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Review

This is the second book in the Boudreaux series, and if you’re a fan of Kristen Proby, then you’ll know what to expect going in – a sweet, funny and passionate romance that is full of gorgeous moments with very little angst, leaving you all happy and fluffy at the end. That’s exactly what I wanted, and it was exactly what I got, and I love that she never lets me down.

“You’re every hope, every dream I’ve ever had, and I didn’t even know it until I met you. 

Gabrielle is the youngest of the Boudreaux siblings and she lives at the family plantation, which she has turned into an Inn. She works hard and has made her business a success, pretty much on her own, and she loves every minute of it. But her biggest joy in life is her seven year old son, Sam. She has been a single mother since the moment her boyfriendsperm donor left when he discovered she was pregnant, and she has raised a smart, happy and respectful boy. She is happy and she loves her life, although she does secretly wish that she had somebody to share it with.

Rhys O’Shaughnessy was introduced in the previous book, Easy Love, as the cousin of heroine, Kate. He is a professional baseball player who has injured his pitching arm, and Kate suggests he come down and stay at Gabby’s inn while he recuperates. His goal is to take some time out while working hard to rehabilitate his shoulder and get back to the game he loves as soon as possible. He never expected to fall for his gorgeous host and her adorable son, but how can they make a relationship work when their lives are at opposite ends of the country?

From the moment you start reading, you can see exactly where the story is going. In fact, the moment Rhys injured his shoulder in the last book, you could see where the story was going. But it doesn’t matter. Sometimes you need to read a book that is fun and easy and gorgeously romantic that you know won’t tear your heart out, and this is that book.

“There are seven billion smiles in this world, and yours is my favorite.”

Gabby and Rhys are attracted to each other immediately, but things between them develop slowly. They become friends, but they don’t hide the way they are feeling, and their relationship progresses really sweetly. Gabby is a great heroine – she’s strong and stubborn and she is determined to do things on her own, and when Rhys comes into her life he completely swept off her feet. He is such a good guy and an absolute sweetheart (but a bad boy in the bedroom which we all love)! He cares so much about Gabby and Sam, and he easily becomes a part of their lives, and I love the honest and no-nonsense way they come together.

“Why is this so easy with you?” I ask, staring at the ceiling, waiting for my heart to return to normal.
“Maybe I just know what I’m doing?” he replies sarcastically.
“Well, you do, yes.” I chuckle and turn on my side, facing him. “But I’m comfortable with you. It’s amazing, but it’s also just…easy.”
“Because we trust each other,” he replies and gently runs his fingertip down the bridge of my nose. “I feel like I’ve known you a long time. This might sound silly, but I feel like your heart and my heart are very old friends.”
I blink at him as my heart swoons. But he’s exactly right. I trust him. I feel like I’ve known him forever.
This feels like…home.

The story is written in dual POV – mainly from Gabby’s perspective, but we get to know what Rhys is thinking and feeling as well. It gets you right into the heart of the story and I love that.

As with all of Kristen’s books, in addition to the gorgeous romance, there’s also lots of family time, and I loved the scenes with her siblings. Her sisters are all pushing her to explore what’s happening between her and Rhys, and her brothers are all ridiculously over-protective and funny as all hell as they growl and snarl all over her, and threaten Rhys with bodily harm should he hurt their baby sister. They’re a great bunch, and I’m really looking forward to more from this series. And speaking of which, there’s a nice lead in to the next book of the series featuring Gabby’s musician brother, Declan. Looks like he’s in for a fight to get his girl. Should be a good one!

This is a really enjoyable read. Sweet, romantic and easy with lots of heart, lots of swoon and a nice amount of steamy time. Good fun.

3.5 Charmingly sweet, predictable but enjoyable stars

The Boudreaux series