Married by Contract - Yvonne Lindsay (HD #2845 - Jan 2022)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Fathers and Sons (Book 3)

Their night together had consequences.
Now their nuptials are nonnegotiable.
 
Fashionista Rosalind Banks flew to Texas to win back her ex-boyfriend. Instead, she spent the most passionate night of her life with a total stranger! Now Ros is having Gabriel Carrington’s baby and the Royal rancher just made an offer she can’t refuse. Gabe needs a wife and an heir, with a marriage on paper, strictly for show. But the rules of their arrangement are made to be broken. Will inconvenient chemistry derail their marriage of convenience or take it to a whole new level?
 
Good book. Rosalind flew from Australia to Royal to see if she could win back the man she broke up with six months earlier. To her dismay, she discovered that Drake had moved on and was engaged to someone else (An Heir of His Own). So when the sparks flew between her and TCC member Gabe, she had no problem giving in to them. One unforgettable night together and Ros flew on to New York to find buyers for her clothing line. A few weeks later, she's on the way back to Texas to tell Gabe he's going to be a father.
 
Gabe wants a wife and child but doesn't want the messy emotions of marrying for love. He even went so far as to hire a matchmaker to find him a woman who would accept his conditions: a marriage of convenience; she gets a settlement when they marry and complete access to his money for as long as they are married. If the woman leaves the marriage, Gabe receives full custody of the child. So far, he has no takers on his proposition.
 
When Ros tells Gabe her news, he immediately proposes they get married, using his contract. Ros will get the cash infusion she needs for her business, and Gabe will get the child he wants. Though the plan is for a paper marriage, the chemistry between them is too strong, and they give in immediately. Gabe freaks out at the depth of the connection he feels with Ros and suddenly pulls away, going from hot and heavy to cold and aloof overnight. Ros knew quickly that she would have trouble with an emotionless marriage.
 
I liked watching their relationship develop. These two people are opposites in so many ways. Gabe doesn't believe in love; Ros does. Gabe is a country boy, and Ros is definitely a city girl. Gabe is super-protective, and Ros is very independent. Gabe's childhood with a father that cheated on Gabe's mother and paid little attention to Gabe added to a relationship where his ex also cheated on him, leaving him determined to protect his heart. He'll save all his love and care for his child; after all, he knows very well what not to do. But Gabe has difficulty keeping his mind from thinking about what it would be like to have a real marriage which only makes him more determined to fight his feelings.
 
Meanwhile, Ros is determined to show Gabe what he's missing. But no matter what she does, he keeps pushing her away. The one time she managed to break through his barriers, she made the mistake of whispering her feelings when she thought he was asleep. He wasn't, and the next morning's fallout was devastating for her. I cheered when she stood up for her own needs and flew back to New York.
 
I felt Gabe earned every bit of his misery, especially when he kept fighting his feelings. It wasn't until an unexpected conversation with his father that he realized what an idiot he was. I cheered when he went after Ros. His emotional confession at the end warmed my heart and gave me hope for their future. I especially liked seeing him admit what a selfish jerk he'd been. I hope to see them reappear in future books so I can see how they are doing.

The Beginning - Jess Mastorakos (Jess Mastorakos - Apr 2022)

Series: Brides of Beaufort (Book .5)

Asking the gorgeous and alluring florist to be my plus-one to tonight’s wedding should have been weird, but instead, it was as natural as breathing. And to my shock, she said yes.
 
But I can't get my hopes up that it will go anywhere. Hattie has no interest in dating a Marine. She’s trying to save her family’s struggling flower shop, and she knows I’m only a temporary fixture in this town.
 
So, we only have tonight. After that, we’ll go our separate ways, each of us thankful for a fun evening.
 
It shouldn’t be too hard. After all, we don’t even know each other. It should be no problem to walk away and pretend my heart hadn’t recognized hers the moment we’d met. Besides, love at first sight is just for the movies, right?
 
Sweet story. The cover of this one caught my eye because of the Marine. I have a soft spot for Marines, having been married to mine for thirty-nine years. This book had me hooked right from the beginning.
 
I loved how Thatcher and Hattie met. Thatcher is being a good son and helping his mom deliver some stuff to a friend's wedding (which they are invited to attend). Thatcher is a bit bummed because his date for the wedding bailed on him. While helping his mom, the florist arrives with the wedding flowers. Thatcher is rendered nearly speechless by her beauty and her smile but pulls himself together enough to offer to help her. Thatcher is shy and frequently stumbles over his words, and I loved seeing him try to ask Hattie to go to the wedding with him.
 
Hattie is sweet, beautiful, and devoted to her parents and their florist business. That business is struggling, and the long hours she spends there have scuttled several relationships. I liked how well she and Thatcher connected while doing the flowers. She was surprised by his invitation to attend the wedding with him but looked forward to it. Something changed later that evening when she found out he was a Marine. She doesn't date Marines because they leave after a couple of years, and she can't/won't go with them. She doesn't want to invest in a relationship and end up alone again.
 
Thatcher is naturally bummed when he finds out but doesn't want to give her up. Instead, he proposes that they be friends. As a firefighter on the Marine base, Thatcher's schedule is irregular. So on his days off, he shows up at the flower shop and offers to help. This gives him lots of time to spend with Hattie. After several weeks of this, it's evident that there is more there than friendship. But the knowledge that he will eventually be transferred and that Hattie won't leave her parents is a stumbling block to their future.
 
I loved how a chance conversation during a flower delivery gave Thatcher an option he'd never considered before meeting Hattie. He doesn't make quick decisions but takes the time to talk to people and consider the ramifications. I ached for him when he presented the idea to Hattie, and she didn't react the way he'd hoped. I understood her fears but felt like she didn't give Thatcher enough credit for knowing his own mind. The discussion with her parents was realistic and honest and gave her a new perspective. The ending was sweet, and the thirty-years-later epilogue was fantastic.
 
I enjoyed this story so much that I have added this author to my "must-read" list.

The Secret She Kept - Rita Herron (HI #1989 - Apr 2021)

Series: Badge of Courage (Book 1)

To face down a tragic past
She must first confront the long-withheld truth…
 
A disturbed fellow student made Kate McKendrick's high school a hunting ground. Now, as Briar Ridge High's new principal, she's struggling to help the divided town -- and herself -- heal. But a vengeful individual won't stop until Kate is dead. As Kate and former bad boy Riggs Benford uncover the secrets of that day, their irresistible attraction could turn their future to ashes…
 
Good story though a painful one to read given recent events. The book opens fifteen years before the main story as a fellow student opened fire in the halls of the high school. Several students died, others were injured, and one teacher also died. That teacher was our heroine's mother, and it had a profound impact on her. The author did an excellent job of showing the pain, fear, and confusion experienced by everyone there.
 
Fifteen years later, Kate became a teacher like her mother and is now the principal of Briar Ridge High. Determined to help the town heal, she pushed for building a new high school. Not everyone favors the idea, and the latest town meeting quickly gets out of control. I ached for Kate, who wants the best for her students, but I could also understand the mixed feelings of some others. Kate is on edge because that day, she'd received a note blaming her for the shooting, and the shooter's brother accosts her. She's rescued by Riggs, another classmate who was one of the injured and is now a firefighter.
 
Riggs is impressed by Kate's efforts to help the town overcome the tragedy. As he's gotten older, he's outgrown the bad-boy antics of his high school days though some rumors persist from those days. The anger present at the town meeting rouses his protective instincts toward Kate, even though she claims she doesn't need his help. He's glad he ignored those claims when following her home and witnessing her car on fire. Though Kate tries to put a brave face on it, she's grateful when Riggs insists on sleeping on her couch that night.
 
The suspense kept me turning the pages as it became increasingly evident that someone wasn't happy about the hype surrounding the new school and the planned reunion. There's threatening graffiti at the old school, a fire in the woods behind her house, and a pipe bomb was thrown into her home. Kate and Riggs work with the sheriff to figure out who is behind the attacks. There is any number of possibilities, and though I had my suspicions, I wasn't sure until near the end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Kate faced her attacker. I liked how it turned out and watching Kate and Riggs use what they learned to create a better resolution.
 
I liked watching the development of the relationship between Riggs and Kate. Riggs has a hard time living down his high school reputation even though he's changed a lot. He's drawn to Kate and wants to get to know her, but his reputation keeps getting in the way. I loved his protectiveness. I also loved his sensitivity and respect for her feelings, even when they went against his interests. I could see how his feelings for her grew and how it hurt when she wouldn't trust him. Kate is a very independent woman who refuses to rely on other people. Because of her past, she doesn't trust men, and those feelings spill over onto Riggs. She was more judgmental than I cared to see and wished she'd let go of her pride long enough to talk to him about that one sticking point. It took nearly losing each other for them to leave the past behind and look to a future together.
 
I liked how the book tackled the effects of the shooting on various people. Everyone handled it differently, with survivor's guilt, PTSD, and other ways it affected their lives. There was an unexpected twist with one character that was a pleasant surprise. I loved how Kate found a way to honor everyone at the new school.

Boyfriend Lessons - Sophia Singh Sasson (HD #2875 - June 2022)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals (Book 2)

Her cardinal rule for learning the ropes of romance  
Don't fall for the teacher!
 
Shy Lone Star heiress Caitlyn Lattimore is eager to ditch her wallflower status. So when her best friend playfully suggests she practice dating, Caitlyn goes one further. She asks friend of a friend Dev Mallik to give her boyfriend lessons. The spark between them soon turns fun into fire. But is Caitlyn setting herself up for heartbreak? Because Dev's exacting parents want just the right woman for their son -- and they aren't so sure she's the one…
 
Good book. The story opens with Caitlyn and her best friend Alice talking about Caitlyn's lack of a dating life. Caitlyn is shy and awkward around men she doesn't know, and it's gotten worse since she broke up with her ex a year earlier. When Alice suggests Caitlyn practice dating, she has her brother Russ in mind. But when Russ brings his friend Dev to dinner at Alice's, Caitlyn immediately feels comfortable with him.
 
When Caitlyn asks him for "boyfriend lessons," he's taken aback but intrigued. He is in Royal for a few weeks looking for a site for the restaurant he wants to build. He's drawn to Caitlyn, and if he can help her out while getting to know her better, it's a win-win situation.
 
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Caitlyn and Dev. Dev usually limits himself to casual encounters, but Caitlyn quickly gets under his skin. They spend time together scouting locations and discover that it is easy to talk to each other about anything. The more time they spend together, the closer they get and the stronger their attraction grows. But what happens when Dev has to go back to New York?
 
Both Caitlyn and Dev are very close to their families. Caitlyn's plans for her future center around Royal. Complicating matters, there is family trouble that Caitlyn feels she needs to be there to help with. Dev's family has very traditional Indian customs. I was happy I read the author's note before the book, or I would have wondered what was going on with Dev. Why on earth would a thirty-year-old man still be living with his parents and allowing them to accept applications to be his wife? I could feel Dev's struggle as his feelings for Caitlyn grew, yet she didn't match his parents' requirement that he marry an Indian woman.
 
While Dev grew more confident that Caitlyn was the one for him, she worried they were moving too fast. Her breakup with her ex left Caitlyn unable to trust herself and her feelings. When Dev's father shows up at an awkward time, the differences between her and Dev seem insurmountable. Crises with their families pull them apart and force them to take a hard look at their priorities. I liked that Dev didn't give up, and they found a way to make things work.
 
A little bit deals with the inheritance issue, which is the series's overarching subject.

How to Catch a Viscount - Annie Burrows (HH #1653 - June 2022)

Series: Patterdale Siblings (Book 2)

Her plan to marry well…has backfired spectacularly!
 
Miss Betsy Fairfax must marry to save her family from financial ruin. Only, her mother's overzealous efforts to find kindhearted Betsy a suitable match have made her society's most undesirable debutante! She's ready to give up and become a paid companion, when she shares a spine-tingling kiss with James, a charming steward. Hardly the way to catch a viscount, unless he's not entirely whom he seems.
 
Good book, though I wasn't sure when I found out Betsy was the heroine. She made her first appearance in the previous book, A Scandal at Midnight, as a neighbor of Lord Bramhall's. In that book, she brazenly walked into his study, threw her arms around him, and kissed him in an attempt to force a marriage between them. Stymied by the fact that he was already married, she later behaved vindictively toward Lady Bramhall. I didn't like her at all and wondered how the author would redeem her in this book.
 
I was a little iffy about James, also. In the first book, he and his brothers were notorious for the pranks they played on their sister. One of those pranks ended with her married to Lord Bramhall. He had also been instrumental in ruining her Season in London by driving away her suitors. As the oldest son, he can do no wrong in his father's eyes.
 
As this book opens, James is on the way to Bramhall Manor to oversee the work on the estate while Lord Bramhall returns to his regiment to fight against Bonaparte. He's happy to do so, as he is frustrated by his father's refusal to allow him any say in their estate management. He's also become tired of his brothers' pranks and looks forward to distancing himself from them.
 
As he rides across Bramhall land, he encounters Betsy, weeping under a tree. Their initial meeting is somewhat antagonistic as she accuses him of trespassing (like she isn't?), and he reacts. Betsy makes quite the impression on him with her attitude. When she assumes he is a steward for the estate, he doesn't correct her. He likes the idea of being seen for himself rather than his title. Her feistiness is different than the women he is used to, and he wants to get to know her better.
 
I liked watching the development of their relationship. James is pretty sweet, if a little clueless about women, thanks to his father's attitude and lectures (see book one for the full effect). He takes every opportunity to spend time with her, even putting up with her snobby mother. Betsy frequently frustrated me. She's just as drawn to James but blows hot and cold. Every time she seems to get closer to him, something happens that sets off her temper, and she lashes out at him. Her guilt about her actions with Lord Bramhall and her embarrassment over her parents' toxic marriage have her constantly on edge.
 
In the scene at the church, their attraction almost gets out of control before they rein it in. It clarifies their feelings for each other, but when Betsy comes up with a plan to evade her mother's disapproval, James finally confesses his deception. While I understood her reaction to the deception, I did not understand why she remained angry and refused to see the plus side. Then faced with her father's deception, she ran instead of fighting for what she wanted.
 
I hurt for James, who had his dreams blow up in his face. I loved how his younger brother Gem's (Jasper) arrival changed things for him. Gem is more experienced than James. Their conversation about Gem's problems and knowledge of women was funny and heartbreaking. I loved James's decision to go after Betsy. His arrival as himself set tongues wagging and opened him up to everything he hates about Society. I thought his plan to win Betsy back was unnecessarily complicated and easily misinterpreted, as proved by Betsy's reactions. I liked James's big moment at the end when he finally saw the benefits of the direct approach. My only disappointment is that the book ended so abruptly. I would like to have seen their parents' reactions.
 
It looks likely that the next book will be about James's brother, Gem. The story behind his arrival is his clash with his father over some incident with a woman. James invites Gem to take over for him at Bramhall Manor. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

 
 

In Bali with the Single Dad - Annie O'Neil (HMED #1249 - June 2022)

A GP in need of escape…
…Finds a fresh start in Indonesia!
 
Floored by her ex-fiancé's betrayal, GP Rebecca is in Bali to regroup. She's not sure what her future looks like, but she's certain that she's sworn off love! Until an accident brings local doctor Noah into her life… As a new single dad to his orphaned nieces, Noah knows what it's like to have your life change instantly. Now Rebecca can't help but wonder if fate is offering them all a new happily-ever-after in paradise.
 
Good book. Rebecca, a GP and pediatric surgeon came to Bali to relax and regroup after her fiancé's betrayal. She had changed almost everything about her life for him, and now she's at a crossroads. Does she stay a GP or go back to surgery, and where? Either way, love is off-limits. Then a new friend's surfing accident introduces her to local doctor Noah.
 
Noah is a well-known doctor from Sydney who put his life there on hold when his sister and brother-in-law were killed in a crash. He came to Bali to care for his orphaned nieces and decide what to do with his sister's medical clinic. He barely knows the girls and feels overwhelmed by the challenges he faces. Then he meets Rebecca, and his life is further upended.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Rebecca and Noah. They meet on the beach when they both step up to help the injured surfers. They feel an immediate connection between them, both professionally and in the sparks of attraction. I loved how easily they talked together, sharing their pasts and worries about their futures. With no need to rush home, Rebecca agrees to help at the clinic and quickly feels at home. She also steps in to help Noah with his nieces, and they rapidly find a place in her heart.
 
Noah and Rebecca have failed relationships in their pasts that make them wary of risking their hearts again. Noah describes himself as an ostrich, meaning he buries himself in his work to avoid dealing with messy emotions. Rebecca's ex did a number on her self-esteem, and she has trouble seeing herself as attractive to Noah. I enjoyed seeing how they grew closer the more time they spent together. When they finally give in to the sparks that fly between them, the depth of their connection scares them both. Each finds an excuse to pull away from the other to protect their hearts. Lucky for them, two little girls didn't let that last for long. I loved the scene at the restaurant where their card for Rebecca opened her eyes to what she was doing. I was happy to see that Noah also realized his mistake. Their big moment was sweetly emotional. I also liked the epilogue and catching up with them a year or so later.
 
I also enjoyed the secondary storylines about Rebecca's grandmother and Noah's father. Rebecca's grandmother was a feisty lady who didn't mince words. I liked how she encouraged Rebecca to spread her wings. Gran also had an active life, and I enjoyed hearing about her boyfriend. She was a terrific example for Rebecca. Noah was partly estranged from his father, who came across as cold and critical. He was more involved in his business than in his children's lives when they were younger. Noah dreads his father's upcoming visit. I did not expect the twist that came out of this visit. His part in the epilogue was excellent, and I enjoyed hearing about his actions.
 
I loved the beautiful setting of Bali and learning a little bit about life there. The medical aspects of the book were interesting, from the little boy's gastroenteritis to the devastating consequences of an auto vs. scooter accident. I liked the realism of the surgery scene and its effect on Rebecca and Noah.

One Christmas Wish - Brenda Jackson (HQN - Nov 2021)

Series: Catalina Cove (Book 5)

It's Christmas in Catalina Cove, a time of promise and second chances. But when you're starting over, love is the last thing you're wishing for…
 
Vaughn Miller's Wall Street career was abruptly ended by a wrongful conviction and two years in prison. Since then, he's returned to his hometown, kept his head down and forged a way forward. When he is exonerated and his name cleared, he feels he can hold his head up once again, maybe even talk to the beautiful café owner who sets his blood to simmering.
 
Sierra Crane escaped a disastrous marriage -- barely. She and her six-year-old goddaughter have returned to the only place that feels like home. Determined to make it on her own, Sierra opens a soup café. Complication is the last thing she needs, but the moment Vaughn walks into her café, she can't keep her eyes off the smoldering loner.
 
When they give in to their attraction, what Sierra thought would be a onetime thing becomes so much more. Vaughn knows she's the one. Sierra can't deny the way Vaughn makes her feel, but she's been burned before. With Christmas approaching, Vaughn takes a chance to prove his love, and it will be up to Sierra to decide if her one Christmas wish -- true happiness -- will come true.
 
Terrific story of two people who left their small hometown of Catalina Cove behind to pursue bigger dreams. Vaughn went to New York and had a successful Wall Street career until he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit. He spent two years of a five-year sentence in prison, where he credits his success to the encouraging words of an anonymous pen pal known only as Marie. He then went home to Catalina Cove to start over. He kept to himself, kept his head down, and moved forward until the day he was exonerated and his name cleared. He finally feels that he can hold his head up again.
 
Sierra moved to Chicago, where she had a great job and what she thought was a happy marriage. Then she returned from a business trip early and found her husband in bed with their neighbors. To make matters worse, her best friend was dying of cancer, and Nathan resented Sierra's trips to see her and Sierra's promise to raise Rhonda's daughter, Teryn. So Sierra divorced Nathan and took her goddaughter back home to the Cove. Determined not to rely on anyone else, Sierra opened a soup café that became very popular.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Sierra and Vaughn develop. Vaughn usually takes his soup orders to go and eats alone, but one night he decided to stop hiding. He couldn't help noticing the beautiful café owner as he sat eating his meal. Sierra notices him, too, as he stirs up feelings she's kept buried for two years. But Sierra is reluctant to trust again and makes it clear to Vaughn that she's not interested in a relationship with him. But Vaughn is a patient man. He is confident that Sierra is the one for him, and he will take it as slow as he needs to for her to be comfortable with him.
 
I loved Vaughn. He is charming, sweet, and kind. He doesn't push Sierra to move faster than she is comfortable with. He also knows that she and Teryn are a package deal, which is okay with him. There are some adorable scenes with Vaughn and Teryn as they quickly connect. I especially loved how Teryn included him in her Christmas plans. Meanwhile, Vaughn slowly works his way past Sierra's defenses, enough that she's ready to give in to the attraction that burns between them. For a long time, Sierra tries to convince herself that attraction is the only thing between them, but eventually, even she must admit that there's more to it.
 
It's not all smooth sailing. Vaughn's ex-fiancée, who dumped him when he was arrested, wants him back now that he's been proved innocent. There is also a local divorcee who is determined to catch his eye. But Vaughn focuses on Sierra, and no one else makes an impression on him. At the same time, Sierra's ex-husband is pestering her to come back to him. He needs to marry her to get the promotion he wants, and he'll do anything to get his way. To that end, he threatens to take Teryn away from her by suing for custody. This is where Sierra's trust issues come roaring back. She's afraid to depend on anyone but herself to deal with the threat, pushing Vaughn and his offer of help away. Vaughn, who will do anything to protect the woman he loves, tries to help anyway. Sierra overreacts and pushes him even further away. I wanted to shake her for being an idiot. You don't turn down honest help when it comes to something important. I loved how Vaughn came through anyway and that Sierra realized how badly she'd behaved. I laughed out loud at Nathan's reaction.
 
Teryn was an adorable little girl. I ached for her losses and loved how Sierra was there for her. Thanks to Sierra's love, Teryn is a happy and well-adjusted child. She had a unique way of looking at the world, and I loved some of the things she said. I laughed at her take on Christmas wishes: kids get as many as they want, but adults only get one (hence the book title). She insisted that Sierra and Vaughn put their wishes in letters to Santa. I loved the unexpected twist of Vaughn's wish (though I had an inkling of it earlier in the book).
 
Two characters in the book look like they will be the subjects of the next book in the series. Sierra's friend Velvet has been burned by love. She's happy being a teacher and has no plans to add a relationship to her life. Jaye is the new owner of the Catalina Cove bank and has come to the Cove to supervise the turnover himself. He and Velvet have a history, and he is determined to fix what he broke. I'm looking forward to reading their story.

A Scandal at Midnight - Annie Burrows (HH #1600 - Sept 2021)

Series: Patterdale Siblings (Book 1)

From reluctant debutante
To scandalous bride!
 
After a disastrous first Season, Lady Daisy Patterdale is relieved to be back home with her books. Looking for peace, she rows out to the island on the lake, where she encounters Captain Benjamin Flinders, the Earl of Bramhall -- who's been tricked and left there with no clothes! It's a scandalous encounter that rushes them straight to the altar… But despite her unwillingness to wed, Daisy's drawn to charismatic Ben. If only he felt more for her than a sense of duty…
 
Good book about two people who feel like misfits yet find that they are the perfect fit for each other. The story is intensely emotional at times, where sometimes I wanted to hug them both, and at others, I wanted to shake them until their teeth rattled.
 
Daisy is a quiet girl who prefers her books to the men she's introduced to during the Season. After returning home unattached, she must deal with her father's vocal disappointment and disdain. After overhearing one of her brothers pushing marriage to her onto his friends, she wants to get away from them all. But a peaceful row to her island refuge on the lake turns into a disaster when she rescues one of those same friends. Ben was left on the island with no clothes during a drunken prank. But when Daisy rows him back to shore, they are caught, and the resulting scandal forces them to marry.
 
I ached for both Daisy and Ben. Daisy wants no part of marriage after her father's treatment of her mother and her. But she'll go through with it to protect Ben from her father's wrath. If she has to marry someone, Ben is the least objectionable. She knows him best after spending time with him several years earlier after he suffered from a broken collar bone while visiting. Ben has no objection to Daisy herself. He's been in love with her since that time. But he's keeping a secret that makes him feel unworthy of her and fears the disgust he's sure she'll feel if she finds out about it.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Daisy and Ben, but it also frustrated me. They don't talk to each other about their expectations for their marriage. Ben's belief in his unworthiness makes him keep his distance. Meanwhile, Daisy has accepted the marriage but feels rejected when Ben doesn't consummate it. So, she pays him back by being cold to him, making him think she sees him for who he is. It doesn't help anything that his estate is badly rundown, thanks to the previous earl, adding to Ben's feelings of shame. I was disappointed in Daisy's behavior which seemed petty and childish.
 
She got quite a shock when she saw the (misinterpreted) encounter between Ben and Miss Fairfax. While I felt bad for her dismay, I liked how it served as a wake-up call about her attitude. It also served as a catalyst for the confrontation that finally got Daisy and Ben talking to each other. They were astonished to learn that the other was not upset about their marriage. Ben finally takes the chance to demonstrate the depth of his attraction and finds Daisy unexpectedly receptive. With that misunderstanding out of the way, I loved seeing Ben and Daisy exchange ideas on improving the estate, especially Ben's vision of helping fellow veterans.
 
But trouble isn't done with them yet. The vindictive Miss Fairfax tries to sow discord by telling Daisy the one bit of his past Ben hasn't been able to share with her. Daisy won my heart with her reaction once he confessed all. Then Ben gets called back to the war, and they face separation just when they have finally settled into life together. Their reactions are predictable, but I enjoyed seeing Daisy fight for what she needed from him. The book ended abruptly, with no indication of how things went for them. I hope that future books in the series remedy that omission.
 
I can't finish this review without commenting on Daisy's family. I detested her father. He claims to love his wife, but his constant belittling of her looks and how she treats Daisy says otherwise. His positive attitude about their sons and their antics, as opposed to Daisy's actions, was hypocritical. And don't get me started on his "talk" with his sons and Ben. Meanwhile, Daisy's mother is a doormat, taking whatever emotional abuse her husband deals out. Even her one attempt to stand up for Daisy was shot down. Her brothers' teasing and pranks against her were obnoxious (that wedding bouquet! <shudder>). I didn't care for how Ben passed it off as a form of protecting her. It will be interesting to see what the author does to redeem them in future books.

Accidental Amnesia - Tyler Anne Snell (HI #2071 - May 2022)

Series: Saving Kelby Creek (Book 4)

Someone robbed her of her memory…
To implicate her in murder.
 
Awakening in an ambulance headed to Kelby Creek, Melanie Blankenship can't remember why or how she got there. Everyone in town once turned against Mel following her ex-husband's shocking scandal -- except former love Deputy Sterling Costner. It's been years since they ended their relationship, but now, as evidence mounts in a deadly crime, he's determined to uncover the person who's targeting Mel and who won't stop until she pays the ultimate price.
 
Terrific second chance romance. The small town of Kelby Creek still suffers from the aftereffects of The Flood - the revelation of the rampant corruption in their law enforcement and local government. Five years have passed, but the memories are long. Mel and Sterling were no exception.
 
Mel still feels a lot of guilt over the discovery of her ex-husband's part in the scandal. She knew nothing of his horrific crimes until after the fact, but the town's people didn't believe it. After divorcing her husband, she tried to move on with the help of childhood friends Sam and Sterling Costner. She and Sterling became more than friends until the day she left Kelby Creek without a word of explanation.
 
Sterling has his own guilt to deal with. After the investigations were done and he was cleared of wrong-doing, he left Kelby Creek. Desperate to escape the memories and unable to find work in law enforcement, he spent a couple of years doing construction before going back to police work. After some time doing so in Georgia, he heard about the revitalization of Kelby Creek's department and went back to help. He feels guilty about abandoning his hometown and is now determined to help its rehabilitation.
 
Mel never planned to return to Kelby Creek, much less in the back of an ambulance with no memory of how she got there. Nor did she expect Sterling to be one of the first people she saw. It quickly became evident that their attraction was as strong as ever, though each tried to ignore it. But when strange things began happening to Mel, Sterling's protective instincts kicked in. As they spend time together trying to figure out what is going on, their feelings continue to grow. But they can't move on until they address the past, and Mel fears what will happen if she tells the truth. Things look increasingly bad for Mel, but Sterling never stops believing in her innocence. I loved the ending as they fought for each other and came out with their love even stronger.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. From the car accident to the dead body in her house to kidnappings, it becomes increasingly apparent that someone has it in for Mel. The question is who and why. I ached for Mel and the suspicion she faced and the accusations she endured. By the time the final confrontation came, I was glued to the pages waiting for the explanation. The plan's twists, turns, and utter evil took my breath away when the bad guy bragged about what he'd done. I loved that his arrogance was part of what brought him down. The resolution was a nail-biter as Mel fought to save those she loved against terrible odds.

Undercover Colton - Addison Fox (HRS #2183 - June 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 5)

Some feelings can't be hidden and some can get you killed.
 
FBI agent Dominic Colton never mixes business with pleasure. Until he falls into bed with Samantha Evans, his prime suspect's daughter. With his cover blown and Sami justifiably angry, Dom is shocked that she's still willing to help. She even suggests the perfect ploy to bring her father to justice. But going undercover also brings Dom and Sami closer…which is far more dangerous.
 
Good book. Dom Colton is an FBI agent assigned to find out what Samantha Evans, daughter of Mike Evans, who is head of the Warlords Motorcycle Club, knows about her father's illegal activities. He's working on a construction site where she does the landscaping, and they met by "happy accident." The book opens with their dinner date and an inside look at their thoughts. Sami is very attracted to Dom and compares him favorably to other men she's dated. She appreciates how he treats her and feels like the center of his attention. On the other hand, Dom feels increasingly guilty about how he is deceiving her. He's just as attracted as she is, but she is part of his assignment and doing anything about it is a bad idea.
 
But good intentions fall by the wayside with a kiss that goes from sweet to scorching in a heartbeat. The resulting encounter was explosive and left both of them reeling from the depth of emotion it stirred up. Then, to complicate matters, Sami found his FBI badge and credentials. (I'm sorry - why the heck did Dom have his badge on an UNDERCOVER assignment? A stupid mistake from a supposedly experienced agent.) So, he confesses all, and Sami decides she wants to help Dom take her father down. She blames her dad for her mother's death and knows he's involved in some nasty stuff. She hadn't spoken to her dad in years, but coincidentally he had just called her, looking to reconnect. They decide that she'd drag Dom along as her boyfriend, which they then change to fiancé, as a way in for Dom.
 
You know that a fake engagement between two people that are so attracted to each other can only end one way. Still, I enjoyed watching the relationship between Dom and Sami develop. Dom felt protective toward Sami from the start, but those feelings are even stronger when she insists on getting involved. I liked seeing them get to know each other and discover that they had much in common, especially their criminal fathers. I ached for Sami, torn between her love for her father and her desire to help Dom stop him. I liked how he helped her deal with her feelings over that. Dom has spent years keeping a distance between himself and everyone else, including his family. His father's betrayal of the family hit him hard, and he does it to protect himself from feeling that way with anyone else. But the more time he spends with Sami, the more he finds her breaking down those walls. The feelings she stirs in him go against everything he believes about his future. When everything is over, both have emotional baggage to deal with before they can have a future together. I liked the epilogue and seeing that they take some additional time to get to know each other better.
 
The suspense is very good. Dom's FBI unit suspects that Mike Evans has reorganized his Warlords after his multi-year disappearance. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to get the proof they need. There is also some question about whether someone else is pulling the strings. The tension starts early as we see Dom dealing with Evans both as Sami's fiancé and a potential recruit to the Warlords. I liked his ability to show just the right mix of deference and strength. The intensity ramps up as he is initiated into the group and participates in one of their operations. We get a look at another player, a familiar face from earlier books, and his part in the goings-on. The final confrontation kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
This works well as a stand-alone, as Dom and Sami's romance gets its HEA, and Dom's FBI assignment is successfully completed. It works best as part of the series if the books are read in order. Some things happen in the early books that affect the events in this one. Plus, the end of this one leaves at least one dangling thread to lead into the next book.

The Baby Trail - Marie Ferrarella (HRS #2172 - Mar 2022)

Series: Cavanaugh Justice (Book 43)

To find a kidnapped newborn
Detectives must risk everything
 
One desperate task unites detectives Korinna Kennedy and Brodie Cavanaugh: to rescue an abducted infant. As their frantic investigation proceeds, so does the partners' prickly relationship. Only when loner Korinna is drawn into laid-back Brodie's life do they become closer. And as their list of suspects grows, they put their lives and hearts on the line to bring home the missing child.
 
Good book. This book had a different beginning than most of this series, beginning when Kori was eight years old. Her father had just been shot in a hold-up when Brian Cavanaugh (then a captain, now Chief of Detectives) stopped at the store for milk. He was responsible for getting the ambulance for Kori's dad, and rather than turn Kori over to social services, he took her home to his family while her dad recovered. This began a long relationship with the Cavanaughs, leading to Kori becoming a member of the police department.
 
After that emotional prologue, the book moves to the present day. Kori, now a detective, has just lost her partner to sudden retirement. She's surprised to arrive at work to find she's already been assigned a new partner - a transfer from Homicide. In this police department, it's not an unusual occurrence for it to be a Cavanaugh. Brodie Cavanaugh looks forward to helping the living, not just coming in after the fact. Kori isn't sure what to make of the light-hearted Brodie, and their initial exchanges are awkward. Then a call comes in about an infant abducted from the hospital, and they're off and running.
 
Kori is very intense. There is little room in her life for anything outside the cases she works on and takes personally. I liked her determination to find the baby girl and reunite her with her mother, but it felt like she was on the way to burning out. With the example of his large LEO family, Brodie has a good handle on keeping some balance in his life. I loved seeing Brodie's attempts to help Kori find that balance, though she fought him every step of the way. Though Kori wasn't sure about their partnership initially, she couldn't deny they worked well together.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Brodie and Kori. Brodie's laid-back attitude balanced Kori's intensity. I loved his sense of humor and how he used it to break up the tension. Some sparks fly, but both try to ignore them and focus on the case. When Brodie invites Kori to a gathering that includes former missing person cops designed to give them some new ideas to pursue, she does her best to get out of it. It is one of Andrew Cavanaugh's famous get-togethers, and she has been avoiding them for years. I loved seeing Brodie keep after her until she agreed to go. Her reluctance is palpable that day, and Brodie knows her enough by now to call her out on why. He points out that she doesn't allow herself to get close to anyone because she's afraid of losing them.
 
Once again, Andrew's parties provide a catalyst for exploding feelings. I laughed as Kori and Brodie watched her dad and his aunt take to each other. I was a little worried about Kori's attitude and how she was freaking out. Brodie found an interesting way to get her to stop spiraling - he kissed her. Neither one expected the firestorm raised by that kiss, but their chemistry was explosive. Judging by relationships in earlier books, I have to wonder just what ingredients go into some of Andrew's dishes, as his parties tend to have similar results for others. I got a little vexed with Kori's morning after worries, but everything worked out okay. I liked how their relationship continued to grow as the case went on. There was no "black moment" pulling them apart, and by the end of the book, they were ready to see where it would go. The epilogue nicely answered that question.
 
The suspense of the story was good. I ached for the young mother who blamed herself for her baby's disappearance. I liked the team's determination to find the baby and felt their frustration as lead after lead were dead ends. But something that one of the retired cops said gave Kori and Brodie an idea of another path to investigate. I will admit that their new suspect had crossed my mind earlier in the book. I enjoyed seeing their pursuit of this path and how it became more apparent the further they got. I liked the happy ending, including the consequences for the kidnapper.

Code Name: Libra - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - May 2022)

Series: Zodiac Tactica: Rescue Unit (Book 3)

My code name is Libra. The stars say I'm charismatic, intelligent, charming.
 
The one with the easy smile.
 
Zodiac Tactical has been the biggest part of my life for the past three years. We guard, protect, rescue...eliminate the threat when nobody else can. And I've always been at the front lines -- first to help in whatever way was needed.
 
Until I took a bullet to the chest.
 
Now everybody's worried about me. So I'm sent on what's supposed to be an easy mission -- gathering intel about some potential bad guys while on a tropical island for a wedding. Lay low, blend in, catch a little tan while getting the job done. Can't be too hard.
 
Until I defend the bride's adorable sister against some cruel cattiness and the next thing I know I'm mentioning I'm her fiancé.
 
Surprise.
 
When the mission takes a turn for the much more dangerous, and my fiancée finds herself in the middle of it, I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. My wounds may have knocked me down, but a Navy SEAL, even a former one with a couple extra bullet holes, always gets back up.
 
My code name is Libra. Don't let the easy smile fool you.
 
Another stellar entry in the Zodiac Tactical constellation. I really must learn to start these books early in the day, because once again I started reading after 9 pm and couldn't stop until I finished the whole thing at 4 am. Like the others, it is told from dual first-person perspectives - Landon and Bethany. It can be read as a stand-alone, but the experience is richer if you read them in order.
 
This book begins six months after Landon nearly died from a point-blank shot to the chest (Code Name: Virgo). He's been on desk duty ever since getting out of the hospital, and he is champing at the bit to get back in the field. Fortunately, a request comes in for an intelligence-gathering mission at a wedding on an island resort. He has the skills to go undercover as the baker's assistant for the bride's sister. It should be an easy assignment.
 
Bethany is the black sheep in her wealthy family. Rather than live off daddy's money, she started her bakery and works for a living. She is petite and curvy and frequently catches grief from her mother because of it. Bethany is also aware that her father's business practices aren't always ethical and maintains her distance because of it. But when her sister calls and begs her to provide the wedding week treats, she can't say no. It will be a chance to showcase her bakery and drum up some needed business. She never expected her trusted handyman cake-stand builder to bail on her and send a stranger to take his place.
 
I loved the first meeting between Landon and Bethany. He is known for his handsome face and charming ways, and he lays it on pretty thick when he meets her. Bethany is wary, but his easygoing way gets past her defenses, while his skills as a carpenter earn him a place on her team. The sparks between them are evident, but Landon is mission-focused, and Bethany isn't interested in a fling. Landon finds himself unexpectedly protective of Bethany when he sees how she is treated and cuts off some catty remarks when he claims to be her fiancé. It was unplanned, but being her fiancé opened some unexpected opportunities for his undercover work.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Bethany and Landon develop. Between being dumped by her previous boyfriend and the negative attitudes of the people around her, Bethany's self-esteem is pretty low. She has difficulty believing that Landon a) likes her for herself and b) is honestly attracted to her. Landon has difficulty keeping his eyes and hands off her, but his mission must come first. He feels guilty about deceiving her and does his best to maintain control of his actions until his task is completed. There are some terrific scenes of their time together, both working and when Landon coaxes her into relaxing. When they finally give in to their attraction, their chemistry is explosive. But an unexpected problem with his mission plays havoc with their developing relationship, and Landon fears she'll never trust him again. A couple of twists bring them back together in some heart-pounding circumstances, and honest communication solidifies their relationship.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. The most important was Landon's mission to acquire information on two human traffickers. Landon is on his own except for some minimal backup from fellow ZT Tristan. I liked their scenes together, which were intense with risk. Most of the time, Landon must depend on quick wits and charm to create his opportunities. He made me laugh with his Dodgers hat ploy. His scenes with his quarry's security guards were nail biters. I was on the edge of my seat as Landon's last chance came down to the wire. I loved how Bethany saved the day. The tension wasn't over, though, as Bethany became the target of a vengeful man. I loved seeing Landon call on his SEAL abilities and go from charming to deadly in the blink of an eye. While Landon's mission was successfully completed, some lingering issues will carry on into the next book.
 
Bethany's sister went against her mother's wishes when she insisted Bethany be given the wedding week pastry job. I loved her confidence in Bethany and her support of Bethany's dream. I wanted to shake their mother for her confidence-busting comments. It was disheartening to see that some people believed Bethany would mess up or purposely do something to ruin the wedding. My heart broke for her when her nightmares became real the night before the wedding. I loved Landon's support and how he helped get her past the shock and into recovery mode. The culprit did not surprise me, nor did their idiotic actions that reveal the truth. The unexpected outpouring of love and help she got was heartwarming and encouraging for the future.
 
The epilogue was fantastic. I loved catching up with Ian and Wavy, Sarge and Bronwyn, and seeing the progression of Landon and Bethany's relationship. I liked the lead-in to the next book and can't wait to see Tristan again.

The Viscount's New Housekeeper - Lucy Ashford (HH #1624 - Jan 2022)

Returning from battle
To a mansion in disarray!
 
When James, Viscount Grayford, returns home with his reputation in tatters, the last thing he needs is incompetent new housekeeper Emma Bryant! But beneath her drab gown and ugly cap is a pretty young woman of quality, forced to work by straitened circumstances. As she proves steadfast and courageous in helping him clear his name, James can't help but want her -- even if what burns between them is utterly forbidden…
 
Good book. James, Viscount Grayford, recently returned to England after a diplomatic mission went terribly wrong. He also recently inherited the title after the death of his older brother. A former soldier, he never expected to inherit and isn't very happy about it. Add in the whispers and outright accusations of fraud/treason over that mission, and he is in an understandably foul mood when he arrives at his estate. He is dismayed by the visible neglect of the estate and disgusted by the foul stench he encounters as he enters the house. Facing an incompetent new housekeeper is the icing on the cake.
 
Emma took the job as a housekeeper to help support her father after he lost his money in bad investments. As a young woman of quality, she has no experience but was hired anyway by a crooked steward. Unfortunately, the remaining staff show her no respect and actively work against her. Emma is horrified when the new viscount arrives just as they are cleaning up from a housekeeping disaster.
 
I ached for Emma. She is desperate to make a good showing and is constantly undermined by the other staff members. It doesn't help that James's foul mood makes him extra critical. James has his own set of problems. The investigation after his mission found no proof of guilt, but neither would they declare him innocent, leaving him at the mercy of Society's gossips. He left town looking for some peace before beginning an investigation of his own. However, peace is hard to come by with Emma on duty.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Emma and James. Initially, the antagonism was front and center, but underneath the sparks of anger were sparks of another kind. I liked seeing James loosen up a little and give Emma a chance to prove herself. I also liked Emma's firm belief in James's innocence and her insistence that he tries to clear his name sooner rather than later. The more time they spent together, the stronger their attraction grew. Both tried to resist because of the gap between them, but the attempts grew more difficult as time went on. There are some sweet scenes of them together, but reality is never far away.
 
The attraction continues to build as the story moves to London. Emma and her father go along to help James with his investigation. Other factors at play drive a wedge between James and Emma. James fears for her safety, while his withdrawal plays on Emma's insecurities. At times, I wanted to shake Emma because there wasn't the gap she thought there was. I loved the scene with James's army regiment and the surprising development with some of the younger members. I enjoyed the twist that came out of it. Her father's comment made me laugh out loud. The epilogue was a terrific peek at their future.
 
I enjoyed the mystery of the antique book at the center of James's disgrace. A one-of-a-kind volume, its disappearance caused an international incident. I understood James's need to get away and regroup,  but it also felt like he was giving up. On one side, he had his cousin telling him to give it more time. And on the other, Emma insisted that leaving it too long would allow the trail to grow cold. I loved how she got her history scholar father involved. There were some exciting twists in the search for the truth, with Emma playing a significant role. The final resolution was good but a slight letdown as it happened off-page and was related later rather than showed. I figured it out pretty early in the story, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment. 

Amish Cradle Conspiracy - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #965 - June 2022)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 13)

To protect an Amish community…
She'll make herself a target.
 
After a pregnant Amish woman and her toddler are abducted, police sergeant Nicole Dawson charges in to save them. But when the kidnapper escapes with the child -- and thinks Nicole can identify him -- she becomes his new obsession. Determined to protect his ex-fiancée, FBI special agent Jack Quinn joins the case. But the clock is ticking in their race to uncover the baby-trafficking ring before another innocent is taken…
 
Terrific second chance romance. I was hooked from the moment I started reading and didn't stop until I was finished. The Sutter Springs PD is dealing with a terrifying problem. Someone is kidnapping pregnant young Amish women, stealing their babies, killing the women, and selling the babies. When Nicole and her partner get a lead on one of these missing women and her toddler, they rush to the scene. When backup arrives to help, Nicole is dismayed to discover her ex-fiancé is one of them. Though they rescue the pregnant woman, the kidnapper escapes with little Leah - and targets the officer who saw his face.
 
The action in this book started immediately and never let up. Jack, an FBI agent, and his partner join the SSPD to help when they discover there is a link between the case they are working on and the kidnappings. They must move fast because the traffickers could move little Leah out of the state or the country at any time. As Jack and Nicole follow every lead, it sometimes feels like the killer is one step ahead of them. His ruthlessness is evident as the bodies pile up, and the attempts on Nicole's life intensify as she and Jack close in on him. When they identify another Amish woman in danger, Nicole goes undercover to protect her. The intensity ramped up as Nicole and Adele fled for their lives, and Nicole ended up in the killer's clutches. I was glued to the pages as the final confrontation came within inches of costing Nicole her life. The resolution was fantastic as the local and larger cases were successfully concluded. I loved seeing Jack with little Leah.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of Nicole and Jack's relationship. Nicole broke off their engagement three years ago when Jack's undercover work came between them. She couldn't or wouldn't understand that there were things he couldn't tell her, which ran up against the issues caused by her father's lying and deceit. Jack was heartbroken and left town to continue his work with the FBI. Then his sister was murdered, leaving him as guardian to her daughter, Chloe. I loved seeing how important Chloe was to him and how good he was with her.
 
It's a shock to both Jack and Nicole when they are assigned to work together. It is quickly evident that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever. The more time they spend together, the closer they grow. Neither has forgotten what drove them apart, but their hearts know what they want. I loved Jack's protectiveness and desire to care for and comfort Nicole when she needed it. Nicole can still read Jack's body language and knows when something bothers him. But can Nicole stop projecting her father's actions onto Jack when it comes to his job? Nicole has some serious soul-searching to do before she can see a future with Jack. I loved the ending and how both took steps to resolve their past issues so they could look toward a future together. The epilogue was terrific and showed what the power of love could accomplish.

Mountain Retreat Murder - Beth Cornelison (HRS #2178 - Apr 2022)

Series: Cameron Glen (Book 1)

A vacation haven
…hides a sinister secret from the past
 
When a dead body is found at her family's mountain resort, manager Cait Cameron's world turns upside down. To safeguard the property and find justice, Cait enlists guest Matt Harkney, a single father trying to reconnect with his troubled teenager. While Cait and the ex-soldier investigate, undeniable desire threatens their loyalties. And when a killer looms, they must put everything on the line for the bond that's grown between them.
 
Good book with a nice blend of romance and suspense. The book opens with a prologue, where we get an introduction to the suspense element of the story. Two intruders are doing something in one of the resort's cabins when they are interrupted by the older woman who cleans the cabins. One of the men threatens her with a gun; then, the scene fades to black.
 
Cait is the resort's manager and welcomes the latest guests, Matt Harkney and his teenage son, Eric. Matt, a divorced father, has brought Eric to the resort for the summer to get him away from bad influences back in the city. He and Eric have a strained relationship, and he hopes to repair it while they are there. It doesn't look promising, as Eric resents the rules and restrictions Matt has laid down and makes his displeasure known. Their tension momentarily abates when they arrive at their cabin to find a dead body.
 
Matt, a writer of true crime books and former military policeman, steps up quickly to report the problem to Cait. He also sticks around to help her deal with the fallout, lending his experience and observational skills to the police report. Cait is grateful for his presence and help and quickly moves the pair to another cabin. But that isn't the end of the trouble. When a guest is attacked and injured in that same cabin as the body was found, Cait and Matt begin investigating on their own. They quickly discover money hidden beneath the floorboards - money that matches the amount missing from her brother-in-law's construction business.
 
I halfway wondered what the police were doing all this time as Matt and Cait started asking questions. It was interesting following their progress and seeing their conclusions. We also get a few scenes from the bad guy's point of view, letting us in on his motivations. I figured out pretty quickly who it was, though it didn't lessen my involvement in the story. I shook my head at the final confrontation as it was evident that this guy was no criminal genius. I stayed glued to the pages and waited to see what would happen. While the bad guy was no genius, he was desperate, which made him very dangerous. I loved Matt's creativity in attempting to de-escalate the situation. The resolution was satisfying.
 
I liked seeing the relationship between Matt and Cait develop. Attraction affected them right away, but both were wary of doing anything about it. Cait had just ended a three-year relationship with a man who couldn't commit, and she wasn't ready to try again. Matt is only there for the summer, so starting something wouldn't be wise. He also has Eric to deal with and a book to write. But Matt's protective instincts are aroused, and he can't help wanting to make sure Cait is safe. He is also intrigued by the mystery and offers to help Cait investigate. The more time they spend together, the closer they get and the stronger their attraction grows. Their feelings deepen rapidly, and each starts to wonder if a future together is possible. But Cait's insecurities come between them, and she starts to pull back. I ached for Matt, who had no idea what went wrong. I was happy that he didn't give up on her and loved how he broke through those fears.
 
The relationship between Matt and his son Eric was also a big part of the book. I liked the realism of seeing how things like deployments and divorces can affect kids. Eric's resentments leaped off the pages as he took out his unhappiness on his father. I ached for Matt and his bewilderment over why Eric was acting out. The depth of emotion when Eric broke down and confronted Matt was heart-wrenching and moving when they began to talk. I loved seeing the difference it made, though there was still work to be done. I loved how Eric came through for Matt when he needed him.