She’s the most unconventional woman he’ll ever meet… and the cure for a perennial bachelor? Raised by her healer grandfather, former army medic Ally Mowak knows her alternative approach to traditional medicine puts her at odds with most of her Alaskan town. That includes Tag James, the rugged transport pilot with the sprawling family and political ambitions. Ally couldn’t be more wrong for … be more wrong for the aspiring senator. Then why does everything feel so right when they’re together?
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Bachelor Remedy is fifth in the Seasons of Alaska series but can be read as a stand alone. This is a story of age does not define the person and the differences between traditional and modern. Ally is 22 but has lived a lifetime in her years, she learned healing at her grandfather’s knee, became an army medic and is now starting her career as a paramedic and hospital liaison. Tag is 38, single, carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and tries to solve everyone’s problems. He is currently a flight medic and also running for State senate to protect his community. When the two meet on an emergency call, there is a spark of attraction which is muted by the adversity of their ideas for treatment. The age difference is a problem for Tag that Ally is constantly working to overcome. As the two grow closer, outside influences threaten their budding relationship. The story that follows is filled with laughs, anxiety, a few tears, a sweet love story and truly wonderful characters that make the story so enjoyable.
Bachelor Remedy is a sweet romance, as one would expect from the Heartwarming line, but there’s an unexpected complexity and depth in this story that I loved. Carol Ross is an excellent writer and her words flow smoothly across the page with wisdom and emotion. Family members from previous books in this series are involved, but this story easily stands alone.
Family relationships, the close bond Tag’s family shares, is one strength of this story. Setting is another, for Ross has the ability to pull you right into the rugged and majestic beauty of Rankins, Alaska. Characterization and storyline are also strong, making Bachelor Remedy a compelling blend of all these elements.
I was quickly drawn to Ally and Tag, compassionate characters driven by a desire to help other people in their own ways. Conflict arises as Tag is being groomed to run for senator, while Ally practices the healing skills passed down from her grandfather. I was fascinated by this theme, as Ally strives for “a way for traditional and modern medicine to meet peacefully, to merge, even.”
Other obstacles arise, such as age difference and an ex-girlfriend who wants Tag back, and seeing them work through it all simply makes for pleasurable reading. I loved Ally’s confidence, wisdom, and ability to speak her mind. One scene was especially moving, where, with Ally’s help, a cancer patient is able to take charge and live out her last months on her own terms. And I loved watching Tag learn to put his own wants and needs ahead of other’s expectations.
I’ve only read one other book in this series, If Not for a Bee – which was also excellent, by the way – so I’m eager to read the stories in order now. Bachelor Remedy is a wonderfully entertaining read. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Prism Book Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I just loved this story to pieces. Couldn’t put it down and read it in one day. Ally is the woman Tag just told his family he’d marry if he ever found her. He’s a little hung up on her age though. But Ally is so much older than the calendar says. They deserve their HEA. Read this book to find out if they get it. The emotions and concerns grab a hold and won’t let go.
“How does it feel to be dirt free?”
“Honestly?” Tag James gave his cousin Bering a sober look and whooshed out a breath. “I totally lucked out. Can’t believe that private investigator didn’t find out about the insider trading or the body buried in my backyard. What an amateur.”
Having a large age gap between my husband and myself, it was fun reading about a couple with an even bigger one. Tag was 38 and Ally only 22. Of course, if that was the only difference between them, then the story wouldn’t have been very interesting.
Ally was an intriguing woman. She was feisty and determined. She had the ability to mask her emotions so that it was hard to know what she was feeling. She internalized things quite a bit, and felt very deeply. I really admired the way that she cared for everyone around her.
Ally, with her background in traditional medicine and her grandfather’s reputation as a skilled medical doctor using alternative methods, ended up in demand for health advice despite the fact she was not a doctor. That caused all kinds of conflict as Tag made (false) assumptions about that.
In addition to the conflict in treatment methods, there were also several situations where Tag and Ally had to work together to do medical transport using his piloting skills. There was only just enough detail shared about the reasons their services were needed to give context and have it make sense, but not so much to make it gory or hard to read. Yay for that!
The small Alaskan town was interesting. The concerns that the town folks there had about big business coming in and destroying the environment and the tranquility were ones that I wouldn’t even have thought about or realized would be a concern.
I think my favorite part of the story was the basketball game at Tag’s family gathering. It had some great laugh out loud moments in it.
Bachelor Remedy is a great book to pick up for a nice romantic read.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Prism Book Tours for giving me this item. My opinion and review were not influenced by this gift.
This is a riveting read with good character development. Perfectly paced pulling you in from the start. Ally’s medical knowledge comes from a love her grandfather taught her and the rest learned as an army medic. Tag being the oldest always looking out for his siblings but is a great pilot and that is how he first meets Ally. A great story to pick up and read.
loved the story, i have read several of her books and they are all very good. i was given the book but i am giving an honest review. this is a well formed book, he is a pilot and she is a emt has he is but she was also raised with natural remedies, he is older than she is but she know what she feels.