This is the 4th installment of the Mystic Creek series. I'm a big fan of this author and always look forward to a new story.

The prologue was a little confusing until you reached halfway through the book. I wasn't sure that detail would have grabbed me in the book description to feel motivated to read, but as that part of the story unfolded, I became engaged, (interesting and different), and I wanted to learn more.

The story centers around Tuck and his granddaughter, Crystal. Tuck is living in an assisted living facility after taking a fall and sustaining injuries. He's miserable and is doing everything to heal so he can get out of there. Crystal is preparing for his return while managing her very busy salon in Mystic Creek. Tuck decides to reach out to his friend, Tanner, to see if he can smuggle some beer and chew in the facility. Tanner misses Tuck and pays him a visit. Crystal receives an urgent call from the administrator of the facility, who is also our villian. She tells Crystal that Tuck is being thrown out because he had alcohol and tobacco in his room and she needs to come and pick him up. She arrives at the facility and is told that if she didn't provide the alcohol, she wants the name of the individual who did. Crystal needs Tuck to get better and there is no other place she can take him that is close to her business. She forces Tuck to reveal the source and he does on her promise that she won't betray him. But the administrator forces her to tell her or Tuck is out. This starts a chain of events that causes changes to Tanner and Crystal.

Crystal and Tanner manage to cross paths as he is a delivery man and dropped off a delivery at her home, but he is stranded on her porch because Tuck's dog, Rip, won't let him pass to his truck. The introduction is hilarious and I don't want to spoil it as it is worth discovering on the pages. They bump into each other again and soon an attraction begins. Their feelings are strong and Tanner wants to move their relationship forward, but Crystal is struggling with an event from her past that she cannot let go, and believes Tanner is better off without her.

Meanwhile, Tuck, has met a resident at the facility named Essie, and the two hit it off immediately. Tuck's gruff, no-nonsense way has swept her off her feet and he learns that she is a no-nonsense gal who's headstrong and knows what she wants. I loved this storyline and I wish there was more.

The story managed to tie-up neatly in a pretty bow, and what I enjoy about this author is that her attention to detail allows you to move with the story with the vivid descriptions in your head as if you can see each character, right down to the loyal dog who is central to these storylines. Cannot wait for more to the series.......