Married to Claim the Rancher's Heir - Lauri Robinson (HHSS #469 - Feb 2018)

To claim his heir…

…he must marry his enemy!

Gabe Callaway is outraged when feisty Janette Parker lands on his doorstep with her orphaned niece -- though he soon realizes little Ruby is heir to his ranch! If Janette wants money, he’ll pay her off to keep the little girl in her rightful place. But all Janette wants is Ruby… Will Gabe do whatever it takes to claim his heir -- even marry Janette?

Good book about two determined people, each of whom believes that they are the right person to raise their orphaned niece, Ruby. When Janette received word that her sister and brother-in-law had died, she rushed from Kansas City to Texas to get her three-year-old niece and take her home with her. Believing it's the right thing to do, she stopped at Gabe Callaway's ranch to introduce him to Ruby before continuing on her journey. The last thing she expected was for Gabe to insist that Ruby remains at the Triple C.

Janette is beautiful, stubborn, and fiercely independent. As the daughter of an army officer, she is determined that she will never be subject to the orders of a man again. She has an extremely successful dress shop in Kansas City, which she shared with her sister until she eloped with Max five years earlier. Janette stayed in touch with them and visited when Ruby was born. She is devastated by the loss of her sister and intends to raise Ruby to the best of her ability.

Gabe is handsome, equally stubborn, and has a deep sense of responsibility to his ranch and his people. Five years earlier he had decided it was time to marry and fixed his interest on a young lady he met on the train. After bringing her to visit the ranch, they were hit with a devastating blizzard. As Gabe took care of the ranch, that left his brother Max to entertain Anna, who quickly fell in love with each other. Gabe was hurt and angered by the way the couple left and hasn't seen or spoken to his brother since.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gabe and Janette. The two of them butted heads from the moment they met. Because Gabe isn't married, and doesn't intend to be, that makes Ruby heir to the Triple C, plus Max's will puts Gabe as Ruby's guardian. Gabe also believes that Janette will give up her claim to Ruby if her offers her enough money. Janette is, of course, infuriated by the assumption and makes it plain that Ruby will be leaving with her. I have to admit that Gabe was pretty obnoxious here and I didn't blame Janette for her attitude at all. As the subject of Max and Anna's wills came up, they realized that their only option was to take their issue to the law. It was fun to see both Gabe and Janette attempt to outwit each other as they make their plans. To their shock, it's the judge who manages to outwit them both.

Besides the sparks of antagonism that sparked between them, there was also an undercurrent of attraction that disturbed them both. After Max and Anna's departure, Gabe had sworn that he would not open himself up to that kind of caring again. Janette had allowed emotion to blind her to the nature of a man before, and she was determined not to do so again. But as they spend time together, they start to see each other differently. When Janette gets a telegram about a break-in at her shop, Gabe insists on going with her. I loved his support of her and how it affected Janette. The growing heat between them leads to a steamy encounter, and also some serious soul-searching on Gabe's part. Meanwhile, Janette feels deep guilt over the trouble she feels she has brought to Gabe, creating some difficult decisions for her.

There is a thread of suspense running through the story, dealing with a man in Janette's past. It turns out he wasn't what he claimed. Though Janette got rid of him once in a most satisfying way, there was more to the story. As the truth was revealed, Gabe's protectiveness takes over. Janette is surprised to find that she is okay with it for the most part. However, when the final confrontation comes, she takes a surprising part in the resolution. The danger also opens both her eyes and Gabe's to what they really want.

I loved the epilogue and the look at the Callaway family several years down the road.

The Debutante's Daring Proposal - Annie Burrows (HH #1332 - June 2017)

Series: Regency Bachelors (Book 2)

"I want you to marry me."

Miss Georgiana Wickford has a plan to avoid the marriage mart -- she'll propose a marriage of convenience! She hasn't spoken to the Earl of Ashenden since their childhood friendship was torn apart, but now Edmund is her only hope.

Edmund refuses to take any bride, especially the unsuitable country miss who abandoned him years ago. But when he sees beautiful Georgie at the mercy of society's rakes, it arouses his protective instincts. And soon the earl is tempted to claim the daring debutante for himself!

Good second chance/friends to lovers story. Georgie and Edmund had been good friends as children. Both of them had been labeled as "different" and as a result were also each other's only friend. Georgie was a tomboy, more interested in fishing, fencing, and outdoor pursuits than in the "girly" ones of fashion, needlework, and gossip. Edmund was fascinated by bugs and all things scientific. As the heir to an earl, Edmund's mother didn't want him associating with "common" children, so he was very isolated. When Edmund became ill, Georgie found ways to sneak in and see him, until it all came to a crashing end. Edmund was sent away to recover from his illness, and both he and Georgie promised to write. But as months went by with no letters, each believed that the other had abandoned their friendship.

Georgie has grown up and changed from the hoyden that she used to be. After Edmund's departure, her father remarried and her stepmother went to great pains to turn Georgie into a lady. Her methods were extreme and Georgie has buried the girl she used to be under a façade of propriety. Now that her father has died, she and her stepmother and stepsister have lost their home. Her stepmother is determined to marry the two girls off to titled husbands. Georgie has a fear of marriage due to something she witnessed and is desperate to avoid the marriage mart. She remembers that Edmund had promised to help her if she ever needed it, and comes up with a desperate plan.

Edmund is shocked when his first communication from Georgie in years results in an incredible proposal. She wants him to marry her and in return she will leave him to pursue his own interests with no interference from her. All she asks is that he doesn't consummate the marriage. Still angry over what he sees as her abandonment, he shoots her down most emphatically. But it isn't long before he feels guilty and decides to go to London and find a way to help her that doesn't involve him marrying her.

I enjoyed the development of Edmund and Georgie's relationship. It is still antagonistic at the beginning as each confronts the other about their past actions. But there are indications that their previous friendship isn't as dead as they thought it was. I liked the way that their former openness began to resurface as they spent more time together. It was great fun to see Edmund go from wanting to play matchmaker to realizing that he didn't want her to marry some other man. He is completely oblivious to the reason he is so reluctant to hand her over as he comes up with reason after reason that this man or that one is unsuitable. He also becomes very protective of her, which lands him in an awkward situation but also opens his eyes.

Meanwhile, Georgie is stuck doing what she doesn't want - entertaining gentlemen callers who aren't truly interested in her. I ached for her as she dealt with the constant criticisms from her stepmother while trying to find an acceptable solution to her predicament. I liked seeing her real personality begin to reemerge whenever she was with Edmund. I enjoyed seeing her call him out on some of his attitudes toward her, especially on those things she had no control over. It wasn't long before she was comparing each of her suitors to Edmund until she finally realized that it was Edmund she had wanted all along.

Both Edmund and Georgie also had to find a way to overcome their own insecurities. Though he puts on a good front, Edmund is affected by the way others see him. He frequently takes things Georgie says the wrong way as they play upon those insecurities. It was quite satisfying whenever Georgie would upend those feelings by being supportive of the real him. Georgie's insecurities have been thrust on her by her stepmother's attitudes and actions. Georgie is a tall girl with a curvy figure, nothing like the current fashion, and she can't see how any man would want her for who she is. I loved seeing her surprise whenever Edmund would compliment her. Her fears of the physical side of marriage also faded when she pictured Edmund in that role.

I enjoyed the ending as Edmund took drastic steps to gain the result that he wanted. It was fun to see the encouragement he received from his friends, who saw things much more clearly than he did. I loved that he was so willing to be whatever Georgie needed from him. The conclusion was sweet, romantic, and intense as both Edmund and Georgie were finally able to put all their fears to rest.

The secondary characters were also well done. Georgie's stepmother was vividly portrayed in her horrible attitude toward Georgie. There were many times I really wanted someone to let her have it. I was not terribly surprised by the revelation of how she came to marry Georgie's father. Edmund's mother, though she had few actual appearances in the book, had a much bigger role in their lives than either knew. Again, I wasn't surprised by what she did. I liked seeing Edmund finally stand up to her.

Accidentally on Purpose - Jill Shalvis (Avon - Jan 2017)

Series: Heartbreaker Bay (Book 3)

There’s no such thing as a little in love . . .

Elle Wheaton’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt -- who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .

There’s no such thing as a little in lust . . .

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco earthquake and he craves her 24/7, but Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .

There is such a thing as . . .

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad -- and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along . . .

Good book full of love, laughter, and lust, between two people who have a history that has kept them apart for eleven years. Archer and Elle met when he was a rookie cop on the force, and she was a teenager trying to protect her sister. She was in a dangerous situation, and he did what he thought was right, ending his career before it really got started. Archer went on to found his own investigation firm and Elle straightened out her life and is now the building manager for the same building where Archer's office is.

I loved both Archer and Elle. Archer is the quintessential alpha male - strong, silent, protective, honorable, with a surprisingly soft center, at least when it comes to Elle. Elle is strong, determined, independent, and doesn't back down from any confrontation, especially with Archer. Each of them also has some vulnerability that they keep well hidden.

I loved the relationship between Archer and Elle. In the previous books as well as this one, they constantly trade barbs. For both of them, it is a protective reflex. Archer has been attracted to Elle for years but is sure that he represents things she'd rather forget, so he hides what he feels. He also knows that she feels indebted to him, and never wants her to feel obligated to return his interest. Instead, he's channeled his feelings into watching out for her, something she is unaware of. Elle is just as attracted to Archer, but she feels that he wouldn't be able to look at her without remembering everything that she and her family cost him. After all, he had already turned down her one attempt to show her gratitude. One of the things I found most amusing was how the super-confident Archer always seemed to find himself fumbling for words or otherwise being awkward around her, and she never caught on. Unlike all their friends who could easily see that Elle and Archer were perfect for each other. Things became even more hilarious when Elle decided to give up on her attraction to Archer and start dating other men. Suddenly Archer realized that he was going to have to step up if he didn't want to lose her to another man. I about died laughing at his creative attempts to sabotage her dates and Elle's reaction when she figured it out. I loved seeing her confront him and point out that she's no longer a teenager but a grown woman who knows what she wants. When they finally go down that road, the heat between them is amazing. It isn't only physical because what they have is enhanced by the deep connection that they have always had but refused to admit. As trouble from Elle's past shows up in her present, it takes some scary situations for her to realize that being strong doesn't mean that you can't accept help when it's offered. I loved seeing the two of them finally put the past behind them and move toward a future together.

The humor in this book was typical Shalvis - hilarious situations, witty dialog, and terrific character relationships. The camping trip was one of my favorites, with the big tough guys mad about being denied their s'mores and requesting a supply run from the ladies. I loved Elle's undercover work for Archer and his reaction to how she carried it out, as well as the guys' reactions to his reactions. I also loved the conversations, not just between Archer and Elle, but among the others also. I laughed out loud when Spencer had to deal with both Elle and Archer talking about feelings.

There was also a bit of suspense as Elle's sister showed up with trouble on her heels. I ached for Elle, as she had been burned several times before when she tried to help but feels guilty when she tosses Morgan out. It was interesting to see Archer's part in bringing them together. There were some intense moments as Morgan's trouble spills over onto Elle. My heart was in my throat as Elle battled a couple of thugs, holding her own until Archer came bursting in. The final confrontation was intense, with a few surprises along the way. I ached for Elle's fear for Archer and cheered for her actions regarding his father. It will be interesting to see if Morgan gets a story of her own.

I loved the depth of friendship among the group. The teasing and fun among them are always fun to witness. I also love how the support for each other is always there too. It was sweet to see how Elle had her friends that she could confide in and know that her secrets were safe, as well as getting brutally honest advice. It was also fun to see how the always in control Archer could be driven nuts by the actions of the men he worked with yet know that they always had his back. I can't wait to read more of the series.

Wanted: Texas Daddy - Cathy Gillen Thacker (HWR #1645 - June 2017)

Series: Texas Legacies: The Lockharts (Book 4)

A SECRET BABY BARGAIN?

Small Texas towns always have their secrets. Fortunately, no one in Laramie knows about Sage Lockhart's friends-with-benefits arrangement with hunky cowboy Nick Monroe. And now Sage wants something more from Nick -- something that could change the very nature of their relationship. She wants to have his baby.

Nick's always wanted to take things with Sage to the next level. Maybe this wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but having a child with Sage is an adventure Nick can't refuse. Of course, neither of them knew just how complicated things could get. With a baby on the way and all their careful plans unraveling, Sage and Nick must face the one secret they've been hiding from themselves…and from each other.

Good friends to lovers story. Sage and Nick have been good friends for months, adding "with benefits" not long after they met. Sage has wanted a baby for a long time, but her previous relationship didn't work out. She's decided to have one on her own, but isn't thrilled about using a donor - she'd rather know who the father is. She comes up with the idea of asking Nick.

Nick was surprised by Sage's request. He's always wanted more from Sage but went along with her wishes while waiting for his chance. A baby hadn't been in his plans just yet, but he's willing to go for it. At least it will guarantee that they'll have some kind of long-term relationship.

I enjoyed the development of Nick and Sage's relationship, even if I did spend a fair amount of time wanting to shake them both. Their friendship was strong, having taken the time to get to know each other. The addition of "benefits" suited them both at the time, when neither one was ready to move to anything permanent, and brought them closer still. There were times that I felt that they were getting too much satisfaction out of fooling their friends and families rather than being happy to share their contentment, especially once Sage found out she was pregnant. I did understand their desire to avoid the pressures from their families but felt they were strong enough to stand up to them. And everything would have likely gone the way they wanted it to if it hadn't been for unexpected interference.

At the same time all of this is happening, Nick is in the process of expanding his business, something he's wanted to do for a long time. Unfortunately, the lead contact for the venture capitalists that he is working with insists that Nick and Sage need to be married to portray the right image for the stores. He's willing to stand up to them, but Sage doesn't want to be the cause of his losing out on something so important, so she agrees. She has come to realize that she wants something more from their relationship, but she is afraid of making Nick feel trapped and ruining their friendship, so she insists that nothing about their relationship will be done differently.

From the moment the wedding takes place, Nick is as all-in as he is permitted to be. He has Sage right where he wants her and looks forward to showing her what they could have together. I loved the way that he takes such good care of her when she is ill. There are also some amazingly romantic moments that he comes up with. Sage is warier, still haunted by her fears. It doesn't help that there is constant interference from MR, the business contact. It was obvious to me from the beginning that MR had an agenda of her own, and it wasn't all business related. She was very good at manipulating both Nick and Sage, and it really affected Sage. I was a bit worried that Nick was blind to it, but he was more aware than I realized. I loved seeing him stand up to MR more and more often as the book went on.

As the book went on, both Sage and Nick realized that their feelings for each other had grown and that they wanted more out of their marriage. The problem was, neither of them was willing to take a chance and talk to the other about how they felt and what they wanted. I ached for them both as Nick felt that Sage was pushing him away, and Sage was desperately trying not to interfere with his business dreams. Unfortunately, their level of communication had dropped since they got married, and they no longer talked about the things that were important to them. This caused a dangerous situation near the end of the book that opened their eyes. I liked the ending a lot, especially the steps that Nick took. The epilogue was great. I loved seeing them a couple of years later and what they had accomplished.

I also enjoyed seeing the parts that their families played. There was no question about the love that was there, even if there was occasionally some tension. I liked the way that Sage's mom wanted the best for her, even if she didn't always agree with the way Sage went about getting it. I also liked that Nick's siblings were behind him in his ambitions, though it took Sage to get them to express it. I adored Sage's reaction to MR's plans for the grand opening and loved seeing her stand up for what was right.

Soldier, Handyman, Family Man - Lynne Marshall (HSE #2616 - Apr 2018)

Series: Delaneys of Sandpiper Beach (Book 2)
            American Heroes (Book 4)

He’s all kinds of man. But is he a family man?

It’s good to be home! But civilian life isn’t easy for Mark Delaney. The former surf champ copes by carving California waves and working solo as the handyman for his family’s beachfront hotel. Until Laurel Prescott, pretty owner of the new B and B -- and widowed mother of three -- asks for his help. One small task leads to another and another, and suddenly Mark is knee-deep in kids, responsibility…and a love he never dreamed possible.

Good book about two emotionally wounded people, looking for new starts in life, but for whom relationships are not in the plan at all. Mark spent ten years in the army, with multiple deployments. He lost friends, men whose deaths still haunt him. Now that he is home, he spends most of his time alone, either doing handyman work for the family hotel or catching waves on the beach nearby. Then the pretty new owner of the B & B across the street catches his eye.

Laurel is a widow with three children who has come to Sandpiper Beach for her own fresh start. The last few years have been difficult as she dealt with her husband's cancer and eventual death. The B & B is her chance to give her children what they need along with her chance to heal. She faces some serious challenges, including a teenage son with anger issues, and one of her twin daughters with speech problems, not to mention the problems that come with an old house. The offer of help from her neighbor across the street is gratefully received.

I really liked both Mark and Laurel. Mark is a gentleman at heart, with old-school manners instilled by his Irish family. He is also kind, sensitive, and fun. He is also a bit wary of opening himself up to his emotions and suffers from a bit of insecurity regarding his place in the world. He sees himself as "just" a handyman, even though he's the one who will run the family hotel when his parents retire. I especially enjoyed his friendship with young Peter, giving the boy the male attention he needed. I loved the gentle guidance he provided, and the surprising rewards he reaped from it. It was also sweet to see Mark with little Claire and Grace, once he stopped being intimidated by them.

I liked Laurel's determination to make a fresh start for herself and her kids. Her grief over her husband's death is still overwhelming at times, but she has to keep it together for her kids. She's dealing with some guilt over the effects that her husband's illness and death had on the children. I understood her frustration with Peter's attitude. I liked her optimism about making the B & B work, and her willingness to accept help from Mark and his family.

I enjoyed the development of Mark and Laurel's relationship. There were sparks of attraction from the beginning, but both tried to ignore them. It started as a friendship, as Mark offered Laurel the handyman help she needed as things cropped up at the house. The more time they spend together, the deeper their connection grows. But their internal resistance goes pretty deep. I enjoyed Mark's mental conversations with himself, as he tried to figure out exactly what he was feeling. As the feelings he had shut down before begin to reawaken, he also undergoes other changes. I loved seeing how the help that he offered to Laurel also jump-started his interest in his own future. Laurel also had to deal with her growing feelings for Mark. She was in denial for a long time because she was afraid to open herself up to the possibility of loving and losing again. Their blossoming attraction was intense, and I loved how that aspect contributed to their feelings. But a boneheaded move on Mark's part brought Laurel's fears roaring back to the surface, causing her to back away. I ached for Mark, who had realized the truth of his feelings and feared that he had ruined things beyond repair. I also ached for Laurel, who was torn between her fears and her feelings for Mark. Both had some soul-searching to do and were aided by a most unexpected source. I loved the changes that Mark made in his life as he tried to make himself a better man for Laurel. I liked Laurel's big moment as she took her courage in hand to go after what she wanted.

I also liked the importance of family to both Mark and Laurel. I loved the closeness of the Delaney family. Their support of Mark was awesome, as they gave him both the space he needed as well as the occasional push when he needed it. I especially liked Grandda Padraig and his Irish charm. I liked seeing him work his magic on Laurel and her family. I had to grin at his story of the selkie and how he's convinced that all three of his grandsons will find love because of it. I also liked the relationship between Mark and his brother Conor. I'm looking forward to Conor's story. I liked how Laurel's children were the motivating factor in coming to Sandpiper Beach. She was so frustrated with Peter and his attitude, but she also understood what was causing it. I really liked the way that she trusted Mark and encouraged his friendship with Peter. Their friendship was awesome and I really liked how it continued even when Mark and Laurel had their problems.

Forever a Father - Lynne Marshall (HSE #2609 - Mar 2018)

Series: Delaneys of Sandpiper Beach (Book 1)

“Will you be my dad?”

Ask me anything but that.

Once upon a time, Dr. Daniel Delaney had it all. But he lost it in the blink of an eye, and he won’t let himself fall again -- not even for his dedicated new assistant, Keela O’Mara, and her adorable, lonely little girl, Anna. Resisting a starry-eyed four-year-old is tough enough. Denying her perfect, loving single mom may be more than Daniel can handle…

Good book about love, healing, and letting go of the past. Daniel returned to his hometown after his unborn baby died and his wife walked out on him. Now he buries his grief in work as he sets up his new practice, and has decided that falling in love again is not in the cards for him. Even the thought of it brings back the pain of his losses.

Keela is a lovely Irish lass who came to America to marry the father of her daughter. But the man she married wasn't what she thought he was and his betrayal cut deep. Now she works for Daniel as a physical therapist and raises her daughter on her own.

I enjoyed the development of Daniel and Keela's relationship. It started as a purely professional one, with Keela handling everything in the office easily, including Daniel's sometimes grouchy moods. They have also noticed each other in a more personal way, but their pasts discourage them from pursuing it. Then one day Keela needs Daniel to watch her daughter for a while. I ached for Daniel as he panicked over his ability to do so, and the paralyzing grief that swamped him. I loved how Anna's sweetness pulled him out of it and started him on the road to living again. Keela can't help but notice how good Daniel is with Anna, which warms her heart toward him. There are some terrific scenes involving Daniel and Anna. It isn't long before the sparks between Daniel and Keela flare hotter. I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other outside of work, but each of them was holding back a bit, worried about being hurt again.

I got a little frustrated with Daniel's frequent flip-flops on their relationship. Things would be going well, then something would happen to ruffle his memories and he would pull back. This was hard on Keela, whose husband had pulled back from their relationship after their daughter was born. I ached for them both as they let their fears come between them. I liked seeing Daniel take a good hard look at himself and his future and realize what was really important. The ending was great as both of them take their courage in hand and face their vulnerabilities together. 

Studmuffin Santa - Tawna Fenske (Createspace - Nov 2017)

Brandon Brown is the unlikeliest Santa ever to don a red velvet suit. His abs are more cheese grater than bowl full of jelly, and deploying to Syria is the closest he’s come to the North Pole. But family drama sends the jaded Marine home for the holidays, and lands him an unexpected gig as a part-time Santa.

Jade King is hustling to get Jingle Bell Reindeer Ranch off the ground, and she’s not thrilled her sister hired a Santa with sex-appeal. The last thing Jade wants is a beefcake circus, and guys like Brandon bring sleigh-loads of trouble. But Studmuffin Santa proves more popular than anyone dreamed, drawing hordes of happy kids, lusty moms, and a mystery foe hell-bent on wrecking it all.

The threat has Brandon playing protector for the reindeer and their sexy keeper, which is risky for a guy who’s sworn off happy endings and the whole Christmas mess. But as Jade and Brandon bond over Santa suit malfunctions and risqué Christmas cookies, they find they have more in common than a craving for gingerbread. Can they find a way to mesh their wish lists, or will ghosts of Christmas past bring things crashing down like a fat man in a cast iron sleigh?

Good story of love, family, and letting go of the past. Jade and her sister Amber own a reindeer farm where they are currently gearing up for the Christmas season. The biggest thing they need is someone to play Santa for all the kiddies. Instead of a nice, jolly old man, Amber hires Brandon, ex-high school jock and current Marine, home on leave. Jade isn't too thrilled, but beggars can't be choosers.

Brandon is home on leave as he deals with some family issues. Not one to sit around, he agrees to the job of Santa, even though he seriously lacks in Christmas spirit. But an unknown foe is creating problems for the sisters and Brandon is determined to keep them safe.

I loved the first meeting between Jade and Brandon. He overhears her telling Amber that they don't need the hassles of a "studmuffin Santa" and is highly amused by it. Jade's a little embarrassed but forges forward with information about the job. From the very start, there is honesty between them, with Jade admitting her misgivings about having him as Santa, and Brandon admitting that his high school reputation doesn't do him any favors, but that he hopes he's grown up since then. Underneath the exchange is a simmering attraction that neither wants to admit.

I liked both Brandon and Jade. Brandon is a good guy at heart. He has written off love and relationships for himself, thanks to witnessing the disintegration of his parents' marriage. But family is important to him. He spends his spare time helping his cousins build their resort. There are some terrific scenes with Brandon and several of those cousins that show the depth of caring among them. I loved the way that he visits his dad in the nursing home and tries to connect with him, and ached for his feelings of helplessness.

Jade was great. She is a strong and resourceful woman who has overcome a lot in pursuit of her dreams. Her high school years were a nightmare and she still has the emotional scars. Because of that time she has developed a core of independence. I loved watching her with the various reindeer, where her softer side tends to emerge.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Brandon and Jade. The chemistry between them is undeniable, though both try to resist. Brandon reminds Jade of her time in school, even though he wasn't one of the problem kids. She has a hard time believing that he could be interested in her and she is wary of risking her heart. Brandon is convinced that he knows nothing of love and relationships and doesn't want to do anything to hurt Jade. I loved seeing them go from slightly hostile to bonding over x-rated cookies and the challenges that Santa has to face. As the heat between them built, it became harder for them to keep their hands off each other. Once they gave in to their passion, it opened them up to feelings that neither one was sure they wanted to deal with. It was sweet to see how much they started to care for each other, and frustrating to see them sometimes pull back. Brandon goes a little overboard in the protectiveness he feels for Jade, creating a rift between them. It takes a straightforward talk from his cousin Bree for him to see where he went wrong. I loved his realization that he needed to settle his past before he could move on to his future, and how he did it was a heartwarming and heart-wrenching scene. His big moment with Jade was fantastic, and the epilogue was great.

There was a nice bit of suspense dealing with the trouble that Jade and Amber were having at the ranch. There were odd things happening that Jade wrote off to coincidence or carelessness. Amber wasn't so sure, and one of the reasons she hired Brandon was also as Security Santa. Though the problems were just nuisances at the beginning, they began to escalate until even Jade couldn't deny that something was wrong. I loved the resolution of the problem and laughed out loud at how it happened. The culprit was not who I expected.

The book was full of quirky characters and fun situations, as well as deeply emotional ones. I loved some of Jade's conversations with her reindeer as she tried to work out her feelings for Brandon. I ached for Jade as I read about her high school years, and for Brandon when he talked about his mother and father. It was fun to see Brandon deal with the moms who brought kids to see him as Santa. I loved how Jade and Amber supported each other as sisters and friends and laughed as Amber tried to push Jade and Brandon together.