The Bachelor Takes a Bride - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2426 - Sept 2015)

Series: Those Engaging Garretts (Book 8)

"You don't know me…but will you marry me?"

It strikes him like a lightning bolt when he lays eyes on Jordyn Garrett. Just like his grandma always says, You'll know her when you see her. Now restaurateur Marco Palermo knows he's just met his wife -- if only she'll date him!

Jordyn's heard every line…and deflected them all. She's walked through heartbreak and come out stronger, albeit lonelier. She'll never love again. But the scrumptious Italian with the melted-chocolate eyes is nothing if not persistent. And sexy. So sexy. Just her luck to find the only man in the world who wants marriage and a family. Things Jordyn can't give. But can he convince her that he's everything she's ever wanted…forever?

I loved this book. The guys in books are usually the ones who are avoiding marriage, have been hurt in the past, or are just plain cynical about love and marriage. Marco is part of a big Italian family with lots of examples of happy marriages, and he wants that for himself. His grandmother has always told him that he'd know the right woman when he saw her, but he's been wondering how long he'll have to wait. He's even stopped dating because they all seem to be dead ends. Then he sees Jordyn and his grandmother's prediction comes true. He just has to find a way to get her to go out with him.

Jordyn has avoided men and relationships for three years, ever since the death of her fiance. She had her love and lost him, and isn't interested in risking that pain again. She tries to make that clear to Marco, but he won't give up.

I loved the development of this relationship. Marco knows that Jordyn is the one for him. He understands her reluctance, but he's determined to convince her. He starts out slow and easy, just by showing up where she works and talking to her. She enjoys his company and begins to miss him when he isn't there. I loved the way he got her to go out to dinner with him by telling her it wasn't a date. The whole time the attraction between them is building and there is an explosive kiss after the non-date. I loved seeing how his patience slowly broke down the walls she had around her heart. There were some terrific scenes with him easing her back into enjoying life. I also loved the way that he gave her so much encouragement about her art and the results of that encouragement. It was wonderful to see a man who has no trouble expressing his emotions, and I rooted for him to be able to break through her resistance.

Jordyn had locked her emotions away for three years. Though she admitted to be lonely, and envious of her sister's family, she resists all attempts to get her back in the dating pool. She's attracted to Marco when she first meets him, but she can tell he wants more than she's willing to give. As the attraction grows and they spend more time together, she's more than ready to get physical with him, but that's as far as she's willing to go. The closer they get the harder it is for her to deny her feelings, but the fear won't let her go. After pushing him away almost as much as she wants to hold him close, she nearly pushes once too often. I loved seeing her grab her courage and ask for help to show him that she's willing to fight for their relationship, even though she can't quite take the final step.

I loved seeing their relationship really start to move forward from there. Marco continues to support and encourage Jordyn, and just be there for her. I also loved her support of Marco and his family as they get the new restaurant ready to go. There's a not too surprising twist to her job at O'Reilly's that changes some of her plans. And when trouble hits Marco's family, she's reminded that life is short. I loved the ending and seeing them both embrace their future.

I also loved the strength of the family ties in this book. Jordyn and her sisters are close, and are there to support each other. I really enjoyed seeing the way that Tristyn added her voice to getting Jordyn to give Marco a chance. I also loved seeing Jordyn do what she can for Lauryn, who has a stinker for a husband. Marco's family is also lots of fun. I really loved his two nieces and seeing how good he was with them. His grandmother is sweet and sassy at the same time. I loved her part in helping Jordyn. I liked the teasing among them, and that they also always have each other for support.

A Forever Kind of Family - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2403 - May 2015)

Series: Those Engaging Garretts (Book 7)

TWO'S A DATE. THREE'S…A FAMILY?

When they become guardians of their best friends' orphaned baby, Ryan Garrett and Harper Ross expect disaster. The two can't be more different -- she's an uptight career woman; he's a laid-back ladies' man. But for little Oliver, they're now Mommy and Daddy.

For Harper, playing house with the flirtatious Ryan is as difficult as being a mother. Fussy babies elude her…but sexy Ryan pursues her! He reminds her of the night they spent together years ago; she needs to forget it. All they agree on is their love for the baby. They'll do anything for the little guy. But when their custody is threatened, will they go all the way…and marry?

Very good story. Ryan and Harper were godparents for their best friends' baby, never expecting that anything other than visits and spoiling would be needed. When their friends are killed in an accident, Ryan and Harper find themselves named as guardians for baby Oliver. Determined to do their best for him, they move in together into their friends' home and try to find a way to make it work.

Ryan and Harper are very different. Harper is intense, driven, and keeps a tight rein on her emotions. She has no experience with children and is afraid of doing the wrong thing. Ryan is more relaxed, having some experience with various members of his family. Added to it all is the memory of the one night they spent together four years ago. The attraction is still there, but Harper is as determined to fight it as Ryan is to pursue it. 

All of Harper's experience with love and family shows that relationships end, usually badly. Her own parents had never really been there for her growing up. Her mother had been extremely critical of her as a child, and her father was notorious for his womanizing ways. Being around Ryan and his family shows her that happy families do exist, but she still doesn't believe that it could happen for her. Eventually the chemistry between Harper and Ryan gets the better of them and they develop a tentative relationship. 

Harper is still cautious about believing it will last, but when their custody is threatened, Ryan proposes that they strengthen their case by getting married. What she doesn't know is that Ryan is already in love with her, and looks at this as a win-win situation. But when she has the opportunity to interview for a dream job, which is going to win out? The job or the feelings she's just beginning to admit?

I loved seeing the changes that Harper went through as she went from the uptight, nervous Nellie, to a woman who was confident in the love of her man and her ability to be a mom. I loved the way that Ryan was patient with her fears and used humor to lighten things when she would start to panic. There were many sweet moments with little Oliver, and also some pretty funny ones. I also loved the support that Ryan's family gave to them both. It was especially nice to see how Kenna (A Wife for One Year) became such a good friend to Harper, and shared her own unique marriage story with her. I think it went a long way toward making Harper see that anything is possible when you let yourself love. I loved the ending and Ryan's solution to Harper's quandary. There was also a very interesting twist at the end of the book, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

The Daddy Wish - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2385 - Feb 2015)

Series: Those Engaging Garretts (Book 6)

This could be the merger of a lifetime

The holidays are over, but Allison Caldwell can't stop thinking about the kiss she shared with Nathan Garrett under the mistletoe. The dazzlingly attractive playboy she's secretly crushed on for years isn't just off-limits because he's out of her league; the heir apparent to the Garrett furniture empire is about to be crowned CFO -- and the single mother's new boss!

One night changed everything for Nathan. And now his executive assistant is strictly hands-off despite their intense physical attraction. Besides, Allison has a son, and Nathan's no family man. Then why is Nathan's head suddenly filled with fantasies of being a father? Perhaps this once-happy bachelor won't be single for long…

Very good book. Allison and Nathan shared an intense kiss at the holiday party, but Allison is determined that it won't go any further. First and foremost, he's about to become her boss and she won't risk her job for a fling with her boss. Second, Nathan is well known as a bachelor who avoids commitment. She's a single mom who isn't looking for a fling.

Neither one of them has been able to forget that kiss, and when a snowstorm strands them overnight together, they decide that one night will be enough to answer the need. They don't expect the experience to be even more unforgettable than their kiss. But Allison resists getting involved with him. She has seen that Nathan doesn't do long term relationships and she doesn't want to risk her heart again on someone that won't stay around. Nathan doesn't know why he can't stay away from Allison. She's nothing like the women he usually dates, but he can't get her off his mind. Finding out that she's a mom should have ended it right there, as he strictly avoids getting involved with women who have children. 

I really liked the way the relationship between Nathan and Allison developed. Nathan respected Allison's desire to keep it out of the workplace, so he confined his advances to after hours visits. He was persistent in his pursuit as he tried to overcome her reservations. I loved watching him get to know Allison's son Nathan and discover that he had a desire for a family after all. I loved the trip to the races and his realization of the depth of his feelings for Allison. I enjoyed the way he tried to show her by taking her to visit his parents. Allison spent a lot of time trying to resist her feelings for Nathan. His reputation fed into her fears about his feelings not lasting. She had already been through one marriage that ended because her husband's feelings for her changed, she didn't want to do it again. She also worried about her son getting hurt in the process. Nathan's treatment of her son made her want to believe that it was real, but she was wary.

It took a crisis for Allison to accept that his feelings were real. I loved Nathan's ability to stay calm, and how he stuck around even with Allison's attitude. The scene in the hospital room was sweet and young Dylan was adorable.