Melissa Senate

This was a sweet second-chance story with a little bit of heat. Eight years earlier, a chance encounter between eighteen-year-old Annabel and twenty-one-year-old Logan led to a three-day relationship that had lasting consequences. But Logan was gone before Annabel knew she was pregnant, and she could not reach him. And when she could, she didn't. Cody is seven years old, Logan's biggest little fan and neither knows the truth.

I liked Annabel and Logan. The backstory is a little heartbreaking. They connected quickly and deeply over those three days together, sharing hopes and dreams. Annabel's belief in him did great things for Logan's confidence. Even after such a short time, Annabel dreamed of a future together. Those dreams took a hit when she learned that Logan never wanted children of his own and that nothing would keep Logan in Bear Ridge. Logan's relationship with his father is difficult at best and often emotionally abusive. A late-night phone call from his father that last evening reinforced Logan's need to get away. When Logan left the next morning, he cut all ties with Bear Ridge, including Annabel, going so far as to change his cell number and move several hours away. When Annabel realized she was pregnant, she could not reach him.

As the book opens, Annabel's son tells her that his "My Hero" essay will be on the paper's front page. She has a feeling that her secret is about to come back and bite her. Meanwhile, Logan has a minor injury he has to recover from, and his manager sends him to the Dawson Ranch for that recovery time. He will also meet his special fan. One look at the information in the paper, and Logan has a feeling about that little fan.

Logan and Annabel impressed me with their handling of the revelation. Annabel doesn't make excuses for her actions. She knows she was wrong. Now that the secret is out, she will do her best to smooth the relationship between Cody and Logan. I could feel her nervousness over sharing Cody with Logan and her worry about the future with him in their lives. Be that as it may, she doesn't try to keep them apart, instead including Logan in everything from school pickups to bedtime rituals.

Logan is shocked but understands why she didn't contact him. Though he had never intended to be a father, once he knows about Cody, he is determined to be the best father he can be. The scenes with Logan and Cody are so sweet as they get to know each other. I also loved that Logan has no problem acknowledging Cody as his son to anyone and everyone they meet and that he doesn't let his celebrity overshadow their growing bond. Logan makes an impulsive promise to grant seven of Cody's birthday wishes to make up for the birthdays he's missed. Some of those wishes are steeped in emotions wrapped up in Logan's memories of his life in Bear Ridge. To fulfill those wishes, Logan will have to face those memories.

Complicating matters is the attraction that still sparks between Annabel and Logan. Neither has forgotten the other over the years, and their connection is as strong as ever. Annabel is wary of risking her heart again, especially since Logan makes no secret of his plans to continue his rodeo career. I loved that Annabel understands Logan, what drives him, and doesn't try to change him. She does, however, know that he needs to face his past. I enjoyed how he got a boost in that direction, thanks to Cody. Annabel does her part in easing Logan's way and finds a crucial piece of information to help him. Meanwhile, Logan is at war with himself. Part of him can't wait to return to the rodeo, but another part pushes him toward Annabel and Cody. I loved the ending and seeing how Logan solved his dilemma.

#netgalley… (meer)

This at times felt as though it needed a little something more going on, something to make it a bit more of a page-turner.

There wasn’t much keeping Shane and Bethany apart, they were nice people who were nice together, they saw most things similarly including their opinion of his mother, so there wasn’t a lot of conflict in their relationship and that’s okay, it’s just with low conflict in the romance it felt like there needed to be a little more story from somewhere else, like maybe further exploring Bethany’s paternity, making that more of a focal point since that was easily one of the more emotionally engaging aspects of this novel.

I did find Shane’s amicable relationship with his ex refreshing when so often divorce is depicted with stereotypical vitriol, I also liked his mother’s arc even if it was a little hurried due to her status as a minor character, and I loved the dogs, Meatball, as well as the others were sweethearts, the author definitely had me invested in their furry little fates.… (meer)

Good friends to lovers romance. Felix has been a widower for three years and does not intend to risk his heart again. It hurts too much when that love is gone. His family, however, is determined to change that. His mother and his Uncle Stanley constantly push "suitable" women at him, with his uncle producing numerous subterfuges to do so. As the book opens, Stanley tells Felix about a woman who wants advice about her dog. As a vet, he wants to help, even though he knows what to expect, and bluntly extricates himself after answering her concerns.

Shari is a children's librarian still recovering from a relationship that failed after five years together when her boyfriend decided she wasn't what he wanted. She hasn't given up entirely on finding love but feels the likelihood is fading. She's exploring other options for the family she wants, and as the book opens, she's stopped in at the bar for some wings, a beer, and to be around people. She doesn't like to think about it, but she's lonely.

Shari and Felix start a conversation while Stanley flirts with Winona, the psychic. The next thing he knows, Stanley and Winona are gone, stranding Felix at the bar. Shari offers Felix a ride home, and he repays her with a cup of coffee. The sparks of attraction are there between them, but Felix falls asleep before they can do anything about them. Shari goes home, realizing she had a lucky escape. Getting involved with an emotionally unavailable man won't get her the future she wants.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Felix and Shari, but I sometimes wanted to shake Felix. The sparks he feels freak him out because he feels he isn't ready to move on. Instead, he tells Shari that all he can offer is friendship. She accepts that offer, something inside her, hoping it will grow into more. Attending a family party with him, Shari glows from the easy acceptance of his relatives. Though Felix insists to anyone who will listen that they are just friends, everyone can see they belong together.

There are sweet scenes, from Felix bringing her coffee at work to Shari making dinner for him. I loved how comfortable they were with each other and how easy it was to share their thoughts and dreams. The more time they spent together, the more feelings were stirred up. Shari realized she was in love with Felix, who only wanted friendship. Felix's feelings grow for her, too, but he refuses to admit them. Both realize that something has changed when they give in to the sparks one night. Though Shari is ready to see where it goes, Felix panics and pulls back. Though I ached for her, I loved that Shari respects herself and her feelings enough to call him out on his choices. It takes a talk with his Uncle Stanley (and a bit of trickery) for Felix to finally see the light. I loved the ending, from Felix's admission of his idiocy to the sneakiness of Stanley and Winona.

One of my favorite secondary characters was Page, the kitten Shari found at the library. She helped bring Felix and Shari closer when Shari offered to foster the kitten. I laughed out loud when Felix flat-out told her he saw a "foster fail" in her future, as she already loved the little critter. Page plays a significant role by giving Shari someone to come home to and talk to, relieving a little of her loneliness.

I also loved Uncle Stanley, a widower himself, who has the most wonderful outlook on life. I loved how he embraced life and got a huge kick from his meeting with Winona. Those two were very sweet together and an excellent example for Felix if he had just opened his eyes and heart. Winona is still freakishly good at telling people what they need to hear, but in a way that they have to figure it out for themselves. It made me happy to see that she has a chance at her own happily ever after.… (meer)