New York Times bestselling author Julia London proves that there’s no insurance against falling in love.Single mother Kyra Kokinos spends her days waiting tables, her nights working on her real estate license, and every spare moment with her precocious six-year-old daughter, Ruby—especially when Ruby won’t stop pestering their grumpy next-door neighbor. At first glance, Dax Bishop seems like the … Dax Bishop seems like the kind of gruff, solitary guy who’d be unlikely to offer a cup of sugar, let alone a marriage proposal. But that’s exactly what happens when Ruby needs life-saving surgery.
Dax showed up in East Beach a year ago, fresh from a painful divorce and looking for a place where he could make furniture and avoid people. Suddenly his life is invaded by an inquisitive munchkin in sparkly cowboy boots—and her frazzled, too-tempting mother. So he presents a practical plan: his insurance will help Ruby, and then they can divorce—zero strings attached.
But soon Kyra and Dax find their engagement of convenience is simple in name only. As their attraction deepens, a figure from the past reappears, offering a way out. Can Kyra and Dax let go so easily, or has their sudden engagement become something more?
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Kyra Kokinos became unexpectedly pregnant after a brief affair on holiday. Kyra knew that it would be tough, and it has been but she has been raising her beautiful daughter Ruby and struggling a bit a long the way. Her daughter is headstrong and has decided she wants to befriend her new neighbor Dax Bishop, more importantly his dog Otto.
Dax is a grump, he has made it clear that Ruby needs to stay on her side of the fence but she is in a world of her own and makes mischief everywhere she goes. Dax is determined to stay single after a bad marriage but Kyra and Ruby are getting under his skin and the grump is finding new hope that he may just have found his perfect match. What will happen when a hurdle is thrown their way though?
This was great, loved Ruby she is a mini spitfire in the making. Dax has a back story I was not expecting at all. Kyra was wonderful she is trying to keep it together and doing the best she can do. Wonderful story, loved the side characters and look forward to more in this series.
This book was a perfect escape. Single mom Kyra is struggling to make ends meet while raising a very energetic and imaginative child by herself. Enter Dax, the grumpiest neighbor ever. He’s also sexy af–works with his hands, is the strong silent and incredibly handsome type. Sparks fly between them against the backdrop the lovely Lake Haven setting.
Mix all these elements together and you get the perfect escape— a romantic and swoonworthy read!
Kyra Kokinos can’t believe what she has overcome in the past seven years. She was terrified when she found out she was pregnant with Ruby; and even more so when the father said he wouldn’t have anything to do with her. She has done pretty well on her own – given her circumstances. Her and Ruby are now settled into Lake Haven. She even landed a job at a nice touristy restaurant. She is working hard to get her real estate license. Lake houses sell for millions and she can’t imagine being able to spend more time with Ruby. She leaves her with a sitter more than she should, but someone has to provide for them. Bill won’t pay themselves.
All Dax Bishop wanted to do is make his furniture. That was becoming impossible due to his new neighbor. He hadn’t met her parents, but Ruby Kokinos, or as he liked to call her Ruby Coconuts, was always sneaking into his yard. She loved his dog, Otto, and the dog did nothing to scare her off his property. Traitor. He like to be alone. He liked to work alone. He liked to wallow in self-pity. This redheaded monster was going to be the death of him or herself – since she liked to climb over his fence like a spider monkey.
Kyra had the pleasure of meeting her new neighbor, Mr. Grump Bishop. Man, he was a looker but she didn’t like his sour grapes personality. Unfortunately for her, Ruby kept bothering the man so he kept showing up at her doorstep to complain. There was something about him that intrigued her. So maybe it wasn’t that unfortunate after all…
This is the third book in the Lake Haven series, and it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this book – more so than the other two in the series. What can I say? I am a sucker for grumpy heroes, strong women, and quirky little girls. This book was slightly emotional which really dumbfounded me. The previous books had that witty rom-com feel, so this one caught me off-guard. I barely scratched that surface of this story with my review, but some things are just better left unsaid. And for the reader to discover!
5 stars!
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And Another Slow Burn. This was at least one of the more memorable books in this series, and yes, it is at least in part because of the kid – a shocking statement coming from this reader in particular. Solid romance, but again not overly memorable other than the kid.
Terrific
I was this from Goodreads giveaways. I was asked to give a favorable review, all thoughts are my own. This a great story about a single mom raising her daughter the best she can. Her neighbor has been hurt by his ex and now making custom furniture. The have a bad start but then work it out and then her daughter gets sick. Can they find love?
Short review. Mixed feelings. I enjoyed the friendship that grew between Kyra, her daughter Ruby and next door neighbor Dax. I didn’t like any of the side characters, they were annoying, judgmental, irredeemable, pushy busy bodies there wasn’t one person that anybody would want in their life. I really wish that both Dax and Kyra had better people in their lives that treated them better and showed them respect. The other thing I didn’t like was how misleading the title and premise is the engagement and Ruby needing surgery doesn’t happen to the last few chapters of the book
Suddenly engaged is a wonderful romance that will make your heart soar to new heights and bring joy to your heart. Meet single mom Kyra Kokinos and her delightful daughter Ruby who move next door to Jax and his dog Otto. Jax doesn’t know it but these two will bring sparkle back into his grumpy life. All three will find their lives becoming closer and closer as soon as Jax meets and nicknames Ruby, “Coconut” a name he comes up with when Ruby tells him her last name. This is no easy breezy romance. The highs and lows will find you going back and forth from near tears to cheering them all on. Wonderful storylines intersect throughout with characters you will be annoyed with and also perhaps love. A perfect read.