Matched by Masala - Mona Shroff (HSE #2919 - July 2022)

Series: Once Upon a Wedding (Book 2)

He cooks for their customers
…but he'd rather cater to her heart!
 
One impetuous, slightly drunken kiss has turned up the heat on chef Amar Virani's feelings for Divya Shah. He's been in love with the sexy pastry chef -- his sister's best friend! -- since they were teenagers, but a painful tragedy in his past keeps Amar from revealing his true emotions. As they work side by side in Divya's tiny food truck, she realizes there's more than just business simmering between them. For the first time, she's tempted to step outside her comfort zone and take a chance on Amar -- even if it means risking more than her heart.
 
A terrific friends-to-lovers story complicated by being best-friend's-brother/sister's-best-friend, too. Divya and Amar have been friends since they were kids and had crushes on each other in high school but never said anything because of Anita. Now they are all grown up but still holding out on each other.
 
Divya is a talented pastry chef. She also tends to be impulsive and adventurous. She survived a bout of cancer in high school and now lives each day like it could be her last, worried that cancer could return. She's never met a challenge that she's turned away from.
 
Amar is also a talented chef. He was fired from his last job because he took a chance on improving the head chef's dish. He now runs his catering business out of the kitchen of his family home. That kitchen is falling apart, but he won't renovate it for fear of losing the memories he associates with it, including some guilt and regret. Amar is organized and methodical in his work and his life.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Divya and Amar. When Divya buys an old school bus and turns it into a food truck, she invites Amar to join her in forming a catering business. There are conflicts as Divya's "anything goes" approach clashes with Amar's more conventional methods. I loved the cooking scenes as they learned the art of compromise and cooperation. I loved how they poked at each other, but never in a mean way. They quickly become an in-demand duo, and their teamwork is impressive. I loved how they were there for each other during crises and how they encouraged each other to follow their dreams.
 
When Amar's sister, Anita, forces the issue of the kitchen renovation, Divya invites Amar to stay with her across the street and share her kitchen. Now that they are working and living together, the constant proximity makes it impossible to ignore the sparks between them. Complicating matters is the drink-induced kiss they shared several months earlier that neither can forget. Besides the whole sister thing, Amar hesitates to get involved with Divya because of baggage from his past trauma. Just as she seems to break through his walls, trouble from her past rears its ugly head. The emotional ending had me in tears, while the epilogue made it all worth it.
 
Besides the romance of the story, I loved the culinary theme. I'm not familiar with Indian food and found myself googling almost everything. My mouth watered throughout the book, and I look forward to trying some of these dishes in the future. I also enjoyed the family theme. Besides the characters' closeness to their immediate families, I enjoyed the intertwined connections with those whom Amar and Divya cooked for. I also liked seeing Anita and Nikhil from The Five-Day Reunion again.

Sheriff in the Saddle - Delores Fossen (HI #2079 - July 2022)

Series: Law in Lubbock County (Book 1)

To uphold the law…will she take down her ex?
 
The town wants her to arrest her former boyfriend for a murder on his ranch­ -- but Sheriff Leigh Mercer refuses. The newly elected law enforcer doesn't have evidence against bad boy Cullen Brodie. In fact, the search for the killer draws them passionately close again…and into relentless danger. Not only could Leigh lose her job for not collaring Brodie…but they could both lose their lives.
 
Terrific blend of suspense and second-chance romance. Leigh and Cullen were high school sweethearts pulled apart by a family feud. They are brought together by a murder on his ranch.
 
Leigh was recently elected sheriff, replacing her retired father. But Jeb has trouble letting go and constantly sticks his nose into what is no longer his business. She also has problems with one of her deputies, who thinks he should be sheriff. When she's called to Cullen's ranch because of a murder, she faces her biggest challenge so far - solving the murder and resisting her attraction to Cullen.
 
Despite the presence of an ex-girlfriend's body in his home, Cullen remained outwardly cool and calm. The tension increases when Leigh arrives. He knows it looks suspicious to have Alexa's body there. He can't deny his attraction to Leigh, but he can't do anything about it until the murderer is caught.
 
The suspense kept me hooked from the beginning. There's a dead body and an injured ranch hand, and Cullen is the most logical suspect. But Leigh doesn't fall for the obvious, and instinct tells her that Cullen is innocent. The action starts immediately when they are attacked on the road back to town, and the assailant gets away. Delving deeper into Alexa's actions before her death leads them to some unexpected suspects. Whenever I thought I had figured out whodunit, something would happen to make me question my decision. I didn't figure it out until right before the final confrontation. It was a nail-biter and kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Leigh and Cullen develop. They are older and less inclined to be influenced by their fathers' feud. That feud is evident when Cullen's father, Bowen, accuses Leigh of planning to railroad his son for the murder. Then Leigh's father harangues her for not arresting Cullen on the spot. I liked that Leigh stood up to them and made up her own mind. Part of that is her instinct telling her that Cullen is innocent, though she worries slightly that her attraction to him might affect her judgment. Instead, she recruits Cullen to help her get to the truth.
 
I liked seeing Leigh and Cullen work together. That time allowed them to get to know each other as adults and build the trust they needed to survive. The sparks of attraction are evident, as are their growing feelings. I liked that Cullen respected Leigh's abilities as sheriff, while at the same time, his protectiveness was unmistakable. I liked that because the book spans just a few days, there's no rush to a marriage proposal, just a request for a first (then second, third, and fourth) date. I laughed at the two fathers' comments and their effect on Cullen and Leigh.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

 

All of Me - Jennifer Bernard (Avon - June 2015)

Series: Love Between the Bases (Book 1)

Playing for the Kilby Catfish is hotshot pitcher Caleb Hart's last chance to salvage his career after a major league meltdown. But the day of his opener with the minor league team, Caleb strikes out with the gorgeous woman who is delivering a petition to run the unruly Catfish out of town. Now, to stay in the lineup, Caleb will need to score big with the feisty brunette he can't keep out of his thoughts.
 
After the nasty lies Sadie Merritt's rich ex-boyfriend spread about her all over town, she's lucky to have a job at all. She can't afford to screw it up by falling for the player who is supposed to be helping her change the image of the fun-loving Catfish. But that's easier said than done when Caleb's voice alone is enough to make her pulse race. And when he surprises her with a mind-blowing kiss, she knows there's no turning back.
 
This one has been sitting on my TBR for a long time, so it jumped to the top of the pile when I needed to read a sports-related romance. I enjoyed the quirky small town, the misfit-filled baseball team, and the importance of family to the main characters. The story was a lot of fun, the characters felt realistic, and many of the situations were believable.
 
Caleb is a baseball pitcher who had a shot at the big leagues and blew it. He's back in the minor leagues, playing for the Kilby Catfish. He knows he must get his act together, but he has family issues that complicate his concentration. Caleb is a good man. We learn what he has given up for his family and why it was needed. He has a great relationship with his younger brothers and his sister. He is also sexy and charming and protective of those he cares for. He also has trust issues and a deep-seated dislike of being surprised/blindsided.
 
Sadie is a young woman who hasn't had an easy life. Her father abandoned the family, and her mother shuts down whenever life gets stressful. Sadie dated the town's golden boy, Hamilton Wade, for a while but broke things off when she got tired of him cheating on her. Hamilton takes his revenge by trashing her reputation via social media, including sharing a video he made of a private moment between them. But with the Wade family owning the town, Sadie finds it difficult to get her life back on track.
 
Sadie and Caleb meet when she delivers a petition from the town to the team owner, calling for the team to clean up their act. The players can be very rowdy, which doesn't sit well with some more conservative townspeople. Management assigns Caleb to work with Sadie to find a way to reconcile the differences (Sluggers for Slugs?!!).  The sparks between Sadie and Caleb are immediately apparent, but neither needs the complications a relationship would cause.
 
I loved watching their relationship develop. They first try to fight it because each has their own goals to focus on. But the more time they spend together, the deeper their connection grows. They start by enjoying the here and now, realizing it may not last. But it isn't long until they've gotten past each other's walls. I liked watching them fight to make their relationship work, which isn't easy when one person is frequently away. But both hold back a little, reluctant to share their deepest secrets. When those secrets collide with their fears, both Sadie and Caleb must face those fears. I loved seeing Sadie meet hers to help Caleb - and an incredible sight that was! Unfortunately, outside interference causes some crossed communication, and Caleb makes a total idiot and jerk out of himself. He has his work cut out to fix things, and I loved that Sadie didn't make it easy for him.
 
The secondary characters were terrific, each adding something special to the story. Sadie's mother showed us why Sadie has some of her trust issues. Her best friend Donna is a great foil and a tremendous source of support. Caleb's best friend, Mike, is a source of support for him. Sparks between Mike and Donna bode well for the next book. Caleb's father, Bingo, is the source of many of Caleb's issues. The strained relationship between them contributes to some of the drama in this book. I mostly liked the mayor, who hired Sadie and gave her a chance to move on from her past trauma. I liked the Catfishs' owner, Crush Taylor, a Kilby native and former pitcher. He tends to be as wild as the men on his team, which causes some interesting tension between him and the mayor. But Crush also backs up his players when they need it, and there is a terrific scene near the end of the book when he is there for his player's girl, Sadie. 

Their Barcelona Baby Bombshell - Traci Douglass (HMED #1256 - July 2022)

Series: Night Shift in Barcelona (Book 2)

One hot encounter…
One shocking consequence!
 
Paramedic Isabella Rivas doesn't do commitment and entanglement. She had enough of that raising her five siblings after their mother died. But one red-hot night with a sexy stranger doesn't count, right? Except that single passionate encounter results in an unexpected pregnancy! And when she meets Carlos Martinez's familiar guarded eyes over a patient in the ER, she realizes that life has just got a whole lot more complicated…
 
This was an emotional story about two people with deep-seated family issues that kept them from wanting committed relationships. As the oldest in her family, Isabella ended up caring for her four younger siblings when first her mother, then her father, passed away. Once the last one moved out, she was free to live her life as she wanted. But with that freedom came some hard feelings because it felt like her brothers and sisters couldn't wait to get away from her. So she was a bit of a mess regarding family relationships.
 
Carlos grew up in Cuba as the son of a single mother. He never knew his father and resented that he abandoned her when she needed him. He spent his childhood fending off bullies and haters because of his illegitimacy, leaving him determined never to put a child through the same thing. After his mother's death, Carlos discovered that he had an uncle living in Barcelona, so he moved there to get to know the only family he had left.
 
Isabella and Carlos are both medical professionals. Isabella is an EMT, and Carlos works as an ER nurse. They met on the beach when both came to the rescue of a tourist in distress. They work together as if they'd been partners for years, and when the crisis is over, they decide to spend a little more time together. Drinks turn into more, and they part ways the next morning, not expecting to see each other again. They are shocked when they meet again two months later, as Isabella delivers a patient to the ER. Isabella plans to maintain her distance but, in an ironic series of circumstances, discovers she's pregnant with Carlos's baby.
 
I felt for Isabella and her shock and dismay. A baby had never been in her plans for her future. Now that it is, she gears herself up to handle things on her own, just as she always has. I liked that she didn't keep the news from Carlos even though she expected nothing from him. Carlos was shocked, but he immediately let Isabella know he was there for her, no matter what she needed. He won't put a mother and child through what he experienced.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Isabella and Carlos. He is determined to get to know her better though Isabella tries to keep some distance between them. It doesn't take long for Carlos's easy-going nature to get past her defenses, and a sweet friendship grows between them. Because of their work schedules, their time together is limited, so they cram a lot in when they get together. I loved seeing how well they got along and how much they had in common. They have so much fun together, from sightseeing to dancing. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings for each other grow, but their fears keep them from saying anything.
 
Those fears take center stage when Isabella panics over something Carlos says and pulls away, saying some hurtful things and breaking off their growing relationship. I ached for Carlos, who wants Isabella and their child in his life. Turning to his uncle for comfort and advice opens up a new set of shocking revelations that leave him reeling. Carlos is left with a lot to think about and apply to what he's always believed. I liked seeing him use what he's learned in the situation with him and Isabella.
 
Meanwhile, Isabella has an eye-opening conversation with one of her brothers. They are shocked to discover that they have entirely misinterpreted each other's actions and attitudes since the family has grown and gone their separate ways. I loved seeing Isabella and Diego take the first steps toward reuniting the family. I liked Diego's advice to her and that she wastes no time following it. Their big moment at the end was sweet and romantic, and the epilogue was terrific.
 
One of my favorite things about the book was seeing Barcelona through the eyes of Isabella and Carlos. As a native of the city, Isabella loves showing it off to Carlos, and I loved being part of the tour. With a trip planned to Barcelona over the holidays this year, I found many things to add to my "must-see" list. I will certainly make reservations for the restaurant they went to - it looks fantastic! The fountain reminds me of Las Vegas's Bellagio fountain, and I'm looking forward to the Sagrada Familia. I will definitely read the rest of the series and see if any other sights jump out at me. 

Canyon Crime Scene - Carol Ericson (HI #2084 - July 2022)

Series: Lost Girls (Book 1)

His sister is missing and only one person can help
 
Cade Larson needs LAPD fingerprint expert Lori Del Valle to help track down his troubled missing sister. But he can't deny the sparks still between them…nor the secret Lori is keeping. When fingerprints link Cade's sister to another missing woman -- and a potentially nefarious treatment center -- Lori volunteers to go undercover. Will their dangerous plan bring a predator to justice or tragically end their reunion?
 
Good mix of second chance romance and suspense. Lori works for the LAPD as a fingerprint specialist. One day she's startled to find her high school boyfriend there to report his younger sister missing. Cade is told it is too soon to report an adult missing, and his frustration is evident. When Lori suggests that she and Cade check Summer's house for clues, she discovers a disturbing similarity to a crime scene she recently worked.
 
Dissatisfied with the police response to the things they found, Lori and Cade begin investigating on their own. I was hooked when Lori decided to go undercover to investigate the questionable drug rehab center that linked the two women. The tension ramped up as Lori risked discovery by searching for the missing women, and Cade met with one of Lori's police friends about the drugs they found. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages as they uncovered the truth about the rehab center and its owner. The underground scene was a nail-biter with a close call for Lori and Cade and a just-in-the-nick-of-time rescue. The epilogue filled in some blanks for a satisfying ending.
 
I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Lori and Cade. They had been high school sweethearts, Cade from a wealthy family and Lori from a poor one. It didn't matter to them, but Cade's family disapproved. When Cade left for college, Lori broke things off, telling him he needed to be free to experience everything. There was another reason also that came out later in the book. When they meet again, it's clear that the sparks between them are still there. I enjoyed seeing them reconnect and realize that the old feelings are still there. Though he respected Lori's abilities, he still felt protective when danger threatened. Lori felt the same protectiveness toward Cade, which led to some of her past choices. There is some angst when she shares her secret, but understanding and forgiveness follow quickly. If they are going to move forward together, Cade has some decisions to make. Those decisions didn't surprise me, as they were hinted at earlier in the book. The epilogue was terrific.
 
I liked seeing some of the characters from the previous series make appearances in this one. Lori made a brief appearance in that series, and Kyra and Jake appear in this book. I'd like to see more of Jake's partner Billy and his search for his sister.

The Debutante's Secret - Sophia James (HH #1659 - July 2022)

Seeking a sensible husband
Tempted by a dissolute rogue…
 
Debutante of the season Esther Barrington-Hall is looking for a steadfast, responsible husband after her dreadful childhood with her destitute mother. Aristocrat Oliver Moreland is a notorious rake and Esther knows it would be wrong to give up her newfound life of safety for a man like him. But he is exciting and undeniably attractive. And dangerous, too. Because he is the one man in society who knows about her past…
 
The story opens on a snowy night in London, as Oliver discovers a woman and young girl huddling in a doorway. Something compels him to offer his help, and he drives them to a town an hour away. They are clearly well-bred but poor, and the woman looks like she's been on the receiving end of trouble. However, the expression in the girl's eyes stayed with him and made him think about his life.
 
Six years later, that young girl, Esther, is about to make her debut. After a difficult childhood and her mother's death, her aunt and uncle took her in. After the things she experienced, Esther intends to find a steady, responsible man to marry. Lord Alberton seems the perfect candidate - young, handsome, and well-versed in Society's rules. So why is she drawn to Oliver Moreland, a man known for disdaining those same rules?
 
Esther immediately recognizes Oliver as the man who had rescued her and her mother. He's older and harder, and she knows she should avoid him. Oliver is also drawn to Esther but does not immediately recognize her. He knows she is familiar, but why? I enjoyed their brief encounter at the ball and their forthright conversation. They part ways, with Esther returning to the ballroom and spending more time with Lord Alberton. Oliver leaves the ball, unable to put Esther out of his mind, and finally places her.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Esther and Oliver develop. The sparks fly with each encounter, but both try to resist. Esther is determined to stick to her plan, pushed along toward Lord Alberton by her aunt. Oliver knows that a man with his reputation isn't what Esther needs, so he tries to stay away from her. Their connection won't be denied, and I liked how they spoke honestly to each other. Then Lord Alberton shows his true colors during a house party at his home, leaving Esther questioning her decision.
 
Esther and Oliver spend a fair amount of time thinking about why they can't be together. I ached for Oliver, who could only see the worst of himself. In the years since he rescued Esther and her mother, he made significant changes in his life but kept those under wraps. We get a look at Oliver's family life and get an idea of the impact it had on who he became, with some interesting developments at the end. Esther frequently frustrated me with how wrapped up she was with the rules and how they kept her from being herself. When Esther's past becomes public, who comes through for her - the rake or the gentleman? I liked the ending and seeing how being honest with each other brings them more than they dreamed of. 

 

The Spy Switch - Karen Whiddon (HRS #2188 - July 2022)

Her undercover husband is temporary
But her feelings are very real
 
Schoolteacher Jennifer Glass's ordinary life screeches to a halt when a criminal targets her. Moreover, she's mistaken for an identical twin she never knew existed! Now she's drawn to her sibling’s partner, ATF agent Micah Spokane. Micah needs Jennifer to play the part of his undercover wife to bust a gun-smuggling ring. He promises to protect her every step of the dangerous way, but they might not be able to resist the "fake" passion growing between them…
 
I enjoyed this book once I got past the fantasy that an experienced ATF agent would recruit a civilian for a vital undercover op just because she looks like the partner who has worked the situation with him for two years. A few other things made me roll my eyes, but I chalked them up to the fantasy and moved on.
 
Jennifer is an elementary school teacher who is out shopping when she's accosted by a man claiming to be a federal agent who tells her to "play along." Then a creepy guy starts talking to her like he knows her and her "partner." After the man, Igor, leaves, Micah explains that he's an undercover ATF agent and that Igor mistook her for his partner, Laney. Laney happens to be the twin sister Jennifer didn't know about because they were adopted separately. Jennifer is stunned to find out about Laney and wants to meet her, which Micah agrees to - IF Jennifer will fill in for Laney for a couple of weeks while they wrap up the operation.
 
I didn't much care for Micah's emotional blackmailing of Jennifer. He admits that Laney and his bosses would be furious with him for involving her, but he does it anyway. I understood they were at the point where any change could torpedo the entire investigation, but Jennifer has NO experience with undercover work. So many things could go wrong and mess it up and get them killed.
 
Leaving those quibbles behind, I went along for the ride. Thanks to some acting experience in college, Jennifer pulls off a credible Laney in her first outing. As the days go on, a bunch of twists and turns make the run-up to the finale extra complicated. Each change ramped up the tension that nearly leaped off the page. The two main villains, Igor and Carmen, were especially vile, and it was easy to root for their downfall. The final confrontation was intense and kept me hooked until it was done.
 
I enjoyed the development of Micah and Jennifer's relationship. The attraction between them is instant though they try to ignore it. They know they don't need the distraction with the stakes so high. Micah is surprised by his attraction to Jennifer because he feels nothing like it for Laney. Because they are together 24/7, they have the opportunity to get to know each other. The attraction between them grows, and so do the feelings that go with it. They struggle to keep them buried while working and long for a chance to see where they will go. I liked the ending, though I would like to have gotten more of the meeting between Jennifer and Laney.

Serial Affair - Marie Ferrarella (HRS #2180 - May 2022)

Series: Cavanaugh Justice (Book 44)

She'll do anything to catch a killer.
Even use herself as bait!
 
Small-town detective Liberty Lawrence is hot on the trail of a serial killer. And this case is as personal as they come. So when the criminal's body count moves to California, Liberty follows -- and joins forces with lawman Campbell Cavanaugh. With chemistry as explosive as the danger surrounding them, though, the duo is racing against time before the killer turns on Liberty herself…
 
A terrific addition to the Cavanaugh Justice series. The story opens in the small town of Calhoun, Arizona, where detective Liberty Lawrence is looking for the man who killed her foster mother. What she finds is the trail of a serial killer. And when she links the killer's MO to a recent murder in Aurora, California, that's where she goes.
 
I enjoyed Liberty's first encounter with Campbell. She is focused and intense when she tells him about the link between cases. Cam is a little wary initially because he thought she was too obsessed to have been thorough in her investigation. But after listening to her, he realized that she was right. Meanwhile, I could see her frustration at his attitude. I liked that he apologized for not taking her seriously. She isn't used to that, and it threw her off-kilter for a few minutes. Once Cam is convinced, he's all in and proceeds to include her in his investigation.
 
The interactions between Cam and Liberty were fun to watch. Because the case is so personal to her, she is even more intense than usual. Thanks to her early life, she also doesn't trust easily and constantly questions Cam's motives. Cam finds her fascinating and is determined to get past the walls she has erected. His straightforward inclusion of her in the investigation goes a long way toward achieving that goal.
 
As in many other Cavanaugh Justice books, the prevalence of Cavanaugh family members in the Aurora PD surprises the newcomer. I enjoyed how her disbelief turned to wonder as she saw how they support each other, from her meeting with the medical examiner to their conversation with computer guru Valri. Another big shock is usually attending one of Uncle Andrew's family gatherings. It went a little differently this time, with Cam taking Liberty to Andrew's for a meal. It was still an eye-opening experience for Liberty, who was deeply envious of the size and closeness of the family.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Cam and Liberty. There were sparks of attraction from the start, but they buried them in favor of concentrating on the case. I liked how Cam respected her abilities as a detective. I also enjoyed seeing him work to get her to open up to him and how he began to understand what drove her. Liberty was surprised by how quickly she began to trust Cam, but it felt right, which made giving in to their attraction much easier. As they closed in on the serial killer, and Liberty proposed to use herself as bait, Cam's protective instincts took over. I felt his fear when things went south and his relief when it was all over. There was a bit of a hiccup in his expression of his feelings for her, but the Christmas Eve scene made up for it.
 
The suspense of the story was good. Part of that came from spending some time in the killer's head, giving the reader a peek at what Liberty and Cam are up against. I ached for Liberty's link to one of the victims, but it gave excellent insight into what drives her. I liked seeing the cooperation between the two detectives as they joined forces to stop the killer. Taking the work that Liberty had already done and sharing it with Cam and his partner helped move the case along. There was a surprise addition to the information that Liberty had discovered that gave them a new direction to take. The tension ramped up as the killer escalated his attacks, leading to Liberty's decision to bait a trap with herself. I was glued to the pages as Liberty wound up in mortal danger. The resolution was a nail-biter and came way too close to disaster, but it certainly kept me turning the pages. I did not see that particular ending coming, but it was satisfying. 

Summer Nights with the Maverick - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2917 - July 2022)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Brothers and Broncos (Book 1)

He's a hero in spurs
But just for tonight
 
Ever since rancher Weston Abernathy rescued waitress Everlee Roberts at Doug’s bar, he can’t get her off his mind. But the spirited single mom has no interest in a casual relationship, and Wes isn’t seeking commitment. As the temperature rises, Evy feels the heat, too, tempting her to throw her hat in the ring regardless of what it might cost her heart…
 
Terrific start to the new series. I was sucked into the story immediately and stayed up way too late finishing it. I laughed in some places, cried in others, and closed the book with the satisfaction I always feel when I read this author's books. I loved Wes and Evy and their romance, but little Lola stole my heart.
 
Wes has been drawn to Evy since he first saw her a year ago. After being shot down in his first few attempts to ask her out, he backs off but can't get her off his mind. He'd like to get to know her better, but she resists until the night he saves her from a rock thrown through the bar window. He finally talks her into an outing by including Lola on the date.
 
Evy is the single mother of four-year-old Lola. They live with her dad, and Evy works nights at Doug's Bar while saving to start her own business. Her college boyfriend dumped her when he found out she was pregnant and had no interest in being a father. She noticed Wes's interest but didn't need the distraction. But something changed the night he saved her from a serious injury.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Wes and Evy develop. Wes had been burned in love a decade earlier and has sworn off commitment ever since. Evy has no interest in getting involved with another rich guy with commitment issues. But when he saves her from the thrown rock, there's no denying the sparks between them. When Wes wears her down, and she finally agrees to go out with him, she suspects she will regret it.
 
I loved watching the two of them together. They agree to keep things casual, but it quickly becomes evident that casual didn't last long. Right from the start, Wes is sucked into Evy's life. Lola enchants him, and I love watching her wrap him around her little fingers, such as when he adopts the puppy, Archie. The more time Evy and Wes spend together, the closer they become, and their attraction grows stronger. Evy admits to herself that she's falling for Wes and hopes he feels the same way.
 
Meanwhile, Wes's brothers and friends warn him that he risks hurting Evy if he isn't serious about her. He reminds them and himself that they agreed it was casual. I wanted to shake Wes several times because he was clearly lying to himself about his feelings. When Evy tells him how she feels, Wes freaks out and withdraws, leaving Evy with a broken heart and Lola missing her buddy. I wanted to shake Wes for being so stubborn that he refused to see the truth. I loved seeing Wes's friend Maddox's advice, and Wes's conversation with Evy's dad was fantastic. I cheered when Wes finally faced the truth. I was also happy to see that Evy made him work a little to get back in her good graces, while Wes's scene with Lola was sweet.
 
There is some mystery attached to the empty chair at Doug's Bar. The rock thrown through the window had a cryptic note attached, and at the end of the book, we see the cowboy who threw it. I suspect we'll see more of him throughout the series and discover his connection with the empty chair.

Colton's Dangerous Reunion - Justine Davis (HRS #2175 - Apr 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 3)

Protecting children is his calling…
Now he must guard the woman who broke his heart
 
Social worker Gideon Colton has devoted his life to helping kids. His commitment to his work has eased some of the heartache from his breakup with Dr. Sophia Gray-Jones. Then a battered child brings the pediatrician back into his life. And as a vengeful father threatens Sophia, Gideon is determined to protect her. But hiding out together might just create tremendous danger to their hearts…and their lives!
 
Good second chance romance. The story opens as Gideon, a social worker, gets a call about an abused child in the hospital. How much he cares about the children he helps is immediately apparent as he rushes to the hospital. He didn't expect to find the woman who broke his heart sitting by Charlie's side. Sophia knew it was possible that Gideon would be the one called. He's the best at dealing with scared kids. How much would it hurt to come face-to-face with the biggest regret of her life?
 
Both Gideon and Sophia focus on Charlie while trying to suppress their reactions to each other. I liked that they didn't allow their personal history to affect their interactions with Charlie. Their efforts to calm the boy go well until his abusive father shows up. I loved seeing the soft-spoken Gideon turn into a superhero, getting between Rick and Charlie. His actions were swift and effective and a joy to watch. Unfortunately, Rick escapes from the security guard after vowing vengeance on Sophia. Despite their past, Gideon's protectiveness kicks in, and he escorts her home. A good thing he did, as they spotted the man lurking in the shadows around her house. Gideon insists that she can't stay there, so he takes her to his mother's home. There the stress of the night comes out in an unexpected and passionate encounter, leaving both wondering what's next.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between Gideon and Sophia. Both of them are wary of getting involved again. Gideon remembers the heartache he felt and is hesitant to take that risk again. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny those feelings. Sophia never stopped loving Gideon and regretted the breakup as soon as it happened. Growing up with a perfectionist father and a detached mother, Sophia has spent her life trying to live up to expectations and constantly feeling that she comes up short. Those feelings bled over into her relationship with Gideon, and she broke up with him because she thought he could do better than her.
 
Sophia and Gideon spent a good share of the book inside their heads, constantly second-guessing their own and each other's actions and words. Many times, I wanted to shake them and tell them to talk to each other. With two years apart, I liked how Gideon realized how hard Sophia is on herself. The more he hears of her father's treatment, the more he tries to make her recognize the emotional abuse she experienced. Sophia thinks a lot about how much she regrets her actions but keeps that to herself for too long. She dreams of starting the relationship again but tells herself it is too late without saying anything to Gideon about it. I loved when she finally worked up the courage to talk to him and ached for her when he didn't react. Gideon's wariness was understandable, and it took him a few days and a conversation with his mom to let go of his fears. I loved their big moment at the end. I also loved their visit with Sophia's father and its well-deserved outcome.
 
The suspense was good. We get a good look at the abusive father and the results of his abuse early on. His appearance at the hospital and his attempt to get to Charlie show how dangerous he is. Gideon's protectiveness kicks in when he escapes custody and later turns up at Sophia's home. The tension builds as there are a couple of sightings, but Rick eludes capture. There is a terrific scene as Gideon, Sophia, and a local police detective confront someone who has been helping him. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I loved seeing how it worked out.

Miss Peverett's Secret Scandal - Bronwyn Scott (HH #1648 - May 2022)

Series: Peveretts of Haberstock Hall (Book 3)

Working in close quarters…
With an employer she can't resist!
 
Thomasia Peverett is dreading her return to society, but when she's offered a secretarial role by Member of Parliament Shaw Rawdon, he tempts her to leave the safety of her home. Shaw's unlike anyone she's ever met, and their attraction is undeniable. Even the revelation of her scandalous secret draws him closer! Thomasia knows it's foolish to trust the wrong man, but will Shaw prove he's worth it?
 
Good book with some intriguing parallels to current events. Thomasia is a single mother during a time when such a thing is scandalous. She has managed to keep her secret by hiding at her parents' home while trying to decide her future. She's feeling a bit of cabin fever, having made herself a prisoner. She spent her pregnancy in Yorkshire, where she got involved with a group of women trying to better the lives of poor women who don't have the resources she does. She misses that feeling of doing something important. That changes when she meets their neighbor, MP Shaw Rawdon.
 
Shaw is a newly elected MP with progressive ideas. His sponsors are much more conservative and expect him to align with their views. He knows how the game is played but hates that he must vote against something he approves of to get their support for his project. When he attends a dinner at his neighbors' home, he is intrigued by Thomasia and her well-stated views on the same subjects. Shaw invites her to become his secretary to get to know her better.
 
Thomasia is wary of Shaw. Her experience with the father of her child convinced her that men could not be trusted. But she'll work for him and plans to do her best to influence him to vote to preserve the Bastardy Act, which allows women like her to gain financial support from the fathers of their children. That plan quickly falls by the wayside as Thomasia and Shaw get to know each other. There are sparks between them, but once Shaw learns of her daughter, he knows he can't pursue them. Getting involved with an unwed mother would be the death of his career.
 
As much as he tries to resist it, Thomasia and her daughter have found their way into his heart. I loved seeing Shaw with little Effie-Claire. She utterly entrances him, and it's obvious he would make a terrific father. Even better, he doesn't hold Thomasia's indiscretion against her. The more he gets to know her, the more he wants both of them in his life. Thomasia falls just as hard for Shaw once she gets past her mistrust of him. She also knows how hard he's worked to get where he is. She refuses to marry him because she doesn't want to be responsible for ending his career.
 
Meanwhile, the father of Thomasia's daughter suddenly decides he wants custody of the child because of an inheritance requirement. I liked that she immediately thought of Shaw as the person to help her. There were some tense moments as she overhears comments by those conservative sponsors, but she reins in her impulse to interfere. I loved the scenes of Shaw joining with the men of Thomasia's family to deal with the threat. I loved seeing Shaw put his feelings for her on the line and step up to protect her in the best way possible. I held my breath, hoping she would finally let go of her fears and accept his love. But her ex is a desperate man, and some heart-pounding moments threaten everything she holds dear. The conclusion was well done. I liked the epilogue, which I thought was realistically done.
 
I enjoyed the inclusion of one of the political hot points of support for "fallen" women. Thomasia looks at it from a personal perspective. Shaw's view is also affected by his early life. His dilemma of compromising his ideals was difficult, and his struggle was evident every time he had to deal with the other men. I loved his acceptance by Thomasia's family and especially liked how the men supported him. I grinned at their solution to his dilemma and cheered at how it turned out. I also liked seeing that Thomasia is in the perfect place to continue her work with Shaw's support.

The Friendship Pact - Jill Shalvis (Avon - June 2022)

Series: Sunrise Cove (Book 2)

Alone in the world, Tae Holmes and her mother April pretty much raised each other, but as Tae starts asking questions about the father she's never met, April, for the first time in her life, goes silent. To make matters worse, Tae is dangerously close to broke and just manages to avoid financial meltdown when she lands a shiny new contract with an adventure company for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.
 
Her first big fundraiser event falls flat, but what starts out as a terrible, horrible, no-good night turns into something else entirely when Tae finds herself face-to-face with Riggs Copeland. She hasn't seen the former Marine since their brief fling in high school, and while still intensely drawn to him, she likes her past burned and buried, thank you very much. Hence their friendship pact.
 
But when April oddly refuses to help Tae track down her father, it's Riggs who unexpectedly comes to her aid. On a hunt to unlock the past, the two of them find themselves on a wild ride and learn a shocking truth, while also reluctantly bonding in a way neither had seen coming. Now Tae must decide whether she's going to choose love … or walk away from her own happiness.
 
Good book about two people who have put up walls around their hearts to keep them safe. For Tae, it's been her and her mom against the world her entire life. April was only fifteen when she had Tae, so they sometimes seem more like sisters than mother and daughter. Life has been challenging, but things are finally looking up. April has a good job as a receptionist with Adrenaline HQ, which provides activities/adventures for disabled kids and adults and wounded warriors. Tae has her own event planning company, which is finally taking off thanks to a contract with that company.
 
Tae worries about that contract when she feels her first fundraiser for them is a failure, even though Jake, the owner, is satisfied with the results. Tae is a worrier, and I loved how Jake tried to ease her fears. He tells her to go ahead and leave, and she mistakes another car for her Uber in her rush. To her dismay, the car's driver is Riggs, Jake's brother, and her high school one-night fling. She hasn't seen him since he left for the Marines shortly after that.
 
Riggs has left the Marines and come home for the summer before starting his new job. He's part-owner of the business but leaves it to Jake to run. But Riggs worries about Jake, one of those wounded warriors he tries to help. He's always adored his older brother, who stood between Riggs and his abusive father, and he fears that Jake is putting himself at risk. He promises to stay around for the summer and help expand the company.
 
I loved watching the rekindling of the relationship between Riggs and Tae. The sparks between them are instantaneous, but neither wants anything to do with them. Riggs is leaving at the end of the summer, and after everything she witnessed with her mother, Tae refuses to give a man any power over her life. So they make a pact to ignore the sparks and keep to friendship only. By keeping the physical out of the mix, they've allowed themselves to get to know each other as adults. I loved the time they spent together helping with the activities and the quieter times when they just talked. It was amazing to see how well they understood each other as both recognized kindred spirits in the self-protection game.
 
The sparks of attraction didn't take too long to overcome the friendship pact. Though they say it's just a fling, neither one wants to admit their hearts are involved. Tae knows she's falling for Riggs and will end up hurt, but she doesn't want to give up a minute of their time together. Riggs is a harder nut to crack. His walls are thick, and his head even thicker. I loved the conversations between him and Jake, who tries to break through Rigg's walls while Riggs fights him (sometimes literally) every step of the way.
 
At the same time all of this is going on, Tae is going through a bit of an identity crisis. For her entire life, April has told her that her father died in the war. But Tae recently encountered someone who claimed to know her father and that he was alive. Tae is hunting for the truth without involving her mother, whom she protects. I ached for Tae and the confusion she felt. Though she's determined to investigate on her own, Riggs involves himself in the search behind her back. While his intentions were good, his execution created the potential for disaster. Tae's feelings of betrayal by everyone were understandable, and I didn't blame her for her anger. There's a lot that goes on surrounding the truth that is revealed. In the long run, relationships change but grow stronger. Tae's anger at Riggs is especially strong as she pushes him away. I liked that he admitted he was wrong. He also finally realized the truth of his feelings for her. I loved the conversation between Riggs and Jake, as Jake tries to make him see what he'll have to do to win Tae back. "Use your words, idiot!" The light bulb moment was satisfying; I liked seeing them finally come together. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up. 

 

Decoy Training - Caridad Pineiro (HI #2062 - Apr 2022)

Series: K-9s on Patrol (Book 1)

His fresh start is about to be interrupted by a threatening foe.
 
Former Marine Shane Adler's used to perilous situations. But he's stunned to find danger in the peaceful Idaho mountains -- especially swirling around his beautiful dog trainer. After tragically losing her hero husband, Piper Lambert's rebuilt her life. Now it's up to Shane -- and his loyal K-9 in training, Decoy -- to make sure a mysterious enemy won't derail her new beginning…or his.
 
Good book, but let me correct one thing right away. The blurb states that Shane is a former Marine. He is not. He was in the army. Piper's husband was a Marine. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, staying up until long past midnight to finish it.
 
The book opens as Shane and his dog, Decoy, are headed to Idaho to visit a friend. Shane feels a little lost now that he's been medically retired from the army, thanks to injuries he received on duty. If it hadn't been for Decoy, Shane likely would have died in the bombed-out building. Shane still has nightmares from that time, but Decoy is terrific support for him. During Shane's visit with his friend, Gonzo suggests that Shane and Decoy train for search and rescue and sends him to the Daniels Canine Academy. There he meets Piper, the woman who will do their training.
 
Piper is a widow. Her Marine husband was killed in Afghanistan four years earlier, and she still grieves for him. She moved to Idaho from California to start over and help her friend Emma with the DCA. She's not thrilled when she finds out she'll be training Shane. Too many military men remind her of her husband and how much she misses him. We also meet Chipper, the corgi/pit mix puppy that Piper adopts. On her walk home from work the day before Shane's arrival, Piper gets the creepy feeling that she's being watched.
 
I enjoyed the first meeting between Shane and Piper. He arrives early and sees Piper, Emma, and vet tech Tashya working with the puppies. He's immediately drawn to Piper, but her reaction to him isn't as warm, mainly because she is as attracted to him, and it makes her uncomfortable. She is determined to stick to training only and not let him get too close. His plans to join a SAR unit in Montana reinforce that desire. I enjoyed their training sessions. Shane and Piper quickly relax into their training partnership, which helps reduce the tension between them. It isn't long before the sparks between them grow stronger.
 
When Piper's feeling of being watched escalates into the knowledge that someone tried to break into her home, Shane's protective instincts kick in. And when her home is later entered and searched, Shane moves in to protect her. This also allows them to grow even closer. I liked how Piper gave Shane the understanding and compassion he needed to begin healing from his trauma. At the same time, Shane understands that everyone grieves at their own pace and gives Piper the space she needs. But as the danger intensifies, sooner or later, both realize that they need each other to move forward. I loved Shane's big moment at the end.
 
The suspense of the book was terrific. It started slowly, with Piper's feeling of being watched, then moved on to the evidence that someone had tried to get into her house. About this time, we get a peek into the mind of the person behind it all and learn what is driving him. We see his attacks escalate as he grows more desperate. Thanks to Shane's background, he can investigate his suspicions. I ached for Piper as she defended her husband against the implications while at the same time they were looking for the truth. The intensity ramps up as they identify a suspect, but he evades them. When the final confrontation comes, Piper is at the mercy of a desperate man. I liked seeing how, though everyone worked together to find her, it was Decoy who came up with the clue that saved the day. The ending was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was over.
 
I loved the dogs in this book. Decoy is the perfect companion for Shane. They bonded overseas when Shane would feed Decoy, which led Decoy to find Shane when he was trapped. I was happy that Shane worked to get Decoy back to the States with him. It was sweet to see how Decoy would wake Shane up from his nightmares and give him comfort. Their bond was fantastic and will serve them well as a search-and-rescue team. I also adored Piper's puppy, Chipper. She was sweet and smart and a bundle of joy. It was fun to see her jump all over Decoy and watch him put up with it. It looked like Chipper learned a few things from Decoy also. I can't wait to get to know other dogs as the series continues.

Riverbend Reunion - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - June 2022)

Riverbend, Texas, doesn't look like the crossroads of anywhere. But for four high school besties reuniting after twenty years, it's a place to unpack a lot of baggage.
 
Risa's headed for divorce, Mary Nell's been kicked to the curb by her leech of a boyfriend, and Haley was just blindsided by a shocking family secret. But restless army veteran Jessica Callaway, looking to plant roots, has an idea: corral her fellow former cheerleaders and renovate an abandoned church smack-dab in the middle of three dry counties into a bar. Throw in a grill and Wade Granger―a onetime nerd turned surprisingly crush-worthy investor―and their lives are on tap for a turnaround. Amen to that.
 
Except for one hitch: the white-clapboard dream is causing a ruckus. With a renewed bond, hard work, and the promise of romance, Jessica and her friends aren't backing down. For Riverbend, this is going to be a homecoming―and a scandal―to remember.
 
Terrific story of friendship, family, love, and new beginnings. I love this author's books, and this one kept me hooked until I finished reading it at three o'clock this morning. Her characters are relatable and have believable personalities with good and bad traits.
 
Though they've stayed in touch over the past twenty years, these four best friends scattered to the winds after high school graduation. Now circumstances have brought them all home again. Jessica retired from the military and returned to decide what to do with the church building she inherited from her Uncle Eli. Risa returned home with her twin daughters after leaving her controlling husband. Mary Nell was kicked out by her selfish man-child of a boyfriend, and Haley returned to bury her mother and uncovered a shocking secret.
 
The story opens as Jessica sits in front of the old church, waiting for her friends to arrive. There are several pages of her thinking about her life and what comes next. After twenty years of living on the move, she wants to put down roots. While she's thinking about that, an unexpected visitor arrives. Wade was a few years ahead of them in school, while his brother Danny was in their class. Both joined the military. Danny recently died overseas, and Wade is still dealing with his grief. He and Jessica spend a little time catching up before the others arrive. He's invited to join them, and we get a quick look at what's happening in everyone's lives. The question of the night is, what should Jessica do with the church? Someone floats the idea of turning it into a bar, though they all agree it would raise a ruckus if they did.
 
But that thought sticks in Jessica's mind, encouraged by Wade's confession that he and Danny would open a bar together. I loved the next get-together as the idea gathered steam among them. Wade offered to become a partner, Risa would be the cook, Mary Nell would run the business end, Haley would help when she wasn't working, and Jessica would wait tables and tend the bar. Wade would also tend bar. Even Mary Nell's father, Oscar, gets into the act. He makes his own wine and moonshine (legally) and would sell them to the bar and help with the renovations.
 
You just know, listening to Risa talk about her mama, Stella, that she will make everyone's life difficult. Wade and Jessica barely finish talking to the lawyer about their plans before Stella hears about it. Uptight and super-religious, Stella wastes no time kicking Risa and the girls out of her house for being part of it and swears that she'll do everything in her power to stop them. She also gets Risa's soon-to-be-former mother-in-law involved long distance. There are several virulent confrontations as Stella does her best to get her way. There's a hilarious scene where the twins, Lily and Daisy, come up with the perfect response to the demonstration Stella sets up at the church/bar.
 
I loved seeing everyone grow closer as they worked together to make the bar a reality. Everyone has brought baggage to the party, but there's plenty of support as each person deals with theirs. After being controlled by her husband and his mother for years, Risa finds the strength to stand up to them and Stella. She finds much of that strength in cooking for her friends and knowing they have her back. Mary Nell finds herself again after giving up everything to help her boyfriend follow his dream. He was a user, and I was happy to see her call his bluff when he tried to get her back. I loved her relationship with her father, Oscar, who is there for her but doesn't hesitate to say, "I told you so." Haley's trip home gives her a chance to reevaluate her life after a relationship goes wrong. Besides dealing with the shocking family secret, she's facing other unexpected changes. Having her besties there for support makes it easier.
 
Then there are Jessica and Wade. Each of them had a crush on the other in high school but never did anything about it. As adults, the sparks of attraction are there, but they initially try to resist. Neither wants to ruin their partnership if something goes wrong. They find comfort in talking about their shared experiences in the military, which helps them grow closer. I loved their relationship's slow, realistic development as they got to know each other before giving in to their growing feelings. I especially enjoyed Wade's gentle, compassionate nature as he cared for Jessica when she needed it and watched over the others. I ached for him and his grief over the loss of his brother and loved how making Danny's dream come true helped him heal.
 
I had a lot of fun watching the aspiring bar owners deal with the antics of those opposed to them. Stella is a holier-than-thou, self-righteous prig, and I laughed every time the gang got the better of her. The crowning touch was at the bar's grand opening as Oscar found the perfect way to deal with her once and for all.
 
I loved Risa's daughters, Lily and Daisy. They are sweet and sassy and have a great sense of humor. They are amazingly well-adjusted considering their bats**t crazy grandmothers. I loved how observant they were and quick to comment on the things they saw. I frequently laughed out loud at their words and actions. They were never truly rude, but they could be blunt when they needed to be. I especially loved their support of their mother.
 
I loved seeing everything that went into turning the church into a bar. From using reclaimed wood from the pews to build the bar to all the other large and small steps, I felt as though I was right there with them. I loved being there for their grand opening and witnessing their well-deserved success. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up, and I liked seeing where they were a few months down the road.

Heidi - Johanna Spyri (Neeland Media - Dec 2009)

Orphaned Heidi lives with her gruff but caring grandfather on the side of a Swiss mountain, where she befriends young Peter the goatherd. She leads an idyllic life, until she is forced to leave the mountain she has always known to go and live with a sickly girl in the city. Will Heidi ever see her grandfather again? A classic tale of a young girl's coming-of-age, of friendship, and familial love.
 
It's been many years since I last read Heidi. Having just returned from a visit to Zurich, the home of the author, I felt it was time to revisit the Swiss Alps. The book has three parts: the first, when Heidi goes to live with her grandfather on the mountain; the second, when Heidi is taken to Frankfurt to be Clara's companion; and the third, when Heidi returns to the mountain and her grandfather.  Each one is portrayed vividly with its challenges and triumphs.
 
The story opens as Heidi's Aunt Dete, who has cared for her since she was a year old, takes Heidi to live with her grandfather. Dete has been offered a job where it is inconvenient to take Heidi with her. As she drags the five-year-old Heidi through the village, the people are horrified by the idea of Heidi living with the reclusive and grouchy old man, but Dete won't be deterred. One sees the villagers' point when Dete arrives at the grandfather's hut, and he is less than welcoming. But once Dete is gone, we see a softer side of him as he makes room for Heidi in his life. Heidi is a sweet child who looks at everything as an adventure, from sleeping in the loft on a bed made of hay to exploring the meadows with the goats and Peter, the goatherd. She is a compassionate and empathetic child who thinks of others before herself. I loved her interactions with Peter's blind grandmother. She's no pushover, though, and has the occasional run-in with Peter. And so, three years pass as Heidi grows healthy and happy. The only negative is her grandfather's refusal to send her to school in the village, though Heidi doesn't miss it.
 
Then Aunt Dete reappears. She has a chance to ingratiate herself with a wealthy family in Frankfurt. They are looking for a companion for their invalid daughter, Clara, and want someone "innocent and unspoiled." She and grandfather engage in a shouting match, and when he storms off, she kidnaps Heidi, making promises she does not intend to keep. Poor Heidi thinks she can go home anytime, so she doesn't fuss. Upon arriving in Frankfurt at the Sesseman home, young Clara is enchanted by Heidi, though the housekeeper, Fraulein Rottenmeier, takes her in immediate dislike. Poor Heidi has no clue how to behave in a home like this and makes all kinds of blunders, many of which are highly amusing. But Clara is kind and finds Heidi vastly entertaining. Heidi has a fair share of stubbornness too, which comes out when it is time for lessons. Having listened to Peter's tales of woe about reading, Heidi refuses to try to learn. It isn't until Clara's grandmother comes to visit that anything changes. I loved how she found just the right motivator to break through Heidi's stubbornness, and once she did, there was no holding Heidi back. But all is not well with Heidi. She is dreadfully homesick, and though she tries to hide it, her health is soon affected. The ghost scene is funny and heartbreaking as the depth of her unhappiness becomes clear. I loved the doctor and his insistence that Heidi must return to her mountain home. Though sad, Clara sends Heidi off with a bounty of gifts.
 
Finally, Heidi returns home to her beloved mountain and grandfather. In the time she's been gone, he's become even more of a hermit and grouch. However, their reunion is sweet and emotional. Peter, too, is overjoyed to have his friend back. As shown in her reunion with Peter's grandmother, Heidi continues to be a sweet ray of sunshine. The old lady's appreciation of the soft rolls Heidi brings her is nothing compared to the joy she gets when Heidi reads to her. That isn't all Heidi has learned, and she soon has her grandfather ending his isolation and rejoining the world of the villagers.
 
Meanwhile, Heidi invites Clara to visit. Though illness delays her trip, the good doctor from Frankfurt pays Heidi and her grandfather a visit. The doctor, suffering from a personal tragedy, finds healing in the simple life he experiences there. I loved seeing Heidi's joy in showing him around her mountain. The downside is Peter's jealousy at having to share his friend, a foreshadowing of future trouble. The doctor and Heidi's grandfather become good friends. The doctor returns to Frankfurt convinced that Clara will benefit greatly from a trip to Heidi's mountain, and plans commence for the following summer.
 
I loved Heidi's excitement over her friend's imminent visit. I loved the portrayal of the procession up the mountain - the horse bearing Clara's grandmother, Clara being carried up in a sedan chair, and her wheelchair carried up by still others. Grandfather surprises everyone with his tender care of Clara, and grandmamma is impressed. The time passes quickly, and soon they must go back down the mountain. Grandfather suggests that Clara be allowed to stay on the mountain with Heidi in hopes of benefitting from the stay. I loved seeing the joy of the two girls as they spent hours together. Once again, Peter's jealousy over sharing his friend is apparent, and this time it takes a destructive turn. He pushes Clara's empty wheelchair down the mountain, where it is destroyed, hoping to force the girl's departure. Instead, Clara and Heidi are more determined than ever to enjoy their time together. The healthy lifestyle works wonders for Clara, and soon grandfather encourages her to try standing. A trip to the high meadow with Peter and the goats gives Heidi the idea for Clara to try walking and forces Peter to help. After getting a taste for it, Clara becomes determined to leave the chair behind forever. I loved the surprise the girls had for grandmamma on her next visit up the mountain. It was topped only by the surprise appearance of Clara's father.
 
As Clara's visit ends, with promises to visit again the following summer, life on the mountain returns to normal. Heidi's grandfather has now been fully reintegrated into village life, and when winter comes, he and Heidi move to a house in the village. Heidi continues her schooling and drags Peter along with her, using the lesson learned from grandmamma to motivate him. Heidi encourages grandfather to continue helping Peter's family. The doctor retires from Frankfurt and moves to the village, giving Heidi another person who will watch over her.
 
The author's vivid descriptions made the settings come alive. I could practically smell the flowers in the meadow and hear the wind in the fir trees. The goats and their unique personalities were great. I admit to laughing out loud at the description of the monkey in the classroom and Fraulein Rottenmeier's reaction. The description of Heidi's homesickness made me ache for her, while I cheered at her joy the closer she got to home.
 
Peter was the one character that I was ambivalent about. When it was just him and Heidi, things were good. He showed her how to get on in the mountains and provided her with friendship. He's also lazy, doing the minimum of what he needs to do to get by. This was especially true when it came to reading to his grandmother. He's also selfish, which shows in his jealousy at sharing Heidi with the doctor and Clara. His destruction of the wheelchair was thoughtless and cruel, and he deserved the pangs of conscience he felt. I felt that he got off a little too easy regarding the consequences of his actions.
 
I especially noted during this reading the sometimes over-the-top preachiness of some sections. This is common in children's literature of the time. Stories for kids were written to teach as well as entertain, and morality was rarely subtle.