booksandmeforevermore13's reviews
300 reviews

I'm usually not into the dead wife trope, but I decided to give this a try, and surprisingly, I ended up liking it.

Jonah lost his wife two years ago and is currently sitting in a random bar on the anniversary of her death, drowning his sorrows with alcohol when he meets Halle.

Halle has had a string of bad relationships and has sworn off men. But when her friends push her to get back in the game, if only for one night, she eventually relents and walks up to Jonah.

What was supposed to be a one-night stand gets complicated when Halle finds out that Jonah is her new boss at her new job in town. The two try to keep their distance, trying to remain professional and forget the chemistry they felt. Jonah is still stuck in his past, and Halle doesn't want to end up with the wrong person again.

I could feel the chemistry between these two from their first encounter, and I liked the ease with which the two got along. I liked Halle and her feeling awkward approaching Jonah, and I liked how Jonah put her at ease. I liked the banter and sweet and cute moments between Jonah and Halle. 

There was a lot of push and pull from Jonah's end because of his past and the regrets, guilt, and grief he was holding onto. He felt like he was betraying his wife since she was his best friend and first love. The conflict he felt was understandable, and as the story progressed, we saw Jonah slowly make space for new love in his life. That shift happened over time, where he slowly starts letting go of that guilt he felt over moving on and wanting Halle. I just wish the shift had happened a bit faster.

I could also get Halle's perspective about how she was tired of falling for the wrong men and didn't want to dive headfirst into this with Jonah, especially knowing his past and his feelings for his dead wife. But at the same time, she couldn't help but get attached to Jonah after spending all that time with him when things felt so right and easy. She did have conflicted feelings about it when her feelings got too real, and that was definitely a little heartbreaking for her when all she wanted was for someone to choose her.

I do wish there was a bit more of a show than a tell. I liked the two together, and there were conversations and moments between them that showed the development in their relationship, but I wish certain topics were discussed on the page. Like the reason why Jonah felt guilty over his wife's death and why he felt like he deserved to be alone and suffer. And if we'd gotten a little more insight into Halle's past, her parents, and how the loss had impacted her.

I enjoyed the spice a lot in this. Something to do with the British accent in the audiobook that worked wonders for me. Especially every time he called her 'love'. *Swoon* And with all that dirty talk?? I was a goner.

I loved the girl gang in this book right from the start. They were all so supportive, called each other out on their bullshit, didn't judge, and were always there for each other no matter what. Even when they all knew things might not end well with Jonah, they didn't make Halle feel weird or dumb for being with him. They hoped for the best for her, but were also ready to support her through it if things didn't work out.

I liked the side plot of someone stalking Halle and how all that played out. Although it wasn't too deep or all that surprising. However, that situation towards the end kind of felt like the push Jonah needed in a way.

Definitely excited to read the rest of the series.

I'm mildly disappointed with this one because I had really high hopes and it was easily one of my most anticipated releases of this year. While there was a lot I loved and enjoyed, there were some aspects that rubbed me the wrong way or felt sort of incomplete or like it wasn't explored.

Firstly, what was the reason for such animosity between Gus and Teddy? It couldn't have just been what went down between them seven years ago. Gus does mention that he didn't particularly like Teddy because he believed that her influence was what encouraged Emmy to get in trouble growing up. But she's currently in her late 20s, and Emmy is more than old enough to make her choices, so why is he still so hostile towards her? We don't get a very clear idea about this situation and why the hostility continued for so many years.

Initially, Gus definitely pissed me off because he was being petulant and a total asshole to everyone who was only trying to help him. But then things got better once he and Teddy slowly started getting along. As his feelings for Teddy changed, I kind of fell in love with him because his words, his actions, and his inner monologue were all so goddamn swoon-worthy. He was a really good dad to Riley and always put her above everything else, and that showed when he was willing to take help from Teddy when he couldn't tolerate her presence. As someone who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and felt like he needed to do it all by himself, being with Teddy helped him realize that asking for help didn't make him weak or a failure, but someone who didn't let pride get in the way of asking for help so he could work to his full potential. And we see this slowly sink in as the story progresses.

Just my personal opinion, but I thought the fact that Gus was dyslexic would play some part in enhancing the relationship between him and Teddy. Especially when Gus used to prep in advance before reading to Riley, so I was hoping Teddy would help him out in some way or at least be made aware of it, but he never mentioned it to her.

I loved Teddy just like I knew I would because she's been my favorite character in the last two books. On the outside, she came off as happy, confident, and cheery—the one people could always count on—but there was so much going on with her behind the scenes that she couldn't talk about. I could totally understand where she was coming from when it came to her feelings and fears about her friendship with Emmy, with them being in different phases of their lives and feeling this sense of being left behind. Her feeling like everyone else had moved on and knew where their lives were going except her. It was so relatable and made me connect with her character more.

One thing I've loved from book one is Teddy's relationship with her father, Hank Anderson. He is an absolutely amazing dad who made Teddy his world from the very first time he laid his eye on her and never thought twice about uprooting his life to give her a good and stable life. Teddy and Hank's relationship was truly so special and heartwarming. The moment when Teddy talks about Hank

while in the hospital

most definitely made me cry.

I absolutely adore Riley. She was the cutest and totally stole the show whenever she was present. I loved how happy, funny, innocent, and curious she was. I loved watching her relationship with Teddy grow as they spent more time together while Teddy babysat. Although they already had a good bond before, spending the summer together, learning new things, starting new projects, and experiencing new adventures together really transformed their relationship into something much deeper. I also enjoyed the moment Gus and Teddy joined forces to take care of Riley.

I enjoyed the banter between Teddy and Gus right from the start, and I loved how Teddy got under Gus's skin every single time. Their banter and neither being able to back down in any situation definitely played some role in the spicy scenes, and I totally loved it. These two were absolutely electric when they finally got together and gave back just as good as they got even during sex.

The romance between Gus and Teddy—once they started being tolerant of each other's presence—grew quickly. Neither expected things to feel the way they did, and I was so glad that Gus was sure about wanting Teddy and never had thoughts of walking away from the moment he started learning more about her and the parts of herself she kept hidden from the world. Gus was absolutely thoughtful, gentle, patient, and loving once he softened up to Teddy, and I loved that side of him. Although I wish there were more heartfelt conversations or we'd gotten more moments of them spending time together.

Teddy and Gus were similar to each other in the sense that they both took care of everyone and everything around them without ever asking for help or support in return. They both had taken over a lot of responsibilities for their families and found it difficult to let go of that role. This was also why they were the perfect fit for each other because they knew exactly how to love each other.

These two showed each other that they could want more for themselves, and it wouldn't be so bad to hope for a future that had seemed farfetched. That they could let their guard down with each other knowing they were safe, understood, and heard.

I have to mention that Gus and Cam are a dream team when it comes to co-parenting Riley, and I loved how supportive Cam was, calling Gus out on his bullshit and encouraging him to take the leap.

Amos Ryder truly steals the show in all the books and knows exactly what everyone needs and gives them all the nudge required to move in the right direction.

I thought I was pissed at Gus for the way he reacted when he found out about Emmy and Luke, but Emmy's reaction pissed me off so much more. Her reaction to finding out about it from Teddy and the conversation that followed got me really mad at her, and I really think she needed to work harder on apologizing to Teddy because that justification and apology did not win me over. At all. It just left a bad taste in my mouth, especially because I was really fond of their friendship. After everything Teddy had done to be there for Emmy, with zero judgement and full support, Emmy really didn't come through on her end, and I like her less now.

That epilogue has me super excited for Cam and Dusty's book already!!!!

Firstly, this is a debut novel, and the author clearly has the talent and the vision, and I'm looking forward to seeing which direction she will be taking this series in.

This story follows a twenty-year-old Nyleeria, who is believed to be cursed by her family and is treated poorly as a result her whole life. She finds solace in the woods and turns her focus to training with her childhood friend Eithan as a way to release all the hurt and anger she feels.

Things change for Nyleeria a few days after she turns twenty-one and comes home to find her parents murdered and her siblings missing. This is when she comes across King Thaddeus, who was able to locate her in time using a spell he had cast centuries ago, because Nyleeria might just be the key to the survival of humankind and his only hope of winning the war against the Fae.

Nyleeria travels with Thaddeus to the palace as they try to find more answers about this ancient power that currently lays dormant in her, how they can awaken it and learn to control so they can use it to save their kingdom, and so they start their lessons in magic.

This started off really strong for me, and I really liked Nyleeria's character at the beginning with how unapologetic, determined, and strong she was. I liked the concept of the four courts, the dormant power that has been waiting for centuries to manifest, the gods and faes, the planning and plotting. However, as the story progressed, the pacing felt a little off at times. But it does pickup towards the end for sure.

I did enjoy the lessons in magic Nyleeria had with Thaddeus, Tarrin, and Nevander. The way she worked to tap into this newfound magic that was unheard of and how they worked together to figure it out. I will say that Nyleeria was smart, and her suggestions helped the process in many ways. I also liked how Nyleeria called people out on their bullshit regardless of who it was.

I liked how with time, Nyleeria starts to learn and connect more with the magic within her. At first, she had no clue of its existence, and I liked her journey of figuring things out as she trained to use and control her power. Learning to listen to what her power was trying to communicate, learning to trust it and slowly becoming one with it.

Given how this book started and Nyleeria's relationship with Eithan, I liked them together. But he did end up leaving town, and she meets King Thaddeus almost immediately, and once they're in the palace and Nyleeria learns about the power hidden in her, Eithan seemed to be completely forgotten and only mentioned as a point of reference whenever she needed to compare her feelings for Thaddeus further in the book.

Nyleeria seemed to have chemistry with every male character in this book, to the point where I had to check if this was a why-choose romance. Even then, her relationship with any male character didn't seem to have much depth, and I kept wondering who the love interest might be.

The romance with King Thaddeus happened far too quickly and out of the blue because I didn't get the sense that there was any attraction there. Nyleeria kept avoiding his touches the first few times he tried to calm her. Then he touched her one time, and suddenly her inner monologue was begging him for more, so they kissed, and things progressed from there, which left me confused. It felt like smut for the sake of smut, as if they were together because there needed to be smut in the book.

I also didn't get Nyleeria's need to save her siblings given that they were absolutely horrible to her in the time they were in her presence. So personally, I don't see why she would risk so much and suffer through all she did to save their lives.

I wish the world building was worked on more instead of some of the other subplots because there was a lot of potential there, but I didn't get a good understanding of Lumnara or the courts. We only get to see the summer court in this book, but even then I didn't quite get a very good picture of it. I'm hoping we get better world-building going forward. I also wish there were more female characters (apart from the maids) in the book.

I liked Nyleeria's relationship with Tarrin, Ava, Mrs. E, Eithan, Endymion, Caius, Myron, and Fiora. They were good side characters who kept the plot interesting and added value to the book with their presence.

The last 20% things really pick up and get interesting, and I was hooked. A lot happened, and I enjoyed the direction things took, which has me invested in seeing where things go and how Nyleeria is going to get herself out of this situation. More twists and betrayals await.

Thank you to CC Hartly and Inkslinger PR for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.The romance with King Thaddeus happened far too quickly and out of the blue because I didn't get the sense that there was any attraction there. Nyleeria kept avoiding his touches the first few times he tried to calm her. Then he touched her one time, and suddenly her inner monologue was begging him for more, so they kissed, and things progressed from there, which left me confused. It felt like smut for the sake of smut, as if they were together because there needed to be smut in the book.

I also didn't get Nyleeria's need to save her siblings given that they were absolutely horrible to her in the time they were in her presence. So personally, I don't see why she would risk so much and suffer through all she did to save their lives.

I wish the world building was worked on more instead of some of the other subplots because there was a lot of potential there, but I didn't get a good understanding of Lumnara or the courts. We only get to see the summer court in this book, but even then I didn't quite get a very good picture of it. I'm hoping we get better world-building going forward.

I also wish there were more female characters (apart from the maids) in the book, if only to balance out all the chemistry Nyleeria had going with every dude in the book. Nyleeria started off so strong, but her constant breakdowns and crying sort of started getting to me after a while.

I liked Nyleeria's relationship with Tarrin, Ava, Mrs. E, Eithan, Endymion, Caius, Myron, and Fiora. They were good side characters who kept the plot interesting and added value to the book with their presence.

The last 20% things really pick up and get interesting, and I was hooked. A lot happened, and I enjoyed the direction things took, which has invested in seeing where things go and how Nyleeria is going to get herself out of this situation. More twists and betrayals await.

Thank you to CC Hartly and InkSlinger PR for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For a debut novel, this was really good. It was short, fast-paced, and provided a sort of good balance between the romance and suspense. It definitely keeps you hooked throughout, and I finished it in one sitting.

The story follows Elara, an FBI agent who doesn't get along well with partners and prefers to work alone. However, she doesn't get a say in the matter when Ryder, who has just been transferred to DC, is assigned as her new partner.

As the two are assigned a time-sensitive case involving the disappearance of another agent, they set out to find out what went down. As the two start following the leads, they start forming some semblance of partnership despite Elara's efforts to keep Ryder at arm's length. But things start to get messy the more they dive deeper into the case, and these two seem to have gotten themselves caught up in the midst of something much bigger.

There's still a lot to learn about Elara and Ryder since not a lot about their personal lives or histories was gotten into. Hopefully that will be explored in the next book to give the characters more depth.

I did like how the two started trusting and depending on each other as partners and kind of fell into it right from the start. These two worked really well as a team to figure out the case and what they were up against. I really loved the mystery around the case they were solving and how the two went about getting to the bottom of it. There were some twists and turns, and this story definitely keeps you on the edge.

Although I felt like the relationship between Ryder and Elara progressed far too quickly given Elara's whole stance on working alone and not doing well with partners or being difficult to work with. I didn't find her being difficult to work with, so I wish there was a bit more hostility from Elara's side, if only to prove the point of her not liking to rely on a partner.

The romance between them seemed to progress too quickly given how long they'd known each other, and I wish it had taken a little more time for them to get into that aspect as the story progressed. Although they were good together, I just wish there was something more. Like a much deeper connection or more heartfelt conversations.

The spice was so fucking good. Ryder and his filthy mouth and the way he took control were so hot. There were quite a few spicy scenes, which were all amazing.

This book ends in a cliffhanger, and I'm really eager to see how these two get themselves out of the situation they are in. I won't say more and give anything away, but it definitely is a fun, intense, and quick read.

Thank you to Lindsey Nicole and Luna Literary for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Claire Kingsley, but it certainly won't be the last because I enjoyed this book a lot. I totally love reading romantic suspense, so this was right up my alley. I definitely enjoyed the audiobook and the fact that there was also a separate narrator from the stalker's POV.

Growing up, being the daughter of a political figure in a small town, life hadn't been as glamorous as her family had portrayed to the town, and Audrey had to put on a show to keep up appearances. Which is also why she left town as soon as she could. Being back felt like a failure to her, especially seeing the people she had grown up with. Audrey wants nothing more than to get back on her feet and leave town again ASAP. But as time goes by, she realizes that she doesn't mind being in the small town now as an adult and that she didn't have to stick to the plans and visions she'd had as a teenager, and carving out a new path or plan didn't make her a failure.

After things went down badly with his ex-girlfriend, Josiah decided to never bother with love again. He had grown accustomed to living in solitude and had convinced himself that he was truly okay with it. Although his family still hadn't given up on him settling down, he didn't want to put himself through that hurt again. However, when Audrey shows up as a tenant in one of the houses his family rented, their interactions leave him wanting more. He does try to keep his distance from her the best he can, but his resolve crumbles when someone starts stalking Audrey, and the threats only keep getting bolder with every incident.

The romance between Josiah and Audrey developed at a good pace without things moving too quickly for it to feel rushed. The two slowly formed a sort of friendship at first, even if Josiah tried his best to keep his distance from her. Josiah feels a sense of protectiveness towards Audrey right from the start, and he can't explain why. He tries to convince himself that she isn't his problem but goes above and beyond to protect her when things slowly begin to escalate with her stalker. As the two start getting closer, things between them turn into more, and the two finally open up about their feelings and act on it. I liked that these two communicated openly and didn't leave any space for any doubts or miscommunications.

I liked how thoughtful Josiah was and how sweet he was with Audrey, being tough and protective so she could be carefree and safe. He forms a genuine bond with her dog Max, who seems totally smitten by Josiah. I loved how much they both adored Max and how much Josiah interacted with him, especially. Max was absolutely chaotic, and I loved him. The whole situation where Josiah kept asking Audrey's opinions on the house he was renovating was so cute.

I also liked the individual character growth both of them went through. Audrey with being back to town and starting over, and Josiah letting go of old hurts, learning to trust and love again. And I liked the part they played in said character growth of the other.

The suspense plot was really well done, and I was trying to figure out who could be behind these incidents along with Audrey and Josiah. Especially given the bits and pieces we got from the stalker's POV, which gave an insight into the motivations of this person. I thought I had it figured out, but I totally hadn't, and I liked that the book kept me guessing till the end.

I really liked the side characters and their interactions with the MCs. I also liked the town, the people Audrey worked with who had her back when time came, and the Haven's who were also so welcoming. Reading this also convinced me to start the Bailey Brothers series.

Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

When Rory gets caught up in a scandal in the midst of his father's ongoing campaign, bringing unwanted attention and chaos, his brother Nick calls in a favor with his best friend Cash, who runs Redemption Ranch, in order to help Rory get away from the city and lie low while things cool down.

Cash reaches out to Ivan, the foreman of the ranch, to help Rory settle in and see where his skills would be best put to use while he stays there. Rory's situation hits a little too close to home for Ivan, and he's initially reluctant to be a part of this arrangement but complies when Cash talks him into it.

There is an immediate attraction between the two, but they toe around it for a while, with Rory unable to stop himself from flirting with Ivan and Ivan unwilling to get things complicated with anyone working on the ranch. However, the two slowly start forming a bond while working on the ranch and with Rory helping Ivan prep for an interview for his business. With all this growing attraction and sexual tension between them, they decide to get into a no strings attached relationship for the course of Rory's stay.

Ivan came to Redemption Ranch about 6 years ago after he was released from jail. Studying bees was something he had taken to during his time in jail, which was therapeutic for him, and he built on it after coming to the ranch by slowly setting up his business over the years with Cash's help. His past experience had made him shut out the world, and he was uncomfortable with letting anyone know his personal business. Learning about the environment he had grown up in and the way he loathed himself at such a young age for being gay was so heartbreaking, knowing how alone and confused he was.

Rory on the outside seemed like he had everything. Coming from a family as rich as his meant he'd want for nothing. But he still struggles with the grief of losing his mother and the fallout with his father after, as they both processed and reacted to the loss in their own way. Which also led to him veering down a dark path for a while. When he initially comes to the ranch, he feels like Ivan could be the perfect distraction during this messy time since he wasn't looking for anything too serious given how the last person he trusted had let him down.

I liked how their relationship progressed from the initial flirting to them trying to keep their distance from each other and failing. Their late-night conversations and confessions lead to them connecting on a much deeper level than either was ready for, but they can't seem to stop themselves. The feeling of rightness when they are together makes them want more than the limited time they have.

Ivan's past and Rory's current situation had quite a few similarities, which was another thing that got them closer. I loved how the two opened up about their struggles with their respective pasts and also helped the other overcome certain beliefs that they had instilled about themselves. So many heartfelt moments that make you feel so good and happy that these two found their way to each other. The spice was definitely good, and I enjoyed it a lot. Rory finally felt like someone liked him for him and not what he could do for them or the connections he could get them. For Ivan, whose last relationship ended on such a bad note and left him with so many issues, Rory's patience allowed him to reflect on his past and finally open up to the idea of wanting more for himself.

Given their pasts, people were wary of Rory when he first arrived on Redemption Ranch, but Rory worked really hard to show everyone that he wasn't some spoilt rich kid who couldn't handle the ranch work, and he gradually fit in with the rest of the team. I especially loved how his bond grew with Harry.

The people on the ranch were truly family, and that was so heartwarming. I loved how these people gave Ivan and Rory so much shit for the way they were trying to be sneaky, but they also stood by them and were so happy when the two finally openly accepted their feelings. 

I loved Hope just as much as I had in book one, and her antics made me laugh so hard. She was so supportive, funny, and a lively character that you can't help but adore. I also loved watching Harry and Dylan get together after all that reluctance in Book 1.

The thing I had an issue with is that Rory's situation wasn't clear, and I didn't know what had happened to result in there being a scandal in the first place. What led to the altercation with the man that forced Rory to leave the city and lay low in the first place? How did it turn so huge? Who had he trusted and been betrayed by since it was mentioned that he got into this mess because he trusted the wrong person, but we don't know what actually happened?

That epilogue has me excited for Nick and Cash's story.

I loved this book and absolutely couldn't put it down. I love a good age gap book, especially with the forbidden aspect added to the mix.

I honestly loved McKenzie. She was headstrong, independent, smart, hardworking, driven, and fought through everything that was thrown her way. I loved how she never felt sorry for herself or relied on anyone to save her but worked really hard to survive on her own since she didn't want to get her family involved when they were dealing with so much already. Given her financial situation, she had to resort to living out of her car. It took a lot of courage to keep going the way she had to, but she did it, and I was glad that she had Kylie and then Tyler, who helped her out.

After missing out years of his daughter's life growing up due to his NFL career, Tyler doesn't want to miss out on this opportunity of spending more time with Kylie, getting to know each other, and building a stronger relationship now that she's moved in with him while she finishes college.

He was grumpy at first and wanted nothing to do with McKenzie, who he thought would be a liability to the team but reluctantly agrees for his daughter's sake. But as he watches her spend time with the team working on her project, he realizes just how passionate and knowledgeable she is about football and dedicated to her dream of becoming a sports journalist. 

Under his grumpy exterior, Tyler was a total softie who was always present for Kylie and McKenzie. He was also extremely thoughtful and made sure both girls were always safe without being overbearing and had everything they needed. After spending years dating people who mostly wanted him for his popularity, fame, or status, he wasn't looking for any sort of relationship, but at the same time he also wished he had someone who could understand him, his passion for football, and would accept him the way he was.

I liked that this wasn't insta-lust (even if McKenzie did think Tyler was attractive given that he was a known star NFL player), but the two slowly start feeling an attraction towards each other, and as they spend more time together, they realize just how many similarities they shared. With their late-night conversations and games, they gradually feel this sense of comfort and ease with each other that they haven't experienced before.

The romance between Tyler and McKenzie felt so natural, and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved the angst in this book and the tension slowly building between these two. They did try to deny their feelings for a while due to many reasons, but the longer they were around each other, the less they were able to restrain these feelings.

The spice was definitely spicing after all that tension building between them, and I was just here like, "Kiss. Kiss. Kiss." It made the eventual kiss that much hotter after being teased for so long. I loved how commanding Tyler was and also how McKenzie didn't shy away during intimacy but instead was confident and asked for what she needed. That combination made the spice really enjoyable.

The whole situation with McKenzie's dad got me emotional, and I was not prepared for it. It truly broke my heart to see McKenzie and her entire family go through such a tragedy, and I truly loved how Tyler and Kylie both stayed present for her. I liked the way Tyler took care of her and let her process things while letting her know he was right by her side and did his best to comfort her in whatever way he could.

I liked the genuine bond McKenzie slowly built with the football team. Even when Hayes kept hitting on her at first, he eventually took the hint and turned into a good friend, even if it totally pissed Tyler off watching them together.

The third-act conflict really hits you in the feels. These two definitely went through the wringer, but in a way it was also necessary for it to happen that way given Kylie's involvement, and it made me respect both of them more—Tyler for what he needed to do and McKenzie was being mature and strong.

I really loved that epilogue, especially when we learn Tyler's decision and how much that actually said about his love for McKenzie. I also liked seeing McKenzie and Kylie mend their friendship with time.

Thank you, D.C. Kile and SunnyBabePR, for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chloe was running from her past, keeping her walls up and people out. It's understandable why she was reluctant to open up to people given her past experiences. Trust was something that took a lot of time for her to build, but as time goes by, she falls into a new routine and forms bonds with the people in town who show up for her when she needs them. She slowly starts settling in and finally allows herself to hope that she can truly find her home in Whittier Falls.

Mason was a cinnamon roll hero who was always putting everyone's needs before him, especially his daughter, Abigail. He finds himself struggling to take care of the ranch while also managing Abby's schedule simultaneously. He feels like he isn't doing the best when it comes to his daughter, so when Chloe starts renting his cabin and helps him out of this situation, it leads to them spending more time in close proximity.

Mason is intrigued by Chloe and can sense that there is a lot that she isn't opening up about, but being with her and earning those small shy smiles from her becomes addictive, and he finds himself wanting to learn more about her and feeling a sense of protection towards her. I liked that he didn't push her for details but waited patiently for her to feel comfortable enough to open up and stayed by her side through it all.

I really liked Abigail. She was a precious kid, and I loved how she commanded the book whenever she was present. She was truly a ray of sunshine and made me smile a lot. I also loved the father-daughter bond between Mason and Abigail. There were a lot of moments showing their bond, so many cute moments between them, Mason's dedication towards his daughter, and his love for her that knew no bounds.

I liked how Abby wasn't shy and was the first person to put Chloe completely at ease. The two slowly started bonding, and their relationship felt like it progressed at a good pace. I also like how their presence started healing the other in a way.

The girl gang in this book was something I liked too, and that they welcomed Chloe into their fold, although I feel like they just had one conversation with her and included a total stranger into their group, acting like they were bff's already, so I kind of wish that situation was eased into slower. The side characters were fun and were good friends who helped and encouraged Mason and Chloe when it was needed.

I really wanted to like this book, but there were a couple of reasons why this didn't hit the mark and fell flat for me. The reasons are below and contain spoilers, so if you plan on reading the book, you can skip it. I've still hidden the major spoiler if you are okay with the minor ones.



On to the things I had an issue with in this book (CONTAINS SPOILERS):

* Firstly, I have no idea how old Mason and Chloe were. Mason mentions that there's an eight-year age gap, but their actual ages aren't mentioned.

* The "romance" between Mason and Chloe went from 0-10% at first, and then suddenly they threw caution to the wind, and it just went to 100%. It wasn't convincing, and I couldn't feel any buildup or chemistry growing between the two. They barely had any open, meaningful, or any actual conversation for them to know anything substantial about each other that would result in growing attraction.

* There was no proper timeline mentioned about how long it had been since Chloe moved to Whittier Falls and met Mason for us to get an understanding of how much time they might've spent together for said feelings to develop. It felt like they'd known each other for all of a week, and he had already fallen for her.

* Chloe's character felt a little all over the place. It's hinted from the start that she has a tragic past and has endured some form of abuse, and she was initially shy, closed off, on edge, and all that was totally understandable. But there'd be moments when she'd start opening up and be all witty and humorous, but I felt like that brand of humor didn't align with her personality the rest of the time. The same was applicable when it came to the smut scenes, where suddenly she was this sexy, confident vixen.

* Chloe was very particular about hiding her scars from everyone, and yet when she and Mason got intimate, she had no issues letting him see them without any reservations or even a little hesitance. And even when Mason saw her scars for the first time, he didn't even pause to consider what might have caused her such harm and just glazes over that fact like it was natural by saying, "The scars were proof of the battle she'd survived." I mean, what battle??? Wouldn't you be curious about the scars on the woman who you are supposedly falling for???? And there is no afterthought in Mason's POV even after sex about her scars either. Mason also mentioned her favouring one foot at the beginning but this was again never gotten into or even mentioned again by any other character including Chloe.

* The smut just made me cringe because I felt no connection between these two whatsoever, and the constant mention of "how they'd never experienced anything like this," "how right the sex felt," and "sex had never felt this way" made me roll my eyes so hard.

* We never even get into Mason's past and what happened with his ex. His ex-wife wasn't even mentioned by him. He mentions that he had a dark past, so he gets where Chloe is coming from, but this was never elaborated on or gotten into.

* It was a small town romance, but the town was barely even described, so I didn't know what to even picture. I just knew about the place where Chloe worked, the ranch where Mason worked, and Abby's school, which was mentioned twice.

* I would've liked it better if there'd been a clear understanding of what had exactly happened on the night Chloe's life changed forever. The way it was explained didn't make it too clear as to how the events played out. It could've even been some sort of flashback scene so we'd know exactly what went down.

*

How did her brother find her if they'd both changed their identities, and if he had abandoned her even before she changed her identity and was on the run for years? The whole situation with her brother towards the end felt so abrupt.

Thank you to Kate McWilliams and Luna Literacy for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 3 in this trilogy, which is part of a much longer series, and we've just scratched the surface. This was a lot darker and more intense when compared to the first two books. I'm new to J.A. Huss's work, so her end-of-book shit gave me an understanding that this is how dark her books usually are, and Book 1 and 2 in this series were an exception with the fluff they had, and things will only get darker the deeper we get into this series. The world created in this series is truly something else. It really pulls you in and keeps you hooked and invested in finding out more while also rooting for these characters.

This book follows Clover Bradley and Riggs. Clover is having the worst day of her life—she was fired from her job and kicked out of her cottage in Bishop. With nowhere else to go, she decides to return to her home in Disciple while she figures out the next step. What she doesn't expect is to find that the house isn't empty and then be taken hostage in her own childhood home.

Riggs has been assigned a task that he absolutely cannot fail. After being punished for his treason by spending six years in the tunnels, Riggs has no choice but to ensure this job goes without a hitch, or it could very well be the end for him. So when Clover walks into the house he's squatting at while he completes his task is a huge issue for him, especially given her relation to Collin Creed.

Clover has limited time to figure out a way to save herself before Riggs is done with whatever he has set out to do. She does try whatever she can—fight, run, scream, and comply. Even with all the gruesome threats aimed her way by Riggs, she still can't seem to keep herself in check and lashes out at him. However, Riggs eventually feels some sort of attachment towards Clover after spending all that time with her and in her home, where he can see her life documented, and decides to find a way to save her after all. But at the same time he wants to be sure that it doesn't blow up in his face and jeopardize his assignment, so he decides to keep her close to him.

As they come up with this plan, it becomes vital for them to trust each other so they can both survive because if anyone finds out the truth, they'd both be dead or worse. This was a pivotal moment given how things had started for them, and it was a great ask to trust the person who kidnapped you and held you captive. This turn of events was definitely interesting, and they started working together rather than against each other, and though it was chaotic, it also felt like it was a smooth transition between them, all things considered.

This book digs deeper (quite literally) into the underground military base, which is basically an underground city and one of many, and we see firsthand just how well these operations have been running for decades. It does answer some questions that were raised in book 2, but there's still so much to uncover as we slowly move to the center of this web.

I liked how Clover and Riggs's new, fragile relationship/partnership was put to the test, which was kind of intense, and I was nervous to see how the two would come out of it. Whether they'd stand united or crumble under all the scrutiny and mind games, especially given what was at stake,.

Collin Creed. Just who are you? The more we start diving deeper, the more I feel like we have no idea just who he is yet, and I love it. We find out of things that link back to Book 1 and the things that were hinted in it. I really don't want to give away too much.

I'm honestly so crushed that Ike is dead because I felt like we'd be getting a redemption arc for his character in some future book, and I was starting to truly like him given his role in this book.

It was so good to be back in Trinity County.  This book follows Rosie Harlow, who is a single mother, raising her twelve-year-old son in Disciple, and Amon, who has returned to Disciple after being away for twelve years to start up Edge Security with Collin, Nash, and Ryan.

After getting pregnant at the age of sixteen and being abandoned by her boyfriend, who disappeared without a word just a week before she was due, Rosie had to grow up at a very young age and had to fight for her and her son's place in the county. She is content with where her life is, but all that changes when she starts getting letters with weird puzzles that seem to hint at something from her past, and this person seems hellbent on getting her attention.

Rosie was a delightful character, and I loved how headstrong, dedicated, and authentic she was. Even if she liked playing dress up in the three towns, actually, especially because of it. It showed that she was true to herself and took the time to do the things that brought her joy, and she was absolutely unapologetic about it.

Amon is finally settling in Disciple after being away for twelve years. His focus is now on Edge Security, and part of that is his project of training dogs for the squad. After traveling the world for missions for over a decade and seeing the things he'd seen, he finds himself feeling glad about his return to his town and starts considering settling down and starting a family of his own.

Watching Amon court Rosie and doing such thoughtful things to make her feel, special, cherished and celebrated like she deserved made me fan myself just like Rosie. Amon is just so goddamn swoon-worthy that his actions made me let out a long, contented sigh and then pout because why can't this man be real. He was all in right from the start and made it so clear with his words and his actions.

After always being the filler/side character in the revival her whole life, watching her turn into the main character was so wonderful and this was made possible by Amon who wanted her to have her moment, knowing how much she enjoyed it all and wanting to show her off to the town which was adorable.

The spice was honestly so good. Watching Amon undress the many many layers of Rosie's costume in her cottage was just so hot. I also liked how Amon slowly eased into the dirty talking not knowing if Rosie might like it at first.

With book 1, we got a gist of the three towns and were introduced to Blueberry Hill and some speculations regarding it. This book delves deeper into Blueberry Hill territory towards the end and we find more revelations that leave us with even more questions. I really loved the idea of the underground tunnels being used as a military base which gets you curious to find out just what is going on.

Collin Creed is truly something else and we are slowly getting more feelers about just how dangerous he can be. Watching Collin, Amon, Ryan and Nash flex their power and getting the government to agree to their terms was honestly so satisfying and I was grinning like an idiot.

I do wish that once the situation with Cross had settled, Rosie and Cross would've had a more in depth and a much needed conversation about his father and all that their present situation entails.