The Wedding Ranch - Nancy Naigle (St. Martin's - Dec 2022)

When Lorri Walker's husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine's Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri's graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.
 
Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew -- whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination -- keeps him from getting lonely.
 
When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they're together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.
 
But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.
 
This was a sweet, heartwarming story about two hurting people. The story opens with Lorri, whose fifteen-year marriage to Craig is in trouble. But when he brings her an adorable mastiff puppy, she believes things are on the mend. She's blindsided six months later when he leaves her for the puppy trainer. Lorri decides the best thing she can do is move away from the memories and start over, where she can rediscover who she is. So she takes Mister, the dog, and moves to the small town of Dalton Mill. I loved the vivid descriptions of her home, her renewed passion for painting, and the joy she gets from the slower pace.
 
Ryder is a man buried in grief. His wife and son were killed by a drunk driver seven years earlier. He stays busy working his ranch and spending time with his sister and her family. For him, family is everything, including helping his niece and nephew with their new event venue - The Wedding Ranch. Ryder also feels resentment toward his parents, who sold off some of the family lands to a developer, land that he feels should have been his.
 
The first few chapters were slow as they covered the breakup of Lorrie's marriage and Ryder's grousing about the land. My interest picked up as Lorrie settled into her new home and adjusted to the slower pace. I loved her decision to go to the county fair and the methodical planning of her schedule so she could see as much as possible. I laughed out loud at her first-timer experience with cotton candy and her fascination with the 4-H show. All the new experiences so consume her mind that she doesn't know she's in the path of a runaway steer until Ryder knocks her out of the way.
 
Ryder is unexpectedly drawn to Lorrie, and rather than help her up and send her on her way, he offers to show her around the fair until she is fully recovered. They find it incredibly easy to talk to each other, especially once each has assured the other that they aren't looking for a relationship. They agree that a new friend is nothing to sneeze at, so their friendship is formed. Watching them find reasons to spend time together, all in the name of "friendship," was fun.
 
Ryder finds himself more caught up than usual in Ross and Reece's plans at The Wedding Ranch. When a secret celebrity wedding is booked there, Ryder turns his house over to the wedding party. I loved the closeness between Ryder and the "kids" and his belief in their dream. His willingness to step up and help in any way is sweet. A little drama is attached to the wedding when he jumps to conclusions about Lorrie's presence there, but it is dealt with quickly and realistically.
 
I liked watching Ryder and Lorrie grow closer. It is clear that their feelings are changing and becoming deeper. Ryder's grief begins to let up a little, and everyone notices that he's smiling and laughing more. My heart broke for him as he told Lorrie about what happened and his feelings of guilt over it. Ryder listens as Lorrie speaks to him about her estrangement from her parents because of her brother's poor decisions and their enabling of him. She's never grieved his death because of her anger. But just as Lorrie is ready to confess her feelings, a devastating discovery threatens to drive them apart. Each must look at their past and decide whether the past or the future is more important. These scenes were both heartbreaking and uplifting, and I ached for both. Of course, love wins out, and I loved seeing them come together.
 
The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the story. I loved their plans and seeing their changes as they moved forward. Ryder's big scene was fantastic and was the perfect ending.

The Wish List - Michelle Major (HQN - Oct 2022)

Series: Carolina Girls (Book 4)
 
This Christmas the Carlyle sisters will rediscover the gift of family
 
For some families, a Christmas reunion is like a feel-good movie. For Beth Carlyle, it might be more of a disaster epic. Her ex-husband's new girlfriend is already pregnant. Her self-absorbed, bestselling author mother recently suffered a stroke and has summoned Beth's sisters, Freya and Trinity—neither of whom even seem to like Beth very much—back to Magnolia. Beth's so lonely and stressed that she spills her guts to a stranger, wondering why the handsome newcomer affects her so deeply. Reality TV star Freya deliberately forged a career that would upset her mother, who's always been as brilliant as the sun…and just as distant. Now a handsome literary agent is making Freya dream of a different life. As for Trinity, she just wants to start over after leaving an abusive relationship and make a future for her and her baby.
 
It'll be a Christmas like no other in Magnolia. But the Carlyle sisters might find they have more in common than their shared past—and that the holidays are made for second chances.
 
Terrific story of love, family, and second chances. When Beth and her sisters, Freya and Trinity, were young, their father walked out on them, leaving May a single mother. When Beth was thirteen, her mother wrote a bestselling female-empowerment book. While the self-centered May went off to do book tours, Beth was left alone to care for her younger sisters. Worried about being caught and separated, Beth tended to be bossy and controlling to hide that May wasn't around. Unsurprisingly, her sisters resented Beth's attitude and left Magnolia as soon as possible.
 
May recently had a stroke and has summoned Trinity and Freya back home. Beth, who stayed in Magnolia and became a nurse, has picked up the pieces for her mother. Recently divorced, Beth's ex-husband wasted no time letting her know that his girlfriend was pregnant, a hurtful revelation considering the effort Beth put into trying to get pregnant while they were married. Beth spends so much time caring for others that she has no life of her own. She wants to leave Magnolia and finally follow her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. The stress and worry about her mother and her sisters' impending arrival come pouring out during a confrontation with a stranger at the hospital. She and Declan are drawn to each other, but Beth is focused on her plans to leave.
 
Freya is a tv reality star who, as a teen, was the family's wild child. She did everything she could think of to gain her mother's attention. Even now, her D-list Hollywood lifestyle appears to be a cry for attention. She initially comes across as sarcastic and cynical. This is especially evident when she meets Greer, her mother's agent. She doesn't trust him, but the sparks between them are undeniable. Freya is tired of the backstabbing and me-first attitudes and hopes to change her life. She is secretly writing a book that she hopes will take her in a different direction.
 
Trinity was the peacemaker, trying to keep Freya and Beth from going too far. She returns to Magnolia pregnant, escaping from an abusive boyfriend. All she wants is a chance to make a good life for herself and her baby. She worries about being a good mother because of May's example, but Freya and Beth promise their support. Trinity meets their next-door neighbor, Ash, the police chief. Ash is clearly smitten, but Trinity isn't ready for anything more than friendship.
 
I loved following each sister's story as they faced their pasts and worked on writing new futures. I liked watching them forge new bonds as adults, accepting each other for who they are now. There are a few rough patches when past hurts flare up, but overall their love and support win out. Freya and Trinity's support gives Beth the courage to stop putting everyone else's needs ahead of hers. Freya's return to Magnolia gives her a new perspective on her hometown, and new friends help her see the emptiness of her life in California. I loved seeing Trinity's growing confidence as the book progressed, and the mama bear in her shone during the fracas at the baby's christening. When all was said and done, the sisters' relationships with each other were everything they could hope for.
 
I enjoyed seeing each sister find love. Declan is a great guy with a big heart. I loved how his attention helped Beth see herself differently. His feelings for her are obvious to everyone except Beth. She feels the same attraction but is focused on her plans and believes that he will leave Magnolia after the holidays. I ached for Declan when his grand gesture went awry. I wanted to shake both of them for not talking to each other. I liked how they finally figured out how to make both dreams come true.
 
Freya and Greer were an interesting duo. Freya's cynicism and sarcasm made for very antagonistic and flat-out rude interactions with Greer for a good share of the book. Sometimes I couldn't understand why Greer didn't just walk away. Most of the time, he seemed amused by her attitude, though he would push back when she cast aspersions on his honor. I felt like part of her attitude was fear of his reaction to her book, which was why she fought so hard against showing it to him. As her mother's agent, Greer is also privy to the updated portions of May's book, and his liking for May makes it difficult for Freya to trust him. There is quite a scene at the end when secrets come out. I liked that Greer didn't give up on Freya and helped her overcome her fear.
 
Ash and Trinity were sweet together. Ash is a single dad who lives with his mother-in-law so that they can help each other. His daughter Michaela is terrific and has a heart as big as her dad's. Ash recognizes Trinity's skittishness around men and is understanding and gentle with her. I loved how he didn't let her pregnancy stop his interest in her. I had to laugh at how their first date ended and that it didn't stop him from asking for a second one. While he doesn't hesitate to tell her how he feels about her, he is also sensitive enough not to push her for more than she is ready for. His support at the church gave her the confidence to stand up for herself and realize that she was stronger than she knew.
 
I have mixed feelings about May. Despite her very public admission of her mistakes, she doesn't get a pass regarding her actions when the girls were younger. There was no excuse for the way she left them on her own. I could feel the girls' confusion after May's stroke when so many townspeople commented on how nice she was and how proud of her daughters. They were equally confused and suspicious of her loving attitude toward them while at the rehab center. None of the girls are enthusiastic about the upcoming release of the updated version of May's book. I understood their anger and hurt when they finally got to read what she had added. Putting something in a book before talking to them seemed to show that she hadn't changed all that much. This was compounded by her expectations of their support, especially Beth's, during her upcoming book tour. She finally redeemed herself, so I was happy to see that.

I also enjoyed catching up on characters' lives from previous Magnolia books. I'd like to see Declan's "sister," Shauna, get her story. My heart hurt over Declan's story about his brother, and I'd like to see some resolution to that, too. 

The Body in the Wall - Rita Herron (HI #2072 - May 2022)

Series: Badge of Courage (Book 2)
 
This place had been her home
Now it was a crime scene
 
The sooner Special Agent Macy Stark can sell her childhood home, the sooner she can escape her small town and shameful past -- until she discovers a body in the wall and her childhood nightmares return. Handsome local Sheriff Stone Lawson joins the cold case to help Macy locate her missing mother and uncover a dark web of secrets about both her parents. But someone's willing to kill to keep the past hidden…for good.
 
Good book with intense suspense. Macy returned to her hometown for a school reunion and to dispose of her childhood home, hoping to put her past behind her once and for all. The book opens as Macy enters her home for the first time in years, determined to clear it out. Her mom clearly let the place go before entering a psychiatric facility for her mental issues. Macy tears through the house like a whirlwind, bagging things for disposal while fighting off the memories of her painful childhood. I ached for Macy as she remembered Lynn's volatility and abusiveness.
 
When Macy was a child, she was forbidden to go into the basement, but now it is one more place to clear out. I could feel her trepidation as she unlocked the door and went down the steps. The author's description was so vivid that I could almost smell the mildew and mustiness. And despite the book title, I nearly jumped out of my skin when Macy saw that bony hand sticking out of the wall. She quickly realizes that her departure will be delayed with the house now a crime scene. Recalling her childhood nightmares, she is also concerned that her mother may be a murderer.
 
As sheriff, Stone is first on the scene when she calls him. He and Macy worked together to solve the mystery in the series' first book, and he respects her abilities as an agent. He is also drawn to her as a person. He is slightly concerned about how she'd handle an investigation that involves her mother. When they arrive at the facility to question Macy's mom, they discover that she has disappeared. Finding her and getting answers becomes a high priority.
 
I was intrigued by the twists and turns of their investigation into past events. From identifying the body to tracking Lynn's activities all those years ago, each new revelation only created more questions. The intensity ramped up when someone knocked Macy out and set fire to the house with Macy in it. Stone's timely arrival saved her life but left her wondering if her mother tried to kill her. As Macy and Stone delved deeper into Lynn's past, an unexpected connection sent them on a new path. The final confrontation had one last twist and a revelation that would alter Macy's relationship with her mother.
 
I liked seeing the development of Macy and Stone's relationship. The sparks were there early, but with Macy due to return to her FBI post and Stone staying in Briar Ridge, neither planned to pursue the attraction. I loved Stone's kindness and compassion as he learned more about Macy's childhood and the protectiveness he couldn't help feeling. Macy is so used to burying her memories and feelings of her childhood that she isn't sure how to handle her reactions to his care. When everything was over, Macy had to decide whether to return to her old life or take a chance that Stone cared about her as much as she did him. I liked the scene with the rocks at the end.

It Started with a Puppy - Christy Jeffries (HSE #2926 - Aug 2022)

Series: Furever Yours (Book 12)

The matchmaker wore a collar…
 
Elise Mackenzie is committed to making the Furever Paws fundraiser a huge success. She's even roped in her landlord and new boss, Harris Vega, for help. But spending so much time with Harris, especially around an adorable puppy named Pancake, is giving the usually shy Elise ideas she shouldn't be having. Could a man like Harris really think twice about a woman more comfortable with flour on her face than lipstick?
 
This was a sweet, heartwarming story that was fun to read. Elise is a young woman who lived with her aunt after her dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and moved to assisted living. After his death, Elise remained with her aunt, who lost no opportunity to tell Elise how grateful she should be for having her aunt take care of her. Aunt Regina was the town socialite and a bit of a flake, frequently leaving Elise to pick up the slack when Regina moved on from a project. Now, Regina has disappeared, along with the money for a local fundraiser. Elise is doing her best to make the fundraiser happen.
 
Elise also has no money of her own and prefers being around animals to people. She moved out of her aunt's house and into a fixer-upper, where she is trading repairs for reduced rent. Her landlord is Harris, a local contractor, and house-flipper. Harris is kind and charming and a bit of a flirt.
 
I loved the opening scene, as Elise and Harris arrive at the house with cat food for the previous owner's feral cat colony. I laughed at Harris's nervousness around the cats and Elise's instructions to him. When they found a little girl's missing cat among the colony, their immediate attempts to catch it were funny. One thing that was evident was that Elise and Harris were attracted to each other but hadn't done anything about it.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Harris and Elise develop. Elise is very shy and tries to stay in the background of whatever she does. Harris is much more outgoing. I loved watching him draw her out as he involved her in the design work of the houses he was renovating. Elise's aunt constantly put her down, so Harris's compliments and confidence in Elise made her bloom. There are many scenes of them working together and connecting over their partnership. Their attraction continues to build until they can no longer resist it.
 
As their feelings for each other grow, neither Harris nor Elise says anything to the other about it. Harris recognizes Elise's wariness and doesn't want to push things too fast and scare her off. Elise finds it hard to believe that the handsome and charming Harris would be the least bit interested in her for the long term. When Regina turns up back in town, she picks away at Elise's confidence, causing her to doubt herself even more. I loved Harris's reaction, and though I ached for them during their time apart, it allowed Elise to see who she was and what she wanted. I loved seeing her take charge of her life and enjoyed her big moment at the end.
 
Watching Elise put together the Furever Yours fundraiser was one of my favorite things. Her cleverness and enthusiasm came out in everything she did, including going outside her comfort zone as emcee. I especially enjoyed seeing more of the puppy, Pancake, and Elise's connection to her.
 
There was a bit of a mystery involving Regina and her disappearance. The more I learned about Elise and her background, the more I began to suspect what had happened/what was going on. I enjoyed seeing Elise deal with the surprising truth and loved that Harris was there to support her. I look forward to seeing more of them in later books.

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.

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.

The Bookshop Rescue - Rochelle Alers (HSE #2908 - May 2022)

Series: Furever Yours (Book 9)

How to fetch a family
 
Bookshop owner -- and recently heartbroken -- Lucy Tucker never imagined how dramatically life would change once she started fostering Buttercup, a pregnant golden retriever. The biggest change? Growing a lot closer to the businessman next door, Calum Ramsey, especially after the two of them help Buttercup welcome her five puppies into the world. One romantic night later, and they're expecting a baby of their own! Stunned at first, steadfastly single Calum is now dutifully offering marriage. But Lucy doesn't need rescuing. She wants the true-blue happy ending they both deserve.
 
This was a sweet friends-to-lovers story. Lucy moved to Spring Forest to start over after her fiancé ran off with her best friend. She opened a bookstore and fosters a pregnant golden retriever named Buttercup. She made friends with fellow business owner Calum, who owns the bowling alley next door, Pins and Pints (I love that name!).
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Lucy and Calum. Thanks to the betrayal by her fiancé and friend, Lucy has a hard time trusting anyone. She introduced herself to Calum when she bought the building for the bookstore. She notices his good looks and charm but doesn't allow herself to look at him as anything other than a friend. Calum was attracted to Lucy from the start but respected her "friends" decision. Having been burned in a relationship during college, Calum has no plans to settle down soon. His business keeps him plenty busy and gives him an excellent excuse to avoid anything serious. It was sweet to see that Calum cares about Buttercup as much as Lucy does.
 
Calum helps Lucy the day that Buttercup has her puppies. The intense emotions of the event lead to them giving in to the feelings that flare up between them. But passion overcomes common sense, and soon Lucy discovers she's pregnant. Once he's over the shock, Calum finds himself happy about the baby and looking for ways to make Lucy a permanent part of his life. However, Lucy's trust issues cause her to maintain some distance between them. Both of them also have had problems with unreliable dads, which affects how they look at parenthood.
 
I loved Calum's protectiveness toward Lucy and how he tried to take care of her. It can be an uphill battle because Lucy is very independent and reluctant to depend on anyone except herself. The more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings grow, but neither says anything about it. Not only do they fear rejection, but neither wants to mess up their friendship. Things are progressing well between them until Lucy witnesses a confrontation between Calum and his father that sets off her insecurities. After a huge blow-up, she leaves and tells him she needs space. I ached for both of them because they were miserable apart. When Lucy calls her mom, she unloads her fears and worries and gets honest and straightforward advice. She has much to think about as she continues to avoid Calum. But when a medical emergency occurs, Calum is the first one she calls. Some emotional moments at the hospital showed how deep Calum's feelings were. I loved seeing them finally let go of the fears that kept them apart and look to the future as a family. The ending was adorable, with Buttercup playing a significant role.
 
I loved Buttercup and the part she played in Lucy's life. She was Lucy's friend and confidante and gave her someone to love. I liked how she took Buttercup to the bookstore with her. It was easy to see how much Lucy loved her and hated that she would have to give her up. I didn't understand that part since she could have applied to adopt Buttercup herself. The scene where Buttercup had the puppies was terrific, and I was so happy that Calum was there too. One of my favorite things was the names that Lucy gave the puppies: Fritter, Pancake, Beignet, Waffle, and Grits. It made me laugh that the author described the two girl pups as the wild ones. 

Just a Little Married - Reese Ryan (HD #2830 - Oct 2021)

Series: Moonlight Ridge (Book 3)

She needs a husband…fast.
Could her former flame be perfect for the job?
 
To claim her inheritance, philanthropist Riley George needs to tie the knot -- now! Desperate times call for desperate measures, so she turns to Travis Holloway -- the celebrity chef catering her gala and her ex-lover. Can she make him an offer he can't refuse without giving in to an attraction she can't deny? If Travis can keep things strictly business, he'll save his family's luxury resort. But it's never been about business with Riley, only pleasure. And this agreement on paper is about to tempt them into reckoning with the past…
 
Terrific second chance romance and conclusion to the series. The book works fine as a standalone, but you get the full effect if you read the other two first. Travis is the last of the three adopted brothers to return home to Moonlight Ridge to help care for their father after a health crisis and return the family resort to its former grandeur.
 
Travis and his brothers Mack and Grey were best friends while growing up. That ended fifteen years earlier after a car crash that changed their lives. Each brother blamed himself, but Travis was so severely injured that he lost his football scholarship and dreams of an NFL career. It took him two years to learn to walk again. All three left North Carolina to branch out on their own, and as the years passed grew further apart. We get Mack and Grey's versions of the accident in the previous books, see them come to terms with it and find love.
 
Travis is happy for his brothers, but he doesn't believe in love and happily-ever-after. After being abandoned by his mother, and the devastating break-up with his high school girlfriend, he doesn't trust women. He's quite happy with his bachelor lifestyle. He'll help with his dad, revamp the resort's kitchen and menu, and then return to his celebrity cooking show, restaurants, and cookbooks. He doesn't expect to see Riley again, much less get roped into working with her.
 
I loved seeing Travis's former mentor and resort chef strongarm Travis and Riley into working together. Henri was supposed to cater Riley's upcoming charity fundraiser but has to pull out. He insists that Travis take his place, claiming (accurately) that Travis's name will bring in more donors. Travis counters by insisting the gala be held at Moonlight Ridge, and he and Riley come to a working agreement. Neither one expected the feelings that being around each other stirred up.
 
Riley has another problem she needs Travis's help with. Two of the charities she works with have lost funding. To access her trust fund from her grandfather to help them, his stipulations require that she be married to a man "of independent means." Travis is shocked when Riley offers to invest in the resort if he marries her for a year. Though he laughs himself silly and then refuses, Riley doesn't give up. I loved watching her use every means possible to get him to agree.
 
I liked watching the relationship between Travis and Riley develop. They had known each other first as children when her parents came to the resort on vacation. As they grew older, their friendship deepened into more. But Riley's parents, especially her father, were snobs and didn't approve, and their interference drove the two apart. Neither of them has forgotten those feelings, but they don't want to risk their hearts again. However, it is impossible to spend time together and not remember the good times, so they grow close again. There are some sweet scenes between them, such as skipping stones and cooking together.
 
I loved seeing the depth of caring that developed, though neither one was willing to admit it. The scene where they had dinner with Riley's parents was great. I loved seeing Riley stand up to them, and the conversation between Travis and Mr. George was excellent. Though Travis is still fighting his feelings, the proposal scene at the gala was incredible and very romantic. I enjoyed seeing Mack and Grey try to get through to Travis since his feelings for Riley were obvious, but he remained obstinate. His feelings came through clearly with the surprise he had for her on their wedding day.
 
But an uninvited guest at the wedding threw Travis's emotions into turmoil. I ached for him and the memories it stirred up, and I liked how Riley tried to help. I hurt for her when she got caught in the middle of a stunning revelation and how Travis turned on her. I loved how Jameson straightened him out and the subsequent advice he received. The big moment at the end was great, and the epilogue was a terrific wrap-up.
 
Two storylines went across all three books. One was the developing relationship between Jameson and his nurse/former housekeeper. They were sweet together, and I enjoyed seeing Giada keep him in line. The other, more critical issue was the embezzlement that Mack discovered in the first book and Grey investigated in the second one. I had my suspicions right from the start and was happy to be proved right. 

Best Laid Wedding Plans - Karen Booth (HD #2826 - Sept 2021)

Series: Moonlight Ridge (Book 2)

“You could use a lesson in
giving in to temptation.”
 
But who's Autumn Kincaid to talk? Her reputation as a wedding planner is on the line after she's left at the altar. So is her job at Moonlight Ridge -- unless she proves herself to grumpy Grey Holloway, whose family owns the resort. Grey doesn't even believe in true love. She has to convince him romance is real, that all he needs is to give in to the heat threatening to burn them both. Maybe this time Autumn will get her own happily-ever-after…or is this just another best-laid plan?
 
This was a good opposites-attract story. Autumn is the wedding planner for Moonlight Ridge, but things aren't going so well for her. Her fiancé called off their wedding just days before it happened, thanks to her Hollywood producer, PR nightmare father's latest sexual misconduct scandal. This put Autumn front and center in the gossip rags, which affects her business, as brides begin to cancel their arrangements with her. She's confident she can recover if given a chance, but that chance comes with the supervision of Grey Holloway, one of the sons of her employer.
 
Grey is one of three brothers who were very close while growing up until a tragic accident tore them apart. Now they rarely speak unless it has something to do with their father. When he takes ill, each brother commits to spending a few months - separately - helping at the resort until he recovers. Mack came first, reconnected with his high school sweetheart, and decided to stay (Homecoming Heartbreaker). He also wants the brothers to reconcile, though it won't be easy. Grey accepts helping out for his father's sake but is none too happy about having to shadow the wedding planner.
 
I loved the first meeting between Autumn and Grey. Always an optimist, Autumn takes coffee and pastries to Grey's cabin, hoping to get off to a good start. She doesn't expect to find the handsome and sexy man exercising on the deck and be told he "doesn't do breakfast." Grey is honest that he doesn't believe in love and marriage and has no interest in following her around, but has no choice. Faced with Mr. Grumpy, Autumn lets her optimism bubble up, tells him that he doesn't know what he's missing, but she'll fill him in on everything he needs to know, even though she doesn't want him there either.
 
It doesn't take long for Grey to realize that the wedding problems are not Autumn's fault professionally. He's incredibly impressed with her abilities and has no trouble telling Mack so. I loved the support he gave her when confronted by an unpleasant mother-of-the-bride. He's fascinated and attracted to her, even though he knows he's going back to New York at the end of the summer. Autumn is equally attracted to Grey, and it isn't long before they give in to the heat between them. Neither expected the deeper feelings between them, and Grey fought especially hard against them. I loved his "aha" moment, and his big scene at the end was sweet and romantic.
 
A few other things are going on during this book. Mack and his father, Jameson, are trying to get everyone reunited and moved back to Moonlight Ridge. Mack tends to be a little heavy-handed, and Grey does not respond well, adding more stress. However, Grey agrees to design the new brewery on the resort grounds in time for Mack's wedding, which helps smooth things between the two brothers. There is also romance brewing between Jameson and his nurse/housekeeper, who have known each other for years. Giada is no pushover, and I like the sparks that fly between them.
 
Lastly, the resort isn't doing well financially, and Mack suspects someone is stealing from the resort. He had no luck finding who in the first book. The subject is lightly addressed in this one, with the secret presence of a forensic accountant on the property, but no conclusions are reached. I have my suspicions and can't wait to see if they are correct.