Centering on Jack and Riley, parents, lovers and friends.
Eli and Robbie have their home on Double D land. Their love is rooted in the Texas soil and they weather as many storms as can be thrown at them.
And Liam, a young men with a head full of dreams and sleep full of nightmares, finds that all things are possible when Marcus decides to interrupt his solitary existence.
(Warning: This book is part of a series, and the below review may contain spoilers!)
RJ Scott has taken the Campbell-Hayes saga and wrapped it in a glorious red Christmas ribbon which, when it unfolds, gifts us with a wonderful finale for the many memorable characters whose lives have intertwined with Jack and Riley in this series.
RJ Scott has taken the Campbell-Hayes saga and wrapped it in a glorious red Christmas ribbon which, when it unfolds, gifts us with a wonderful finale for the many memorable characters whose lives have intertwined with Jack and Riley in this series.
Three couple’s stories intertwine throughout this book – the story of
Jack and Riley and their quest to become a family of six – from adopting Max,
to parenting their new twins, hiring a nanny, and finishing the addition on
their home. Eli and Robbie have more of
a supporting cast role in this story but we have a chance to watch them move
into their new home and reinforce their love and commitment to one
another. The main storyline is about
Liam and Marcus and Liam’s personal growth from his previous trauma. Over time, with slow and patient love and
support, Marcus wins Liam’s affections and ultimately the two become fully
committed, both physically and emotionally.
As the story opens, Jack and Riley are putting the finishing touches on
their house renovations and still working on Max’s adoption, while the series
of delays and setbacks caused by minor issues was maddening for them. They persist because Max, a sweet little autistic
five year old who always carries around his Thomas the Tank Engine, has their
hearts completely engaged. One sentence,
while shopping for their perfect Christmas tree, really struck me as so sweet
and perfect for the Christmas memory bank:
Riley noticed Max was singing a Christmas tune under his breath and Riley
noted that, “Max had a cute little voice to go along with his cute little
heart.”
Liam’s story is the main focus in this book as he is pursued with a
single-minded focus by Marcus who continually presses him for a dinner date. But
Liam is still suffering from the trauma he suffered at the Bar Five, where he
was raped by the owner’s oldest son when he was only sixteen years old, and he
keeps refusing the dinner invitation. When Jack receives a call from the owner telling him that he’s hired a thief,
he confronts Liam about why he left that ranch so suddenly. The emotional
overload of being a disappointment to a man he respects and of losing the only
place he feels safe, has Liam breaking down and telling both Jack and Robbie
what really happened. This emotional
dump opens the door to his healing process.
He finally gives in to Marcus’ persistence and decides to go out to
dinner with Marcus. At the end of that
date, after allowing a few minutes for kisses that he fears will never be his on
a long term basis, he tells Marcus the truth about his past. He figures that if Marcus doesn’t want him,
it’s best to find out now, but Marcus doesn’t react the way Liam fears he will.
Instead, Marcus is supportive and loving and committed to starting a
relationship with him. I love Liam’s bravery and the strength of
character he shows by struggling through this very difficult confession. I’m happy that the author later shows us
Liam’s decision to seek psychological counseling and to consider contacting the
police about the incidents on the Bar Five.
There’s more drama for both Jack and Riley and for Liam himself later
in the story but both incidents serve to stress the importance of love and
commitment and family support. Ms. Scott
has left me feeling very emotionally fulfilled and very positive about the
future for each of these couples and their extended family. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too, RJ
Scott.
~ A Guest Review by Barb ~rede-2-read~ ~
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