‘Stormy Days On Mulberry Lane’ – written by Rosie Clarke #BookReview @AnneHerries @rararesources

Stormy days indeed…

Synopsis

London 1950
Peggy Ronoscki is happily settling into life running her guesthouse on Mulberry Lane, surrounded by close friends and family. Life just seems too good…
But then disaster strikes.
Pip, her beloved son is left in a coma following a devastating car crash and a young girl collapses in the market leaving Peggy no option but to nurse her back to health.
As things begin to go awry, Peggy worries she has brought trouble to her doorstep?
Can her life ever return to normal? Or has Peggy’s good nature led her astray?

My review

Peggy Ronoscki is back where she truly belongs, running her guesthouse on Mulberry Lane. she has everything she wants now, a loving husband, adorable children, and she is surrounded by her closest friend and family. Even her grown children are despite a physical distance closer on an emotional level.
but all good things must come to an end somehow, and for Peggy it’s even more devastating when her son Pip has an accident, and Peggy’s kind heart seems to be taken advantage of…

When I received the opportunity to read this next chapter of Mulberry Lane, I was in limbo. I was happy to read more about Peggy and her family and friends, but as the title said, Peggy isn’t going to have an easy time…
And when you start caring about a character, you want them just to be happy! Yet temptation was too hard to resist, because in the end, these characters are too nice to just ignore and I know how resilient they are!

I loved being back on Mulberry Lane, with these lovely characters. No matter what happened in the past to them, they are all caring, loving and with one of the kindest hearts ever!
Especially Peggy shows how amazing she is, always looking out for the guest at the guesthouse, going the extra lengths to please them even when it’s not truly necessary.
And when a young girl is in need of help, she doesn’t hesitate to open her house to Gillian too!

But not only Peggy is amazing, also Able is an amazing husband, father and friend. If only everyone could be on the receiving part of the love of someone like Able in real life, it’s truly something to be jealous of!

When tragedy strikes, not just once but twice, it was terrible to read! I didn’t want my beloved friends to go through what was happening. Yet even if it was terrible, somehow it was also a way to show that bad things CAN happen to good people, no matter how unfair it all seems.

Yet again, the magic of Mulberry Lane shows its sparks again, and all the family and friends stand by Peggy as an united front, being there for each other, offering comfort and lots of love.

I truly enjoyed reading this next chapter, because it showed how no matter what happened, with the right people by your side, nothing is insurmountable.
After reading this book, it’s not the hardship that I remembered, but it was the love, the kindness and the unselfishness of our friends that once again sparked from each page. 

‘Friends With Benefits’ – written by Lisa Swift #BookReview @lisaswiftauthor @rararesources

More than the usual friend with benefits – plot!

Synopsis

Could Mr Right-Now actually be Mr Right?

Lexie Whittle thought she had life all sewn up, with a gorgeous husband, a beautiful home, and an utterly delightful teenage stepson. Until husband Daryl announced he was leaving to work overseas… and everything changed.

A year later, Daryl and Lexie’s marriage is practically over. Lexie is fighting to stay on top of the bills, juggling her job at the Blue Parrot 1940s cafe in Leyholme with being mum and dad to Connor in Daryl’s absence.

The only thing keeping her sane is the support she gets from Connor’s godfather: Theo Blake, Daryl’s former business partner. Theo might be a jack-the-lad, drifting from one woman to another, but Lexie knows she and Connor can always depend on him in times of need.

After one too many glasses of wine leads to them falling into bed together, Lexie and Theo begin a friends-with-benefits relationship. It starts as just sex, but it doesn’t take long for deeper feelings to develop.

But when Daryl returns, Lexie is faced with some difficult decisions. Will she be forced to choose between her love for Theo and the boy she sees as a son?

My review

Lexie Whittle’s marriage didn’t exactly go as planned. After marrying Daryl she thought she had found the love of her life, but Daryl came with a past…
So it’s not a big surprise that when Daryl had the opportunity to work overseas and just went, the marriage is over.
But nothing is as easy as it seems. Because now Lexie is taking care of Connor, Daryl’s son she loves more than everything on the whole world. But also the bills just keep coming and she is truly fighting to keep all the balls juggling.

Luckily she can truly count on Connor’s godfather, Theo Blake. Despite his reputation of going from one woman to another and being very laidback, Theo is always there for Lexie and Connor, even if it means having awkward conversations with a teenage boy!

When Lexie and Theo have an evening with too many drinks and predictable results, they decide to continue with this friends – with – benefits relationship.
But can they keep it truly just a physical thing? And when Daryl returns out of the blue, what will this mean for not only Lexie and Theo, but also Connor?

Just wow… I cannot explain what this story did to me. It was totally not what I expected it to be, but yet it managed to touch my heart!

Lexie is on the verge of a divorce from, let’s be honest, a man I truly disliked… And that is not something she deserved… she truly loved Daryl, and even is just being a stepmother, she loves Connor like he was her own child.
And how she is struggling to just not let everything fall apart, is both admirable and sad…
Despite how Daryl is behaving towards her and Connor, she makes sure that the tiny bond there is between father and son, is still there.  And this shows just how much she cares about Connor, always putting his needs as a first priority.

Luckily she has Theo. He was a real surprise for me, because he also has his heart at the right place. No matter what he is doing, no matter who he is dating at the moment, whenever Lexie calls, he drops everything to offer his help.
Even if he used to be best friends with Daryl and it all ended ugly, he is there for Lexie and Connor, because they are also victims…

And when they decide to take their friendship to another level, it’s obvious what will happen. And to add more drama, when Daryl reappears, hell will break loose.
Even if at some point I somehow understood Daryl his motivations, his actions were totally wrong. And the true victim is Connor. Daryl is someone I would never truly like. I think I would accept him but we would never become friends…

Even if we have the story of Lexie and Theo, for me the real hero of this story is Connor. Being a teenager, with an absent father, is already a struggle. But then what he is going through, oh my God, it just broke my heart!
Yet he comes to learn that he has caring friends and caring ‘parents’ in Lexie and Theo.
Also him being a ‘geek’, made him even more adorable in my eyes, even if I am totally oblivious in the world of games, Comic Cons etc. But I was happy he had a thing he could truly enjoy and having friends just like him, accepting all the ‘geekiness’!

But this was not a story about friends falling in love. Because if it was, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with it that easily.
This story shows that family is not always what we see as a ‘normal’ family. It’s not because there is no blood connection with people, that a family cannot be made.
Lexie shows this on several occasions, because she is ready to fight for Connor like a lioness. And also Theo is more a father to Connor than Daryl.

The author managed to combine several hot topics in one story, without making a mishmash full of a bunch of nothing.
Every aspect of the story fits perfectly in the greater picture making it impossible for me as a reader to put the book away.
This story captured my heart and definitely deserves all the 5 starts and even more!

‘The Little Swiss Ski Chalet’ – written by Julie Caplin #BookReview @juliecaplinauthor @rararesources

When you need to clear your mind, go to a place famous for its chocolate!

Synopsis

It’s time to pack your bags and head to the breathtaking, snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps for velvety hot chocolates, delicious cheeses and a gorgeous love story…

Food technician Minna has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!

So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger…

My review

When you need to clear your mind, go to a place famous for its chocolate!

When her relationship ends in a terrible way, food technician Mina needs some time to sort out her life.
So she packs her bags, and decides to pay a visit to her godmother Amelie in Switzerland. In an idyllic snowy setting, surrounded by tasty chocolate and  delicious cakes, Mina can decide what her future will look like, but keeping any romance at distance.
At least, that is her intention, until she meets a stranger looking too good to be true!

Put chocolate and cakes and so much more sweet food in a story, and you know you have found the perfect recipe to make me like a book!
Add some romance and an amazing setting, and I’m totally hooked!
And this story made me totally forget my surroundings!

Initially, Mina is someone I pitied. The way her relationship ends is one of the most terrible ways…
So I totally understood why she needed to get away for a while, to clear her head and have space to decide where she wants to go with her life.
I admired her for her decision too, because if I were in the same situation, you would find me sulking with a lot of junk food on the couch.
Her passion for chocolate is something I totally understand, even if I am more an expert in just the eating department and not in the creating new recipes.
I was happy for her when she finally understood what her passion truly was and what she could accomplish by just going for it. It’s not an easy decision to make, but then again, why not?

And the chalet Amelie runs, it just how I imagined a Swiss chalet would be like. But the way Amelie runs it, it seemed like a she was a kind of fairy godmother! She truly cares about her customers, and even helps them out!
The way she opens her heart and her place to Mina is just a small indication of how amazing she is.

Let’s not forget about this mysterious stranger… I’m not going to spill my beans over him, because I want you to discover him all by yourself. I just want to add this: if you don’t fall in love with him, I don’t know what you need more from a man! 😀

This story is sweet, funny, a perfect way to escape your own life and dream away over Swiss mountains, lovely people trying to find their true dreams. And even for people like me who don’t like skiing or snowboarding or just any activity in the snow (for me snow means to curl with a blanket, hot chocolate and reading a good book like this one!) it felt like I was standing right there next to our protagonists.

I loved every bit of reading this, even if ‘devouring’ would more accurate! 😄
And just one tiny correction for the author: nothing beats Belgian chocolate!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

‘What Now?’ – written by Shari Low #BookReview @sharilow @rararesources

What happens after the happily ever after?

Synopsis

The follow-up sequel to the bestselling ‘What If?’ from Shari Low


Twenty years ago, Carly Cooper went on an epic quest to track down all the men she’d ever loved and lost in the hope that one of them was her Mr Right.

Now, two decades and two teenage sons later, she thinks she might have got it all wrong.

As the years have passed, lots of things have changed, leaving Carly asking ‘What Now?’

With a divorce and an empty nest on the horizon, Carly sets off once more to Los Angeles with her band of trusty girlfriends, to find the carefree, wild and adventurous Carly Cooper that she used to be.

On this latest quest, Carly discovers a few home truths and has to decide If her marriage is worth saving or is there a new happy-ever-after out there, just waiting for her…

My review

Carly Cooper went twenty years ago on a quest to find her Mr. Right and in the end, she found it. But now she starts doubting if she didn’t make a mistake back then.
Of course she adores her two teenage sons, and there is no way she could have stayed married to someone she didn’t love. But time has changed people, and she feels she is not her true self anymore.
Now Carly is on a mission to find her old back again and discover if her marriage is worth saving or if there is someone else lurking around the corner…

Having read what happened in ‘What If’, I was very curious to know how Carly had lived the past twenty years.
So when I found her on the verge of a divorce with her husband (I’m not giving away who the husband is!) I felt a little bit sad, because after everything she had been through, I hoped that her happily ever after was a real one.

I have to say, Carly twenty years later has lost her spark. She gave up on her literary dreams and put her own life on hold, allowing her husband to make his career.
Luckily for the reader, Carly realizes this also and now she has to decide if she has to pursue a divorce or if she should give her marriage a second chance.

This was a bittersweet story, seeing how a marriage is on the verge of reaching its ending, and having doubts about what is the right thing to do.
But the moments where all the friends are together, made me smile seeing how even after so many years the friendship still holds.

I have to admit, when I discovered what happened to one of the friends, I have to wipe a tear away, because it was so heart-breaking… even just thinking about it, makes tears appears all over again.

So this story made me laugh, made me sad and even made me cry. It shows how life changes people, and how sometimes choices made in the past may seem the wrong one.
But it also learns us that it’s never too late, and that sometimes you just have to have the courage to just admit what your feelings are.
And that real friendship stands the test of time. And in the end, love conquers it all!

‘The Viscount’s Unconventional Lady’ – written by Virginia Heath #BookReview @VirginiaHeath_ @rararesources

Does gossip always has a little bit of truth?

Synopsis

The notorious Viscount And the most gossiped-about lady…

After years as a diplomat in the Napoleonic wars, Lord Eastwood is reluctant to return to London society. His scandalous divorce has made him infamous, not to mention cantankerous! To halt the rumour mill, he should marry a quiet noblewoman – instead it’s bold, vibrant artist, Faith Brookes, who’s caught his attention. They are the least suitable match, so why is he like a moth to a flame…?

My review

Faith Brookes is used being subject of the London gossip. Together with her sisters she is having a good laugh reading about the things they are “accused” of doing.
Despite knowing how the gossip twist and turn the truth, when the Brookes family read about the scandalous divorce of Lord Eastwood, they nickname him as ‘Lord Beastly’.
When Faith’s father, a famous artist, has to paint a portrait of the whole Eastwood family, she assist her father as usual.
Will Faith be able to see the truth from the gossip? And will her strong character cause her more trouble and gossip?

Again a story from this author that I enjoyed reading, I just devoured it!

On one hand, we have the Brookes family. They are not the usual family we know, because the mother is a famous singer, the father a famous artist and 3 daughters, each different in their own way. Yet despite their differences, they are truly united. The daughters are really close and help each other out.
And even if the mother is a bit hysterical at some times, only reinforced because she is so often on the stage, the other members of the family accept it all with a grain of salt, knowing exactly what to say to calm the waters.

And then we have Piers Eastwood. He is the main subject for gossip, because of his divorce. That makes him reluctant to be seen in the public, and when he has no other choice, he prefers to stay in the shadows, minding his own business.
But he also realizes that his actions are having consequences for his family…

When Faith and Piers meet, it’s written in the stars that they will clash.
Faith her upbringing learnt her to think for her own and her own character is that she makes her opinion clear. Yet that causes also that she speaks before she thinks.
But she also has a darker, sadder side, because her trust has been taken advantage of, in one of the worst ways. And that made her adamant to never trust a man with his words, and is not planning to fall in love easily.

And Piers… no matter how cold he seems, there is just more to him than thought. He shows his family a warm, kind side that is strictly for those he cares about. And his love for his niece is just too adorable!!!

Despite their differences, and also their fears, they find a way to clear the air between them. And even their fear is not strong enough to ignore their attraction!
When these two characters are together, they manage to put the other at ease and they give each other this boost of confidence. Thanks to the input they dare to do what they thought would be impossible.

This is a story about two strong characters finding the courage to put the past behind them. But there is also a message of how gossip and rumours can live their own lives, without having a second thought about the consequences for the affected people, taking liberties with the truth.  And unfortunately, that is still something very actual… 

Another very funny and enjoyable story that kept me entertained from the start until the end!

‘Reunited With Her Blue – Eyed Billionaire’ – written by Barbara Wallace #BookReview @rararesources

When a wedding means seeing the man that broke your heart.

Synopsis

For billionaire Whit Martin, Jamie Rutkowski is the one who got away. Now his college girlfriend is back to celebrate their best’s friend’s marriage. As their chemistry reignites into an even greater passion, Whit’s determined that this time their relationship will work. But are they ready to unlock the secrets of their past…if it means a chance at forever?

My review

Jamie Rutkowski is looking forward to her best friend’s wedding. The only thing she is not looking forward to, is seeing Whit Martin again. He broke her heart when they were in college and he has a certain reputation.
Yet their chemistry is still very palpable. But is there a possibility for a second chance? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart?

After reading the short description, I thought I had a rather good indication what the story would be like. But I have to say that the description doesn’t do the story justice. It makes it appear as if Jamie and Whit immediately start a new romance, but there is so much before it truly takes place. And it’s the “before” that made me appreciate the story even more.

Jamie is a ghost-writer, happy with her work, but ghost  -writing is not her actual dream. But she doesn’t believe in romance, and in making dreams coming true, because Whit broke her heart. And proofed that having dreams is just a fantasy and that facing reality is what you have to do.
Reading how Jamie is so focused on the reality and does not allow herself to get carried away, made me sad. Because it’s obvious that that is not what younger Jamie was like.
But it also shows how a broken heart affects you…

When we meet Whit, I instantly thought of the cliché rich boy having it all. But together with Jamie, we discover that Whit has changed into a responsible man, with demons of the past still chasing him.
And him thinking that certainly nobody wants to stay around when the truth comes out, is a depressing thought. Yes, what he has been through, is terrible, and yes somehow I could understand his fear. But sometimes I just wanted to tell him to have faith in those who truly care about him.

When Jamie is ghost – writing for Whit, you know what will happen, as the attraction is obvious for everyone. But it’s not just the physical attraction, it’s also about how Jamie and Whit complete each other. Despite their differences, they make each other better. They are like pieces of the same puzzle fitting together.

I found this a beautiful story to read, about second chances and daring to dream again. I loved reading how Whit wanted to do special things for Jamie, and how Jamie became a person Whit could confide in, without prejudices.
And yet, there were some frustrating moment, when I just wanted to grab both characters and shake some sense in both of them!

This story does not only show how strong love can be, but also that sometimes even being surrounded by people, someone can feel lonely. And that happiness does not come only from richness, but most importantly from a caring family, real friends and that special person.

‘When’s The Wedding?’ – written by Olivia Spring #CoverReveal #WhensTheWedding @ospringauthor @rararesources

All I can say is, I love the cover and cannot wait to read the book!

Synopsis

She’s found the perfect man. Will she get her perfect proposal?

Dog hotel marketing manager Alex has always dreamed of having a fairy-tale proposal: the glorious sunset, iconic backdrop and rose petals – the whole shebang. She’s found her Mr Right, and life with sexy paediatrician Miles is wonderful, except for one thing. Despite saying that he’s ready for marriage, Miles seems no closer to putting a ring on it.

After a romantic getaway to Paris ends in more disappointment and Alex receives news that sends her world into a spin, she decides that her dream proposal won’t just fall into her lap. So she hatches a plan. 

Although she’s convinced her methods will lead to Miles popping the question faster than she can say ‘I do’, Alex’s friends warn her it will end in disaster. But a little bit of hint dropping can’t hurt, right? 

Will Alex get her happily-ever-after, or is there a reason why Miles is dragging his feet?

Order this fun romantic comedy now and join Alex on her exciting adventures as she attempts to speed up the proposal process, with hilarious results!

When’s The Wedding? is the sequel to Only When It’s Love. It can also be read as a standalone novel.

Pre-order links:

UK: https://amzn.to/33T8qjG
US:
 https://amzn.to/303smiT

 Publication date: 25th March 2021

About the author

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in July 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published four novels: The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions and Only When It’s Love. When’s The Wedding?, the hotly anticipated sequel to Only When It’s Love and Olivia’s sixth novel, will be published in March 2021.

When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found travelling to Italy to indulge in pasta, pizza and gelato and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

The cover!!!

‘Her Banished Knight’s Redemption’ – written by Melissa Oliver #BookReview @melissaoauthor @rararesources

When past and present catch up.

Synopsis

A lady’s need for protection 
A knight’s chance for redemption

Exiled Knight William Geraint answers only to himself. Yet, a mission to find and reunite lost heiress Lady Isabel de Clancey with her family is Will’s chance to finally atone for the torment of his past. With every rushed mile, their intense attraction becomes dangerously thrilling. He swore to protect Isabel not seduce her, but their desire for each other could threaten the redemption he’s worked so hard to achieve…

My review

Lady Isabel de Clancey was only a young girl when she was separated from her family, in order to save her life.
Now she has her own life with her adoptive parents, so when exiled Knight William Geraint is on a mission to reunite her with her family, she is not ready to just go with it but she does not really have many options as there are more people looking for her. And not all are having the best intentions at heart as Will does.
Yet the longer their journey takes, the more their attraction grows but also the more dangerous their situation becomes…

Again a story with that little bit of extra written by Melissa Oliver!

Isabel is not a damsel in distress looking for a saviour, but she is happy with her life like it is. Even if it isn’t with her real family, she loves her adoptive parents and also her adoptive sister, even if they don’t always get perfectly along (as also happens with real sisters).
So when William appears, she does not want to leave her home to just to a family she doesn’t know. And she is ready to literally fight for her freedom. Even further along is the story it’s obvious Isabel is not someone to just sit back.

And William is not just taking “no” for an answer. He has a mission, and he wants to accomplish it. it’s not only because he was hired for this task, but he is also looking for a way to find redemption for what happened in his past.

I know, you think this is a story like so many, that’s why I initially thought too.
But I found this a very intriguing story. There is so much going on that it’s not only a romance.

The reason why everyone wants to capture Isabel, is not obvious, and also there is doubt of who can be trusted and who not.
There is also a mystery about some jewellery, that added even a real quest to the whole story, making it even a more captivating story.

The attraction between Will and Isabel is obvious, yet the layer of their shared past adds that extra sparkle to it. 

Yet there is one character in this story that stole my heart in the quickest way possible… and even if he seems a dog without use, Perdu quickly proves he is actually often a real help.
And also the appearance of some kind friends we already knew was a nice surprise.

I found this an entertaining story to read, with many different things going on. And because it’s not only just a romance, made this not only entertaining, but also very intriguing.
The author managed to write again a captivating book, leaving you wondering what will happen next.

‘Faking It’ – written by Portia MacIntosh #BookReview @PortiaMacIntosh @rararesources

Fake it till you make it?

Synopsis

The perfect house, the perfect husband and the perfect life… or is she just faking it?


Life has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Ella. Growing up as the ‘less successful’ identical twin to her ‘perfectly successful’ sister, Emma, has left her feeling isolated, inadequate and let’s face it.. a little bitter.

When Emma unexpectedly reaches out to Ella in a time of need, Ella suddenly finds herself with the opportunity to fill in for her sister and experience how the other half live.

But as Ella navigates the world of gossiping mothers, rebellious teens and trying to play the model housewife (not to mention avoiding the temptation of attractive men at the school gates…) will she discover that all is not always as it seems on the other side?

My review

Having a more successful twin is not making Ella the most confident person. Especially when her own life is a rollercoaster while her sister Emma seems to have the perfect life.
But when one day Emma needs Ella to pose as Emma for several weeks, Ella has the opportunity to see how the other, better half lives.

Soon Ella finds herself in a world of gossiping mothers, teens being teens and trying to fill her sister’s shoes without giving the truth away. And on top of it all, there is the temptation of attractive men she must avoid, to prevent a bigger scandal that would ruin her sister’s life!

Before I started reading this book, I made sure I was comfortable, had all the necessities around me, because I knew a reading marathon would start.
And indeed, the author didn’t disappoint at all!
I found myself reading page after page, finding it impossible to put it away.

Ella is a character I immediately sympathized with. Life itself can be difficult sometimes, but when you have a sister that has a perfect life, it’s obvious that you would feel a bit bitter.
So when Emma calls her sister for help, I couldn’t avoid having some vengeful fun. Especially when it’s explained why Ella her help is required.

Yet the moment when Ella swaps places with her sister, the real fun begins. When it’s made clear that nobody knows that Emma has a twin, it’s a lot easier for Ella to play pretend.
Ella trying to keep up the pretence of being Emma, having to fake to like Emma’s friends, managing a troublesome teenager, there are just too many balls to juggle.
She does her utterly best, but she also discovers that her sister did not have the perfect life she imagined.

This story is certainly a very entertaining story, I had so many laughs, I enjoyed reading it from the start until the end.
Yet it’s not only fun, because we see Ella maturing during the story. Trying to keep her sister’s life in one piece makes Ella realize what she wants for herself too.
And when there is a certain revelation, it made my heart give a little ache. It showed again how life can change and that there is always more than meets the eye.

The author had a very high expectation to fulfil when I started, with many boxes to thick to make this an amazing story. Somehow she managed to thick each and every one of them, adding a few more and thick them too!
I know I am repeating myself, but I just loved it!

‘Trust Me’ – written by Candace Hutton #BookReview @authorcandace @rararesources

When trust seems impossible yet required.

Synopsis

Brooke Anderson never pictured herself as a divorcee at twenty-eight. But when she mentions getting a post-nup to her husband Garrett after one deliciously sex-filled year, he promptly serves her with divorce papers. Admittedly, she could’ve told him about how her father left her and her mother homeless when she was young, and how she’s never been wired to trust anyone. Especially those closest to her. Now, all she wants to do is avoid anywhere he might be so she won’t have to face him again.

But she’s not the only one who can’t seem to trust.

Garrett Call grew up with parents who married for money and wants no part of a life that puts material possessions above love. He reinvented himself in college, complete with a new last name so he couldn’t be tied to his family’s lucrative business. He never even told Brooke the truth. Admittedly, he could’ve handled the issue of a post-nup better with his ex-wife. Maybe he didn’t count on how much he was going to miss having her in his life. 

When their best friends’ wedding forces the exes to see each other again, a dangerous man from Garrett’s world threatens Brooke’s life. And they realize the only way to save themselves is to finally learn to trust each other.

My review

Brooke Anderson was happily married to Garrett. But when a year later she asks for a post – nup, Garrett answers by giving her divorce papers.
Little did Garrett know that how she has been wary to trust since her father left her and her mother homeless when she was just a child.
Yet little does Brooke know that Garrett has his own issues with trust, with parents that value money more than love…

But not only their best friends’ wedding is forcing them to see each other again, also a dangerous man from Garrett’s world makes his entrance, causing Brooke and Garrett to trust each other in order to save their lives.

Getting to discover this author was a real surprise to me.
I was a bit fearful it would be a story like I have read so many, that the ending would be so very predictable, without any surprises lurking around the corner.
And yes, the actual end was a bit predictable, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as everything that happens before is captivating!

It’s obvious that this couple (or ex – couple) has been having secrets from each other. And the way they have been handling their emotions isn’t really an example of how to be a married couple. But for me, is showed also how difficult it can be to truly open up and trust someone unconditionally.
Both Brooke and Garrett have their own demons to fight, and it’s easier said than done, facing them.

And no matter how hard they try to move on from each other, it’s obvious that somehow, despite their past and mistakes, this is a beautiful couple.
It is shown over several moments that their feelings are genuine, and that there is still something there. 
Also when someone is jeopardizing everything, both Garrett and Brooke think about each other first and are willing to fight to keep the other one safe.

I have to mention also Chad and Noah. This couple is just too cute for words! Their protectiveness towards our main characters is admirable, and their love for each other also sparks from the pages.

I found this an entertaining story, with some steamy moments, yet the message that trust is something inevitable arrives clearly. Yet of course it is something to be earned and not given easily. And the right person will proof himself/herself worthy of it.