I can't get enough of Stewart Island and the residents of Oban! As always, Tracey Alvarez combines the perfect blend of romance, humor, angst and steam to keep you glued to the pages. Can't say enough good things....if you're new to the series, do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. Each can be read as a standalone, but reading them in order adds to the experience. ( )

Officer Sexy-Britches gets his HEA :)

Noah and Tilly's story was a lot of fun. Though both characters had some pretty heavy baggage in their pasts, much of their falling-in-love story was fairly lighthearted and fun. Tilly's "surveillance" of Noah on-the-job was LOL, and it wasn't the only part of the book that had me in danger of snort-laughing. Drink while reading at your own risk, people. ;)

The events that led to the black moment did feel a tad bit heavy-handed and coincidental, especially since their problem resolution seemed on the quick and easy side in contrast. Still, the ending was very sweet and left me with the warm fuzzies.

Bending the Rules could work as a standalone to those new to the series, though those who have been reading Ms. Alvarez for a while will love seeing the tiny glimpses into the lives of many of the other series characters.

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ( )

I really enjoyed this story. Both characters have complicated pasts that are still affecting their lives. Noah’s history includes issues with his father & brothers who are all policemen & his mom & girlfriend who could not handle the job & its demands. Noah was also still haunted from his last case where he had to take the life of another.

Tilly feels like she isn’t measuring up to her father & that she’s disappointed her parents. Her father is gone now but she wants to step up for her mom. She’s also had trouble in her most recent relationship & is struggling because of it. She’s drawn into her aunt’s diary & story of a love lost.

Neither Noah or Tilly were looking for love or a relationship but they are slowly falling into both. I enjoyed the give & take between them. They were opposites in so many ways but had the same distrust in love. They both had to learn to trust each other & open up in their words & actions. This was an enjoyable story about love, trust & relationships. ( )

Bending the Rules by Tracey Alvarez
Stewart Island #10

Oh my! Just ~LOVED~ this book!!! Tracey always gives good book and this is no exception.

Tilly Montgomery is an inquisitive, open, caring writer for a popular television series but she has aspirations to write more in the future. She has been hurt in love so guards her heart. With an inheritance of a B&B on Stewart Island to deal with she takes leave from her job and heads off to the island. The meet-cute of Tilly and Noah Daniels had me smiling then almost laughing out loud. I can just see myself in this situation as guess what? I have locked myself out a couple of times and it wasn’t nearly as easy getting back inside as it was for Tilly!

Noah is a quiet rather reserved man who has put his past higher octane police service behind him to be the sole constable in Oban. His past has made him as leery of a deeper relationship as Tilly is but boy are they drawn to one another.

It takes time, conversations, kisses, family, friends and an event that will shake them both before they find a way to a HEA that I was thrilled they managed to achieve.

What do I want next? Well, there are a few on the island that are still single and Noah’s brother in police K-9 service and a new man named Seth who seems to have arrived and might need a partner so…I do hope this series will keep on keeping on while providing wonderful romances for me to read.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )