Handsome Devil - Melanie George (Zebra - July 2001)

Series: Sinclair Brothers (Book 2)

It is whispered that Nicholas Sinclair is rogue enough to put his notorious brothers to shame. But one spirited female will discover that a passionate heart is hidden beneath the wicked charm of this...

HANDSOME DEVIL

Boston-bred Sheridan Delaney has yet to live down "The Incident" when her old schoolmate Jules Thornton invites her to London for the season. Ready for more adventure, Sheridan has no idea that her dear friend has matchmaking in mind--or that Nicholas Sinclair, Jules' devastatingly handsome uncle, will quickly decide that even his infamous hell-raising pales in comparison to what Sheridan considers innocent fun. Nicholas's suddenly saintly guidance through London society is far from comforting, however--especially when Sheridan longs to assure him that the most satisfying indulgence is love.

Fun book, with a tortured hero and a firebrand heroine. Sheridan "Danny" Delaney is an Irish girl living in Boston with her family. Danny is rather high-spirited and is a magnet for trouble. Her latest antics have her family at their wits' end, and her older sisters furious. They're convinced that she's responsible for their inability to find husbands. The only thing Danny can do is try to talk her parents into letting her visit her friend Jules in England. It isn't easy, as her parents have hard feelings toward the English after being thrown off their land in Ireland. But succeed she does - as long as she takes her aunt and uncle along as chaperones.

Jules has just returned to England from her honeymoon, married to her cousin Nicholas's best friend. When she finds out that Danny is coming to visit, she informs Nicholas that she and her guests will be staying with him, as her terror of a mother-in-law has the London house. Nicholas isn't looking forward to having to curtail his bachelor ways for his cousin and her undoubtedly prim and stiff-necked Boston socialite friend. Though he doesn't understand why Jules laughs every time he makes that complaint.

The initial meeting between Nicholas and Danny is funny, emotional, and steamy. Nicholas is in the docks area, extremely intoxicated, and resisting the efforts of his coachman to get him home, when he spots a beautiful woman dancing a jig on the deck of a ship. He's immediately fascinated by the passion he sees in her. A short time later he rescues her from an inebriated sailor's advances (though not in the usual manner). I enjoyed their banter as he works to charm her and she sees through it. But Danny feels an immediate connection to him and gives in to the passion that flares between them. When she disappears before he awakens, Nicholas is angry and hurt, not knowing she left to try to save her drunk and belligerent uncle from the local law. Once again, trouble has found Danny, and it's up to Nicholas to rescue her.

Unfortunately, Nicholas has some pretty deep-seated trust issues when it comes to women, thanks to a faithless mother and the effect she had on his father. Those trust issues come roaring to the surface in both a heartbreaking and funny scene at the Southwark jail.  Nicholas's accusations and attitude were unfounded, vicious, and cruel, but Danny doesn't sit back and accept it. I loved seeing her stand up for herself and gives as good as she gets. By the time she is settled at his house, both of them are wound up tight, and the sparks are flying. Nicholas has decided that it's time for him to settle down, and he has settled on a prim and proper London miss, who fits his requirements. Unfortunately for him, he can't keep Danny out of his mind. But every time they are together, he manages to put his foot in his mouth and gets her riled up again. He wants her, but she should be off limits, though he can't convince his body of that fact. Danny is certain that she's in love with him, that their souls are entwined for all time. His hot and cold attitude is frustrating to her since she knows that they belong together. She has her own insecurities, thanks to her Irish heritage, and believes that her Irishness is what is keeping them apart. I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the way that Nicholas was tortured by his feelings for her, as he brought it on himself because of the way he treated her.

Though Danny's actions often seemed a bit childish and over-the-top to me, it was still great fun to see the effect they had on Nicholas. But there were also some very sweet moments between them. The scene in the stables when she helped deliver the foal brought them closer together. I liked seeing the way that Danny was able to get Nicholas to open up some about his mother, and how that helped her to understand him a little. I loved how Nicholas finally realized his feelings for her. His expression of those feelings to himself was awesome: "Whether asleep or awake, Sheridan's face haunted him. When she hurt, he hurt. When she was happy, he was happy. When she was angry, he...ducked." But those demons of his wouldn't let him tell her his feelings, as he didn't know how she felt. The depth of his feelings scared him, especially considering his family history. He was also quick to jump to conclusions. He does that one too many times, and his jealousy causes him to say some truly mean and hurtful things. I hurt for Danny as her hopes for her future die a painful death. The depth of the pain that both suffered was heartbreaking, and I wasn't sure how they would get through it. Even in her pain, Danny still loved him enough to try to ensure that what had happened didn't come between Jules and Nicholas. I loved the advice that Nicholas got from Ho Sing, that opened his eyes. The ending was exciting and intense. I loved seeing Nicholas finally let go of the pain of his past so that he could accept the love that would fill his future.

The secondary characters were also great. Jules was another strong woman. I liked her obvious love for her cousin Nicholas. It was clear that she knew him very well and saw beneath the rakish Sinclair reputation. She could also see that Nicholas and Danny were perfect for each other and was determined to bring them together. I also liked Danny's aunt Aggie and uncle Finn. Aggie was a trip with her melodramatic claims of imminent death, but she was there for Danny when she was needed. Finn was a riot. He came across as a few bricks short of a load with his over-the-top dramatics, but there were also times that he didn't seem so crazy after all. The ancient butler, Emery,  was a riot with his misunderstandings of what people said to him. Ho Sing was terrific at showing Nicholas when he was being an idiot.

The Maverick's Midnight Proposal - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2588 - Dec 2017)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Great Family Roundup (Book 6)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 113)

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?

Rust Creek Ramblings

Sighting confirmed! That handsome, brooding cowboy about town is Luke Stockton -- Rust Creek Falls’s long-lost son. It’s been over a decade since his parents’ tragic death…and Luke’s sudden departure. Our guess is he’s here to reconnect with his estranged siblings. Why, then, is Luke spending so much time at Daisy’s Donut Shop? The coffee’s great but…

Perhaps beautiful baker Eva Armstrong has him in her thrall! Careful, Eva, you’ve had enough heartbreak. Despite the sizzling kisses, Luke isn’t the marrying kind. Still, we encourage a little mistletoe mischief…after all, Christmas is the season of love. Perhaps Luke and Eva will “ring” in the New Year together. Get it? All we want for Christmas is a happily-ever-after!

Good book. Luke is the oldest of the seven Stockton siblings, and one of the three who left Rust Creek Falls after the deaths of their parents. No one has seen or heard from him in twelve years - until the PI hired by Hudson Jones tracked him down. But it wasn't until Luke found out that Hudson is married to Luke's sister, Bella, that Luke returned to Rust Creek Falls. He's willing to spend some time reconnecting with his siblings, but then he plans to high-tail it back to Wyoming. They wouldn't want him around anyway if they knew what he'd done. But if he's planning to leave, why can't he stay away from Eva?

Eva is one of the baker's at Daisy's Donut Shop and caught Luke's eye when he first arrived. He caught hers, too. But Eva hasn't had much luck in the romance department, most lately being one of Zach Dalton's potential brides, and losing out to Lydia Grant (The Maverick's Bride-to-Order). In spite of everything, she hasn't let it get her down. She still believes that there is someone out there for her.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Luke and Eva. There's no doubt about the attraction between them. Luke keeps finding his way back to Daisy's Donut Shop to spend time with Eva. She's easy for him to talk to, and a good distraction from the awkwardness of being back in town. He can't resist when she invites him to dinner, and the way they connected over that meal was undeniable. But Luke is wary of getting involved and makes it plain that he isn't staying past Christmas, and he doesn't do relationships. On the other hand, Eva has no problem making her interest in him clear. I enjoyed the way she made the first move and the heat that flared between them. I also liked Luke's surprise at her offer of friendship and "hanging out" together while he was in town. Eva knows that there's a good chance that she'll end up with a broken heart, but that doesn't stop her. Over the next couple of weeks, they spent a lot of time together. Sure enough, Eva falls hard for Luke and finds herself hoping that he'll change his mind and stay in Rust Creek Falls. Luke is more and more tempted to stay but is haunted by his past and certain that his family wouldn't want him around if they knew. I loved seeing Luke get more involved with his family, and closer to Eva. Seeing him open up to her about what drove him away, and her understanding and sympathy gave me great hope for them. It was going beautifully until the arrival of a surprise guest at Danny's wedding. I ached for Luke as he suddenly had doubts about both his feelings and Eva's, and allowed his fears to pull them apart. I loved seeing Eva stand up for herself and her feelings. It took a bit for Luke to come to his senses, but he definitely redeemed himself at the end. His big moment was romantic and reminded me of my own engagement, which also happened on New Year's Eve.

Another big part of this book was the importance of family. There has been a lot written over the past several books about the fracturing of the Stockton family. I have enjoyed seeing the efforts to find the missing siblings and reunite the family. I loved the acceptance and support that Luke received, and his eventual realization that love was what was most important. I would have liked a bit more interaction and resolution between Luke and Jamie, but hopefully, that will be addressed in a later book. I am looking forward to getting the stories for the other two siblings, Bailey and Liza.

The Maverick's Snowbound Christmas - Karen Rose Smith (HSE #2582 - Nov 2017)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Great Family Roundup (Book 5)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 112)

COZYING UP WITH THE COWBOY

Rust Creek Ramblings

Aah, wintertime in Rust Creek Falls! It's the perfect time of year to snuggle up by the fireplace and indulge in some juicy gossip. Speaking of snuggling, did you hear that Eli Dalton and Hadley Strickland were forced to spend the night together in an abandoned barn during our recent snowstorm?

While it may have been a horse in distress that brought the lovely veterinarian out to the Circle D, we're betting handsome, steady Eli will draw her back. We believe the rancher could melt fair Hadley's frozen heart -- if she can find the courage to reveal her past. So hang the holly, dear readers, and remember that this is the season for miracles. Could a holiday proposal soon be in the works?

Good story. Hadley is in Rust Creek Falls for the Thanksgiving holiday, spending time with family and friends. She also has to endure the gentle nagging about finding the time for marriage and family. When she gets a call from a local vet asking her to check on a horse, she jumps on the chance to escape for a little while. While large animals aren't her specialty, she knows enough to help and expects to be back before the incoming snowstorm gets too bad. Eli is grateful that Hadley is there, but also a bit disturbed by her presence. He's noticed her before is attracted to her. But he is also wary. Hadley is a career-minded and educated woman, just like the one that broke his heart years ago. He has avoided getting serious with any woman since then.

Hadley and Eli's initial time together was mostly taken up with the care of the horse, but it's also evident that there are sparks between them. Eli is truly intrigued by Hadley, and those feelings only increase when they find the kitten and mama cat. Hadley is just as attracted to Eli, but she has her own demons that have caused her to lock her emotions up when it comes to men. As they spent time together waiting for the foal to be born, it was interesting to see their interactions. Both of them are a little insecure in their own ways. I ached a bit for Eli when Hadley said something that he took wrong, thinking that she was looking down on him. Things became even more tense when they realized that they were snowed in at the barn. Hadley panicked because of her attraction to him, and her actions upset him again. I liked that she realized what she had done and took steps to fix it. As the evening went on, I liked the way that Eli worked to put Hadley at ease. There were several very sweet moments between them where the connection was obvious, but one or the other would panic over the closeness and pull back.

Once they were rescued, Hadley figures she's safe because she's not likely to see much of him during the rest of her stay. But fate and Eli have something else in mind. I liked seeing how their relationship developed. With Rust Creek Falls being a small town, it doesn't take much for them to encounter each other. Eli can't deny that there is something that pulls him toward her, even though he knows she won't be there for long. He can't stay away from her and often ignores the inner voice that reminds him how different they are. Hadley is equally drawn to Eli, but her past experience has colored her view of men. I liked how often she was surprised by something Eli said or did, and how it made her realize that he's different than most of the men she knows. It was clear that Eli was falling and falling hard, and also that Hadley was fighting it as hard as she could. I ached for both of them when Hadley's secret came out and she couldn't trust him or herself enough to tell it all, instead running away to protect her heart and her pride. I liked the support and advice she got from her sister that opened her eyes, and her determination to overcome it. I also liked that Eli didn't give up and was intent on fighting for her love. I liked the ending and how they worked through Hadley's revelations.

 

Riverbend Road - RaeAnne Thayne (HQN - June 2016)

Series: Haven Point (Book 4)

Protecting the streets of Haven Point isn't just a job for police officer Wyn Bailey, it's a family tradition. But lately she's found herself wanting more, especially from her boss -- and overprotective brother's best friend -- sexy chief of police, Cade Emmett. The only problem is getting Cade to view her as more than just a little sister.

Cade's hands-off approach with Wyn isn't from lack of attraction. But his complicated past has forced him to conceal his desire. When Wyn is harmed in the line of duty, Cade realizes the depth of his feelings, but can he let his guard down long enough to embrace the love he secretly craves?

Good romance with a bit of suspense to up the tension. The story grabbed me from the opening pages and didn't let go until I finished it. Wyn is a police officer in Haven Point, a job she took after losing both her twin brother and her father in the line of duty. She likes helping the people of her hometown and knows that she is pretty good at it. But she has also had a feeling of restlessness lately, of wanting more out of her life. When she is suspended for a week for disobeying a direct order from the police chief, those feelings gain strength, including her frustration with the chief himself.

Cade is the current Chief of Police. He trained under Wyn's father, a man who was his friend and mentor. It was thanks to Chief Bailey that Cade ended up on the right side of the law, in spite of the way he grew up. Cade's father was an abusive drunk, so the chief included Cade and his brother in as much as possible with his own family. Cade and Wyn's oldest brother Marshall became best friends.

When Wyn rushes into a dangerous situation, Cade's reaction is a bit stronger than it might be for another officer. The sparks that flew between them were strong and unexpected. Wyn has had feelings for Cade for years but believes that he only sees her as his best friend's little sister. But the strength of his reaction makes her wonder if maybe there is something there after all. Their emotions are still running pretty high later that evening when she goes to talk to him about another matter, and Wyn takes matters into her own hands. The passion that flares between them is intense, and freaks Cade out. He's been attracted to Wyn for a while, but she's his employee and his best friend's little sister, and he can't go there. But putting those feelings back in the box he's had them locked in proves to be much harder than he expected.

I liked the development of the relationship between Wyn and Cade. They already know each other well and have a great deal of respect for each other. Cade's attempts to fight his feelings for her seem doomed to failure when every subsequent encounter increases either his desire or his admiration for her. I loved his observation of her self-defense class and laughed out loud when she roped him into helping demonstrate some moves. There was a look in her eye that told him that he was in trouble, and he was right. Cade also holds himself back because there are things in his past that he thinks would make it impossible for her to care for him. Once Wyn gets the idea that Cade isn't as disinterested as she had thought, she seems to enjoy pushing his buttons. She also decides that now is the time to make some changes in her life. There are things in her past that had altered the course of her life, and she's ready to take it back. Those changes will also put an end to at least one of the obstacles that Cade has thrown up between them. Wyn also has a feeling that Cade is keeping some kind of secret from her. When she stumbles on some information about her father's death, she is sure of it. I ached for both of them, but especially for Cade, because of the guilt that was eating him up. I liked the courage that Wyn had in going after what she wanted. It took nearly losing her for Cade to realize how deep his feelings for Wyn were. I enjoyed seeing them come together at the end, including some rather amusing scenes with members of her family.

There is a bit of suspense involving a woman and her children who move in near Wyn and Cade. Wyn's instincts tell her that the woman, Andrea, is in some kind of trouble. I loved the way that Wyn's innate kindness and empathy enable her to get through to Andi. What was happening was so much worse than what I had initially suspected. It was interesting to see that Wyn's instincts were also right on the money when it came to a phone call she received and what she did with the information she got. I especially liked that she didn't try to keep it from Cade, and got him on board also. The ending was very satisfying, and not just because the bad guy got what was coming to him. I loved that Cade and Wyn worked together as a team, thanks to the respect they have for each other's abilities.

 

Mommy and the Maverick - Meg Maxwell (HSE #2564 - Aug 2017)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Great Family Roundup (Book 2)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 109)

And Daddy Makes Five

Rust Creek Ramblings

In a town as small as Rust Creek Falls, it would be hard not to notice the new millionaire on Main Street, even if he wasn't drop-dead gorgeous. But bachelor Autry Jones does not disappoint -- he's every bit as handsome as his settled-down brothers Walker and Hudson. However, this business-minded CEO not only shies away from commitment, he's also heading for Paris in a month. So why is he keeping company with Marissa Fuller, a young widow with three daughters?

Marissa and Autry have made a "no-strings/just friends" agreement, but Abby, Kiera and Kaylee clearly have other ideas. Can a dedicated tycoon find happiness with a mom and her kids? We here at the Gazette are hopeful. Some contracts were made to be broken!

Good book. Autry is the third of the Jones brothers to come to Rust Creek Falls. His brothers Hudson (The Maverick's Holiday Surprise) and Walker (Maverick vs. Maverick) have already left the big city for life in small-town Montana, motivated by the love they found there. Autry is the jet-setting brother, who travels the world carrying out the family business. He's come to Montana for a couple of reasons. One, he has some vacation time and wants to use it to spend some time with his brothers. They haven't been close and he has come to regret that and would like to change it. Two, his father has charged him with getting Walker and Hudson back to Tulsa "where they belong."

It was interesting to see Autry's first impressions of Rust Creek Falls. He doesn't understand the appeal of the town, or what kind of hold it has on his brothers, but he's determined to find out. He's especially confused about their involvement in the daycare business. He's a little freaked out when he arrives at the daycare to meet his brother, as he has cut the possibility of kids out of his life. After a bad breakup with a woman who had a child, one that he had come to love, Autry has decided that there will be no more single moms in his dating future. Having missed his brother at the daycare, he arrives at the Ace in the Hole just in time for the premiere of the reality show The Great Roundup, where his attention is grabbed by Marissa Fuller.

Marissa is a widow with three daughters, who moved in with her parents after her husband's death. Her girls are the center of her life. She is very independent and is sometimes frustrated by having to rely on her parents. She also has to deal with her nine-year-old daughter's frequent attempts to find her a boyfriend. The latest choice is the good-looking man who just entered the bar with Hudson and Walker Jones.

It was fun to see the immediate attraction between Marissa and Autry. She's embarrassed to be caught staring, while Autry is definitely intrigued. He has the idea that getting to know her would be a pleasant way to spend the next three weeks before he has to leave for Paris. He gets quite the shock the next day when he runs into her at the grocery store. Once he finds out she's the mother of three, his head tells him to back away slowly and leave. Instead, he finds himself accepting the little girl's invitation to their picnic. I loved seeing him with little Kaylee, where he shows himself to be a much nicer guy than I had expected. Autry's head continues to tell him to make the encounter short and quick, but he can't make himself walk away.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Autry and Marissa. Both of them admit to the attraction that has flared between them, but each is aware of the pitfalls of getting involved. Autry does not want to risk getting his heart smashed again by getting attached to the family. Marissa knows it would be all too easy to fall for Autry, then be brokenhearted when he left. But because they enjoy each other's company, they agree to be friends. I loved seeing how easily Autry fit into Marissa's life. He was fantastic with the girls. The way he jumped in to help Abby when she wanted to be in the kids' version of The Great Roundup was awesome, as were all his other sweet and thoughtful actions. Marissa loved having Autry around and seeing the happiness he brought to her daughters. But she also worried about what would happen if they got too attached and then had to see him walk out of their lives. She realizes that it's too late to protect her own heart when she gives in to the attraction between them. I ached for both of them because they knew what they wanted but couldn't figure out how to make it happen. I loved the bit of advice that Autry got from Travis and the effect it had on him. I liked Autry's big moment at the end and wasn't at all surprised by the solution he came up with. The epilogue was sweet.

 

The More Mavericks, the Merrier! - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2517 - Dec 2016)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Baby Bonanza (Book 6)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 107)

OH, BABIES!

Rust Creek Ramblings

We here at The Gazette just love a happy ending, and if anyone needs a little Christmas, it's Jamie Stockton. The stoic rancher has been raising his triplet babies alone since his wife died. Thanks to Rust Creek Falls's volunteer "baby chain," Jamie has had many helping hands. But his bed is still empty, and so is his heart.

Could family friend Fallon O'Reilly be the one to brighten his holiday? Babies Henry, Jared and Kate surely love having Fallon around, but their lonely dad may take a little more convincing. Hang the holly, dear readers, and deck the halls as our cautious cowboy rediscovers his Christmas spirit -- and the "girl next door" gets a present she will never forget!

Good friends to lovers story. Jamie is a widower and father of triplet babies. His wife died when they were born. The people of Rust Creek Falls came together to form a volunteer group that helps care for the babies. One of the members of that group is longtime family friend, Fallon. As Christmas approaches, Fallon wants to see Jamie enjoy the season with his children and attempts to push him out of the rut he is in.

Jamie's children are the center of his world. Though unknown to the general public, his marriage had not been everything he had hoped for. His wife had been unhappy living on the ranch. She hadn't wanted children and was angry when she got pregnant, even more so when it turned out to be triplets. She made Jamie's life miserable, and the only one he could confide in was his friend Fallon. He's not overly thrilled with Fallon's plans for the holidays, as he always feels that people look at him with pity when he's out with the kids, but eventually he gives in.

Fallon loves the triplets almost as much as she loves their father. She kept that love hidden while he was married. Now she can't help dreaming that he would wake up and see her as something more than a friend.

I enjoyed the progression of Jamie and Fallon's relationship. Jamie has always looked at Fallon as a friend he could depend on. He got quite a shock the day that he accidentally saw her changing her shirt and suddenly realized that his good friend was also a very attractive woman. But he's also very wary of doing anything about it. He's had so much loss in his life that the idea of doing something that could screw up his friendship with Fallon is something he doesn't want to think about. He tries very hard to forget about the feelings that she's stirred up, but he just can't do it. Fallon was surprised by what she had seen in Jamie's eyes that day, which gave her hope that maybe she had a chance with him after all. But after days of him treating her the same as always, she realized that she needed to do something to make Jamie see her as more than just his friend. It was fun to see his reaction to her makeover, especially when someone else started paying her attention. He still fought his attraction until he couldn't fight it any longer. I loved seeing them finally come together, and what they had was fantastic. But Jamie still has some deep-seated fears that cause him to pull back. I thought that Fallon was amazingly understanding, even through her hurt. I loved seeing Jamie finally realize the truth of his feelings. He had two big emotional scenes at the end; one when Fallon came back from her trip and the other at her parents' anniversary party. Fallon also provided a very interesting twist that made a huge impact on Jamie's life.

Knox - Christie Ridgway (Christie Ridgway - Nov 2016)

Series: 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Book 4)

When super-wealthy father of seven Colin Brannigan dies and leaves each of his sons a bequest, Knox Brannigan believes he scored big and best with his legacy—a vintage Indian motorcycle. He’s made a life out of rebelling against his father’s focus on high-powered business and high-powered people, but this time Knox follows the old man’s edict and takes it for a spin up the Pacific coast. When the machine breaks down he brings it to the shop listed in the owner’s manual—the closest place in California that can find the right part and repair the bike. It means three days of loafing at a rundown surfside motel, but that means three nights of getting under the skin—and with hopes, the clothes—of the lovely but disapproving owner of the yoga studio next door.

Erin Cassidy practices yoga to discipline her heart, mind, and body. But all three go wild in the presence of confident, charming, and much-too-handsome Knox Brannigan. She knows his type. He claims to be a part-time bartender but Erin’s sure that’s code for fun, flings, and never settling down. After being burned before, she set strict guidelines about the men she lets into her life. Knox, with his sexy smiles and laid-back attitude breaks every one of them. It’s only three days, she tells herself. If only they weren’t followed by those three steamy nights…

Knox has always been a man who takes his pleasures where and when he can find them and to hell with the rules. Yet when it comes to his feelings for Erin, he discovers he’s much more traditional than he ever imagined. It won’t take deep breathing or mindful meditation but only being in her arms to turn the rebel into a lover.

Good book with lots of humor mixed in with the romance. Knox is the fourth of the Brannigan brothers to accept his inheritance from his father and try to figure out what it means. The story opens on New Year's Eve, a few months after Knox's father died. Knox is known as the carefree, fun-loving Brannigan, but lately, he hasn't felt like himself. After a New Year's Day conversation with his brother Max, Knox finally checks out his legacy and is stunned to discover a vintage motorcycle. There's only one thing to do - hit the road and see if he can lose the dark feelings and resurrect his happy self. He stops for a break at a local bar/café, where he meets Erin.

Erin and her two (married) best friends are at the bar celebrating Erin's birthday. They are fussing at her over her lack of a social life. Erin was burned pretty badly by a previous relationship which has left her with some pretty big trust issues. It was fun to see them teasing and pushing her to put herself back out there. Their efforts take a pretty hilarious turn when her pregnant friend really gets into the act, sending Erin to try talking to the hot guy who just sat at the bar - Knox.

The first meeting between Knox and Erin was hilarious. The attraction between them was instant and strong, which flustered Erin. Erin's first words to Knox are taken as a pick-up line, which flusters her even more and amuses Knox. What follows is a very funny exchange about cheesy pick-up lines, and moves on to an evening spent in fun conversation. The sparks between them also flustered Knox, who is a bit surprised at the strength of the attraction. After a superhot kiss, they parted ways, not expecting to see each other again. However, Fate had different plans for them. When his bike breaks down, Knox shows up at Erin's yoga studio, in another very amusing scene, looking for help contacting the repair shop. In an unexpected twist, the owner of that shop is Erin's dad.  With the discovery that the bike needs a part that will take a few days to arrive, Knox is stuck in town, and in a perfect position to explore whatever it is that has flared between them.

I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Knox and Erin. The attraction was instant and strong, which surprised both of them. One of the things I liked best was that neither one tried to deny it was there. Erin is wary, knowing that Knox is not interested in anything permanent and she's had enough of people walking out on her. But as she spends time with him, she realizes that there is more to Knox than his good-time, party animal reputation. I loved how she saw that he was still grieving for his father, even though he couldn't see it himself, and that she helped him see it and deal with it. Knox is continually surprised by how deeply Erin has gotten under his skin. It was sweet to see his patience as he waits for Erin to overcome her fears of getting involved with him. He also senses her insecurities about herself, and his actions when she talked about her mother were great. I loved how he realized the depth of his feelings for her, but in typical man style, he isn't so good about sharing those feelings. She's still trying to protect her heart when his bike is fixed, and can't bring herself to believe that he really wants her. I loved his big moment at the end, and how he enlisted her friends to help him pull it off.

I liked Erin's friends and their husbands and the way that they all connected so easily with Knox. It was pretty easy to see the wheels turning in Knox's head as he got to know them. I loved how he got so involved in helping Erin when her friend when into labor. His natural charm and kindness really came through. I also liked the scenes between Knox and his various brothers as they all deal with their father's death. I love how they grow closer with each book, being there to support and encourage each other.