“Charming, witty, and fun. There’s no better read. I enjoyed every word ” — Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author on No Better Man STOP RUNNING . . .AND START FALLING For Ruby James the Walker Mountain Ranch is her safe haven. Here in Aspen, Colorado, she can finally build a quiet life for herself without fear of her old one rearing its ugly head. Or so Ruby thinks. Any single … fear of her old one rearing its ugly head. Or so Ruby thinks. Any single woman would be happy to indulge a tall, dark, and curious cop-but the closer Ruby gets to him, the closer she gets to losing her newfound peace.
Police officer Sawyer Hawkins is no stranger to secrets. He’s ready to leave town for good until a security threat brings him back to Walker Ranch, and Ruby’s gorgeous green eyes soon have him second-guessing his decision to go. Her kindness and quiet strength awaken feelings he’d thought long buried, even as her reluctance to talk about her past worries him. The cop in Sawyer only wants the truth-but the man in him wants Ruby in his arms forever . . .more
Ruby James has never known true love or what it feels like to be loved by someone wholeheartedly, and to be honest she’s not even sure she’d be able to recognize it if it was right in front of her. But that doesn’t stop her from believing that it does exists…just maybe not for her! After spending most of her young life in the foster care system and being passed from family to family and never finding that special family connection she has always longed for, she thinks she’s has finally found it in the form of a group of special people that took her in and helped her out when she needed it the most. Working at the Walker Mountain Ranch has been a blessing in disguise for Ruby, for once in her life she has friends, is surrounded by a family oriented environment, has a steady job that she really enjoys, and a feeling of safety that she so desperately needs. She has even caught the eye of a handsome local police officer who seems like he could really be someone that she could have a promising future with…the problem is Ruby has secrets, secrets that constantly haunt her, and could potentially ruin the peaceful little life she has created for herself.
Police officer Sawyer Hawkins is ready to leave Aspen behind and move to Denver for a fresh start, and hopefully find a way to leave the demons that have been constantly haunting him behind. After a heartbreaking loss, and a devastating divorce Sawyer’s belief in love has pretty much dwindled away. He is certain that leaving Aspen will solve all of his problems, but his friends and family aren’t ready to see him leave, and will do just about anything to keep him there. So, when they find out that he might just have a little crush on their newly hired pastry chef, they find creative little ways to push the two of them together. But Sawyer isn’t so sure he’s ready to go all in with someone again, and he senses that Ruby has a story to tell, one that’s riddled with secrets…secrets she’s not so willing to share.
I have been anxiously awaiting for the opportunity to return to this series and get better acquainted with Mr. Sawyer Hawkins…and all I can say is that he was WELL worth the wait!! Before I even realized what was happening he swooped in and completely walked away with my heart, he was everything I hoped he would be, an SO much more! He totally won me over with his ever present alpha attitude, gentle heart, smooth one liners, and patient caring nature. This beautifully executed story captured my attention instantly, I immediately felt myself being pulled into Ruby and Sawyer’s world and completely entranced by every written word. These two well crafted characters were definitely a match made in literary heaven, the chemistry they shared could be felt from their first encounter, and continued to burn intently until the very end. This is by far one of the best reads that I have had the pleasure of reading this year, and I highly recommend you give it a try! Ruby and Sawyer’s story is certain to find a way into your heart, and linger there long after the last page is turned!!
ARC requested through NetGalley, and kindly provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.