The Summer Book Club - Susan Mallery (Canary Street Press - Feb 2024)

The rules of summer book club are simple:
No sad books 
No pressure 
Yessssss, wine!
 
Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group. This year, the book club is all about fill-your-heart reads, an escape from the chaos of the everyday -- running a business, raising a family, juggling a hundred to-dos. Even the dog is demanding (but the bestest boy).
 
Since Laurel's divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters. Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them. Paris knows good men exist. She's still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough -- and foolish enough -- to marry her.
 
Inspired by the heroines who risk everything for fulfillment, Laurel, Paris and Cassie begin to take chances -- big chances -- in life, in love. Facing an unwritten chapter can be terrifying. But it can be exhilarating, too, if only they can find the courage to change.
 
I loved this book. The situations felt realistic, and the characters' actions believable. The author writes about the lives of three women: Laurel and Paris, who have been friends since the first grade, and Cassie, a newcomer to town. All three women have baggage that keeps them from moving on with their lives. I loved seeing each woman face their pasts and fears and find hope for the future with each other's help and support.
 
Laurel is a divorced mother of two tween girls, Jagger and Ariana. Her husband left them to "follow his dream" and took all of their savings. It took her a while to get back on her feet using her resale business, but things are looking better now. Unfortunately, her bitterness and anger toward her ex has affected Jagger, who frequently comments about how terrible men are. Laurel is advised to find a good male role model or two - a task easier said than done, especially as she has no interest in another relationship. How she finds that male role model to be friends with is amusing. I loved watching Colton become part of their lives. He's excellent with the girls and the perfect example to show Laurel that not all men are jerks. It's easy to see them grow closer, and Colton's feelings are apparent. But Laurel fights her feelings for him until it's almost too late. Run-ins with her ex complicate their lives.
 
Paris is also divorced with no children. She runs a successful farm stand, and I loved seeing her marketing creativity. Her divorce happened ten years earlier when her husband could no longer handle her volatile temper. Years of therapy have taught Paris how to handle her emotions, but she still doesn't trust herself, so she has avoided any romantic entanglements. Her life and sense of calm are upended when her ex, Jonah, returns to town with his eight-year-old son, Danny. Jonah holds no grudges against Paris and makes it clear that he would like to be friends. I got a little frustrated with Paris as she frequently mentioned her past treatment of him as a reason he should stay away from her, even though she realizes she still loves him. I loved Jonah's patience and persistence as he helped Paris overcome her guilt and fears.
 
Cassie is the newcomer to town. The youngest in her family, she was the most affected when their parents died when she was fourteen. She coped by becoming the person who stepped up whenever her older brother or sister needed help, putting her dreams and activities aside. She also tends to form relationships with men/boys who need fixing and then gets dumped when they no longer need her. As the story opens, Cassie's brother and sister sit her down and tell her it's time for her to live her own life. They use a "tough love" method of kicking her out and sending her to California to check on the property she inherited from their uncle. Cassie is hurt, angry, and a little scared, and determined to survive her six-month exile and return to Maine as soon as possible. She doesn't count on making two good friends in Laurel and Paige, discovering a connection with the land she inherited, or finding a man who sees past her insecurities.
 
I loved the intertwining of Laurel's, Paris's, and Cassie's lives. Paris was there for Laurel when her husband walked out, and Laurel gave Paris the support she needed to confront her anger issues. I loved how they welcomed Cassie into their circle. Each was always ready to back up the others in an emergency - emotional or physical. They were also prepared to call each other out when they avoided the truth of their feelings about the men in their lives or the issues they tried to ignore. With her years of therapy, Paris is especially good at getting to the heart of a problem.
 
I also liked the realistic depiction of the children's reactions to various things. I ached for Jagger and Ariana as they dealt with their father's desertion. Each girl handled it differently, and I liked seeing the results as the summer progressed. I especially enjoyed seeing the changes in Jagger as she got to know Colton and his parents, Jonah, and Raphael. Jonah's son Danny was a sweet kid who was dealing with his mother's death. I liked his quick connection with Paris. I laughed when his love of Paris's dog, Bandit, resulted in his pestering Jonah for a dog of his own.
 
I wish there had been an epilogue, as I would love to see how everyone's lives are going a few years later.

The Suspect Next Door - Rachel Astor (HRS #2270 - Mar 2024)

I'm stalking him
…for research!  
 
My bestselling-mystery-author career had come to a standstill, and I was plagued with writer's block. So I asked myself: What would my favorite fictional girl detective do? She would find a suspect to inspire her to finish the case, of course! Luckily, I have a new, mysterious and very dreamy private investigator next door to follow. I'm going to help him solve the case and finally finish this book of mine. Then maybe the two of us can pursue The Case of the Perfect Couple…
 
This book was highly frustrating for me to read. Petra is the author of a bestselling mystery novel and is having trouble getting started on a new book. She decides to follow her private investigator neighbor around to get ideas. She ignores that she's putting herself and him in danger, interfering with his work, and making herself look like a fool. Petra is one of those people who takes classes in anything that interests her and then thinks she's an expert at whatever it is. She also uses the fictional girl detective Nancy Drew as her role model, constantly asking herself, "WWND (What Would Nancy Do)." Despite Ryan asking her not to interfere, she just plowed on anyway.
 
I didn't get much of a romantic feel in the book. Petra was attracted to Ryan, but there was no indication that he felt the same way until the end. It was hard to tell if his determination to keep her out of danger was general protectiveness, frustration at her interference, or growing feelings.
 
The suspense had a good premise: finding a missing girl suspected of being taken by sex traffickers. There was enough action and uncertainty to keep me interested in the mystery, though my frustration with Petra frequently pulled me out of the story. A couple of twists at the end complicated things, but the final confrontation was well done.
 
I did not like that the book was written entirely in the first person from Petra's point of view. Nothing showed Ryan's thoughts, feelings, or actions except when he was with Petra. I felt like I was missing half the story. I may try another book by this author, but it will depend significantly on how it is written.

Sergeant Mack - Julie Miller (Ladytech Inc - Jan 2024)

In this enemies-to-lovers sweet romance, a Missouri farm girl and the hired man who goes to war strike sparks off each other from their first meeting. But it is through their letters that they not only survive the war, but they learn about the deep, abiding love that only two kindred souls can share. Marty and Mack discover strength in each other as they endure war abroad and on the home front. Ultimately, family, trust and love are the beacons that help a weary veteran find his way home.
 
Short but sweet story. Marty is a young woman whose family owns a farm in Missouri during World War 2. Her oldest brother has gone off to fight the war, and her father can no longer work the farm. A few months earlier, they hired Brian MacKenzie to help out. Mack and Marty were like oil and water from the beginning. She resented him taking over what she saw as her job, and he seemed to delight in doing things that irritated her.
 
As the story opens, Mack is headed off to the war. The family, most of whom treat him as one of their own, have gathered to see him off. Marty stays back, holding on to her resentment until he starts walking away. Realizing he has no family of his own, she makes an unexpected show of friendship. I liked Mack's teasing and how he used it to stir Marty up. It reminds me of the little boy who pulls a girl's pigtails to get her attention. Marty can't make sense of her feelings and is stunned when Mack kisses her goodbye.
 
There is a long period of separation as Mack is off at war. They exchange letters that initially focus on the family and the farm. But the tone of the letters slowly changes. I liked seeing the changes in Marty as she grew and matured. A family tragedy and witnessing the return of some soldiers affect her profoundly and have her thinking more about Mack. The ending was great. I would love to know more about their lives after the war.

Heart Like a Cowboy - Delores Fossen (HQN - Dec 2023)

Series: Cowboy Brothers in Arms (Book 1)
 
He's Emerald Creek's hottest cowboy -- and the one man she shouldn't want
 
On the surface, Egan Donnelly is hometown hero material -- top gun, commanding an elite fighter training squadron and ranching royalty. Inside, he feels like a fraud, convinced he's responsible for his best friend's death. At least he won't let himself succumb to the heat between him and Jack's widow, Alana. But now that she's making regular trips to his ranch to care for his dad, that vow is getting harder to keep.
 
Alana Davidson isn't just grieving her husband's loss, she's feeling betrayed over his secret infidelity. Wanting Egan makes things even more complicated. As a nutritionist, she can help Egan's dad recover from his health scare, but it's not so easy to get her own heart back on track. Because despite shared guilt and family pressure, she's falling fast, and Egan is right there with her…
 
Terrific start to the series. Egan is the oldest of four siblings, all choosing to serve in the military rather than remain on the family ranch. When his father suffers a heart attack, Egan takes a month's leave to come home and run the ranch while his dad recovers. Egan doesn't like visiting his hometown because they consider him a hero, and he thinks he's anything but. Egan and his best friend Jack joined the military together. Jack was killed by an IED, and Egan feels responsible.
 
Jack's widow, Alana, has mixed feelings since his death. She is grieving his loss because she loved him, but she's also angry over his infidelity. She also feels guilty because they argued about that infidelity right before his death.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Egan and Alana. With Egan home and Alana caring for his dad at the ranch, they are thrown together often. It doesn't take long for them to realize they are attracted to each other. But there are obstacles to their relationship. Alana's mother-in-law, Tilly, believes that Alana will always be "Jack's wife" and expects Alana to play the part of a grieving widow at the upcoming celebration of Jack's wife. Egan used to be married to Alana's sister, making things a bit awkward. Add the rampant gossip in the small town, and both feel the pressure.
 
I liked that Egan and Alana were honest with each other about their feelings and reservations. That openness prevented misunderstandings and kept the focus on what they wanted. I ached for both when Tilly's grief and mama bear blindness to Jack's faults caused problems for them. I liked how Alana stood up for Egan against Tilly's vitriol. The emotional storm came to a head with an unexpected revelation. I loved how Alana and Egan faced things together, realizing it gave them greater strength. The only question remained: what would happen when Egan's leave was up?
 
I liked meeting Egan's siblings and look forward to reading their stories.

The Pilot's Secret - Allison Leigh (HSE #3036 - Mar 2024)

Series: Cape Cardinale (Book 1)
 
Sometimes the path to love isn't a direct flight.
 
Everywhere she turns, nurse Sophie Lane seems to bump into pilot Meyer Cartell. And now he's moving in next door! Handsome and always charming, Meyer is hard to resist. That's probably how her sister felt when he cruelly betrayed her years ago. Sophie's heart may have wings for Meyer, but her head stubbornly refuses to clear it for takeoff.
 
After his best friend's plane crashed, Meyer gave up his flying career to ensure the welfare of his widowed best friend and two children. Meyer struggles with his guilt over the crash -- and with Sophie's perplexing grudge. It's time to get to know his new neighbor. Maybe with the right flight plan, he can clear the runway for happily-ever-after…
 
Good introduction to the new series. Meyer is the oldest of four half-siblings who have inherited a dilapidated beach house from their famous but absent father. The terms of the will are unusual, and they are all unhappy about it. Meyer left his Air Force career as a pilot behind and moved to Cape Cardinale after his best friend died in an airplane crash, determined to save John's flying business and take care of his family.
 
Sophie is a local nurse who carries a long-standing grudge against Meyer. She met him when she was twelve, and he was dating her sister. She blames him for Corinne's struggles since then. Unfortunately, she encounters him often since John's widow, Meredith, is her best friend.
 
Matters become complicated when Meredith goes away for a weekend, leaving her two kids in Sophie and Meyer's care. Thrown together to care for Leda and Granger, Sophie finds herself unwillingly attracted to Meyer. She fights the attraction, feeling as though she's betraying her sister. Meyer is equally drawn to Sophie but has his own reasons for avoiding getting involved.
 
I ached for Meyer and Sophie. They are both mired in the past, so neither can move forward. As the book progressed, I began to suspect that there was more to Corinne's story than Sophie was aware of, and I looked forward to seeing if I was right. Meyer's guilty feelings have led to other issues that affect his outlook on life. It takes a crisis to bring the secrets, fears, and misunderstandings out into the open, where they can be dealt with. The ending was terrific, and I loved Meyer's surprise for Sophie in the epilogue.
 
Family is a big part of the book. We have Meyer and his half-siblings and their challenges in claiming their inheritance. I look forward to getting to know each of them in future books. Sophie's worries about Corinne are ongoing, and their encounters are heartbreaking. Finally, Meredith has her two children and a second chance at love if she can let go of the past long enough to grab it.
 
There was one inaccuracy that pulled me out of the story. Meyer was an Air Force pilot, but the author has him talking about landing on aircraft carriers. Air Force pilots are not trained for carrier landings. Only Navy and Marine pilots do that.

The Maverick's Holiday Delivery - Christy Jeffries (HSE #3013 - Nov 2023)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Lassoing Love (Book 5)
 
A Cradle for Christmas?
 
Happily single Dante Sanchez is not looking for love. When he meets seven-months-pregnant Eloise Taylor, he knows he should run, not walk, in the other direction. But the local teacher is dazzled by the fiercely independent Eloise -- maybe even enough to reconsider his dedication to bachelorhood? Between her wealthy family's disapproval and her own reluctance to commit, their relationship is a risky proposition. However, there's a baby on the way who just might need them both…
 
Terrific book. I loved Dante and Eloise, who feel real enough to be your child's teacher or a local businesswoman's association member. Eloise left Bronco shortly after she turned eighteen. The daughter of one of the Taylor patriarchs, she became frustrated with her father's attitude toward women and working, so she set off to live life the way she wanted. Now the owner of a successful marketing firm, the pregnant Eloise has returned to Bronco to raise her child. Her reappearance was dramatic, got tongues wagging, and illustrated the archaic attitudes of the older Taylors.
 
Dante is a third-grade teacher whom his students love. Handsome and charming, he is happily living a single life and isn't looking to settle down any time soon. But from the moment he spotted Eloise, he was irresistibly drawn to her.
 
I loved the first meeting between Eloise and Dante. While unexpectedly coming to her rescue, Dante was on the receiving end of a lengthy and revealing monologue as Eloise vented her frustration with her family. I loved his patience, understanding, and amusement as he listened to her vent. Neither expected the strength of the pull toward each other.
 
I enjoyed watching Dante and Eloise spend time together. Underneath their growing friendship is an attraction neither can deny. I loved watching Dante get more invested in Eloise and her upcoming baby. His surprise at his involvement was sweet, and seeing his anticipation was fun. Eloise, too, gets closer to Dante, but she has trust issues thanks to her previous relationship and resists the possibility of an actual relationship. She finds it difficult to believe that Dante's interest will last. I kept my fingers crossed that Dante could break through her fears. The ending was fantastic, and Dante's big moment was sweet.
 
I enjoyed the demonstration of the differences between the Taylor and Sanchez families. The Thanksgiving dinners were a vivid example and an eye-opening experience for Eloise. I like watching the Taylor patriarchs get pulled kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Their Secret Twins - Tara Taylor Quinn (HSE #2993 - July 2023)

Series: Shelter Valley (Book 16)
            Sierra's Web (Book 8)
 
He showed up on her doorstep with a surprise…
 
The lure of big-city finance launched Jordon Lawrence away from Shelter Valley -- and broke the heart of his fiancée, Mia Jones. But the once picture-perfect couple donated embryos while they were together, and they live on…in the form of orphaned four-year-old twins! When Jordon is tapped to be the girls' guardian, the first person he thinks to turn to is Mia. Finally, the dream of motherhood is within her grasp…if they can mend the wounds of the past!
 
Very good book with an unusual theme. Ten years ago, Mia and Jordan were a couple. They'd been together all through college with big plans for their future. Mia studied business to help her run her ranch, while Jordan studied finance and planned to make his mark that way. During that time, Mia made it clear that she had no intention of leaving Shelter Valley. But when graduation came, Jordan expected her to go to New York with him. Heartbroken, Mia watched Jordan walk away.
 
Jordan is a successful financier in New York with a busy life. That life comes crashing down when he becomes the guardian of four-year-old twins. Back during their college days, he and Mia donated embryos to a couple with fertility problems. Jordan is shocked to discover that the couple has died and made him guardian of the little girls. At a loss for handling it, Jordan turns to Mia for help.
 
Mia was stunned to see Jordan again after all this time and flabbergasted by the news that they were the parents of four-year-old girls. Thrilled at the idea of being a mother, she is wary of getting attached to the girls. She knows Jordan will take them back to New York in a few weeks.
 
I enjoyed seeing how this unusual situation worked out. Jordan feels out of his depth as the father of two little girls but is determined to do right by them. I liked his willingness to listen to Mia and take her advice. I loved seeing his transformation from business-focused to daddy. It wasn't always easy, but they had some adorable scenes together. I loved the quick connection between the girls and Mia. It was easy to see her lose her heart to them and want what was best for their future. I loved seeing her introduce them to ranch life and how much they loved it. I ached for all of them as the time grew closer for Jordan and the girls to leave for New York.
 
I liked watching the rekindling of the relationship between Jordan and Mia. The first thing they had to do was clear the air about the past. That was an interesting conversation, as Jordan was utterly clueless about the real issue. I loved that he learned from his mistakes and used that knowledge well. Mia wasn't entirely without fault either, and as they grew closer, had to look at what she was willing to compromise on. I liked watching them get to know each other as they are now and discover that the old feelings were still there. Both were hesitant to risk their hearts again, and it took being apart again for them to realize what was important. The ending was terrific.
 
The little girls, Ruby and Violet, were adorable. I ached for their loss, but they adjusted pretty well. It helped that they had Jordan and Mia to care for them. I loved their enthusiasm for the ranch and everything on it and laughed at its effect on Jordan. I loved their name for Mia and how it came about. I also loved seeing how their relationship with him changed his outlook.

Trapped in Texas - Barb Han (HI #2146 - June 2023)

Series: Cowboys of Cider Creek (Book 3)
 
A relentless stalker. A determined woman.
A Texas agent with everything to lose.
 
Security expert Sean Hayes would rather take a case than return to his family's Texas ranch. But finding Raelynn Simmons leads a stalker right to her -- and forces Sean and the pretty singer into hiding. As they race to identify the threat, Sean must resist their instant attraction. But will a lethal endgame separate them for good?
 
Good story, though the suspense is lacking in intensity. Raelynn is a singer who left her concert tour because of a stalker. She's been laying low, mostly camping, trying to stay safe. Sean works for a security company that was hired to find her. Just as he spots her, he notices someone else who is focused on her - someone with a gun. Sean saves her from the shooter and takes her back to headquarters with him. He believes that he may have led the stalker to her.
 
Once back at headquarters, they talk to the owner, Mitch. He reveals that Raelynn may be his daughter and that someone could be using her to get to him. This information shocked Raelynn, who grew up believing she was an orphan. They get to work trying to find out who hired Mitch to find her and if they are linked to her stalker. Sean and Raelynn investigate people she knows who could have a motive for her death. I had my suspicions early about who was behind the attacks and looked forward to seeing if I was right. The buildup to the final confrontation lacked intensity, but the confrontation itself was well done.
 
Another theme of the book is whether Mitch is Raelynn's father. I liked that Mitch was upset that he never knew he might be a father and was determined to find out the truth. Raelynn is warier. Her childhood was so terrible that she cut herself off from forming relationships with anyone. But as the book progresses and she gets to know Mitch, she becomes more interested in knowing the truth.
 
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Sean and Raelynn. Neither believes they are relationship material, but neither can deny their immediate connection. Sean carries a heavy load of guilt from his time in the military that holds him back from believing he is worthy of love. I liked seeing him and Raelynn get to know each other and discover that together, they feel whole. The ending was emotional and sweet, and I enjoyed the epilogue.
 
Sean is one of the siblings from Cider Creek, and his plans to return to the ranch are mentioned at the beginning. He gets waylaid by the case with Raelynn. I was disappointed that his trip back to the ranch was only mentioned in passing when the series thus far has made such a big deal of them all returning to the ranch.                               

Must Love Bees - Sasha Summers (HQN - Jan 2023)

Series: Honey Acres (Book 2)
 
Astrid Hill can calm a hive full of restless bees, but she has no idea how to make her gruff new neighbor smile. Charlie Driver intends to hightail it out of Honey, Texas, as soon as he’s sold his aunt’s property, and Astrid worries her family’s adjoining honey business may be affected. But however aloof—and annoyingly attractive—Charlie may be, his daughters are too adorable to ignore.
 
Charlie would rather untangle a line of computer code than deal with people, and the stress of single parenthood isn’t helping. Yet Astrid has a knack for overcoming his resistance to this quirky small town and her beloved bees. What if his girls become attached, only to once again lose someone precious? Then again, in love, the more you risk your heart, the sweeter the reward…
 
Sweet story. Astrid and her family have a bee farm in Honey, Texas, where they produce honey and other honey and bee-related items. Astrid is a master beekeeper with a reputation as a bee whisperer - she is the one people call when they have a problem. She also leads the Junior Beekeepers group, passing her love of bees to the next generation. She is worried about an upcoming group event on a neighboring property. Rebecca had promised the group the use of her hives and land before she passed away. Now, she has to depend on the heir to keep his aunt's promise, and she isn't too confident he will.
 
Charlie is a tech guy who works from home, enabling him to avoid most contact with people. A recent widower, he has brought his two stepdaughters with him to Honey for the summer, hoping to escape their grief. Though he's only been in Honey for a short time, Charlie already has a reputation as an aloof grump, mainly because he's never developed the ability to interact with people. He is determined to sell the property as soon as possible and return to his comfort zone in the city. He doesn't count on his girls getting involved with the family next door.
 
I enjoyed the first meeting between Astrid and the girls, Halley and Nova. They are friendly, curious, and quite put out with their dad, who has kept them close to home while he works on his computer. I loved how quickly they connected with Astrid. You can't say the same for Charlie. He wasn't sure how to handle Astrid, whose cheerful personality and refusal to be chased off confused him. I liked her determination to bring him out of his shell without causing any trauma. It was fun to see how quickly Astrid came to understand him. I laughed out loud often as Charlie found himself doing things he never expected to do.
 
Neither Astrid nor Charlie expected the sparks of attraction that grew between them. I enjoyed the slow build of their relationship from neighbors to friends and more. But the question is whether anything can come of it since Charlie plans to return to the city at the end of the summer. I liked seeing how Charlie and the girls came to love their lives in Honey.
 
There is a fly in their ointment in the person of Charlie's sister. She and her husband are developers, and when she looks at the property and the potential gold mine of Honey, she does her best to convince Charlie to sell the property. The sister is obnoxious, selfish, and not very nice to Charlie. I loved her shock at the will reading and cheered for Charlie and Astrid. I loved the ending and seeing the difference Honey and Astrid have made in Charlie. His big moment at the end was sweet and funny.
 
I liked the assorted secondary characters. Halley and Nova were adorable. I felt their grief over their mother's death and their worry over their relationship with Charlie. I enjoyed seeing them interact with Astrid's family and the difference it made in their lives. The closeness of Astrid's family was terrific. I liked how they could support each other and call each other out when needed. Aunt Camellia and her boyfriend were sweet, and I laughed at Aunt Mags' crustiness that covered a soft heart. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.
 
I loved all the information about bees, beekeeping, and the importance of bees that was woven into the story. 

Their Inconvenient Yuletide Wedding - Joanna Johnson (HH #1763 - Dec 2023)

A wedding they can't escape
A Christmas they'll never forget!
 
The last person that Samuel Beresford expected to fish out of a freezing, perilous river was Julia Livingston. The girl who was once an outcast in his village is now a woman and the talk of the ton for her beauty. When his daring rescue compromises them into marriage, but Julia is hesitant to trust anyone from her childhood, can Samuel prove he's no longer the boy she knew?
 
Good story about two people who must learn to trust again before they can find happiness together. Julia was awkward, clumsy, shy, and introverted as a child. This made her a prime target for teasing. Taking the lead was Samuel, the boy Julia had a slight crush on. Other kids followed his example but were much meaner, making her life miserable. Her mother was manipulative and condescending rather than supportive until Julia visited Italy with her aunt and returned a changed woman. Now, her mama was determined to snag the best possible match for Julia, while she wanted nothing to do with those who tormented her as a child.
 
Samuel returned to England after spending time in Italy. He fell in love with a woman there who later betrayed him. Though he knows he will eventually need to marry, he is wary of risking his heart again.
 
The first time they see each other again, Samuel doesn't recognize Julia. Her beauty bowls him over, but he doesn't understand why she is so cold to him. Meanwhile, Julia thinks he's just another person who believes she's worth his time now that she's beautiful. But when Samuel rescues Julia from an icy stream, it puts them into a compromising situation. Never one to waste an opportunity, Julia's mother insists they marry to prevent a scandal. Neither is happy about it. Julia wanted a man who would love and appreciate her for who she is and is stuck with a loveless marriage. Samuel wasn't ready to marry at all, especially a beautiful woman.
 
I liked watching the development of their relationship. Once Samuel discovered why Julia disliked him, he sincerely apologized and took pains to treat her with caring and respect. He begins to see glimpses of the girl he remembers beneath the façade she has developed and is attracted to the softer Julia. At the same time, Julia starts to notice that Samuel has grown into a kind and caring man. Unfortunately, she still lacks confidence in her appeal and has trouble believing he could care for her. There are some sweet scenes between the two as they get to know each other, and the sparks of attraction build. Neither is ready to admit to their growing feelings.
 
But just as things look promising between them, Samuel's past comes back to bite him. Instead of dealing with the matter immediately, he puts it off, complicating matters when Julia finds it. I ached for Julia and the hit to her self-confidence. Her feelings of betrayal were devastating. I hurt for Samuel also, as he realized the depth of his feelings for Julia. I liked how he supported her right to her feelings and gave her the space she needed. I loved seeing his examination of his past, his mistakes, and what he learned from them. I loved Samuel's big moment at the end and his emotional demonstration of his love for Julia. I also liked that she had her own "aha" moment regarding who she is.

 
 
 

Ballerina and the Greek Billionaire - Suzanne Merchant (HR #4874 - Oct 2023)

Kindred spirits…in paradise!
 
Cataloging reclusive billionaire Loukas Ariti's art collection would be Sophia's dream job -- if it weren't for Loukas! He's distractingly handsome but clearly views her presence on his idyllic private island as a massive intrusion. Having never fully recovered from the loss of her ballet career, Sophia suspects that his gruff exterior hides a hurt that matches her own. Could two weeks with the Greek heal both their hearts?
 
Good book about two hurting and lonely people. Sophia is several years into her new life in the art world after the devastating loss of her ballet career. Her mother died when she was born, she never knew her father, and she was raised by grandparents who blamed her for the death of their daughter. She has worked hard to keep from being bitter, especially after being dumped by her boyfriend, who couldn't handle her post-accident scars. She is excited when offered the chance to catalog an extensive art collection in Greece.
 
Loukas avoids people whenever possible. Orphaned in a traumatic accident at the age of four, he was taken in by his godfather. Christos was a loving man, but he, too, was tragically taken from Loukas when he was eight years old. Since then, Loukas has locked away his heart and refuses to get close to anyone. There is also something about Christos's death that haunts Loukas. He knows it is time to sell the art collection, but he isn't looking forward to having someone invade his home.
 
Loukas's self-imposed isolation takes a hit when Sophia arrives. He's bowled over by her beauty and shocked by the sparks of attraction he feels for her. He desperately tries to bury those feelings. Sophia also feels the chemistry between them, but getting involved with a client is never a good idea.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Loukas and Sophia develop. They connect quickly but are wary of getting too close. Loukas shows some overprotective tendencies when Sophia does something that runs up against his fears. I liked Sophia's understanding of his fears. I enjoyed the encounters that brought them closer together. Neither expected the strength of the attraction between them or the need to act on it. But Loukas has been clear in his determination to avoid anything resembling a relationship, and Sophia knows that she will leave when her work is done.
 
A startling discovery brings conflict as Loukas and Sophia deal with the ramifications. I ached for Loukas as he revealed more of his past. Matters become more complicated when a paparazzi shows up on the island, and Loukas makes unfounded accusations. Loukas's lack of trust hurt Sophia. But can he overcome his fears enough to open his heart and risk a future with Sophia? I liked seeing his thought processes as he confronted those fears. His big moment with Sophia was sweet and emotional. I wish there had been an epilogue.