Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance

Tucker is not quite sure what he should do now that he walked away from his military career. But while he thinks about it, he can find no better place than in Texas with his cousin. While Tucker figures out what his next moves will be, he can’t help but aid a stranded woman he meets on the road.

Gillian loves love. She is also a shop owner with her mom and they sell wedding dresses. While she is on a weekend vacation with her fiancé, they have a fight and then she has car trouble. While she tries to figure out how to deal with her car troubles, she meets Tucker. He is nice and handsome, but with her fiancé waiting for her, she doesn’t really give it much thought.

Watching Gillian take on the challenges in her life head-on was admirable. Also, watching Tucker figure out what he wants out of his life now that he’s no longer in the military – let’s just say that they complement each other well.

While their romance isn’t a walk in the park, you get to see each of them grow and change in order to become their best selves. The story was a little young adult feeling for me, but I did enjoy the characters and was happy to see that both Gillian and Tucker were able to figure out who they were and what would make them happy.

Triggers: Cheating

I am loving this series "The McBrides of Texas" Tuckers story was just a wonderful to read as Jackson was in the first book. Emily March has a way of bringing us into her world with wonderful characters that just enhance this community of Redemption. I fall in love with Tucker's patience, commitment, heart and desire to find a new purpose in his life. I am so excited to read the next book in the series but with this being the last of the three McBride man it is bittersweet that our little trip into the world of Redemption and Enchanted Canyon might be coming to the end.

Tucker McBride was a man searching for his place in the world after leaving the desk job in washing DC after many years in the middle east. His new life out of the Army will take him to his cousins and Enchanted Canyon. Back to nature is what will do his body and mind the best as he takes time to find peace and purpose.

Gillian Thacker is part owner of the local bridal shop in Redemption a business she has plans to grow this business with her fiance. But life sometimes gives you lemons when you dream of sweeter things.

The two meets is a strange situation while the chemistry between the two is evident right from the start. But life is not always that simple, as both will learn.

Dreams are possible if we give them time to find a way into our lives.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the chance to read this ARC copy to which I have written my honest and voluntary review.

Book boyfriend alert!

Tucker was amazing as the lead in this sweet, gentle romance. This author writes worlds that are so inviting with characters you can’t help but want to know… Tucker? Yeah, he’s at the top of that list.

Rescuing the damsel in distress was just one of the reasons Tucker flew to book boyfriend status. He was patient, loving and all the things Gillian needed. They met during a bump in her current relationship so when she was free months later Tucker was happy to help her once again. She resisted, how I am really not knowing, but through persistence and a whole lot of loving charm, Tucker was just there. Being all kinds of wonderful…

This was sweet with the only harshness coming from me when I wanted to shake Gillian on more than one occasion. I’m not dissing her, her feelings are her own, but being able to see Tucker’s point of view meant I knew just what she was missing…

Well now I'll take a Tucker to go please. I liked that this book plays out over almost a year and not just a month like some books do. When Tucker and Gillian first meet neither is in a place to be with each other. Time moves on and things change which only makes Tucker happy. He is in love with Gillian at first sight. It takes Gillian long to trust herself to find that she truly loves Tucker. It was fun watching Tucker woo Gillian. I just wished she listened to herself more and didn't doubt everything all the time. Another great book in this series. I look forward to reading Boone's book.


*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Ooooooh that Tucker McBride was infuriating. And hot. Gillian was not about to back down though, and that made this book so much fun to read! Their adventures and families were great additions to their romance.

Return to Redemption, a town with the feel of Eternity Springs. As with Eternity Springs you can't go wrong here.
Tucker and Gillian were enduring characters.
Secondary characters were fun to get to know and revist old characters.
Always recommend Eternity Springs books

Although part of a series this is a good stand alone book. In this book the reader is introduced to Tucker returning to Eternity Springs after leaving the military. While traveling to his destination, Tucker finds a damsel in distress, Gillian, who has had a fight with her fiance, has crashed her car avoiding an animal, has no cell service, is trying to walk back to town and is not going in the right direction. Tucker helps Gillian. He's impressed but she's taken. And so the story goes Tucker heads out to be by himself and figure out what he wants to do (life after the military). Gillian's fiance goes from fiance to fiend. Deciding what he wants to try, Tucker takes over a store that Gillian had wanted to expand her business into the space. Tucker begins to woo Gillian but he's all outdoors and she's not there yet. Tucker getting Gillian to know him and what he likes is where the story goes and there's fun, adventure, independence and a rescue. Love, romance and a happy ending round out this story.

Tucker makes a hard decision regarding his military career and he goes back to his family in Redemption to think and heal. This is the storyline beginning with a military man who loses himself and goes into isolation to find himself and what he needs and wants.

The author adds the spicy twist of him saving Gillian, a damsel in distress along the way. Tucker can't help but be attracted to this engaged beauty but he runs for the hills.

Meanwhile, Gillian's character is amazing as she deals with a finance who is a snake of the worse kind. How she handles the breakup and what she finds out afterwards is believable because it is filled with raw emotion and pain you can feel straight to your bones. Parts of her are gutsy and other parts is pure girly girl which is an interesting combination to Tucker's survivalist personality.

Tucker's personality combined with Gillian's create a very hot story filled with overflowing emotions and feelings. In this story two people who deserve and desire to be loved and have a family preserve to break down their walls of resistance and to find a happy ending.

Also, in this book are characters from the Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas Book #1 including his two hot cousins who continue to heat up the pages of this book as well.

I give it 5 STARS for both of them fighting for their happiness.

Title: The McBride of Texas
Author: Emily March
Genre: Contemporary romance
My rating: 4 ++

This book was a decent read. I enjoyed Emily’s writing and Tucker’s story. I felt a connection with Tucker and Gillian—felt they were real people. People I wouldn’t mind hanging with. Loved their chemistry and the secondary characters. Felt they were believable. I also loved the small-town feel of Eternity Springs and gin of Angelica.

My only drawback would be I felt the heroine was too indecisive and therefore—the story dragged more than it needed to.

All-in-all, a great read that I was lucky to receive from Emily March, and NetGalley.

Every so often, I read a book and put off writing the review. Life gets in the way and then before you know it is time for the review. So I found myself reading TUCKER - ETERNITY SPRINGS: THE MCBRIDES OF TEXAS by Emily March for the second time. Immediately reminded of some noteworthy moments that had taken residence in my memory. I remembered how much I had enjoyed TUCKER so I decided to sit back and revisit some old friends.
Gillian Thacker believes in happy endings after all that’s the goal of her bridal gown business which is to provide the wedding gown of the bride’s dream. Gillian and her mother are partners in Bliss Bridal Salon in small town Redemption Texas. You know where everyone knows your name and your business. Most recent issue is with Gillian’s impending wedding to Jeremy Jones. Gillian has had lots of doubts about this wedding she spent a year planning. But candidly its been a dream of a lifetime.
Reading TUCKER you get a sense of community, support and friendship that is joyous. So Gillian’s sense of well-being is challenged.
Tucker McBride is seeking the next chapter to his life since leaving the military. Coming to Redemption Tucker doesn’t know what to expect or hope for. But meeting Gillian definitely provides a much-needed distraction from his own issues. Gillian brings joy to Tuckers life and they form a wondrous friendship. Just what the doctor ordered. Well maybe not.
Being friends with Tucker brought back Gillian’s smile. Being around Gillian is becoming quite a challenge to Tuckers libido. Tucker is fully engaged. Gillian is still getting her life back to order. Gillian is a planner – she did not plan this latest glitch to her well ordered life.
The good folk of Redemption want their Gillian to have the love and life she dreams of and they are a real force of nature.
In TUCKER – ETERNITY SPRINGS: THE MCBRIDES OF TEXAS Emily March works tirelessly keeping spirits on high even when life seems to enjoy doling out sucker punches. Emily March wants poor Gillian to pull up her boots and lose the poor me attitude. She creatively uses Tuckers optimism and survival skills to lead Gillian out of her doldrums.
Emily March’s use of humor is infectious which makes TUCKER a welcome memorable addition to the McBride series. It is about breaking out of a self-imposed mode and going by instinct. Follow advice from a wise woman – life is hard – wear a helmet.
TUCKER – ETERNITY SPRINGS: THE MCBRIDES OF TEXAS is the second installment of the McBride’s family series. The first was the cousin Jackson’s story. Tucker’s story continues the saga of three McBride cousins. This series can be read out of order, but each story has been a delight filled with love, humor and angst.

I was given an e-arc to review from NetGalley - normally I go into NetGalley and put a request in. In this case, I got an email asking if I wanted to review this. I read it and enjoyed it, but it is the second in a series, which is the spin off of a much longer series. It still makes sense as a stand alone, but reading the previous book would definitely have added richness to the experience. Also, it's probably a good read too.

The book itself is light and breezy and perfect for this very strange time we are living through right now! It is nice to see a romance novel set in a community, where there are friends and cousins and layers of relationships. It was oddly coy - I'm very happy with a romance book fading to black at the bedroom door, but in this case I was sometimes unsure who was in the bedroom. Minor issues in a solid book.

Gillian Thacker runs a bridal salon with her mother, in Redemption, Texas. She's also starting a wedding planning business--she thinks with her fiancé, Jeremy Jones.

Jeremy doesn't share her dreams. Or goals. Or basic values. And in a series of startling revelations, she finds this out.

Tucker McBride is one of the McBride cousins, who inherited Enchanted Canyon and associated properties, and have been building a special place there. Or rather, Jackson and Boone have been. Tucker was in the army.

But Tucker got promoted and reassigned to a Washington post that had him dealing with politicians and bureaucrats in a world that makes no sense to him. So he resigned, and has come home to Texas--where he meets Gillian Thacker.

Tucker has started a business, too, in his case a survival school, teaching wilderness survival skills to those who want to enjoy the wilderness more safely, whatever their reasons.

Tucker and Gillian clash and are attracted to each other, and for Gillian, there's the issue of her engagement to and breakup with Jeremy, and a loss of confidence in her own judgment.

Gillian and Tucker, and most of the people in their lives, are likable and interesting, and worth spending the time with. Tucker's relationship with Jackson's young daughter, Haley, and the healing effect it has on both of them, is very touching.

And Gillian and Tucker's trip to Las Vegas after the final, terrible revelation of the truth about Jeremy, is wild, crazy, fun.

This is an enjoyable, happy-ending romance that's a lot of fun.

I received a free electronic galley from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

Gillian Thacker is in partnership with her mother in Bliss Bridal Salon, and is engaged to Jerermy when she runs into Tucker McBride.
There is a frisson of attraction, but she is engaged and the wedding is not far away, but when her plan for happy ever after hits a major snag the community of Eternity Springs help Gillian find what and who she really wants.
You don't have to have read previous books in this series, but it may help fill out the story slightly. A good addition to the series

I wasn't sure if I would like this book or not and I gave it a chance. I am glad I did! Was drawn in right away and the side characters add delight to this story.

One of the things that I like about Ms. March's romances is that unlike most contemporary romances that seem to happen in warp speed, these are more realistic, allowing time for the couple to slowly meet and get to know each other before they realize that they are meant to be.

This is the second book in the Enchanted Canyon series, a spin off (or southern branch) of Eternity Springs. Tucker McBride, one of the three cousins who inherited Enchanted Canyon, has left the military. From when he was a little boy, he had wanted to be a soldier, and had been a Ranger for the last 10 years. But when he was promoted to a desk job in DC, he could not tolerate the Swamp and quit. Now he was spiritually lost and slowly was making his way to Redemption Texas when he comes across a damsel in distress. Gillian Thacker, usually the most prepared person, had a fight with her fiancee and found herself stranded on a little used road, when Tucker comes along on his motorcycle. She lives in Redemption and knows Jackson, Tucker's cousin. And while Tucker is immediately attracted to Gillian, he has mending to do in the Canyon. A few months pass, Tucker is ready to rejoin the world and has decided, with the help of his cousins to start the Enchanted Canyon Wilderness School, and finding that all is not paradise in Gillian's relationship with her fiancee, starts having thoughts about a possible future with a family of his own.

Along with the wonderful characters and engaging plot, the author includes wonderfully detailed descriptions of the scenery in Enchant Canyon and what goes on in the wedding dress business. Also a wonderful lesson on survival skills in the wilderness.

I read an ARC provided by NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Contemporary romance fans, take a look at the 'Eternity Springs' series from Emily March! Her novel, 'Tucker', is out today! You can read an excerpt below.



(This was a spotlight post for the blog tour of the novel. I didn't review this novel with the spotlight because I would have rated it a 3 STARS.)

Another great book in this series. I love Gillian and Tucker's story and how both had things to overcome. I think Tucker may be my favorite McBride. He had so much patience and love for Gillian. I can't wait to read the next book.

As usual, I enjoyed another good story from Emily March. This spinoff of the Eternity Springs series is shaping up to be almost as good as the beloved series it's from.

I'm really enjoying the new community of characters March has brought to her Eternity Springs series through this connected - but standalone - trilogy. I fell in love with her McBride family before she created Eternity Springs so it's been fun to follow second generation McBride cousins Jackson and Tucker (and next up, Boone) as they navigate the trials of starting over and finding love in Enchanted Canyon.

I fell hard for Tucker. He's such a good guy: sexy, honorable, and caring. He's a bit lost when he arrives in Redemption, having retired from the Army and not sure what he wants to do with the rest of his life. March does a good job of showing his evolution. I love how much he cares for his family. His relationship with Jackson's young daughter is especially poignant. I also love how well he knows Gillian, often better than she knows herself.

Gillian took longer to warm up to. She runs a successful business but personally, she's a mess. For almost half the book she's engaged to someone else and when that ends (he's a cheating jerk), it sends her self-confidence and trust in her own decisions into a spiral. I understood her caution with Tucker (their romantic relationship doesn't begin until after her engagement ends) but I grew frustrated with how she treats him and his feelings for her. She comes around in the end but I wanted more evidence of her investment in their relationship. I'm hoping to see that in the final book of the trilogy.

March infused the story with plenty of good humor and heart-tugging emotion to keep me engaged and gives readers a peek into Boone's dilemma that has me eagerly anticipating his story in the next chapter of the McBrides of Texas.

You don't have to have read the Eternity Springs books - or the earlier McBride books - to enjoy TUCKER. I do, however, recommend reading JACKSON first for a better understanding of characters from JACKSON whose stories continue in TUCKER.

Tucker is the second book in the Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas series and it can be read as a standalone but I will be going back and reading, Jackson, the first book in this series. There are also characters from the Eternity Springs series, but again, you don't need to read that series to enjoy this book. I fell in love with Tucker. He has had quite the life. The McBride's are quite wealthy, but he chose to join the army and one time was going to make that a career, but plans change. He has come home to Texas is planning to heal in Enchanted Canyon. What he does not plan on is his meeting with gorgeous Gillian Thacker. She is dealing with a lot of changes in her life, not pleasant ones, and is not ready for a new relationship. Love, has a mind of its own.

Gillian and Tucker are a dynamic duo. They are both smart, loving, caring. loyal, beautiful, talented and so on. Unfortunately, Gillian is having issues trusting her own decisions and that includes her attraction to Tucker. Luckily for Gillian she had wonderful friends and family who supported her, at times coddled her but also gave her a kick in the butt when she needed it. There was a lot of emotion in the story (most from Gillian) and the romance was fun and swoon worthy. This was a story about making mistakes, recognizing them and moving on. There is trust, love, some angst and a wonderful story to entertain readers. Emily March wrote some great, witty dialogue. I absolutely loved the setting, the characters and the dogs, who play a part in the story. I will definitely be reading more of the McBride stories.