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Review

3.5 stars

A single mother starting over, and a sexy firefighter with a heart of gold. It’s another sweet and swoony read from Claudia Connor.

Book #2 in the McKinney/Walker brothers series, be aware that this book will be a little bit spoilery for earlier books, but it can easily standalone.

Zach is one of the Walker brothers featured in this series (younger brother of Nick, older brother of Hannah). Like his siblings, he was left scarred by the death of their parents when he was a teenager, and then by the tragic events endured by his little sister. He has created a good life for himself, and has a fun-loving nature, but he has closed himself off to the idea of long-term commitment and a family, knowing that he’s not equipped be that person.

Nora is new in town and is building a new life for herself and her 10-month old son, Will. She’s had a difficult life, but she’s determined to create a loving and stable home for herself and her boy, which includes renovations on the broken-down fixer-upper that she’s bought.

Zach and Nora meet in the ER one night. Nora is an ER nurse and when Zach brings in an injured, drunken man, Nora gets caught in the crossfire and is injured. Zach’s guilt over the incident drives him right to Nora’s side, and when he learns that she is a single mother with no real supports in town, he is determined to help her out as much as he can.

It’s a fun set-up, and all kinds of sweet as Zach plants himself into Nora’s life. And it’s not just guilt over her injury, he is wildly attracted to Nora, and it’s clear she’s just as in to him, so he’s keen to be around her at every available opportunity. It’s cute and flirty, but they both tread carefully and so we get this slow-burning attraction that builds really nicely.

More than anything, she wanted someone to want her as much as she wanted them.

It’s Zach’s relationship with little Will that really had me melting though, as we see this big, strong firefighter turn into mush for the little boy.

Will, who’d immediately began bouncing with excitement at the sight of him, let out a squeal of joy and lunged.
Zach caught him, returning the boy’s hug. If that didn’t make a man feel like a hero, nothing would.

It takes a while for things to get really started between Zach and Nora, and when it does, it’s sweet and sexy, and really freaking cute as Nora and Will are adopted into the extended McKinney/Walker clan, and Zach finds himself in a real relationship for the first time. But they both have demons from the past that they haven’t dealt with, and their inability to communicate about what they’re feeling and what they want leads to drama and heartache (and, eventually, a hilarious ‘come to Jesus’ moment with Hannah).

“Why the hell don’t you all just say what you mean?”
“You’re one to talk. You’re in love with her, and you didn’t even tell her.”

It’s such a lovely romance, but it’s a bit annoying at the same time. They never really talk about what they’re doing and what they want, and the drama is not necessary and frustratingly avoidable, but thankfully it’s short-lived and resolved quickly when Zach and Nora confront their issues and claim their HEA.

“You changed me. I love you so much there’s no room for fear.”

I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading Luke’s story up next.

3.5 stars.

 

McKinney/Walker Brothers