The Marriage Mandate - Shannon McKenna (HD #2894 - Sept 2022)

Series: Dynasties: Tech Tycoons (Book 2)      
 
“I have a wild idea…
I just need your help.”
 
Tech heiress Maddie Moss must marry or lose the family company. So she chooses the last man her controlling grandmother will accept -- Jack Daly. Her brother's ex-business partner is a thief, a traitor and -- most importantly -- guaranteed to force Gran to relent. But Jack is also impossibly hot. And he'll only play along on one specific condition, which has Maddie questioning everything she thought she knew about Jack…even before she lands in his bed!
 
Good enemies to lovers romance with a bit of mystery. Time is running out for Maddie to comply with her grandmother's demand that she marry before she turns thirty or lose the family company. Maddie is smart, independent, stubborn, and in no mood to comply. Deciding to pick someone so outrageously unacceptable that her grandmother will have to relent, Maddie discovers the perfect partner. A fellow guest at the wedding she's attending is Jack Daly - her family's sworn enemy and her schoolgirl crush.
 
Jack and Maddie's brother Caleb were best friends in high school and college. They started a business together that was poised to make billions until Jack was accused of selling company secrets to the competition. The company crashed, and Jack went to prison, though he was let out early on a technicality, and Jack's reputation was ruined. He's slowly getting it back, but it is a painful process.
 
I loved the first meeting between Jack and Maddie. He noticed the beautiful woman across the room but didn't realize it was Maddie until a few minutes later. She'd changed a lot in nine years, from a teenager to a woman. On the other hand, Maddie recognized him right away. She was horrified to discover that they were both in the wedding party. They did an excellent job of avoiding each other at the rehearsal dinner, but Jack later rescued her from an overzealous suitor. I enjoyed seeing Maddie make her proposal to Jack, though I ached for him and the hurt he felt. I loved his counteroffer - use her forensic accounting smarts to help him prove that he was set up.
 
The chemistry between Jack and Maddie was evident from the start and made their fake engagement believable to those who saw them. Maddie certainly raised a firestorm of reactions when their relationship went public. But a funny thing happened on the way - Maddie discovered that she really liked Jack. He's kind, intelligent, and sensitive. I enjoyed their banter and seeing them get to know each other. It doesn't take long for them to give in to their attraction, which opens the door to stronger feelings. I loved seeing Maddie's belief in Jack's innocence grow.
 
But trouble looms when Maddie receives information that looks very bad for Jack. Then her family gets into the act. I must say that they made me angry with their willingness to cut Maddie out of their lives rather than trust her judgment and her abilities. I ached for both when Maddie's doubts came back, driving them apart. Jack's pain was tough to see. Luckily, something in Maddie still believed, and her brain kept working on the problem. I loved her "light bulb" moment and its results. The truth didn't surprise me, as I'd had suspicions earlier, but I loved watching the fallout. I hurt for Maddie and Jack, who both believed the other wouldn't want them any longer. I loved the ending and seeing the joy they both felt. I also laughed out loud at their discussion of her grandmother's plans.

Their Marriage Bargain - Shannon McKenna (HD #2888 - Aug 2022)

Series: Dynasties: Tech Tycoons (Book 1)
 
From lovers to enemies to…
husband and wife?
 
CEO Caleb Moss needs a business arrangement marriage to keep controlling interest of MossTech. Tilda Riley must prevent a hostile takeover of her family company -- and protect the daughter Caleb has never met. The only solution is for these oil-and-water exes to join forces.
 
Until desire turns a marriage on paper into a hotbed of passion. Their child binds the newlyweds together. But a vengeful enemy bent on their mutual destruction is sowing seeds of doubt and betrayal that could tear Tilda and Caleb apart -- this time forever.
 
Terrific second chance romance with a bit of suspense thrown in for good measure. Caleb has been focused on business for years, giving little thought to his personal life. He is stunned when his grandmother insists that her grandchildren marry before the age of thirty-five for men and thirty for women. That is only two months away for Caleb. If they don't fall in with her plans, controlling interest in the company will go to their uncle. He's even more shocked when Gran brings Tilda Riley into the mix, suggesting he marry her.
 
Tilda returned home to Seattle to help her father prevent a hostile takeover of the family company - by Caleb's company. She and Caleb had been a couple nine years earlier until he broke up with her in a cruelly emotional confrontation. Devastated, Tilda moved to Asia to continue her work and to raise the daughter Caleb knew nothing about. She can destroy his company but finds it more practical to join forces with him instead. But can she protect her heart this time around?
 
I loved watching the rekindling of the relationship between Caleb and Tilda. From the start, their chemistry is just as strong as ever. I appreciated that they sat down and talked about their past, admitting they'd made mistakes. I especially enjoyed Caleb's admission that he'd been a jerk. They enter into marriage as a simple business arrangement, but that doesn't last. Gran's gift of a seaside cottage gave them a place to get away for a few days and get reacquainted, discovering things they hadn't bothered with years earlier. There were some sweet and emotional scenes as they shared their lives' big and small events. Neither could deny the strength of the attraction they felt, and it didn't take long for them to give in to it.
 
As they returned to their new everyday lives, I loved seeing Caleb and Annika connect. She is an adorable girl, bright, confident, and thrilled to have a father in her life. It was great to see Caleb loosen up from being all-business and enjoy teaching her to cook and helping her with her schoolwork. I loved the whole "project manager" scene with them. It doesn't take long for them to settle into happy family life.
 
But trouble soon rears its ugly head. Caleb's Uncle Jerome is a nasty piece of work and is unhappy about Caleb's marriage to Tilda. The dinner scene at his house was terrible and showed his true colors. When Tilda's father's house is robbed, a file she'd held in reserve to fight the takeover goes missing. Soon after, Jerome told Caleb about the "nuclear option" file, accusing Tilda of plotting against Caleb. Meanwhile, Tilda confronts the man who gave her that file. Both Caleb and Tilda have some trust issues thanks to betrayals in their pasts, and this situation brings those issues to the surface. I ached for both as they saw their happy marriage crumble under the strain. It takes tough love from his sister Maddie to straighten Caleb out, and I loved watching him fight for Tilda. There are some unexpected twists in the process, but love and communication win the day in the end.
 
The secondary characters play significant roles in the story. Caleb's grandmother is a tough old bird. Her methods are questionable but effective. She elicited sympathy from me when she talked about her daughter and how her first sight of Annika had affected her. After looking at what is in store in subsequent books, I can't wait to see how she handles it all. After Annika, my favorite character was Caleb's sister Maddie. She thinks the sun rises and sets on Annika, and I loved seeing the two of them together. Annika brings the fun back into Maddie's life. I also liked Maddie's relationship with Caleb, who she adores but has no illusions about. She is a fun aunt. I also liked their cousin Veronica, who had the misfortune to be Jerome's daughter. I don't like how he treats her. She is engaged, and her fiancé rubbed me the wrong way. I can't wait to see how that goes.

A Lady Never Surrenders - Bronwen Evans (Bronwen Evans - Sept 2022)

Series: Sisterhood of Scandal (Book 1)
 
From USA Today Bestselling Author, Bronwen Evans comes her new Sisterhood of Scandal series. A group of ladies whose friendship is based on ensuring they can take on the world dominated by their men folk. No male relative is going to choose their destinies.
 
Shhh. Blue Stocking Miss Tiffany Deveraux has a secret. The poor orphan is not so poor. But she doesn't want that information to become common knowledge. Being a plain Jane, any hint of money would just bring fortune hunters to her door. No. In society’s eyes she will remain the poor orphaned ward of the Earl of Marlowe. Only then will she ensure the man who eventually professes his love for her is genuine.
 
Lord Slade Ware, the Marquess of Wolfarth also has a secret. He’s a renowned investment guru with everything he touches turning to gold. Or is he? Society may think so, but mostly his investments have been blind luck, and he’s pretty sure his luck is about to run out. Help comes in the form of his best friend’s ward. He’s learned Miss Tiffany Deveraux’s secret. She’s an investment guru who has accumulated a considerable sum. Marriage would seem a sensible option with so many dependents relying on him. But what's a man to do when the one thing a woman wants isn't his looks, title or money—it's his heart and Wolfarth's heart is shattered beyond repair.
 
Terrific start to the new series. The book opens as seventeen-year-old Tiffany, who has lost her parents in a brutal murder, arrives at her guardian's home after days of travel. Visitor Slade Ware, aka Wolf, assists by carrying the exhausted girl to her room. Tiffany is immediately smitten by the handsome young man. Six years later, her feelings for him haven't changed, but she may as well be invisible to him.
 
Tiffany has plans for her future. Resigned to the fact that she is unlikely to marry, Tiffany has used her father's stock market training and her affinity for numbers to set herself up with enough money to live independently. She wants to marry for love, if she marries at all, and not be forced to marry for security. She has done well enough for herself that her friends, who call themselves the Sisterhood, have also invested through her to fund their dreams and projects. Their investments are a secret because it isn't done for a lady to be involved in trading, and their reputations would be ruined if discovered. Unfortunately for Tiffany, on a rare visit to her stockjobber, she is seen by Wolf, who is horrified by the potential scandal.
 
Wolf is at the Exchange to see his stockjobber, hoping for good news about his investments. He has a reputation as a knowledgeable investor but feels he has mostly been lucky. With estates to run, a family to support, and an uncle rapidly running up gambling debts, Wolf constantly worries about his financial health. When he learns Tiffany's secret, he decides that marrying her would solve all his problems. He's stunned to discover that Tiffany disagrees and, in desperation, enters into a wager with her. At the end of a month, whichever one of them profits the most from their investments wins. If Tiffany wins, Wolf will keep her secret, while if Wolf wins, Tiffany will marry him. He decides to hedge his bets by making her fall in love with him.
 
I loved watching this relationship develop. Wolf is unaware that Tiffany already loves him, but she won't settle for anything less than his love. Several years earlier, Wolf lost his fiancée, and he has closed himself off to love ever since. He tells himself that he is intrigued by her wit, intelligence, and beauty, which is why he can't get her off his mind. I loved that he so quickly sees her inner and outer beauty while most people only see a plain Jane. Tiffany is puzzled by Wolf's pursuit; she doesn't know what he sees in her. When Tiffany receives disturbing news about her investments, she turns to Wolf for help. Tiffany's feelings for Wolf deepen in the time they spend together working to solve her troubles. Wolf begins to suspect that his feelings for her are deeper than he thought but isn't sure he's ready to risk his heart again. I loved seeing Tiffany break down the walls he built around his heart with her kindness, compassion, and refusal to accept anything less than all of him. Their chemistry is fantastic, and their banter is fun. They are perfect for each other.
 
A bit of mystery and danger is attached to Tiffany's stock trading as she discovers her stockjobber isn't who she thought he was. I loved Wolf's protectiveness as he uncovered links to his past and hers and his determination to keep her safe. I enjoyed the investigative process and seeing them work to recover Tiffany's funds. The final confrontation is intense and stirs up Wolf's greatest fears before everything is resolved. I loved Tiffany's understanding and refusal to allow Wolf to backslide into his old ways. The epilogue was terrific.
 
As the first in the series, there is a fair amount of time spent introducing all the characters. We have Tiffany, her cousins, Wolf's sisters, and several of their friends - eight young ladies in all. All of them are intelligent, and each suffers from male relatives who treat them like empty-headed children. I enjoyed their Sisterhood meetings and seeing their close friendships and support of each other. I laughed out loud at their plan to show the men up by placing an anonymous investing wager.
 
On the male side, we have Wolf, Tiffany's cousin Marlowe, and other brothers, cousins, etc. Tiffany's cousin Marlowe loves her and his sisters, but his general attitude toward women is appalling. I can't wait for his story, as I hope whichever lady ends up with him makes his life miserable as he learns his lesson. Wolf's brother, Rockwell, seems an okay guy but also has a few things to learn. I loved the guys' reactions to the challenge and their arrogant belief that they had nothing to worry about. I can't wait to see their responses when the challenge is over, and they lose (as I'm sure they will) to a bunch of women.

Colton's Secret Sabotage - Deborah Fletcher Mello (HRS #2191 - Aug 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 7)
 
He's undercover
She's under his skin
 
Detective Philip Rees is shocked by his new assignment: going undercover on a Western-themed reality TV show. Nonetheless, he's determined to complete his mission to take down a contestant suspected of leaking confidential information. To find the culprit who is sabotaging the competition, Philip gets close to producer Naomi Colton. As Philip and Naomi begin to trust one another with their secrets and hearts, will he manage to keep her safe, on and off the set?
 
Good blend of suspense and romance. Philip is looking forward to some time off after a tough undercover case when he gets pulled back to work. His covert talents are needed to stop someone suspected of leaking sensitive information. Philip soon finds himself working as a carpenter on a western-themed reality show. When one contestant gets hurt before filming the show, Philip is tagged to take his place. It quickly becomes evident that there is more going on behind the scenes than he expected. Not the least is his attraction to the show's producer, Naomi Colton.
 
Naomi is the youngest of the twelve Colton siblings and the one who seems to fight the hardest for her siblings' respect. After years of trying, Naomi finally got the coveted executive producer job she wanted. The bonus is that she can film her reality show on her brother and sister's ranch, giving her the rare opportunity to spend time with her family. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, though, thanks to personality conflicts and accidents. The last thing she needs is her inconvenient attraction to Philip.
 
The suspense of this book grabbed me from the start and kept me hooked to the last page. It starts with Philip's mission to watch Brad, the contestant suspected of selling secrets. He's working out the best way to do this when he first spots Naomi and is instantly fascinated and attracted to her. Naomi picks him to be on the show when one of the contestants is injured. Philip isn't sure how it will work out, but it puts him in a better position to watch Brad. On Philip's first night with the contestants, a fire destroys his and two other tents. While it is deemed accidental, his cop instincts are aroused by the details of the fire, and he decides to keep a watchful eye out. Over the next few days, there were several other suspicious "accidents." Philip is also kept busy trying to keep track of Brad's activities. When Naomi catches him out of bounds late one night, he's forced to take her into his confidence. It was evident that the accidents were likely an inside job, and there wasn't much question in my mind about who was responsible. Even so, the final confrontation was intense.
 
Philip's primary mission was to figure out what Brad was up to and how he would carry out his scheme. Brad was quickly disliked as he was rude, arrogant, and misogynistic. He alienated just about everyone on the set with his attitude. I had to laugh when he "blackmailed" Philip into helping him, which gave Philip an easy way to know Brad's plans. But when the final confrontation came, some unexpected changes put Philip and Naomi in danger. Complicating matters was a twist I didn't see coming but made a very intense situation even more so.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Philip and Naomi. Their connection and attraction were immediate, surprising both of them. Because of his undercover work, Philip has never looked for anything serious, but Naomi has him reexamining his priorities. Naomi avoids relationships because of her poor opinion of men, beginning with her father. Philip is all-in from the start, realizing that his feelings for Naomi are unlike anything he's felt before. I laughed out loud at some of his flirting and double entendres when he was with her and how it flustered her. Philip was also very protective of her, which showed when he confronted her assistant producer. There were some delightful scenes when he would find a way to be with her. Naomi didn't know what to do with her feelings for Philip. She was starting to care for him but couldn't see how anything could come of it. Both have a lot of self-reflection to do before they can make any decisions about the future but eventually find the solution that works for them.
 
I enjoyed the setting of this book. The reality show theme was intriguing and gave a wide range of characters. The various contestants and their stories were interesting, as were their reactions to the multiple challenges. Grace, the beauty queen, was a formidable contestant determined to show up the men. She was also quite aggressive in her pursuit of Philip, and it was amusing to see his attempts to keep his distance. I laughed out loud several times at the posturing among the men as they trash-talked each other, mostly in good fun. On the other side, we had various members of Naomi's family. She loves them all, but as the youngest, she suffers from a surfeit of unwanted advice. I felt her frustration over the apparent lack of respect they show for her work. There were fun scenes with Naomi and her sisters as they shared "girl time," and she talked about Philip. Her brother Jasper got some excellent page time between his issues with one of his (female) employees and the effect Naomi's problems are having on the ranch. I'm looking forward to his story.

Hotshot Hero on the Edge - Lisa Childs (HRS #2197 - Sept 2022)

Series: Hotshot Heroes (Book 6)
 
Is the man she married…
not the man she thought he was?
 
Unable to stand the stress of being a firefighter's wife, ER nurse Willow Garrison asked her husband to leave. Not long after, she realized she was carrying his child. So she lets Luke back into her life reluctantly when the firefighter's reputation and life are in danger.
 
Is he a murderer? Who's trying to frame him? Guilty and suspicious, Willow must admit her lingering feelings. But can she trust the hotshot to prove his innocence and keep them safe?
 
This was an excellent, fast-paced suspense story with the added benefit of a husband and wife finding their way back to each other. In the previous book (Hotshot Hero Under Fire), Luke was a secondary character. Separated from his wife, his misery is evident, and his actions are questionable. His fellow Hotshots look at him askance as evidence points to him having an affair with a fellow Hotshot's wife and the attempted murder of another. At the start of this book, we find Luke isolated from his friends, missing Willow, and questioning the state of his life. After he leaves the bar where he had dinner, Luke crashes his truck when he's forced off the road by another vehicle. When he regains consciousness, he discovers he reeks of alcohol, and the local trooper is ready to arrest him for drunk driving. It's only through the efforts of EMT Owen that Luke ends up at the hospital instead. To top matters off, he catches a glimpse of Willow, who appears to be pregnant.
 
After suffering two miscarriages which she blamed on the stress of Luke's job, Willow threw her husband out of their home. Then she heard the rumors of his affair and possible involvement in the attacks against Owen. Now she wonders if she ever knew the man she married. She never thought he'd be capable of such actions and questions her judgment. She also feels guilty about her treatment of him and that she hasn't told him about the baby. Willow is torn over whether to believe Luke's claims of innocence.
 
The suspense of this story had me glued to the pages from start to finish. Though the person who carried out the attacks on Owen was caught at the end of the previous book, there was some question as to whether a second person was involved. The public has latched onto Luke as the most likely suspect. But with this "accident" that happened to him, Luke finds a new purpose in proving his innocence. The reader also gets several sessions from the viewpoint of the real accomplice, who is determined to set Luke up to take the blame. The tension increases as several more attempts are made on Luke's life, and we see the bad guy's growing frustration and desperation. I had several possibilities as suspects though I didn't figure out the truth until shortly before Luke did. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Luke knowingly entered a trap to save Willow. I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over.
 
I liked seeing Luke and Willow find their way back to each other, though I spent a fair share of the book wanting to knock their heads together. When Willow suffered two miscarriages, she shut Luke out rather than turn to him for comfort. She also couldn't see that he was grieving the loss of those babies, too. She was all over the place in her attitude toward him also - glad he was gone but mad that he left, hurt that he'd had an affair but reluctant to believe that he'd cheated on her. Even when they started working together to prove his innocence, she continued to hold on to her anger and distrust.
 
Meanwhile, all Luke wants is for Willow to be happy. If that means staying away from her, that's what he will do. I was frustrated with him because he walked away without trying to talk to her about his feelings and what the miscarriages meant to him. When it became evident that his accidents weren't accidents, Luke was determined to keep Willow safe.
 
I liked seeing Luke's steadiness chip away at Willow's fear and distrust. With some distance from the turmoil of emotions caused by the miscarriages, Willow slowly begins to see the mistakes she made. I was happy to see them finally talk about their problems. I ached for Luke as he made the only decision he thought possible to save his marriage. I cheered when Willow realized she loved Luke for who and what he was. I hope to see more of them when the series continues.
 
There is still a question left unanswered. Throughout the series, there have been several unexplained accidents or equipment malfunctions. Chief Hotshot Braden received a warning that someone in his group isn't who they claim to be. Is this the person causing the trouble, and why? It hurts to realize that there may be someone on his team that he can't trust, but until he finds out who it is, he can't trust any of them. I can't wait to see where this goes.

Vacation Crush - Yahrah St. John (HD #2893 - Sept 2022)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals (Book 5)
 
She's been crushing on him forever.
Now she has her chance.
 
After confessing her unrequited feelings for rancher Jonathan Lattimore in an accidental livestream, Natalie Hastings makes a hasty retreat from the gossips of Royal, Texas. But when the object of her affection checks in to her resort, there's nowhere to hide. Turns out, Jonathan is ready to reciprocate her feelings…at least for the week. With the fire still burning even after they return home, can Natalie make Jonathan see her as more than a vacation fling?
 
Good book. Everyone in the TCC heard Natalie's confession of her feelings for Jonathan when her online chat with her best friend accidentally went live at the club's Fourth of July bash. Since then, she's been avoiding him and everyone else as best she can. Finally, she decides to leave town for a while and let the gossip die down. She checks into a Galveston resort and looks forward to a week of peace.
 
Jonathan has been aware of Natalie's crush for years, but with a bad marriage and divorce under his belt, he has no intention of ever marrying again. He blames himself for the failure of his marriage, so he keeps his liaisons superficial and spends all of his time working on the family ranch. When his worried parents force him to take a vacation, Jonathan finds himself checking into the same resort where Natalie is staying.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Natalie and Jonathan. Natalie is a curvy woman who was bullied as a child because of her weight and still has self-esteem issues. When Jonathan looks at her, he sees a sexy woman he'd like to spend time with. Neither can deny the fiery attraction they feel. After one night together, Jonathan proposes a week-long fling to end when they return to Royal. Natalie agrees because she will take what she can get but suspects that her heart will pay the price.
 
Natalie was right. The more time they spent together, the deeper her feelings for Jonathan grew. Throughout the week, he made it clear that marriage would never be an option, but she couldn't help hoping he'd change his mind. Some scenes between them fueled that hope. Even though Jonathan often feels things with Natalie that he's never felt before, he suppresses those feelings, sure they wouldn't last. He stubbornly sticks to his "no marriage" mantra until Natalie finally believes him.
 
On their return to Royal, they attempt to return to their previous lives, but both are miserable. Resuming their affair in secret seems to be the only cure. Once again, Natalie risks her heart, but she can't stay away from the man she loves. Jonathan may be cracking under the onslaught of his feelings, but his fears continue to hold him back. When Jonathan's ex-wife confronts Natalie, it brings her fears to a head, and she pulls back. I loved seeing Jonathan finally see the light with the help of his brother Jayden. I loved his emotional reunion with Natalie, and his big moment at the end was a neat tribute to their beginning.

The Rebel's Return - Nadine Gonzalez (HD #2857 - Mar 2022)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Fathers and Sons (Book 5)
 
An asset to his business…             
Or a danger to his heart?
 
Only moments after a mysterious outsider catches hotelier Rafael Wentworth's eye at the Texas Cattleman's Club, he saves her from catastrophe. Their subsequent steamy night together leaves the recently returned black sheep of Royal's illustrious Wentworth family craving more. In town to find her nephew's father, Eve Martin needs a job, and Rafael is only too glad to help…and indulge their hotter-than-Texas chemistry. But Eve's priorities are clear, and the perennial playboy has no plans to settle down. Maybe ever. Is he playing with fire? Definitely…
 
Good book. Rafe has returned to Royal for the first time since he left at seventeen. The son of a wealthy rancher, he and his father have had a strained relationship. Rafe is a self-made man, wealthy in his own right, and the owner of two high-end hotel properties in Florida. Taking advantage of his return to Royal, he plans a new property there. Thanks to his experiences, Rafe has no plans to become a family man and keeps his relationships short and superficial. As the story opens, he arrives at the Cattleman's Club to make some connections at the current event, then leave as soon as possible. His plans are derailed when he spots a woman in red at the champagne tower and is immediately drawn to her.
 
Eve is the sister of Arielle, the woman who died shortly after giving birth to a son. She never told Eve who the boy's father was, and when circumstances made it impossible for Eve to take care of him, she came to Royal looking for Micah's father. All she has is a clue from Arielle's diary - he's a member of the TCC. A health crisis for Eve put the baby in the care of Cammie Wentworth, where he has remained during Eve's illness and recovery. Eve is determined to get well enough to take him back until his father can be found. Meanwhile, as the book opens, she's gone to the TCC for a night out.
 
I loved the first meeting between Rafe and Eve. Even though he's told himself he doesn't have time to get involved with a woman, Rafe can't stay away from her. From teasing her about her gazing at the champagne tower to whisking her out when it collapses, his attraction and fascination are undeniable.  Their conversation later led to a passionate night together that neither could forget. Even after Eve takes a job working for Rafe, they can't stay away from each other. I enjoyed seeing Rafe's more light-hearted take on life as he helped Eve learn how to have fun.
 
The more time they spend together, the closer Rafe and Eve become. Rafe doesn't want to see an end to their affair and slowly realizes that what he feels for her is more than physical. But he has made it clear that he is not interested in a family. Eve has never hidden her plan to regain her health and take back Micah to raise herself if his father isn't found. I ached for both when it came to the point where Eve had to decide - stick to her plans or give in to Rafe. She loves him, but she also loves Micah, and he needs her. Rafe can't see past his fears of failing as a parent to see that he already loves both of them. I loved the conversation with his father that opened his eyes and laughed out loud at his subsequent conversation with his sister. Eve also went through some self-reflection, looking at her fears and motivations. I loved the ending, with the scene in the baby-gear-filled car being honest, open, and romantic.
 
In the search for Micah's father, the investigative journalist Sierra has uncovered a possible clue in Arielle's diary. It is quite likely that the series's final book will answer the question everyone is asking: Who is Micah's father?