4.5 stars

This is a sweet romance about a woman who overcomes a turbulent childhood and a businessman who has his own secrets to overcome.

Classified as new adult, the book has a couple of explicit sex scenes, but nothing that would set off alarm bells for anyone over 18. The characters are well developed, with both the hero and heroine displaying good traits as well as vulnerabilities. There were a few typos in the story, but overall, it was well written and kept the reader turning the page to find out what happens.

Lacy Taylor was abandoned by her mother at a young age and her father was a drunkard, drug addict and crook, who spent time in and out of prison. Raised by her grandfather, she has had to forego her dreams of becoming an artist, and works as a waitress at McDermott’s Steak House. For the most part, she loves her job, but sexy general manager Chase McDermott has been getting under her skin since they were teenagers, and that doesn’t stop just because she works for him.

They embark on an affair, but the course of true love doesn’t run smoothly-and at times, comes to a complete halt. Between a surprise visit by her heretofore unknown half sister, a break in by her father, a thief at the restaurant, and a woman from Chase’s past, the couple finds themselves drifting apart and then back together as they realize they simply want to be with each other.

I really liked Lacy, although I didn’t understand some of her decisions. Leaving a multi-million dollar check lying around the house doesn’t seem like a probable course of action. Continuing to work with said check available also doesn’t make sense, although her resentment toward her mother, who left her the money in her will is understandable.

Chase is excellent as well. If he is sometimes less than sensitive, after a period of reflection he makes the right choices. I’ll never look at a tattoo in quite the same way again!

Overall, a good read with well written characters, a plot that leads you into reading more and more, and a satisfying resolution.