Author: Marianne Rice

Series: Rocky Harbor

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless

Rachel Riley, Graham’s younger sister, is back in Rocky Harbor after being rescued from her abusive ex-boyfriend in California. She is home and safe now, but she is not back to herself at all. The only place that she seems to have found solace is in the comfort of the kitchen, where she is a fantastic chef. Lucy, their younger sister, decides to try to help Rachel find her strength again by signing them up to take a self-defense class.

The class happens to be taught by the bad boy turned good, Jake Morgan. Jake has a sordid past, but he has turned his life around, and teaching the class is part of his way of giving back. He takes a particular interest in Rachel, in a way that he has never done with a student before. The attraction is mutual, and they find themselves falling in love. When a huge part of their pasts collide, will their love be enough to see them through or will it all fall apart?

This is the second book in the Rocky Harbor series (the first was Staying Grounded, which you’ll remember- I LOVED!), and it was just as delectable as the first! The groundwork for Rachel’s character was laid in the Staying Grounded, as it was mentioned that she has been in an abusive relationship, but she continued to be built in to a character that you can’t help but fall in love with. Jake’s character was phenomenally well developed, and turned in to the ultimate book boyfriend. This story kept me just as engaged as the first, and I wanted to read it in one sitting (it ultimately took two). I highly recommend this book and series.

Author: Marianne Rice

Series: Rocky Harbor

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless

Pages: 228

Graham Riley is a pilot who loves his wings and his freedom. He has no desire to be tied down to any place or anyone. He has worked hard his entire adult life to overcome the stigma of his youth, being the son of a murderer. He was adopted and raised by a loving couple who taught him to be a responsible and respectable man. This is how he has always been viewed until he makes a split-second decision to defend someone, and his past is dredged up to smear his name.

Maggie O’Fallon grew up in a home where she was virtually ignored by her parents, and her father was never able to be depended upon to be around. Her mother stuck with him anyway, but was heartbroken and a mess every time that he left. That is the last thing that Maggie want for her own life. She wants a stable relationship, with a man that she can depend on to be home every night.

Graham and Maggie are brought together by the events stemming from Graham’s altercation. Maggie is to be Graham’s therapist, but there may be more between them. They both feel the chemistry, but they are exactly the opposite of what they each thought that they wanted. How will this ever work, or will it?

After a series of stops and starts, it looks like the relationship (or whatever it was that they had) is over for good, that is until a PI turns up with photos of the two of them together. This could destroy Maggie’s career. Does Graham care about her enough to put her ahead of himself. Will she even care if he does?

I am not typically one for a straight romance, but once I began this book I could not put it down! The story pulled me in and would not let go. The character building and development were very well done, and not just for the central characters. The secondary characters were all well fleshed out, as well. I found myself laughing out loud at parts of the story, and I was totally engaged all the way through. I very much recommend this, even if you aren’t typically a romance reader. It is really just a great story, and I look forward to reading more in this series.