navy SEALs and still is
one today. And he’ll fight for Cori.
Even if it costs him everything.
This is the third book in the Resting Warrior Ranch
series, and like the others, I could not put it down once I started reading.
Each book can be read as a standalone, but the experience is richer if you read
them in order. This is the story of Grant Carter, one of the former SEALs who
own and run the ranch, and Cori Jackson, the local veterinarian. Grant has
taken a fair amount of teasing from his friends because of his interest in
Cori, but he sticks to friendship because she has a boyfriend. That all changes
when he witnesses the end of their relationship and steps up to protect her
from Joel's threats.
Cori loves her work as a vet, partly because animals are
so much easier to deal with than people. She's not getting rich off her work,
but she's doing okay. Once she gets access to her trust fund on her birthday,
it will get easier. Then she gets a disturbing and infuriating email from her
parents. They have never approved of her vocation. Jacksons - ALL of them - are
surgeons, and they will do anything to bring her back into the fold. This
includes blackmail - changing the rules of the trust so that she gets nothing
until she completes medical school. Cori has a lot to think about and receives
no support from Joel, who agrees with her parents. The icing on the cake is
when he balks at some suggestions she makes, accusing her of terrible things. While
Cori is thankful that Grant's presence prevented violence, she's also
embarrassed.
I loved watching the relationship develop between Cori
and Grant. He is such a gentleman and has a huge protective streak. He's ready
to pursue Cori, but he is also sensitive to what she has been through with
Joel. He made a terrific start that first night with his offer to watch over
her. He plans to take things slowly, but Cori has other ideas. She quickly
realizes that what she had with Joel doesn't come close to the way Grant makes
her feel. I loved seeing the care and respect that Grant shows Cori and its
effect on her. The attraction between them is explosive and brings them even
closer together.
Both Cori and Grant have obstacles to the future they
long to have with each other. Not only does Grant have PTSD, but he also has
serious physical issues that hold him back. A piece of shrapnel from an IED is
lodged near his spine, frequently causing excruciating pain. There's no
guarantee that it won't drastically change his life but being with her also motivates
him to look at options. Being with Grant gives Cori the courage to stick up for
what she wants until a horrifying discovery forces a heartbreaking choice and
puts her in life-threatening danger.
The suspense of the story kept me as enthralled as the
romance did. Cori stumbles on a mysterious illness affecting some of the horses
belonging to a client. Her suspicions are aroused when the owner shows no
concern. Cori's investigation uncovers a dangerous conspiracy, and an
unexpected betrayal puts her at the mercy of desperate men. I was glued to the
pages as I watched Cori fight for her life and Grant and the rest of the RWR
race to save her. There were unexpected consequences to the rescue, and I held
my breath with the others as I waited to see the outcome.
I loved the ending, from Cori's conversation with her
sister and parents to Grant's surprise for her at the cabin where it all
started. I can't wait to see more of them in future books of the series.
One of my favorite things about this series is the
importance of friendship. The men of RWR, besides being former SEAL teammates,
have deep ties of friendship. They understand the challenges each faces and are
equally willing to provide support or a butt-kicking, whichever the situation
requires. I laughed out loud at some of the teasing, while some other
conversations brought me to tears. I also loved the relationships among the
various women. I laughed at some of the antics pulled by Lena, especially when
it came to Cori's relationship with Grant. The pre-wedding activities before
Grace and Harlan's wedding were hilarious. I can't wait to see who's up next.
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