One. Terrifying. Night.That’s all it took to change everything Jake Dimarco knew and believed. After watching his brother gunned down in a parking lot and learning his ex-girlfriend had played a part in that attack, Jake has to make some tough decisions about his life and his son.After all there’s no one to blame but himself.Moving into a new home with his son is supposed to be a fresh start, a … supposed to be a fresh start, a way to begin building the life for them that his son deserves.
And he intends to do that alone.
But his family has other plans.
Elaina Jones loves her life, although at times it can be somewhat lonely. That all changes after Jake moves next door and the entire Dimarco family decides to make her their business. Her once quiet life becomes loud, filled with laughter and new friends. No matter how much she tries to deny her feelings for Jake, their connection is too strong, their chemistry too intense.
But not everyone is happy that Elaina has become part of the family.
With a gunman at large and Jake’s past proving dangerous, he makes choices to right the many wrongs he feels he’s guilty of and to keep his family safe. But those decisions come at the expense of himself and the woman who’s become more important to him than he ever believed she could.
Together will they be able to survive one person’s vengeance and their frightening need to destroy Jake and Elaina?
Or is there a time when even love just isn’t enough?
May be read as a stand-alone.
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Good gosh this series is killing me….in a good way!!! I really need to be reading some of my ARCs but I don’t want to quit reading this series. I absolutely loved Lanie and Jake. I’m so glad Jake came to his senses and I loved Lanie being able to hold her own. Bray is just the cutest lil boy ever!! So many moments in this book that made me choke up. Can not say enough about this series and how fantastic it is.
Jake is the funny brother. Always one to make any moment lighter. When a tragic injury happens while out with his brothers, Jake takes the blame and a lot of his bright light is dimmed. However, a beautiful neighbor and interfering family just might bring this single dad back to his happy self. However, once again, trouble still lurks in the Dimarco family shadows and it’s time for the brothers to save the day.
This time Ms. Hanks brings humor to the relationship development. But it’s not all fun and games. There is seriousness with Luke’s injury and those responsible. Elaina and Jake get pulled into the tension and leaves the reader wanting to help Jake see the light.
Honestly, Laney and Jake’s story wasn’t my favorite of the Dimarco Brothers. I enjoyed the story, but I feel there were a few instances that just took away from me enjoying it as thoroughly as I had the previous books.
Jake’s story starts off right where Gia and Brody’s story ended. Luke had just been shot with the help of Jake’s crazy ex. So naturally the guilt is weighing heavily on Jake’s shoulders and he’s sword off women. All Jake is trying to do now is concentrate on his construction business, his son, and his family. Naturally, that’s when he meets a woman who makes him feel things he’s never felt for another woman…jealousy and possessiveness.
Laney is a homebody. She works from home and just prefers to stay at home, if it wasn’t for her best friend Paige she most likely wouldn’t leave much. However, things change when Jake Dimarco moves in next door and she’s somehow adopted into the family without her even wanting or realizing it.
Now, just to get it off my chest, what really had me annoyed and a bit peeved about this book was how the Dimarco men handled situations in this book. First let’s talk about Jake…
In the beginning when he first meets Laney he admits she’s not his type. Hell, about the second or third time they see each other he doesn’t even remember her name! But he sure did notice her best friend and even mentions that she’s beautiful and would be exactly the kind of woman he would want. Then when things look like they may be changing a bit in Jake and Laney he’s confronted by his ex and to protect Laney from Julie’s wrath he says hurtful things about her and how she’s not his type. Now I’m all for this occurring and getting to watch the man grovel, but I don’t feel there was enough groveling done on Jake’s part. You have a woman like Laney who is already self-conscious, and doesn’t believe that someone like Jake could ever like her, and he goes and does something like that really tearing her down and doesn’t grovel?!?
My second, and probably biggest issue with how the Dimarco men handle things in this story is the fact that they had Jake go along with their plan of pretending to get back with his ex to find the one who shot his brother Luke. Honestly, I feel like all the brother’s believed he was going to do this no matter what other option there was because he felt guilty for his ex having a part in the shooting that they willing let him put his relationship with Laney on the line, even after learning that he was so serious about her. None of the other brother’s I feel would’ve ever done this with their women and it seemed really wrong for them to place that option on their younger brother’s shoulders knowing he still carried guilt.
I have been waiting for Jake’s book since I started this series. I knew I was going to love him. I was a little sad that at the beginning Jake was very unlike himself but I was glad that he had ditched Julie: I am also very glad that Luke was okay.
I love Elaina for Jake. She is exactly what he needs to keep him grounded.
I can’t believe this is the second book to end with a character we live in trouble. I guess we take a detour with Pike’s book next.
** I was generously provided with a copy of this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review**
A very enjoyable episode in the Dimarco Series. Jake is trying to deal with the incident that happened at the end of Gianna and wants nothing to do with a relationship. Lainie sneaks under his skin without even trying. I did have an issue with what his bothers asked him to do. There had to have been another way to get the same result. Going right to Luke’s book!
Kindle Unlimited purchase.
What happens when a man riddled with guilt and a crazy ex meets the introvert next door?
MAGIC, that’s what. There were a few times I wanted to smack Jake and really felt the pain Lanie was going through.
There is a scene stealing little boy and a coach potato dog that brought a smile to my face quite often.
The Dimarco family is amazing and the twists in the storyline kept me turning the pages. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment.