“My name was Finnegan Bravo.”
Ian McNeill has returned to Valentine Bay to meet the
biological family he can't remember. Along for the ride is his longtime best
friend, single mom Ella Haralson. Out of town in a new setting, Ian begins to
see Ella in a more romantic light. But being separated from his family at a
young age has left Ian wary of commitment. Will this unexpected reunion turn
Ian into a family man in more ways than one?
What an incredible finish to the Bravos of Valentine Bay
series. Twenty years earlier, young Finn Bravo disappeared on a family trip in
Siberia. His family never stopped looking for him, and each book in the series
shows that he is always on their minds.
Ian McNeill has no memory of his early years. His
memories start with waking up in a hospital, recovering from a bear attack, and
ending up in an orphanage where he didn't speak the language. Alone and afraid,
the only thing that saved him was the arrival of an American woman who wanted
to adopt a baby. She took one look at him and took him instead, giving him her
name and raising him as her own. With her death, Ian inherited her company but
lost the only mother he remembers.
When the story opens, Ian and his best friend Ella's
daughter are at the zoo. Abby pesters him to visit the bear exhibit, which he
successfully avoided during previous visits. This time he caves in and begins to
wonder what he was afraid of - until one of the bears roared. Thrust back into
the past, Ian passed out as memories of the attack resurfaced. As he recovered
his senses, other memories also surfaced, leaving him with a need to find out
the truth. But what will he do with the information once he has it?
Ian's best friend, Ella, urges him to reach out to his
family. Ian resists the idea, feeling that they've been without him this long
they don't need him now. What he can't admit is his fear. The only way Ian can
face going to Oregon is if Ella goes with him. She's wary, but she knows he'll
never go through with it without her, so she reluctantly agrees. You see, Ella
has a secret she's only begun to realize - she's in love with Ian, and spending
that much time with him is a recipe for heartache.
I loved watching the development of the relationship
between Ian and Ella. They've been friends for nine years. Ella is his right
hand at work, and he is like a second father to her daughter Abby. Ian never
saw her as anything more than a friend until their trip to Oregon when he
suddenly realizes that she is a beautiful, sexy woman. Ian believes they can
give in to the attraction between them without ruining their friendship. Ella
isn't so sure but doesn't want to pass up the opportunity to be with him. While
the heat between them is off the charts, it's the deepening connection that
proves to be most dangerous. I loved how well Ella knew Ian and helped him
through getting to know his family. She knew when to push and when to back off.
My heart went out to Ian. Because of what he went through
as a child, he locked away his willingness to love. All of his relationships end
after a short time because of his inability to take the next step. When he
learned about his family, he initially saw no reason to contact them. Even once
Ella convinces him to go, he figures on a quick, "Hi, it's me, I'm not
dead, but I'm not interested in getting to know you," visit. Ian's
reception by Daniel and the rest of the family bewilders him, and he's a little
(or a lot) freaked out by his family's unfettered delight in his presence. He
feels no connection to them, thanks to his long-term memory loss. I loved how
Ella assured Ian that he would adjust and, in time, would feel that connection.
Of course, we know she's going to be correct, and I loved watching the Bravos
work their way past Ian's walls.
Ian also has to contend with his feelings for Ella. Their
time in Oregon was supposed to be a weekend fling, then back to their original
friendship. However, Ian finds he wants more. He tries to convince himself he
only wants to extend their fling and says as much to Ella, reiterating that
he'll never marry. Ian firmly believes their friendship won't be affected. He
discovers how wrong he is after their return to work, and he can't stop thinking
about her. At the same time, Ella realizes that she can't keep seeing him every
day and pretend everything is fine. I ached for them both as it looked like
their friendship was over. But a long conversation with his brother, Matt,
motivates Ian to face his fears. I loved how he did it and the revelation he
experienced. Seeing him go to Ella and watching them expose their vulnerabilities
made an emotional scene that had me glued to the pages. I loved the ending, and
Abby's reaction was adorable.
The epilogue was the perfect wrap-up. Family is the most
important thing to the Bravos. In every book, the family provides love,
laughter, and support for whatever crisis occurs. Finn's disappearance haunted
them all, and each one was committed to keeping his memory alive and finding
out what happened to him. I loved all the scenes with Ian and the family, from
the first one with Daniel to the final wedding. The ones that stuck with me the
most were Madison and Aislinn's conversation with Ian that first weekend and
the scenes where Ian and Matt spent time together.
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