Years in the Army equipped Bailey Masterson for many things: target shooting, rappelling off cliffs, dodging grenades. She’s lived through horrors that still give her nightmares. But nothing in Bailey’s life-or-death training prepared her for caring for the tiny terror that is five-year-old Olivia Hale. Or how to control her raging attraction to Olivia’s father, Streeter, the rugged, green-eyed cattle rancher who undermines her every move even when he stars in her dreams.
Streeter Hale has room for only two things in his life: his daughter and his job. He doesn’t date. He doesn’t get attached. Not anymore. So not only is Streeter stunned by Olivia’s improved behavior after just a few days with Bailey, he’s downright floored by his immediate attraction to the woman. But with secrets in her eyes and a body that doesn’t quit, Streeter begins to worry that Bailey Masterson might just be the one woman to heal his fractured family and broken heart.
One thing’s for sure–these two wrecked souls are spinning out of control as they desperately try not to fall in love…
Release Date: Nov 5, 2019
Series: Blacktop Cowboys
Book: 10
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $9.99
Streeter Hale is a single widowed father that needs help with his daughter, Olivia. She ran off the last sitter. He lost a lot in life after the death of his wife and he wants to focus on work and his daughter.
Bailey Masterson is looking for her place in the world after leaving the military. Bailey returns to Wyoming to help her sister out with the kids. She realizes she can provide the structure and a discipline to her own nieces and nephews along with Olivia. She starts a little summer boot camp and the more time she spends with Olivia and her father, the more she falls in love.
The story is slow moving as the first thirty percent is heavily focused on all of the rambunctious children. I had to make sure I kept track of everyone. Eventually, the adults take center stage and the fun begins.
I haven’t read a Lorelei James book in a long time and I was missing some the steam factor that I normally get with them. Streeter is this adorable guy with a great male anatomy but he is a little unsure and lacked the confidence I like in an alpha male. I guess that is my point, he is not what I would define as alpha male. Shockingly, Bailey is the more experienced party.
The author dives right into some serious subject matters so if you are looking for a sugary romance, this is not it. My heart went out to Streeter as he had to overcome the loss of his childhood sweetheart (Olivia’s mom) and all the ramifications of that. There are layers of pain for both him and Bailey. I like that she became something for him to believe him and he provided an anchor for her to stay put.
While this is not my favorite by the author, it does give a realistic view of life and love.
~ Samantha
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