Marry and Bright - Teri Wilson (HSE #3021 - Dec 2023)

Series: Love Unveiled (Book 3)
 
Mixing business with weddings
 
Both up for the editor-in-chief position at Veil magazine, Addison England and Carter Payne are fierce adversaries. But despite their bickering, the pair has to work together and prove themselves before the magazine's Christmas deadline. Stepping in to pose as the bride and groom for a wedding shoot starts the unexpected change from rivalry to romance…until they discover the “fake” vow exchange was entirely legal. Now the newlyweds have to decide if power really is their ultimate endgame.
 
Terrific conclusion to the series. Addison has been working her tail off for years to earn the editor-in-chief job when her boss, Colette, retires. She's so close now she can practically taste it. So, imagine her shock when Colette's nephew, Carter, shows up in New York, also ready to take the helm. Carter is also stunned, as he had been promised the job years earlier.
 
I definitely got the impression that Colette had ulterior motives for setting up a competition between Addison and Carter. They start with sharing an office, which grinds on their nerves. They are given competing assignments, which Colette will judge. It was fun to see how much alike Addison and Carter were, with their laser-like focus on work, lack of social lives, and disinterest in romantic relationships, though neither could see it at first. Underneath the antagonism were sparks of attraction that they tried to ignore.
 
I loved watching their relationship develop. They got off to a rough start with an awkward meeting that set the stage for some of Addison's anger at Carter. But as the days passed, Addison couldn't deny that Carter was good at his job. I had a good chuckle at Carter's bemusement over his attraction to her, and at the same time, he was trying to beat her for the job. Addison also tried denying it to herself and others. I liked watching their antagonism turn more towards teasing and snark as they grew to appreciate each other's abilities.
 
As the competition deadline grew closer, Carter and Addison had one more hurdle to overcome - whose idea would come out on top for the magazine's main spread? Both had fantastic visions, and it was easy to see how each idea was a winner. I liked how Collette had both follow through with their ideas. It was heartwarming to see how Addison helped Carter with his. But things get complicated when he shows up the next day to help with her photo shoot. Thanks to a blizzard, he and Addison have to become the models. The effect on each of them was undeniable, and it became harder to resist their growing feelings. Trapped together by the weather, they give in.
 
Imagine their shock when they discover that the fake wedding ceremony they went through for the photo shoot was all too real. Now, they are faced with the dilemma of whether to stay married. What effect will Colette's decision have on that question? I did not see Colette's plan coming, though Addison's reaction didn't surprise me. The twists and turns of the final resolution were fun to follow and were the perfect ending.
 
The secondary characters were terrific. Addison's besties, Daphne and Everly, were fantastic in their support roles. I loved how they were TeamAddison all the way, though that didn't stop them from commenting on Carter's looks and abilities. They could see what was happening before she did and had no trouble pointing it out. I laughed out loud when Everly gave Sabrina the dog to Addison. Despite Addison's insistence that she wouldn't keep her, it was easy to see the writing on the wall. It was hilarious to see Sabrina's reaction to Carter. I liked getting to know Colette a little better and seeing a more personal side of her. My favorite secondary character was Joe, the man at the marriage license bureau. His commentary was great, and I'm pretty sure he played a significant role in their fake marriage that wasn't fake. 

Faking a Fairy Tale - Teri Wilson (HSE #3002 - Sept 2023)

Series: Love Unveiled (Book 2)
 
She always dreamed of being Cinderella…
Just not with him
 
Bridal editor Daphne Ballantyne despises her handsome yet infuriating colleague Jack King. In fact, their workplace feud is legendary. But when a juicy magazine assignment requires going undercover as a blissfully engaged couple, both Daphne and Jack say I do. Fake affection soon leads to very real kisses, authentic emotions…and undeniable attraction. But will their high-profile marriage charade lead to a new romantic beginning for Veil's most combative employees?
 
Fun enemies to lovers story. Daphne and Jack have been at loggerheads since he started his job as the magazine's fact-checker. It seems that he annihilates every article she writes with his red pen. She gets even by messing up the items on his desk - he's a little OCD about their arrangement. Everyone on staff has noticed the tension between them, and they are all holding their breath for when their boss catches wind of it.
 
Daphne is afraid that the day has come when she is called to Colette's office and finds Jack there, too. It's a great relief that she seems unaware of their feud until she assigns them to work together on an undercover story by pretending to be an engaged couple. They are horrified by the idea, and Jack refuses by claiming he has other commitments. But when his mother tries to rope him into her society galas, suddenly working with Daphne doesn't seem so bad.
 
Watching the relationship develop between these two totally different people was so much fun. Jack is a planner, always in control of his life and emotions, and a by-the-book guy. Daphne is spontaneous, bubbly, and over-the-top in fashion. Neither expects the sparks of attraction that flare between them as they pretend to be in love. For two people who seem to dislike each other intensely, it was intriguing to note that they knew each other very well. I loved seeing them realize there was more to each other than they previously suspected. I enjoyed seeing how their differing approaches to writing the required articles blended to make something stronger than either could do individually.
 
Matters become more complicated when Jack and Daphne encounter his former fiancée in their undercover class. The next thing they know, Jack's parents know about their "engagement" and pull out all the stops to celebrate. I loved Jack's growing protectiveness toward Daphne as he began to understand her insecurities. There is also a sweet scene where Daphne comes to Jack's rescue when he has a family emergency. At this point, each realizes that their relationship no longer feels fake, and neither knows what to do with those feelings.
 
I loved the ending and seeing how each one found a similar way to let the other know how they felt. It was fun to see the boss lady, Colette, show a more human side than before. 
 
I loved the secondary characters. Daphne's besties, Everly and Addison, do a terrific job supporting her, whether listening to her, advising her, or calling her out when she's lying to herself. The whole "fashion closet" routine is a riot. I also adored little Olivia and her effect on Jack's life. 

Misty Hollow Massacre - Carol Ericson (HI #2184 - Dec 2023)

Series: Discovery Bay (Book 1)
 
Working as a team
Can they stop a killer targeting their hometown?
 
Child psychologist Hannah Maddox's father once helped send the man she loved to prison. Now Jed Swain is free and back on Dead Falls Island to clear his name. Until his accuser is murdered and Jed again becomes the prime suspect. Hannah knows Jed is innocent, and before long, so do the locals. But when another single mother is found dead, Hannah must convince Jed to trust her before a killer turns their focus on them.
 
Terrific start to a new series, with a gripping mystery and a second chance romance. The story opens as Hannah, a forensic psychologist, is working with a small boy whose mother was murdered. Complicating matters, the dead woman once accused Hannah's high school boyfriend of rape, sending him to prison. Jed has since been exonerated and is back on the island but is once again a prime suspect.
 
I liked that Hannah never believed Jed was guilty, but her sheriff father disapproved of their relationship and did everything possible to break them up. Things are a bit tense between Hannah and Jed when they first meet again, thanks to confusion about letters never received. When a second single mother is murdered, Jed gets a request from his friend, the woman's brother, to investigate. Because Jed has a private investigator's license, he doesn't have to play by the same rules as law enforcement. This includes inviting Hannah to work with him on the investigation.
 
The suspense of this story had me hooked from the beginning. I felt Jed and Hannah's frustration as their initial leads seemed to hit dead ends. They didn't let that stop them, and before long, they started to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated clues. One lead sent them to a deserted house that had been the site of a horrific murder-suicide. Their belief in its importance was confirmed when someone tried to kill them. I was glued to the pages as they closed in on the identity of the killer. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with a reveal that I never expected.
 
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Hannah and Jed. They have a few trust issues to overcome in the beginning, not the least of which is her father's role in Jed's conviction. But Hannah's unwavering belief in Jed's innocence goes a long way toward solving that problem. Working together brings them closer, and the old sparks of attraction quickly reignite. I loved Jed's protectiveness when Hannah was targeted. I also liked that no last-minute misunderstanding drove them apart, just Jed rescuing her from a killer. I liked the ending and seeing them plan a future together.
 
Tate and his sister, Astrid, were excellent secondary characters. I liked their belief in Jed and their willingness to help him get his life back on track. Tate is a forest ranger who is helping Jed join the rangers and giving him a place to live until he finishes repairing his old home. Astrid is a single mom with a little boy. She has matchmaking tendencies and enjoys throwing Hannah and Jed together whenever possible. There is a heart-stopping scene where young Olly disappears, and the circumstances are suspicious. The next book in the series is Tate's story, and I can't wait to read it.

An Unlikely Match for the Governess - Lauri Robinson (HH #1765 - Dec 2023)

The most unlikely match…
might be the best fit!
 
After the young twins she cares for are orphaned, their governess, Aislinn, will do anything to stay with them. So when their maverick uncle -- aristocrat turned rancher -- Luke returns to England determined to gain guardianship, she proposes a convenient marriage! As an unexpected connection develops between them, Aislinn begins to long for a real future with Luke. But his home is in Montana… Could it be hers, too?
 
Terrific book about two people who come together to care for a pair of orphaned children. I loved seeing Luke and Aislinn bond over their love for Fern and Ivy and slowly fall in love.
 
Aislinn has been caring for children almost her entire life. Orphaned when she was eight, she was too old to be adopted, so she was put to work caring for the younger children. As she got older, she trained to be a governess, and the Duke and Duchess of Havenbrook hired her to care for their twin daughters. She was happy working for them and devastated when both died of food poisoning. The duke's next youngest brother inherited the title. Percy and his wife are not nice people and quickly force Aislinn out of her job. The way they booted her out with nothing was cruel. While walking off the estate, Aislinn encounters Luke Carlisle, the youngest brother.
 
Luke left home at eighteen, disgusted with the aristocratic lifestyle. Luke always had an acute case of wanderlust and spent the intervening years traveling around America. He has settled in Montana, where he owns a cattle ranch. Luke was distressed to hear of his brother's death and hurried back to England to fulfill Rowland's request - to become the guardian of Fern and Ivy. He is not looking forward to dealing with Percy. On his way to the manor house, he is surprised to encounter the young woman who was his nieces' governess.
 
I liked the first meeting between Luke and Aislinn. Luke is a gentleman to the bone, and his protective instincts are aroused when he hears her story. With quick thinking, he hires Aislinn to resume her job as the girls' governess, this time working for him. She's a little wary but is equally protective of Fern and Ivy, so she agrees. Their arrival at the manor house caused quite a scene, but Percy couldn't do anything about it. Though Luke thought the guardianship issue was a done deal, Percy creates doubt in his mind. Luke packs up the girls and Aislinn and heads to London to deal with the problems.
 
I liked how Luke enlisted Aislinn to be his partner in handling the problems that arose. When they visit the lawyer's office and discover the doubts Percy has raised about Luke's fitness as guardian, Luke is at a loss for how to counteract them. Aislinn states that she and Luke are planning to marry, making Luke's single status a moot point. Luke is stunned by the statement, as he has no plans to marry. But after thinking about it, Luke agrees it is a good plan. It also allows him to leave Aislinn and the girls in England while he returns to Montana. He believes they are better off in England rather than the harsh conditions of Montana.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Luke and Aislinn develop. To sell their marriage to the courts, they must appear like a couple in love, which entails attending many social events. Neither is happy about that because they detest the superficiality of society events. Luke believes that he must give up his life in Montana, which increases his stress and unhappiness. Aislinn sees his misery and wants him to be happy, so she pushes him toward leaving as soon as his guardianship is secured. The more time they spend together, the closer they become, and the sparks of attraction they experience grow stronger. Giving in deepens their connection but complicates their plans.
 
Just as those deepening feelings look like they will bring Luke and Aislinn to the happy future they both want, outside interference drives them apart. Luke says some hurtful things to Aislinn before leaving for Montana. I loved seeing Aislinn pull herself together and investigate what Luke accused her of. Once she had the truth, she took action. I loved the ending and seeing how she went after what she wanted. Luke's reaction was hilarious as Aislinn made a place for herself and the girls in his home and his heart. The epilogue was great and contained a couple of surprises. 

Balancing Act - Emily March (Grand Central - Dec 2023)

Series: Lake in the Clouds (Book 2)
 
Genevieve Prentice is learning that reinventing herself is a bit like downsizing a house. Deciding what to keep and what needs to go gets complicated. After settling into life in Lake in the Clouds, Colorado, with her sister's help, she's finally finding her balance. But Genevieve's newfound steadiness is threatened when her daughter Willow unexpectedly arrives carrying a mountain of emotional baggage.
 
Willow Eldridge needs a fresh start, but that can't happen until she comes clean about her family's secrets. Thankfully, between caring for her two young children and planning her brother's wedding, Willow has plenty of reasons to delay the uncomfortable heart-to-heart with her mother. Yet when Willow grows close to her kind but standoffish neighbor and suspects he is keeping secrets of his own, she realizes there's no moving forward without facing what came before…
 
Can Genevieve and Willow jettison the pain of the past to create the future they so desperately crave? Beneath the crystal blue skies of Lake in the Clouds, anything seems possible.
 
Terrific story about family, finding yourself, and overcoming tragedy. This is the second book in the series. I haven't read the first one, but enough backstory was explained to keep me from feeling lost. There are three main characters: Genevieve Prentice, her daughter Willow Eldridge, and their neighbor, Noah Tannehill. Genevieve and her sister, Helen, own a lodge in Lake in the Clouds, Colorado. Willow, widowed two years earlier, moves there with her two children, looking for a fresh start and to reconnect with her mother. She meets the reclusive Noah, a firefighter recovering from injuries received during a tragic incident.
 
Genevieve has enjoyed her new life in Colorado. After many years as a mom, she has enjoyed traveling, exploring nature, and getting involved in her new community. With her latest project ending and facing a milestone birthday, she feels a bit lost about where her life is heading. When Willow moves to town, Genevieve suddenly finds herself slipping back into family mode, being a mom and Nana on call. She feels she is losing all her progress after her move. I could feel her frustration and fear as she wondered about her future. She received helpful advice from two men, and I enjoyed watching her take that advice. I liked seeing her reconnect with Willow, though there were a few bumps in their road along the way. Her support of Willow is crucial during an unexpected crisis. Her last scene in the book is hilarious and satisfying.
 
Willow left Nashville hoping to make a better life for her children and reconnect with her mother. During Willow's marriage, they became estranged, and she feels it was mostly her fault. She's ready to come clean about her marriage, her husband, and their life, but talking about it is more challenging than she expects. In the meantime, she steps in as the planner for her brother's upcoming wedding and discovers a possible career path. She also has eight-year-old Drew and four-year-old Emma to take care of. Drew is a pistol with some issues stemming from his father's death, and he keeps Willow on her toes. Drew brings Willow together with Noah in a scene that could have been any parent's nightmare but was the start of a meaningful friendship.  I liked seeing the changes and healing that Willow experienced during the book.
 
Noah moved into his grandfather's house in Lake in the Clouds after experiencing a tragic fire call that left him badly injured. He spends most of his time in his workshop, avoiding people whenever possible. Thanks to Drew, Noah, and Willow are frequently thrown together and soon form a friendship. Noah is surprised to find himself emerging from his shell. I ached for Noah and the trauma he suffered and rooted for him to overcome the demons that haunted him.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Noah and Willow develop. It started rocky, thanks to Drew's antics, but they soon discovered that their traumatic pasts made it easier to relate to each other. The more time they spent together, the closer they grew, and the more they could share the details of their pasts. I liked how they were able to help each other look at events from a different perspective, enabling them to heal and move forward. There are also some beautiful scenes involving them and the children and the effect on their developing relationship. They each experience an unexpected curveball that must be dealt with before they can look to a future together, but they make it happen with love and support from each other and their friends and families.
 
Secondary characters such as Gabe Throckmorton and Genevieve's sister Helen add extra interest to the book. I liked Gabe, who is still grieving the loss of his wife but has a growing and changing friendship with Genevieve. I look forward to later books and seeing if that relationship progresses. I loved Helen. She is fun-loving and outspoken, and she loves her family. She and Genevieve have had a great time together over the past two years, and she is understandably hurt when Genevieve appears to no longer have time for her. They must deal with a few growing pains, but in the end, their relationship is stronger than ever. I laughed out loud at Helen's method of getting stop signs for the town. 

Silver Lady - Mary Jo Putney (Kensington - Dec 2023)

Series: Dangerous Gifts (Book 1)
 
A smoldering nobleman and a beautiful amnesiac with paranormal gifts discover they share a powerful passion, a unique legacy -- and a common enemy.
 
Together they faced the past . . .
 
A sense of duty sends Bran Tremayne to Cornwall to confront his heritage of British nobility. Abandoned at birth, Bran wants nothing to do with the embittered remains of his family. But as a special agent for the Home Office, he senses trouble brewing along the coast. And he can't turn away from the vulnerable woman he encounters in the Cornish countryside. Merryn's amnesia makes her past a mystery to them both, but with her life in danger, the only thing Bran knows for sure is that the beautiful stranger needs his protection . . .
 
But would they share a future?
 
Leaning into Bran is difficult enough, but can Merryn trust the strong bond -- and the powerful passion -- she feels for her rugged rescuer? She has no choice once Bran uncovers that she is at the center of a plot between French agents and Cornish smugglers. From misty woodlands to stormy shores, the two join forces with a band of loyal Cornishmen to bring down a common enemy. Yet will their growing love survive the coming peril?
 
This is the first book in a new series, Dangerous Gifts, about Regency-era men and women with paranormal abilities. I was enthralled with the story from the first pages, and I look forward to the rest of the series.
 
The book opens with Lord and Lady Tremayne discovering two young boys hiding in an alley in London. Their families had rejected Bran and Cade because they exhibited strange abilities. Taken in and raised by the Tremaynes, who also possess similar abilities, Bran and Cade learned to control and use their gifts for good. Both now work for the Home Office, doing what they can to protect their country. Bran's gifts lean towards investigation and being able to connect events to form an accurate picture of looming trouble.
 
Bran is shocked to return home one day and find a lawyer from Cornwall wanting to see him. It appears that the father who rejected him so cruelly years earlier now needs to find the only son he has left. Bran is not interested in Penhaligon's title, lands, or fortune, but his intuition tells him he must go to Cornwall. With another war with France looming, the Cornwall coast is a prime location for smugglers and spies.
 
Bran's arrival in Cornwall is just as awkward as he expected. While his mother and sister are welcoming and kind, his father is as dismissive and arrogant as Bran remembered. I loved Bran's ability to keep his cool, which riled his father more. Additionally, Bran feels a growing sense of danger as he spends time in the village and meets various people. There is also a sense that something else has drawn him there, but he doesn't yet know what it is.
 
Meanwhile, we meet a young woman simply called "Girl." She is being held captive by two people who appear to have nefarious intentions. One of her captors, Starling, has a gift for putting a mind block on Girl, keeping her subdued. But Girl has retained enough of a sense of self that she knows she must escape. I loved seeing her determination and how she worked to regain some of her control, eventually taking advantage of an opportunity to escape. My heart pounded as I followed her flight and how it led her straight to Bran.
 
I loved how Bran immediately recognized that Girl (who he calls Lady) is gifted. His protectiveness, patience, and kindness were balm to her soul as he helped her recover from her ordeal. The sparks between them are immediately noticeable. Bran has his work cut out to remember he's an honorable man, especially as she begins to recover her memories, such as her name, Merryn. There are some terrific scenes of them together as they get to know each other. Bran sends for Cade and his sister, Tamsyn, a healer, to help investigate the sense of danger and help Merryn. Seeing Bran struggle to resist Merryn's wiles while awaiting her complete recovery was fun. I especially enjoyed watching Bran attempt to explain the depth and reality of their connection to Merryn. The ending was great, and the epilogue was a perfect wrap-up for the book.
 
As the four of them delve deeper into the danger they feel, the twists and turns of discoveries and revelations kept them (and me) guessing about where and how the trouble would occur. Just when I thought I had it figured out, something would happen to complicate the situation. I never expected the particular gift that made Merryn so vital to the bad guys' plans and the danger it put her in. I was glued to the pages as everything came together, and they raced to prevent disaster. The resolution was well done.
 
The secondary characters were terrific and added extra depth to the story. I like the relationship between Cade and Bran, who have maintained their closeness into adulthood. Their love and respect for each other is evident throughout the book. I enjoyed seeing Cade confront part of his past. The surprise he discovered showed a little-known side of him, and I look forward to the possibility of seeing more of it. I loved their sister, Tamsyn, one of the three biological children of the Tremaynes. She is strong, independent, and gifted, and loves her family. The interactions between her and her brothers were fun. It was also evident that they respected her intelligence and abilities. I suspect that Cade and she will be the subjects of the next books in the series.
 
A secondary romance was going on between Bran's Penhaligon sister, Glynis, and the estate's lawyer, Matthew Davey. Her father forbids it, but she and Matthew find ways to be together. Matthew was a terrific man who loved her but wouldn't do anything that could hurt her. I liked Matthew's friendship with Bran and his willingness to assist with their investigations. Glynis was initially sweet and quiet, but her genuine personality began to show through as the book progressed. I loved her burgeoning friendship with Merryn and Tamsyn. I loved the twist at the end.

The Lyon, the Liar, and the Scandalous Wardrobe - Chasity Bowlin (Dragonblade Pub - Nov 2023)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 49)
 
Being held in his arms had felt right. Perhaps for the first time in her life, she had felt she was where she belonged.
 
Miss Poppy Granville has a plan to save the fortune left to her and her sister by their grandfather. Perhaps it isn’t a very good plan. It’s certainly not a foolproof one. But with a bit of misdirection, a few lies, bending some rules while breaking others, along with the cooperation of a well-connected ally—none other than the Black Widow of White Hall—it just might work. All it will take is for one of them, more than likely Marigold as she was more content to be managed rather than to manage, to land themselves a husband. In eight days.
 
Julien knows that his cousin is facing an uphill battle in finding himself a wife—despite all that Phillip has to recommend him, the man’s own obsession with hunting and shooting might derail his plan and the considerable efforts of Mrs. Dove-Lyon. But Julien hadn’t expected that the prospective bride, sent by Bessie for Phillip, would be accompanied by the one woman in the world he was hopeless to resist. A woman he knows, at very first glance, will be his.
 
But the course of true love and matchmaking will never run smooth, and the Cressington house party is no exception. With plots, schemes, jealousy, and a scandalous wardrobe encounter all converging into one point of utter chaos, both Julien and Poppy discover that it doesn’t really matter what brought them together.
 
It only matters that they are together… and both of them mean to stay that way.
 
Good Cinderella-like book. Poppy and her older sister, Marigold, have had a rough time ever since her father remarried - a woman with two daughters of her own. Portia constantly puts her stepdaughters down and has convinced their father to split their dowries with her daughters. Poppy and Marigold desperately need husbands to get them out from under Portia's thumb. So, Poppy writes a letter to her mother's childhood friend, Mrs. Dove-Lyons, asking for her help. Within days, Mrs. Dove-Lyons has secured an invitation to a house party, a chaperone, and the name of a likely suitor for Marigold. Poppy is content to wait for Marigold to marry before looking for a husband.
 
Julien isn't looking forward to his mother's house party. She has been badgering him for years to find a wife and has resorted to decorative blackmail to achieve her goal (Julien's descriptions of his mother's efforts are hilarious). On the other hand, his cousin Phillip is ready to find a bride, but his social awkwardness makes his search an uphill battle. I loved the men's first sight of Poppy and Marigold. Phillip is nervous, and Julien feels like he's been hit by a bolt of lightning.
 
I ached for Marigold, whose high hopes are blasted by Phillip's apparent inability to talk about anything except shooting and hunting. She's ready to give up in despair but has a minor obstacle to making a clean escape. She wrote a letter to her prospective intended, to be delivered by Mrs. Dove-Lyons, that could easily be misconstrued if it falls into the wrong hands. Poppy, being the take-action woman she is, plots a way to retrieve the letter. Unfortunately, it goes sadly awry in a scene that had me laughing out loud.
 
Julien decides that no one but Poppy will do for him and is determined to court her immediately. He runs into a problem when Poppy doesn't believe he is serious. She is a young woman with generous curves whose self-confidence has been beaten down by her stepmother's jibes. She does not think a viscount like Julien would have any serious interest in her. That's not to say he hasn't drawn her attention. His good looks and charm stir feelings in her that she's never felt before. When her attempt to retrieve Marigold's letter puts her in a compromising position with Julien, it takes some effort for Julien to convince her of their need to marry.
 
But Julien's interest in Poppy has made two enemies that will do anything to get their way. A nasty plot puts Poppy in danger, and only Julien's quick action can save the day. I was on the edge of my seat as I watched the situation unfold, hoping Julien would be in time. The ending was terrific, and I was happy to see how things turned out for Julien and Poppy.
 
I also enjoyed the romance between Marigold and Phillip. He comes across as dull-witted at the beginning of the book, but as the story progresses, it appears there is more to him than meets the eye. His nervousness around Marigold exacerbates his awkwardness, and it takes a bit of advice from Julien to point him in the right direction. Marigold quickly writes him off, but as the days pass, her attitude changes. She, too, seemed somewhat air-headed initially, but a previously undemonstrated practicality came to the fore as she dealt with Phillip. I loved the twist to their romance at the end. 

 

Secrets of Silverpeak Mine - Cindi Myers (HI #2183 - Dec 2023)

Series: Eagle Mountain: Critical Response (Book 4)
 
He can't keep his secrets
If he wants to save her
 
Search and rescue rookie Caleb Garrison has just retrieved a skeleton from a mine shaft. Forensic reconstructionist Danielle Priest wants to give this Jane Doe a face. Even though he's intensely attracted to Danielle, Caleb knows that his past makes a new relationship impossible -- especially with a woman expecting a baby. But when their investigation puts Danielle in danger, he'll stop at nothing to protect her and her child.
 
This was one of the most interesting and enthralling books I have read in quite a while. The book opens as Caleb is about to descend into a mine shaft to retrieve a skeleton recently discovered.  Though a little creeped out at first, as a historian, Caleb soon finds himself wondering about the victim's story.
 
The story then switches to Danielle, a forensic reconstructionist in Denver. When she ends her relationship with the assistant district attorney she's been dating because of his reaction to her pregnancy, she also quits her job with the Denver coroner's office. Her mentor has invited her to visit him in Eagle Mountain. The last thing she expected was to be asked to help identify the Jane Doe from the mine. I was fascinated by Danielle's work as a forensic reconstructionist. I did not know the science and artistry behind giving a victim a face. Danielle clearly enjoys the challenge of her chosen occupation, in addition to being emotionally committed.
 
Like Danielle, Caleb has a failed relationship in his past. I ached for him and his feelings of shame over being taken in by a con artist. His backstory was heartbreaking, and I understood his reluctance to talk about it. When he learns that the bones belong to a young woman, he wonders if they could belong to the wife he hasn't seen in two years. He has a PI looking for her so he can serve her with divorce papers.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Danielle and Caleb develop. Neither is interested in anything more than friendship, as Danielle is wary of trusting her judgment, and Caleb is technically married. I liked watching them get to know each other as Danielle worked on the reconstruction and hung out together. It doesn't take long for trust to build between them or for sparks of attraction to appear. I liked how their similar relationship woes made understanding each other's issues easier and ultimately made them realize they were perfect for each other.
 
When Danielle's reconstruction was complete and the "face" was released to the public, it was interesting to see how many people thought she looked familiar, but no one could positively identify her. In the meantime, Danielle gets to know a neighbor woman who is also pregnant. I liked how she and Carissa bonded; they looked like they would become good friends.
 
A lot is going on in the story. Caleb's search for Nora turns up surprising results with a shocking resolution. Danielle finds her talents in demand and contemplates remaining in Eagle Mountain. She becomes worried about her friend Carissa, who she suspects is being abused by her husband. And the identity of the Jane Doe is on everyone's mind. I was glued to the pages as the pieces started to come together, but I did not expect what happened next. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
 
The epilogue was a great wrap-up to the book and detailing of what was in store for the various characters. I hope there will be more Eagle Mountain stories.

Her Best Friend's Wedding - Christine Rimmer (HSE #3020 - Dec 2023)

Series: Bravo Family Ties: The Next Generation (Book 2)

            Bravo Family Ties (Book 63)
 
Could she possibly fall…
For her best friend's ex?
 
Since they were kids, Sadie McBride and Ty Bravo had squared off. When Ty dated -- then married! -- Sadie's best friend, Nicole, the battle lines were firmly drawn. Now happily newly single, Ty's sworn off love while Sadie's searching for it. But when they're thrown together at Nicole's second wedding, the pair discover there may have always been a fine line between their love and hate…and their forbidden feelings might just cross it!
 
Terrific book. Sadie, Ty, and Nicole were friends while growing up, though Sadie and Ty spent most of their time competing with each other. When Ty dated and married Nicole, Sadie was firmly on Nicole's side during their tumultuous marriage. After Ty and Nicole divorced, he and Sadie slowly became good friends. There is still plenty of teasing going on as Ty tweaks Sadie about her search for Mr. Right, and she gives him a hard time about giving up on love.
 
Things begin to change during the run-up to Nicole's second wedding. Sadie and Ty are thrown together as maid of honor and best man. An unexpected and mind-blowing kiss after pre-wedding festivities in Vegas stirs up feelings neither wanted to admit. Ty decides he wants a secret fling with Sadie, but she is against sneaking around.
 
I enjoyed watching this relationship develop. Ty is adamant that he will never marry again. He has a lot of baggage from his marriage to Nicole and believes he isn't cut out for marriage. He's well-known for his superficial encounters with women and wants the same with Sadie. He believes that if they give in, the attraction will burn out, and they can return to their old friendship. Sadie doesn't want a fling. She has been looking for Mr. Right for years and is still hoping to find him. She also doesn't want to do anything that will hurt Nicole, who is quite the drama queen.
 
I loved watching Sadie hold Ty off despite the sparks and realizing that her feelings for him were stronger than expected. Her willpower is impressive, as is her loyalty to her friend. Ty is determined to get his way and pulls out all the stops, trying to get Sadie to see things his way. I loved watching the changes he went through as Sadie broke through the walls he put up. His "aha" moment was excellent, as was his awkwardness as he tried to explain his feelings to Sadie. I loved the ending and seeing Ty and Sadie enjoy the happiness they've waited so long for.
 
I liked seeing characters from previous books. It was great to see Cash and Abby again (The Nine-Month Marriage) and JoBeth and Hunter from Hometown Reunion. I wasn't too fond of Nicole and how everyone felt they needed to tiptoe around her. 

Dead Again - Nicole Severn (HI #2147 - June 2023)

Series: Defenders of Battle Mountain (Book 6)
 
She disappeared from his life once
Can he trust her now?
 
Detective Riggs Karig has never forgotten his childhood best friend. Now he's found her again, and he wants to know how she's involved in his partner's death. He soon discovers that Macie Barclay is a target, not a suspect -- and that she knows more about the case he's working than he does. Can they put their past behind them to save an innocent life?
 
Terrific story. I've been hoping for Macie's story from the beginning of the series. She has always been an intriguing character with her attitude and especially the snark she directs toward Easton Ford. At the end of the previous book, we discover that Macie has been hiding from something and is preparing to run again.
 
This book opens with Macie's preparations to run from whatever in her past has been stalking her. But before she can escape, someone else from her past appears at her door. Riggs was one of her best friends as a child, along with a girl named Hazel. When Hazel was murdered, Macie and her parents left town, fearing for her life. Macie has been on the run for twenty-five years but is also looking for the man who wrecked her life.
 
Detective Riggs Karig was devastated when Hazel was murdered, and Macie disappeared. I ached for him as his story was revealed over the course of the book. His life afterward wasn't easy, but it motivated him to become a police detective. His tough exterior hides pain and issues he barely recognizes, much less admits.
 
Riggs shows up in Battle Mountain while investigating his ex-partner's death. He's stunned to find his childhood friend living under an assumed name and wonders why his partner had Macie's name and address on a note in his pocket at the time of his death. The initial meeting between Riggs and Macie was contentious, with Macie wanting to run and Riggs insisting she stay and help him. Words are exchanged about Hazel's murder and the effect on both their lives. All debate comes to an end when Macie is attacked. Now, Riggs not only wants her help, he wants to keep her safe. A surprise discovery links Hazel's murder to another case and brings them together to investigate.
 
The tension goes up when a child close to Macie disappears. She is determined to find Penny before it is too late. The action, twists, and turns kept me glued to the pages as I rooted for Riggs and Macie to succeed. They were foiled every time they got close, and I could feel their fear and desperation. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. The final twist of the killer's identity was a chilling revelation.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Macie and Riggs develop. They had been so close as children but no longer knew each other. The slow revealing of each other's painful pasts made them realize that neither had escaped the effects of Hazel's murder. Working together brought them closer together. Still, despite their intense attraction, trust didn't come easy. Even when each accepted their feelings, belief in a future together was difficult. Macie would prefer to stay in Battle Mountain, where she finally feels at home. Riggs intends to return to New Mexico - his reaction to the Colorado environment was hilarious. There is a rough patch when Macie reveals the final part of her past, and Riggs reacts badly, driving a wedge between them. It takes nearly losing her for Riggs to realize how much he loves and needs her. The scene in the hospital was deeply emotional, and the later scene at the Ford ranch was the perfect ending to the book and series. 

  

Cinderella's Costa Rican Adventure - Scarlet Wilson (HR #4876 - Nov 2023)

Series: The Christmas Pact (Book 2)
 
A bumpy start…
with a fairy-tale ending?
 
After her sheltered upbringing, Eliza's exploring her adventurous side in Costa Rica! But her dream vacation is hijacked by gorgeous, brooding resort owner Matt. Enthusiastic Eliza's determined to win him over. But, when they're stranded in a cave on Christmas Eve, she can't hide her vulnerability. Until Matt encourages her to continue grabbing life with both hands. Can she do the same for this tortured CEO?
 
Terrific story in an exotic setting. Three sisters made a pact to do something different for Christmas, with each sister's destination a surprise planned by the other two sisters. Eliza was excited and nervous to find herself in Costa Rica.
 
In the book's prologue, we discover that Eliza endured two bouts of leukemia, one as a child and one as a teen. She is now cancer-free and trying to catch up on the life she missed while ill. I also ached for her at the guilt she felt over the sacrifices her family made for her.
 
The fun starts when Eliza arrives in Costa Rica to discover the resort she's staying at nearly empty. The owner forgot she was coming and gave most staff leave for the holidays. Matt is apologetic and cancels his plans to be there for her. He made me laugh with his comments about his fear of her sister, Thea, and his corporate lawyer. Eliza is a little taken aback but jumps right into her search for adventure.
 
Matt is a workaholic who owns a line of sustainable-focused resorts. His primary focus has been earning money to help his parents and brother. His brother was injured as a child, and Matt blames himself. He carries a boatload of guilt all of the time. This has affected his willingness to enter any long-term relationship with women or spend much time with his family.
 
I loved watching the relationship between Matt and Eliza develop. Matt unexpectedly finds himself entranced by Eliza and her enthusiasm for life. Though he initially tries to keep distance between them, that doesn't last long. I loved watching Eliza pull Matt into her adventures, breaking through his worries about injury and fear of getting close. But beneath her zest for adventure, Eliza has an ever-present fear of having a relapse and becoming a burden, and that affects her growing feelings for Matt. When trapped in a cave overnight, they finally trust each other enough to share their rocky pasts. Trust and exposure of their vulnerabilities boost their attraction to each other.  Unfortunately, Eliza's fears return in force the next day, and she pulls away. I ached for Matt, who had finally opened his heart. An unexpected discovery brings them back together in an intensely moving scene. I loved Matt's voicing his support for her and how he relieved her greatest fear. There was no epilogue showing their future, so I hope there will be a series epilogue in the next book that will show their future.
 
I loved the exotic setting of this book. The author's vivid descriptions of locations and activities made me feel like I was there. The ziplining description was terrific, to the point I could almost feel the wind in my hair as they flew down the line. My favorite scenes were the ones with the monkeys. Eliza's interest in them motivated Matt to take one of his most thoughtful actions. The result was fantastic, and I loved Eliza's joy.
 
I can't wait for the next book and seeing what is in store for sister Thea.

The Prince's Safari Temptation - Nina Singh (HR #4872 - Oct 2023)

A royal tour…A real enticement!
 
When Crown Prince Dante is unexpectedly thrown together on a royal tour in southern Africa with childhood friend Sierra, unanticipated sparks ignite while they're on safari. At the risk of ruining their friendship, Dante knows he cannot reveal how he really feels. But with Sierra dazzling everyone she meets, Dante soon realizes she could be the perfect royal consort… Will they risk it all and finally give in to their temptation?
 
Good second chance romance in a fascinating location. The descriptions of the environment and wildlife were so vivid that I felt like I was experiencing it along with Sierra and Dante. I especially enjoyed their reactions to the leopards and the lions.
 
Dante, Sierra, and Dante's late wife, Rula, were best friends growing up. But Rula's ambitious parents planted the idea of being a queen in her mind early in her life. So she spent her childhood and teen years doing everything possible to prepare for that life, with marriage to Dante as her end goal. Meanwhile, Dante and Sierra's friendship deepened, though neither said anything about their feelings to the other. In the end, Dante's parents encouraged him to marry Rula, but the marriage was not happy. Then, two years ago, Rula was killed in a car accident, and Dante has been eaten with guilt ever since.
 
The story opens as Dante's mother tasks him with going on a special trip as a replacement for her and the king, who is ill. He is content with the idea until the queen hits him with her plan that he is accompanied by a fellow citizen who can be his partner for ceremonies and activities. Dante is stunned when she selects Sierra, whom he hasn't seen since Rula's funeral. Because Sierra was always at the back of his mind, even during his marriage, just the thought of spending time with her ramps up his guilt.
 
Sierra is shocked at the idea of accompanying Dante and refuses his initial request. She is well aware of her feelings for him and feels the risk to her heart is not worth it. But she changes her mind when she learns the reason behind the request.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Dante and Sierra develop. Their initial awkwardness with each other begins to fade as they attempt to resurrect their friendship. But matters quickly become complicated as their buried feelings resurface. Each fights those feelings. Dante is still consumed with guilt over what he sees as his failure as a husband, which causes him to resist the idea of marrying again. Sierra compares herself to Rula and comes up short, believing that she could never be the type of wife Dante needs. A night stranded in the wilderness brings their attraction to a head. But the past and insecurities keep them apart, and they go their separate ways.
 
Fate isn't done with them and brings them back together for a wedding. Sierra's tension was evident, as was Dante's hopefulness. I wanted to shake them both as Dante flubs around expressing his feelings, and Sierra allows her insecurities to keep her from following her heart. It takes a surprise discovery to open her eyes and put the past to rest. The ending was emotional, and the epilogue was great. 

The Heart-Shaped Murders - Denise N. Wheatley (HI #2078 - June 2022)

Series: West Coast Murders (Book 1)
 
Catching serial killers is her specialty
Until one follows her home
 
Attacked and left with a partial heart-shaped symbol carved into her chest, forensic investigator Lena Love finds her latest hunt has become personal. But leaving LA to return to her hometown comes with its own danger—like detective David Hudson, the love she left behind. And soon sparks fly, even as Lena is targeted and stalked, and bodies—all marked with the killer’s signature heart—are discovered in David’s jurisdiction…
 
Good mix of suspense and romance, as Lena Love investigates a serial killer and reunites with her first love. I will begin by saying that, for an intelligent woman, Lena takes some very stupid risks.
 
The story opens as Lena, a forensic crime scene investigator with the LAPD, decides to revisit the serial killer's latest murder scene BY HERSELF. She's deep in her investigative zone when she's attacked by the serial killer, who succeeds in carving half a heart into her chest before she manages to escape. She returns to her small hometown to recuperate.
 
Lena wanted to be a CSI ever since she was a kid. When it came time to go to college, she picked the one that would give her the best education for what she wanted and then took a job in LA. This ended her relationship with her boyfriend, David, who was committed to staying in Clemmington and joining the police force there. Lena also looked forward to getting out from under the overprotective umbrella of her police chief father and police officer brothers and living life on her own terms.
 
David was hurt and angry at the ease Lena left him behind. When Lena returns to town, he vows to keep his distance from her and guard his heart from falling for her again. But keeping his distance doesn't last long when a bored Lena asks to help with his vandalism investigation. Something about the vandalism gives David pause, and the next one causes him to believe that the serial killer may have followed Lena home. When murder victims with the killer's MO start turning up, it is obvious that Lena is in danger.
 
I became extremely frustrated with Lena, who kept sneaking off alone to investigate on her own instead of listening to everyone who tried to protect her. She didn't seem to care about the fear she caused everyone who loved her as long as she got to do what she wanted. David did his best to keep her safe while allowing her to help, but his frustration with her heedlessness was evident. Thank goodness she eventually accepts that she is in danger, but she still finds ways to put herself at risk.
 
The story's suspense kept me hooked as David, Lena, and the others put everything they had into stopping the killer. I could feel their frustration at the difficulty of finding evidence and the dead ends they ran into from what they did find. Their frustration and determination intensified as the killer's actions escalated. I was glued to the pages as their trap went horribly wrong, and Lena landed in the killer's hands. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I liked seeing Lena fight back as best she could. I rooted for David to arrive before it was too late. I must admit that the killer was not who I expected it to be.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between David and Lena. David is wary of getting involved again, as he knows Lena plans to return to her job in LA. Lena doesn't want to hurt him again and tries to keep things strictly to friendship. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny the attraction that flares between them. Lena is surprised to discover that being back home isn't the hardship she thought it would be, despite her family's attempts to get her to stay. I liked how everything that happened caused her to reevaluate her life and choices. I enjoyed the conversation between Lena and David at the end and the surprise she had for him. 

Luck of the Lyon - Belle Ami (Dragonblade - Nov 2023)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 48)
 
He doesn’t believe in love at first sight…
 
Phillip Villiers, a Cavalry officer who recently returned from the Napoleonic Wars, considers himself lucky he only lost an eye in battle, unlike many of his friends who lost so much more. Contemplating what to do with the rest of his life, Phillip is shocked to learn he’s inherited the title and estate of the late Duke of Buckingham, who passed away a year ago. Expecting the late duke’s widow to be an amiable and sedate elderly woman, Phillip is doubly shocked to discover the Duchess of Buckingham is young, beautiful, and the most vibrant woman he’s ever met.
 
She doesn’t believe in happily ever after…
 
Duchess Sarah Villiers, a widow of one year, considers herself a practical person, especially regarding life’s ups and downs. Coping with her new status, she’s determined to be supportive and welcoming of the new Duke of Buckingham, and that includes teaching him everything there is to know about managing a large and complex estate. Having no expectations about the new duke, Sarah is shocked to discover Phillip Villiers is charming, handsome, and the most compelling man she’s ever met.
 
An impossible situation or a tempting challenge…
 
As Phillip and Sarah work closely together managing the estate, they fight against a mutual attraction and struggle with their growing feelings. Society would never condone the widow of a duke marrying the heir. It could cause a scandal that could ruin the reputation of the entire Villiers family. Completely impossible! But sometimes the impossible is the greatest challenge of all to the most notorious matchmaker in London. Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the Black Widow of Whitehall and doyenne of the London gambling world, always has a card or two up her sleeve when it comes to true love.
 
Good story with minimal involvement of Mrs. Dove-Lyons and the Lyon's Den. The story opens after the funeral of the late Duke of Buckingham, as the Duke's daughters and his second wife, Sarah, console each other. Sarah's backstory is sad, having been orphaned and left destitute by her father's bad choices. However, his friend, the Duke, took her in and eventually married her. It was a marriage of convenience initially, but Sarah and the Duke grew to love and respect each other. Hen ensured that, upon his death, Sarah would be financially secure. He also stipulated that she remain at the estate to continue managing it and to instruct the new duke.
 
Phillip was a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, where he served as a cavalry officer and did other special assignments. After being injured, including losing an eye, he was discharged from the army. Without the military, Phillip is at a loss about what to do with the rest of his life. With little to his name and no apparent prospects, Phillip spends some of his time at the Lyon's Den gambling. He's stunned one evening when he comes home and finds his uncle's solicitor waiting for him, informing him that he is the new Duke of Buckingham. His father had caused a rift with his uncle, and Phillip had no idea he was the heir. He is grateful to learn that his uncle's widow will help him settle into his new role.
 
I loved the first meeting between Sarah and Phillip. He expects an older, motherly woman and, instead, gets a young, vibrant, and beautiful one. She stirs up sparks of attraction that he works hard to subdue. Likewise, Sarah thinks about the good-looking new duke far more than she is comfortable with. Each does their best to ignore the attraction over the next several months as they develop a deep friendship working together on estate matters. Then cards arrive, inviting them and Sarah's unmarried stepdaughter, Lizzie, to Mrs. Dove-Lyons's birthday ball.
 
The sparks of attraction flare up during the ball. Sarah, aware that society would not approve of a relationship between her and Phillip, decides to seek a new husband and a future for herself. She insists that Phillip seek a bride and secure his future and the ducal line. Phillip isn't interested in some vapid debutante and doesn't care about society's opinion. His unhappiness at Sarah's plan is evident as he watches Sarah dance with other men.
 
Things become more complicated when she discovers a letter from her father to the late duke. The contents stir Sarah's insecurities and add impetus to her need to escape her feelings for Phillip. I was irritated by Sarah's reaction and how she used it as a further barrier between her and Phillip. I liked Phillip's determination to break through her objections. A disaster at the estate brings them together to deal with it, but a near tragedy almost parts them forever. I felt Phillip's fear for Sarah. I loved his emotional declaration and wanted to shake Sarah for her stubbornness. Thank goodness for his persistence. I loved seeing her finally let go of her fears and believe in the possibility of a future together. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue was sweet.
 
There was a brief foray into a secondary romance between Sarah's stepdaughter, Lizzie, and Phillip's friend, Lucien. Their whole story is told in the anthology Night of the Lyons, in the tale Unmasked by the Lyon. 

The Lyon's Redemption - Sandra Sookoo (Dragonblade - Nov 2023)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 47)
 
In need of redemption… Thomas Prestwick, Viscount of Ashbury, has left the thought of love and romance behind. Never again will he allow himself that vulnerability and has, instead, kept himself busy with various vices every fine gentleman of the beau monde indulges in. If only he’d stayed away from the tables at the famed Lyon’s Den gaming hell that night, he might not have been caught up in fate’s unfortunate web, which brought him face-to-face with the past.
 
In want of vengeance…Miss Olivia Rose Jameson wants nothing to do with men—whether related to her or not. With her parents dead and her worthless brother losing everything of value at the gambling tables, she’s incensed when her hand is bartered for his freedom. That complication will not help her cause of having revenge on the man who killed her best friend, until chance matches her with the object of her ire.
 
Forgiveness has a way of changing everything… With no choice but to wed at the order of the mysterious Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the pair ushers in the Christmastide season as a married couple. No matter that Ashbury’s heart is locked away and Olivia wishes to carve it from his chest, more than compassion and secrets are shared between the enemies-to-lovers one snowy evening in the viscount’s library. As desire gives way to romance, fate once more intervenes. For one terrible night, everything hangs in the balance, and nothing short of a miracle—or love—can save them.
 
Because doesn’t the house—and Mrs. Dove-Lyon—always win?
 
Good book with a different setup than other books from this series. Thomas was the winner, not the loser, in his game of chance, and Olivia was not looking for a husband of any kind, which is the opposite of most of Mrs. Dove-Lyons' matches.
 
Thomas is a man who has been mired in grief for seven years after his forbidden love died in childbirth. He has closed off his heart to any thought of love or romance. The Christmas season is the hardest, and to cope, he accompanies a friend to the Lyon's Den for an evening of gambling. But things take an unexpected turn when his opponent cannot pay his debt. Thomas doesn't want to marry, but if he doesn't, Mrs. Dove-Lyons threatens to reveal his closely guarded secret.
 
Conor Jameson foolishly wagered more than he could afford, and when the time came to pay, he offered his sister Olivia's hand in marriage. A consultation with Mrs. Dove-Lyons confirms the offer is legitimate. Conor doesn't look forward to telling Olivia, who has no interest in marriage either. She gives in to save her brother from debtor's prison. Olivia has spent years grieving the death of her best friend. When she learns that her groom-to-be is the man she holds responsible for Cynthia's death, she plots her revenge.
 
Olivia and Thomas enter this marriage with great anger and reluctance. I laughed out loud at the description of their wedding vows, vividly describing their feelings about the event. Things came to a head on their wedding night when Olivia attempted to stab him, and words were exchanged. The next morning, they confronted each other over her need for revenge. I ached for Thomas as he was forced to recount what happened to his beloved Cynthia. I also hurt for Olivia, who discovered her reasons were based on a misunderstanding of what happened. I liked seeing them acknowledge that each has some healing to do before they can expect a successful marriage. They decide to call a truce and continue in a marriage-in-name-only relationship while they get to know each other.
 
Neither expected the explosive chemistry between them. Olivia is no innocent virginal bride, and Thomas can't resist the sparks that fly between them. It isn't long before they can't keep their hands off each other, but what does that do to their attempts to get past the tragedies of the past? I liked seeing them learn to communicate with each other, slowly opening up about those things that have made them who they are. Their growing trust in each other made each revelation a little easier. My heart broke for Thomas when he told Olivia about Sally and his pain and guilt. Olivia, too, has a heartbreak to share with Thomas.
 
Though each has realized the depth of their feelings, both are wary of confessing them, fearing rejection. Just as both are ready to take a chance, a thoughtless comment and the harsh words lead to nearly result in tragedy. Of course, all ends well, as Thomas and Olivia finally break free of the chains that kept them tied to the past. I loved the epilogue and seeing what they've made of their lives. I also appreciated their realization that it takes work to make a successful relationship.
 
I liked the secondary characters of the Earl and Countess of Pennington, whose story I must read soon. I liked how Olivia and Lady Pennington connected and the advice she had for Olivia. I also liked Thomas's friend, Simon, and I hope he gets his story, too.