Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. The story opens as Gemma is helping at her sister's bridal shower. Gemma is the type of person who helps others, often to her detriment. She feels she ruined Elyse's wedding gown shopping experience and will do anything to compensate for it. During the shower, she ran into Ethan, a local football hero and her worst high school memory. She always feels awkward around him, while Ethan enjoys teasing her. Then he gets a phone call and abruptly leaves.
Ethan has the reputation of being a carefree bachelor and player. Then social services calls, and he finds himself caring for his baby nephew. Ethan is overwhelmed by Cody's unique needs and faces the possibility that Cody will be taken from him. His only hope is enlisting Gemma's help.
I liked Gemma and Ethan. Gemma has a big heart and takes care of the people she loves. She also has a self-esteem problem, especially after her broken engagement. When Ethan proposes a temporary marriage until he has custody of Cody, she thinks it is her best chance to have a family of her own. Ethan is a good man who is caught in a tough situation. Complicating the need to care for Cody, Ethan is hiding a secret that could change everything.
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Ethan and Gemma. Their high school history wasn't the best. Gemma had a crush on him, and Ethan was a teenage jerk, embarrassing them both. I liked how they owned up to their mistakes and moved on from them. Once Gemma heard how Ethan ended up with Cody, she was compelled to help him. His appreciation was honest, and I could see his relief and the hope she gave him. But the real kicker came when he begged her to marry him, giving him the backup he needed to retain custody.
Living together and caring for Cody was like a dream come true for Gemma. It was easy to forget that it was supposed to be temporary until he could find his sister and reunite her with Cody. Ethan also gets into the family feeling but won't believe it can last. He feels that Gemma is way out of his league and that she would not stay with him. Despite their fears, their feelings for each other continue to grow. I loved that Ethan saw Gemma for the terrific person she was and saw no need for her to change. Gemma won my heart with her matter-of-fact acceptance of his secret and her desire to help him conquer it. But Ethan has a blind spot regarding his sister and doesn't listen to Gemma when she tries to get through to him. I ached for them both after the argument that drove them apart. It takes an eye-opening discussion with his sister for Ethan to accept the truth. I loved his return to Thunder Ridge and Gemma. He did an excellent job of groveling to get back in her good graces and for them both to admit their feelings for each other.
The epilogue was terrific, and I loved seeing their family a few years down the road.
Ethan has the reputation of being a carefree bachelor and player. Then social services calls, and he finds himself caring for his baby nephew. Ethan is overwhelmed by Cody's unique needs and faces the possibility that Cody will be taken from him. His only hope is enlisting Gemma's help.
I liked Gemma and Ethan. Gemma has a big heart and takes care of the people she loves. She also has a self-esteem problem, especially after her broken engagement. When Ethan proposes a temporary marriage until he has custody of Cody, she thinks it is her best chance to have a family of her own. Ethan is a good man who is caught in a tough situation. Complicating the need to care for Cody, Ethan is hiding a secret that could change everything.
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Ethan and Gemma. Their high school history wasn't the best. Gemma had a crush on him, and Ethan was a teenage jerk, embarrassing them both. I liked how they owned up to their mistakes and moved on from them. Once Gemma heard how Ethan ended up with Cody, she was compelled to help him. His appreciation was honest, and I could see his relief and the hope she gave him. But the real kicker came when he begged her to marry him, giving him the backup he needed to retain custody.
Living together and caring for Cody was like a dream come true for Gemma. It was easy to forget that it was supposed to be temporary until he could find his sister and reunite her with Cody. Ethan also gets into the family feeling but won't believe it can last. He feels that Gemma is way out of his league and that she would not stay with him. Despite their fears, their feelings for each other continue to grow. I loved that Ethan saw Gemma for the terrific person she was and saw no need for her to change. Gemma won my heart with her matter-of-fact acceptance of his secret and her desire to help him conquer it. But Ethan has a blind spot regarding his sister and doesn't listen to Gemma when she tries to get through to him. I ached for them both after the argument that drove them apart. It takes an eye-opening discussion with his sister for Ethan to accept the truth. I loved his return to Thunder Ridge and Gemma. He did an excellent job of groveling to get back in her good graces and for them both to admit their feelings for each other.
The epilogue was terrific, and I loved seeing their family a few years down the road.
