Sometimes what you want and what you need are two very different things.
Always relegated to the “friends with benefits” corner of small town River Bend, Jenny Riley is done giving the milk for free. Falling hard for a bad boy? Not in the plan, either.
Sexy, emotionally-wounded Marine Reservist Brody Nelson just needs someone to lend an ear. A friend. Friends to lovers? That’s more than he … That’s more than he bargained for.
Neither wants a relationship. A long distance friendship should be enough.
It’s not.
Warning: This books contains a tattooed, pierced hero with a few surprises up his sleeve…and a hella sexy one down his pants.
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I just can’t get enough of River Bend. I would definitely recommend this series, it’s addicting. Can’t wait for the next one to come out.
This is the fourth book in the River Bend Series, and OHHHHHHHH what a book! Molly McLain, you definitely have a spectacular winner. This is one of those stories when your heart breaks a bit for both the hero and the heroine. Brody is a Marine Reservist, and while Brody and his brothers were on their last mission it went to hell in a hand basket, and two of his closest friends and brothers lost their lives. Several months later he is still blaming himself because he was in command on that mission. Brody is now being treated for PTSD and until the doctors think he can cope with returning to action, he is grounded state side. He refuses to tell his family why he is grounded. He feels broken.
Jenny is in Las Vegas to see one of her best friends get married, and have their HEA. Jenny wants her own fairytale as well. Unfortunately, she fell for the wrong man. A man that cannot seem to make a commitment to Jenny. She keeps making the same mistake over and over again by taking him back. She finally gets to that point and realizes she is wasting her time with Reed.
After the wedding, feeling sorry for herself, Jenny goes down to the hotel bar where she would not be alone. Brody sees her, and offers to buy her a drink. “No offense, but you’re also way too pretty. Not my type anymore.” This is no obstacle for Brody, and he keeps pushing. He sees that Jenny is hurting and wants to help. A while later Jenny bumps into Brody again. This time he recognizes her as a local of River Bend. They end up Jenny’s room…..noooo, not for that. Brody falls asleep and starts to dream about the last mission. Jenny realizes and tells him “wake up soldier”. Brody finally hears her and his reply to her is: ”Call me a soldier again, sugar. I dare you.” And so starts the beginning of their wonderful story.
Reading the give and take between these two is comical sometimes, heart rending at others. I love the winding road of emotions that the author Molly McLain takes her readers on, particularly in this book. She will make you laugh at times and have tears, both sad and happy, running down your cheeks at others. To me this is one ingredient of a great book. I love the way Jenny helps Brody, and when he realizes just how much Jenny her loves Jenny….Sigh.
This is a wonderful series. All of the books in the series can be read as a standalone, but will definitely want to read all of the books in this series. They are stupendous!
I want to thank NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept for the ARC of this book for my honest review. I want to thank Molly McLain for writing this wonderful story. Molly you have added another outstanding book to this series.
Thank you for reading my review.