Tempted by the Wrong Twin - Rachel Bailey (HD #2534 - Aug 2017)

Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Blackmail (Book 8)

Harper Lake can't believe she bedded her boss after a wild night at a masked ball. But then she finds out it was actually his identical twin, Nick Tate! And she's carrying his babies!

With his own set of twins on the way, Nick knows that proposing to Harper is the only next step. Yet the former navy SEAL is battling some deeply buried demons. Welcoming Harper back into his bed is the easy part. Finding true love and wedded bliss will be the ultimate test…and temptation.

Good book. Harper is normally very quiet and reserved, but the night of the TCC masquerade ball she found herself unexpectedly attracted to her boss, Malcolm Tate. Even more confusing, on the next work day, she felt none of those sparks and Malcolm behaved as if nothing happened. That is until she gave him the news that she was pregnant. The resulting conversation was puzzling - until she opened her door that evening and found Malcolm's twin brother Nick on the other side.

Nick is a former SEAL who is now his brother's silent partner in their company. He works from home because he has some PTSD issues that have turned him into something of a hermit. He is also battling his ex-wife, who wants to keep his daughter Ellie from him. When he hears Harper's news, he is determined to be a part of his babies' lives.

I liked the development of Nick and Harper's relationship. Neither had been able to forget their encounter, and they quickly discovered that the chemistry between them was still strong. Harper had planned to go home to her mother for help in caring for the twins, but Nick doesn't want her to leave and proposes that they get married instead. Harper is hesitant, but Nick brings up some good points. First, she'll have the support she needs because he will be there. Second, if they are married, there is little chance that they would become targets of the unknown blackmailer known as Maverick. Third, their marriage will protect the company from any scandal resulting from their relationship. And fourth, being married will help Nick in his custody suit for his daughter Ellie. Though they agree that their marriage is business only, the attraction between them burns hotter each day.

Both Harper and Nick have some issues that have to be dealt with. The biggest is Nick's PTSD and the way he handles it. I ached for him and the pain and guilt he was carrying. As the strong, silent type, he was determined to keep his problems away from his relationship with Harper. I loved her strength of will and compassion as she refused to be shut out. Her solution was brilliant, and I loved seeing what a difference it made in Nick's life. Harper has her own fears to deal with. A childhood in a broken home has created abandonment issues, and Nick's methods of dealing with his PTSD aggravate those issues. But Harper has discovered that she's stronger than she thinks and stands up against Nick's attempts to pull away.

I loved the way that they took the time to get to know each other. Though they did things backward - first baby, then marriage, then getting to know each other, it worked for them. Nick's idea of dating, even though they were married, was inspired, and I loved the things he did. There was such a deep well of romanticism in that man and Harper was lucky to be on the receiving end. I also liked how Harper was able to get Nick to open up to her. Though each of them fought their feelings, it didn't take all that long for love to grow between them. Though Nick almost let his fears win, in the end, he trusted in Harper and her strength. The scene at the waterfall was sweet and romantic.

There was a little talk of the blackmailer, Maverick. His identity is still unknown, and in this book, there is no activity from him. Nick's ex-wife's scumbag fiancé tries using the threat of giving Maverick information about Nick to turn the custody battle. I was a little surprised at the way that turned out, but Melissa redeemed herself a little bit in that scene. I am looking forward to seeing who the blackmailer is and what drives him.

The Sweetest September - Liz Talley (HS #1938 - Aug 2014)

Series: Home in Magnolia Bend (Book 1)

A mistake that's meant to be…

All John Beauchamp wants is a simple life. He's happy running his Louisiana sugar cane plantation and doesn't want more than that. Then Shelby Mackey breezes in, announcing that she's pregnant. Their one crazy night of passion has changed everything.

Except Shelby insists John doesn't have to be involved -- she'll raise the baby herself. But John can't let her go that easily. Even without the baby, Shelby is a breath of fresh air. Her call-it-as-she-sees-it attitude intrigues and attracts him. So when Shelby agrees to stay temporarily, John's determined to make that stay permanent -- and as sweet as can be.

I first met Shelby in The Road to Bayou Bridge, as the girl that Darby almost married when he was still (unknowingly) married to someone else. This is Shelby's story, which picks up just after her breakup with Darby. Brokenhearted and mad at herself for yet another poor pick in the man department, she stops at a combination grocery/bait shop/bar and has a few drinks. There she encounters a man indulging in his own attempts at forgetting his pain. It is the first anniversary of the death of John's wife, and he's trying to drown his sorrow. In their inebriated state, they find themselves having a stand-up encounter in the bar restroom, and regretting it almost instantly. Two months later, Shelby has returned to Louisiana to tell John she's pregnant.

I liked that Shelby was determined to do the right thing and tell John about the baby, even though she planned to raise it by herself. She didn't expect John to want to be involved. When a possible crisis with the pregnancy threw her plans to leave right away into chaos, John invited her to stay for a week to rest and recover. He also looked at it as a chance to change her mind about leaving.

I liked Shelby a lot. She never acts like a victim but has a positive attitude about her plans for the future. She doesn't have a whole lot of self-esteem, thanks to her treatment by her ultra-successful parents and siblings, and what she sees as her poor judgment in men. She's determined not to be a burden on John, but she is ultimately willing to listen to what he wants. She is also down-to-earth and honest, and I really enjoyed her interactions with the people she met. Being from Seattle, rural Louisiana is a whole different world for her, but she fits in unexpectedly well.

I liked John, too, though there were certainly times I wanted to shake him - hard. I ached for his grief and guilt over Rebecca's death. His self-blame was a little overdone; I thought since it was in no way his fault. His grief was deep, and he had cut himself off from really living, spending most of his waking hours working. His encounter with Shelby was one more rock in the pack of guilt that he was lugging around. But when she told him about the baby, it lit a small spark of hope and light in him that he didn't want to lose.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Though still strongly attracted to each other, Shelby and John are determined to keep their hands to themselves. John because he still feels that it's betraying Rebecca, and Shelby, well, she's just tired of John apologizing every time he kisses her. I loved that John invited Shelby to stay with him so that they could get to know each other, even though he knew it would cause talk. They developed a pretty good friendship along the way. Shelby realizes fairly quickly that has fallen hard for John but doesn't know how he feels. John is confused by his feelings for Shelby. She is so different than Rebecca, and what he feels for Shelby isn't anything like what he felt for Rebecca. How can it be love? Unfortunately, Shelby overhears a discussion John has with his dad, and coming on top of a threat to John's livelihood, Shelby believes it is best for her to leave. An enlightening conversation with his sister and John realizes what he has to do. I loved his big moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic with a hint of vulnerability.

I loved the family dynamics of the book. First, I ached for Shelby and her feelings of never belonging or being wanted in her own family. I thought her sister was especially obnoxious. Shelby's mom seemed pretty oblivious, but she redeemed herself quite well in the end. I loved John's family. They were loud, fun, friendly and accepting, and Shelby felt at home with them immediately. His sister, Abigail was a tad overprotective and suspicious, but in the end, she was one of Shelby's biggest supporters. I loved his dad, a preacher who was the quiet, thoughtful kind rather than in your face hellfire and brimstone. The one family member who was completely unlikable was Rebecca's mother, Carla. I understood that she was grieving, but her whole attitude toward Shelby was awful. The things she said were uncalled for, and her threats to John were unforgivable. I loved Shelby's plan to deal with them. Though Carla redeemed herself a little at the end, I'm not sure I would have been as forgiving to her.

Though the depth of pain and loss was heartwrenching at times, there was also some fantastic humor to add some relief. Young Birdie and her "birdwatching" was hilarious. I also loved some of the turns-of-phrase that came out in some of the conversations. The small town attitudes and events added extra layers to the issues that Shelby and John had to deal with, but overall it was a wonderful setting.

Stars of Fortune - Nora Roberts (Berkley - Nov 2015)

Series: Guardians Trilogy (Book 1)

A trilogy about three couples who join together to create their own family and solve an ancient mystery through the powers of timeless love…

Sasha Riggs is a reclusive artist, haunted by dreams and nightmares that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Her visions lead her to the Greek island of Corfu, where five others have been lured to seek the legendary fire star, part of an ancient prophecy. Sasha recognizes them, because she has drawn them: a magician, an archaeologist, a wanderer, a fighter, a loner. All on a quest. All with secrets.

Sasha is the one who holds them together -- the seer. And in the magician, Bran Killian, she sees a man of immense power and compassion. As Sasha struggles with her rare ability, Bran is there to support her, challenge her, and believe in her.

When a dark threat looms, the six must use their combined powers -- including trust, unity, and love -- to find the fire star and keep the world on course.

The first book in the Guardians Trilogy and I loved it. As in most of her paranormal trilogies, this book involves six people, three men, and three women, drawn together by Fate to fight the forces of evil. Though the basic framework is similar, the details create a unique and exciting story. The premise is that eons ago three goddesses came together to create three stars as a gift for a new queen - a star of fire, a star of ice, and a star of water. But an evil goddess wanted the stars and their power for her own, and to protect them the goddesses shielded and hid them. When the time was right, they would be found and returned to their rightful places.

Sasha is an artist, seer, and empath who turns her dreams and nightmares into paintings. She lives alone, hiding from the battering of emotions she experiences and the pain of losing those she cares for when they find out about her gift.  For the past several months she has dreamed of the same people over and over and is driven to follow those dreams to the island of Corfu. She doesn't know what to expect, only that she must be there.

Once on the island, one by one she meets the other five who are also part of the quest. I enjoyed the introductions and seeing how each is brought on board. It is interesting that Sasha, the seer, and glue that holds them together, is the only one who knew nothing about the Stars when she started. The others are Riley, and archaeologist who focuses on myths and legends. She is bold, tough, and has useful contacts all over the world. Then Bran, an Irishman and magician, and the one that Sasha is most drawn to. Sawyer, easy-going world traveler with his own useful contacts. Annika, beautiful, fun-loving, a bit naïve. And finally Doyle, hard-eyed, tough bodied warrior. All of them know of the Stars, some by way of family legend and inherited responsibility. Each of them also has secrets, unique abilities that are crucial to their goals, which are slowly revealed.

I loved seeing these six people come together for a common goal. It isn't easy, as each one has learned to be cautious of revealing too much. It takes some time to develop the trust necessary to form a true team. Sasha believes herself to be the weakest link thanks to treatment she has received in the past. I loved seeing her transformation, thanks mostly to her growing relationship with Bran. Their connection is immediate; their attraction is intense. Because of who and what he is, Bran can help Sasha see her gift for what it is. I loved his sensitivity and caring and kindness, and how his support gave her the confidence she needed. Bran is protective of her also but has to learn to let go as she grows into her role in the group. There are some intense scenes between the two as their connection deepens and grows. That connection is vital during their final (for this book) battle with the evil goddess Nerezza.

I loved seeing the group change from six individuals to a cohesive team. Each revelation of a special power comes at just the right moment, swinging the tide of battle back their way. Some I suspected, others were a complete surprise. Each time, the trust and bond become a little stronger. Sasha, once she has learned how to deal with her gifts rather than fight them, has a great talent for cutting through the crap and motivating the others to work as a team. Her first "tirade" was unexpected but a grand thing to see. I loved seeing how each one took it to heart. I loved the various cooperative scenes, such as Riley teaching Sasha to fight, and Bran coming up with the perfect weapon for Annika. It isn't all fighting and preparing, as there are many scenes of the group hanging together over food or chores, just getting to know each other in the normal way of new friends. There is also plenty of humor to lighten the sometimes intense periods.

Hunted - Cynthia Eden (HI #1719 - July 2017)

Series: Killer Instinct (Book 3)

Josh Duvane's SEAL training not only hardened his body, but also his mind. Though his latest investigation as part of the FBI's Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team is pushing him to his limits. The Sandy Shore killer taunts local police as Josh recovers his victims off the coast of Florida. Of all the women taken, only Casey Quinn has survived. As this unrelenting psychopath stalks her every move, Josh is all that stands between her and certain death. Now it's time for him to turn the tables and use every ounce of training to stop the killer from having the last laugh…

Good book with good, fast-paced suspense. The tiny town of Hope is suffering through the attacks of a second serial killer in the space of a few weeks. Josh is a former SEAL who now works for the FBI using his skills to find evidence underwater. The story opens as Josh has found the killer's third victim and the frustration hits him hard. It doesn't help to be accosted by reporters as soon as the team returns to shore. One reporter, in particular, rubs him the wrong way. Casey has a reputation for being relentless when she covers stories such as this. Having been on the receiving end of similar publicity, she is determined to give a voice to the victims.

Though their first meeting is contentious, with Josh quite clear on his opinion of reporters, he is also able to see that there is more to his anger than can be blamed on Casey. I liked the fact that he was able to see it, apologize, and try to make her see why. Even in those circumstances, his protectiveness is obvious as he tries to show her that she could be feeding the beast and putting herself in harm's way. Beneath the antagonism, there is also a simmering attraction that flares between them. Finding her skulking in the dark outside the sheriff's office brings that attraction to the surface as he once again chides her for recklessness, and escorts her back to her hotel.

What neither knows is that the killer has indeed decided on his next victim and is waiting to pounce. Casey isn't ready to die, however, and fights back, managing to escape. Josh is determined to keep Casey safe from the killer who seems determined to finish what he started. He takes her into protective custody, where the sparks between them really begin to fly. I loved seeing a connection deeper than just the physical as they worked together to find the killer. Each of them is surprised to find that they want more from each other. Josh initially tries to deny it, but both of his friends, Hayden and Tucker, see it and call him on it. It was pretty sweet to see two strong characters like Josh and Casey become so protective of each other.

The suspense of the story was really good. From the first attack on Casey to the end, the action was fast and intense. Occasional glimpses into the perp's point of view added to the suspense of when he would strike next. Casey's determination to help, rather than remain protected in the safe house, increased the sense of impending danger. As their investigation progressed, twists and turns kept me guessing as to which of several possibilities was the killer. While the killer turned out to be one of my top suspects, there was a twist that I hadn't seen coming. The final confrontation was intense and had me glued to the pages until it was over.

The Marriage Contract - Kat Cantrell (HD #2515 - May 2017)

Series: Billionaires and Babies (Book 81)

A Billionaire's Baby Plan

Desmond Pierce wants a child -- but the conventional route won't do for the reclusive inventor. Enter McKenna Moore, a medical student willing to be a surrogate mom…and to marry by proxy without ever meeting her husband. But when the baby's health requires McKenna to not only face Desmond but also live with him, their chemistry explodes. Soon McKenna is in his bed, where he wants her to stay. But saying yes to making their marriage real puts McKenna's dreams at risk -- and forces Desmond to reevaluate everything he's ever wanted…

Good story with a complicated and unconventional relationship between Desmond and McKenna. Desmond desperately wants a child. His one attempt at a relationship didn't go well, so he opts for hiring a surrogate mother. He wants no issues with legalities, so he insists on a proxy marriage first. McKenna is a medical student who is willing to meet his demands for the chance to have her education paid for.

The book opens immediately after the baby's birth. Desmond is ecstatic and instantly besotted with little Conner. But his joy turns to dismay when the baby turns out to be allergic to formula. The only solution is to ask McKenna to nurse him for a few months until an alternative can be found. McKenna is initially horrified by the idea. She has put her schooling on hold for a year already, this would only delay it further. Plus, she had worked hard to avoid forming an attachment to the baby, knowing she would have no contact, and she has no confidence that she could continue to do so. But for the baby's sake, she agrees to move in with Desmond for the allotted time.

I really liked Desmond. He is scary smart, but also without much of a filter on his mouth. He says what he thinks which can be uncomfortable for those around him. As a result, he has trouble connecting with people. The one thing he wants is a family of his own, and he sees the baby as the way to get that. Though he is determined to remain in control at all times, McKenna's arrival makes that impossible when he realizes that he is intensely attracted to her.

I had a little more trouble warming up to McKenna. Her childhood in a commune, with parents who only believed in natural remedies, not medical science, frustrated her. Watching her grandfather die of cancer cemented her desire to become a doctor, and she was intensely focused on that goal. She sees having a family of her own as incompatible with her desire to be a doctor and is adamant that she will never have children of her own. Giving birth to Conner is a way for her to know what pregnancy and childbirth are like so that she can relate to her patients. She is utterly convinced that she cannot be both a mother and a doctor.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. It starts with them inhabiting the same house, but rarely seeing each other. Desmond tries to ignore the attraction he feels for McKenna, but it is a losing battle, especially when caring for Conner brings him into her presence more often. He is awkward in his attempts to talk to her at first, though McKenna is able to see past it and understand what he wants. She appreciates his honesty in the things he tells her, which adds to the attraction she feels for him. I loved seeing her pull Desmond out of his way of hiding when he is uncomfortable and staying to talk things out. There are some pretty amusing scenes where something that McKenna says will strike him as being completely different than he expected, and we see his mental gyrations as  he readjusts his thinking. Desmond is amazingly thoughtful for someone who claims to be so bad at relationships. His efforts at giving her the means to continue her studies while taking care of Conner were so sweet.  At the same time, spending so  much time with Conner and Desmond has McKenna wishing that there was a way to be both a doctor and a mother. She realizes that she is falling for him which is tearing her up. The passion that erupts between them adds more complications. Desmond starts thinking about making their marriage permanent, but when he says something to her she freaks out at the idea, pushing him away. I ached for Desmond as she insists on adhering to their contract, and leaves them both behind to follow her plan. It was so satisfying to see her encounter with another student who was balancing it all and the lightbulb that finally went off in her head. Her big moment with Desmond, as they both open up about their feelings, was awesome. I loved seeing both of them discover that, with a bit of compromise and sharing of control, they were able to have it all. The epilogue was terrific.

A Small Town Bride - Hope Ramsay (Forever - Apr 2017)

Series: Chapel of Love (Book 2)

Amy Lyndon is tired of being the Poor Little Rich Girl of Shenandoah Falls. In her prominent family, she's the ordinary one - no Ivy League education and no powerful career. But when her father tries to marry her off, she knows it's finally time to stand up for herself, despite the consequences. Now that she's cut off from the family fortune, her first challenge is to fight her attraction to her handsome new boss.

When Amy shows up looking for work with his landscaping crew, Dusty McNeil thinks there's no way such a pampered princess will ever get her hands dirty. But as Amy proves him wrong and gets down to the nitty gritty, Dusty's admiration turns to like, then lust - and then love. But can a high-society woman like Amy ever fall for a man like him?

Very good story of love, family, expectations, and growth. Amy is the youngest in her branch of the Lyndon family. She is looked at as a spoiled princess, not just by the people in town but also by her family. Her greatest claim to fame is the size of the credit card bills that her father pays. When her father tells her he's had enough, he also tells her it's time to accept the proposal of the man she's been dating or to stand on her own two feet. To force the issue, he locks her out of the house and cuts off her credit and her bank account. Daddy expects her to run straight to Grady, who's already been telling people they're engaged. But Amy doesn't want to marry Grady and has told him so. After spending a miserable night in her car, she overhears that her cousin's wife Willow is hiring an assistant event planner, Amy heads for the inn. Unfortunately, the event planner job has been filled, so Willow offers her a job with the landscaping crew, fully expecting Amy to give up before the day is out.

In the previous book, Amy definitely came across as quite an airhead and started this book the same way. But that didn't last long, as Amy's pride refuses to let her give into her father's demands, especially as she doesn't love Grady. So she sucks it up and reports to head groundskeeper Dusty. Like everyone else, Dusty doesn't expect much from her, and her first assignment seems to prove him right. Amy is afraid to look stupid by asking for clarification on the task. She also takes it upon herself to do something else, which backfires on her. To teach her a lesson about asking questions, Dusty decides to send Amy on a "snipe" hunt. Completely unaware of the truth about snipes, Amy does as she is told. The result is hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking, and Dusty winds up feeling incredibly guilty. But Amy is so earnest and determined to be the best she can be, that Dusty finds himself unwillingly drawn to her.

Dusty has the reputation of being the Casanova of Shenandoah Falls. He is strictly a love 'em and leave 'em guy, as he never intends to marry. Dusty has been fighting for his reputation his entire life, thanks to a no-good drunk of a father. It seems that most people expect him to be just like his father. Dusty also owns a piece of land that has been in his family since the town was founded. He has plans for that land as soon as he has the money to carry them out. He is also fighting the county, who wants to take his land and turn it into a park. The court of public opinion is against him, and he's worried that they will succeed. His friends, David Lyndon and his wife Willow, are on his side and trying to help him. The last thing he needs is an unexpected attraction to Amy, the town princess.

I loved the development of their relationship. Amy is stubborn and determined to make it on her own. When Dusty finds out she's sleeping in her car (another hilarious scene) he works out a way for her to stay in a local hunting cabin. Amy has learned her lesson about asking questions and has discovered a wonderful thing called a library where you can find books about anything for free. I loved seeing her put that newfound knowledge to use, and she quickly starts to earn Dusty's respect. There is also an increasing undercurrent of attraction between them that occasionally leads to some smoking hot kisses (and finally a little bit more). With all the time that the two end up spending together, it isn't surprising that they really get to know each other. In spite of her apparent naiveté, Amy has an amazing amount of sensitivity when it comes to Dusty. She sees through the Casanova persona to the somewhat lonely and insecure man inside. I loved seeing her show Dusty that he is more than his father's son. Amy herself is pretty insecure also. Her family has spent so much time telling her that she's stupid and ridiculous that she believes it, too. I loved watching Dusty show her that she is neither, as she succeeds in training a dog everyone else had given up on, finds ways to help the event planner with some real Bridezillas and other crises, and even inspires Dusty to finally prepare a business plan for his land. She realizes that she's falling for Dusty, but expects nothing from him. Dusty fights the idea that he's falling for her. And when Amy's father and brothers interfere, Dusty makes a mistake that drives a wedge between him and Amy. I ached for both of them until Dusty gets some things explained to him and finally sees the light. I loved his big moment at the end, which was sweet and romantic.

There is a secondary story involving Amy's cousin Danny and his upcoming wedding to a reality tv star. Danny's intentions are honorable, but the whole event is a disaster in the making. The whole Lyndon family is involved. Pam is just as obnoxious in this book as in the first one, and I keep wanting to push her into a closet somewhere. Amy's brothers and male cousins are clueless and can't seem to see past the bride's physical attributes. I loved seeing Willow deal with the tv people and their demands. I loved how devoted Danny was to his little girl, though he was a bit blind to his options. I was surprised by the actions of a character from the previous book, who turned out to be much different than she appeared in that story.

The theme of family and expectations was strong. Dusty had to deal with the reappearance of his father and the trouble that he brought with him. I ached for Dusty because he was torn between what love he still had for his father and his disgust at his demands. I was furious with the way that the police chief and others treated Dusty after the fire. It was so satisfying to see the way that Amy stood up for him. As for Amy, I really wanted to smack her entire family for the way they treated her. Besides the way they put down her intelligence, the way they all kept pushing her at Grady was disgusting. Even though she didn't love him, they expected her to marry him anyway, because he was rich and could take care of her. What they did to her at Easter dinner was infuriating. I loved seeing her confound them all by standing on her own and being good at what she did.

A Christmas Bride - Hope Ramsay (Forever - Oct 2016)

Series:: Chapel of Love (Book 1)

A season of hope . . .

'Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she's determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory-all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself...

After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it's harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.

Very good small town romance, full of love, loss, family, and friends with a healthy helping of humor thrown in. When Willow was growing up, she couldn't wait to get out of Shenandoah Falls, away from her hippie, vegan, will-protest-anything mother. She succeeded and hasn't been home in years. But now she's back, trying to rebuild her life after a personal and professional betrayal. When she discovered that her company was defrauding the government, she blew the whistle. Unfortunately for her, her CEO boyfriend was also involved and has taken the lead in trashing her reputation. When she goes to visit her deceased best friend's mother, she is dismayed to discover that Shelly's dream of restoring the inn died with her. Her encounter with Shelly's husband David shows a man determined to sell the inn and move on.

David is still grieving the loss of his wife. The inn is a reminder of her and the way that she died. He plans to sell it and move on with his plans to run for Congress. But Willow's arrival throws his well-ordered life into chaos. She wants him to fix up the inn enough to host his cousin's wedding, something his family is strongly against. They want him to concentrate on his political future. Various townspeople also have no problem voicing their opinions also.

I liked Willow a lot. She may be down, but she hasn't given up. She isn't backing down from her stance on the fraud case. However, her self-confidence has taken a little bit of a hit over what she sees as her bad judgment in boyfriends. She also feels that people look down on her because of her mother. Underneath, she is a woman with a big heart and plenty of love to give. I loved her relationship with Shelly's mom, who had been like a second mother to her. And I loved her quick connection with little Natalie, who called her a "fairy godmother."

David took a little while to grow on me. He was so stiff and cold toward Willow at the beginning. I also disliked the way that he let his mother bully Natalie. I wanted to see him stand up to her. I softened a little bit when I saw how much he was still hurting over Shelly's death. He started to win me over when he stood up to Natalie's teacher over the spelling tests. The more I saw of him, the more I saw someone who buried his own needs and wants to live up to others' expectations.

I really enjoyed the development of their relationship. Willow, Shelly, and David had been friends for a long time. There had never been any hint of attraction between David and Willow until she came home, and both were surprised by it. David spends a fair amount of time feeling guilty about desiring someone other than Shelly. Willow doesn't want to feel anything for a man she thinks is too much like her ex. But she doesn't let any of that stop her from confronting him about the inn and telling him exactly what she thinks. Once David makes the decision to cooperate about the inn, he realizes that his attraction to Willow is a large part of why he did it. As he gets sucked into helping with the inn he also gets to spend more time with her. I loved seeing the effect that they had on each other. Willow is able to help David break out of the shell of grief he'd been in and start to live again. David helps Willow to see that she is much stronger than she thinks she is. The attraction between them continues to grow until it bursts into flame. I loved that scene and the morning after, as each of them begins to believe that they could have something special. But interference from David's family has him making a really boneheaded mistake, which drives a wedge between him and Willow. I loved that she stood her ground, and ached for her heartbreak over his actions. He finally realized the truth and his speech at his cousin's wedding showed just how much he had changed. I loved his big moment at the end as he opened up his heart to Willow. The epilogue was great.

There were some awesome characters and situations throughout the book. Willow's mom is still the same hippie she was when Willow was a kid, but Willow is much more accepting of her now. I really enjoyed seeing the two of them grow closer. The part with the park protest was hilarious. There is also some mystery regarding who Willow's sister's father is, though I have my suspicions. I really liked Shelly's mom and her obvious love for David. She could have been a real obstacle in his relationship with Willow, but instead she was behind him providing the kick in the tail that he needed. I loved their conversation in the kitchen the morning after he slept with Willow. She gave him some good advice from someone who'd been in his shoes. On the other side of the coin was David's mother. I didn't like her at the beginning, and absolutely nothing changed by the end of the book. She is a snob and a bully and incredibly self-centered. I loved picturing the look on her face every time he stood up to her. My favorite secondary character was Natalie. She, too, was grieving her mother's death, which made her especially vulnerable to her grandmother's bullying. David wasn't much better at the beginning, and I ached for Natalie and her unhappiness. I loved seeing her blossom under Willow's influence. It was especially satisfying, though heartbreaking, too, to see her confront David and her grandmother over the way Willow was treated. I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing more of Dusty.