In Heather Heyford’s newest book, a single mom and attorney with deep roots in the rolling hills of Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge wine country thinks her family is perfect as is—until she crosses paths again with a gruff police officer who has two boys of his own . . . There is nothing sweeter than the family you pick yourself . . . After detective Alex Walker’s last case in Portland is skewered by … Alex Walker’s last case in Portland is skewered by a tough-as-nails attorney, he decides to finish out his career on a quiet note in the Willamette Valley. Dedicated to his job and committed to his family, he’s fine letting his brusque exterior keep even the thought of a relationship at bay—especially once he realizes his new hometown is the old hometown of the attorney who ruined his last case . . .
Single mom and attorney Kerry O’Hearn is just as wary as Alex is, thanks to her disastrous first marriage. But she isn’t fooled by Alex’s tough-guy image. When he asks for her assistance in gaining custody of two little boys from an abusive foster home, she sees what he desperately tries to hide: a giant-sized heart. Between them they have five kids and a whole barrel of bad experience. And yet, Kerry can’t shake the feeling that she and the crusty cop were meant to be . . .
more
I won an actual paperback version of this book through Goodreads Giveaway.
This is the second book in the series but I enjoyed the fact that I didn’t need to read the first book to enjoy this one. I think the synopsis needs a bit of correcting so here is my description of the book.
First Comes Love is about new beginnings, impressions, and finding happiness. While Alex indeed holds animosity for Kerry over a past case, it wasn’t his last case or what made him move. He just wanted an easier life than the big city drama. Kerry is recovering from two failed relationships that gave her the three beautiful children. While Alex starts seeing Kerry in a different light; Kerry starts seeing the potential that Alex is more than his rough policeman exterior.
Seeing how adults handle new beginnings and relationships was a nice change from the more common 20 something books I recently read. I only gave the book four stars because I think the ending was a bit rushed and could have been more detailed. Still a good book but for me the ending was a sudden change.
Definitely will read more by this author.
First impressions are not always correct. Alex first met Kerry when they were on opposite sides of the courtroom. Alex was a cop testifying in a court case& Kerry was defending the suspect. Alex thought she was a cold, power hungry witch. What are the chances she moved home to the same small town he’s moved to? He’s now on the town police force of the little town & she’s in town going into practice with her brother. Could they learn to get along? The town will ever be the same!
Heather Heyford has written a fresh heartwarming story about two people fighting love with all of the weary disdain they had. They both were becoming tired & jaded and as such, made changes in their lives. The kids added a richness & dimension that elevated the story. Kerry’s daughters had the readers picturing another side of her. The two delinquents that Alex befriended stole my heart. Their situation arouses the readers sympathy & keeps you reading to the end. The courtship had such twists & turns, you couldn’t help but hope they were able to become a couple.
First Comes Love by Heather Heyford
Willamette Valley #2
~ Sigh ~ such a great story ~ one that I could not put down and was so happy reading ~
Alex Walker, police detective, is so much than the gruff exterior that he presents to others. He is a man who had a rough childhood but never really stopped caring about doing good things for others. When he moves to Newberry his plan is to settle in, relax, take it easier and write a wine blog in wine country while working on the local police force until he retires. He doesn’t expect to run into the woman that has occupied a significant portion of his rather negative memories over the years – a woman that began to put him off of working in the big city and dealing with cutthroat lawyers. And who is that cutthroat lawyer? She is single mother of three daughters – Kerry O’Hearn. She grew up in Newberry and has returned to the quieter life she remembers and has put her big law practice behind her to provide a different life for her girls. She has her family nearby for support though she is determined to be self-sufficient no matter what.
This small town romance was not all light and bright but did have a happy ending in spite of dealing with some big issues. I loved the way Alex began to wake up to the possibilities that his life might be able to encompass more than the rather lonely future he had envisioned for himself. I found the relationship between Alex and Kerry believable and filled with so much potential. I loved the boxing aspect of the story that suggested it as a way to improve health and increase self-esteem for youth. The balance of this story was just right for me on the day I read it and I was sad to say goodbye when I read the last page at 1:30am. I am definitely eager to see who will have their story told next in this series! And, though I could give details of the story, I won’t. I will say that I highly recommend it, though, and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did if you choose to read it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Ms Heyford gives us another touching story in this second book of the Willamette Valley series.
One of the things I liked best about this story was the fact that both characters were in their early 40s and have had to deal with the ups and downs of life.
The main characters are lawyer Kerry O’Hearn, and Detective Alex Walker. She has moved back to her hometown with her three girls, to be close to family. Alex wants a slower paced life and was not happy when he realized the attorney that caused him friction with his partner in Portland, is also living there. It was interesting to see these two go from foes to lovers.
But what I liked best , was that it was a story about family with all it’s wonders and imperfections. A story about how a child can open your heart , whether it’s your own or one that becomes yours by fate. That everyone deserves happiness and that life is messy, but also wonderful, especially with the right partner.
There are moments you will laugh out loud and others you will want to cry. But in the end you will be cheering in hopes that everyone gets their happiness.
Thank you, Netgalley and Kesington for entrusting me this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.