A reluctant return, undeniable sparks

Synopsis

The latest story by Harlequin Romance author Rachael Stewart, an enemies to lovers, billionaire romance set in the Outback!

The prodigal billionaire is back!

As he reluctantly returns to the Outback, the last thing Jackson King expects is to be drawn into a feud over his family’s sprawling estate—or to steal a searing kiss from Annalise Fletcher, his estranged father’s fiercely loyal assistant. Her enigmatic nature reminds him of a past trust-shattering betrayal, and she sees him as the selfish son who walked away. Still, their spark refuses to dim, illuminating an inconvenient truth: The home he’s been running from might be where he truly belongs…

From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.

Read all the Outback Kings books:

Book 1: Cinderella’s Billionaire Boss by Michelle Douglas
Book 2: City Girl in the Outback by Ally Blake
Book 3: Stuck with Her Impossible Ex by Kandy Shepherd
Book 4: The Billion-Dollar Heir Returns by Rachael Stewart

My review

Jackson King did everything he could to get away from the Outback, and become successful on his own. But when there is a feud over his family’s estate, instigated by his own father, he has no option to return to the place that holds so many painful memories. And what else he doesn’t understand, is how his father has found such a loyal assistant in Annalise Fletcher. Jackson cannot believe that there is nothing more going own between his father and Annalise, especially as it reminds him of a betrayal of the past… Meanwhile, Annalise sees Jackson as the selfish son that walked away and never looked back, until now. However, somehow sparks seem to fly between the two, resulting in a searing kiss. But where will it lead to, as Jackson cannot wait to leave again, and Annalise just found place that feels like home…

I know that people have a lot to say about the genre of this book, even about this publisher. But let’s also be honest, books are written to take you away on a journey, and what is wrong with a romantic journey?

And let an amazing author like Rachael write a romance, and there is for sure *me* that will read and LOVE it!😊

This book is part of a series, but is perfect too to read as a standalone, something I did. But now for sure my interest has been piqued and it won’t take long before I will also read the other books!

Right from the start of the book, I could sympathize with both characters, even if Jackson’s behaviour wasn’t always the right way to act.

But while his actions were perhaps wrong, I could see where he was coming from. There is truly a tragedy that scarred him, and the way his father raised the family, for sure won’t get him an award for father of the year…

And seeing the close relationship Annalise has with his father, who Jackson always saw as a hard person, I could understand that Jackson has his own questions about what truly is going on.

And yes, I have to admit, that I had a moment myself where I thought that there was something more. But I also have to admit, that feeling quickly evaporated once I got to know Annalise. She is the kind of person who has her heart at the right place, is a caring woman, and she is genuine.

With her background, I could also comprehend why she feels such a connection not only with the Outback but mainly with the King family. Even if the secret she is keeping from her ‘boss’ is something she isn’t feeling comfortable with, she truly feels a bond with every member of the family. With the exception of Jackson…

Obviously, upon Jackson’s return, things clash between him and Annalise. Mainly because they believe that the other is something that, in fact, they are not. Yet despite the initial wariness and even hostility, there is also an immediate attraction between the both of them.

A physical attraction, that slowly ignites into something deeper, something impossible to ignore. And seeing those changes was truly sweet and heartwarming to read. Because both Jackson and Annalise come with serious baggage, and with being around each other, not only are they able to overcome some of their fears (Annalise, I am talking about you and your fear of horses 😊), but they are also learning to open up, little by little.

Of course Jackson and Annalise are going through a lot of growth in this story. But at the same time, it is a journey with many ups and downs, misunderstandings and secrets that come out.

Perhaps, I was a bit disappointed (not really the right word) how easily things were forgiven, but it can also be because I live for drama, the more drama the better 😊. And perhaps, my Italian temperament won’t forgive that easily 😊.

But that doesn’t take away how much I enjoyed reading this book. It made me dream about Jackson myself (just like Annalise does in this book and no, #NoShame 😊). But it also made me understand that perhaps we don’t always understand someone and the reasoning behind actions, but that it doesn’t mean that it isn’t done with the best intentions. And that what we initially think about a person, isn’t how that person truly is. Because no matter if you initially clash with someone, it can be exactly that someone that can give you the courage and the strength to open up (again) and can let love back in your life.