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Review

“Friends with benefits was never the plan.”

4 stars

This is the third book in the Maverick Montana series, and a gorgeously sweet and romantic best-friends-to-lovers story.

Colton and Melanie have been best friends since childhood. They have grown up together, still remain close, and are a huge part of each other’s lives. But for a long time, there’s been an undercurrent of something more between them – something that everybody in their lives is well aware of – but neither of them have ever gone there, cherishing their friendship too deeply.

“Many times they’d come close to kissing, but one of them had always backed away. With a grin, or a joke, they’d escaped ever taking the chance. The one thing Melanie knew for sure was if Colton ever kissed her, if he ever showed her that side of him, there’d be no turning back. Ever.”

Colton has recently turned to town to take the reins of the family business, and he is settling in to his new job, trying hard to prove himself to his loved ones, but also dealing with money and investment issues. But he immediately notices that Melanie is struggling – exhausted, stressed, and working three jobs as well as her ranch – and she’s clearly something personal that’s bothering her as well. So, being the protective alpha that he is, he is determined to help her out.

Melanie is still grieving the loss of her beloved grandfather and she’s overwhelmed with life. She’s also dealing with some health issues and has discovered that, having always dreamed of being a mother, her window of opportunity to do that is closing fast. When Colton (hilariously) discovers what’s going on, he jumps in to offer his support, helping her on her journey. But when their long-burning chemistry finally shatters the boundaries of their longstanding friendship, he offers to help her in a more practical way.

It’s a fun set up, and with the sexual tension that has been building between these two over the last two books, I was right on board (as was the rest of the family… in fact, the whole town). It’s sexy and intense, and though they both have their reservations and are determined to keep things simple and protect their friendship at all costs, the shift from friends to lovers feels so natural. I could feel the depth of emotion between Colton and Melanie, and loved seeing them together. And watching them realise the significant of what they have together, and what they both want for the future, is just gorgeous.

I’m loving this series. Easy, sweet, sexy and angst-free romance is always a wonderful escape, and I’ve loved escaping to the small town of Mineral Lake with the Lodge/Freeze family. I loved Colton and Melanie’s story, and after all of the intensity with Hawk in this one, I can’t wait to dive in to his and Dawn’s book next!

4 stars!

 

Maverick Montana