Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good conclusion to the series. Raif attends Shanal's wedding to his nemesis, Burton, under duress as a favor to his cousin Ethan. Raif has cared for Shanal since he was a teenager, but she didn't feel the same. So when Shanal bolts from the wedding before the vows, Raif is only too happy to help her escape. He sees two benefits: helping the woman he loves and exacting revenge on a man he despises.
Shanal is caught between a rock and a hard place. Desperate to help her parents, she agreed to marry a man she doesn't love. If she marries Burton, she will be tied for life to a man she doesn't love. But if she doesn't marry him, her parents would lose everything, and she would lose her job and possibly her professional reputation. At the last minute, she decides she can't do it and runs, with no idea what to do next.
Raif and Shanal have a complicated history. She is three years older than he is and was aware of his crush when they were teens and did everything possible to discourage it. For years she continued to see him as that youth. She and Raif frequently clashed at gatherings they both attended, but she was grateful for his help in this situation. I loved seeing Raif's care and support as he whisked her away to a friend's riverboat. Stuck together 24/7, Shanal quickly realized that there was more to the man Raif had become and that their sparks of antagonism hid sparks of another kind. I liked seeing Raif open up about his problems with Burton and why he worried about Shanal. When those sparks turned into action, I had high hopes for their relationship. Then Burton showed up and, with a few words, pulled Shanal back to his side.
I ached for Raif, who not only felt betrayed but also extremely worried about Shanal. He knows what Burton is capable of and fears for her safety. He also suspects that Burton has some hold over her. Shanal frustrated me with her willingness to give in to Burton's demands. Things became even more complicated when Shanal realized she was pregnant with Raif's baby. That's when Burton's true nature came out. Burton's creep factor was high from the start, but his words and actions at this point terrified Shanal.
A confrontation with Burton, then with Shanal, reinforced Raif's need to save her. Once Raif has the whole story, he puts his plans into action. I loved his determination and refusal to give up. Shanal worked hard to believe that her trust in Raif was not misplaced as her rescheduled wedding fast approached. I loved the ending and the perfect way it all came together.
Shanal is caught between a rock and a hard place. Desperate to help her parents, she agreed to marry a man she doesn't love. If she marries Burton, she will be tied for life to a man she doesn't love. But if she doesn't marry him, her parents would lose everything, and she would lose her job and possibly her professional reputation. At the last minute, she decides she can't do it and runs, with no idea what to do next.
Raif and Shanal have a complicated history. She is three years older than he is and was aware of his crush when they were teens and did everything possible to discourage it. For years she continued to see him as that youth. She and Raif frequently clashed at gatherings they both attended, but she was grateful for his help in this situation. I loved seeing Raif's care and support as he whisked her away to a friend's riverboat. Stuck together 24/7, Shanal quickly realized that there was more to the man Raif had become and that their sparks of antagonism hid sparks of another kind. I liked seeing Raif open up about his problems with Burton and why he worried about Shanal. When those sparks turned into action, I had high hopes for their relationship. Then Burton showed up and, with a few words, pulled Shanal back to his side.
I ached for Raif, who not only felt betrayed but also extremely worried about Shanal. He knows what Burton is capable of and fears for her safety. He also suspects that Burton has some hold over her. Shanal frustrated me with her willingness to give in to Burton's demands. Things became even more complicated when Shanal realized she was pregnant with Raif's baby. That's when Burton's true nature came out. Burton's creep factor was high from the start, but his words and actions at this point terrified Shanal.
A confrontation with Burton, then with Shanal, reinforced Raif's need to save her. Once Raif has the whole story, he puts his plans into action. I loved his determination and refusal to give up. Shanal worked hard to believe that her trust in Raif was not misplaced as her rescheduled wedding fast approached. I loved the ending and the perfect way it all came together.
