Even though Devan Windsom finds an ominous threat scrawled across her coffee shop window, she refuses to let vandalism ruin her holiday cheer. Someone wants her—or her cafe—gone, and the police don’t have any leads.
Mac Fergerson only wanted a cup of coffee, but now he can’t forget the heat of defiance in Devan’s smoldering gaze. Maimed during his last tour of duty, he’s not interested in a … interested in a relationship, but the audacious brunette is never far from his thoughts. When her stubborn determination puts her at risk, he offers to act as part-time security when she’s open late.
Christmas warmth soon sparks passion, but Mac hasn’t let anyone see his scars. Devan’s not a woman who scares easily, though, even when danger hovers near. Can Mac let Devan discover the man he’s become? Or will fear leave them both alone on Christmas?
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I was torn between 4 and 5 stars for this book.
This was the book I missed. I started reading Ms. Eddy’s books last year and originally thought I had read them all, and in order no less. Of course, I’m usually wrong about those things, and found out that I’d missed a couple, this book being one of them.
This is a novella that fills in the blanks in the Restrained Series of books. This story is about Devan, whom we met in the other books of this series. This is where Elizabeth has gone to buy Alexander his Christmas gifts, it is where Milos begins to court Elora, and this is where Devan meets her love, Mac.
This book is just plain sweet. Mac, broken by an IED and nearly always in pain, has kept himself away from society for years. A chance Quad Americano sets them off on a path to love. Mac’s protectiveness surfaces when Devan is being attacked and her shop vandalized, and Devan quickly acknowledges her feelings for Mac, even though she doesn’t know if he can reciprocate.
There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this book. To the one or two reviewers I saw write something about porn, I’d have to say you were reading a different book. In fact, this novella is about love being discovered between two people that life had been treating unkindly. The steam is well done and there’s not enough of it to complain about, in my opinion of course. I tend to want steamier bits throughout a book, but in this case, this novella was written perfectly. Ms. Eddy was attuned to what the characters owned and needed, and the two halves made a perfect whole.
I loved the story and hope there’s more to come. 😉
“Everything can be fixed… if you try hard enough.”
This was a lovely short story, filled with all of the elements that Patricia Eddy weaves so well – broken heros, strong and independent women, and the ultimate realization that scars don’t have to be barriers to love.
“I see you, Mac. And I’m not running.”
I loved Mac. Gruff, lonely, unable to wrap his head around the idea that the walls he builds are a torture of his own making. Devan manages to rattle him enough – with wits and coffee – to break through those roadblocks, to lead to a very satisfying, sexy end. The romance and action scattered throughout made this a very enjoyable quick read, and I’d highly recommend it.
After being injured in a mortar attack, Mac has cut himself off and lives a very solitary life – that is until he has a chance meeting with the coffee shop owner Devan while grabbing a cup of Joe. A connection is made, one that Mac never sees coming, but when her life is in jeopardy he breaks out of his shell. But once the danger has passed will this be a connection he cuts off? Or will Devan be the one that brings him back into the world of the living? Perfect story for the season. Enjoyable from the first page to the last. Completely fell in love with Mac and Devan.
This story is about a man who lost a lot during the war. Badly damaged by a mortar attack and afraid to let anyone see his body and how bad it looked. When he went to Devan’s coffee shop and met her, he thought maybe he wouldn’t be lonely anymore, but he worried about his scars. Devan was having trouble with her half brother wanting her shop. This story to me is more about what soldiers deal with from injuries when they come home. Loved the story and it’s ending. HEA.
I received this book free for an honest review and I fell completely in love with Mac and Devan. This holiday book had a great storyline that had all things a great book needs. It had romance, conflict, drama, a bad guy what more could you ask for. The characters drew you in and you felt every emotion that they were going through. It was an easy read and took no time at all to finish it. I was sad when it ended because I wanted to have more time with Mac and Devan.
I love this sweet novella. The main characters are great. Mac and Devon are both strong, and they share an undeniable chemistry. The storyline has also a little suspense. This is a short story well developed. The narration is well done. I enjoyed my listening.
A delightful holiday story with a wounded hero, independent & sassy business owner and some bad guys. Devon and Mac find something in each other they both need. He protects her and she gives him a soft place to fall. Together they foil the men trying to run her off from her business. There’s a little something here to make everyone smile.
A wounded vet, sassy heroine, a bit of suspense, and Christmas love made for a wonderful holiday treat! Mac and Devan were a cute couple with a decently developed relationship. The bit of drama with Devan’s half brother was just enough, without ruining the brewing romance. I’m curious to see what else Patricia Eddy has in store for her other wounded vets!
A wonderful little holiday hero romance. It was so exhilarating to read a book where the lead female has a backbone and is not a push over. Not to mention the ‘hero’ is the one with the issues. I hope to read more about Mac and Devan. Once again, Eddy’s characters are quick to fill your heart and capture your interest.
Mac is a veteran that was injured and has to live with pain every day of his life. On top of that, he has survivors guilt and getting out into the world is harder every day. He has to keep on living but doesn’t know what to do with himself. That until the day he runs out of coffee and goes to the little place close to his apartment.
Devan loves coffee and art. That’s the reason why she turned the building she inherited into a coffee shop that feature artist of every kind. She loves her shop, she’s an artist herself and also loves life. She’s just a little lonely some days and the problems she’s been having with the vandalism on her shop is not making her life easier.
This two have their own problems to solve but most of all, Mac need to come out and live again. I really love how Patricia shows him breathing again and falling in love with Devan. I can’t complain about the story line because it was beautiful and very fitting for this Holiday season that we are in right now.
I think it was sexy and sweet at the same time. With a beautiful happy ending that was satisfactory and left me curious about what would happen in the future for this two characters. Their story in this book is done but there is always tomorrow.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautiful hero in pain and a sweet strong heroine that get together and love each other with their differences. Also, if you don’t like sexy times on your books, you may want to skip some pages but I think those made the book even more attractive because… sexy *wink*
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.*