Just like with To Win Her Love, Crowne delivers a fun, fast, and heartfelt read. Tuck is just as entertaining as he was in the first story. And just like I hoped, he meets his match is CC. She does have hangups, completely understandable ones given her past, but Tuck is definitely not easy to ignore. And you have to love that about him!

We’re given CC’s history in bits but it makes you value her strength and heart all the more as she works thru her issues with Tuck’s help. Together they are so amazingly sweet and funny and sexy. I think my favorite part is that there isn’t a huge amount of drama. Everything flows so well and so realistically, and the issues that arise just made sense.

Returning readers will be thrilled to see glimpses of Jack & Gracie and their family, plus we are given a look at some possible future stories which is always fun. And while I think you need to have read the first book to have the chance to get the full Tucker treatment, this can definitely be read on its own.

With two main characters who have a fun sense of humor and big heart (and in Tuck’s case a big ego), To Win Her Trust just proves that Crowne is one to watch. I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.

This book totally surprised me. Not having read anything else in the series I didn’t know what to expect but it definitely wasn’t this smooth, mostly angst-free, love story. It does have just a touch of insta-love, which may not appeal to some, but Van Hulzen does a good job of making sure that they have time to get to know each other and commit to their relationship.

Drew is at a crossroads in his life. Unfortunately, it isn’t one of his choosing so it’s been really hard on him. In Silver Bay for his sister’s wedding, he decides to stay just a little longer in the pretty little town. Especially after meeting (and feeling so comfortable) with Baylee. She’s been the only thing so far to snap him out of his funk and, while he knows that it isn’t a good time, he really wants to get to know her better.

Baylee has made a good life for herself, her son and her mom. Unfortunately she’s given up on having a man in her life … until she meets Drew. He’s understanding, sexy, good with her family, and makes her feel wonderful things again. But his life isn’t in her small town and she’s not sure she’s up for anything else.

I really enjoyed being with Drew & Baylee as they try to navigate their developing feelings. Both are hesitant, for good reasons, but their pull is undeniable. There isn’t a lot of conflict, just the two of them working their way through the obstacles that come up. It’s refreshing & touching and Van Hulzen makes it so easy to get caught up in their quest for a HEA ending.

(This is the first in this series that I’ve read but it can easily stand on its own.)

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

So you read the blurb and think – typical marriage of convenience with a little rich man/poor girl fish-out-of-water thrown in. And you’d be right … but that SO doesn’t stop it from being enjoyable!

I liked Jagger and felt so bad for the start in life he got. Neither his dad nor his mom wanted him, raised by a nanny, and pushed into a shallow life that he didn’t like. But he was saved by a young boy. A young boy who is now in danger of being taken away from him. To Jagger, Kaden is the only good thing in his life and he would do anything to save him, even marry someone he barely knows.

Chelsea’s big heart gets her into a little trouble here, but she lost everything when her brother and mom died. To see Jagger’s pain at the thought of losing Kaden makes it really hard to turn down his offer. But that soft heart is her biggest fear in this relationship – she’s already attracted to Jagger, a fake marriage might start feeling too real.

There were a couple of moments where a little bit of honesty would have cleared up a lot of misunderstandings and hurt feelings, but it’s definitely not easy to reveal that much of yourself to someone else. I think that Harte handled it really well, all the way through. While the story might seem familiar, she gives her readers interesting people and a lot of emotion & depth. It keeps you involved even when you know where things are going. It makes getting there very enjoyable.

(While this book can be read on its own, there were references to other people that I didn’t understand.)

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

This was such a sweet little story about finding your strength and second chances. Jake is one of those entitled rich kids who thinks he can get away with anything. Until he’s sent to work a ranch after getting caught breaking the law. The man who ran it managed to teach him how to be worthy, but old habits are hard to break and it doesn’t take long for him to slip back into his old life again. It’s been over a decade but he’s about to have a reason to find his way again.

At 18 Harper fell in love with Jake (without knowing who he was) but then he left her just when she gave him her heart. It’s been years and he’s just stepped back into her life. Even worse, he won’t go away. After everything, she still finds him hard to resist.

Even though Jake lost himself in his shallow lifestyle again, when his eyes get opened he does a great job of stepping up. I enjoyed his journey as he discovered how to be a good man again, stand tall and be strong for something important even if it means going against his own father. But he’s hiding who he is from Harper and although he thinks he has his reasons you know it isn’t going to end well.

Lovelace does a great job of showing Jake’s progress and making the business thing with his company (which could easily have been boring) work with the love story. The story is short but she packs in a great deal of heart, growth, and forgiveness.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

Ben is a good match for Emma. As a firefighter he’s going to understand about her having a dangerous job but that with proper training and care things will be as safe as they can be. He’s also got a big heart which goes well with her own. Up to this point his romantic life has always been about being the big, strong hero so of course he falls really hard for someone who can take care of herself! Now he just needs to learn that he can be supportive without sweeping in on his white horse to rescue her.

Emma’s world is already a mess when Ben comes storming in with his rescued bobcat kitten. He’s definitely a distraction she doesn’t need, and her past has taught her that men can’t handle a strong woman whose whole life is centered around wild animals that could seriously hurt her. Not used to leaning on anyone, it’s hard for Emma to let Ben in to help. Too bad that the man is too stubborn to just go away.

Kline doesn’t really do much to hide the who and what behind the trouble that Emma experiences. After a bit it becomes obvious who the choices are for the culprit but the how of carrying out the plan does keep you guessing. And really it’s mostly about the romance :)

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

I have to say this one really didn’t go the way I guessed it would. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing :) I thought that Paige and Sterling’s aborted romance – the whole wrong side of the tracks thing – would have been a bigger deal than it turned out to be. I mean, yes it did leave some scars, as most traumatic childhood events do, but there is so much more to their problems than that.

Thanks to a screwy childhood, Paige is an enabler and spends way too much energy trying to fix everything for her loved ones. Which means that she somehow finds herself back in the small town that she grew up in, trying to make everything right, and having to face a lot of her demons … including Sterling.

Sterling is also is dealing with family issues thanks to his parents. He’s got one of those moms – overbearing, manipulative, all about appearances and wearing blinders. And she’s pushing him to move home to run the family business. He’s got his own bones to pick with people in the town and being in such close quarters is sure to stir things up.

I get why Paige is so hesitant to get involved again – it is horrible what she went thru at such an impressionable age – but I have to admire Sterling for sticking with her. He’s not perfect, which is on display with his relationship with his parents and the fight that is still going on with Paige’s brother, but he’s truly a good guy.

I like these two and I enjoyed all of their crazy friends & family. Not to say that all of them are likeable, but they are fun to read and help keep the pages turning. All of the hurt feelings, family drama, and personal issues are dragged out & put on display.

Secrets are revealed, the truth finally comes out, and some demons are laid to rest … all in a days work for a small town full of drama.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

Having read the first book in the series I was really looking forward getting to know Zoe even better. She has had a hard start in life but with grit and smarts she’s managed to make herself a success. Although that doesn’t mean her rough childhood didn’t leave some scars. As great as she’s had it she’s finding it difficult to just let herself believe that she’s made it and that she’s able to relax her guard a little. She’s still convinced that it might all be taken away from her and she’ll be back at the bottom. And being in her hometown with her family stirs up all sorts of memories that are better left behind … and a few that are just that special and good.

Zoe may have run away as fast and far as she could, but Luke is happy at home. He’s got a life that works for him, one that he’s happy with surrounded by friends and family. It took a lot out of Luke when Zoe left and seeing her again has stirred up a lot of feelings. And some of those give him with a feeling that he may be missing out on something not seeing the rest of the world. Plus, he’s thinking that maybe he’ll only find happiness with the girl who originally stole his heart.

While there is a lot of Brown family drama, there isn’t all that much on the romantic side (which I was afraid there would be with Zoe and Luke’s history). Most second chance love stories are just packed full of hurt feelings, maybe some misunderstanding or miscommunication, but definitely a lot of angst. I shouldn’t have doubted Ms. Bybee’s talent, though, because she’s never failed me before so why should she now! Instead she gives readers her all with characters of great depth and humanity, emotions that run the guantlet, and crisp writing that captures your attention from the first page. She’s been one of my guaranteed authors for a while now – just seeing her name means I know it’ll be a winner – but with each new book she surprises me with how amazingly good she continues to be

Morgan is just a big ball of sass and fun. She uses it mostly as a shield but once she sees how much of a rise she can get out of Alex then all bets are off! She just amuses me to no end and I really want to become friends with her – smart, mouthy (but not mean), and just full of pop culture knowledge, I think we could hang for sure.

While he doesn’t have the best first impression of Morgan, and every meeting since has had her getting under his skin, Alex can’t deny that she’s as intelligent as she is sexy … and snarky. But his emotional scars go real deep and he’s not willing to open himself up to pain. He’s much safer if things stay business only and he keeps to himself.

But spending time together, pretending to be engaged, quickly has things heating up and Simone sure knows how to bring the spice! And even better, they are just as compatible outside the bedroom as in. They understand each other and they help fill in some of those pieces that the other needs. Morgan brings some lightness that Alex’s life doesn’t have enough of and he helps her get her mojo back again. Of course with these two hesitant to trust again someone is going to be running for the door sooner rather than later. It’s handled really well though and there isn’t a whole lot of angst getting us to that point and back around to the HEA that you know they both deserve.

This could have so easily been a story about a couple of rich, hot, beautiful, people who were all “poor little me, no one loves me”. But it SO wasn’t. Simone does such a wonderful job making these characters complex and full of hurts & fears. Both of them have been let down by people who were supposed to love and understand them (in Alex’s case, it’s been going on for years), so neither is all that anxious to give someone else a chance to hurt them again. But of course the heart isn’t always good about following the plan :)

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

I love the idea of Tessa finding herself while Johnny’s undercover for the ATF and away from home for almost two years. Granted, I think it is a horrible thing to have just left him but I totally get why that was the only way she could do it. She loves her husband but because of the way they got together, and what she thinks is a lack of romantic interested on his part, she can’t stay. Being face to face with him as the woman she used to be, with her feelings and insecurities, she would never have been able to leave.

But Sanctuary Island works its magic and in the year she’s been there she has totally come into her own. She’s a strong woman who is able to stand on her own two feet, support herself, make friends and be confident in what she wants. Then he walks back into her life, looking all sexy and protective … and hurt and wanting her back. He’s going to be hard to resist :)

Johnny’s only thought after finishing his latest assignment is to get home to his wife, the one person who can help him center himself in real life. Unfortunately she’s left and he knows he’ll be lost until he gets her back. Luckily he’s got time as his job has mandated some therapy in the same town she’s moved to and he takes the opportunity to convince Tessa to give them a chance to save their marriage. And he’s nothing if not dedicated to his cause. He’s going to take that time to win over the new woman his wife has become.

The growth that both of these people undergo thanks to their time on Sanctuary Island, both individually and, luckily, back to each other is awesome. Tessa’s had already happened but thru Johnny getting to know his wife better we get to see what that transformation actually meant. And while Johnny’s journey isn’t quite over, by the end he’s found himself on a path that works for him. It takes a strong man to open up and expose himself to someone else and Johnny does it beautifully and even more so for acknowledging that it’s a process that needs to continue.

Close to Home is a heartwarming second chance romance full of the hope for new beginnings.

(While this is a good place to start (no real ties to previous books) and Tessa and Johnny’s story is complete (and fabulous), the story doesn’t technically stand on its own. There are whole bits of it that set up the next story, Home at Last. So, you have to ask yourself – am I prepared to read the next book or am I OK with that bit of unfinished business … since Everett is such a fantastic writer I’m pretty sure I know which it is going to be!)

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

I’m gonna have to admit that I really didn’t get into this book very much until about half way through. I actually decided to set it down for a bit and try again. And I’m glad I did.

I like the friendship between Sarah and Sam. They seem to complement each other pretty well (although it does seem a little like she just rolls over for whatever he wants, but as long as she’s happy doing it …. ) Of course, he may have pushed her too far with his latest stunt – asking her to pretend to be a couple for a wine competition. But even worse when he kinda insults her by saying no one would ever think she’d be someone he’d go for. He had to know that wasn’t going to go over well as soon as he said it!

Of course it doesn’t, which leads t a make-over for her and the obligatory requirement that he sees her in a new way. It’s a little cliched but that doesn’t mean it isn’t enjoyable. There’s a lot of time spent with them misunderstanding the changes in their feelings (which is one of the reasons I put it aside) but I can see where it would be hard to suddenly start thinking of your best friend romantically. But things definitely heat up, in more than one way, when they finally start thinking in those terms.

There’s a lot of back and forth on their friendship before they even get to that point. And then there are a couple of misunderstandings that have to be worked out. And they’ve definitely got to work out their dynamic as a couple because it isn’t good for him to run wild and just expect her to come along for the ride. It’s a good journey though as they work their way from friends to lovers to a HEA ending … with a few bumps in the way for fun!

(This is the first in this series that I’ve read but I’m not sure it really made much of a difference. The story seemed complete to me, so I’m gonna go with no :) )

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***