4.5 *s

Cowboy is just about perfect. I think it helps that his mother and so many others in his life are therapists. He’s the protector and would be there for anyone, but he’s drawn to Sully immediately and deeply. A whole lot caring, patient, and giving but still a little bit dirty and growly alpha, the way he treats her, helping her stand on her own feet and experience everything, is totally swoon worthy.

There is a disclaimer at the end of the book from the author about Sully’s plight. She recognizes that in reality this is not a fast process and that it would take a long time for someone to recover from her experiences. But this is a love story so there also needs to be a little bit of magic in falling in love :) She makes Sully strong and unbroken by the things that she’s been through. She just needs somewhere (and someone) that makes her feel safe and supported so she can figure out who she is and how she wants to go forward.

As much as I loved Cowboy & Sully and their connection, I spent a bit of time early on asking myself if it was really that healthy but at some point I decided that it didn’t matter. There are a lot of times in a romance that you just have to let it be because it’s just a story. I think though that this says something about Foster’s characters. They, and their stories, are so moving and genuine that you can’t help comparing them to what would happen if they didn’t just exist in a book. And that’s the reason that I get excited just seeing her name on a new book – I know that I’m going to get something emotional and real, with all the heart (and a touch of heat) that I could ask for.

(All of Foster’s books technically can stand on their own but why would you want them to ;) )

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**