Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific book. Maddox Hale grew up on the ranch next to the Bravos but couldn't wait to leave Medicine Creek behind. He's now a successful businessman, thanks to his workaholic ways. For the same reason, he is divorced and hasn't been much of a dad to his two kids. He plans to right that wrong by spending the summer on the family ranch with his kids. Those plans alter when his father breaks his leg, and Maddox goes home early to care for him. First on the agenda is to hire a nurse to supervise Fergus while he heals.
Sarah Bravo is home recovering from an injury sustained while running a free clinic in Bolivia. She is saving money to get her Master's in nursing, and when she hears of the opening at the Hale ranch, she applies.
The story starts with a bang as Maddox and Fergus interview potential nurses. Feisty Fergus isn't thrilled with any of them until Sarah shows up. He knows Sarah well and likes her. Maddox is not as enthusiastic. She's too young, too pretty, and too much of a possible distraction. I laughed out loud at the conversation between Maddox and Fergus as they debated hiring her. Obviously, Fergus wins.
I enjoyed watching Maddox and Sarah's relationship develop. Their attraction is evident from the start, but there are obstacles. Nursing ethics prohibit Sarah from getting personally involved with a patient or a patient's family member. Maddox has no plans to marry again. However, discussions during late-night swims encourage a closeness neither expected, and the attraction becomes harder to resist.
Giving in to the attraction for the summer is one thing, but what happens when Sarah wants more? Maddox's past convinces him that he is unworthy of love, and nothing will convince him otherwise. I loved seeing Sarah stand up for herself and her needs. Maddox earned his misery when he walked away from what he had with Sarah. Some well-meaning interference from Fergus leads to an unexpected twist that motivates Maddox to take a chance. I loved the ending.
Fergus was my favorite secondary character. Nothing gets him down for long. The story behind his broken leg is hilarious, and I loved seeing him deal with the consequences. Maddox's kids were great. I liked the realism of RJ's issues with his father's neglect and Maddox's determination to redeem himself.
Sarah Bravo is home recovering from an injury sustained while running a free clinic in Bolivia. She is saving money to get her Master's in nursing, and when she hears of the opening at the Hale ranch, she applies.
The story starts with a bang as Maddox and Fergus interview potential nurses. Feisty Fergus isn't thrilled with any of them until Sarah shows up. He knows Sarah well and likes her. Maddox is not as enthusiastic. She's too young, too pretty, and too much of a possible distraction. I laughed out loud at the conversation between Maddox and Fergus as they debated hiring her. Obviously, Fergus wins.
I enjoyed watching Maddox and Sarah's relationship develop. Their attraction is evident from the start, but there are obstacles. Nursing ethics prohibit Sarah from getting personally involved with a patient or a patient's family member. Maddox has no plans to marry again. However, discussions during late-night swims encourage a closeness neither expected, and the attraction becomes harder to resist.
Giving in to the attraction for the summer is one thing, but what happens when Sarah wants more? Maddox's past convinces him that he is unworthy of love, and nothing will convince him otherwise. I loved seeing Sarah stand up for herself and her needs. Maddox earned his misery when he walked away from what he had with Sarah. Some well-meaning interference from Fergus leads to an unexpected twist that motivates Maddox to take a chance. I loved the ending.
Fergus was my favorite secondary character. Nothing gets him down for long. The story behind his broken leg is hilarious, and I loved seeing him deal with the consequences. Maddox's kids were great. I liked the realism of RJ's issues with his father's neglect and Maddox's determination to redeem himself.
