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Synopsis
Declan James has been Brockton Point’s most ineligible bachelor––happy with his short-term relationships and focusing on his business. But now that his closest friends have found their happily-ever-afters, he can’t help but wonder what that might be like. And then Sophia Strombi shows up on his doorstep.
Sophia’s life is––well there’s no other word for it––a mess. She’s grateful to have some work at her brother’s best friend’s bar, and a place to stay. Since she’s working hard to get her life back on track, she’s desperately trying to ignore the fact her boss makes her heart pound in a good way. Wait––no. That’s not good at all.
Besides, she has a huge secret she’s keeping from everyone––one that’s a life-changer.
Review
3.5 stars
This is a seriously swoony read – a brother’s best friend romance with a great twist, and a determined romantic hero that will sweep you off your feet!
This is the third book in the Love Unexpected series, but it is my first read by this author. The characters from the previous books are a part of this story, but the book can easily read this as a standalone.
Sophia left her home town and her controlling family ten years ago to attend college and make something of herself, following her dreams rather than working in her family’s restaurant. She’s achieved a lot, but a recent relationship breakdown has left her life a mess, and she’s returning home to get herself together. That starts with a job and somewhere to stay, and she finds both when she arrives at On Dec, the pub run by Declan James, best friend to her older brother, who is only too happy to help her out.
Dec was once known as a player, but all that has recently changed. He’s watched his best friends find their HEAs and settle with family, and he’s keen to find that for himself. So when little Sophia Strombi shows up on his doorstep looking all grown up, his instant attraction to her sparks something inside of him and he is suddenly all too keen to explore his feelings.
Sophie crushed on Declan as a teenager, and he’s even more gorgeous than she remembers. At first she can’t quite comprehend his attention, and though he doesn’t want to frighten her off, he’s right out there with his intentions.
“You don’t seem all that affected to me.”
… “I’m not allowed to be.” Her words went breathy. Declan clenched his hands into fists. Do not touch her. “After all, you don’t fu— mess around with employees. Plus, I have the added hands-off bonus of you being friends with my brother. I’m sure you don’t see me that way.”
Jesus. She couldn’t be more wrong. He stared at her lips. “I shouldn’t. But trust me, I see you, Sophe.”
The chemistry between these two is electric, but Sophie is in a really difficult situation having just come out of a relationship and dealing with all sorts of personal issues. She doesn’t feel ready to explore anything with Declan, and doesn’t make it easy on him. But that just gives him perfect opportunity to woo her like a champ, and he proceeds to do exactly that.
“I don’t know what’s going on, either, but I damn sure know that the attraction between us is a hell of a lot more than an itch to be scratched.” He squeezed her shoulders, giving her a little shake. “I’ve been attracted to women before, Sophia. This is different, and you damn well know it. We can dance around it, ignore it entirely, but don’t fucking diminish it or tell me it’s nothing. It’s complicated as hell for all the reasons you just said, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”
He’s sweet and swoony and beautifully supportive, and as Sophie opens up to him and shares all that’s going on with her…
…he continues to have her back without question, and it made me fall even harder for him! He’s everything you could possibly want in a man, and the romance is just gorgeous!“I’m just a guy, Sophie. And you’re a grown woman who turns me on, makes me laugh, and makes me wonder what it’d be like to call you mine. To be the shoulder you lean on, the reason you smile.” He leaned in close, ran his lips along the shell of her ear. “To make you feel.”
Another spoiler – related to the first
They have their hurdles, but everything between them progresses naturally, and I loved watching it happen. It moves quickly, but the feels are definitely there, they are passionate with each other but strangely the sex scenes are fade to black, though we do get to see them basking in the afterglow.
But while Sophie is enjoying Declan, she still has serious issues with her family to confront, as well as figuring out her life going forward. There are arguments, realisations and a whole lot of confrontations as it all gets sorted out and this story is as much about her journey as it is about the romance, and both unfold alongside each other really nicely.
There is a happy ending and the book ends in a great place, with an epilogue which finishes off the story really sweetly.
Such a sweet read, I really enjoyed it.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Love Unexpected
Let It Be Me (#1)
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Never Expected You (#2)
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Story of Us (#3)
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