What’s the fun in playing it safe?
Rachel Grabinski is no stranger to setbacks, but she never stays down for long. When she catches her boyfriend in bed with another woman, her sunny and optimistic nature is sorely tried. Jumping into another relationship is the last thing on her mind.On the surface, successful, smooth-talking Dixon Carlyle is every woman’s dream man. But Dixon’s past holds … optimistic nature is sorely tried. Jumping into another relationship is the last thing on her mind.
On the surface, successful, smooth-talking Dixon Carlyle is every woman’s dream man. But Dixon’s past holds secrets, ones that could derail the life he’s been building in Hazel Green. For years he’s kept his heart safe…but that was before Rachel’s sweet nature crept under his defenses.
It’s not the right time for love for two people with wounded hearts. And trust doesn’t come easy when you’ve been burned before. The safest thing for Rachel and Dixon would be to walk away now…
But what’s the fun in playing it safe?
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I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it. Cindy Kirk takes us back to Hazel Green. I almost felt like this was two stories in one. We get a more in-depth look at Rachel and Dixon Carlyle. Rachel has lived in Hazel Green all her life and raised her siblings. Dixon is Nell’s long-lost brother who has decided to settle down in Hazel Green. The two run into each other and unmistakable sparks fly despite both having some serious issues to deal with. Dixon takes it upon himself to protect Rachel when she has a run in with a past boyfriend.
Dixon also has some issues with his mother that he and Nell are trying to bury for good. This book has an air of mystery and a lot of romance. Readers will have so many hopes for these characters.
As a great bonus, readers get caught up on the lives of other Hazel Green characters. A great end of the summer romance that has it all.
This is the sweet story of Dixon (Nell’s brother) and Rachel. I couldn’t believe what I was reading when I started this book. I was so excited and intrigued that I couldn’t stop reading this book. I love everything about this story. Since I read the first two books of this series I was frustrated with Rachel but I’m glad I got to read her story. I enjoy reading this book and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.
In this third Hazel Green book, Rachel Grabinski and Dixon Carlisle are the romantic leads. On the surface they seem ill-suited. Rachel raised her siblings, after their parents’ deaths, sacrificing her dreams. Despite her hardships, she remains sweet and optimistic. She is “saddled” with a narcissistic and controlling boyfriend, Marc Koening. When Rachel discovers Marc cheating on her, she breaks it off, but Marc continues to badger Rachel. Rachel, despite her optimistic and sunny disposition, is no pushover, and deftly deflects Marc’s persistence.
Dixon Carlisle is Nell Ambrose’s brother (Nell and Leo’s story is book 2), both Dixon and Nell living secret lives to escape the effects of being raised by a grifter mother. Dixon, however, is an honest financial planner, and is attracted by Rachel’s open and optimistic outlook in life.
Rachel and Dixon continue to grow close, until Dixon’s legal issues with his past threaten his and Rachel’s future. Despite miscommunications, Rachel and Dixon fight through for their HEA.
I loved Rachel’s outlook on life, refusing to be brought down by sacrifices and life’s happenstances. She is good for Dixon’s soul, and is Dixon for Rachel’s.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am
voluntarily reviewing the book.
Cindy knows how to write about small towns, first Good Hopes and now Hazel Green. I love it. This book is about Rachel and Dixon. Although the book starts off with Rachel catching her boyfriend Marc with another woman, it continues as Marc doesn’t want to give up, but Dixon has already swooped in as a friend of course.
Rachel is a woman who devoted her life raising her own siblings after their parents passed giving up her own childhood, so in town she is looked as the woman that is tender and fragile, but Rachel is stronger than people give her credit for and they soon find out. Dixon is Nell’s brother and he and his sister have been fighting to keep their mother in jail for a lot of crimes, but Dixon might see jail time as well, is this a secret he is willing to share with Rachel? I will not give out too much on the book in order to avoid spoiling it. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
Cindy’s stories are all about a love story not only between a couple but also between family and friends. This book is about being strong, resilient and trustworthy. In this book a woman has choices and ever with a hard past, one chooses their destiny without remorse. Cindy gets you to laugh, cry and believe that there is always greatness if you look for it. I love the description of the town, of the outdoors and of the love that friends and family portray.
I really like this book, and was relieved that the Hazel Green series took a more positive swing with this one. I’m so glad Dixon got his own story – he’s such a good guy! I thought Cindy did a really good job of presenting the characters, particularly Marc. I know there are many women who struggle with abusive boyfriends, and I like how Cindy presented the danger signs in Marc, encouraging any women who might be in a similar situation to examine their own lives and protect themselves from men like this. I also like the element of “when you know, you know” that is present in this and so many other of Cindy’s books. Sometimes, when you meet the right person, you just know. I continue to enjoy the fact that her characters don’t lie to themselves or others about how they feel – they are honest, as well as apologetic when they know they’ve messed up. It’s refreshing! I also like that the continuing story of Dixon and Nell’s past is getting them some closure. I was VERY excited about the Epilogue so I got to attend the wedding! Thank you! Note: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m always excited to return to the wonderful town of Hazel Green!! I’ve been waiting for Dixon’s story and I’m so happy to say that I really liked his character! We finally get to see what drives Dixon to be the man he always hoped he could one day be when he was a little boy being raised by a monster. I wasn’t as attached to Rachel as I was to Dixon but I’m really glad to get her story because I’ve been curious about her since book 1. I always enjoy visiting with previous characters in this fictional town and there’s so many more stories I look forward to exploring! I always love a HEA and that’s exactly what we get with each of these books in this series…that’s why I gave it 4 Hazel Green stars
“I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.”