Close to You - Christina Dodd (Pocket - Mar 2005)

Series: Lost Texas Hearts (Book 3)

Who knows the truth about her family?

Who wants to keep her past hidden forever?

Caitlin Prescott was only a baby when her parents disappeared. Adopted by a wealthy Texas oil family, she became Kate Montgomery, and grew up with no memory of her parents or her two older sisters and brother, who have been searching for her, hoping to right a terrible wrong that was committed twenty-two years ago in a small Texas town.

Now an ambitious young news reporter, Kate realizes she is being stalked soon after landing her dream job at an Austin TV station. Why did a car try to run her down? Who would want to kill her? Turning her precarious situation into a story, she takes on a bodyguard and follows him on the job. But she didn't plan on the cool, blade-sharp strength of Teague Ramos or the attraction that sizzles between them. When Teague connects the death of an Austin socialite to unanswered questions about Kate's childhood, she finds herself unlocking dangerous doors to her past. Now, with only her mysterious bodyguard to protect her, Kate is on a high-stakes chase that may lead her to the family she has never known -- or into the trap of a ruthless killer.

Good conclusion to the series. I read the first two books years ago, so it was great to finally get to read this one and get closure on the mystery. It opens with the scene of Kate's adoption, which you can immediately sense is not on the up-and-up. It then moves on to Kate as an adult, beginning her long anticipated career as a television reporter. While taking the "newbie" job of reporting on a hurricane, she comes to the attention of the man responsible for the deaths of her parents and the splitting up of her siblings. He recognizes her because of her resemblance to her mother. He arranges for her to be hired at the station in Austin and to be assigned to work stories at the capitol. His motives are most assuredly not good.

I really liked Kate. As she begins her job, she has to deal with jealousy and attitude from her coworkers, who think she has bought her way into the position. I loved her determination to show them that they are wrong, and how hard she works. I loved how observant she is and how that enables her to find ways to relate to everyone she talks to. She also has a stubborn streak that comes in handy during her pursuit of stories but also causes her to take some unnecessary risks later in the book. She has a loving relationship with her mom, though she admits to sometimes wondering about her birth family.

When Kate leaves work one night and discovers her tires slashed, she's disturbed but not worried. But when she is nearly hit by a speeding car, Kate has to admit that she may have picked up a stalker. Her boss sends her to do a story on the head of security at the capitol as a cover for the man serving as her bodyguard until the stalker is caught. The meeting between Kate and Teague is slightly contentious and very heavy on sparks of attraction flaring between them.

Teague is a man with a dangerous aura about him. He had a miserable childhood and grew up in a gang, fighting and doing drugs. He turned his life around after joining the Marines, then started his security company. He is a ladies' man, well known for his avoidance of commitment. He is cynical about people, especially those who come from money.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Teague is super-protective of Kate,  and not just because she's a job. She fascinates him the way no other woman has before. I loved the way his employees could see it, but Teague was in complete denial. But Teague was also a man haunted by his past, a past that made him believe that he doesn't deserve a relationship with a decent woman. Kate is just as intrigued and attracted by Teague. His air of danger appeals to her, and she spends a lot of time trying to find a way to get him to sleep with her. She has a brief period when she witnesses the violence he is capable of, and it disturbs her enough that she pushes him away. I loved his patience and understanding as he finds a creative way to get her to relax around him again. They part ways when they believe that the stalker has been identified, but neither can get the other off their mind. But something happens that makes Kate believe that she is still in danger and Teague agrees. I loved how it gave them the excuse they needed to get back together. At this point, Kate is also determined to get past Teague's walls. One way is to take him home with her and introduce him to her mom. I loved this scene. I was laughing out loud at what appeared to be Teague's complete fear of Marilyn. As the days went on, Kate and Teague got closer, but there were still some serious issues between them. Kate knows that she has fallen for him, but doesn't know how he feels about her. Then his overprotective attitude has him making some rather boneheaded mistakes that hurt and anger her. Even after nearly losing each other, Teague still tries to push her away, though the last attempt backfires on him. I loved seeing Kate take the initiative to clear things up between them.

The suspense of the story is really good. We know from the outset that the senator is the man behind the trouble, but the details of why and how are still unknown. Besides the fact that he is responsible for her parents' death, there is a definite creep factor in his attitude toward Kate. The way he watched her around the capitol really made my skin crawl, and even she sensed that something wasn't quite right. Though Kate and Teague initially discounted the wild story told to them by the senator's wife, later information made them reconsider. This sent them on an investigation that put Teague, especially into the senator's crosshairs, resulting in an almost deadly attack on Teague. Kate's insistence on getting involved probably saved his life, but also caused Teague to interfere in her job. This, unfortunately, brought Kate's stubbornness out and she did something monumentally stupid. If it weren't for the fortunate, though oddly carried out, intervention of Kate's two sisters and their husbands, it would have ended very badly. Instead, the end was an incredibly intense series of events that brought long-awaited justice for what had happened to the Prescott family. There was a slightly weird scene involving the deceased, but it too brought closure of a sort.

The reuniting of the siblings was satisfying. I liked the support that they all provided to Kate when Teague was injured, and their inclusion of her mother into the family. The epilogue was great, though I am left wondering if their brother Gabriel has ever had his story told. I am curious about him.

Do You Take This Cowboy? - Vicki Lewis Thompson (HSE #2565 - Aug 2017)

Series: Thunder Mountain Brotherhood (Book 11)

A Marriage-Minded Cowboy

Orphaned at a young age, Austin Teague found a loving foster home at Thunder Mountain Ranch. After four years away, he's back in Wyoming for a family wedding…with hopes to plan his own nuptials once he finds his ideal bride. Between their mutual off-the-charts attraction and easy camaraderie, it seems as if Austin and gorgeous videographer Drew Martinelli are made for each other.

Drew cherishes her independence -- in her job, and during this time-out from her boisterous Montana clan. But the sexy, straight-shooting brother of the groom wants to settle down -- now! -- and Drew isn't ready to say "I do." What if that means giving up the chance to have it all with the smoking-hot cowboy of her dreams?

Good book. Austin has come home for his foster brother's wedding. After years away, he's ready to start his new trail-riding business and settle down. All he has to do is find the right woman to do it with. He doesn't expect to find her almost as soon as he arrived. Drew is the videographer for his brother's wedding, and they hit it off right away. But as much as she likes him, Drew isn't quite on the same page. She has plans for her life, and marriage and babies aren't part of it.

Austin and Drew are both intense, focused people. Austin has been goal oriented ever since he was a kid, and nothing has changed. His brothers accuse him of being a "bullet train." Once he gets an idea in his head, it is full steam ahead. That focus tends to leave him blind to its effects on others. He is sweet and romantic and quite the cowboy gentleman. He also loves his family. Drew is the oldest in her family. She has two sisters, three brothers, and a whole mess of cousins. The family is loud, boisterous, loving, and seemingly always in each other's business. Drew felt smothered by the constant attention of feeling of expectations and moved a couple of hours away for some much-needed privacy. She loves her work, both with people and doing nature videos, and focuses on her plans to do more nature videos. She, too, tends to have a laser focus and ignores things that don't match her vision. She is also fun, feisty, and adventurous.

I enjoyed the development of their romance. From the moment Drew and Austin met, the attraction between them was undeniable. Austin sees it as the first step on his path to matrimony. He sets his sights on convincing her just as fast as he can. Drew sees her attraction to Austin as a chance to enjoy being with a good-looking guy and having some fun. Austin moves so fast that it is easy to see that he might be in for a rude awakening, but he sees their connection as the proof that they are meant to be. Drew really enjoys Austin's company, but his obvious intentions make her very nervous. I ached for her because I could see that her feelings for him were growing, but she was afraid of what it would mean to her plans and how she sees herself. One of the things I loved about this couple is that they talked to each other when problems came up. I ached for them both when Drew let her fears get the best of her. I loved her conversation with her sister, Elise, who gave Drew a point of view she hadn't considered before. It was an eye-opener for Drew and had quite an effect on her perception of her relationship with Austin. I loved seeing how communication made the difference.

I loved the relationships among the Thunder Mountain family. Rosie and Herb are the heart of it, and the example for all their boys. The love and respect throughout was heartwarming to see. I also loved the teasing that went on between the various brothers, and also how much they obviously cared. His brothers gave Austin a hard time about being a "bullet train, " but they were also there for support and advice. The setting of Cade and Lexie's wedding was great. The wedding itself was incredible.

I especially loved the camping trip that Austin and Drew went on, not just for the development of their relationship. The tracking of the wild horse herd and the things that they saw were so vividly portrayed that I felt like I was right there. I held my breath through the whole cougar episode waiting to see how it was going to turn out.

My only disappointment is that the reader's letter states that this is the last book in the series. Wait! What about Jonah? It looks promising with Drew's sister Elise, but don't leave me hanging!!!

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.