Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. Brian Fortune was in Rambling Rose on New Year's Eve to celebrate a multi-couple family wedding, including his twin brother Brady's (An Unexpected Father). He shared a stunning New Year's kiss with a beautiful woman who quickly disappeared, leaving him unable to forget her.
Brian is the only one of his siblings still living in New York. The rest have found their way to Texas and are working with their Texas cousins. Brian, whose job as an advertising exec allows him to work remotely, promised to stay in Rambling Rose until his sister-in-law has her baby. He also promised to watch Brady's twins while he and his wife were on their honeymoon.
Brian is the quiet twin when compared with the outgoing Brady. He often feels at a disadvantage around his brother. Brian portrays himself as a lone wolf and perennial bachelor who doesn't commit ever since his college sweetheart broke his heart. It also hides the vulnerabilities caused by Tammy's parting words. Brian thinks he doesn't have what it takes to be a husband and father.
Emmaline took over her grandfather's antique shop after his death. She is also preparing to be a single mother after her ex-boyfriend made it clear he has no interest in fatherhood. She hasn't revealed her pregnancy, worried about the reactions of her friends and neighbors, thanks to her mom's experiences as a single mother. Emmaline is very independent and determined to depend only on herself.
Brian and Emmaline meet again when he shows up at her shop investigating a mysterious wedding gift received by Brady and Harper. He's stunned to see that Emmaline is six months pregnant and more so to discover that it doesn't matter to him. He's still interested in getting to know her better, even though he'll be leaving in a few weeks. Emmaline isn't interested in a relationship as the shop and her baby are her priorities. Still, she has nothing against spending some time with Brian while they research the horse sculpture.
I liked watching Brian and Emmaline spend time together. Despite their initial plan to have some fun together, it doesn't take long for stronger feelings to develop. Brian is protective of Emmaline and unexpectedly invested in her life. But Brian is convinced that he cannot be what she needs, despite evidence to the contrary. The scenes of Brian with his nephews were adorable, and his ability to relate to them as a twin himself helped a lot. There were times when I wanted to shake Brian for his refusal to admit that he'd changed since coming to Texas.
Emmaline has almost as much tunnel vision as Brian. Because of past disappointments, she refuses to allow herself to depend on anyone else. But the more time she spends with Brian, the more she is tempted to lean on him. I liked Emmaline's support of Brian and how she tries to show him that he underestimates himself. When she finally realizes the depth of her feelings for a man who won't commit, she does what she must to protect her heart.
I ached for Emmaline and Brian. Each was too stubborn to open their heart and risk rejection rather than take a chance. Even Brady had trouble getting through to Brian. It took a scare involving Emmaline for Brian to overcome his fears. I loved the emotional scene at the end and seeing both Brian and Emmaline get the future they wanted.
The mystery of the horse sculpture is intriguing. The information they have uncovered reveals a little bit of the sculpture's history but still nothing about who it is from. An unexpected twist at the end opened the door to more information that I expect will be revealed during the rest of the books in the series. I can't wait to see the story behind it.
Brian is the only one of his siblings still living in New York. The rest have found their way to Texas and are working with their Texas cousins. Brian, whose job as an advertising exec allows him to work remotely, promised to stay in Rambling Rose until his sister-in-law has her baby. He also promised to watch Brady's twins while he and his wife were on their honeymoon.
Brian is the quiet twin when compared with the outgoing Brady. He often feels at a disadvantage around his brother. Brian portrays himself as a lone wolf and perennial bachelor who doesn't commit ever since his college sweetheart broke his heart. It also hides the vulnerabilities caused by Tammy's parting words. Brian thinks he doesn't have what it takes to be a husband and father.
Emmaline took over her grandfather's antique shop after his death. She is also preparing to be a single mother after her ex-boyfriend made it clear he has no interest in fatherhood. She hasn't revealed her pregnancy, worried about the reactions of her friends and neighbors, thanks to her mom's experiences as a single mother. Emmaline is very independent and determined to depend only on herself.
Brian and Emmaline meet again when he shows up at her shop investigating a mysterious wedding gift received by Brady and Harper. He's stunned to see that Emmaline is six months pregnant and more so to discover that it doesn't matter to him. He's still interested in getting to know her better, even though he'll be leaving in a few weeks. Emmaline isn't interested in a relationship as the shop and her baby are her priorities. Still, she has nothing against spending some time with Brian while they research the horse sculpture.
I liked watching Brian and Emmaline spend time together. Despite their initial plan to have some fun together, it doesn't take long for stronger feelings to develop. Brian is protective of Emmaline and unexpectedly invested in her life. But Brian is convinced that he cannot be what she needs, despite evidence to the contrary. The scenes of Brian with his nephews were adorable, and his ability to relate to them as a twin himself helped a lot. There were times when I wanted to shake Brian for his refusal to admit that he'd changed since coming to Texas.
Emmaline has almost as much tunnel vision as Brian. Because of past disappointments, she refuses to allow herself to depend on anyone else. But the more time she spends with Brian, the more she is tempted to lean on him. I liked Emmaline's support of Brian and how she tries to show him that he underestimates himself. When she finally realizes the depth of her feelings for a man who won't commit, she does what she must to protect her heart.
I ached for Emmaline and Brian. Each was too stubborn to open their heart and risk rejection rather than take a chance. Even Brady had trouble getting through to Brian. It took a scare involving Emmaline for Brian to overcome his fears. I loved the emotional scene at the end and seeing both Brian and Emmaline get the future they wanted.
The mystery of the horse sculpture is intriguing. The information they have uncovered reveals a little bit of the sculpture's history but still nothing about who it is from. An unexpected twist at the end opened the door to more information that I expect will be revealed during the rest of the books in the series. I can't wait to see the story behind it.
