Jessica Prince

My heart...

I feel like I have been waiting for Cord and Rory's story forever. Even though I loved all the other stories in this series of standalones, I knew there was going to be something special with these two. I was right to feel that way. It was more than special. It was everything.

Finally getting the backstory of Cord was so important and made me love him even more than I already did. I think this is BECAUSE of his backstory and because of the connection with Zach. I, too, went through show more what they both did. I saw some of the same horrors and also found someone that had a heart like Rory. So, because of that, this story truly resonated with me. I felt both of their pain, their fears, the deep scars of abandonment, and the wishing that maybe someday someone would love me the way that Rory loved them. Rory, sweet holy hell, this woman was fire personified. She truly was fearless. Even though she is a fictional character, she gave my heart hope.

The author did a fantastic job showing that it takes work in situations like this and that not everything is going to be perfect from the get-go. I appreciated that more than I can say. Fantastic secondary characters, her parents were truly a hoot, and visits from the old characters made this my favorite of the series. There is a reason that this author is one of my favorites. show less

One of my guilty pleasures is watching two people, that have chemistry, set up rules and then try to adhere to them. I love to watch them fall. That is precisely what happened here with Luna and Nate.

In usual fashion, this author has made me fall deeper in love with the places that she creates. She is able to do that by showing how authentic and real small towns are and the people that inhabit them. Having always grown up in the city, it is always refreshing to go to a place that focuses on show more what is important instead of getting lost in the craziness of a world that is racing by. That isn't to say that there isn't drama in small towns but what there is, seems to just be taken in stride. I liked that reminder in this book (when Luna explained it in a pivotal scene that small things to someone else might actually be life-altering-- it made me really think long after I finished that moment). I, also, related to the importance of family and knowing that one isn't confined to loving someone just because they are blood. As a child that went through the system and then later became adopted at the age of nine, I struggled with this concept and the guilt of why my mother was the way that she was. It took years of therapy before I realized that my chosen family is even more special.

I loved Luna and Nate together. As I mentioned, I love it when they fall, and boy did these two fall. I really liked Evan in this too. I liked seeing her growth. I do wish that there had been more moments of the three of them together as the relationship progressed. The ending came up pretty fast too which could be because I wasn't ready to stop reading about these amazing characters.

I highly recommend this author and this series to anyone that loves small-town romance, a great plot, and just the right amount of steam. show less

Well, color me surprised because I was quite convinced nothing could steal the thunder or my affection from The Ladies of Girl Talk and their delicious men. Nothing. I almost would have staked my children on it. Well, I am glad that I didn't because Xander and Sage just stole the top spot. This book was everything that I have come to love from this author and then some. It was heartfelt, the banter was delicious, and sweet lawd, the characters were everything.

This has been a fantastic series show more of interconnected standalones. but this book took the series to a whole new level. The baggage that Xander has just made me want to fight for him just like Sage did. He needed friends, and more importantly, he needed Sage. Just as Sage needed him. There were such cute lines in this book. Hell, cute isn't even the word I want to use. The lines were perfect and not at all cliche. The author wrote everything in such a way that I cannot even imagine the characters saying it any other way. It felt as if the characters were jumping out of the pages themselves and that made me love them even more. Sage is one of my favorite characters that this author has ever written, which says a lot considering how much I FLOVE all the Ladies of the aforementioned Girl Talk.

There is such a depth to these characters and their stories. I was right to be intrigued by Xander because he was so wonderful and just needed someone to help him see that. I am not even going to challenge myself and say that the author cannot get any better because I know she will. I cannot wait to see what is next in this fresh and always entertaining town called Hope Valley. I highly recommend not only this series but any book by this author. She is always a favorite for a reason. show less

4.8 stars

I cannot believe that this series is over. I am not ready for there to no longer be upcoming books about Fiona, Lola, Daphne, and Sophia. I have laughed, snortled, felt my heart break, and fell in love with these ladies and their amazing men.

This book did not have the crazy over the top antics that the first three standalones did in this series. Yet, it worked because we had two best friends get a second chance at love. The flashbacks were a nice bonus as it allowed us to see Fiona show more and Deacon as children to understand the depth of not only their friendship but also how their love grew. In hindsight, It had always been there, they just didn't see it.

Fee. I loved this girl since we first met her in the series-- to be fair it was after Daphne and her became friends. She is strong, and fearless. There is a sort of fire in her that makes her lovable. And speaking of love, how she loved Deacon, "Around the world and back again." And Deacon, sweet holy Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and Gabriel. He was hotter than a billy goat's butt in a pepper patch. Love when a guy can balance caveman and sweet. Add in his dirty mouth and the way he loves his Fee, "To Jupiter and back again" and it was game over. I was in love with them. Together they were steam personified. My Ipad was melting.

I cannot wait to see what this amazing author is going to write next. I am sure it will be amazing because I am not sure this author can write rubbish. show less