Her Younger Man - Shannon Stacey (HSE #2999 - Aug 2023)

Series: Sutton's Place (Book 5)
 
Age is just a number
 
Riley McLaughlin knows he shouldn't get involved with a coworker, especially when she's also his boss's mom. But widow Laura Thompson is everything he wants in a woman, and their age difference simply doesn't matter. And though she's drawn to Riley more than she'll ever admit, Laura has never been one to jump headfirst into adventure. Town gossip has already run rampant -- will Riley and Laura give them something to really talk about?

Good age-gap romance. Laura is the office manager for the family tree business. At 48 and a widow, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and living the independent life she didn't have while she was married. While her marriage wasn't unhappy, everything revolved around her husband. Growing up as a preacher's daughter, she was raised to put others first - husband, children, friends, etc. - and now she can do things that make her happy. But is she ready for a relationship with a younger man?

Riley has been hired by Lane, Laura's son, to be a foreman in the family tree business. At 39, he's happy with his bachelor status. Then he meets Laura, with whom he is immediately smitten.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Though equally attracted to Riley, Laura is a little slow in recognizing that he is doing more than a little light-hearted flirtation with her. He wants to get to know her better. As they start spending time together, Laura is disturbed by the number of people who comment on her "fling" with a younger man. Riley worries a bit about his boss's reaction to Riley dating Laura. It isn't long before they realize there is more than flirtation between them.

I loved how the age difference didn't bother Riley at all. He sees Laura for the wonderful, sexy woman that she is. He treats her with love and respect and encourages her to do what makes her happy. Laura takes a little longer to accept the feelings that are growing for Riley. She is so accustomed to paying attention to other people's wishes and opinions that following her desires is a little more of a challenge.

When Riley and Laura move their relationship out of the shadows, they must deal with the reactions of others. Riley's conversation with his bosses, Lane and Case, is awkward and amusing as they realize he is serious about his feelings for Laura. It's hard to talk about your girlfriend with your friends when she's their mother/aunt. He also endures vocal disapproval from his mother. I loved the encouragement and approval Laura received from her daughter-in-law and laughed at the good-hearted teasing she endured. I was less happy at the lack of support from her best friend and wanted to shake her for raising doubts in Laura's mind.

It was great to see that Riley wasn't about to let others destroy the best thing that happened to him. He has a good head on his shoulders and uses it to help Laura work through the doubts that plague her. His support of her independence goes a long way toward easing her fears. I loved seeing Laura finally stand up for what she wanted.

The epilogue was terrific as it showed their lives two years later. It isn't a traditional one, but they are clearly happy. I laughed out loud at little Becca calling Riley "Gramps" and how much he loved it.