Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
ONE STEAMY NIGHT
Fun book. Jaxon, a recently discovered cousin to Bart Outlaw, saw Nadia at a Westmoreland wedding and was immediately taken with her. At a Westmoreland men's poker game several months later, he announced his intention to marry her - even though they've never had one date. I loved the reactions to his announcement - mostly warnings that Nadia will not be an easy conquest.
Nadia has noticed Jaxon, but she's been burned by overconfident men before and has no intention of going through that again. When Jaxon appears in her hometown, ostensibly to purchase land to expand his business, she is wary of spending time with him. When he declares his love for her and his intention to marry her, Nadia is furious. She sends him off after chewing him out about his declaration when he doesn't know her.
Jaxon is not easily discouraged, and after promising to dial back his declaration, he decides to use other methods to get close to her. I enjoyed his end run, especially his commitment to supporting her acting school. There is a great scene where he shuts down a TV interviewer who tries to ignore Nadia while focusing on him.
The more time they spend together, the more their attraction grows. When Nadia decides to indulge in one steamy night (her reason is unusual for a woman her age), she doesn't expect the depth of their connection. She's determined to move on, but their night together reinforces Jaxon's desire to permanently have her in his life. When he again declares his feelings for her, Nadia reacts angrily and pushes him away. He confronts her about her refusal to believe his feelings and tells her to find him when she's ready to admit her feelings.
It takes a long conversation with her best friend and time away from Jaxon for Nadia to finally accept her feelings for him. I loved seeing her gather her courage and go to him. I loved the ending and seeing her open up completely to him and admit her love. The epilogue was terrific, and I loved the surprise Jaxon had for her.
I also loved catching up with so many of the Westmoreland couples. It is also exciting to see that more Westmoreland relatives have been found. I look forward to reading their stories.
#netgalley
AN OFF_LIMITS MERGER
Good book. The story begins with Tatum experiencing a devastating betrayal by her fiancé the night before their wedding. Mark died and escaped dealing with the scandal. Ten months later, Tatum is still the focus of gossip and innuendo and coping with the grief of losing the man she loved and the man she thought he was. What makes it worse is that Mark's parents can't seem to let her move on, constantly bringing her back to things involving him. Her parents are no better, frequently inviting his parents to family and social gatherings. It was interesting to get a look at the various family dynamics. I can safely say that I did not care for Tatum's parents and actively disliked her sister, Mia. Their actions and attitudes drove Tatum to escape from a gathering, where she met a sexy stranger with a penchant for direct speech.
The next day, Tatum is assigned to work with that stranger, a co-owner of a motorcycle business looking for investors. That meeting with her father and sister is awkward and highlights some of Tatum's issues. I liked Tatum's professionalism and determination to do her best. Bran is surprised to work with her and a little disturbed because of his attraction to her. He doesn't need the distraction or the risk of angering a potential investor.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Bran and Tatum. Both have disastrous past relationships, and neither is looking to risk their hearts again. However, there is no denying the sparks of attraction that flare between them nor the connection that draws them closer together. I liked how sensitive they were to each other's moods, and I especially liked how well Bran understood Tatum. I especially liked seeing his support as she began to push back against how her family treated her. One of my favorite parts was when he took her out on his motorcycle.
Tatum is hurt again when lies and family betrayals are revealed. It doesn't help that Bran allows his care and protectiveness to overshadow his belief in Tatum's strength. I loved seeing her stand up to her father, sister, and even Bran. Hurt and believing that she can't trust her judgment, Tatum withdraws from everyone as she tries to find herself and her strength. I also ached for Bran, who faced the possibility of losing the woman he loved. I loved the ending and seeing Tatum finally free of the chains holding her to the past. The scene between her and Bran was fantastic, and I heartily approve of their plans for the future. I would have liked an epilogue showing their lives a little into the future.
#netgalley
Fun book. Jaxon, a recently discovered cousin to Bart Outlaw, saw Nadia at a Westmoreland wedding and was immediately taken with her. At a Westmoreland men's poker game several months later, he announced his intention to marry her - even though they've never had one date. I loved the reactions to his announcement - mostly warnings that Nadia will not be an easy conquest.
Nadia has noticed Jaxon, but she's been burned by overconfident men before and has no intention of going through that again. When Jaxon appears in her hometown, ostensibly to purchase land to expand his business, she is wary of spending time with him. When he declares his love for her and his intention to marry her, Nadia is furious. She sends him off after chewing him out about his declaration when he doesn't know her.
Jaxon is not easily discouraged, and after promising to dial back his declaration, he decides to use other methods to get close to her. I enjoyed his end run, especially his commitment to supporting her acting school. There is a great scene where he shuts down a TV interviewer who tries to ignore Nadia while focusing on him.
The more time they spend together, the more their attraction grows. When Nadia decides to indulge in one steamy night (her reason is unusual for a woman her age), she doesn't expect the depth of their connection. She's determined to move on, but their night together reinforces Jaxon's desire to permanently have her in his life. When he again declares his feelings for her, Nadia reacts angrily and pushes him away. He confronts her about her refusal to believe his feelings and tells her to find him when she's ready to admit her feelings.
It takes a long conversation with her best friend and time away from Jaxon for Nadia to finally accept her feelings for him. I loved seeing her gather her courage and go to him. I loved the ending and seeing her open up completely to him and admit her love. The epilogue was terrific, and I loved the surprise Jaxon had for her.
I also loved catching up with so many of the Westmoreland couples. It is also exciting to see that more Westmoreland relatives have been found. I look forward to reading their stories.
#netgalley
AN OFF_LIMITS MERGER
Good book. The story begins with Tatum experiencing a devastating betrayal by her fiancé the night before their wedding. Mark died and escaped dealing with the scandal. Ten months later, Tatum is still the focus of gossip and innuendo and coping with the grief of losing the man she loved and the man she thought he was. What makes it worse is that Mark's parents can't seem to let her move on, constantly bringing her back to things involving him. Her parents are no better, frequently inviting his parents to family and social gatherings. It was interesting to get a look at the various family dynamics. I can safely say that I did not care for Tatum's parents and actively disliked her sister, Mia. Their actions and attitudes drove Tatum to escape from a gathering, where she met a sexy stranger with a penchant for direct speech.
The next day, Tatum is assigned to work with that stranger, a co-owner of a motorcycle business looking for investors. That meeting with her father and sister is awkward and highlights some of Tatum's issues. I liked Tatum's professionalism and determination to do her best. Bran is surprised to work with her and a little disturbed because of his attraction to her. He doesn't need the distraction or the risk of angering a potential investor.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Bran and Tatum. Both have disastrous past relationships, and neither is looking to risk their hearts again. However, there is no denying the sparks of attraction that flare between them nor the connection that draws them closer together. I liked how sensitive they were to each other's moods, and I especially liked how well Bran understood Tatum. I especially liked seeing his support as she began to push back against how her family treated her. One of my favorite parts was when he took her out on his motorcycle.
Tatum is hurt again when lies and family betrayals are revealed. It doesn't help that Bran allows his care and protectiveness to overshadow his belief in Tatum's strength. I loved seeing her stand up to her father, sister, and even Bran. Hurt and believing that she can't trust her judgment, Tatum withdraws from everyone as she tries to find herself and her strength. I also ached for Bran, who faced the possibility of losing the woman he loved. I loved the ending and seeing Tatum finally free of the chains holding her to the past. The scene between her and Bran was fantastic, and I heartily approve of their plans for the future. I would have liked an epilogue showing their lives a little into the future.
#netgalley
