Perfect Song by Lauren Runow is live!
Buy on Amazon
Blurb
I came back to Mason Creek when my life was turned upside down, both literally and figuratively. Scared and alone, I packed my belongings and left New York where I’ve made a career as a writer for a national publication to stay with my parents in the town so different than the big apple they might as well be on different planets.
Getting to see my friends was a big plus, but meeting someone new never crossed my mind until a ruggedly handsome man in jeans and a worn baseball cap came over to say hello. Not knowing someone in this small town is like not knowing how to breathe. The slightly older man caught my eye, just as much as I caught his. A witty and roguish personality kept me on my toes, even if falling for someone new is the last thing I need.
Neither of us wants a relationship, yet we keep finding each other in this small town. Rumors fly, hearts connect, and there’s more at stake than either of us are willing to share.
This man has secrets everyone wants to know, but when more than he’s willing to share is revealed I hope I’m strong enough to help him. I may have come back to town to save myself, but saving him might be the real reason I’m here.
Review
3.5 stars
This is a sweet and swoony story, a part of the Mason Creek series, which is collection of 12 books written by 12 different authors, telling the stories of the residents of a small town in Montana. It’s a cool idea, with a lot of character crossover, and this is the second book of the series to be published – though it can easily be read as a standalone.
Anna left Mason Creek to attend college, and since graduating she has created a great life for herself in New York City, with a fun social life and a busy career with great prospects. But a terrifying attack leaves her shaken, scared and in need of comfort and a break from the city, so she returns home to stay with her parents for a while.
Going back to her small, home country town is a massive culture shock, but it gives Anna the opportunity to catch up with old friends from high school and she starts to appreciate the laid-back lifestyle that she had pretty much forgotten. And she also gets to meet Tucker, a sexy older man and single father who works with his hands, sings in a band, and who sets his sights on Anna from the moment he sees her.
It’s a great set up, Tucker and Anna have great chemistry, and every interaction between them just simmers with attraction. Neither of them are looking for a relationship, but they don’t hide away from it either, and when they run into each other again and again, sparks fly, and I was loving their text conversations, quick banter and fun flirting.
“For a man who doesn’t woo women very often, you’re certainly doing a great job at it.”
“You like my woo?”
“It’s decent wood,” I say coyly.
“Is that a challenge? All right. But I have to warn you, you might not be prepared for the full Tucker Simms experience.”
“You make it seem like a ride at a theme park.”
“I’m not gonna touch that comment with a ten-foot pole.”
Tucker is a great hero – strong, confident and dependable, with a great sense of humour and a wonderful playfulness about him. He wants Anna, and doesn’t hold back from letting her know that, both telling her and showing her how he feels. He is a sweetheart and a complete gentleman, and I loved his sweet and swoony ways.
“I really want to kiss you right now, but I won’t. We just met, and I want to show you that I’m a gentleman. You deserve every aspect of what that word means. I’m just hoping you’ll give me the opportunity to prove it.”
But when the time is right, the man is sex on legs, and as they start to see each other and things between them develop, we get to see him in all of his glory as a romantic hero, and he completely stole my heart!
But Tucker is a bit of a mystery, people seem to be wary of him, and with rumors flying around their small town about the new relationship, there is this ‘thing’ hanging over them. There are secrets to be revealed, and twists in their story, and when all is revealed the two of them are put to the test in ways they never anticipated. They’ve found something special together, but is their relationship strong enough to withstand their challenges… are they?
This woman has really been something special to me, but what am I if I can’t be everything she needs?
This is a really easy and enjoyable read. I loved Tucker and Anna as characters, the romance is sweet, sexy, functional and swoony with great chemistry, and there is minimal angst and drama – just enough to bring depth and emotion to the story without overwhelming it.
There’s a great bunch of characters just waiting to have their stories told – some of them already set up very nicely, but this story stands strong on its own, and I really enjoyed it.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.