Let's see, you've got the tearoom owner who doesn't trust her own judgement of men because infidelity seems to surround the women in her family. You've got the big city cop who blames himself for his failure to raise his brother properly and for getting two of his colleagues killed during a drug bust. And you've got the teenage nephew of the tearoom owner who's upset and mad that his parents have split up and is determined to take it out on whoever is around.

At this point, I'll agree with one of my friends who recently noted that the "teenager who's acting out" has become a too often used character in this genre. I'm also getting a bit tired of the "I like you but there's no way I could be romantically involved with you because . . ." theme that many books in this genre use and carry on a bit too long, probably for the sake of the page count.

I usually enjoy Irene Hannon as an author but perhaps not so much her Love Inspired books as her other books. I did like J.C. as a character overall. He's loyal to those he loves and responsible and trying to do a good job at his job. He's got a conscience--otherwise he wouldn't be so upset by thinking he caused the death of two of his colleagues. Yes, he has his faults, but he's a good man.

I didn't like that Heather seems to have inherited the need for control and order from her mother as well as the stubborn streak. Her family history and these traits contribute to the estrangement from her father. I was glad to see God soften that as well as softening Nathan's heart toward his siblings.

I did read the first book in this series also, though it isn't necessary to have read that one to be able to understand this one. ( )

The Hero Next Door
Author: Irene Hannon
Series Connect: Lighthouse Lane
ISBN: 978-0-373-87541-2
Genre: Love Inspired Romance

5 Hearts

Heather Anderson believes that the women in her family are cursed when it comes to love, so when the newest resident of Lighthouse Lane steps into her Tea Room she decides no matter how handsome J.C. might be it is best for her to stay away. After all no matter how good a man he is his stay in Nantucket is only temporary and she isn't ready to to get burned again.

Justin Clay came to Nantucket to get his life back in order after an undercover assignment goes bad. When he meets his new next door neighbor he knows that he should stay far away. His life is complicated enough at the moment, but after getting to know Heather, he can't seem to stay away.

The Hero Next Door is a well written inspirational story instilling the importance to forgiveness and caring. There are several references to bible verses that deal with the subject. The couple, J.C. and Heather have a lot of appeal as both struggle with being attracted to each other, but don't want to be hurt more than they already have been. J.C. is a caring, soft spoken hero who has a lot to offer.

Description:
When two fellow officers die in a sting operation set up by undercover cop Justin Clay, he heads to Nantucket Island on a leave of absence, figuring that working there as a beat cop during the summer tourist season will give him a chance to decompress and regroup. But he hadn’t counted on falling for Heather Anderson, owner of The Devon Rose tearoom. That’s a complication he doesn’t need…or want. Nor is Heather interested in the town’s newest cop. After experiencing the destructive effects of infidelity on families and relationships, she’s written off romance. But when her well-ordered world is turned upside down by family complications and J.C. steps in to help, she begins to believe he’s a man of integrity, honor and principle—and to wonder if he might be the exception to her rule…and a man worth loving. ( )