riley
My favourite in the Benevolence series. I loved Linc and sunshine so much!!!!
Linc and Mack are both first responders. He is the fire chief, and she is a trauma doctor now a small town family doctor. She moved to Benevolence for a 6 month period for a relaxing fresh start away from the stress of war.
Linc is a flirt, and has a reputation as a ladies man.
Mack is a men's lady, but is trying to be celibate and focus on herself.
They become quick and easy friends, going off each others banter. Linc sees a future with her but he knows she is only here temporarily. He is interested in her but
Doesn't want to put himself out there because he knows she will say no.
There were really sweet heartfelt moments, of a small town showing up and supporting. Time and time again they prove how welcome Mack is in their little town. She saves lives every day but it's new to her seeing her patients every day out and about.
Although Mack grew up with a traumatic and unstable home, she is strong AF and created something wonderful for herself. She was brave and although there were bumps along the way, she opened her heart to Linc.
This was so sweet. Aldo, a wounded war hero, finally gets his chance to take a shot at the girl he's been pining for since high school. After she finally leaves her abusive ex, Gloria needs to start over and find out who she is on her own.
Aldo wants her to have her own life and choices and hopefully he chooses him.
Both are damaged, but begging a healing journey together.
Aldo was a charming sweetheart of a man, coming home to a completely different normal to him and he just wanted to be Old Aldo. Gloria is starting fresh, and gaining confidence to stand up for herself. So when Aldo comes home from war being a jerk, she is shocked and very not happy with him. Thank god that she suggested he join therapy! (And pushed his fellow war vets to surprise him with a call to also suggest therapy)
These two were pining for the other for so long and now that they are free to start their journey together. Obstacles and healing song the way, but I am happy these two got their happy ending.
Why do the men of benevolence insist on proposing immediately after they get back together with the girl?
Luke is such a doofus of a man. I get where his hesitation to be open to love is coming from, but like I wanted to smack him so much.
That being said... the chemistry he and Harper had was off the wall. I loved the small town of Benevolence and it's people.
And I wish Harper had more self respect than to just openly accept him back just after one kareoke song!!!
And then as soon as the breakup was over and all was forgiven he proposed. They have only been in the same city for like two months????
Ok love that Olivia had the vintage Porsche moment!! I really enjoyed Finn and Olivia's story, I just wish they were able to communicate more about her hesitations and such. Finn just kept waiting for her while proving he was a steady guy. But if he had talked to her about it would they have gotten together sooner?
Sad this series is over!
Book store Hannah has a proposition for surf shop Wyatt. She wants to come out of her shell more and be a “hot girl” (didn't love this term but I got the idea. She said it too much and it got annoying)
These two opposites come together to teach Hannah to be brave, step out of her comfort zone, and complete her goals before she turns 30.
Wyatt is all about temporary so he doesn't see things going anywhere with her. But why does he get jealous when she goes on dates with other men?
It's kind of a sex coach turned relationship, but Hannah is a complex character that we all love.
This was so cute and fun to read!
Small town romance, fake dating, enemies to lovers.
Avery dreams of owning the restaurant she manages, but needs someone to co-sign. Emmett wants to run for mayor, but needs to show he's a dependable guy instead of a single bachelor.
The two showcase their new “relationship” and quickly fall for each other despite their best efforts.
This book exceeded all of my very high expectations.
The teasers in the previous Knockemout books, left me needing Sloane and Lucian's story like there is no tomorrow.
This blew everything I could have imagined away.
No notes. This was flawless.
Sloane is the town's librarian, and Lucian is her grumpy neighbour. They grew up next to each other during school, and when the parents's eventually gave them the houses, they just didn't want to sell. Lucian is a non-smiling business man who works in underground dealings but manages to do it within the lines of the law (most of the time). He's sneaky and gets things done. People are scared of him, but not Sloane. She doesn't take his shit and stands up to him on more than one occasion.
We knew they were enemies, but we didn't know why. The two had an unspoken agreement to keep the why a secret, until now.
Lucian is a tough grump, but he has a soft spot for Sloane.
“Everything I do has always been for you”
Without spoilers...
He's a sneaky sneak and secretly has funded things for her, done really kind gestures that no normal person would do just to give her something.
Tyler is such a sweetie with a dominance in the bedroom I LOVE. The dirty talk was chefs kiss.
They may have started as a FWB thing, but when life changing news breaks, I think they both realize how short life is and how actions speak louder.
The sneaking around and secretive aspect was exciting, but I loved them together more when they were open.
Love this couple so much
ATE THIS UP. A little long, but honestly this was such a good read.
Chase is such a sweetie, and I will read a reformed player book any dayyyyy.
Bailey gets dumped on her birthday, and is shocked to see how quickly her ex moves on.
Chase is on the rival hockey team so obviously she has to hate him. Except he flirts a little, and helps her save face around her ex. She resists at first but they eventually become friends.
There was a great amount of spice here, and swoon worth moments. Chase loves Bailey so much and even when he had his stupid boy moments, she is loyal and supportive.
This had all the tropes! Read if you love
- single dad
- small town
- nanny
- age gap
Asher was such a good dad to Olivia, and loves her fiercely. He was hesitant with hiring Phoebe as a nanny, but finding someone fluent in ASL is a challenge in their small town.
Eventually he realized that Phoebe was perfect for his child, and needed more of her.
There was attraction but too many reasons to say they shouldn't pursue a romantic relationship. Her dad is his boss, he's older, she's the nanny, etc etc.
Eventually they cave and agree on a “just for rhe summer” affair.
There is drama with Phoebe's past, but as the two become closer they overcome their struggles and build a solid foundation for their future
I feel like 3 stars is generous. I hate when relationships are started with a lie... but the grovelling was decent enough.
It was tough to get into this. I had to take a lot of breaks , but here we are.
Characters weren't anything special.
Cooper was a small town guy with tattoos who has a chip on his shoulder. His parents sucked, but he has a brother and uncle who are there for him. Make it work, ya know?
Mackenzie grew up in wealth, and is whining about being forced to go to college. Like you're 20... I get you have a business of your own but like take a business course or two to maybe help yourself down the road? What's the big deal.
Admittedly, there was good character growth near the end. But the ending itself was abrupt AF.
This was so fun to read!!! I laughed out loud so much and was smiling throughout.
I love Lucy Score, and this was nothing short of fantastic.
It was a wonderful love story with a romantic landscaper and a travelling house-flipper, with a mystery and a treasure hunt.
Silas was so funny and cute, and we can't forget Kevin.
This was such a happy read
The drama in this small town never ends.
Boden escapes to Wolf Gap to recharge, and get away from The celebrity media attention he's getting at home.
He walks by the gallery Laiken works at, and is mesmerized by a piece of art (that we later learn is hers!!)
Both have similar pasts with losing a partner, so the depth of their understanding of each other is there. Laiken is hesistant to start something with Boden because she knows he will leave eventually, so why put herself through hurt again?
Boden is nothing but persistent (but in a kind and respectful but charming way) so he gets her to spend time with him and slowly start to form a bond and relationship.
Boden is so cute and so sweet to her. She's put up walls but nothing is high is enough to keep him out.
Does the drama in Wolf Gap ever end?!?
Beckett is the oldest Easton brother, and has come home from working as a doctor across the globe.
He moves into the home Addie is staying in until his new house is built.
Addie is hesitant, due to her traumatic past, but needs to feel normal. She eventually lets down her tall tall walls and lets Beckett in. The two become closer, and eventually fall for the other. He makes her feel protected yet can do anything (he's her launchpad)
And she brings positivity to his darkness.
The drama and crime never stop in this small town but love always finds a way
Loved Hadley and Calder's story. So much healing still in the Easton family, but Calder is protective of his girls. He helps them soar instead of clipping their wings.
The drama never stops in Wolf Gap, that's for sure.
Calder is Hadley's brother's best friend. They had a deep friendship, but a falling out a few years ago. They are still in each others lives, just in a different way.
Hadley cares for Calder's two daughters, and work at the same fire/EMT station so they are always around each other.
They have such a strong connection and together, the two can overcome any obstacle (and there have been many!!!)
This was so unexpectedly dramatic!!! What a way to introduce this series and it's characters.
Everly returns to her old abandoned home 15 years after a horrific incident that rattled the town, and especially one other family.
After her return, the new sherif Hayes, comes to see who dares step foot on that tainted land.
Hayes isn't happy with Ev's return - it brings back old memories he would rather forget. But she is trying to find her peace and do something good on that property.
This was heartfelt and heartwarming. Hayes is so protective of his family, and the new girl in town. He's so drawn to her but she's fiercely independent and wants to do this alone. But she learns just because she can doesn't mean she needs to.
So many twists turns and drama filled moments in this small town
This was so enjoyable!!
Single cowboy dad. Small town. Age gap.
Colt is at war with his wonderful daughters teacher, but once they meet face to face, sparks fly.
They each are stubborn and want to fight for their respective causes, but the magnets pull them together.
Colt is such a good dad to eve, he will do absolutely anything for his girl.
Sam is in town temporarily while she finds herself. But after getting to know the town and the people... could this be her new home?
This was fabulous and so unexpected.
I felt such happiness reading this, I squealed and kicked my feet.
Nora is a romance movie screenwriter, and her latest is being filmed right in her backyard.
The lead actor Leo sleeps in a trailer in her yard, and eventually weasels his way to the porch, then into the tea house in the back (which the film is based around)
He takes a break from Hollywood life, and asks to stay at Nora's tea house for a week. He ends up tagging along to her errands, and getting a feel for her schedule and “normal life” (who knew bananas were so cheap!)
They have this whirlwind of a spring season, and eventually fall in love, but he has to quickly leave to film a huge movie in LA.
The conflict and the growth with Nora and her single parenting was wonderful to see. She holds herself up so strongly for her kids, even when she is breaking down.