Review: I enjoyed this sexy, fun, touching series of love stories of the Lathems!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 15, 2013
What a terrific series; I'm so sad it has ended. The hot, sexy Lathem brothers' stories have sizzled, been filled with drama, and lots of love! I got hooked on Matt and Janie's story in First Class to New York. Matt Lathem, wealthy, handsome, twice divorced, bumps into Janie, a widow with teen sons, at the Portland airport on their way to New York. Sparks fly and soon they are inseparable. Due to a misunderstanding, Janie returns alone to Portland in First Class to Portland. Matt and Janie remain my favorite couple in the series! I loved seeing how their happily ever after lasted over the years.In First Class Justice, Katy, Janie's friend, testifies against the man who almost raped her. Mark, Matt's brother, had rescued her and now finds himself falling in love with the very independent Katy. I enjoyed Katy's blunt remarks and cringed as she tried to get over everything on her own. Katy learns to allow in Mark's love for her. We are introduced to Shelby and her sad, abusive past.First Class Voyage is my favorite family reunion story. I loved how Maureen, mother of the Lathem brothers, pushed Katy to marry Mark, and Katy refused! All of the Lathem brothers made an appearance in this one, and Janie's mother has her own wonderful side story. I enjoyed the interaction with the family on the cruise. The basketball game among the brothers was fun! Katy's son, Derek, and Janie's sons and Janie and Matt's kids all add to the mix.First Class Hero is all about Paul and Nicole. This one was my least favorite only because I didn't feel the spark between Nicole and Paul until near the end of the story. I liked that Paul was a Navy Seal and a hero, and that Nicole was a teacher; that part of the story I truly enjoyed.First Class Menu is a funny, romantic story of David, a curator at an art gallery, taking a cooking class from Lindsey, an executive chef, that became private lessons! They made a fun couple, and I enjoyed David discovering his artistic side.First Class Rescue is Tim and Beth's story. Tim is a firefighter, who rescued Beth's dog, Cleo. She was an editor in New York, though she was from England. The description of firefighting scenes were detailed and touching. Cleo kept arriving back at Tim's firehouse; her dog played matchmaker!First Class Stamp is a love triangle between Ben and two single mothers. Terrific that the mothers are seen as attractive women, each with a wonderful son. This story starts in Brazil and describes the pre-olympic protests along with a suspenseful issue of who is targeting MEL Holdings Brazilian building. The need for a stamp unites Ben to both sons, but it is the mothers, Maria and Sophia, who catch his attention. He falls in love with one and introduces the other to her love interest.First Class Farewell starts off very differently. One of the characters is killed. The events leading up to the death is skillfully woven. So sad, so touching. The Lathem family, including Shelby, arrive at Matt's place in the Bahamas to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one and to celebrate births, pregnancies and a new, true love between two that had been growing over the years. It is a fun, loving, touching end to the series.First Class Devotion, bonus novella, is the story of Maureen and Peter, the parents of the Lathem brothers. I enjoyed both of them whenever they appeared in the series, so it was fitting that their love story, that had lasted over 60 years and producedhandsome, successful sons who created their own love stories, was included. Maureen tells the love story of Peter and her. Their struggles to overcome parental resistance, loss, and the transition into their first year of marriage.One of the things I loved about the series is how much in love and how affectionate the Lathem brothers were with their wives. Each brother had his own personality and story. Each of the women they fell in love with had their own personality and story. It kept the series interesting with my wanting to know what happens next. I enjoyed discovering how terrific Matt and Janie's HEA was. In each story, they had their own fun, sexy scene! I recommend this sexy, romance series for the diversity of the stories,and the family that is always there for each other, and the love that is woven throughout.