Montana Danger - Josie Jade, Janie Crouch (Calamittie Jane Pub - Mar 2022)

Series: Resting Warrior Ranch (Book 2)

Some mistakes haunt you forever.
 
Harlan Young knows that from personal experience. Walking away from Grace Townsend, even with the best intentions and no other choice, still haunts him to this day.
 
So when he had the chance to return to Montana, and be part of something as special as the Resting Warrior Ranch, he took it. Here he can help train service and emotional support animals for former soldiers with PTSD.
 
And maybe, just maybe, convince Grace to give him a second chance.
 
He never expected that second chance to be in the form of a fake marriage in order to save the land she loves so much. But he’ll do it, as well as help fight the danger closing in on her. She thinks she’s alone, but she’s wrong.
 
She knew him as a boy, but now he's a man. And real men don’t run.
 
Fantastic second chance story and incredible suspense. I started reading last night and kept going until I was finished - way too late AGAIN! I simply could not stop reading. We met Harlan and Grace in Montana Sanctuary, and even then, it was obvious there was something between them; there were so many sparks flying. In this book, we discover why Grace is so rude to Harlan and why he takes it without protest.
 
Harlan and Grace knew each other in high school and had plans to elope after graduation, getting Grace away from her abusive father. Then one day, Harlan was gone without a word, leaving Grace alone, devastated, and angry. Ten years later, Harlan returned to Montana with his SEAL buddies to start the Resting Warrior Ranch and found Grace married to another man. When her husband dies in an accident, Harlan hopes for a second chance.
 
Grace is struggling to hang on to her ranch. The documents she needs to prove her right to it are missing, and the state is threatening to take the land. Her creepy neighbor pressures her to sell him the ranch and gets belligerent when she refuses. As the deadline draws near, Grace doesn't know what to do.
 
Harlan can tell something is eating at Grace and won't give up until he finds out what it is. Despite their animosity, when there is a break-in at her house, Harlan is the first one she calls. Harlan's protective instincts are further aroused when he finds out an archaic law may keep Grace from hanging on to her ranch. So, he offers to marry her to give her the time she needs to find her paperwork.
 
I loved watching the rekindling of the relationship between Harlan and Grace. Harlan never stopped loving her despite how he walked away. Grace spent many years nursing her anger toward Harlan and convincing herself that she hated him. But there was no denying the way he made her feel. I felt like it wasn't too much of a struggle for her to accept his help. It also gave them a chance to put the past to rest. The story of why Harlan left the way he did broke my heart for both of them. It also opened the opportunity to start again, and I loved seeing them get to know each other as adults. They grew closer as they worked together to discover why her neighbor was so determined to gain control of her ranch.
 
The story's suspense was complex and kept me glued to the pages as I puzzled out the clues along with Harlan and Grace. Her neighbor, Wayne Gleason, appeared to be pulling every dirty trick in the book to force Grace to sell. The harder he pushed, the more curious Grace and Harlan were about what was driving him. As they closed in on the truth, the intensity of the attacks increased. I did not expect what they found, as my mind was leaning in another direction, and I loved the surprise of it. I liked the plans that Harlan and Grace made to trap Wayne, but they didn't realize that there was another player. I wanted to yell at Grace when she decided to go off on her own. My heart beat double-time when it went wrong, and I felt Harlan's fear when he realized what had happened. Wayne's evil was palpable as he carried out his plan, and things looked really bad when he put the second part in motion. I wasn't sure how Harlan and Grace would get out of trouble, but one can never count out his brothers-in-arms. The capper was Harlan catching up to Wayne, which made me very happy. I loved the ending and seeing Grace and Harlan's love stronger than ever.
 
I loved seeing more of Lucas and Evelyn from Montana Sanctuary and that they are moving forward from the trauma of that book. I especially loved the realism of the lingering effects of what happened. I also liked getting to know a little more about the other Warriors. The bonds of their brotherhood are strong, and I like how they watch out for each other. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Their New Year's Beginning - Michelle Major (HSE #2881 - Jan 2022)

Series: Fortunes of Texas: The Wedding Gift (Book 1)

At the stroke of midnight,
A stranger's kiss changes everything…
 
Brian Fortune doesn't think he will ever find the woman he kissed at his brother's New Year's wedding. So when the search for the provenance of a mysterious gift leads him into a local antique store a few days later, he's stunned to find Emmaline Lewis, proprietor -- and mystery kisser! Surprise turns to shock when he realizes that she's also six months pregnant. Brian has never been the type to commit -- and he's really not ready to become a family man in one fell swoop! But suddenly he knows he'll do anything to stay at Emmaline's side -- for good…
 
Good book. Brian Fortune was in Rambling Rose on New Year's Eve to celebrate a multi-couple family wedding, including his twin brother Brady's (An Unexpected Father). He shared a stunning New Year's kiss with a beautiful woman who quickly disappeared, leaving him unable to forget her.
 
Brian is the only one of his siblings still living in New York. The rest have found their way to Texas and are working with their Texas cousins. Brian, whose job as an advertising exec allows him to work remotely, promised to stay in Rambling Rose until his sister-in-law has her baby. He also promised to watch Brady's twins while he and his wife were on their honeymoon.
 
Brian is the quiet twin when compared with the outgoing Brady. He often feels at a disadvantage around his brother. Brian portrays himself as a lone wolf and perennial bachelor who doesn't commit ever since his college sweetheart broke his heart. It also hides the vulnerabilities caused by Tammy's parting words. Brian thinks he doesn't have what it takes to be a husband and father.
 
Emmaline took over her grandfather's antique shop after his death. She is also preparing to be a single mother after her ex-boyfriend made it clear he has no interest in fatherhood. She hasn't revealed her pregnancy, worried about the reactions of her friends and neighbors, thanks to her mom's experiences as a single mother. Emmaline is very independent and determined to depend only on herself.
 
Brian and Emmaline meet again when he shows up at her shop investigating a mysterious wedding gift received by Brady and Harper. He's stunned to see that Emmaline is six months pregnant and more so to discover that it doesn't matter to him. He's still interested in getting to know her better, even though he'll be leaving in a few weeks. Emmaline isn't interested in a relationship as the shop and her baby are her priorities. Still, she has nothing against spending some time with Brian while they research the horse sculpture.
 
I liked watching Brian and Emmaline spend time together. Despite their initial plan to have some fun together, it doesn't take long for stronger feelings to develop. Brian is protective of Emmaline and unexpectedly invested in her life. But Brian is convinced that he cannot be what she needs, despite evidence to the contrary. The scenes of Brian with his nephews were adorable, and his ability to relate to them as a twin himself helped a lot. There were times when I wanted to shake Brian for his refusal to admit that he'd changed since coming to Texas.
 
Emmaline has almost as much tunnel vision as Brian. Because of past disappointments, she refuses to allow herself to depend on anyone else. But the more time she spends with Brian, the more she is tempted to lean on him. I liked Emmaline's support of Brian and how she tries to show him that he underestimates himself. When she finally realizes the depth of her feelings for a man who won't commit, she does what she must to protect her heart.
 
I ached for Emmaline and Brian.  Each was too stubborn to open their heart and risk rejection rather than take a chance. Even Brady had trouble getting through to Brian. It took a scare involving Emmaline for Brian to overcome his fears. I loved the emotional scene at the end and seeing both Brian and Emmaline get the future they wanted.
 
The mystery of the horse sculpture is intriguing. The information they have uncovered reveals a little bit of the sculpture's history but still nothing about who it is from. An unexpected twist at the end opened the door to more information that I expect will be revealed during the rest of the books in the series. I can't wait to see the story behind it.

Bride for a Day - Carolyn Brown (Sourcebooks - Apr 2022)

Cassie O'Malley is on the run. In a few months her inheritance will kick in. Until then, she just needs a job and a place to stay under the radar. But when Cassie gets off the bus in north Texas and runs smack into the town sheriff, she quickly does the first thing she can think of—approach the handsome stranger on the street and pretend to be a couple. Luckily, the sheriff believes it and the man surprisingly plays along—all the way up to the courthouse, where the officer insists he marry them himself.
 
Wondering how she got herself into this mess, Cassie can't believe her plan got so far out of hand. Her new husband Ted assures her that his Uncle Ash, a lawyer, will get the whole thing straightened out with no problem. Cassie will only be a bride for a day, and then she can go on her way. But as his family welcomes her with full hearts, she begins to wonder if she'll be able to say goodbye to the first loving family she's known in her life. Not to mention a man like Ted.
 
This was a sweet, clean romance with likable characters. It is a revamp of the 1998 book Love is the Answer that the author wrote under the name Abby Gray for the Precious Gems line. The main characters are younger than those found in more modern romances, perhaps increasing its appeal for the young adult or new adult audience. That did not diminish my enjoyment of the story. While the characters do not have the same depth as those in the author's more recent works, the signature humor, close family, and small-town are all there.
 
Cassie is just a few months shy of twenty-one when her guardian dies, leaving her at the mercy of the woman's husband. She knows she must get out when she finds out that he's sold her to a sex ring. If she can find a place to lay low for a few months, she can claim her inheritance. So, she takes what little money she has and hops on a bus headed toward Oklahoma. When she gets off the bus in a small Texas town for a break, she discovers the town sheriff is looking for her. Panicking, she approaches the young man sitting alone in the diner and asks for his help. She's relieved when he plays along but never anticipated the turn it takes.
 
Ted, a usually shy and introverted guy, was stunned when Cassie approached him and asked for his help. Asking himself what his twin brother would do, Ted immediately steps up to the plate and confirms they are a couple. But his nerves get the best of him, and he embellishes the story, claiming they are eloping. In either a fit of romanticism or suspicion, the sheriff decides to help them - all the way to the town Justice of the Peace. The next thing Ted and Cassie know, they are married and gifted a night at the local motel for their "honeymoon."
 
The book immediately drew me in with this scenario. I liked Cassie's quick thinking, both for her escape and her encounter with the sheriff. She got fortunate with her choice of an accomplice. Ted is a good guy but still suffering grief over the death of his twin brother four years earlier. He imagines John's response to the situation and uses that as his guide. I enjoyed watching him get into the deception and laughed out loud at some of his commentaries as he dragged Cassie along. There were a couple of hold-your-breath moments when I thought the cat would be out of the bag.
 
There was one scene of Cassie freaking out because she realized she hadn't needed the help, but it was too late to do anything about it. I liked how Ted was calm, reassuring Cassie that his uncle, a lawyer, would process an annulment for them right away. The next day they head back to Oklahoma and Ted's family home. Cassie is afraid of their reaction and is stunned when she's warmly welcomed. I liked that she and Ted are honest with the family about why they are married, which goes a long way toward their acceptance of her. It was fun to see them find ways to make her welcome and comfortable staying for a while.
 
I liked watching the relationship between Ted and Cassie develop. They connected right away and found it easy to talk to each other. Cassie has a significant impact on Ted. His grief for his brother has been so overpowering that he closed himself off to all emotion and has just gone through the motions of living. Being around Cassie stirs up feelings he's buried, and Ted finds himself falling for her. Though Cassie has been isolated for several years, she hasn't lost her sense of self. She knows what she wants out of her life and isn't afraid to go after it. I liked watching them grow closer, talk about their dreams, and acknowledge the attraction building between them. There was no angst-driven black moment, just a steady realization that they belonged together. I liked Ted's big moment and the surprise he had for Cassie.
 
Ted's grief over his brother John's death, was a big part of this book. Much of it was tied up in his guilty feelings, thinking he should have been able to prevent it from happening. John was never far from his mind, and there were many times when he heard John's voice in his head, giving advice or brotherly commentary. From the moment Cassie appeared, the walls around his feelings began to crumble, and the grief started to fade. I loved the scene in their childhood bedroom.
 
There were a couple of things I thought were left hanging. Cassie's guardian made a brief appearance, and I loved how Ted and his father and uncle handled him. However, I would have enjoyed a mention of whether their proposed actions were effective. Other than brief mentions, nothing more was said about Cassie's inheritance, despite the importance of hiding out until her birthday.

A Blues Singer to Redeem Him - Elle Jackson (HH #1604 - Sept 2021)

Nights at the speakeasy…
Spark a dangerous romance
 
Evelyn Laroque's performances at Lorenzo De Luca's Kansas City blues club draw even bigger crowds than his bootleg whiskey. And every time he hears her voice, Lorenzo falls a little harder for the achingly beautiful blues singer. When Evelyn becomes a target for the KKK, Lorenzo faces an impossible choice. Will this son of a gangster turn to the mob if it's the only way to protect the woman he loves?
 
Good romance between two people haunted by their pasts and who face obstacles to having a life together. This story has big issues: survivor's guilt, racism, interracial relationships, and expectations. The story sucked me in and kept me turning the pages until the end.
 
I liked Evelyn. She is intelligent, talented, beautiful, and has a loving heart.  She is scarred, physically and emotionally, by witnessing her parents' deaths during the Tulsa Massacre. She dreams of a music career but needs a job to take care of her grandmother, which leads her to Lorenzo's club, Blues Moon. Though wary of men, especially White men, she can't turn down the job he offers.
 
I liked Lorenzo, too. The son of a local mob boss, Lorenzo has tried to distance himself from his family since he was seventeen. His father has not given up on drawing Lorenzo back into the family business, though Lorenzo says he is done with the violence. He isn't entirely legit, though, as he runs a speakeasy where he sells alcohol, he makes himself at an illegal distillery and winery. Despite this, he is respected by customers and employees alike.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Lorenzo and Evelyn. The sparks between them were evident from the start though both were hesitant to do anything with them. Lorenzo avoids relationships, convinced that he is dangerous to be around, while Evelyn focuses on her career and caring for her grandmother. But when Evelyn runs afoul of the KKK, Lorenzo's protective instincts are aroused. I liked watching them spend time together, getting to know each other and occasionally butting heads when Lorenzo's protectiveness runs up against Evelyn's independence.
 
The attraction between them continues to grow, but Lorenzo's fears often get in the way of any forward progress. Evelyn is frustrated by Lorenzo's actions and tries to convince him that he's wrong about himself. When Lorenzo makes a boneheaded decision that drives her away, Evelyn counters with a stupid decision of her own. I wanted to shake both of them for being so stubborn. It takes nearly losing her for Lorenzo to let go of his fears and find a way to move forward with her.
 
There was a feeling of impending trouble running throughout the book. We have the conflict between Lorenzo and his father, who have two widely different outlooks on business and how things should run. Mr. de Luca is old school mafia, who buys cops and politicians, and uses violence to get things done. Lorenzo prefers to use discussion and compromise and avoid violence whenever possible. There are several confrontations between the two, including one that involves Evelyn. They have their differences, but family plays an integral part in the end.
 
Even more worrisome was the growing threat of the KKK, who were new to Kansas City. Lorenzo's club is open to everyone, which draws some unwanted attention. He makes it clear that he's not bowing to their demands. One particular member has it in for Evelyn, creating another layer of tension. The intensity builds as Lorenzo gets word of an impending attack. I was glued to the pages as I watched Lorenzo and the others prepare to handle it. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Lorenzo discovered Evelyn caught up in the middle of it. I loved his way of handling it. The epilogue was terrific.
 
I liked the book's setting and the deft handling of the challenges Lorenzo and Evelyn faced. The problems were illustrated believably without me feeling like I was reading a history book - not that any of this was in the history books of my youth. I appreciate the opportunity to learn something new.

White Knight Needed - Betina Krahn (Zebra - Apr 2022)

Series: Reluctant Heroes (Book 2)

Just as Barclay Howard declares himself finished with the idea of true love and in pursuit of the more pragmatic “free love,” he is thrust into another sort of commitment: guardian to his little nephew. Barclay hasn’t a clue about children and now must quickly relocate to his family estate. But when he is swept up in the raid of a free love gathering and jailed with a lovely, cultured, innocent bystander, things become more complicated—or perhaps simpler . . .
 
Norah Capshaw was fleeing a brute when she found herself swept into a lecture hall, jailed, and jobless. Without a penny or a relative to her name, she has sworn never rely on others, much less look for a hero. But she can’t resist Barclay’s offer of a position as tutor to his nephew. In fact, despite her distrustful nature, it’s hard to resist Barclay. Soon, with their attraction growing, and a mysterious man still following her, the two embark on a journey into the southern uplands of Scotland—and into the heart of a great love neither expected . . .
 
A fun book to read. The story opens as Barclay gives up on the traditional round of balls and so on to find a wife. Described as "a beast of a man," Barclay is tall, broad-shouldered, and can have an intimidating air about him. He does not fare well in Society's ballrooms, as the current crop of debutantes looks down on him and treats him badly. Instead, he attends a lecture on "free love" that changes his life. In addition to his courtship woes, Barclay finds out that his grandfather has died, leaving him as guardian to the new Earl, a six-year-old boy.
 
Norah Capshaw is an orphan whose guardian recently died, leaving her with no family or support. She has a job as a tutor for adults that barely makes ends meet. When we first see Norah, she has snuck into the "free love" lecture to escape a man following her. A raid by the local constabulary shortly follows the arrival of her pursuer. Norah is stunned when she is accosted by a man claiming to be rescuing her and fights back, saying she needs no help. Both are promptly arrested and thrown in jail.
 
This was a different kind of introduction between the two characters. Barclay tries to be gallant and gets his efforts thrown back in his face by a stubbornly independent Norah. He writes off the encounter, only to see her again in another set of dire circumstances, where he again attempts to help her. By this point, I was a bit frustrated by Norah's intransigence. The third blow came when she found her belongings had been searched and her pursuer seen again. She accepted Barclay's assistance this time, though she wasn't very gracious about it. I loved how Barclay found a way for them to help each other. He offers her a job as a tutor to his cousin, getting her out of London and helping him with the boy.
 
I liked Barclay. He's a good man who has had a rough go of life through no fault of his own. His favorite book is Ivanhoe which influences many of his actions. As each bit of his past was revealed, I was amazed at how well he turned out. I had a little more trouble warming up to Norah. Just as so many others did, she seemed to judge him by his appearance and expect the worst of him. That slowly changed as she got to know him.
 
There is a brief interlude in York, where they go to begin Barclay's guardianship of young Elias. There are some funny and heartbreaking moments as the mischievous and undisciplined youngster quickly works his way into their hearts. This also gives Norah time to investigate her few possessions from her parents and discover a previously unknown family member. The meeting does not go as Norah hoped, and Barclay's protective instincts are aroused. Their decision to go to Scotland to investigate further was no surprise.
 
This part of the book was full of family found, unexpected secrets, a mysterious treasure, and danger tying it all together. I loved the joy and acceptance Norah found in Scotland. The MacFerguses were a fantastic group, and I enjoyed getting to know them. Things got a little crazy when they revealed the truth about the treasure—Barclay's horror over the legalities contrasted with their belief that they were doing nothing wrong. The tension increased when Norah's pursuers grew close. I loved that Norah came up with a plan that would solve several problems at once. The final confrontation became a nail-biter when the plan didn't go quite as expected, but I loved how it turned out.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Barclay and Norah. He was taken with her from the first time he saw her, though their first few meetings were antagonistic. Norah was attracted from the start but was also wary of him. I liked Barclay's protectiveness, even when she wasn't appreciative of it. I was happy when Norah finally started to see past Barclay's exterior to the man inside. There were still a few clashes, such as dealing with Elias's behavior. There are some sweet moments when Norah relies on Barclay's strength, and you can see her heart softening. The fun begins when they hit Scotland, and their time together is less regimented. The attraction between them continued to grow, as did their feelings. With danger bearing down, I had to laugh at Barclay's non-proposal and promise for later. He came through in a unique manner. The ending was sweet, romantic, and fun.

Deadly Days of Christmas - Carla Cassidy (HI #2036 - Nov 2021)

A serial killer. A deadly vendetta. And Christmas is just beginning…
 
Sheriff Mac McKnight has his reasons for hating Christmas. But when a serial killer targets Mac's sleepy Kansas town, the holidays quickly go from dreaded to deadly. Now he's relying on the insight of newly deputized Callie Stevens to track down the killer. Only, Mac's in danger of falling for his cheery blonde coworker -- who just happens to match the profile of the killer's Christmas victims…
 
Good combination of suspense and romance. After a family tragedy, Callie moved back to her hometown and now works as a dispatcher for the sheriff's department. She has a degree in criminal justice and wants to become a deputy. Mac has been sheriff for seven years. He's well-liked and respected by the townspeople and by his deputies.
 
The story gets off to a quick start when Callie takes a call from someone claiming to have left a dead body in front of the post office. Having just finished her shift, Callie asks Mac to let her come along on the call "for experience," and Mac agrees. He's not sure he's done the right thing, but Callie's insights prove invaluable. The murder is gruesome in its apparent rage and disturbingly weird by the presence of a bird in the victim's mouth. Though Mac fervently hopes that this is a one-off, he has a bad feeling that it isn't.
 
The suspense is intense and Mac and Callie, along with the other deputies, look for clues that will lead to the capture of a serial killer. They have three top suspects: Roger, a man who has dated at least two of the victims; Nathan, a local handyman seen near where each victim was found; and Ben, a man with deep paranoia about evil spirits. Then there is the puzzle of why each victim also had birds of some kind with them. Mac and Callie believe that they'll have their best chance to identify the killer if they can figure that out. I must admit, I was surprised it took them that long to figure it out. I suspected the link with the first murder and was sure of it on the second. The "who and why" remained a mystery. The tension ramped up with each murder, and I could feel Mac's frustration. I was glued to the pages when the killer snatched his next victim, wondering how Callie would get out of it. Her fear leaped off the page as she believed death was inevitable yet still tried to talk the killer out of his plans for her. I ached for Mac when he realized that Callie was missing and likely taken by the killer. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Mac and the others raced to find her in time.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Mac and Callie. In the two years she'd worked for him, Callie had a significant crush that turned into love. She is an observant, empathetic, and warm-hearted woman, and she senses a deep sadness in him. This is especially noticeable around the holidays, and she is determined to bring the holiday spirit back into his life. Mac has been aware of Callie since the beginning but buries those feelings. His past has made him believe that he is unlovable, and he refuses to risk giving his heart again. However, he hasn't counted on Callie's loving nature and belief in him. I enjoyed seeing her chip away at his walls, but he is a hard nut to crack. I ached for both as his fears came between them. Luckily, at least some of the things Callie told him got past his walls, and in an emotional Christmas Eve visit, Mac gave up his fear, and Callie got her Christmas wish.

What Happens on Vacation... - Brenda Jackson (HD #2863 - Apr 2022)

Series: Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws (Book 4)

What happens in Napa Valley stays in Napa Valley…
Right?
 
For Alaskan senator Jessup Outlaw, a Napa Valley vacation starts out as innocent R and R—until he meets Paige Novak. Their chemistry is explosive! And the temptation to have the Hollywood star for himself proves irresistible… but the spotlight’s trained on her every move. Is the timing finally right for Jess’s personal desires to come ahead of his career? Or will their vacation romance crash into reality with the return of a familiar face from Paige’s past?
 
Another Westmoreland/Outlaw bites the dust though he doesn't fight it. Senator Jess Outlaw is ready for a break from his Senate duties, so he heads to California to stay at his cousin's winery. There he reconnects with Paige Novak, another cousin's sister-in-law. Paige, a Hollywood actress, is between films and also avoiding the fallout from her breakup with a fellow actor.
 
Paige and Jess have known each other for six years. When they met, Paige developed quite a crush on Jess and hoped to draw his attention. Jess was equally interested in Paige but was deep in his campaign for senator. He decided to bury his feelings and concentrate on his career plans. He soon regretted his decision. Whenever they met after that, one or the other was tied up in a project, or most recently, Paige was in a relationship. When Jess finds out she's free; he figures it's finally his time.
 
Paige is more than a little frustrated. She broke things off with her boyfriend, Kemp, when she found out he was sleeping with another actress. Kemp acts like this is just a blip in their relationship, and they'll be back together shortly. Besides the utter disrespect he'd shown her, she had already planned to end things with him. His actions had simply sped up the process. Paige plans to ignore the fuss for as long as possible, but then her sister brings up her place as a role model.
 
When Jess and Paige meet again, the sparks are undeniable. Jess wants nothing more than to make his move on Paige but believes her to be hurting from her breakup. Meanwhile, Paige remembers Jess's apparent disinterest at previous meetings and thinks she is alone in her attraction. When Jess learns of her predicament, he offers himself as proof she's moved on. Though a little wary, Paige can't deny herself a chance to spend time with Jess.
 
I loved watching the development of their relationship. Foremost is Jess's desire to show Paige how he feels. I loved the protectiveness that led him to make the offer in the first place. He makes his opinion of Kemp quite clear, and his respect and admiration for Paige are evident. Jess's statement to the reporters is nothing but the truth though Paige doesn't realize it and thinks he's playing a part. I enjoyed Jess's plans for their time together - have fun, experience new things, and be together. It doesn't take long for the sparks between them to burst into flame. The chemistry between them is explosive, and they enjoy every minute.
 
I loved seeing them get to know each other, sharing conversations about things large and small. I especially liked seeing them talk about the things most important to them. I liked the fun they had together, from hot-air ballooning to bike riding. It was easy to see their feelings for each other grow deeper though neither took that first step to express them. Then trouble arrived in the form of Paige's ex. I wanted to shake Jess for being an idiot and allowing his past to influence what he should have known. Thank goodness for younger brothers who keep their wits about them. Meanwhile, Paige sets Kemp straight in a scene that had me laughing out loud as I read it. Jess had his work cut out for him to make things right with Paige, but he succeeded beautifully in an emotional scene.
 
The epilogue was well done, addressing questions about what comes next for Jess and Paige. I also enjoyed seeing a few other family members and catching up on their lives. Seeing the children of the older members grown-up gives me hope for Westmorelands: The Next Generation.