YAWN.... DNF

It's obvious this book is part of a series as the author spends chapters going on and on about the history of the family. While some of it was relevant, some I don't think was. It almost felt like the author was trying to push the other books rather than telling this story.

I found Callum to be incredibly immature for not only someone his age but for someone has successful as he was. The love struck puppy dog act didn't fit with his character.

I found both Callum and Becky to enjoy playing the woe is me card, and after awhile it became incredibly annoying.

** ARC received from Netgalley **

Fortune's Fresh Start
The Fortunes of Texas, Rambling Rose
by Michelle Major
224 pages
Publisher Harlequin Special Edition
Publication date December 17, 2019
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Description :
There’s a new breed of Fortune in town…In the small Texas burg of Rambling Rose, real estate investor Callum Fortune is making a big splash. The last thing he needs is any personal complications slowing his pace—least of all nurse Becky Averill, a beautiful widow with twin baby girls. Callum’s past has convinced him he’s not cut out for commitment. Yet, drawn to Becky in ways he can’t understand, Callum is torn between moving on…and moving in!
📕MY REVIEW📕
This story is a reminder of how beautiful and sad love can be. Fortune's Fresh Start is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story about Callum Fortune and Becky Averill, a widow with twin baby girls. I really liked both Callum and Becky but as with any good romance i found myself wanting to shake Callum at times while screaming at him why ????? The Book moves at a good pace and all of the characters are well developed and likeable. Once I picked up this book i couldn't put it down. (Read all of it in one setting ) .
Right from page one it drew me in.The heartbreak that both main characters had been through pulled at my heartstrings. I loved the authors writing style and the fact she described all of the scenes so well. It was as if i was standing right there with them. By the time the story ended I wanted more. Can't wait to read the other books in this series. I am especially looking forward to reading Stephanie Fortune's story and finding out what happens with the sweet baby boy. This is Definitely a 5 star read. If you are looking for a great short romance story to pull at your heartstrings this story is for you.This is one romance you will not want to miss. This is the first book I've read by the author, but will definitely not be the last. I will be reading her other stories now that I have found her. And as with any book you read PLEASE leave the author a REVIEW. Reviews are very important to authors and is what keeps them writing.

I haven’t been a dedicated follower of the Fortune family romances, but the ones I’ve enjoyed combine conflicts around economic imbalance with characters trying to find their roots. It’s a strong enough connection that this title caught my eye when I was looking for a contemporary romance to read. Add in two small children, and this book hits one of my sweet spots.

Fortune’s Fresh Start earns its title because Callum Fortune, after failing at his first marriage, has decided he does not have what it takes to maintain a relationship. He’s unwilling to hurt those he cares for, nor does he want to experience that pain himself. Instead, he throws everything he has at making the latest renovation project succeed. This ignores, as he does, all the energy he pours into making sure his four sisters and three brothers are happy and cared for.

In walks Becky Averill with her twin daughters and strong spirit. She is tough, capable, and able to achieve whatever fate puts before her, or so it looks on the outside. Like Callum, she fears any sign of how ragged her life as a widowed mother of two toddlers is will bring her parents or the authorities to rip her away from a town she loves and even take the twins away. She closes herself off from everyone to hide her struggles, but Callum has been the one to step in unasked since his mother needed help with his younger sisters when he was a child.

Their economic disparity is a minor subplot compared to how both need to learn to trust and love again. Becky isn’t aware of how she holds herself separate, friendly, but not friends, with many. Almost without realizing it, she comes to rely on him, the first man to raise feelings since Becky’s husband died in a car accident when she was pregnant. The trust he provokes gives her the confidence to make real friends and accept offers of help as kindness rather than pity.

Callum knows he denies himself. He’s so sure he’s right, he’ll throw away the most important thing to happen in his life, and break one adult and two little hearts doing it. But despite his confidence in this, he is drawn to Becky and her daughters, unable to keep himself away even when he knows he should.

Their relationship develops from instant attraction into something deeper every time they cross paths. But Callum keeps shying away, which confuses Becky and frustrates his siblings. Becky might be intimidated by his wealth and unsure what he sees in a struggling single mom, but with a little help, she could make her own good fortune in helping him come to terms with his past.

This book shows the complications of dating with small kids and an active, involved family. It is set in the welcoming community (with hints of conflicts to come) of Rambling Rose, Texas, and has low detail, but open door scenes. I enjoyed spending time with the main characters, and the way their greater relationships shored them up until they were capable of accepting each other. If you like babies and strong communities, you might enjoy a visit to Rambling Rose.

P.S. I received this Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

(Link live 1/2/2020 at 3:30pm Pacific)

I enjoyed this heartwarming contemporary romance. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing that connection. Callum isnt interested in sticking around in town once he's done with his currently project and after his last relationship getting involved with Becky isn't the best idea, at least that's what he thinks. Even after that its hard to stay away and its so cute seeing how Callum, Becky and the twin were. This is a fast paced contemporary romance and if you are looking for a sweet little escape you might want to consider reading this book.

Another branch of the beloved Fortune family has stolen my heart! The kick-off to a new Fortunes of Texas series is always exciting, and Michelle Major brought her A game with FORTUNE'S FRESH START, the start of the Rambling Rose sub-series! I'm super excited to get more of Callum's sibling's stories in the future books.

Callum catches a reader's eye immediately with his self-assured way and when we see him jump to the aid of a single mother, we start to melt from the start. Watching him interact with family, friends and Becky and her kiddos keeps us entertained throughout.

Becky is appealing from the moment we meet her starting anew as a widowed single mother of adorable twin daughters. She's fresh and like-able and the more we see her start to fall for the self-proclaimed bachelor, we can't stop watching ... even if her heart might be on the verge of being broken at any moment.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast paced story filled with love, laughter and a close-knit cast of family and friends. I'm looking forward to more to come in the series!

With adorably twins, their widowed Mum and the Fortune family, this story is packed with great characters, lots of love and a heartwarming romance.

Callum Fortune and his two brothers are helping rejuvenate the small town of Rambling Rose in Texas. One of their projects is a paediatric hospital and it is at the opening of this that Callum first spots Becky Averill and her twin daughters. There's instant attraction between them but he's certain he's not a man for commitment after his first marriage didn't last a year and she's extremely independent and not certain she's ready to trust anyone. Can getting to know each other help them both to heal the wounds from the past and give them a chance at finding their HEA together? You'll have to read it to find out!

This is the story of the family, working together, interacting, supporting each other and cajoling when necessary. There are plenty of twists in the story, including a surprise baby, a break up and pink cabinets! It is a lovely story to escape into and a great start to a new series. I'll definitely be looking out for more stories in this series in future and discover more of the Fortunes finding romance!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.