SYNOPSIS
Once upon a time a cocky, copper-haired tourist sauntered into Zara’s bar. And even though she knew better, Zara indulged in a cure for the small-town blues. It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling—a few sizzling weeks before he went back to his life, and she moved on.
Until an accidental pregnancy changed her life.
Two years later, she’s made peace with the notion that Dave No-Last-Name will never be found. Until one summer day when he walks into her coffee shop, leveling her with the same hot smile that always renders her defenseless.
Dave Beringer has never forgotten the intense month he spent with prickly Zara. Their nights together were the first true intimacy he’d ever experienced. But the discovery of his child is the shock of a lifetime, and his ugly past puts relationships and family out of reach.
Or does it? Vermont’s countryside has a way of nurturing even tortured souls. The fields and the orchards—and hard won love—are Bountiful.
PURCHASE HERE:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Title: Bountiful
Series: True North #4
Author: Sarina Bowen
Release date: October 20, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
I've been a loyal reader of the True North series since book one, so I was already eager to read Zara's story. Hearing that Sarina made this a crossover book with characters from her Brooklyn Bruisers series was just an added bonus.
Zara has been known around town as the hook-up girl for as long as she could remember. The one that was perfect for some casual fun, but forgotten when the "right" girl came along. Easily discarded. She wasn't ashamed of her aversion to long term relationships, but admittedly Griff's rejection of her when Audrey came to town burned her pride and left her feeling raw. Her father's abandonment of her as a child was the leading cause of her desire to keep things casual with men. Why leave herself open to having her heart shattered, and her trust broken like her mother?
My mother had never given up on him, though. Never asked for a divorce. Never stopped hoping he’d show up and tell us we meant the world to him. Spoiler alert: he never did.
But after so many years of being publicly shamed and disrespected, after unmistakably being shown that she wasn't worth more than a good time, it was becoming a bitter pill to swallow. It was at a weak and vulnerable moment when she and Dave began their fling. A fling that she'd soon discover, would turn out to have a very permanent consequence for her after he left a month later.
Their daughter.
I must admit, the way she pushed any hint of intimacy or tenderness away when Dave attempted it was a bit off putting for me. On one hand, she claimed that she wanted to be free to do what she wanted sexually without being judged, but on the other it clearly wasn't making her happy to do so. She would gripe over not being good enough for them, but she was the one who was afraid to risk her heart.
Single parenthood was never in her plans, but her little girl made all the town gossip and daily struggle worth every minute. Wild Zara was no more, now she just struggled to provide for her daughter and give her the best life possible. Her rough edges, and prickly personality were softening and making her more open. Just when she had come to peace with never finding Dave again, and looking for him in crowds, he walked through the door again. But how would he react to the news that he is the father? He may have shown hints that he cared for her, and would have been open to more, but a family? He made it clear that he was the furthest thing from a family man.
Dave had a rough childhood as well, and one that didn't shed a positive light on romance or raising a family.
"The Beringers don’t do parenthood.” A terrific understatement. My mother overdosed on cocaine when I was five. Then my father beat the crap out of me for nine more years, until people started to notice. He lost custody of Bess and me. We lived with our indifferent but nonviolent grandparents until Bess graduated from high school.
But if anyone could have made him want more, it would have been Zara. She was tough, fiery, and never ceased to make him smile. Coming back to Vermont, he never expected the bomb that she dropped, but he bravely stepped up to the plate and got to know his daughter. He wasn't entirely comfortable around kids...all right, not at all. It scared the living daylights out of him. But it was so sweet to see him adjusting to the idea of being a father, and finding joy in the little things.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I told her. “I don’t know whether to congratulate you or apologize.”
As he formed an attachment to his daughter, he was rediscovering what he lost with Zara, and proving to her family that he intended to take care of his girls.
Bountiful was a sweet and sexy single parent romance, with a wonderful set of secondary characters. Zara's brother Benito was so sweet, and the potential for his second chance romance has me so curious!! I would love to learn more about his job in town, and how he lost his first love as a teen. Dave's sister Bess was another intriguing and strong new character who I would love to read more about.
Overall, this story did not disappoint. I enjoyed seeing these two shed their fear of commitment and intimacy together, and form a strong family bond. It was so heartwarming to see them find the love that they deserved.
I’d spent a long time feeling like the girl who had less than everyone else. I hadn’t known it would ache just as much to feel blessed.
FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:
0 komentarze:
Post a Comment