The Stepsisters - Susan Mallery (Mira - June 2021)

Once upon a time, when her dad married Sage's mom, Daisy was thrilled to get a bright and shiny new sister. But Sage was beautiful and popular, everything Daisy was not, and she made sure Daisy knew it.
 
Sage didn't have Daisy's smarts -- she had to go back a grade to enroll in the fancy rich-kid school. So she used her popularity as a weapon, putting Daisy down to elevate herself. After the divorce, the stepsisters' rivalry continued until the final, improbable straw: Daisy married Sage's first love, and Sage fled California.
 
Eighteen years, two kids and one troubled marriage later, Daisy never expects -- or wants -- to see Sage again. But when the little sister they have in common needs them both, they put aside their differences to care for Cassidy. As long-buried truths are revealed, no one is more surprised than they when friendship blossoms.
 
Their fragile truce is threatened by one careless act that could have devastating consequences. They could turn their backs on each other again…or they could learn to forgive once and for all and finally become true sisters of the heart.
 
Terrific drama-filled story of love, family, choices, and second chances. I could not put the book down. Years ago, when Daisy was eight years old, her widowed father remarried. His new wife had a daughter, Sage, who was a year older than Daisy. While Daisy was excited about having a sister, Sage did not return the sentiment. Instead, she did everything possible to make Daisy's life miserable. Several years later, their parents added Cassidy to the family, a half-sister to both girls. Even then, Daisy couldn't catch a break, as Cassidy aligned herself with Sage. The relationships broke down completely when their parents divorced. Sage continued her tormenting all through high school, where she became the stereotypical mean girl.
 
Twelve years after the last time they saw each other, circumstances bring the three women back together. When Cassidy is badly injured in an accident, their father arranges for her to recover at Daisy's house. To make matters worse, Sage is back in LA after the end of her third marriage, so she'll be dropping in every day to see Cassidy. The icing on the cake: Daisy is married to Sage's high school boyfriend, who just walked out on their marriage with no explanation.
 
I loved seeing the changing relationships among the three women. All of them have vivid memories of their childhoods, and each is wary of their new circumstances. Daisy resents her father's assumption that she'll take Cassidy in but caves to his expectations and hopes for the best. Sage is at a crossroads in her life and must decide what direction to take. Cassidy is the one who was caught in the middle and forced to choose sides.
 
With Cassidy's arrival at Daisy's home and Sage's frequent visits, Daisy takes a good look at her choices. She can continue to keep them at a distance or take the high road and see if the relationships could change. There is still a part of her that longs for the sisters Daisy wanted when she was a child. Can she take a chance that enough time has passed that they can overcome the issues that drove them apart? I enjoyed seeing Daisy slowly open her heart to both Sage and Cassidy. It wasn't an easy process, and there were a few bumps along the way. One of the things I loved was the support Daisy received from them as she dealt with her husband's actions. The author is great with these kinds of situations, notably in her Fool's Gold series, and I always enjoy the vision of women looking out for each other. As the weeks went on, the three women experienced a growing love and trust, as they discovered that not everything in the past was exactly the way it seemed.
 
After the end of her third marriage, Sage returned to LA, looking for a new direction for her life. Raised by her mother to look out for number one, Sage discovered she didn't want to live that way any longer. Stuck living with her mom, Joanne, for now, Sage has plans for her future that entail significant changes. She looks back at her past with regrets over the things she did and wonders if there's a way to make amends. I liked seeing her reach out to Daisy, admit to her mistakes, and confess to what drove her. Sage's connection with Cassidy also changed as she helped Cassidy see the past through different eyes. I ached for Sage as her insecurities led her to make a hurtful mistake with terrible consequences. Now she must decide whether to try to fix what she did or run away from the family she loves.
 
Cassidy is the youngest and never felt she fit in on either side of her family. As a result, she fears any commitment and uses her work as a travel writer to hide from it. Her childhood, heavily influenced by her mother's attitude, left her often feeling invisible. She came across as quite a brat at the beginning of the book, but with some straight talk from Sage, she discovered a connection she didn't know she craved. I especially enjoyed seeing Cassidy connect with Daisy's kids. Her insecurities keep Cassidy from believing that any relationship lasts.
 
It wouldn't be a Susan Mallery book without some romance. Cassidy has a boyfriend that has her running scared. She loves him, though she won't admit it and won't give in because "it won't last." Desean's love for Cassidy gave him a tremendous amount of patience as he tried to get past her issues. I loved his conversation with Sage and Daisy and how they encouraged him not to give up. I loved how her sisters' support helped Cassidy get past her fears.
 
After three marriages, Sage has pretty much given up on relationships and plans to concentrate on her future instead. She doesn't expect to run into a high school classmate living next door to her mother. Adam is a widower still grieving the loss of his wife but can't help reacting to Sage. She, too, is attracted to him. With neither looking for a relationship, they settle on being friends. I enjoyed seeing them spend time together. Their teasing banter was fun to follow, and they clearly had a lot in common. Adam is a refuge for Sage when her mother gets to be too much. There is also a sweet scene at their high school reunion when Adam helps Sage escape the clutches of an old friend. I liked seeing the feelings between them deepen and ached for Sage and her fear that she'd do something to mess it all up. When her fear comes to pass, Sage must face those she hurt and hope for forgiveness.
 
As for Daisy, her husband of twelve years blindsided her when he moved out with no explanation and no notice other than a text. Jordan initially refuses to tell her why simply telling her "you know why" when she has no idea. Even with counseling, he continues his passive-aggressive attitude. The longer Jordan stays away, the more Daisy begins to suspect that her marriage is over. I liked seeing her go from practically begging him to come back to confronting him over his continued misbehavior. I loved seeing her finally put her foot down. Jordan was quite the man-baby, and I got very tired of seeing him try to blame Daisy for everything and whine about not being the center of her attention.
 
The other character that was unlikeable was Sage and Cassidy's mother, Joanne. During her marriage to Daisy's dad, she was nasty to Daisy and sabotaged Daisy's relationships with Sage and Cassidy, which continued after the divorce. In the current day, we see Joanne in her pursuit of the net rich man she can latch onto. She continually pushes Sage to do the same thing, including urging her to go after Jordan. Joanne's actions once again attempted to sabotage Sage's relationship, all to suit her own desires.
 
The epilogue was good. I liked catching up with everyone after the dust settled.

The Marine's Baby Blues - Victoria Pade (HSE #2837 - May 2021)

Series: Camdens of Montana (Book 2)

This Marine is meeting his toughest mission yet…
 
Tanner Camden knew hooking up with his ex was a bad idea. But he never thought he'd end up getting a call that he might be a father -- or that his ex had died, leaving little Poppy in the care of her sister, Addie Markham. Addie may have always resented him -- and his potential ability to take away the only family she has left doesn't help -- but with their shared goal of caring for Poppy, they're willing to set aside their differences. Even if allowing their new feelings to bloom means both of them could get hurt when the paternity test results come back…
 
Good book. Tanner arrived back in town on leave at the end of the previous book, The Marine Makes Amends, facing the news that he may be a father. Eleven months earlier, Tanner made the mistake of hooking up with his old high school girlfriend. Della was always a little obsessed with him, and her actions back then nearly caused a disaster in his plans for the future. The most recent encounter turned out to be more of the same, but she didn't live to carry out her plans. Instead, Della's sister Addie took over as Poppy's guardian, loving her like a mother.
 
I ached for both Addie and Tanner at the beginning. Tanner's arrival could mean the end of Addie's dream of being Poppy's mom. If Tanner really is Poppy's father, he'll have the right to take her away and raise her himself, leaving Addie alone. At the same time, Tanner wants to do the right thing, but he is terrified of being responsible for a tiny baby. I liked how Tanner stepped up, determined to learn how to care for Poppy. I had a little harder time liking Addie at this point because she attempted to discourage Tanner. I wanted to shake her for her teaching methods and loved it when he called her out on it.
 
Tanner and Addie came to an interesting arrangement. Tanner would help do the repairs on the house she inherited in exchange for baby care lessons. This entailed Tanner moving into the home with Addie and Poppy so that he could experience ALL of it. I felt terrible for Tanner because he was so nervous and tense that the lessons didn't go well. This was very hard on his confidence. Though Addie's attitude frustrated me initially, I understood a little of what made her that way. She lost her parents and her sister in a short period, leaving her with no family except Poppy. Then her fiancé left her at the altar.
 
Both Tanner and Addie had past issues that influenced the way they looked at each other. Addie was a preteen when the high school drama between Tanner and Della happened and only saw it from Della's perspective. She saw Tanner as cold and uncaring and didn't want that for Poppy. Meanwhile, we learn about the hell Della put Tanner through, why he was so ready to leave town, and why he rarely came home for a visit.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Addie and Tanner. Once they moved past the initial problem of Addie's sabotaging his lessons, things got a little easier. Despite the tough Marine reputation, Tanner is a pretty sensitive man. I liked seeing him pitch in to help Addie with the post-jilting cleanup and how he supported her when she returned wedding presents. I liked seeing them get to know each other and some of the deep conversations they had. One night, aided by a bit of wine, Addie learned how deep an effect Della's actions had on Tanner. I loved Addie's take on the things he told her and his reaction when she told him. Of course, Addie's jilting affected her, and Tanner pointed out some things she hadn't considered either.
 
Complicating the whole waiting for the paternity results issue was the attraction that grew between Addie and Tanner. Tanner is wary because Addie is Della's sister, and how can he be sure that she isn't as excessively emotional? Poppy resists because of his former relationship with her sister, plus it being so soon after her breakup. But the attraction continues to build until they can't help giving in. The experience profoundly affected Tanner, and I loved his time of introspection the next morning. The ending was terrific. I loved the thought that Tanner gave to Addie's love for Poppy, his feelings for both Poppy and Addie, and what he saw as his role.
 
There were a couple of issues I had with the book. They did not affect my enjoyment of the story. One very minor, and one that is a consistent problem with Harlequin books. The minor issue was with the timeline of Tanner's departure for Annapolis. Unlike civilian colleges, which start at the end of August or the beginning of September, the Academy does things differently. If you are a Plebe (freshman), you report in at the beginning of July for Plebe Summer. "Plebe Summer is the summer training program which is required of all incoming freshmen to the United States Naval Academy. The program lasts approximately seven weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The stated purpose of Plebe Summer according to the Academy is to "turn civilians into midshipmen" (Wikipedia).
 
The other issue is that Tanner is a Marine, not a marine. Marine is ALWAYS capitalized when referring to a member of the Marine Corps. Harlequin nearly always gets it wrong.
 
P 151, The Associated Press Stylebook, 2004
Marines:  Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces:  the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations.  Do not use the abbreviation USMC.
Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit:  He is a Marine.
Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army.  Use troops if a generic term is needed.

The Decoy - Carol Ericson (HI #1996 - May 2021)

Series: Kyra and Jake Investigation (Book 2)

She changed her name and identity to escape her violent past.
 
But she didn't run far or fast enough.
 
Therapist Kyra Chase fights for victims and their families. But she harbors her own tragic secret: the unsolved murder of her mother. Now a new threat is terrorizing the City of Angels -- a killer who mimics another killer's MO. LAPD homicide detective Jake McAllister has to help his partner solve crimes in both the past and present before Kyra becomes the victim in a chilling vendetta of violence that's far from over…
 
This book picks up where the first book, The Setup, left off. There is a new serial killer in town in that book, one that mimics a killer from twenty years earlier. Known as "The Player," he was never caught, a fact that haunts retired detective Quinn, the lead in that case. Detective Jake McAllister leads the task force on this case, and Kyra Chase is a victims' advocate assigned to the task force. Their rocky beginning made things interesting, with sparks of attraction simmering under the antagonism. Though The Decoy can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading The Setup first.
 
At the end of the first book, the serial killer meets his fate, but another copycat strikes before the task force can celebrate. The similarities to the original and the first copycat cause the team to wonder if there is a link between them. I could feel the team's frustration as clues were few and far between. With each new murder, the pressure intensified. I loved watching the painstaking work to find something that would lead them to the killer. I cheered for the little piece of tape, and again when modern technology gave them another part of the puzzle. It was interesting to see how the killer gave himself away. I did feel that the final confrontation, while somewhat intense, was a little anti-climactic. There are still unanswered questions, and I don't think anyone is ready to call the case solved.
 
In the first book, Jake and Kyra first had to learn to work together and deal with the attraction simmering between them. Both of them have trust issues. Jake's stem from his wife's betrayal, making him wary of anyone who keeps secrets. Kyra's life is nothing but secrets. She is fiercely independent, and letting down her guard doesn't come easily. When she receives disturbing messages, rather than share them with Jake, she investigates on her own. She partially believes they have nothing to do with the case but also doesn't want information revealed to change the way he looks at her.
 
I ached for Jake, who wanted to get to know Kyra better but kept running up against her secretiveness. I thought he was incredibly patient and understanding. There was also some physical frustration between them, as circumstances seemed determined to interrupt at awkward times. I loved when Quinn helped Kyra realize that she wasn't helping anything by keeping Jake in the dark. I felt her nervousness when she finally came clean. I liked seeing the advancing of their relationship, but I suspect there will still be some bumps in their road to happy ever after. 

Waking Up Married - Reese Ryan (HD #2793 - Mar 2021)

Series: Bourbon Brothers (Book 5)

What's wrong with a little fake marriage between friends?
 
Their night on the town is a blank, but when Zora Abbott and Dallas Hamilton awaken in a Vegas hotel room, they're man and wife. With news of the nuptials spreading virally, the high-profile best friends decide to stay married, temporarily. Maybe under the cover of marriage, Dallas can even make his best friend's baby dream come true. But can their friendship survive their newly unleashed passions?
 
Fantastic friends-to-lovers story. Zora is the youngest and only girl in the family and had to fight to earn her place in the family's bourbon business. She is intelligent, fierce, and doesn't put up with anyone's BS. Zora also envies those family members who found their true loves and started families. Each new addition brings home how much she wants that for herself. Tired of waiting for Mr. Right, she decides to go ahead and become a single mother. Before facing her family with her decision, Zora wants her best friend's opinion and support.
 
Dallas is a talented furniture maker and designer. He and Zora became best friends in kindergarten when she confronted the bullies tormenting the new kid (loved that story and the way Dallas told it!). For years, he and Zora were each other's "plus ones" at various events when they weren't involved with other people. That was often the case with Dallas, whose relationships tended to be short-lived. That's okay with him because he doesn't see himself as a husband and father, thanks to the poor example of his own father.
 
As the book opens, Zora joins Dallas in Las Vegas to support him as he receives a prestigious award for his furniture designs. They then plan to celebrate Zora's upcoming birthday. From the moment of Zora's arrival, there is a feeling that something is changing. Both Zora and Dallas determinedly work to preserve their friendship, ruthlessly suppressing any hint of attraction. A spontaneous kiss under the mistletoe a few years earlier started a slow burn that was about to burst into flame. Their post-ceremony celebration included some potent cocktails and some enhanced brownies, leading to waking up the next morning in bed together and wearing wedding rings. Unable to pretend it didn't happen, thanks to a viral video of the wedding, Dallas and Zora agree to stay married for at least a year.
 
I loved seeing the progress of Dallas and Zora's relationship from friends to lovers. Though Zora freaks out at the marriage, Dallas finds that he doesn't mind at all. In fact, he wants to make it real. I loved watching him negotiate the "terms" of their bargain to his best advantage, including offering to make her baby dream come true. From the beginning, Dallas does everything he can to show Zora how right they are together. I loved the little things he did, from making sure she got the waffles he promised her (fantastic scene!) to having her back when dealing with her family.
 
Zora's fear of losing their friendship causes her to fight her growing feelings for Dallas. Though she freely admits they love each other, she's not so convinced about the "in love" part. She doesn't want to deprive either of them of that lightning bolt "aha" moment when they meet the right person. She doesn't realize that she and Dallas have already passed that point, thanks to their well-developed friendship. She especially worries about Dallas sacrificing his happiness in his desire to make things perfect for her.
 
I ached for them both when he confesses his feelings, and she doesn't reciprocate, not because she doesn't care but because of what he gives up. I understood why she wanted to ensure his needs counted as much as hers. I ached for them both as she pushed him to accept the opportunity in Iceland. I loved seeing how their time apart helped Zora come to terms with her feelings for Dallas (with a bit of brotherly encouragement) and what she did about it. The twist at the end regarding the direction of the family company and Zora's part surprised me. The epilogue was sweet and perfectly showcased Dallas and Zora's relationship. 

 

Her Child to Protect - Delores Fossen (HI #1995 - May 2021)

Series: Mercy Ridge Lawmen (Book 1)

Nothing can stop her…from saving two lives.
 
When she arrives at a murder scene, Deputy Della Howell is not pleased to find her recent ex already on the job. She'll work the case with Sheriff Barrett Logan but will keep the secret she's certain Barrett isn't ready for -- she's pregnant with his child. But as the dueling cops investigate, familiar sparks reignite between them…just as they fall prey to a very tenacious killer.
 
Good start to the new series with a second chance romance. Barrett is the sheriff of Mercy Ridge, a small town in Texas. Della is a deputy in Culver Crossing, a neighboring small town. They had a "friends with benefits" arrangement that worked well for them for a long time. Two months earlier, Della ended the relationship as she is ready for marriage and family, and Barrett is adamant he will never marry or have kids of his own. Complicating matters, Della just discovered that she is pregnant with Barrett's baby.
 
In the opening scene, Barrett received an anonymous text reporting a dead body near the border of the two towns. Shortly after he arrives on the scene, Della arrives, having received an identical text. Neither is particularly happy to see the other, but they'll work the investigation together and try to keep their personal issues out of it. That may be easier said than done. They find one dead body with a knife in his chest at the scene and one injured woman covered in blood. In addition to being the lover to the dead man, the woman also is Barrett's estranged mother. Barrett may have long-standing issues with Alice, but he has difficulty believing her capable of murder.
 
Barrett and Della's investigation quickly uncovers multiple people with the means and motivation to kill the victim. Could it be a local rancher whose ethics and activities already spawned several investigations? Perhaps it is the "other woman" who refuses to give up the man she loves and loudly blames her rival for his affections?  Or maybe the private investigator who is badly in debt and has questionable ties to another suspect? To make things worse, someone seems determined to stop Barrett and Della from investigating - permanently. Multiple attempts on their lives added intensity and kept me glued to the pages. Twists and turns and tangled threads of leads kept me guessing until close to the end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter to the end. While the mystery of the killer was resolved, there are ongoing questions about another character that will likely continue through the series.
 
I enjoyed seeing the progress of the relationship between Barrett and Della. Caught on the horns of a dilemma, Della knows she needs to tell Barrett about the baby, but she doesn't know how he'll take it. Barrett's issues have roots deep in his past. Twenty years earlier, Alice walked out on her three sons and her husband. Barrett's father killed himself, with Barrett finding his body. Though his grandfather moved in to raise the boys, Barrett also felt responsible for them. Though they turned out well, Barrett believes he would be a terrible father. Della didn't want to end her relationship with Barrett, but she saw no other way to achieve the future she wanted. This pregnancy was not her preferred way of doing things, but there was no doubt she wanted this baby no matter how Barrett reacted.
 
Barrett's reaction impressed me. There were no angry words or accusations, just a little bit of stunned surprise. I liked his acceptance and growing pleasure in his impending fatherhood, with the scene at Della's ultrasound being especially moving. Della's pregnancy brought out a very protective side to Barrett, who tried to balance his protectiveness with respect for her abilities as a cop. The requirements of the case make it difficult for them to address their issues, but it quickly becomes evident that the attraction between them is as strong as ever. While Della knew the depth of her feelings for Barrett, it took him a while to realize his. I loved the ending and seeing him all-in on his new future.
 
A big part of this book was also the relationship of Alice with her sons, especially Barrett. He understandably feels a great deal of anger and resentment over her actions even twenty years later. It amazed me that he could put those feelings aside and treat her objectively while investigating the murder. He also spent far more time in her company, and I sensed a slight softening in his attitude by the end of the book. It was easy to see that Alice regretted her past actions and did not expect forgiveness. Her efforts at the end demonstrated her love for Barrett and added to his changing feelings for her. 

The Bluestocking Duchess - Julia Justiss (HH #1562 - Mar 2021)

Series: Heirs in Waiting (Book 1)

Her good friend…
Is suddenly a duke's heir!
 
Miss Jocelyn Sudderfeld is working at Edge Hall, indulging her love of translating ancient texts with her librarian father -- and evading the need to marry! She's always enjoyed a teasing friendship with estate manager Mr. Alex Cheverton. Until he unexpectedly becomes the Duke's heir. Now his first duty is to marry a suitable debutante, not consort with an earnest bluestocking like her… So where does that leave their friendship?
 
Good friends to lovers story. Jocelyn lives with her father and brother in the Dower House at Edge Hall. The Duke employs her father and brother to translate Greek texts of Euripides into English, while Jocelyn ostensibly writes it all down. In truth, Jocelyn is far more involved than anyone knows, and exposure would mean disaster for her family. One of the benefits of being at Edge Hall is Jocelyn's friendship with estate manager Alex Cheverton.
 
Alex is a distant cousin of the Duke's, who hired him as manager straight out of Oxford. In the six years since then, Alex grew into the job and gained an excellent reputation. He owns a small estate where his mother and sister live, while his position at Edge Hall provides the money needed to support them. One of the bright spots of a somewhat quiet existence is his friendship with Jocelyn.
 
I enjoyed the relationship between Jocelyn and Alex. They've known each other since she was sixteen and have an outwardly sibling-like relationship. They tease and torment each other like brother and sister, but there is an undercurrent of something more they try to ignore. Jocelyn's crush on Alex grew into love, but she sees no future in it. She avoids thoughts of marriage because she won't give up her scholarly work for any man. Alex becomes more aware of Jocelyn's charms, but after a disastrous romance as a youth, he refuses to allow himself any extreme emotions. A spontaneous and unexpected kiss stirs up feelings that neither welcomes and though they agree to ignore it, returning to their previously uncomplicated friendship proves impossible.
 
Matters become more complicated when the Duke's son dies, and Alex discovers he is the new heir. The Duke summons Alex to London, where he begins Alex's training in ducal duties, including the necessity to marry the "right" woman. Alex, who never expected to be in this position, knows his duty but desperately misses Jocelyn and his simpler life. Meanwhile, Jocelyn's great aunt, Lady Bellingame, invites her to London with the intent of finding Jocelyn a husband. While she has no intention to marry, Jocelyn accepts the invitation in the hopes of seeing Alex a few more times before they must part permanently.
 
I ached for Alex, who wanted to do right by the Duke and follow his advice. He's a bit overwhelmed by everything, and stolen moments with Jocelyn are a relief. I loved those times together and seeing how perfect they are together. While Alex can accept the various responsibilities that face him, the marriage requirement hits him hard. Though he originally planned a passionless marriage, when faced with the Duke's choice, Alex faces a difficult choice.
 
Meanwhile, Jocelyn gained a persistent suitor who appears to accept her for who she is. But can she trust him with her secret, and what about her feelings for Alex? There's a beautiful moment when Jocelyn and Alex share a dance, with their feelings vividly apparent on their faces. Though Alex now knows his mind and heart, Jocelyn fears his reaction to her secret and pushes him away, and the Duke makes his displeasure known. I loved the confrontation with the Duke and Alex's masterful handling of it.  I loved the ending as Alex finds the way to win his heart's desire. Everything wrapped up quite neatly.
 
I liked the brief scenes with Alex's friends, whom I assume will be the subjects of the next two books in the series. All three of them have challenges to face. I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for Gregory and Crispin.

Resisting Her Enemy Lord - Helen Dickson (HH #1560 - Feb 2021)

A tumultuous journey
 
A tale of war, betrayal and passion…
 
Despite her unhappy marriage, Catherine Stratton had defended her husband's castle for six years while he was at war. Now widowed, she must travel with John, her late husband's cousin, who'd fought on the opposing side. Facing danger at every turn, she's stunned by the heat burning between them. Is this just lust, which will pass…or is this enemy lord a man she can trust with her life and her future?
 
Good book. I enjoyed the unusual setting, as the English Civil War is rarely used in this genre. This book takes place in 1648, shortly after King Charles and the Royalists' defeat by the Parliamentarians.
 
Catherine was married off to her husband at the age of sixteen, and he left shortly after that to join the king and fight for the Royalists. For six years, Catherine protected the castle and its people from both sides. She quickly learned to take charge, depend on herself, and never show weakness. Then word came that her husband died, and his cousin John, a Parliamentarian, inherited the castle.
 
John Stratton didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't the beautiful, self-possessed woman dressed in breeches who met him. Unlike any woman he knows, Catherine fascinates him with the hint of vulnerability under her independent persona.
 
The sparks between John and Catherine fly from the beginning. Catherine doesn't know what to make of the feelings John stirs in her. Thomas's cruelty and neglect left her with a poor opinion of men and no intention of getting involved with another one. She finds John's open admiration and flirtatious ways suspect, but she isn't entirely immune to them. John makes no secret of his interest or attraction, but doing anything about it would be unwise. Besides bringing her husband's body home, he has been tasked with escorting her to her father's home.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Catherine and John. Catherine is quite outspoken in her independence and makes no secret of her intention to live life her way. Her relationship with her father is strained at best, and she resists John's plans to take her to him until she learns he is dying. I liked that John doesn't try to force her but understands her well enough to appeal to her reason instead. They get to know each other a little better during their journey, and the attraction continues to grow. After their arrival, John stays at her father's home in between his duties at nearby Windsor. His position with the army keeps him busy, but Catherine remains on his mind.
 
Catherine's stay at her father's home is tension-filled. Her father remains as distant and unemotional as ever, her stepmother blows hot and cold, and Catherine senses there are secrets around every corner. The time she spends with John almost feels carefree in comparison, except for the simmering awareness between them. When they give in to the attraction, their feelings overwhelm them, and they decide it would be wrong to pursue them. Unfortunately, neither can forget. John realizes that he loves Catherine and wants more from her, but Catherine isn't ready. Then her father reveals some things about Catherine's husband, and knowing that John was aware of them hurts and infuriates her. Catherine's confrontation with John created hurt and anger on both sides. I liked that John knew her well enough to wait before clearing the air, but it took longer than expected for him to visit her. An unexpected twist left her uncertain about what to do. John's subsequent arrival and revealing of the whole story went a long way toward repairing their rift, though Catherine's news created a small bump in the process. I liked that they overcame it easily.
 
There were a few times I wanted to shake Catherine because of her stubbornness. Her attitude sometimes made things more difficult between herself and others, when a little more flexibility would have helped. John was also no angel, with his occasionally inappropriate flirting and his tendency to overprotectiveness.
 
The ending was terrific as they finally gave in to their love for each other. I liked seeing Catherine settle into his home and family, and the epilogue was a nice wrap-up.