After everything she worked for is destroyed, pediatrician Natasha Gray is determined to build a new life. Divorced, bankrupt and suddenly a single mom, she's ready to start over in Silver Springs -- on her own. She certainly doesn't need help from Mack Amos, the man who's already broken her heart twice.
Although Mack has had feelings for Tash since they first met, too many things have stood in the way. He's always given her the support she needs, though, and he'll do the same now. Even if the desire he wrestles with threatens to undermine his intentions…
But her heart is not the only reason Natasha wants to keep Mack at bay. More time in her life means getting closer to her son, which could lead to a revelation neither of them is ready to face.
Emotional second chance story with complex characters. Natasha's life in LA is upended when her pediatric practice ends in scandal thanks to a criminal nurse, and her husband ends their marriage at the same time. Tash takes a job as a nurse at the New Horizons Ranch in Silver Springs, where she hopes to start over with her six-year-old son Lucas. Helping her move is Mack, her once-upon-a-time stepbrother, and teenage crush.
Mack has had feelings for Tash, too, but she was sixteen, and he was twenty-five. He knew that was wrong and worked hard to keep her at a distance. She always held a special place in his heart, so continuing to help her is a no-brainer. The difficulty remains in keeping his feelings under control.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Tash and Mack grow, but it wasn't an easy one. Their history is complicated. When her mom was married to his dad, Anya and JT had a very toxic relationship, leaving Mack and his brothers as the ones watching out for Tash. After what she saw as multiple rejections, Tash couldn't wait to go. A few years later, on a visit back to Whiskey Creek for the holidays, Tash encountered Mack, and the old feelings came rushing back for both of them. But after one night together, Mack's guilty feelings caused him to pull back, breaking her heart once more. While she's grateful for his help now, Tash wants Mack gone before her heart gets involved again.
Mack is tired of denying his feelings. Tash is free now, and Mack is determined to show her how he feels. He knows she wants nothing to do with another relationship, and winning back her trust will be a challenge, but he's up for it. I liked Mack's patience as he chipped away at Tash's resistance. He knows her well and manages an excellent blend of pushing and stepping back. The biggest issue is proving to her that he will be there when she needs him. Some sweet scenes show progress there, such as when she was sick and again during an issue with her mother later in the book. I also loved Mack's connection with Tash's son Lucas. He's an adorable kid, and the two of them are sweet together.
Tash fights hard against her feeling for Mack. After everything that's happened, she feels that the only one she can count on is herself. Mack says he'll be there, but he's walked away before. However, the longer he sticks around, the harder it is to resist the attraction between them. I got a little frustrated with how she dwelled on the past and refused to see that Mack's attitude changed dramatically. Even when she finally gave in to the sparks, she refused to see their connection as anything but physical. It takes some significant family trauma and drama to break down her walls at last. I loved the ending and seeing them both happy at last.
A lot is going on in this book besides the relationship between Tash and Mack. First up, we have Tash's ex-husband, a whiny man-child named Ace. His lack of support for her during the collapse of her practice and his selfishness during the divorce showed how horrible he was. It gets worse when he finds and reads an old diary of hers, and it stirs up suspicions about her son. His actions are childish at best and vicious at worst. Then there's the paternity issue raised in that diary. Mack is hopeful, Ace is furious, and Tash wants it all to go away.
Back in Whiskey Creek, more family drama comes home to roost. Years ago, Cheyenne Amos (Dylan's wife) made a decision with questionable ethics. That decision comes to light, and the parties involved must now answer for their choices. When I read that book, Come Home to Me, I was furious with Cheyenne and knew that it would come back to bite her. I ended up being pleased with the handling of the issue, and the relationships came out stronger.
At the end, Anya and JT's relationship takes center stage. After years away, Anya returns to JT, and they resume their shenanigans. Both of them abuse drugs and alcohol, which adds to the volatility of their relationship. When JT is found shot, and near death, suspicion immediately falls on Anya. Tash is torn between her feelings for Mack, her belief in her mother's innocence, and Anya's inability to remember what happened. Add in the reaction of the other Amos brothers, and the tension is off the charts. I had no idea which way this one would go, and it kept me turning the pages.
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