Review: Very good story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 7, 2013
4 starsOverall this was a very good story. There were things I liked but also things that brought the story down for me (which I'll discuss below) but overall I thought it was a very good story and addition to the series.Violet's husband was killed by a mobster. He stalked her so she moved her and her 2 teenage girls to Indiana. She happen to move in across the street from Colt and Feb (from book 1) and next door to Joe (aka Cal). Their first meeting doesn't leave her with a good opinion of him at all but she has an attraction to Joe that she can't resist and they end up in a quasi relationship. I liked Vi but she wasn't my fave heroine, I felt she had some spunk but sometimes used it at the wrong times.Joe is a security specialist and out of town a lot. He uses women for sex and hasn't had a relationship in 17 years. He can't resist Vi and ends up getting her in to a sexual relationship but balks a couple days in when she invites him to dinner. He can't stay away and gets her to re-engage with him and gets in deeper as he starts getting involved with her kids. Then he realizes how deep he's getting again and hurts her but this time he hurts her girls too. This did not endear me to Joe...Although the threat of the stalker is always there, there's not a lot of action on that plot line through most of the story. Most of it is the drama that is Joe and Vi. It's a difficult dance and Joe definitely gives' Vi some mixed signals which leaves her confused a lot of the time. During part of their tumultuous relationship there is actually a love triangle when Vi starts dating Mike (Mike gets his own in book #4 of the series) for a while before Joe is willing to admit his level of interest.We get to see many of the characters from the first book. Vi's daughters, Kate and Keira, are great characters in this book and help bring the story to life. I really loved them both and their interference definitely helped things along between Vi and Joe while keeping things interesting. Also, once Joe got a brain (around 50% in), seeing the growing relationship between Joe and Vi was great. Seeing his relationship with the girls was sweet and wonderful to read. Once the relationship issues are settled, there are some interesting times some of which includes visits with extended family from both sides (the impromptu family reunion was a fun part of the story).Unfortunately, just when things seem good something has to go wrong and the stalker mobster makes life hell for a little while. This was an interesting part as it brings in some help of secondary characters, 2 of which are Fankie and Benny. It's really cool getting glimpses in to their history because these two have their own book coming out soon Frankie and Benny and I can't wait. The glimpse we got is nice and juicy. :DWith a little help from family and friends things get worked out and the book ends great leaving me anxious for the next book in the series. Regardless of a few issues I did really enjoy the book and am happy I bought it. I'd recommend it. Thumbs up! :D