Firefighter Clay Marlow knows a thing or two about having a colorful past. But things became black and white fast when he learned he has a daughter. His life may be turned upside down, but Clay’s focus is providing the stability that his little girl has never known. As the battle for custody heats up, Clay has to protect his daughter first, and his alluring and temporary renter, Andie, is not … only a distraction but could jeopardize his case.
Carrying everything she owns on the back of her Harley, Andie Tyler is only on San Amaro Island to manage her friends’ bar for four weeks. A self-proclaimed drifter with more emotional baggage than a jumbo jet, Andie isn’t interested in a forever kind of relationship, even when she finds herself increasingly attached to an adorable little girl and her sexier-than-hell father. She has secrets, she has a dark past, and Clay and his daughter deserve better than that.
The more she pushes him away, the more intrigued he becomes. Andie’s tenderness and strength draw Clay in, and he realizes she’s the vibrant color and life he and his daughter need. Can he convince Andie to become a permanent part of their family before she rides off again?
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Well, it kind of pains me to give this only a 3-star rating. The first two in the Island Fire series got a solid 4-start rating. Anyway, for some reason, I just didn’t connect with Andie and Clay as I did with the characters in the first two books. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these characters, it was me.
Clay is in a custody battle with his ex-wife. He presently has custody of their three-year-old daughter and she is the light of his life. He does have to tread carefully, though. His ex-wife’s attorney is a shark and will stop at nothing to prove Clay is unworthy of full custody even though the mother is a drug addict. Andie is waging an internal battle as a result of her upbringing and a long-term relationship she stayed in much too long. That is why she never stays in one place very long and refuses to get close to anyone. That internal battle has just become a very real battle, or potential real battle, with her ex who has just been paroled. As attracted to one another as Clay and Andie are, they both know that acting on that attraction is the last thing either of them needs. How long will they hold out?
This series has characters you can connect with (as I said, it was me, not them). It focuses on some typical problems but doesn’t get overly dramatic. It’s more of a good summer read set on a beautiful island with lots of interesting characters. Summer is here and this is a good series to get all the beach feels. (You can even get some ideas on shower games if you ever have to host one of those…..)
Enough angst to make it an okay read for me. Nowhere near as full of angst some stories by Melissa F that I’ve read. No detraction from the story when involving other characters from the series. Everyone comes with baggage, and at least the angst dealt primarily with issues in the now.
Just could not get interested
Clay is working to get custody of his daughter not sure why judges would favor her druggie mom over the dad. But he is insecure as his siblings are more high powered and, in his mind, more successful. Drawn to a biker chick that he thinks will not reflect well in a custody hearing. But getting to know her and seeing her with his daughter, he recognizes her worth and takes the leap convincing her to do the same.
Both main characters have bad past relationships. His is amidst a custody battle. Hers has turned her into a wandering biker chick… and now feeling stalked by her ex. Of course, it all turnsout happy ever after.
These two people do not have much in common. She is a Harley drifter and he is a firefighter who is trying to keep custody of a daughter whose mother is in rehab. They are in the wedding party of their mutual friends. Attraction turns to love and a happily ever after against a lot of trauma.
This was a great book
This book is one of those enjoyable escapes
Firefighter Clay might have a colorful past, but priorities became black and white fast when he learned he has a daughter. As the custody battle heats up, Clay’s focus is providing the stability his little girl has never known. His alluring temporary renter, Andie, could only jeopardize his case. Carrying everything, she owns on her Harley, Andie is only on San Amaro Island to manage her best friend’s bar for four weeks. A biker with more emotional baggage than a jumbo jet, Andie is not interested in a forever relationship. She becomes involved with Clay and his adorable girl, but she has secrets and a dark past. – This is an okay read. Clay and Andie are back and forth, and it does not always seem sincere between them. I did not feel their chemistry. Clay’s daughter, Payton, is precious and time with her was sweet. The book cover did not match Clay’s description, and that is a pet peeve.
LOVE this book
The characters are believable and entertaining. This story will keep you wanting to read more.
4 stars
I purchased Fully Involved book 3 in the Island Fire Series by Amy Knupp and this review was given freely.
Loaner and Harley rider Andie comes back to town for Derek and Macey’s wedding and becomes involved with single dad and firefighter Clay. Learning to trust, accepting love, a struggle with giving forgiveness, a custody struggle, a wedding, and the birth of a baby are just a few of the things that make this complex story so good.