Tina BeckettRecensioni

Good second chance love story. Lia and Micah fell in love during medical school. But when graduation came, and Micah wanted them to join Doctors Without Borders, Lia panicked and broke things off with Micah, breaking both of their hearts. Lia has prosopagnosia (Face blindness, or prosopagnosia, is a brain disorder characterized by the inability to recognize or differentiate faces. People with face blindness may struggle to notice differences in the faces of strangers. Others may even have a hard time recognizing familiar faces.) She has learned to cope where everything is familiar, but going somewhere so far out of her comfort zone terrified her. But rather than tell Micah the truth, she pushed him away.

Several years later, Micah returns to Nashville and takes a job at the same hospital where Lia works. He's surprised when he spots her at a hospital fundraiser concert and the memories that flooded him of their time together, including that final rejection. He was hurt and angry when she didn't recognize him. Lia faced one of her greatest fears when she saw Micah and didn't recognize him until he spoke and scrambled to minimize the damage. Unfortunately, she only made things worse when she discovered they would be working together.

Though they plan to avoid each other whenever possible, they are thrown together when Lia treats a case that calls for Micah's expertise as an epidemiologist. Working together to spread the word about the outbreak and the need for updated vaccinations, their old feelings don't take long to resurface. I loved watching those feelings deepen and grow and seeing their attraction follow suit. But Lia's fears are never far from her mind, and Micah's dreams soon run up against those fears. I ached for Micah as he saw history repeat itself, breaking his heart again. I loved how Lia found the courage to tell him everything and Micah's love and support as he finally understood her. The epilogue was sweet.

I love the Harlequin Medical line because they always have interesting situations. In this book, Lia and Micah face an outbreak of pertussis or whooping cough. Because of widespread vaccinations, it is something that is rarely heard of these days but can be deadly. I liked seeing the steps that Micah and Lia took, from public education to contact tracing (with a nod to lessons learned from Covid). I also liked getting the follow-up to the medical issue with Avery's friend, Bonnie, from the first book in the series (New Year Kiss with His Cinderella).

Good book. As a young doctor, Nate was part of a team sent to a Caribbean island to help after a hurricane. What he experienced there affected him profoundly, especially the death of a little girl. He left the island determined to do something to help, only to face opposition from his famous plastic surgeon parents. Turning his back on their disappointment, Nate used his trust fund to start the Island Clinic.

Sasha is a surgeon at St. Victoria Hospital on the island where she grew up. As the book opens, she waits for Nate's arrival from the clinic as he offered to help out the short-staffed hospital. Sasha, who's been burned in a relationship with a wealthy doctor, views Nate with a great deal of skepticism. His clinic caters to the rich and famous; as chief of staff, she wonders if he even practices medicine anymore.

Sasha came across as very judgmental of someone she knows nothing about. She knows it and tries to stop, but her cynicism runs deep. I liked how Nate began smashing her preconceptions from the moment he got off the shuttle. Her eyes opened when they immediately faced a critical heart case, and Nate leaped right in, evacuating the patient to the clinic when he needed a specialist. After three years of avoiding the clinic like the plague, Sasha was forced into it when she wanted to check up on the patient. I liked how she saw how wrong she'd been as Nate gave her a tour, and she learned that the wealthy patients funded the clinic's work with the island's residents.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Nate and Sasha. The sparks fly immediately though both try to resist them. Each has a reason to protect their hearts. Sasha finds it difficult to trust her judgment after her last relationship, and Nate still feels the sting of rejection by his parents. I liked watching them find ways to spend time together and seeing them get to know each other. I liked how Sasha spoke her mind, from the gala planning session to her own needs and desires. I also liked Nate's caring and compassion, as shown in the scene with Sasha's uncle.

As their physical attraction grows, so do their feelings for each other, though neither is ready to admit it. I ached for them both when Sasha's fears sent her running from her feelings. A little help from Sasha's mother helped Nate see what he needed to do. I loved the depth of their emotions as they broke free of the chains of the past and moved toward a future together. I liked the epilogue too.

As is usual with this line, actual medical issues are a big part of the story. I enjoyed learning about both issues in a way that was easy to understand for the average reader.

#netgalley

Excellent book. Snowden made his first appearance as Kaleb's friend in Consequences of Their New York Night. He and Kaleb made their "keep love out of relationships" pact on the occasion of Snow's divorce. Of course, Kaleb promptly fell in love and got married, leaving Snow as the sole member of the club.

Kirsten is new to the hospital and still finding her way around the immense facility. She becomes lost on her way to a meeting with the top transplant surgeon, where she is to consult on a case. It isn't the kind of first impression she wants to make, and she's dismayed by his cold reception. Fortunately, the coldness fades quickly, and their consultation goes well.

Neither expected the burst of attraction that flared between them. Kirsten is fresh off an unpleasant breakup with no intention of getting involved anytime soon. Because of trauma experienced as a child, Snow keeps his emotions locked up tight, determined to remain in control at all times. Being drawn to her so strongly stuns him, and he finds himself looking for ways to spend time with her. Kirsten is wary when he offers to take her sightseeing, but she can't say no. I loved seeing them connect during their tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and give in to the passion that suddenly flared between them. But when a holdover from Snow's childhood days freaks out Kirsten, he must decide whether to open up about his past.

The relationship between Snow and Kirsten resembled a rollercoaster at times. There were the highs of their physical connection and how well they meshed, personally and professionally. There were also the lows of Snow's difficulty in expressing his emotions and Kirsten's fear of the same kind of rejection she faced before. I liked that Snow could share his past with her and that her knowing the truth was a relief to him. It surprised Snow that he wanted to include her in things he usually did alone. Kirsten worried that she was developing feelings for him when she knew he wouldn't return them. When their attraction led to another passion-filled encounter, Snow didn't react well, leaving Kirsten desperate to put distance between them. I ached for Kirsten and her unhappiness as she admitted the depth of her feelings for Snow. I liked Snow's honest look at himself and his actions and his realization that he may have wrecked something significant. I loved seeing him reach out for help from his friends. The scene at the airport was great as Snow put his heart on the line. I loved Kirsten's reaction. The epilogue was terrific, and I loved the visible changes in Snow.

As usually happens with the Medical Romance line, I learned some new things. Kirsten is a doctor of pulmonology (lungs), and Snow is a transplant surgeon. I was fascinated by a couple of the cases they worked on and the diseases described. The description of the heart transplant Snow performed was vivid and intense and made me feel as though I was there.

Good book. Kaleb is a man who has been burned by love - twice. Two broken engagements have convinced him that love isn't for him. He and his best friend, Snowden, who has just gone through a divorce, have made a pact to that effect - keep love out of any relationship. When one of his medical cases goes sour, Kaleb relieves his pain with a woman he picks up at a bar and whom he never expects to see again. Too bad he can't forget her.

Nicola was having a horrible day. The end of her engagement and her brother's death hit her hard, and she went to the bar looking for a way to forget. She found it in Kaleb but was horrified by what she'd done and snuck away the next morning. She still thinks about that night.

Imagine their surprise when they discover they now work in the same hospital. When Nicola "met" Kaleb, she pretended that she didn't know him rather than admit their acquaintance in front of the hospital administrator. Kaleb's ego took a hit when it appeared she didn't remember him but told himself it made things easier. I loved the scene where Nicola assisted on the possible eye tumor, and Kaleb ran interference between her and the other doctor, then later talks to her about attitudes. I loved his interest in her methods and how a tentative friendship started between them, all while ignoring the elephant in the room and the attraction that neither will admit.

That elephant got a lot bigger when Nicola discovered she was pregnant. She knew she had to tell Kaleb, but that meant admitting she remembered their night together. That admission triggered an unexpected burst of passion that made the following conversation a bit more complicated. Kaleb was stunned by the news, especially considering his earlier vow, but immediately let Nicola know that he planned to be involved. I loved how they talked honestly with each other about expectations. Both believe that they are not interested in a relationship but can work together to parent effectively. There are some terrific scenes of them spending time together talking. There is also an especially emotional scene where they both consult on the case of a newborn baby.

Things come to a head after dinner with Nicola's parents. I loved how comfortable Kaleb was with them. The byplay between Kaleb and Nicola during the dinner was unexpected and led to steamy after-dinner actions. It was also a wake-up call for Kaleb, who realized that he wanted Nicola in his life. However, remembering his pact with Snowden causes Kaleb to behave in a boneheaded way. I ached for Nicola, who had accepted her feelings for Kaleb, and was hurt by his lukewarm proposition. I just shook my head at Kaleb's confusion and dismay and laughed as he was set straight by Snowden of all people. Meanwhile, Nicola uses an unusual method to reach some conclusions of her own. I loved the ending, especially when Nicola revealed her method and its focus. I'm looking forward to Snowden's story.

#netgalley

Good second chance story. Hollee, Clancy, Jacob, and Clancy's sister Ava were all friends as teenagers. One day, Clancy shared a passionate kiss with Hollee, called it a mistake, and soon after left town. Hollee ended up marrying Jacob. She never knew that Jacob had told Clancy that he was in love with Hollee and that Clancy wasn't good enough for her. The story opens at Jacob's funeral after he was killed in action. Clancy is there but doesn't speak to her, as he's keeping a secret that could only hurt her.

The book then picks up five years later. Clancy has left the military and taken a job as a pediatric plastic surgeon at a civilian hospital. He is stunned to see Hollee there, working as a nurse. The last he heard, she had moved away and was studying to become a vet tech. He's not sure he can handle working so close to the woman he never forgot. Hollee is just as surprised to see Clancy. Being near him stirs up the old memories and makes her think about what might have been.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Hollee and Clancy. There is no doubt that the sparks between them are still there, though both try to resist at first. Hollee is not interested in falling in love again. Her marriage to Jacob left her doubting her judgment, and low in confidence in her appeal. Clancy still has doubts about his own worth, even though he turned his life around long ago. However, there's no doubt that the attraction between them is still strong. They give in to it once, then panic and pull away. But fate isn't done with them yet.

Both Hollee and Clancy volunteer as part of a group headed to the mountains to help a town devastated by a flood and a tornado. I loved seeing them work together and that their friendship began to grow again. Each of them gained an appreciation for the other's strengths and abilities. There were some beautiful scenes of their teamwork and the depth of their empathy for the people they helped. Just as things looked truly promising for them, Hollee discovered the secret Clancy was keeping from her. Devastated by what she thought of as a betrayal, she said some harsh things and refused to listen to him. I ached for both of them, but especially for Clancy. Hollee had a visitor that gave her something to think about if she could just get past her insecurities. But it was Clancy's big moment at the end that won my heart. He exposed his vulnerabilities as he opened his heart to her, and she didn't let him down. The epilogue was great and showed how much their love had grown.

Good conclusion to the series. This is the fourth book in the series and the second one I have read. It can be read as a stand-alone with no trouble. Theo's daughter Ivy has gotten progressively sicker, and no one has been able to figure out why. His greatest hope is that visiting diagnostician Madison can solve the mystery. Theo drew me in from the beginning, as I couldn't help aching for him and all he has been through. He lost his wife to a drunk driver at Christmas time four years earlier, making that time of year difficult for him. With Ivy's illness, it was even harder to pretend to enjoy the holidays.

I liked Madison. She is something of a loner having had only herself to depend on for most of her life. Her drive to solve the puzzle of Ivy's illness was intense. She is also kind and caring, which is shown by her interaction with various patients, especially little Ivy. There were some very moving scenes between them, such as the one with Ivy's Christmas list.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Theo and Madison. There were sparks between them from the beginning, but both tried to resist them. Madison has been let down so often in the past that she has built up walls to protect herself. All of Theo's attention has been on Ivy, so he was surprised at his attraction to Madison. But he is her boss, so involvement would not be a good idea. He was also carrying a boatload of guilt from his marriage, believing that he was a neglectful husband. As Theo and Madison spent more time together, the chemistry between them grew. I liked seeing the hints of protectiveness that Theo felt for Madison as he found ways to look out for her. I loved seeing them both let go a little bit as they escaped the hospital for their friends' wedding. But when Ivy took a turn for the worse, Theo's guilt made him lash out at Madison. I ached for them both as Madison ran from her broken heart, and Theo confronted his own feelings. I loved the bit of luck that brought them back together at the end and seeing both of them overcome the pain of their pasts to look at a future together. The epilogue was sweet, and I loved Theo's surprise for Madison.

Great read. A bit of a slow start.

Tina Beckett writes a fast-paced thriller with her first romantic suspense novel. The hero and heroine are on the run for their lives, dodging a depraved rebel leader, bullets, landmines, wildlife and their own personal demons.

Cole Scalini, a Special Forces Sniper, is in Angola under orders to take out a suicide bomber holding a pregnant woman hostage on the roof of the American embassy. When it becomes apparent that the hostage is meant to die, Cole takes his shot.

Callie Nascimento is a surrogate for her sister and her brother-in-law's child. When Callie learns of her sister's sudden death in a plane crash while on a mission with Doctors Without Borders, she becomes suspicious and travels to Angola to get answers and closure. In a sudden and violent uprising, Callie finds herself as a hostage of a suicide bomber. Relying on her skills as a psychiatrist, she tries to talk her captor out of his plans. Her plans for a non-violent solution are thwarted when she's rescued by Cole. All escape routes are cut off, and Callie soon finds herself as an intentional target of the rebel leader. Cole is her only hope of making it out of the country and back to the US alive.

As they try to stay ahead of the enemy, it becomes clear that perhaps the rebels aren't their only enemies. She's just a psychiatrist, and her sister was the only link to Angola. Meanwhile on the home front, her brother-in-law, a US Senator and Presidential hopeful, is working tirelessly to bring Callie and his unborn son back home. But with the enemy closing in and circumstances working against them, who can Cole and Callie really trust?

The story got off to a great start. The tension was high and kept ratcheting up a notch from there. The action portions sounded believable, and I got sucked into the story as if I were watching a movie. The identity of the “traitor” was a well kept secret until the plot called for the big reveal. I liked that I was kept guessing; going back and forth over motives and suspects. Ms Beckett created a loathsome villain in Jose. Reading his point of view gave me chills.

I really tried, but I just couldn't connect with the hero nor the heroine. It's not that they weren't likeable, but I didn't believe the chemistry. Why? Callie vowed never to get involved with a career military man. Even after she warms up to Cole, she goes back and forth on her feelings pretty much from the beginning until the end of the book. Cole, who has an aversion to shrinks and can't see himself giving up his career even for her, seems to have the odds stacked against him. Not that it stops him from giving in. Since this story takes place over the course of one week, they get close pretty quickly, but not without lobbing verbal barbs at each other over their professions, usually after they have sex. Despite Cole pulling away, Callie is the one to initiate intimacy (all four or five times). I don't mind that the author chose not to write the sex scenes and gave us a fade to black. The problem I had with what would come afterwards – Cole would act a little cold and Callie would fall into her pit of insecurity. The repetitiveness of that throughout the book confused and confounded me. If the author decides to pen Moss' story, I would pick it up.

Thank you to Carina Press for the ARC

Disclaimer: A review in exchange for the ARC was not promised. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and in no way represent the views or opinions of the publisher/distributor.