A small-town photographer who’s given up on love meets a smoking hot firefighter with a smile to melt hearts. Try as they might, some flames are impossible to resist.
Alex
Maplewood is as wonderful and cliché as you’d imagine. Sure, the town gossips share everyone’s business, but neighbors look out for each other. Nowhere else would be as accepting of me as this queer-friendly small town I grew up in. The only problem? A lack of eligible bachelors. So when a gorgeous new guy moves to town, the Maplewood grapevine is in full swing, and this time, I’m paying attention. Though maybe not close enough, because Cody and I literally run into each other. I hit him with my body, he hits me with his boy-next-door smile, and poof, my heart’s gone. Too bad sexy, sweet guys like him aren’t really interested in guys like me. Once he gets to know me, he’ll change his mind.
Cody
You’d think that moving to a small town named Maplewood means I’m prepared for maple-flavored everything. You’d be wrong. And the stuff is everywhere, so how do I tell my new neighbors that the taste makes me gag? That problem is solved when a misunderstanding has them believing I’m allergic. Sure, it saves me from eating any more maple. It also feels like I’m lying. I try to explain, but there’s no stopping the Maplewood gossip mill. Especially when the adorable photographer I almost trample fans that flame. But I can’t even be mad about it. Alex has this sweetness to him that pulls me in like gravity. And little by little, he’s letting me get close. Eventually, I’ll convince him to trust me, to give us a real chance. When he does, will that mean I’ll owe ‘us’ to that annoying maple mistake?
The Great Maple Mistake is a low-angst, small-town contemporary LGBTQ romance about a local cutie looking for love, a sexy firefighter with a maple aversion, baking show obsessions, fluffy kittens, rumor mills, and a connection that’s more than skin deep.
With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year-round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!
*****
Review:
I liked Cody and Alex, individually and together. I enjoyed being with Cody as he settled into a new town, meeting his neighbors, and falling for Alex. There’s all sorts of humor and hijinks around a misunderstanding over his aversion to maple syrup but it gives one more thing for him to bond with Alex over. And as a long time native of Maplewood, Alex knows all about his hometown’s idiosyncrasies.
Y’all, this one is just all sorts of sweet, without any angst. It’s just two people who meet, form a connection, and fall in love. It’s not going to be for everyone but it will delight those that are looking for an easy read.
Ava Decker has hated me for just as many years as I’ve spent loving her.
I made a mistake pretending our night together never happened. For pretending I forgot. But we were young and I was getting ready to leave for college with big plans for the future.
I had no plans to return to our small town in Colorado anytime soon and Ava never wanted to leave. That alone was enough to keep me away from her while we both grew up.
And yet, I never forgot about her and what she means to me.
Now eight years later, imagine my surprise, when I come home and find Sleeping Beauty asleep on my couch, thinking I wouldn’t be back home from my off-season vacation for a few weeks.
As a professional football player, I know all about grabbing an opportunity and running with it. This is my chance to finally convince the girl of my dreams to stay and to tell her the truth about that fateful night years ago.
But getting Ava Decker to not only forgive me but to give me another chance comes with a whole new set of plays I’m not used to.
I’ve got all the time in the world to convince her. I’m committed to showing to her that she is my endgame. I let her go once before and I’ll stop at nothing to prove to her that my love for her is real and an unstoppable force.
**Warning: Readers should be mindful that Unstoppable Love contains multiple descriptive scenes of attempted assault that may be sensitive and triggering to some.**
I don’t listen to a lot of audio books – I was put off of them in the 90s when I listened to a romance set in Minnesota and the narrator tried an accent (Swedish, Norwegian, something northern european) and it was so hard to listen to. Decades later and I can’t describe to you how bad it seemed to me. But things are different now and I’m trying again.
I enjoyed the narrators for this one. I appreciate the his and hers, dual perspective and I feel like these two are good at their job. They have great voices, good cadence, and read at a pleasant listening speed. If this had been my experience before …. 🙂
The story, on the other hand, I’m a little torn on. Early on I felt like both of them were pretty immature. I can’t imagine the pain that Ava experienced thanks to Cam and the fact that he keeps poking at that wound would be beyond rage inducing. I also felt like maybe she let it all go a little too soon. The man really, really screwed up and I don’t know how willing I would have been to forgive him.
Things were better in the last third to half. For being such a jerk for so long, Cam does know how to step up and be a good partner. The ending tho is another place where I’m not sure how I feel. Parts seem a little rushed, others a little predictable, and some made sense for who they are as people. I just don’t know … I guess I’m going to have to sit with this story for a bit *shrug*
(Also, please read the content warning. I feel like it is very important and for some it could be even more impactful hearing it than just reading it.)
CW: There is some queer phobia, gender phobia, and fat phobia depicted in the book.
Blurb:
My two celebrity crushes might both be into me. What could be wrong with that? As it turns out: everything.
The world has thrown me a lot of challenges over the years, but I’ve always tried to stay positive. Life’s too short to dwell on the negative. Unfortunately, my situation just took a very complex turn: I’m raising my little brother alone right now, but I’ve got to keep that a secret. If anyone finds out, I risk losing Lou.
My secret gets tough to keep when two international celebrities show up in our small town and start paying me all kinds of attention. I’ve got zero dating experience and plenty of reasons to stay away from them both, but keeping my distance isn’t going to be easy. First there’s Colin, the quiet and brooding former race car driver who seems uninterested in everyone and everything…except me. And then there’s Tom, the charming movie star, who flirts with me like it’s his job. Oh, and did I mention the two of them are best friends? Or that I think Tom might have some very deeply hidden feelings for Colin?
I’m definitely in over my head here. If I want to keep Lou safe, I know it’s best that I keep both men at arm’s length. So what do I do? I start renovating a hotel with them.
Oops. But I’m sure if I just stay positive, everything will work out fine. Right?
Right?
Fanboy in the Falls is an MMM famous people/commoner romance. It comes with a brooding race car driver, a hopelessly romantic movie star, and the sweet cinnamon roll who is not supposed to fall in love with either of them. It has a guaranteed HEA and no cheating. This is a Devon Falls book, so of course it also comes with a leaf festival and plenty of small town quirk. This is the third book in the Devon Falls series, but it can be read as a standalone.
I liked these characters. Each one is struggling with something but they provide the support and care that others need without hesitation. And each has their own moments:
Tom has some experience that he can share with both Colin and Gabe as they start exploring their sexuality. But he also has some troubles that he’s holding close, ones that he really needs to work thru. Not to mention long carried feelings for his bestie.
Colin is growly but with such a big heart for those he cares about. He’s a little lost after the death of his brother and the end of his career. And facing an attraction that he never imagined.
Gabe is so positive but hiding so much fear around his situation with his brother. His innocence, exuberance, and sunshiny outlook helps to bring both Colin & Tom out of themselves, forcing them to look at what they really want and need.
While it’s easy for both Tom & Colin to begin something with Gabe, it’s a lot harder for them to come to terms with what that actually means with each other. There’s a lot of history between them and a lot of assumptions that need to be looked at again. Throw in Gabe needing to find a way to keep his little brother (who is adorable) in a safe situation and it means that, while there isn’t a lot of angst, there is a lot of emotions swirling around them all. A lot that they need to face and work through. Together.
I don’t usually read why choose romances. (Is it still called that in the MMM sphere?) I don’t know why because it is very popular and obviously can be VERY hot. As such, I can’t really compare this to anything else in the genre but I can say I think I’ll be opening up my TBR a little to see what else I can find like it 🙂
I’m a fun, chill guy, but around Ty, all I can think about is winning.
Last year, his frat beat ours in the annual TaskFrat challenges, and even though I’m known for becoming Alpha Theta Mu’s prez as a joke, I take my responsibility to my guys seriously.
I refuse to let those fratholes take us down again.
Unfortunately, the only thing bigger than Ty’s inflated ego is his competitive spirit.
I’m supposed to be focused on defeating him, but soon, I discover there’s a spark between us.
Not something a straight guy should be saying about his straight rival.
It’s weird, confusing…and surprisingly hot.
I’m curious, and apparently, he is too.
Living the Greek life with my buddies, we’re always joking about what happens when you frat around.
Now Ty and I are about to find out.
CW: Frat Around and Find Out is a low-angst, steamy romance, but the characters’ backstories include grief over losing loved ones to cancer and dementia.
This is the first book in the Peach State Fratbros Series. Frat Around and Find Out can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
I can’t put my finger on the exact reason but the pacing was somewhat off. I’m not against a slow burn story, and there was nothing too slow about this one, but … it won’t be for everyone, I guess. Ty & Lance go from friends to bi-curious pretty early on, move on to exploring things together, and then figuring out that there might be feelings involved too – pretty straight forward for this kind of story. But it’s low angst and a lot of steam & feels so not everyone’s thing.
This is the first by McCormack for me and based on the other reviews I’m guessing the previous stories had more drama? This one is not angsty, which is ok by me. Instead it’s a good mix of lighthearted fun, a supportive friend group, heat, and exploration of new feelings. There are a few side characters that have great potential so I’m looking forward to what’s next.
(First in the series and can technically stand on its own, but as this is a spin-off some familiarity with the Peach State Stepbros series might provide some additional enjoyment because some of the characters make an appearance.)
*****
Author Info:
Devon McCormack grew up in the Georgia suburbs with his two younger brothers and an older sister. At a very young age, he spun tales the old fashioned way, lying to anyone and everyone he encountered. He claimed he was an orphan. He claimed to be a king from another planet. He claimed to have supernatural powers. He has since harnessed this penchant for tall tales by crafting worlds and characters that allow him to live out whatever fantasy he chooses. Devon is an out and proud queer man living in Atlanta, Georgia.
Devon’s body of work ranges from erotica to young adult, so readers should check the synopses of his books before purchasing so that they know what they’re getting into.
Sleeping with the best man at my cousin’s wedding felt right at the time—he was a hot, available firefighter, and I was the tipsy maid of honor. It’s a rite of passage.
No regrets… until two pink lines flipped my world upside down.
Now I’m wildly unprepared and trying to hide my pregnancy in my small Alaskan town where privacy is a myth and gossip spreads faster than frostbite.
But wait, it gets worse.
Baby Daddy just came back to town—with a fiancée in tow.
And guess who she wants to plan their wedding?
Me.
Keeping the secret was hard enough.
Keeping my distance from the father of my baby? Impossible.
Just when I think I have it all figured out, he reveals his own secret that changes everything.
Author’s Note: There is no cheating in this book. Gasp! We would never.
This is such a slow burn. There’s confusion early on about what’s going on with Finn and why he’s back in town. (No cheating, they promised.) And I have such respect for how well Harper carries herself during those meetings. I don’t know that I could have done it. And props to Finn for doing the right thing (for him) when he needed to. It was so enjoyable seeing them get to know each other and figure out how to be co-parents.
I liked Harper – her insecurities and fear of the future as a mom. And I loved how Finn does so much to show her support and help her see herself as more than capable. He’s so good at pulling her out of her self-doubt spirals. So sweet!
Piper Rayne is a must read for me. The characters are always so well done – they feel like friends, people that are real and are making realistic decisions. Sometimes difficult & sometimes wrong, but always relatable. As always, looking forward eagerly to what comes next!
(Part of a series but Piper Rayne does a good job of making sure that you have all the needed info for each story so you can read them in any order.)
*****
Author Info:
Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they’re married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they’re both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!
Welcome back to Sunrise Cove for this heartwarming enemies-to-lovers tale where found family, forgiveness, and love may just be the key to finding yourself, from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.
Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.
Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged. So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to.
Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.
Buy Links
PRINT: Word After Word Bookshop (For personally signed by the author copies — in checkout, put the name to sign to in the comment box)
Lexi isn’t necessarily the easiest character to like but she’s got a lot of stuff to work through. From feeling abandoned by her mom, a cold dad, and a step family (her dad’s marriage) that was abusive … her childhood wasn’t easy and it left plenty of scars. Causing her to find it difficult to let herself make connections with others.
She’s at a low point, after a bad relationship that ended up with her losing her job, when her stepsister (from her mom’s marriage) calls her home to fulfill a request from her mom’s will. Forcing her to come to terms not only with her relationship with her mom, but her relationship with Ashley. And her complicated attraction to Heath.
Heath had to work at it but he’s made a life for himself that he can feel good about. He’s got a grip on who he is, his place in the town, and his emotions. Then Lexi comes back and shakes everything up.
Shalvis does a good job of mixing humor and emotional growth. Both Heath and Lexi, and Ashley, have a lot to deal with and it takes a long time for them, especially Lexi, to get their shhhh-tuff together. Their journey reveals a lot – things about themselves, each other, and the assumptions they’ve made about the past. But together they can come to terms with it all and create a future.
(This is a series but because they are interconnected with a place, not people, these are truly stand alones.)
My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season, and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. A grad student’s science experiment is the definition of no fun, so…okay.
Pros and cons of agreeing to this deal:
Pro: Positive use of free time. (At least, that’s what my agent says.)
Con: Malcolm is bossy, clumsy, and he doesn’t know the first thing about hockey.
But he’s also cute and he’s got a great sense of humor and—oh, no.
I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.
Malcolm
Yes, I’m a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big, hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.
According to my professor, however, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, a.k.a., the ice rink.
Pro: My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.
Con: Jett. He’s impossibly big and gruff and handsome and disarmingly charming and—
Fine. Guilty. I like the jock…perhaps too much.
Lately, I find myself wondering if there’s such a thing as a one-time shot at forever.
One-Time Shot is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a charismatic hockey star and an adorkable scientist.
My control was slipping, though. Every fucking thing about this guy turned me on and I couldn’t figure it out.
Malcolm was cute, not hot. He was quirky, not cool. He wasn’t athletic in the slightest, but he had more confidence than a lot of seasoned hockey players. He knew who he was and what he wanted. And he was willing to try something new to achieve his goals. I admired that kind of drive.
I just wished that I admired the curve of his ass in those khakis a little less as he moved to the small kitchen table and held up a pad of paper and a pen.
“I’m ready to begin. We didn’t discuss how much time to allot for these sessions, but I think forty-five minutes will suffice.”
“Uh…right. That works for me.” I licked my lips, tilting my chin toward the windows. Pull it together, Erickson. “Nice place, by the way. I like your plants.”
“Thank you.”
He blushed. An honest-to-God blush with pink cheeks and averted eyes. I found myself grinning again…for no particular reason.
“Do you have a green thumb?”
I half expected him to change the subject, get down to business, so he could throw my ass out the door in precisely forty-four minutes and twenty seconds, but Malcolm glanced at the plants, nodding as he sat at the table.
“I do. My parents have a large vegetable garden in their yard. I took charge of it from the time I was ten till I left for college. I switched out some of the less-yielding crops for lettuce, corn, and squash, and grew tons of tomatoes. They tend to it now. Sadly, not as well as I did.”
See what I mean about this guy?
“You’re bragging, Maloney. I like that confidence.”
Malcolm snorted. “I’m not bragging. I’m stating a fact. My parents are lovely people yet serial houseplant killers. The vegetables stand a better chance outdoors where Mother Nature can care for them till I arrive to save the day.”
“You’re funny.”
“Hilarious,” he confirmed, pointing at the chair across from him. “Shall we begin?”
“Sure.” I sat, shifting under the weight of his expectant gaze.
“I took the liberty of creating a short syllabus, including a diagram of a rink and an index of hockey terminology.” Malcolm pushed his laptop toward me. “I’ve memorized all of them. Quiz me if you’d like.”
I scrolled through his proposed outline covering etymology, history, tactics, rules, and a very fucking long glossary which included slang. “Whoa. Did you google this?”
“It’s a compilation of sources, each credited in the attached bibliography,” he replied.
“You made a bibliography.”
“Of course. One must give credit where credit is due.” Malcolm scooted his chair closer and reached over to scroll through a list of annotations. “See?”
Yeah, I saw. And I was a little pissed at myself for being so slow.
“You’re trying to scare me away,” I stated.
“No, I’m helping you.”
I shook my head. “I don’t see how this helps either of us. What do etymology and history have to do with measuring speed?”
“Well…nothing, but—”
“Here you have ‘biscuit’ and ‘biscuit in the basket.’ ” I gestured at the screen. “These are very unscientific terms, Maloney.”
“True, but I know those. The biscuit is the puck and putting the biscuit into the basket is to make a goal.” Malcolm beamed. “Correct, yes?”
My lips twisted in amusement. “Yes. Can you use this info in your thesis?”
He fiddled with his glasses. “Undetermined, but doubtful.”’
*****
Review:
Malcolm is aaalll the adorkableness that I could want. He’s awkward and sweet and caring and smart. He can be stuffy and old fashioned in his speech but he throws himself full bodied in things that interest him. Including Jett.
Jett may be an athlete and not as academic as Malcolm but he works hard for what he wants, for his future. He’s also got a good head on his shoulders, one that recognizes what a good thing he’s found in Malcolm.
These two shouldn’t work together but they do. They listen and open up to each other and they are willing to put everything on the line when they have to. I just … *sigh* love them together. It may have started out as research, morphed into something a little more intimate but soon it turned into something even more. Timing may not be on their side tho.
I adore Hayes’s books. I enjoy the sweetness mixed with heat, characters that just have me from the first page, and a HEA that never disappoints. I need more from her, and this series, as soon as I can get it.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
After a hard day’s work at my construction job, I decide to head to a gay bar to hook up. Then the man of my dreams walks in—tall, dark, handsome, and totally built. Sounds like a fairy tale. And maybe it is. We have one unforgettable night, then I steal away in the night, because I don’t do repeats. But when I see him on television the next day, I realize I haven’t had my fill of the sexy rugby player. He might not want to see me again, after I ditched him, but I have to try.
Isaiah
Waking up alone after a night of spectacular sex isn’t the end of the world. I shouldn’t feel lonely. After all, I’ve got my squad—my best friends on and off the pitch. I’ve also got my mom, whom I love, and my dad’s family back in New Zealand. I’m playing pro rugby for adoring fans in Vancouver, my dream come true. Having one hookup leave me without so much as thanks and goodbye shouldn’t hurt. But when he reappears at a game, I’m in big trouble. No one ever made me want them like this, after just one night. If I let Travis into my life again, am I just courting heartbreak the next time he walks away?
Hot Rucking Canadian is a 26k novella about a rugby fullback who embraces life, a grumpy construction worker who always sees the worst in life, and the love story that spans across an ocean.
*****
Review:
Travis and Isaiah’s relationship starts as a one night stand, but one neither can forget. I appreciate that Travis gathers his courage and is willing to face Isaiah again without knowing how he’ll be received. That takes guts. Luckily Isaiah is open to giving their connection a chance and there’s no looking back.
Isaiah may be young but he’s got a good head on his shoulders. And he sees beneath the surface to the man that Travis doesn’t let very many see. He works hard to bring that person out, to support Travis as he looks to the future and how he can make changes to embrace a future he wasn’t sure that he could have.
Novellas have their good points but they have a lot going against them too. To develop a relationship between characters you either have to have time jumps, which usually means that their are interactions that we wish we’d seen, or you have to go the insta-love route. Which is what we get here. Personally I don’t mind it in a short story, knowing that there are so few pages to work with, but it isn’t going to be everyone’s thing.
Hot Rucking Canadian is steamy but with moments of sweetness as Isaiah helps Travis figure out that there’s more than what’s on the outside and that his past doesn’t have to dictate his future.
Waking up 20 years in the past had not been on Maddy’s bingo card. Nor dragging another guy there with her. When Madison Pierce finds herself back in her childhood bedroom after an unexpected incident, she decides to act like everything’s perfectly fine and normal. Because what self-respecting introvert doesn’t want a second go at high-school life, right? Except, none of this is normal and she’s not alone in this mess.
Nate Keaton never thought he could land himself in such a bizarre situation, and all for trying to help out a stranger in need. Except, she’s not a stranger but someone he used to go to school with, who is a bit weird and adorable, can’t shut up, and barely reaches his shoulder.
Now they’re stuck together in 2006, renting movies from video clubs, and browsing CDs in music stores, and… getting hot chocolate?
Suddenly, the pull is stronger than it’s supposed to be and feelings are building up.
But why does it feel like the clock is ticking down? And most importantly, what happens when they inevitably have to go back?
*Perfect for fans of Lynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies, Elle Kennedy’s The Deal, and Ashley Poston’s The Seven-Year Slip, This Time Around is a contemporary, adult romance with a tiny hint of magic. It is the first book in a series of interconnected standalones. Prepare for a sizzling, swoon-worthy, slow burn romance that features strangers–to reluctant friends–to lovers, delicious tension and spice, banter for days, all the feels, and a time slip that will change their lives forever.*
I am pretty dang impressed with this as the author’s debut novel. It was fun, with an interesting take on her characters getting to know each other. I loved the way they threw themselves into the teen selves and spent time getting to know each other better. An interesting mix of YA and adult contemporary, with the way they enjoyed all of the teen activities but with the outlook that age brings.
It’s fantastic the way that Maddy is able to take her adult perspective (and later her teen experiences as an adult again) and really accept her quirkiness. With Nate’s help she embraces who she is and thrives. And speaking of Nate … such a fabulous friend and then boyfriend. He’s supportive, caring, and oh-so-sweet, embracing all the things that make Maddy unique.
I will say that if I thought too much about it there were things that bothered me. Like, even tho their minds were 30 something, the first half of the book their bodies were those of teens. And while I totally got behind their connection, their physical attraction was a bit … I mean they are mentally grown adults finding themselves attracted to teens. They didn’t really act on it past kissing but … yeah. And no one else caught on that they were different? Friends, family? Also, the reason for the time travel wasn’t explored either. While it didn’t bother me, it seems to be an issue for some.
Overall tho great first outing! Entertaining plot and enjoyable characters, with a HEA journey that tickled me. I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next (fingers crossed it’s Cooper and Liam 🙂 )
*****
Author Info:
Marina Pirlimpou is an English teacher, a self-proclaimed book lover, and a proud introvert who lives for dreary, autumn days, cozy blankets, and hot beverages.
She’s half-Greek, half-Italian, and lives in Athens.
When she’s not explaining grammar rules to her – sometimes – uninterested students, you can find her reading in her favorite nook, listening to music, or writing about all things romance.
If you want to know all about her new releases, be sure to follow her on Instagram!
I thought I’d come to terms with my solitary existence.
Most days, I even told myself I preferred it.
After all, the dogs at my shelter didn’t ask questions about my appearance. They didn’t stare at my scars. They didn’t make me feel ugly.
Then I met Gage. He came to the shelter to adopt a dog, but even after that, he kept returning. Was he just coming to help, like he claimed? Or could I dare hope he wanted to spend time with me?
Would he? Handsome, brave, heroic Gage, who could have any woman he wanted? Could he possibly see me as more than just the quiet, reclusive woman who ran the dog rescue outside town? More than the scarred woman everyone else looked away from?
I liked Rory from the first time I met her.
How could I not? She was caring. Smart. Beautiful. Even though I knew it couldn’t go anywhere, it didn’t stop me from wanting to spend time with her.
Friends was enough, I told myself over and over. It was all I could offer. It was all my wounded self-esteem would allow me.
Until I found her unconscious and injured in the woods, with no memory of how she got there. Until I held her in my arms and realized I’d do anything to protect her. Until I realized just being friends wasn’t enough.
But first, I need to make sure she’s safe. That the person who hurt her is caught. And I’ll draw on all the skills I learned in the Special Forces, along with the help of my Green Mountain Guardians teammates, to make sure no one hurts her again.
Often in these kinds of stories the suspense part is what brings the couple together and I always think of the beginning of Speed 2 when Annie says that “relationships based on extreme circumstances never work out” 🙂 Here Rory and Gage develop a friendship over weeks of him coming to her dog rescue to help out so there was a good basis for their interactions and their deepening feelings. But both have some insecurities that they need to work out and time spent together figuring out what’s going on allows them to come to terms with them.
I did feel like A LOT happened to poor Rory in a short amount of time but everything worked for me. I liked the villain, the reasons why, and how it all played out. Nothing seemed to be a stretch and I liked the way the guys worked together to keep her safe & figure out what was going on.
I had two things going into this – it’d been a while since I’d read a romantic suspense and this is the first story I’ve read by Cobie … and I think I need more of both! I feel like she blended the romance element and the suspense portion well, giving each the necessary time & attention. This seems to be her thing so I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Cobie and picking up more of her books.
*****
Author Info:
Gia Cobie is an award winning author living in upstate New York with her husband and small zoo of animals. She loves writing about protective heroes and the strong women they fall in love with.
In her spare time (when she has any!), Gia enjoys reading and spending time in the Adirondacks, and also has a weakness for reality romance shows, wine, and buying way too many books!
Romantic Reads and Such 