A Father's Redemption - Sabrina York (HSE #3041 - Apr 2024)

Series: Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove (Book 3)
 
It'll take the unlikeliest of people to rescue this single dad…
 
Ben Sherrod had been attracted to nurse Celeste Tuttle since they met, even though she's never hidden her contempt for his development company. But he's moved on from the awkward boy he was in high school. When Celeste is thrust back into his life, he's not sure how to handle things…especially the rush of old and new feelings he's suddenly confronted with. But Celeste is hesitant about commitment -- especially with Ben, a man still scarred by his failed marriage, his wife's death and his daughter's trauma following that tragic event. Soon, though, they're bonding over shared challenges, discovering just how much common ground they share. Maybe their next venture might be a step into a new future…together.
 
Good enemies-to-lovers/second chance story. Celeste has known Ben since they were in high school. She has been an activist all her life and blamed Ben for his father's real estate development. She has treated him like an enemy ever since. Ben never saw Celeste as an enemy. He had a big crush on her in high school but was first too shy, then too intimidated, to ask her out.
 
Celeste wasn't too happy when she found out she would work with Ben on the grant proposal for a new clinic. However, she quickly realized that attitude wouldn't be productive when they had a short deadline to meet. I liked her conscious decision to clear the air, though she didn't expect to discover that he was not the evil businessman she thought he was.
 
Ben never approved of how his father handled Coho Cove's development and made significant changes when he inherited the company. Unfortunately, the work required strained his marriage. He feels a lot of guilt over his failed marriage, the accident that killed his wife, and the effect it had on their daughter, Quinn.
 
I enjoyed watching Celeste and Ben's relationship develop. Once Celeste got past her dislike of him, she discovered that she and Ben had much in common. There were some terrific scenes of them spending time together and realizing how much they were alike. What neither expected was the attraction that flared between them. Their feelings for each other grow, but obstacles keep them from going all in. Celeste had been burned in an earlier relationship, and trusting again did not come easily. Ben has a pile of insecurities that make it difficult for him to believe he deserves to be happy.  It takes nearly losing her for Ben to let go of his fears and take a chance.
 
I loved Ben's daughter, Quinn. She hasn't spoken since the accident that killed her mother. Other than that, she is a happy, healthy little girl. Her relationship with her daddy is fantastic, and I loved watching Ben with her. Quinn and Celeste take to each other, and their scenes together are sweet. Some adorable parts with Quinn and her best friend, Celeste's nephew JJ, lead to an unexpected development later in the book. I loved the ending, and the epilogue was terrific. 

 

The Airman's Homecoming - Sabrina York (HSE #3026 - Jan 2024)

Series: Tuttle Sisters of Coho Cove (Book 2)
 
Forever a wanderer?
 
From the moment Noah Crocker steps into Amy Tuttle Tolliver's bakery, the self-made baker's a confection he can't resist. The stunning entrepreneur needs help…and the pararescue medic is more than happy to share his hidden baking talent! When he realizes his unexpected link to the husband Amy lost in combat, the instant connection to her -- and her two adorable sons -- intensifies. Noah's always been searching for home. Could it be that he had to come all the way to tiny Coho Cove to find what he was looking for?
 
Terrific story. Amy is a war widow with two young boys. Her dream was to own her own bakery, which she has achieved. It doesn't matter that it consumes all her life outside of caring for her sons. However, she sometimes yearns for something more, even if she doesn't know what. That changes when a visitor arrives in town.
 
After an injury ended his career as an Air Force pararescue jumper, Noah isn't sure what to do with his life. He is doing a 50-state tour, looking for a place and a reason to put down roots. On his way to his last stop in Alaska, Noah stops in Coho Cove to visit his friend Jax (The Soldier's Refuge). He impulsively stops at the bakery, where he meets Amy. There is an instant connection.
 
I enjoyed watching Noah and Amy's relationship develop. The connection is there, but Amy is wary, not just for herself, but also worried her sons might get hurt if they get attached and Noah doesn't stick around. When Amy has a crisis at the bakery, Noah jumps in to help. This allows them to get to know each other. There are some great scenes of Noah and Amy together as their friendship grows and becomes more. There is a surprise connection between Noah and Amy's late husband that could have ended things before they got started, but honesty and compassion got them over that hurdle. I loved how sensitive each was to the other's difficult past. The ending was fantastic.
 
I loved the bakery scenes and seeing how happy Noah was when he was there. Not only was he with Amy, but it also brought back some of the few happy memories from his childhood. I also loved seeing Noah with Amy's sons. The scene at the fair was heartwarming, with Noah's joy at experiencing it with the boys.

 
 

Operation Rafe's Redemption - Justine Davis (HRS #2268 - Mar 2024)

Series: Cutter's Code (Book 17)
 
To bring down a traitor…
She needs the man who betrayed her love!
 
Years ago, Foxworth Foundation operatives walked into a trap that almost annihilated them all. So when Charlie Foxworth -- the firm's cool financial mastermind -- finds the man responsible, she'll stop at nothing to take him down. But to do it, she needs unflappable former sniper Rafe Crawford -- the man who shattered her heart -- plus K-9 Cutter. Little does she know, they also might be key to keeping her alive!
 
At last, we get Rafe's story. The taciturn, closed-off, former Marine sniper has intrigued me from the start, and his ongoing feud with Charlie seemed out of character. Here, we look at Rafe's past and the experiences that affected him so profoundly, including his problems with Charlie.
 
Quinn's sister, Charlie, is the financial genius who ensures that Foxworth has the resources it needs. Her life appears to revolve around the foundation and its needs. She's always calm, logical, and focused - except when around Rafe. It was interesting to see these two get under each other's skin.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. Three years earlier, an ambush nearly wiped out Foxworth operatives. Since then, they have unsuccessfully searched for the person responsible. No matter what, they refused to give up, and Charlie has finally identified him. Though she isn't a trained operative, she maneuvers her way into becoming the man's girlfriend while searching for the proof they need to take him down. When Max Flood invites her to Seattle with him, she knows this is the time to get Quinn involved.
 
I loved watching the team go all in to bring down their quarry. It isn't easy, and a lot of undercover work is going on. Each step kept me riveted and impatient to see results. The intensity kept ramping up the further they got into the investigation. An unexpected twist brought an old case into the mix and complicated the mission. I was on the edge of my seat when Charlie was in mortal danger and gripped by the intensity of the rescue scene. The "gotcha" scene with Max Flood was fantastic and the perfect culmination of their investigation.
 
As wonderful as the suspense was, watching Rafe and Charlie together was terrific. Each is known for their stoic calm and attention to detail, but that all goes out the window when they must deal with each other. The sparks between them were explosive, with their attraction hidden beneath a barrage of snide remarks. You know it isn't good when Quinn has to intervene. I felt for Cutter, who was determined to bring the two together. Even he showed frustration at their stubbornness. Despite his problems with Charlie, Rafe is very protective of her but consistently puts his foot in his mouth when attempting to express his worries. Charlie is determined to stick with her plan despite its dangers.
 
In the meantime, she tries to break through Rafe's walls and find out why he pulled away from her. I liked seeing her chip away at him until he finally caved. I ached for him as he revealed the tragedy that had haunted him. Their conversation was intense and emotional, and it was exactly what was needed to break the chains that kept Rafe from believing he deserved to be happy.
 
Cutter had his work cut out for him in this book. While the professional work was intense, he handled it all with ease. But when it came to his other mission of getting Charlie and Rafe together, he had to work extra hard. It's always fun to see those skeptical of his talents, such as Charlie, experience his matchmaking determination. Rafe is well aware of Cutter's proclivities but tries hard to resist. Seeing even Cutter frustrated and annoyed by their uncooperativeness was amusing. I laughed out loud at Cutter's effective way of getting Rafe to stop running away. The epilogue was a funny depiction of an exhausted Cutter.
 
I'm not sure if this is the last of the Cutter's Code series. I know it was intended to be, but hopefully, the author will listen to her many fans and pen new adventures for Foxworth and Cutter. 

A Hideaway Wharf Holiday - Laurel Greer (HSE #3011 - Oct 2023)

Series: Love at Hideaway Wharf (Book 2)
 
Diving headfirst into uncharted waters.
 
Independent single mom? Free-spirited Franci Walker's got it covered. Until she goes into labor early…with only fellow diver Archer Frost to help. And after unexpectedly delivering Franci's baby, Arch can't resist the coworker who's secretly brought sunshine his way for years. But Arch has spent years burying his feelings -- first his guilt over the accident that left him with an amputation and killed his best friend, then his growing attraction to Franci. Maybe the new mom -- and her sweet baby -- can lead Archer out of those turbulent seas for good…
 
Terrific book. Franci and Archer are friends and coworkers at the local dive company. Archer's best friend is Franci's older brother, Sam. When Sam leaves for a trip to the UK with his fiancé, he extracts a promise from Archer to watch over a very pregnant Franci.
 
Franci is stubbornly independent and plans to raise her baby on her own. Her family's super-protectiveness frustrates Franci, who sometimes feels smothered by the attention. She pushes back against Archer's attempts to help her. Not only does it go against her independent nature, but it also makes it difficult to resist her overpowering attraction to him. Everything changes when a monster storm coincides with Franci going into labor early.
 
I loved Archer. He is a man who cares deeply about his friends and family, but he locked away his emotions after a tragic accident. He has also buried his growing feelings for Franci, believing he is too old and no good for her. He has a lot of love to give if he'd only forgive himself.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Franci and Archer develop. Each has buried their feelings for each other until that fateful storm. I loved how Archer got his foot in the door to check on her by offering to help her paint the nursery. Neither expected Franci to go into labor early - she was counting on the family tradition of being overdue, and Archer followed her lead. I found it amusing that Archer figured out she was in labor long before she did. With no one able to get to them because of the storm, that left Archer to deliver the baby. Thank goodness for his Coast Guard rescue training! I loved his support during the process.
 
Neither expected the depth of the bond formed in delivering baby Iris. I loved seeing baby Iris create cracks in the walls around Archer's heart and then watch Franci widen those cracks further. Circumstances cause Franci and Iris to stay with Archer for several weeks, allowing them to grow closer. I liked how Franci began understanding why Archer is the way he is. I ached for Archer as he fought his feelings. I cheered when he faced one of his deepest fears and won in an incredibly emotional scene, opening a path to his heart's desire. The epilogue was terrific.
 
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the treatment of Asher as an amputee. It isn't the focal point of who he is, just a fact of his life. The challenges and daily life are portrayed realistically and without drama.

Operation Takedown - Justine Davis (HRS #2256 - Dec 2023)

Series: Cutter's Code (Book 16)
 
Hunting for justice…
With a bodyguard dog.
 
As a powerful family tries to silence him, Jordan Crockett feels more endangered than he ever felt in combat. That doesn't stop him from telling Emily Bishop the truth about how her brother -- his best buddy -- died. When she becomes a target, too, he'll do anything to protect her. Luckily, the Foxworths and their incredible dog, Cutter, have his back…
 
Once again, the incredibly intuitive Cutter, the Foxworths' amazing dog, has brought them another case of an underdog needing help - this time via a set of dog tags. Jordan witnessed his best friend Eddie's death by friendly fire and finds himself in the crosshairs of a powerful family that doesn't want the truth to come out.
 
Eddie's sister, Emily, is still grieving Eddie's loss. She's stunned when she receives a handwritten letter from Jordan revealing the truth behind Eddie's death. A call to Sloan Dunbar (Operation Power Play) of Accountability Counts, a group that helps people like Jordan, puts her in contact with the Foxworth Foundation. I loved Emily's first contact with Cutter. She thought his fur looked soft and fluffy until she saw his eyes. "That gaze was anything but." I loved her first impression of Quinn and Haley, too.
 
Jordan made his way from Missouri to Washington, hoping to talk to Emily, but has difficulty mustering the courage. A chat with the former military owner of the campground Jordan is staying at results in a visit from Emily and the Foxworths. Once again, Cutter works his soothing magic on a tense subject while urging Jordan forward at the same time. "I'm a lot of things, dog, but I'm not a sheep." I loved Jordan's first encounter with Quinn. I expected his immediate respect for Quinn. Jordan did not expect Quinn's respect for him, even though he was "just a mechanic."
 
The first meeting between Emily and Jordan was intense. I ached for Jordan and the guilt he felt over Eddie's death, even though it wasn't his fault. He's stunned that Emily has no trouble believing that Eddie's death happened the way Jordan wrote it to her. Neither expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them or their instant connection. As the book progressed and Emily and Jordan spent time together, those feelings grew stronger. The biggest obstacle is Jordan's lack of self-confidence. There are some lovely scenes of the two together, and I loved seeing Emily call him out when he was down on himself. Of course, neither stands a chance against Cutter's matchmaking magic, and it was always fun to see his efforts.
 
I loved watching Quinn and the others get to work, assembling the facts needed to take down the man responsible for Eddie's death. It is always fascinating to see the teamwork involved and the belief that success is all but guaranteed. I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books play their parts in this one. I laughed out loud to see Emily and Jordan's reactions to the depth of support available. The tension ramped up as they prepared for the final confrontation. It was every bit as satisfying as I expected, including Cutter's part.