This read sort of like The Last Chance Cafe by Linda Lael Miller. Lorelei is stuck in a rut. She likes her life but always had a secret wish for more. Then her sister dies and leaves behind a six month old daughter and Lorelei suddenly has more than she’d ever imagined, including the broody brother of the baby’s father to contend with. Reese and Lorelei have a slowish burn, lots of misunderstandings, love that they’re afraid to accept from each other, and pride getting in their way. Of course, once they think they’ve got it all together, an angry man bent on revenge tries to tear them apart with a cruel act. Reese and Lorelei both have to set their pride aside to make things right after that, and Reese especially works hard to show that he’s more than just a shadow of his past.
This story was an enjoyable read about stubbornness and how it can make, break, and heal relationships. I didn’t read the book (or books?) before it in the series, but I didn’t feel lost among the side characters at all.