Moonlight, Menorahs and Mistletoe - Wendy Warren (HSE #2880 - Dec 2021)

Series: Holliday, Oregon (Book 1)

Is she the one who can bring new love into his darkened heart?
 
As a new landlord, Dr. Gideon Bowen is more irritating than ingratiating. Eden Berman should probably consider moving. But in the spirit of the holidays -- and curiosity about Gideon and his enigmatic past -- Eden offers her friendship instead. As their relationship ignites, it's clear that Gideon is more mensch than menace. With each candle of Hanukkah burning brighter, can Eden light his way to love?
 
Good enemies to lovers story as two apparent opposites find out they have more in common than they thought. This is the first book in the aptly named Holliday, Oregon series, where the town goes all-out for holidays. In this story, Hanukkah traditions form the background of Eden and Gideon's romance.
 
Thirty-six-year-old divorced Eden is finally ready to consider marriage again. Scarred from an accident when she was a teenager, she hides her insecurities under a determinedly cheerful attitude. She lays it on especially thick when dealing with her new landlord, whose grumpiness challenges her.
 
Gideon recently moved to Holliday and took over a retiring doctor's practice. He's not the warm-hearted, house-call-making, barbecue-giving doctor his predecessor was, so he has the reputation of being cold and aloof. That's fine with him since emotions and medicine don't mix. If only he could stay that way around Eden.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Eden and Gideon. They start as antagonists, with Gideon irritated by her excessive cheerfulness and Eden bugged by his refusal to loosen up. When he comes to her rescue after a medical incident, she begins to suspect there's more to him than meets the eye. Instead of continuing her provocations, she offers him friendship instead. I liked seeing her pull him into her world at the same time as she learned more about him. As they move from enemies to friends and then to more, both begin to develop stronger feelings for each other. I loved how Gideon's attention helped Eden past her insecurities about her scars. He didn't ignore them, but he didn't make a big deal of them either.
 
Gideon had a more challenging time with it. He still hurt so much from what happened with his wife that he swore he wouldn't let his emotions get involved in his life ever again. There were times when his true nature surfaced, such as when he treated Charlotte or his conversation with the teenager, Jude. When he gave in to his attraction to Eden, the feelings she stirred up scared him, and he tried to pull away. I ached for Eden because she'd fallen so hard for him, and it hurt to have him end things. I liked how her friends and family rallied around her. I had to laugh when Gideon finally realized what an idiot he'd been and had to bare his heart in front of all of them. His big moment was sweet and emotional, and I could feel his love for her as I read it. I hope to see more of them in future books and see how their lives progress.
 
I enjoyed meeting Eden's friends. Barney and Charlotte were adorable in their love for each other and Barney's sweet care of Charlotte. I laughed at Charlotte's comments about Eden's cooking abilities. Eden's best friend Nikki was a trip. I'm not sure if I want her current engagement to prosper or not, as I don't care for the way he makes her feel about herself. I'll have to wait and see what happens. I loved Eden's brother Ryan and his fiancé, Ollie. I like Ryan's support of Eden and the loving and teasing comments they exchange. The pair that really intrigue me are Jeremy and Sophie, the constantly arguing members of the two feuding families. The story of the jewels sounds interesting, and I can see it running through several books in the series.
 
I liked seeing Hanukkah as a theme in the book. There aren't that many, and I appreciate getting a look at other traditions. I laughed out loud at the description of Eden trying to make challah, especially her comment about the dough as a weapon. 

The Father of Her Sons - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2869 - Nov 2021)

Series: Wild Rose Sisters (Book 1)

How do you make up for four years of lost time?
 
No last names. No promises to meet again. No way for Payton Dahl to find the man who's the father of her twin boys. Until fate reunites them four years later. Easton Wright now wants to be part of his sons' lives—with the woman he fell hard for during those seven days and nights of bliss. Payton doesn't want her sons to grow up fatherless like she did, but can she risk trusting Easton when she's been burned in the past?
 
Terrific second chance love story. Five years earlier, Payton worked part-time as a bartender at the Heartwood Inn, lived on and helped at the family farm, and attempted to write a fantasy novel. A former "wild child," Payton vowed to put those days behind her and concentrate on her writing. That means no distractions like men. But on a particularly dull night at the bar, a visiting businessman caught her eye.
 
In town for a week checking out the Inn as a possible acquisition for the family business, the bartender intrigues Easton. They spend a pleasant evening talking between customers and trying to ignore the sparks flaring between them. They agree on a week-long fling when the chemistry becomes too much to resist, but Payton has conditions. First names only, no exchanging of personal information such as emails or phone numbers, and no contact when it's over.  Easton reluctantly agrees, and they spend an amazing week together. At the end, Easton wants to continue seeing her, but Payton sticks to her guns - a move she later regrets when she ends up pregnant with no way to find Easton to tell him.
 
Five years later, the single mother of twin boys, Payton has nearly given up hope of ever finding Easton. Shocked when she encounters him at a local farmers' market, Payton knows she needs to tell him the truth. Easton, who never forgot her, unsuccessfully tried to find her six months after their fling and is thrilled to find her. Once Easton recovers from the shock of his unexpected fatherhood, he immediately wants to be involved in their lives.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Easton and Payton develop. Easton never forgot Payton, and his feelings for her never diminished. He wants nothing more than for them to become a family for real. Payton is much warier. Her early life taught her that men are unreliable, and she hesitates to risk her heart on him. While Easton wants to marry Payton and be a family, he understands Payton's wariness. He promises to be patient and mostly succeeds with the occasional relapse. I loved watching them grow closer through activities with the boys and time alone together. I liked the realistic pace of the story as it progresses from early fall to Christmas.
 
Their relationship looks promising until a disastrous visit with Easton's family stirs up Payton's insecurities and causes her to pull back. I ached for Easton, whose love for her has grown stronger. Despite her love for him, Payton still fears being left. I understood Easton's frustration, and I sometimes wanted to shake Payton and make her see what she was doing. I liked the support she received from her family, including the straight talk she got from both sisters. But it was the appearance of an unexpected visitor that truly opened her eyes. The ending was fantastic, with emotional confessions from Payton and a sweet role reversal to wrap it up.
 
The secondary characters were great. The twins, Penn and Bailey, were adorable and pretty accurate to their ages. I liked how they took to Easton even before they knew he was their father. Payton's sisters each provide support for Payton when she needs them most. I'm looking forward to reading their stories and seeing them find love, too. I loved Easton's brother, Weston, who was in Easton's corner the entire time. He's a bit more on the wild side than Easton, and I'd love to see him get a story of his own. Easton's parents play a significant role in the book, also. I adored his dad, Myron, but his mom took a while to win me over.

The Inheritance - JoAnn Ross (HQN - Sept 2021)

When conflict photographer Jackson Swann dies, he leaves behind a conflict of his own making when his three daughters, each born to a different mother, discover that they're now responsible for the family's Oregon vineyard -- and for a family they didn't ask for.
 
After a successful career as a child TV star, Tess is, for the first time, suffering from a serious identity crisis, and grieving for the absent father she's resented all her life.
 
Charlotte, brought up to be a proper Southern wife, gave up her own career to support her husband's political ambitions. On the worst day of her life, she discovers her beloved father has died, she has two sisters she never knew about and her husband has fallen in love with another woman.
 
Natalie, daughter of Jack's longtime mistress, has always known about her half-sisters, and has dreaded the day when Tess and Charlotte find out she's the daughter their father kept.
 
As the sisters reluctantly gather at the vineyard, they're soon enchanted by the Swann family matriarch and namesake of Maison de Madeleine wines, whose stories of bravery in WWII France and love for a wounded American soldier will reveal the family legacy they've each inherited and change the course of all their lives.
 
Terrific story of family, love, loss, and healing, combined with some fascinating WW2 history. I loved seeing the three sisters go from wary strangers to loving and supportive siblings as they got to know each other, their grandmother, and their family history.
 
The story opens as Jackson Swann, conflict photographer and father of three daughters - from different mothers, nears the end of his battle with cancer. He has many regrets, not the least of which are his shortcomings as a father. In the end, all he can do is give them each other and the family they never knew. In the little bit of Jack we see, it is evident that he is driven by his need to show the starkness of the conflicts he photographs. As much as he would like to be the kind of father his father was, he can't change who he is. Most of what we learn of Jack comes through the memories from other people, except for the videos he leaves for each daughter. I liked the honesty of his last words to each one.
 
Tess is the oldest daughter, born from Jackson's very brief marriage with her mother. Jackson played no part in her life, causing Tess to refer to him as simply "the sperm donor." A former child TV star and currently a bestselling author of books for teens, Tess isn't interested when Donovan, her father's lawyer, comes to tell her of his death and her inheritance. However, with a case of writer's block and a looming decision about her writing, Tess decides that an Oregon getaway might be just what she needs. Tess knows of Charlotte's existence, but not about Natalie.
 
Raised by her high society, Southern belle mother, Charlotte rarely saw her father. Jack's relationship with his wife was volatile at best, and Charlotte would retreat in the face of their arguments. The best thing Jack did for Charlotte was encourage her to pursue her dream of interior design and never forget her passion for her work. However, her mother's influence remained strong, and Charlotte found herself putting her career on the back burner when she married a politically ambitious man. On the same day she learns of her father's death, she discovers her husband is cheating on her. Suddenly, escaping to Oregon sounds like a swell idea. Charlotte had no idea she had sisters before learning of Jack's death.
 
Natalie is the youngest daughter and the one who saw the most of Jack. Like Jack, she is a talented photographer, though she focuses on the lighter side of life. Natalie is still grieving the loss of her mother when Donovan tells her about Jack's death. She's always known about her sisters and wanted to meet them, but now she's nervous about it. Will they like her, or will they resent the amount of time she got to spend with Jack?
 
Madeleine is Jack's mother. She is a French war bride and former resistance fighter whose husband turned his family farm into a vineyard and built a French-style house to make her feel more at home. Though devastated by her son's death, Madeleine is thrilled to have all three of her granddaughters under one roof. She immediately makes them feel welcomed and loved.
 
Gideon is the widowed father of a teenage girl. When Jack's father died, leaving the vineyard and winery to him, Jack immediately hired Gideon to run the place for him. As the story opens, Gideon worries about his job if the winery ends up sold.
 
I loved watching the relationships develop. Each of the sisters had a different kind of relationship with her father. I liked seeing them sit down and share their experiences, gaining insight into Jack and his issues. None of them expected to inherit anything and were stunned to discover that they would share ownership of the winery with Gideon. The only caveat was that they had to stay through the harvest before any of them could sell their share to Gideon. With that requirement, each of them became more invested in the business's success and brainstormed ideas of changes they could make.
 
Another big part of remaining in Oregon was the chance to get to know Madeleine. Sprinkled throughout the book are flashbacks to her time with the French Resistance. Her progression through the ranks kept me intrigued, and more so when she rescued the American pilot who would later become her husband. The narration of their escape into Spain had me glued to the pages until they were safe. Madeleine's story provided a burst of inspiration for Tess, who needed a new direction for her writing.
 
Each of the sisters faces a turning point in her life, and their time in Oregon gives them the space and support to make their changes. Tess has reached the end of her long-running teen series and wonders what to do next. Before settling on telling her grandmother's story, she also considered a wine-themed murder mystery. I enjoyed seeing her bounce ideas off Gideon as he taught her about the vineyard and winery. Charlotte faces the end of her marriage and realizing that she allowed her husband to chip away at her self-confidence and self-worth. I loved watching her rekindle her love for design and how the support of her family boosted her confidence. Her joy at arranging the celebration of Jack's life lit up the pages, and also using her skills to improve the winery. I loved the scene where she told off her husband. Meanwhile, Natalie looks at whether to risk her friendship with the man she secretly loves.
 
Along with learning the wine business and family history, romance also finds its way into each sister's life. For years, Natalie has been in love with her father's lawyer, Donovan, but hesitates to make a move. Their friendship is solid, and she doesn't want to lose it, but neither does she want to lose out on the possibility that it's returned. As outsiders, the reader can see that Donovan is just as conflicted. I loved seeing Natalie take matters into her own hands and had to laugh at Donovan's reaction. Charlotte is the wariest of the trio, still reeling from what she sees as her poor judgment. However, she isn't entirely man-averse as we see her show an interest in the man helping with the winery renovations.
 
Most of the romantic attention goes to the growing feelings between Tess and Gideon. They connected from the first day Tess arrived. I enjoyed seeing his amusement at how she would plot murders as he explained various steps in winemaking. It wasn't long before the sparks flew between them. I laughed out loud when Gideon's daughter pushed him to ask Tess out, even advising on the type of date it should be. I liked that both Tess and Gideon are mature enough to be honest about their feelings. I loved the scene at the restaurant as Gideon nervously but eloquently told Tess how he felt, and Tess's reaction made me grin.
 
I loved the epilogue, which showed the sisters eighteen months later. The changes in their lives are remarkable and something none of them had foreseen. I do wish that there had been more time spent on Charlotte and Natalie's romances. I loved the nod at the end to the author's Shelter Bay series, one of my all-time favorites. 

Sandpiper Cove - Irene Hannon (Revell - Apr 2017)

Series: Hope Harbor (Book 3)

Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities--including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn't looking for love either--but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.
              
Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam's help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different--and better--future planned for them than either could imagine.
 
Terrific book. This was my first trip to Hope Harbor, but it won't be my last. Hope Harbor is a small town on the Oregon coast filled with people who care about each other (and perhaps a few bad apples). It's an excellent place for people who are looking for somewhere to start over. One of those people is Adam Stone, an ex-con who turned his life around while in prison. He has a job with a construction company, a hobby making furniture, and a companion in a stray dog he rescued. He lives in a cabin in the woods, has a few friends, and keeps mostly to himself.
 
Another person who changed her life is Lexie Graham. After several years working for diplomatic security and tragically losing her husband, Lexie and her son moved back to her hometown. They live with her mom, and Lexie became Hope Harbor's police chief. She and her small force are currently dealing with a rash of petty theft and vandalism, which adds to her already busy life.
 
I liked the first meeting between Lexie and Adam. The vandals hit Adam's house twice, but he hasn't bothered to report it. The damage wasn't too bad, and as an ex-con, he tends to avoid interacting with law enforcement. When Lexie hears about it, she visits Adam, hoping to find clues to the vandals' identities. Adam is wary but cooperative, and Lexie realizes that she may be guilty of judging him without knowing him. Neither expected the sparks they felt nor did they want them. When Lexie comes to Adam's aid after his dog, Clyde, is injured by one of the vandals, their connection deepens. It's no surprise that Lexie thinks of Adam when she needs help turning a young teen away from the wrong path.
 
I liked Adam a lot. From a lousy childhood to a youth filled with wrong choices, he had a lot to overcome. Thanks to the help he received, Adam became a kind, compassionate man with a big heart, always ready to help where he's needed. He also has some serious self-worth issues, thanks to his past and his record. Adam tends to believe that people look down on him because of it, so he keeps to himself. He's hesitant to get involved in Lexie's project, but if he can keep a kid from going through what he did, he has to try. I liked his connection with young Brian, and his ability to empathize with the boy went a long way toward helping him.
 
I liked Lexie, too. She's a terrific mother, has a great relationship with her mom, and loves her hometown. I liked her relationships with the various townspeople who like and respect her right back. I liked how Lexie thought outside the box when it came to helping Brian and that she also thought it would help Adam.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Lexie and Adam. Though the sparks are there, both intend to ignore them. Adam can't see anything happening between an ex-con and a police chief, and Lexie isn't interested in risking her heart again. They do agree that they can be friends and partners in helping Brian. But it isn't too long before those sparks begin to intensify, and each of them starts to wonder, "what if..." I loved the scene at their friends' wedding and seeing Lexie and Adam think about possibilities. I especially liked seeing them share their pasts and the support and understanding that followed. But just as the future starts to look bright for them, Adam's past creates problems. A disgruntled parent and troublesome teen threaten to cause problems for Lexie because of her relationship with Adam, and he steels himself to walk away. I loved how Lexie and the people of Hope Harbor showed Adam what he meant to them. The epilogue was terrific and contained an unexpected twist.
 
I loved the secondary characters. One of my favorites was Adam's dog, Clyde. Animals are wonderful judges of nature, and Clyde's devotion to Adam is a terrific indicator of what a good man Adam is. I loved how Clyde bonded with Lexie's son Matt. The two of them were sweet together. I liked the author's portrayal of Matt as a typical four-almost-five-year-old. He wasn't too good, and he wasn't a brat. As a character, Matt showed Adam that he could be a good father even though he had no role model in his own father. I ached for Brian, the reluctant vandal. He and his mother finally escaped his father's abuse, but Brian had to leave everything he knew behind in doing so. It left him vulnerable to being used, even though he knew he was doing wrong. Working with Adam gave Brian the chance to break free, and I loved the changes. So many others, such as the preacher and the priest, Luis, BJ, and Charley, had profound effects on Adam. 

A Brambleberry Summer - RaeAnne Thayne (HSE #2845 - July 2021)

Series: Women of Brambleberry House (Book 5)

Will the secrets of her past…
Prevent her from having the future she's always wanted?
 
Rosa Galvez's attraction to Officer Wyatt Townsend is as powerful as the moon's pull on the tides. But with her past, Rosa knows better than to act on her feelings. When Wyatt and his adorable son become Brambleberry House's newest tenants, Rosa finds her resolve slipping. Her solo life slowly becomes a sun-filled family adventure -- until dark secrets threaten to break like a summer storm.
 
Terrific story of love and healing. Rosa manages Brambleberry House, an old Victorian house separated into three apartments. She lives in the top one, her friend and former college roommate, Jen, and her little girl live on the second floor, and the bottom floor apartment is vacant. Then Rosa's friend Carrie asks if Rosa will rent it to her brother Wyatt and his little boy for a month or so. Rosa is reluctant for several reasons but can't refuse her friend.
 
Wyatt is a widower who moved to town after his wife died. He needed his sister's help to take care of his son while Wyatt worked and dealt with his grief. Carrie invited them to stay with her when his home was damaged in a fire, but it's taking longer than expected to fix it. Tired of sleeping on a too-short couch, Wyatt is stunned when Carrie finds him a place before he has a chance to look for himself.
 
Wyatt and Rosa already know each other before he moves into Brambleberry House. Though neither will admit it, the sparks of attraction are already there. Neither Rosa nor Wyatt is looking for a relationship. Wyatt lost the love of his life and isn't interested in risking his heart again. Instead, he's locked down his emotions. Rosa has a turbulent past and feels that the choices she made make her unworthy of love. Very few people know her story, and Rosa prefers to keep it that way.
 
Because of her secrets, Rosa is very skittish around Wyatt. She's certain he would see right through her. Wyatt senses that she has secrets but tells himself they are none of his business. Both are determined to steer clear of each other, but they don't count on the effects of a matchmaking sister, an adorable little boy, two mischievous pups, and maybe one ghost. Rosa quickly falls for Wyatt's son Logan, who sees Rosa as a great new friend. Their Spanish lessons are sweet. Wyatt's sister, Carrie, seems determined to throw the two together at every opportunity, and even the dogs seem to be in cahoots with the house ghost. Rosa and Wyatt don't stand a chance.
 
I liked seeing Wyatt and Rosa spend time together though they insisted they were just friends. It isn't too long before she finds her solo days and evenings shared with Wyatt and Logan. Her heart wants more, but her fears insist she keeps him at a distance. Wyatt finds that his time with Rosa breaks through the walls he built around his heart. Suddenly he feels things he hasn't felt since his wife died, but Rosa pulls away. When trouble comes to Brambleberry House, the aftermath breaks Rosa's grip on the past. I ached for her because she was sure it would change how he looked at her when she told Wyatt everything. And so it did, but not the way she thought it would. Wyatt won major points with me for his obvious respect and admiration for her strength and resilience. I loved the epilogue and seeing their happy-ever-after come to pass.
 
I also liked the secondary storyline about Rosa's friend Jen. She moved to Cannon Beach at Rosa's urging to escape a dangerous situation back home. Her nervousness at the beginning of the book is understandable as her story is revealed bit by bit. Rosa's love and support help Jen see that she can trust Wyatt. That trust is rewarded when Jen's past shows up and puts Rosa's life at risk. I loved Rosa's defense of her friend in spite of, or maybe because of, the memories it stirred up. Wyatt's part was great too. 

Reunited with Her Daredevil Doc - Susan Carlisle (HMED #1164 - Mar 2021)

An old flame……a new beginning?
 
Dana Warren almost doesn't recognize the man Dr. Travis Russell has become. He's far from the carefree guy she once spent an unforgettable summer with years ago as they trained to save lives and fight wildfires. Now an experienced smoke jumper, Dana must take the guarded doc through stunning but dangerous wilderness to reach a vulnerable patient -- and take care not to lose her own scarred heart along the way…
 
Good second chance romance that is fast-paced, emotional, and has some intense action. Years ago, Dana and Travis became good friends while training to fight wildfires. Dana also had quite a crush on Travis and was embarrassed and heartbroken when he didn't return her feelings. At the end of the summer, Travis went on to medical school, and Dana continued her training.
 
Dana is not happy when instead of leading her team of smokejumpers into the latest fire, she must lead a doctor to a critically ill patient in the path of the fire. Shocked to discover the doctor is Travis, Dana hastily throws up walls to protect her heart. Travis is equally surprised to see Dana and looks forward to renewing their friendship.
 
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between Dana and Travis. It got off to a rough start, thanks to their awkward parting years ago. What Dana saw as his rejection of her had a profound effect on her view of herself and her subsequent relationships. Travis always felt a little guilty about the way he handled it, but he was committed to someone else at the time. I liked Travis's attempt to clear the air between them even though Dana wasn't very cooperative. Fortunately, Travis persisted, and their previous camaraderie returned.
 
With that camaraderie came a growing attraction, but both Dana and Travis had issues that held them back. Though supremely confident in her work, Dana's personal life suffers from her fear of rejection and belief that she isn't good enough. Once upon a time, Travis had his life all planned out, and when it didn't work out, he resorted to just taking life as it comes instead of living it. Thrown together under extremely stressful circumstances, Dana and Travis discover emotions as turbulent as their surroundings. I loved how Travis's vocal respect and appreciation helped Dana see herself in a new light and consider letting Travis past her walls. At the same time, seeing Dana embrace her life helped Travis see what he was missing by closing himself off. There's a brief hiccup when they let their fears push them apart, but advice from those they care about put them back on track. The ending is intense with both overwhelming fear and healing love.
 
The setting of this book, in the midst of a forest fire, was portrayed so vividly I felt as though I were there. I loved Dana's job as a smokejumper, a woman in a primarily male profession. Her confidence in her abilities was a significant part of the story. The action kept me glued to the pages as each twist added to the danger that Dana and Travis experienced. Thanks to Travis's training that long-ago summer, the teamwork between him and Dana was fantastic. 

 
 

You Again - JoAnn Ross (Castlelough Publishing - Oct 2014)

Series: Shelter Bay (Book 8)

A book nerd, a brainiac science guy, and a misplaced killer whale...  
 
Meghann Quinn wasn't always a hugely successful author. Adam Wayne wasn't always a marine biologist studying whales. Back in high school in Shelter Bay, Oregon, she was the shy book nerd helping the brainiac science guy pass English. Meghann had no idea Adam would turn into such a hottie. Adam has no idea their once-upon-a-time sweet summer romance inspired Meghann's popular teen novels.  
 
Two shy geeks didn't have the courage to share their true feelings back then. But now that Meghann's back in town, they're pondering life's important questions. Such as, will Adam ask her to the Snow Ball? And what are they going to do about the lost Orca who shows up on Christmas Eve? And can two nerds get past their initial insecurity to take a second chance on a once-in-a-lifetime love?
 
Good second chance love story. Meghann, a former foster child and shy book nerd became a very successful author of YA stories and now lives in New York City. Adam, the school science geek, went on to become a marine biologist studying whales in Shelter Cove. During high school, Meghann tutored the punctuation-challenged Adam in English. The two quickly became friends with mutual crushes they were too shy to share. One sweet kiss shared lingered in their memories after they went their separate ways.
 
Years later, Meghann meets with her editor after turning in her latest book and is given an email from her old friend Adam. Back in Shelter Bay, he's raising funds for a hands-on children's science museum and asks if Meghann would be willing to donate some of her books for their auction. Meghann will gladly do more than that.
 
I loved the rekindling of Meghann and Adam's relationship. It started with the influx of memories aroused by Adam's email. I loved her call to Adam, offering to come to Shelter Cove and with multiple ideas of how she can help. I loved Adam's reaction, as he becomes nearly speechless at the thought of seeing Meghann again. The sparks flew from the moment they saw each other again, and they connected as if they'd never been apart. I loved the scene when he dropped her off at her hotel room, with their slightly awkward conversation, both trying to find a way to let the other know of their interest. Adam was sweet with his goodbye, then rapid return because he "forgot something" - the sizzling kiss he then laid on Meghann before leaving again.
 
I loved Meghann's enthusiastic participation in Adam's whale search and how it allowed them to spend more time together. I liked how easily they shared their pasts, including Meghann's brief marriage. I loved Adam's protectiveness as he listened to her story. I wasn't surprised that the sparks between them burst into flame so quickly or that they gave into them. I loved the scene after the orca reunion as Adam and Meghann planned their future.
 
I was fascinated by the whale theme running through this book. Information from how they communicate to their family/pod life to their connection to Native American practices was woven seamlessly into the story. I rooted for the lost Orca to find his way to his family and loved seeing the whole town get involved. The method Adam used was intriguing, and I enjoyed watching it play out to its successful conclusion.
 
As a long-time fan of the Shelter Bay series, I loved seeing characters from the earlier books. I loved the mention of the elder Douchetts, in their eighties and still holding hands. I loved seeing Adam's lunch with Sax (The Homecoming) and Dillon (Sea Glass Winter) as they gave him a hard time about Meghann's visit. Others also made appearances or were mentioned, reminding me of the fun I had reading their books. I still have some JoAnn Ross books on my TBR list and will have to move them further up the list.

The Last One Home - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2834 - May 2021)

 

Series: Bravos of Valentine Bay (Book 10)
            Bravos Family Ties (Book 61)

“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.