Review: I always like books with billionaire business tycoons and looked forward to reading the first book, Always My Baby, in the Kingsleys of Texas series by a new to me author. While I enjoyed the book it was missing some elements for me. The characters did not have a lot of depth to them although the potential was there and the ending was too abrupt with its happily ever ending that took place in the last few pages. I will read the other books in the series and get to know the Kingsleys and some of the other characters better but hope that the closure is more fitting even if the book is part of a series.

The Kingsleys are in defense mode since the EPA believes their company has not been following approved protocols in their oil and gas company and is looking into wrongdoing on their part. The Kingsleys, along with others in the firm including China, an environmental attorney and legal counsel to the firm, and best friend to Alexander, COO, are on the hot seat and are putting their all into getting their name and their company cleared. Alexander and China have chemistry but neither is willing to put a name to it outside of friendship since China wants to start a family and Alexander does not. Where will that leave them and China once she moves on? Her interactions with the dating service were very formal and a hoot as well. Watching their give and take and support from family and friends was heartwarming but often times heartbreaking as well especially when China isn’t kept in the loop. Their missteps in communication almost cost them their best friend status as well or does it? When an outside firm is brought in to help them find out who is really involved it doesn’t seem as if China is being trusted as part of the inner circle.

There are family, friends, business problems, meetings, undercover surveillance, some intrigue, parties, anger, mistrust, sadness, tears, illness, fear, hurt, laughter, happiness, loving and love. There are twists and turns to the story, some expected and others not. All the Kingsleys are forces to be reckoned with but especially their mother, Victoria, who is always with her sister, Elizabeth, who is also a part of the business. The Kingsleys are definitely a family you’d want on your side and not against you!

The story opens with Alexander Kingsley Jr., the COO of Kingsley Oil and Gas who has summoned his best friend China Edwards and is also the in-house counsel for the company to the office on a Friday night because he has received notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), his family’s company is being investigated and he needs her help to sort it all out.

China was on a date with Jackson Weatherly a successful pediatric surgeon when Alexander called, but the thing is despite her “attraction” to her friend/boss, her desire to have children may have to put the brakes on whatever she is feeling for Alexander because she already knows he does not want children. Will she end up with Jackson or with Alexander?

This was an interesting read filled with romance, suspense and a little drama that kept me engaged with the story and the characters.

Martha Kennerson states this is a new series featuring the Kingsleys of Texas and based on this story; this is a family worth following. I enjoyed meeting the feisty Victoria Langston Kingsley and Aunt Elizabeth Langston Kingsley, and I’m sure Ms. Kennerson will tell their stories in future books.

This was a well-written romance with a predictable outcome, which is what romance readers want.

Buy this book! You will not be disappointed.

Always My Baby has two great features that I love in stories in the Romance genre. First, the author includes the friends to lovers theme, and the reader is introduced to a new family series. Alexander Kingsley. COO of Kingsley Oil & Gas is involved in a complicated relationship with his best friend and in-house counsel of the Kingsley Conglomerate, China Edwards. It's a good read and Kennerson aptly adds some intrigue when the EPA is threatening to sue the company because of malfeasance that points straight to Alexander. Added to this, China is conflicted about Alexander being her lover in place of her friend. It's complicated. It's the first story of a series and I look forward to more stories involving the men of the Kingsley family.

HFN endings are not my favorite, nor do I like books with a lot of loose ends. I assume this is going to follow the new trend of a series of books telling Alex and China's story. I don't like this trend either. Tell me a story and wrap it up by the end of the book, otherwise I feel you are milking me for money.

The story itself was an interesting friends-to-lovers book. I always enjoy seeing the fruits of a long friendship instead of instalove.