Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good friends with benefits story. Maverick and Phire met when he was on a business trip to Paris. Their attraction was immediate and intense, and they had a successful arrangement for two years. Neither one was interested in anything serious. Maverick enjoys his freedom too much to settle down, and Phire was burned by love and doesn't want to risk her heart again.
Then Phire told Maverick she wanted to end their arrangement. She said she was ready to look for love and settle down. In truth, she had fallen in love with Maverick and needed to get out while she still could. I liked that Maverick respected her wishes but wanted to shake him for not recognizing his feelings. Instead, he spent the following months missing her.
When Maverick gets a call from Phire asking to meet with him, he drops everything to do so. He's stunned to hear that her father has forced her to return to Texas from Paris and is trying to force her to marry the man of his choice. Simon uses a ruthless method of blackmail to ensure Phire's cooperation. Phire informs Maverick that she will not be able to talk to him any longer, but they indulge in one more passionate night together. They believe that is the end until Phire ends up pregnant.
Once Maverick learns of Phire's pregnancy, he becomes determined to claim Phire for himself. Phire resists because she loves him and believes he does not return her love. Maverick frequently frustrated me with his oblivious attitude and focus on the baby when he should have been concentrating on Phire. I understood her resistance to his marriage demands - she wanted to be desired for herself, not the baby she carried. I was happy when he finally had that "aha" moment. Unfortunately, he and Phire make their problems last longer by not talking about their feelings. The week they spent together on his cousins' ranch was wonderful and heartbreaking because of it.
Phire's father, Simon, is a piece of work. Controlling and abusive, he uses Phire's love for her aunt against her. I could feel Phire's fear for her aunt's welfare every time Simon made one of his threats. His choice of groom intrigued me as Jaxon appeared to be too nice a man to go along with Simon's plans. As the book continued, Simon became more desperate to force her hand. He finally went too far, and I loved seeing what happened to him. I especially enjoyed the intricate plan hatched by Maverick and the others.
The question of Outlaw patriarch Bart's vehement opposition to admitting their connection to the Westmorelands has run through the series. None of the family could understand why he refused to acknowledge something so obviously true. A stunning revelation from an unexpected source puts an end to the mystery. I laughed out loud at the significant effect this had on Maverick.
I loved the ending and seeing Maverick and Phire finally get the future they wanted. The ending was terrific, with a couple of teasers for future books. I can't wait to see what is in store for the Outlaw sister, Charm.
#netgalley
Then Phire told Maverick she wanted to end their arrangement. She said she was ready to look for love and settle down. In truth, she had fallen in love with Maverick and needed to get out while she still could. I liked that Maverick respected her wishes but wanted to shake him for not recognizing his feelings. Instead, he spent the following months missing her.
When Maverick gets a call from Phire asking to meet with him, he drops everything to do so. He's stunned to hear that her father has forced her to return to Texas from Paris and is trying to force her to marry the man of his choice. Simon uses a ruthless method of blackmail to ensure Phire's cooperation. Phire informs Maverick that she will not be able to talk to him any longer, but they indulge in one more passionate night together. They believe that is the end until Phire ends up pregnant.
Once Maverick learns of Phire's pregnancy, he becomes determined to claim Phire for himself. Phire resists because she loves him and believes he does not return her love. Maverick frequently frustrated me with his oblivious attitude and focus on the baby when he should have been concentrating on Phire. I understood her resistance to his marriage demands - she wanted to be desired for herself, not the baby she carried. I was happy when he finally had that "aha" moment. Unfortunately, he and Phire make their problems last longer by not talking about their feelings. The week they spent together on his cousins' ranch was wonderful and heartbreaking because of it.
Phire's father, Simon, is a piece of work. Controlling and abusive, he uses Phire's love for her aunt against her. I could feel Phire's fear for her aunt's welfare every time Simon made one of his threats. His choice of groom intrigued me as Jaxon appeared to be too nice a man to go along with Simon's plans. As the book continued, Simon became more desperate to force her hand. He finally went too far, and I loved seeing what happened to him. I especially enjoyed the intricate plan hatched by Maverick and the others.
The question of Outlaw patriarch Bart's vehement opposition to admitting their connection to the Westmorelands has run through the series. None of the family could understand why he refused to acknowledge something so obviously true. A stunning revelation from an unexpected source puts an end to the mystery. I laughed out loud at the significant effect this had on Maverick.
I loved the ending and seeing Maverick and Phire finally get the future they wanted. The ending was terrific, with a couple of teasers for future books. I can't wait to see what is in store for the Outlaw sister, Charm.
#netgalley
