(3.5*, rounded up)

We met Shane in Giving Chase and I knew that Dane was going to have to give him a bit of an attitude adjustment to make him appealing as a hero ... I just didn't expect it to be an immediate about face.  In the first book he was pretty much an ass - a jerk to women & completely commitment-phobic, thanks to a previous relationship gone bad.  So I expected that Cassie would have to work some kind of magic and slowly get him to change.  Nope, pretty much from the beginning he's over himself and ready to get involved.  It would have been great, if it wasn't for his portrayal in the first story.  And I will give Dane credit that she does have his baggage still there, but it is on simmer and not out in front like when we first met him.  That aside, though, Shane as a character was great (as long as you forgot that he ever had more jerk-ish moments).  He's caring and, although he stumbles a couple of times, does his best to be sensitive to Cassie's feelings.   

And Cassie definitely has her own baggage!  Pretty fresh out of a horrifically abusive relationship, she's trying to have a fresh start.  What she isn't looking for is attracting the interest of a cop.  Luckily for Shane, he's pretty hard to resist.  But it is going to take a lot of patience to work through the scars Cassie past left her with.  She's got a lot of triggers and it might get a bit old for some readers.  She's pretty set on doing things herself and has a hard time separating someone offering help from people trying to manage her.  Her ex did a number on her so it's understandable but it happens a lot.  Good thing new Shane is willing to go all in and help her find a balance that can work for them both. 

This is a slow burn romance as the two work their way around Cassie's issues and having to deal with the fact that her ex is still out there in the world.  There are a lot of emotional ups and downs as she struggles to figure out what a healthy relationship looks like and Shane tries his best to help without taking over.  It's not easy for him to ignore the cop in him that wants to do everything he can to protect her.  Instead he needs to support her as she stands on her own two feet.  There is a bit of excitement at the end but overall this is all about the feels, with just a bit of suspense thrown in.  

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of an advanced copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not coerced in any way.**

As a new Fossen reader, I have no idea what her particular style is but I feel like I should give a few warnings for other newbies. There isn’t a TON of romance here, so if that’s your main focus you may be disappointed (I’ve seen a few of those on Goodreads). Instead, Fossen delivers an interesting mix of a couple coming to terms with their feelings, a oh-so-dysfunctional family, and some business shenanigans. It melded together really well for me, but may not work for others.

Lucian is the one that stepped in when his dad stepped out and he’s done amazing things to make the family business a success. Unfortunately, his dad is now back in the picture and threatening everything that Lucian has worked so hard for. The big question is why and that plays out through a decent part of the book. It also leads Lucian to making a few realizations – about himself, his life, and his heart.

Karlee has been there by Lucian’s side for years, loving him silently, but she’s finally reached the point where her heart can’t take any more. She’s starting to move on when the bad dad drama hits and her feelings means that she can’t abandon Lucian or his family. But being in a fake relationship with him means that some things come to light that she hadn’t planned on.

Fossen has a fun, quirky style – filling her story with humor, hijinxs, and hilarious secondary characters. And because she writes with dual POV, we are there with Lucian while his blinders are taken away and he has to face not only Karlee’s feelings but his own. We also get to see the toll that everything has on her. And my heart went out to her all the way to the end.

While I found the love story to be satisfying, it also doesn’t play center stage. Those looking for a pure romance may be a little thrown by the family and business drama. It’s important for the characters and does help lead to the HEA, leading to growth and helping to put some old ghosts to bed, but it does make up a decent part of the plot causing the relationship portion to be downplayed a little. Not a bad thing, in my opinion as I enjoyed seeing how everything worked out, but also not everyone’s cup of tea :)

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

(minor spoilers ahead, maybe, I don’t know – details aren’t in the blurb but I think they are told pretty early on)

I started this series here (no surprise!) so I came into it with no preconceived notion of the characters. And I really enjoyed myself. Beau and Cora together are cute and sexy and pretty much melodrama free. But that doesn’t apply to the rest of their lives.

Cora has spent the last who-knows-how-many years being at her mom’s beck & call and she’s done. She’s ready to stay in one place and create a life for herself, something that fulfills her and isn’t just being minder to her diva mother. And the timing is perfect as it brings her back in time to connect with Beau again.

Beau was raised in cult as the son of its leader. He got out when his dad started doing things that Beau didn’t agree with and worked with the authorities … which sent the others on the run. He’s managed to make a good life for himself and was a very successful model before becoming a chef. He’s in Seattle spending time with friends and is surprised to see Cora again.

The connection between the two is instantaneous and works for me. They get along very well and make for a believable (and steamy) couple. I also like the bond between the two of them and their friends. They have created a support group from themselves that is quite awesome and those interactions are fabulous to see.

There are some weaker moments – mainly Cora & her mom and Beau & his past. While Beau’s does have a bit more resolution by the end, there is still a little bit of an open-ended feel to it. Maybe Dane plans on it being a tie-in to a future book? It definitely feels like it could lead to more. And Cora & her mom definitely didn’t have the resolution that some will feel they need. Cora does stand up for herself and works to make the situation the best it can be, but her mom is just not very likable. Reading it you’re not sure why everyone is OK with her attitude and the way she treats people, especially family. They maneuver her well and there is a subtle addressing of things, but I think that it isn’t going to be enough for some readers.

Overall, as my first book by Dane, I found it to be a good read – enjoyable characters all around and a hot romance. I couldn’t ask for more in a summer read.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of an advanced copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

I loved the idea of these friends becoming more.  They make sure a great duo that you know a relationship between the two of them would just be awesome.  Unfortunately both have some hangups that are keeping them from pursuing anything more.  

It's totally understandable why Kaylee doesn't want to risk her most important friendship for the chance of a romance.  She needs Bennett so much that losing him would be devastating ... but her heart wants more and it is not going to be ignored.  

Thanks to Bennett's childhood he has a huge need to plan.  A romance of deep emotion doesn't really fit well with that.  He's holding tight to his control but life does enjoy throwing people curve balls.  

And seeing Bennett develop a connection to his son is the absolute best.  Kaylee's there for both of them, with a special connection with Dallas, but in the end the guys have to be the ones making it work.  They both are so heartfelt and blunt, but hesitant too.  They handle things their way - with humor and truth, laying it out but still being protective of themselves.  

The connection & long-standing friendship between Kaylee & Bennett is just so heartwarming and their struggle over where the future might take them is very real.  Some might find the push/pull of their emotions a little repetitive - it's hard to let go and take a leap for something more when what you have is so very, very important to you.  But what if it could bring you something so much more ...?  It's a tough decision but you are going to enjoy being with them while they figure things out. 

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

In One Last Kiss, Rains beautifully captures how quickly a relationship can sour due to communication issues.  Abby and Sam love each other deeply but have been apart for years.  Both of them reacted emotionally (understandably) to situations and made some assumptions about the others feelings but because they didn't talk to each other about what was going on things quickly got out of hand.  When they finally clear the air, Rains does a fantastic job of making sure that readers feel for both of them on how things got so bad.  

It may be a short read but Rains knows how to pack a punch.  Her characters are very human and deal with life honestly & realistically.  While I would definitely have loved a full length story for these two (publishing issues got in the way), in no way did I feel like I was shorted by getting a novella instead.  While the catalyst to their reunion might have needed to be a little more dramatic, everything afterward was handled with great emotion and the care it deserved for something so important to their futures.  

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

I love Susan Mallery's writing style.  She does a wonderful job of giving readers all the feels while adding in just the right amount of quirk and fun.  And with When We Found Home, she doesn't disappoint.    

Malcolm joined the Carlesso family when he was 12.  And while he had a great relationship with his mom and formed a bond with his new-found grandfather, his dad was pretty awful... and now they are finding out just how awful with the addition of a couple of half sisters.  You just have to feel for Malcolm as he struggles to relate to his new family dynamic.  His has no idea how to connect with his 12 year old half sister, Keira, and the sudden appearance of a new sister only a couple of years younger than him makes it even more complicated.  Luckily, with the help of a lovely barista, he just might figure things out.  

Callie has gone from having nothing to having everything, including a family, and she's just not sure how to handle it.  Adding in an intimidating and emotionally distant brother doesn't help.  But the relationship she forms with her new little sister, as the two of the bond over their now drastically different circumstances, will just melt your heart.  Throw in a guy who thinks she hung the moon, and her life might become just about perfect.  

Keira is the one I wanted to cuddle the most out of the group (although Malcolm comes in a close second - the man is just clueless but he does try ... ish).  Her childhood was awful, including a druggie mom and a stint in foster care.  It's no wonder that she's convinced her new posh life won't last.  Luckily an accident, a friendly barista, and the appearance of her new half-sister just might be the catalysts to help her trust in her new situation.  

Mallery uses her trademark wit & snappy dialogue, along with engaging & well-developed characters, to deliver a wonderfully emotional read.  While there is a romance for both Malcolm and Callie, its the three of them trying to figure out how to become a family that really steals the show.  The complications from being thrown together at this point in their lives make it even that much harder to find a way to connect but with a little guidance, some honesty, and sheer will, they just might make something wonderful out of a terrible beginning.  

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

I absolutely adored both Kit and Wes. They are so fun together in all of their awkward cuteness and even though things happen pretty quickly you can feel the connection between the two of them. Like all of the other couples in the series, they are a good match and have you rooting for them from the start.

Unfortunately there was a point just before the big climax where Ruggle lost me just a little. Kit had all of the information she needed to make a few connections about what was going on and none of it was ever mentioned, by her or by Ruggle. It was obvious but when it mattered Kit never even acknowledged the information. Which was extra disappointing because she’d been so on top of things up to that point.

It’s a minor complaint, though, in an otherwise fun and exciting story. There’s the danger and suspense that we’ve come to expect from this series, along with the right amount of camaraderie and romance to give you the feels to go with the thrills. And while we may know who the bad guy is from the first but I will admit that the why totally surprised me. (I was enjoying Wes & Kit too much to even want to guess :) )

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

While I love Aidan & Phoebe together and how he completely embraced his son, I did have just a teeny issue with how easily Aidan accepts how Lee's existence was kept from him.  Yes, they were young when everything went wrong but he wasn't necessarily wrong with how he left town.  Things were seriously bad for him & his dad and I really have no problem with them packing up and leaving without looking back.  But really someone should have really let him know about his son before this. 

Sala's down-home writing is always a treat to read and everything else made up for any issues I had with how quickly Aidan got over his hurt.  Once the two of them reconnect all of their past feelings come back and deepen even more.  It's sweet and heartwarming and, as always with Sala, a feel-good read that made me happy every page until the end.   

If you love quirky small-town characters, a touching romance, and emotions galore, Sala is your girl!

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

I think Matt might be my favorite brother … but don’t tell the others :) He’s patient, caring, and smart enough to realize what a great thing he could have with Tate. I love how he takes his time wooing her, in a way that she doesn’t even realize what is happening until she’s too far gone over him.

Tate may have a few insecurities thanks to the way she grew up but I love her grit and spunk. She’s a little prickly but it is totally understandable, Not too much for the Chase charm to overcome, of course. And the closeness of the Murphy family is awesome to behold, enough to rival the Chases, and I do think Dane handled their issues really well. It was realistic and gave a believable drama moment between Matt and Tate that worked well with the relationship they’d created.

I do wish a little more time had been spent resolving the issues with how Tate is viewed by people in the town. There are “mean girls” who make trouble for her and for the most part they handle them really well. I just needed one more scene, I think. I felt like it wasn’t quite wrapped up as much as it could have been, especially with how well the family portion was done.

Realistic characters with real world troubles and believable reactions, Dane does a fabulous job giving her readers an awesomely emotional finale to her Chase Brothers series.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

I just love how realistic this story was - not too much melodrama, just believable issues around people trying to mesh their lives.  Gabe and Addison have different approaches to a lot in their lives but they are differences that could mesh together very well.  If only they'd let them :)

Both are appealing - Gabe a little more so because Addison can be a big prickly but once you understand her it is so easy to see why.  Together they do a good job of propping each other up when they need it and that's pretty much what any of us could hope for in a relationship I think.

Their issues are believable and they handle them rationally, with a good deal of understanding.  I appreciate how nothing gets blown out of proportion.  Instead everything is addressed in a very satisfying manner, so that by the end you are delighted with the fact that they could figure out their HEA like a couple of adults.

Sexy, charming, real and fun, Going Down Easy showcases why Nicholas is a bestselling author.  If you are looking for real and touching and hot, this should definitely be your next read!

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**