Janice Maynard

Excellent book. I've been reading this series out of order, so I was happy to finally read the first book. It opens with the funeral of Layla's grandfather, a man she adored despite his old-fashioned views. During the reception, Layla is approached by her father and one of his friends, who manipulate her into accepting a date with one of the man's sons. It is especially embarrassing because Layla used to have a massive crush on Jordan. Layla hung out frequently with Jordan and his twin brother, Joshua, when they were kids, but they'd grown apart as adults. She reluctantly accepts the date.

Segue to Jordan, who was also manipulated into the date. He's not happy about it because he already had plans for that night. So he asks his brother, Joshua, to take his place. Josh has recently returned to the ranch after leaving his job in Dallas and divorcing his wife. He agrees but feels guilty about the deception.

I loved that scene of Josh arriving to pick up Layla and pretending to be Jordan. Layla hasn't spent time with Jordan in at least four years, so she is initially confused about her first reaction to him. Josh is uncomfortable pretending to be Jordan, and his awkward responses to Layla's conversation muddle things further. It doesn't take long for Layla to realize that she is with Josh, not Jordan, and wonder why the deception. She doesn't call him out on it right away but plays along. Once Josh relaxes a little, he and Layla get along great. Also immediately apparent is the intense attraction both feel, though they don't act on it. Going against "the plan," Josh makes another date with Layla, determined to come clean and be himself.

That second date was terrific. I loved seeing Josh stumble a bit over his confession, then be surprised that Layla had already figured it out. With that out of the way, they were free to explore what was between them. With both coming off failed relationships, neither expresses any interest in anything more than enjoying each other's company. But neither can they stop thinking about each other and wanting to be together. I loved seeing Josh's support of Layla as she dealt with her grandmother's illness and the other family turmoil. It isn't long before both realize they want more than a friends-with-benefits relationship.

However, both Josh and Layla have insecurities that throw up obstacles to the future. Josh has been waffling about what he wants to do now that he's back in Royal. Josh makes the mistake of keeping his plans secret until he feels everything is perfect. Layla's trust issues cause her to react badly to something she hears. I ached for Josh in the ensuing confrontation and wanted to shake Layla for not asking for the truth. It takes some time, but I loved seeing him confront Layla about what she said and why. Once the lines of communication are open, it doesn't take long for each to see their mistakes. I loved seeing them come together and realize that they belong together. The epilogue was great too.

During Layla's grandfather's funeral reception, the family is served with papers claiming that the oil rights to their land and that of the Lattimores had been given to a woman and her daughter. This is the first time anyone from either family is aware of such a promise, and no one wants to believe it. Oil drilling on their land would destroy what they have, and both families are determined to prove the claim false. We briefly meet the claimants, who do not make a good impression. Some secrets are revealed, but the truth of the claim is under investigation. It will be interesting to see how the pieces come together as the series continues.… (mere)

Good second chance romance. Two years earlier, Drake and Cammie had been together in a heated relationship. But when Cammie's desire for a family ran up against Drake's absolute refusal to become a father, she broke things off.

Two years later, Cammie is shocked to encounter Drake in the hospital parking lot as she leaves a meeting there. Drake, who returned from an extended trip to Australia to care for his stepsister, Ainsley, was equally surprised to see her. As he walks her to her car, both are stunned to discover an abandoned baby left on her car. After calling 911, Drake isn't surprised to find that Cammie wants to care for the infant herself. Because she isn't certified as a foster parent, and he is, he reluctantly volunteers himself as her helper.

Cammie is stunned but grateful and also wary. The years apart haven't diminished the attraction between them, and Drake makes no secret that he wants her back in his bed. One other thing hasn't changed - they are still miles apart on their parenthood opinions. When Drake was twenty-two, his father and Ainsley's mother were killed, leaving her an orphan. Drake left school and became her foster parent. It wasn't an easy task to parent a teenage girl who displayed her grief in inappropriate ways, and it put Drake off ever becoming a father himself. Meanwhile, Cammie still wants a child of her own and is pursuing ways to make that happen.

I loved watching Cammie and Drake deal with their unresolved feelings while caring for the baby. Cammie is all-in for the baby care but also a little overwhelmed at times. Though Drake had no intention of doing anything with the baby, he couldn't bear to see Cammie struggle. Over the next few days, baby "Pumpkin" wiggles his way into Cammie's heart, and Cammie wiggles her way back into Drake's. And neither of them can resist the attraction that still burns as hot as ever. But reality is never far away. Drake is supposed to return to Australia any day, and Pumpkin's parents could be found at any time. Can either Cammie or Drake give up their dreams for a chance to be together?

I liked the ending, as both Cammie and Drake took hard looks at their deeply held beliefs. Both had to decide what was more important to them. Drake had a bit of a wake-up call thanks to a doctor's appointment and an unexpected decision to make regarding his ranch. I liked how he involved Cammie and used the opportunity to have a serious talk with her. The scene on the ranch was very emotional, and I loved seeing how they came together.

The story ended with Pumpkin's fate still up in the air. I wonder if that is the story arc that will carry through the series. There is also some page time spent on the estrangement between Cammie's brother Rafe and their father, which may refer to the series subtitle of Fathers and Sons. I look forward to reading the rest of the books to see how everything turns out.… (mere)

Good opposites attract story. Abby arrived in Royal to film a documentary about the Soirée on the Bay arts festival. All city-girl, Abby feels like a fish out of water in a place that doesn't even have a Starbucks, but she's determined to do her best with her film. Out exploring the first evening she's there, Abby spots a cowboy riding with the sunset as a backdrop and immediately wants him for her film. Their face-to-face encounter doesn't go so well, and she high-tails it back to town, only to meet him again that evening.

Carter is a born and bred country boy and Royal native. He took over the family ranch when his father retired, and it consumes most of his life - by his choice. His encounter with Abby disrupts that focus with unexpected intensity.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Abby and Carter. Their first encounter was amusing with the way Abby's city experience caused her to react and Carter's somewhat ill-conceived response. They certainly made an impression on each other. When they meet again later that evening, Carter's apology goes a long way toward repairing his reputation. Sparks fly over drinks as neither can deny their attraction. Carter wants Abby in his bed, and she wants Carter in her film.

Abby's beauty, confidence, and wit intrigue Carter, but he's been burned by a city girl once before. He doesn't intend anything more than some mutually agreed on fun. Abby knows getting involved with a man with deep roots is a bad idea, but mixing a little pleasure with business should be okay. Neither expected the speed and depth of their connection and were wary of believing their feelings were real. Even when they acknowledge that there is something there, neither can see a way to make it work. When Abby's plan for her film drives a wedge between them, both she and Carter have some soul searching to do. I liked the ending and seeing how they came to realize that their love was more important than where they live.

Preparations for the Soirée on the Bay is a theme that runs through the series. In earlier books, we've seen the building of the venue and the beginnings of the publicity. At the end of the previous book, [book:The Trouble with Bad Boys|56651979], organizer Rusty Edmonds dropped the bombshell that money is missing from the festival funds. When Abby learns of it, she wants to make it part of her documentary. Carter wants her to leave it alone, especially when he overhears someone all but threaten her. I'm looking forward to the rest of the books to see if my suspicions are correct.… (mere)