Joe Lawson has a thing for his new neighbor Hannah Napier. As a single dad, he shouldn’t be thinking what he is about her. Still, that doesn’t stop them from getting close. And the way she connects with his kids, it’s as if they’re a family.
Despite an incredibly rough beginning Hannah and Joe start to become friends. His 10 year old daughter, Ruby, has become Hannah’s garage assistant every day after work is done and Joe can’t help but admire the way Hannah handles the girl. Hannah also has a hand in “helping” Joe’s son and this brings them a bit closer together.
Things start to heat up between Hannah and Joe but they realize that things aren’t going anywhere. Hannah’s figured out that Joe might not be completely healed from his wife’s death and Joe knows that Hannah is leaving on a motorcycle trip around Australia that will have her gone for months. However, even though they both know that it just wouldn’t work they can’t help but have feelings for the other person. The sexual tension is wonderful in this story and I love that.
I don’t want to delve too much into the details of this book because there are many twists and turns in it that are unexpected – I don’t want to give anything away. I do want to say though that the book is definitely worth reading.
When I first started the book and saw Hannah and Joe arguing I wasn’t sure how things were going to work out and I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue reading. Joe just seemed like such a meany but I kept going; I’m so glad I did. The dialogue, banter, love and friendship that is in the book makes it one of my favorite category reads this year.
Hannah and Joe were just so good together – not only in a romantic relationship, but as friends as well. Hannah was hurting from a previous relationship gone very, very bad but Joe made her see what a worthy person she was. She was able to come to terms with what had happened in the past and move on. For Joe’s part he was able to deal with his attraction for Hannah and the feelings of guilt it brought while thinking of his deceased wife. I also very much enjoyed watching both Joe and Hannah deal with Joe’s children. I can’t imagine it would be easy to step into a relationship with a widower and have to deal with his kids thinking you’re trying to take their mom’s place.
Near the end of the book there was a tragic issue with Hannah. Although I didn’t particularly care for the way that Hannah dealt with it, I believed it was definitely in character for her. (FYI – this part of the book made me cry so just be prepared.)
Just a fun yet emotionally charged holiday read and one I’d definitely recommend.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I read this one also and really liked the way Mayberry handled all the issues (Hannah's thing at the end notwithstanding). But that did make me wonder why authors can't simply write an internal conflict with the characters. There always seems to be a need for more after everything is settled. A need for higher word count?
Tracy, I also read this one and agree with you. I loved most of the book. That issue at the end felt like bit of emotional manipulation on the works to me & somewhat unnecessary — but putting that aside, I really enjoyed the characters and rest of the book.
Wow, this sounds like a good read Tracy. Great review hon!
I hope you have a great day!
Wonderful review Tracy! I really enjoyed this one too. I liked the bit of role reversal of the hero being the more settled down and the heroine being the more adventurous of the two.
Lori – I feel ya. I didn't get that the end was done for a higher word count, but maybe I'm wrong.
Hilcia – I think for me the end of the book showed the true bond that Joe and his kids had formed with Hannah and after my initial pause over the issue it didn't bother me at all.
Cecile – Thanks – I think you'll like it.
Leslie – Oh absolutely! I think it was great to see Hannah as the one who was going to take off rather than Joe – that would have been too cliche and I'm glad Mayberry went that direction.
Ooh, this looks good! I got a couple gift cards to B&N so I plan on hitting it up this weekend. I'll be on the lookout for this one 🙂
Thank you Tracy. I really need to try a Sarah Mayberry book!
Katie – enjoy it!
Orannia – My first book by Mayberry wasn't a favorite by any means so I wasn't sure what to expect. However, Kmont loves her work so I thought I'd give her another shot – I'm glad I did.