Series:
Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals (Book
4)
He was once the competition, but now that they're all
grown up, who will come out on top?
“It's your move. Go ahead and finish me.”
Attorney Alexandra Lattimore doesn't play games, but
entrepreneur Jackson Strom brings out her competitive side. Her former high
school rival is all grown up -- oozing class, challenging her and tempting her
in equal measure. But she's back home to deal with family business, not to
revisit the past or get tangled up in messy emotions. Is a casual fling the
best strategy? Maybe… Succumbing to Jackson's physical appeal is one thing;
revealing her secrets is another. But she knows he won't be satisfied until
he's made her his queen…
Good second chance romance. Attorney Alexa took a leave
of absence from her Miami job to help her family back in Texas. While there,
she encounters her high school nemesis, Jackson. They were competitive all
through school, with Alexa frequently coming out on top, earning her the
nickname "Alexandra the First." She never knew that he'd had a crush
on her all through school, and his competition was a way to get her attention.
Jackson is now a successful and confident man who still has a thing for Alexa.
I love their first meeting at the TCC charity barbecue.
Alexa was manipulated into attending by her mother and would have preferred to
skip it. Instead, she's hiding in a cabana by the pool when Jackson finds her.
He'd seen her arrive and was determined to make her notice him this time. I
loved their banter about their past as he challenged her to a chess game and
later to experience the barbecue cook-off. Alexa notices that her high school
rival has become a handsome and charming man but isn't interested in starting a
relationship with anyone. Meanwhile, Jackson refuses to give up on getting
closer to her.
I liked Alexa, but she frustrated me at times. She is
intelligent, independent, and loyal to those she loves. But she is so hung up
on being the best at everything that she misses out on life. That need to excel
also hides the insecurity she experiences because she feels that she is the odd
one out in her family. As the book goes on, we see how she puts up a front,
even with them, as she hides the issue she has at her job. When she meets
Jackson again, she doesn't expect her instant attraction to him. Though she
tries to resist, citing her intention to return to Miami and disinterest in
starting a relationship, Alexa can't help rising to his challenges to step
outside her comfort zone. I liked watching Alexa blossom under Jackson's
attention, learning how to relax and have fun. But part of her can't help but
hold back her troubles, refusing to look anything but a winner. I wanted to
shake her for not confiding in him whenever he tried to find out what was
bothering her. When the truth came out, Alexa had to decide what was more
important - her pride or her feelings for Jackson.
I loved Jackson. He is intelligent, successful, and determined.
He remembers his competition with Alexa fondly because he had her attention.
Though he thought he was over his crush, he realized he still had feelings for
her as soon as he met her again. I loved his determination not to miss his
chance with her this time. It was fun seeing how he knew what buttons to push
to get her to follow his plans. He also paid close attention to what she said,
which enabled him to pull off the sweet surprises at the cabin. The "prom
night" was especially moving. Jackson could tell that something was bothering
her and was frustrated by his inability to get her to trust him. I felt his
pain when he discovered it and understood his hurt and anger. His need to do
something was evident, and I loved what he did, even though he didn't get the reaction
he wanted from Alexa. I liked that he didn't give up on her or their
relationship. His big moment at the end was terrific as he faced her, and they
finally talked things out.
There is a little progress on the series storyline of the
claim on her family's ranch and that of their friends. Alexa's grandfather,
Augustus, has memory problems, making getting details from him challenging.
Information is uncovered about an oil survey, but Augustus claims to have no
memory of it. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and getting to the
bottom of the mystery.
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