Series:
Montana Mavericks: Brothers and Broncos (Book 3)
"Maybe we could just have tonight."
Everyone thinks Shari Lormand and veterinarian Felix
Sanchez are a couple. Unfortunately, the guarded widower has made it abundantly
clear all he's looking for is a buddy. Shari is afraid she's hurtling toward
another heartbreak. But with a little help from town psychic Winona Cobbs,
Felix's uncle Stanley and a foster kitty named Page, she and Felix just might
have a shot after all…
Good friends to lovers romance. Felix has been a widower
for three years and does not intend to risk his heart again. It hurts too much when
that love is gone. His family, however, is determined to change that. His
mother and his Uncle Stanley constantly push "suitable" women at him,
with his uncle producing numerous subterfuges to do so. As the book opens,
Stanley tells Felix about a woman who wants advice about her dog. As a vet, he
wants to help, even though he knows what to expect, and bluntly extricates
himself after answering her concerns.
Shari is a children's librarian still recovering from a
relationship that failed after five years together when her boyfriend decided
she wasn't what he wanted. She hasn't given up entirely on finding love but
feels the likelihood is fading. She's exploring other options for the family
she wants, and as the book opens, she's stopped in at the bar for some wings, a
beer, and to be around people. She doesn't like to think about it, but she's
lonely.
Shari and Felix start a conversation while Stanley flirts
with Winona, the psychic. The next thing he knows, Stanley and Winona are gone,
stranding Felix at the bar. Shari offers Felix a ride home, and he repays her
with a cup of coffee. The sparks of attraction are there between them, but
Felix falls asleep before they can do anything about them. Shari goes home,
realizing she had a lucky escape. Getting involved with an emotionally
unavailable man won't get her the future she wants.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Felix
and Shari, but I sometimes wanted to shake Felix. The sparks he feels freak him
out because he feels he isn't ready to move on. Instead, he tells Shari that
all he can offer is friendship. She accepts that offer, something inside her,
hoping it will grow into more. Attending a family party with him, Shari glows
from the easy acceptance of his relatives. Though Felix insists to anyone who
will listen that they are just friends, everyone can see they belong together.
There are sweet scenes, from Felix bringing her coffee at
work to Shari making dinner for him. I loved how comfortable they were with
each other and how easy it was to share their thoughts and dreams. The more
time they spent together, the more feelings were stirred up. Shari realized she
was in love with Felix, who only wanted friendship. Felix's feelings grow for
her, too, but he refuses to admit them. Both realize that something has changed
when they give in to the sparks one night. Though Shari is ready to see where
it goes, Felix panics and pulls back. Though I ached for her, I loved that
Shari respects herself and her feelings enough to call him out on his choices. It
takes a talk with his Uncle Stanley (and a bit of trickery) for Felix to finally
see the light. I loved the ending, from Felix's admission of his idiocy to the
sneakiness of Stanley and Winona.
One of my favorite secondary characters was Page, the
kitten Shari found at the library. She helped bring Felix and Shari closer when
Shari offered to foster the kitten. I laughed out loud when Felix flat-out told
her he saw a "foster fail" in her future, as she already loved the
little critter. Page plays a significant role by giving Shari someone to come
home to and talk to, relieving a little of her loneliness.
I also loved Uncle Stanley, a widower himself, who has
the most wonderful outlook on life. I loved how he embraced life and got a huge
kick from his meeting with Winona. Those two were very sweet together and an
excellent example for Felix if he had just opened his eyes and heart. Winona is
still freakishly good at telling people what they need to hear, but in a way
that they have to figure it out for themselves. It made me happy to see that
she has a chance at her own happily ever after.
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