Series: Uniformly Hot (Book 67)
Subject: Lt. Commander Mark Sampson
Mission: Keep his eyes on the skies…despite one sexy distraction!
There are things a man can never undo. For Coast Guard search and rescue pilot Mark Sampson, it was the agonizing decision that cost him a teammate -- and his faith in himself. But an unbelievably sexy blonde on a secluded beach may help him forget…if only for a night.
Cassie Rowe needed a distraction -- and, boy, did she get one! How was she to know the brooding stranger who rocked her world was the pilot who'd left her brother to die? And now they're on the same mission. She should hate him. But she can't fight the storm of desire threatening to pull them under…
Good story of love, loss, and healing. Cassie is a nurse who has spent most of her life in her hometown, playing it safe with her life. Her adored big brother was the adventurous one who became a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. A year earlier, Jeff lost his life during a mission, and Cassie blames the pilot. Determined to honor her brother's memory by challenging herself, Cassie joined a Red Cross hurricane relief mission. Faced with intense nerves the night before, she hooked up with a sexy stranger who provided quite the distraction.
The night before his first mission in a year, Mark also needs a distraction. He's haunted by the last one, where he had to decide between leaving a man behind and saving the rest of the crew and rescued victims. Now he isn't sure if he has what it takes to continue his work. The sexy blonde who rocks his night gives him welcome relief from his dark thoughts.
The next day both are dismayed to find out each other's identity. Cassie has harbored a lot of anger toward Mark because of Jeff's death and finding out he's the man she had such a deep connection to has confused her. Mark is even more horrified. Cassie is the little sister of his friend, the one he feels responsible for losing. He has no business being with her. But no matter how hard they try, it's impossible for them to stay away from each other.
I really enjoyed the development of their relationship. The chemistry between Mark and Cassie is off the charts, but it's the emotional connection that really drew me in. As part of the humanitarian mission, Cassie got to see first-hand what drew her brother to his service. Working closely with Mark, she also realized that, rather than the cold-hearted pilot she had believed him to be, he is as deeply attached to his mission as Jeff had been. The more she sees of his anguish over Jeff's death, the easier it is for her to let go of her own.
I loved seeing Cassie come into her own during this book. Thanks to stepping outside her comfort zone, she realized that she hadn't been happy living the quiet life back in Idaho. She had been suffocating under her parents' overprotectiveness and her own need to please. I loved seeing her stretch her wings and discover a calling that matched her brother's. I ached for Mark through most of the book, as well as experiencing the occasional wish to shake him. Jeff's loss has damaged his self-confidence which causes him to question some of his decision. Then, as his feelings for Cassie grow, those fears make him over-protective of her.
When team injuries give Cassie the opportunity to fly rescue missions with Mark, she is quick to seize the opportunity. What for Cassie is an eye-opening and life-changing experience becomes a nightmare come true for Mark. When Cassie makes a decision about her future, she expects support from Mark, not the reaction she gets. Though I ached for her heartbreak, I cheered her resolution in following through. Mark's misery was obvious, but his stubbornness was stronger. I liked the straight talk he got from Dylan, who flat-out told him he was an idiot, and the conversation with his former mentor who showed him that love wasn't meant to be thrown away or wasted. I loved his big moment at the end, as his heart was finally ready to take a chance on the future.
I also liked the background of the book. The setting of the rescue work involved in hurricane relief was interesting and exciting. The insight into the long hours and sometimes heartbreaking situations gave an added richness to the story. The rescue flight that Cassie participated in had me on the edge of my seat. The intensity and danger leapt off the page and gave a good idea of what the SAR people go through every day. I also liked getting the viewpoint of some of those on the receiving end of the rescue, and the difference they made to Mark's view of himself. I also liked seeing the closeness of Mark's crew and can't wait to read Dylan's story.
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