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Review

4.5 stars!

The third book in the Lakeside Cottage series, this is a gorgeously emotional romance for a widowed single mother, and a complex hero with a secretive life. It’s a beautiful story of love, family and second chances, and I loved it!

Archer is the older brother of Anna, whose husband’s death was a focal point of the first book in the series, though this is his first appearance. Though Archer ‘lives’ in the apartment above the garage at the family’s lake house, he is rarely there. His life is a complete mystery to his family, they have no idea of what he does or where he goes, or when he is going to show up, and he’s seen as a bit of a flake because of it. In reality, he lives a dangerous life and he’s just walked away from five years undercover, physically wounded and emotionally wrecked from all that he’s been through.

Jenna is Anna’s best friend. She is the widowed single mother of two little girls, and she’s been invited to join Jenna and her friends at the lake house for their annual reunion, where they gather to remember Anna’s late husband, and spend quality time together. Jenna and her girls are staying in the garage apartment, and she gets the shock of her life when Archer rocks up in the middle of the night.

They are both stunned by the presence of the other, but when they figure out the misunderstanding and realise that there is nowhere else for Jenna and her girls to stay, Archer invites them to share his apartment for the two weeks they are in town. So, the scene is set for a chemistry-filled, close proximity romance, and sparks are immediately flying!

How difficult could it be to share an apartment with a man I hardly know but sense could rock my body and spin my heart topsy-turvy?

The attraction between Archer and Jenna is instant, and though Archer feels unworthy and is in no state of mind to enter a relationship (not that he’s interested in having one), he knows that there could easily be more between them. He senses that Jenna could be the person who reaches him like nobody has before, and he’s not sure whether he wants that, or if he’s deserving of it. It’s intense, and every little moment between them feels so meaningful because of it.

My hands haven’t left her hair, but one slides down her neck and finds its place above her left breast. Feeling that heartbeat under her skin. Knowing it beats for me, for her. We are both living, but I want that heart to love me.
My eyes close on the dangerous thought.
She’ll break me if she does. Heartbreaker and ball-buster all rolled into one. This woman could shatter me because I’ve never wanted anything more than to deserve her.

It’s fast moving, and Archer is immediately possessive over Jenna and her daughters, and I loved seeing such a standoffish guy get taken to his knees by the three females who have entered his life.

I can’t walk away from her or her girls.
She’s mine, and I’ll do everything to make certain she accepts me as hers.

Jenna is feeling everything that Archer is, and it’s only a matter of time before they give in to the chemistry between them, and it’s romantic, emotional and full of passion, and I loved watching them come together so easily.

There are so many questions in those dark eyes, and I lean down to quickly kiss his lips.
“Archer,” I whisper, answering all of his concerns.
Yes, I’m okay with this.
Yes, I want him.
Yes, I could love him if he’d let me.

But even though they so easily fall, the realities of Archer’s life are far from simple. He never intended on staying in town, and there is still danger lurking. Jenna also has real life away from the lake house that she needs to get back to. There are some surprising developments, but I loved the direction that the story took, really bringing the feels, and I loved watching them figure it all out.

“I want to be your person. Let me be your second chance. Be my first time at love.”

This is a beautifully romantic story. It’s a great addition to the series, and I loved catching up with the previous couples, as well as seeing more of Mason and Anna, whose long-awaited story will feature in the next book of the series. This is a great bunch of characters with entertaining dynamics (Archer and Mason, in particular, have fantastically antagonistic snark going on), and I’m looking forward to seeing them all come together one final time for the last book.

Our hearts race, and my hand pauses on his chest, covering that sacred spot.
“It beats for you,” Archer whispers, and my breath catches.
“Same with mine,” I whisper back.

Such a great read – 4.5 stars!

 

Lakeside Cottage