Like all Harlequin titles, feels like pulling on a comfy old pair of sweats - you wouldn't want to wear them outside of the house, but you love them anyways.

BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY!
A actual superb read! I am not a fan of contemporary however, after this read, I need to write this author on my list of keep track of! I had only one tiny gripe....... The fiance and his comeuppance! Other than that.... A super engaging read. Complex at times, layers that you cannot imagine and surprises that you can not believe! Passionate and compassionate, and truly gripping! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

This is one of the best category romances - in any subgenre - I've read. The risks taken with the political aspects were brave - and so interesting. The characterisation of the child was so good.

Full review in a day or two.

3.75 stars
I liked the way it was written, and the characters are going to be memorable for sure. The story would make an excellent Hallmark movie and definitely provides plenty of feel-good quiet love. Bernadette's character arc in particular is engaging...from pampered, almost "royal" bride to a desperate woman running from the corruption she sees, with an instinctive horror. It instantly raises the question—how'd she manage not to lose the conscience these people lack so much?

Things get even more interesting when her classic Rolls breaks down in the small town where her mostly-forgotten aunt lives (the aunt who also had a conscience and ran away from the life of privilege and power and corruption a generation ago). The garage owner, Liam, is glad to help her out...this disheveled, desperate lost bride. But pretty quickly the tables turn, and she's the one helping Liam with his new son, his estranged wife's legacy to him at her death—the darling two-year-old Ike, product of the wife's affair.

I will say that some of the themes could be a bit adult (cheating spouses, illegitimate children), but in the end the book is clean, except for one instance of a "minor" swear. (Which was totally dispensable, but...oh well.) It's evident that Liam and Bernadette have a pure relationship, though there are some pretty good kisses. I especially liked that it wasn't squishy-sensual. Yes, he's handsome and she's pretty, but they aren't ogling each other in gross ways, if you get my drift. :)

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

I wish I could have loved this book but I gave up a few pages in the first chapter because mainly I hate triangles. For me, I like my fictional romances to have Hero & Heroine be the only loves. I loath books in which Hero or Heroine is obsessed with an ex. In this book, it's Liam that I could not get on board. His wife, Lianne, had an affair with Bernadette's cousin and had a baby boy. They were separated for three years and never got a divorce so Liam ends up "inheriting" his wife's kid. For me that did it. The author lost me and I could not read any further. I didn't mind Bernadette's history with her e because she as clearly never in love with him and wasn't heartbroken. The same cannot be said with hero, therefore H/h's romance (if you can call it that) was not believable.

What a solid story. Liam's and Bernie's romance warmed my heart. The author allowed their love to build--and it felt realistic--even though it was a short amount of time. Things started off rocky for Bernie but she came into her own. So many themes resonate in this read: family, forgiveness are two. It looks at the question of family and shows how love can stretch that parameter. The backstories and other characters added conflict and depth to the tale. I understood the couple's struggle and rooted for them on their path to happy-ever-after.
There were some great lines in this read:
"He was man enough to love a woman with his whole heart, but he was also man enough to let her go, and to deal with the pain on his own."
"...life doesn't give you many chances to follow your heart, and the rest of your life is an awfully long time to go without the man you love."