He never relied on anyone but himself… But he needs her now! Butterfly Harbor deputy Matt Knight wants two things: to date Lori Bradley and the chance to adopt Kyle, a troubled teen. Wounded in Afghanistan, Matt knows he can’t move forward anchored to the past. But once he regains the guarded hotel manager’s trust, will his need to protect those he loves cost him a future with this … with this extraordinary woman?
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Returning to Butterfly Harbor for Matt and Lori’s romance was pure bliss. Always the Hero describes Matt perfectly. He made a sacrifice in Afghanistan yet he hasn’t let his new prosthetic leg hold him back from his instinctive need to serve and protect whether that is his country, his small town, or the woman he’s in love with. The trouble is, well, Matt is sending mixed signals to Lori — and in order to adopt Kyle, a troubled teen Matt may have stretched the truth just a bit. Oh, he’d intended to tell Lori, to get her permission but events happened, for some reason, they started to drift apart (although that was the last thing he wanted) and he kept putting off that much-needed conversation. Now, Matt’s really stuck his foot in it as Lori unexpectedly learns about what Matt’s been holding back, from another person. She’s angry, she’s hurt, and worst of all, she’d given him her trust which, for Lori, is a precious gift to give and Matt has broken that trust.
Lori is intelligent, stubborn, and excellent at her job as manager for the hotel. She’s also constantly self-image aware and always on a diet. She’s not comfortable in her own skin, and she’s believed the cruel teasings about her weight her entire life. It had seemed as if Matt didn’t notice, that he enjoyed being with her… just for herself. That’s why it hurt so much when it seemed he was pulling away, sending mixed signals, and the final straw when he told a lie in order to be able to adopt Kyle. Maybe Matt hadn’t seen it as a lie, just something that would be happening but no matter his intentions, everything went horribly wrong. Now Lori has to decide if she can ever trust him again or possibly give in to the love she has for this man and forgive him in order to move on. That’s a choice she’s yet to make, and a choice that has so much of his personal happiness riding on it for Matt.
I adored Lori and Matt, both individually and as a couple. Matt I so often wanted to sit this man down for a stern conversation about getting his act together and paying attention to the truly important stuff. Lori, well, I just wanted to pull her into a tight hug and tell her that she’s beautiful and loved exactly as she is. There were times as a reader that I’d see both of them do or say something cringe-worthy and think… yeah, that’s going to come back and bite you later. But the reality is that we humans often do cringe-worthy things, the difference is when we acknowledge that, correct it, and move on. They both made mistakes, and admittedly Matt’s was a big one. Yet at the core, they cared about each other, thought the other was their future and the time had come when they needed to decide to go for that future or let it fade away.
I loved Always the Hero, simply fell back into this world with all of its uniqueness, charm, and captivating characters. If you love a really good small-town romance with believable characters then you’d love the Butterfly Harbor series.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
This was the first book that I read by this author, Anna J. Stewart. This was the fourth book in this series, Butterfly Harbor. At first I was a bit confused with many characters that obviously had a past in the previous books, but I made a cheat sheet of names and details and soon I was totally involved in the story and did not need it anymore. This is a sweet romance story about two people that feel they are misfits and less then perfect because of their past. Lori has weight issues since food is her source of comfort. I really liked having the heroin of the story more relatable then other books I read. Most stories have the lead female character as young and thin. The hero of this story, Matt, is truly a “hero”. He is a war veteran and a man true to his word, but has issues he still has not fully resolved.
Lori and Matt have chemistry, but until they break down their internal barriers, they can not find a future together. The story flows very well. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing and I already have the fifth book in the series, which I will be reading soon.
One last note: This is not about the author, this is a pet peeve I have with Hallmark book covers. They are beautiful, as this one is. I actually love this cover, but the actors used for their covers often do not reflect the characters in the book. The female main character is described as being tall enough to look the main male character in the eye. The cover shows the female reaching below the male’s neck. Also the female character is chubby and while the female on the cover is wearing a long cost, which makes her look larger than she is, I can see by her legs that she is thin. This model does not match the description of the character in the book. I actually was at a gathering and told this to a Hallmark employee that works on the covers. She agreed with me that the covers often do that show the true characters.
Another book in Butterfly Harbor and I was moved. Deputy Matt Knight doesn’t know what to do when it comes to Lori Bradley. He’s failed at one marriage. He’s opened his heart to a boy that is getting help, and he’s in the process of adopting. The only thing is he needs her help.
He keeps on meaning to tell her, but something gets in the way. When he finally tells her that he’s married, but in the middle of a divorce she wants nothing to do with him. He can’t to do anything right.
Lori has been let down for so long. She can’t let Matt get away with lying to her. Not telling her that he’s married. That’s a biggie. If there ever was a shot for them it’s gone now.
Matt won’t give up on Lori. He needs her. So much more to come.
Buy the book and see what that is.
Anna makes her characters pop and puts them in situations I can relate to. Their emotions are real and they face their obstacles with pluck and determination.
4 1/2 STARS!
It’s always a joy to visit Butterfly Harbor! A close-knit community where neighbors help each other and life is idyllic is everyone’s dream … but even ones as kind and good-hearted as Butterfly Harbor have their drama. Lots of familiar faces fill the pages of the next installment in this series. We get to join in the fun of planning the big Monarch Festival to benefit the town while we follow along in Matt & Lori’s fledgling relationship to see if it’s cut out to last or flounder. Great story!
After being hurt in the past, and most recently by Matt, Lori doesn’t trust his motives when he suddenly wants to start dating again. Matt definitely messes up several times and has to start at square one to earn her trust all over again. I love that through the ups and downs, Matt’s feelings for Lori never waver. He truly loves her for the wonderful person that she is. I really enjoyed their sweet love story, especially the ending. As always, it was fun catching up with the residents of Butterfly Harbor. I can’t wait for Kendall’s story!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
Matt and Lori have been seeing each other off and on and Matt has come to terms with his missing limb from his days in the military. Now he is trying to adopt a teenager, Kyle, whom he has taken under his wing. Now they are saying Kyle needs a woman figure in his life. Can Matt Convince Lori to be that woman?
Lori has her own issues. She has a tough childhood and deals with it every day. She lets people walk all over her and she has a slow self esteem.
Can these two come together and help each other?
I enjoyed all the characters they were so down to earth and easy to relate to. These people could be in your neighborhood.
Great story and people you would like to hear about again.
I voluntarily read a copy of this book.
Always the Hero is about two people who have such high standards for themselves that they forget that they need – and the word ‘need’ really covers their whole reason for being – in order to move forward in the world and with their lives. Both Matt Knight and Lori Bradley are vulnerable while strong characters that truly need to learn to open themselves up before they can move on from their pasts. There were times when I felt that both of ‘em needed a slap upside the head but at their very basics, they are the most kind, and loving, and vulnerable people. Matt is a Sheriff’s deputy – and we met him in the previous stories – but he is also a returning veteran who was wounded during his service. Believe it or not, he truly has accepted his missing limb but still has residual “issues” that are in his current life. He’s a good soul, someone who will keep his word and promises to the exclusion of all else but mostly you always know you can count on him. And Lori…she has had a difficult childhood and carries the scars of her growing up years with her every single day. She truly doesn’t believe in herself and she lets the world walk all over her but we get to watch and read all about her, let’s call it metamorphosis, and how she changes throughout the story. I loved her relationship with Matt – when it was on course – but the ups and downs are what made it loving and touching and special. And Matt’s determination to take Kyle into his life and under his wing? Gah, it will touch your heart. I’ve been reading the entire Butterfly Harbor series and really do love knowing the other characters (from previous stories) and how they interact with “current” characters but the book is a standalone. You should read the others, though, because they are all good, and different, in their own way. I read this book straight thru in one evening because it caught my attention and held on until I finished. I recommend it as it will truly warm your heart.