My name is Eli Jackson. Sheriff of Willow Creek and father to the most important girl in my life. Rumor has it, I’m scorned, bitter, and distrusting. People can believe what they want. I don’t have to impress anyone. Then Zoe Carlisle blows into my town and turns my world upside down. One look into her troubled eyes and I’m done for. The more time I spend with her, the more urgent this burning … the more urgent this burning need to protect her becomes.
But once her secret is out, I have to decide if the price for love is one I’m willing to pay.
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3.5 .
I am kind of wavering between 3 and 4 stars with this one. I enjoyed the writing. It was well paced. The plot was engaging. Sweet. Molly was adorable. There was really no angst. There was no OW or OM drama (see side note). Mild sex scenes. It had a great cast of secondary characters. Both Eli and Zoe were likable as well. Last, it was all wrapped up in a decent happy for now.
However, overall, the plot lacked a bit of depth. I felt the heroine’s past (which was damn traumatic) was glossed over. Along with the current “baddie” situation. And the romance wasn’t as fleshed out as it could have been. Especially given the baggage both parties were lugging around. Overall, though, I found it to be an enjoyable read and I am curious to read about Adam. So I will definitely give this author another try.
SIDE NOTE: This author gets some bonus points for breaking free of the usual H/h set up. In this book the heroine was the one who slept around and had ONS, and the hero had been celibate for six (maybe seven) years. So kudos to you author for giving us something different int that regard!
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Eli is a single father to daughter Molly, he met Zoe at a friend’s wedding it was instant attraction it was a one night stand on both parties, until he sees her again.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Eli and Zoe two broken people who think that they don’t deserve love or anything else. When they first meet its full blow attraction. Eli is a single parent with a daughter named Molly. Zoe has had some stuff happen when she was little, and than something happened and she comes back to Willow Creek and sees Eli and boom things change for them both. Will they be able to leave the past behind and put to rest the fears they have and start a future they both need? Amazing emotional read that will have you in tears and laughing and falling for them. It has a few twists and turns to keep you guessing at will happen. Can’t wait to read more from this author
Ruined is book three of the Willow Creek series and my first book by this author. I loved Zoe and Eli together and his daughter Molly stole my heart. The writing is great, the characters are well developed and the unexpected twist made the story that much better.
Another winner by A.K. MacBride! I knew she wouldn’t disappoint! This is a heartwarming story with great characters that kept me turning pages!
This was a great read. I definitely would recommend it.
I’ve been waiting for this story since first meeting the Willow Creek group. From book one in the series, I’ve loved the characters and wanted more, especially Eli’s story. He’s a sexy, single dad with a chip on his shoulder and he’s the town sherriff. (What more do you need in a romance novel?)
A.K has a way with her writing that draws you in and keeps you wanting more. Ruined is no exception. I was not disappointed after reading this book.
I loved the pull that Eli and Zoe had but their push agaisnt it had me on the edge on my seat, begging them both to give in. Then there is Molly, Eli’s daughter. She’s sweet and artistic (like Zoe). Eli has lived his life for her, until Zoe walked into his life and he doesn’t know how to handle what his heart and mind are telling him.
Ruined is a definite must read, as are the rest of A.K. MacBride’s books. She is a superbly talented writer. Don’t miss out.
This one was my first from this author. I like single Dad stories. Eli is the town sherriff and someone who doesn’t trust strangers. Zoe is more open with her affection. The first meeting was instant chemistry, but they both have baggage and hurt that they are trying to overcome. Falling for Eli’s daughter makes Zoe more down to earth, and the book didn’t make her seem to have a “reputation” like she said she had. I think the small town helped Zoe to evolve and I liked the family/friend community of support that have been through their own struggles.
I’ve always loved A.K. McBride. But this book just made me love her even more. The characters she creates, the plots, it all adds up to make one unforgettable romance that will stay with you long after you’ve read it. She has made a story with so many feelings, deception, emotions, sweetness, and of course the given steam!!
A.K. McBride is a must read author by romance lovers. You will fall in love with the characters as the words come to life right in front of you. These characters were part of her other books in this series so I would recommend reading the precious books, but it’s not a must. I highly recommend this author and this book (as well as all of her other books!)
This story is about Eli and Zoe. Their chemistry is immediate and off the charts. Throw in Molly, and you will be head over heels in love with them all!! Their story is equally sad and happy. It has so many parts you will love. The twist will definitely throw you off, but makes it that much more interesting! Please read about these lovely people!
Zoe and Eli are delightful.
What a light-hearted and fun read. Zoe and Eli are delightful characters and so well-written but Molly will steal your heart. Expect some steam and some parts that are not so light-hearted but it all combines into a really great story. Love the book high praise for this charmer. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Zoe comes to town to escape. The one man in town she’s attracted to is Eli. Eli’s jaded on love. All he cares about is taking care of himself and his little girl. Unfortunately for Eli, he’s also attracted to Zoe and it doesn’t seem like this attraction is going to leave anytime soon. Can he protect her from the danger she left behind? Can they let go and find the love that might be around the corner? I enjoyed this read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a story! Once I started I was not putting it down. It is well written with a great storyline that flows smoothly from page to page. This is Zoe, Eli and his daughter Molly’s story. That villain was just evil. I enjoyed reading this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We first met Eli in the first book Shattered. He was not a likeable character & did things that could have ended with tragic consequences. He felt awful about everything that happened & even though all is forgiven he still feels guilty. In this book we find out what happened to Eli in his past for him to become so guarded & suspicious of everyone. He is fine living his life with his daughter Molly until a beautiful, sassy woman enters his life & turns it upside down.
Zoe is Kenzie’s happy, free-spirited friend who shows up one day out of blue on her doorstep. Gone is the easy going Zoe & in her place is a broken, cautious girl who is living a nightmare. Trying to leave her past behind, she’s drawn to Eli but can’t drag him & Molly into her life. Eli knows he’s made assumptions & mistakes in the past, and he’s determined to find out what’s going on with the woman he & his daughter are falling for.
I loved reading about Eli & understanding why he is the way he is. He is protective of his family because he loves them so much. Zoe is the one who finally makes Eli feel alive & worthy of trusting someone again. Another great read from this author! Looking forward to Zoe’s brother Adam’s book!
This is the first book that I have read from this author. It won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this story and I read this book in one sitting. Zoe came to Willow Creek to escape some issues in her life and she meets up with Eli, a man that she can’t seem to forget from the first time she met him. Eli is the sheriff of the town as well as a single father to Molly. They both have some issues that they need to deal with but will they be able to so they can get the HEA that they both want and rightly deserve. Each book is a standalone so you can read them in any order.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zoe wants to get away from the chaos of her life and what better refuge than with her best friend and the small town of Willow Creek. Eli is a the town sheriff, single dad, and does not time to waste on love. He’s been there, done that, survived the train wreck, and burned the t-shirt. But one kiss with Zoe has him rethinking everything. As they realize their attraction can’t be denied and begin to let the other in, the past she’s running from threatens to catch up and ruin everything they’ve begun to build.
Eli and Zoe romance was great. I was a complete goner for Eli from the very beginning. The man is the definition of swoon-worthy! I felt my heart squeeze seeing how much he adored his daughter and watching him begin to let himself love once again. Their story was the perfect, sweet story to get lost in and leave me with a smile. Written with perfect amounts of angst and feels, A.K. MacBride had me simultaneously flipping pages at a furious pace all the while not wanting their story to end.
My heart be still! This series just blows me away! I couldn’t wait for a story about Eli, the tough Sheriff who swore off loving again, except for his daughter. When Zoe comes to town to visit her friend, there is definitely an attraction, but nothing comes of it as Eli wants no part of relationships. Then a few months go by and when something happens to Zoe, she comes back to town. But this time, it’s Eli who is interested! These two characters have perfect chemistry, that you just know in your heart that they belong together, but with both of them having troubled pasts, can they work thru it? This story has all the emotions that you will feel in your very heart and soul. At times, I laughed, I cried, I hoped, and I just plain fell in love with these characters. If you enjoy stories about family, second chances and love, then this book is for you! It is so heartwarming and I loved every word. While there are some sensitive situations, this author wrote them so perfectly and tastefully, that I am in awe of her writing skills. This author is truly talented, and I highly recommend reading all her books!
This is the first book that I have read from this author and I was blown away. This was a great book from beginning to end. Zoe and Eli run into each other at a wedding. Cant keep their eyes off each other. You can easily see that there is something between them. Zoe is back home trying to live her life when her life the one thing she loves is taken from her. So she comes running back to the safety of her best friend and Eli. Eli doesn’t know what to do with the feelings he has for Zoe. He is not sure how to feel about her and what is going on with her. But he will do anything to protect her. I enjoyed this one and cant wait to read the other 2 in this series. A.K gained a fan with this one.
First, can we please take a moment to appreciate the gorgeousness that is the cover? It’s soo pretty!
Every time I pick up a Willow Creek book I fall a little more in love with the characters. I knew Eli’s book would be amazing – because, hello?! Single dad + cute little girl = ovary explosion
Want, sickness, love, pain, sweet, sexy and payback are all words that spring to mind when I think of this book.
Zoe, Molly and Eli made my heart so happy
4.5 stars
Ruined is the first book that I’ve read by Ms. MacBride and it definitely will not be the last. This is a enjoyable book with an engaging plot that flowed nicely and even though it’s book three in the series, I liked that it can be read as a complete standalone.
Single dad romances are one of my favorite tropes and I just loved Eli with his nurturing, protective demeanor and warm heart. And his little girl Molly who was so cute and sweet as ever truly melted my heart. Zoe was a strong, kind, caring person and the perfect match for Eli. I loved their first encounter with each other when Zoe took the bull by the horns so to speak and kissed Eli. There were definite sparks between them then and when they reunited six months later, those sparks were definitely reignited. Eli and Zoe needed each other more than they knew. Even though they suffered painful pasts, they have huge hearts with so much to offer and were more than deserving of each other.
My only criticism about Ruined is, I would have liked to see more heat and passion between Eli and Zoe. Other than that, I genuinely adored Ruined and it’s a must read!!
Eli doesn’t trust easy after the first love of his life ripped his heart out While he’s left with his walls high around his heart, his daughter Molly is the bright spot that fills his world with her smiles.
Zoe has some dark spots in her past, and covers her insecurities with flirting and one night stands. She’s made some decisions she now regrets, and when she finds she is being stalked by an abusive one night stand, she flees to visit her best friend Kenzie.
Having met at their BFFs wedding a few months ago, they never expected their overwhelming desires would still be present when they came face to face again. When she sees Eli again, Zoe knows she wants him, and his daughter, but how can she bring her damage into their lives? Eli has his own baggage, and while he doesn’t want to let Zoe in, it’s impossible not to. She’s like the sun bringing bright things into his world.
Can two damaged people move forward to make a family? And, will Zoe’s past be enough of a threat to keep them apart?
A.K. MacBride’s Willow Creek series is seriously heart warming! I wasn’t sure how I felt about Eli from prior books, but he gave me all the feels in Ruined! And his daughter Molly is the sweetest child! She’s bright and funny and brings so much to this story. I loved watching Eli and Molly together, and really enjoyed how quickly Molly clicked with Zoe and watching their relationship blossom throughout the story.
While it took a bit to get there, once Eli and Zoe decided to give it a go, they were all in, and it was simply gorgeous! Fans of the series will also love catching up with the rest of the family.
This was a beautiful small town romance, sugary sweet in the best of ways with enough suspense to keep readers captivated. 4.5 stars