Releases 23 April
Pre-order: Amazon
Blurb
How is it possible that perfect Gage Buchanan is still single after all these years?
He can’t quite figure it out himself. Perhaps he hasn’t met the right woman. Maybe he’s spent too many years focusing on work—or maybe he just isn’t as perfect as everyone thinks he is.
Gage thought he left his days of one-night stands behind him, however something about the gorgeous cocktail waitress in a town three hours away is far too intriguing. But when she shows up weeks later in his hometown, Calliope, pretending to be an art appraiser, Gage is completely blindsided—not to mention still very attracted to the (apparent) little liar. He can’t figure her out: not her angle nor the persistent pull between them.
Aurora “Rory” Casteel is determined to find her father. All she knows from her late mother is that he lives in Calliope and he’s an important part of the town. So when Rory’s gallery-owning friend offers to run cover for her while she sleuths around town, she jumps at the chance. But she doesn’t anticipate the man she spent one wild night with turning out to be a local.
Sure, it puts a wrinkle in Rory’s plan, but she can work around Gage Buchanan. Even as it gets harder to pretend her heart doesn’t flip every time he’s in the room. She has a suspicion he isn’t everything he seems, either, but maybe it’s “perfect” Gage’s flaws that are what she’s really drawn to.
Review
4 stars
This is such a beautiful story! A chemistry-filled romance with a touch of mystery, it’s sweet, sexy and emotional, and I loved it!
This is the second book in the Pelion Lake series, which is, itself, a follow-on from Archer’s Voice. Those who read Travis (Pelion Lake book #1) may remember Gage, who briefly dated Haven, and I was so happy to see him find his own HEA. The characters from earlier books are all a part of this story, and there are some spoilers from their books, so although you can read this one as a standalone, just be aware that you will be missing a bit of background.
Rory and Gage meet when Gage and his buddies end up stranded in the small town of Mud Gulch and rock up to a Rory’s family’s bar looking for help. Rory is a waitress there, and pretty much dismisses Gage as rich and spoiled, but as the night continues and they flirt and banter, she realises that Gage is so much more than she originally thought, and they end up sharing a steamy encounter that rocks both of their worlds.
It’s a few weeks later when Rory travels to a town a few hours away from home to search for her unknown father, who she believes lives in Calliope after her mother spent some time there when she got pregnant. Faking being an art appraiser to get access to the rich and exclusive members of town, Rory is stunned to see Gage again, and he’s furious, thinking that she’s there to rip off his family and their friends. When he learns the truth, he ends up joining forces with her to help her on her quest.
It’s an interesting set-up, and I enjoyed the mystery part of the story featuring Rory and Gage’s search. Closely tied in to that, is the beautiful love story. It’s full of chemistry and epic longing and I was desperate for something to happen between these two! There’s a fantastic build-up of longing and sexual tension, and when they finally get there, holy freaking damn, it’s hot!
It’s natural and easy between them, sweet and sexy, with rapidly growing feelings. Rory brings joy and wildness to Gage’s steady and responsible world, and it’s so good seeing him step outside of the role that has been dictated to him his entire life.
“I don’t want a life without you, Rory. I don’t want to exist without the passion you bring into every moment of every day.”
But Rory is only in town for a short while, and Gage’s career will soon see him moving overseas. Though the relationship comes easy, the two of them have a lot of figuring out to do when it comes to their lives, what they want and where they want to be, balanced with the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
“I can breathe when I’m with you.”
They both have challenges to face, and the mix of their personal journeys, the mystery and a bit of family drama works really well. The romance ties it all together, and it’s so beautifully swoony. It’s quite the ride and I loved these characters, and the way they navigate it all.
I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Maeve York and Benjamin Sands, and they do a wonderful job with it. I definitely recommend listening to this one.
4 stars!
An Advanced Review Audio Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pelion Lake
Travis (#1)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Falling for Gage (#2)
To be released 23 April
Review
Pre-order: Amazon
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