New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan returns with a passionate and breathless romance about the sparks that ignite when a cautious cowboy and a once-scorned woman open up to each other in the third installment of the Coming Home series.
As the eldest Davis, Clayton has always tried to lead by example. He takes his job as head of the family businesses seriously, making sure the farm and auto shop are running smoothly—along with keeping an eye on his brother and sister. For him, there's a time and place to let go of the control he holds with an iron grip. And with the way he grew up, coupled with disastrous end to his last relationship, he's just fine with his quiet, solitary life.
Most of the time.
What he hadn't counted on was cute, quirky, shy bookstore owner, Caroline Michaels. She's the proverbial woman next door—well, the next town over, that is. Caroline hasn't lived an easy life, but after escaping an abusive ex, she's finally living it for herself. The last thing she ever expected was a one-night stand with Clay Davis, a night she can't stop thinking about.
So when she falls on hard times and Clay comes out of nowhere to her rescue, she realizes just how impossible it'll be to stay away from him. Now all she has to do is convince him to live a little...
Will Clay be able to give up the reins and finally settle down? And, more importantly, will Caroline muster enough courage to lasso him up?
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Elizabeth's Review
3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time
Review copy provided by publisher via Net Galley
I have to confess that I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this series - to the point that I debated reading this book. My desire to see how Clay’s story unfolded finally won out.
The start - what do I love?
The premise! The idea that three people terribly wounded by the failures of their parents can pull themselves up and be open to love.
Clay’s book is no exception- he and Caroline click right away and end up having a love story that makes both parties stronger.
Ms. Sloan does a great job with the alpha mail and his gooey center. Clayton is definitely a hero to swoon over.
My frustration-
The way dialogue in this series is written absolutely sets my teeth on edge. The author clearly establishes in each book that they are set in North East Texas. Having established that the setting is 1) in Texas 2) a semi- rural farming/ranching community and 3) a small town I find in unnecessary to have every sentence “spoken” to show the dropped g and a couple of other quirks the author has decided are indicative of the setting. Dialogue written this way is very difficult to read. I find it distracting because I want to get my editor's pen out and mark them up. There are certain words or phrases that should be written as spoke; like "darlin' vs darling," but, not all the time.
There are some other stereotypes thrown in that make me shake my head too, but those are easier to allow as author prerogative as this is a work of fiction. (I should also note that I am actually a displaced Texan, not just a cranky reader with a itchy red pen.)
Specific to this book and what I liked about it -
I loved getting to catch up with Maverick, Quinn and their other halves. It was nice to get glimpses of how their stories continue to play out.
I loved Caroline and her evolution into a stronger heroine and it was nice to see a more robust character from Clayton; not to mention his sweet protective side.
We also meet two new secondary characters Luke and Lucy - I am definitely curious to see what happens with them in the future.
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