Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific enemies to lovers story. Brandon and Cassidy have a history together. They dated for a while in high school when she was a freshman, and he was a senior. They broke up over a misunderstanding on her part, but Brandon was a jerk about it, so they've avoided each other ever since. Then they ran into each other at his brother's wedding while avoiding all of the people talking about why neither was married yet. Too much champagne and high school reminiscing led to a quick roll in the hay, and now Cassidy is pregnant.
Brandon and Cassidy's outlook on love couldn't be more different. Thanks to watching his thrice-married father, Brandon doesn't believe that love lasts. He's very careful to date only women who understand his position. Being wealthy and good-looking, Brandon never has trouble finding female companionship and certainly has never had to work for it.
Cassidy is an intelligent and independent woman. Raised by a single mother, she has worked for everything she has. She owns the very popular and successful Java and Juice coffee shop and is finally ready to expand her business to a second location. Though she's had several unsuccessful relationships, she hasn't given up on love and finding The One.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Brandon and Cassidy. Their encounter in the stable went beyond anything either expected. Cassidy felt a little hope in her heart until Brandon talked about being together for as long as it lasted. Disappointed and a little hurt, she turned him down flat, surprising Brandon. Over the next couple of weeks, Brandon couldn't get her off his mind, so he was pleased when he got a text from her to come to see her. Pleasure turned to shock when she told him she was pregnant.
I was pleasantly surprised by Brandon's reaction. Instead of denial or insisting it wasn't his, he stepped right up and took responsibility. But then he went a step further with a business-like proposal of marriage. Of course, Cassidy turned him down, letting him know she wouldn't marry without love. Cassidy won't give in on that subject no matter how hard he tries. They do agree to get to know each other better to be good co-parents. I loved watching Brandon demonstrate that he has all the right instincts. There are sweet scenes of his efforts to take care of Cassidy, from food to a coat she'd been dreaming of. I loved their trip to the parenting class.
Cassidy fought hard against falling in love with him when he obviously cared. The evening they babysit for a friend was tough because Brandon was a natural with little Maeve. Her biggest problem with him, besides his anti-love stance, was his tendency to take control. The purchase of the coat was bad enough, but when he interfered in her request for a bank loan for her business, she hit the roof. Her confrontation with Brandon was hard enough, but when his dad overheard and stuck in his opinion, she'd had it. When she attended a family dinner a few days later, I loved watching her tear into Cornelius. Unfortunately, Brandon froze when she faced him with what she really wanted.
The ending was terrific as Brandon finally realized the truth of his feelings. I loved seeing his emotional declaration to Cassidy and her belief in what he said. I hope they pop up in later books so I can catch up with their lives.
I also enjoyed the part that Winona Cobb played in their relationship. Her "readings" and comments are always enigmatic until her subjects look back and see what she meant. Her statements to Brandon and Cassidy are no different.
Brandon and Cassidy's outlook on love couldn't be more different. Thanks to watching his thrice-married father, Brandon doesn't believe that love lasts. He's very careful to date only women who understand his position. Being wealthy and good-looking, Brandon never has trouble finding female companionship and certainly has never had to work for it.
Cassidy is an intelligent and independent woman. Raised by a single mother, she has worked for everything she has. She owns the very popular and successful Java and Juice coffee shop and is finally ready to expand her business to a second location. Though she's had several unsuccessful relationships, she hasn't given up on love and finding The One.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Brandon and Cassidy. Their encounter in the stable went beyond anything either expected. Cassidy felt a little hope in her heart until Brandon talked about being together for as long as it lasted. Disappointed and a little hurt, she turned him down flat, surprising Brandon. Over the next couple of weeks, Brandon couldn't get her off his mind, so he was pleased when he got a text from her to come to see her. Pleasure turned to shock when she told him she was pregnant.
I was pleasantly surprised by Brandon's reaction. Instead of denial or insisting it wasn't his, he stepped right up and took responsibility. But then he went a step further with a business-like proposal of marriage. Of course, Cassidy turned him down, letting him know she wouldn't marry without love. Cassidy won't give in on that subject no matter how hard he tries. They do agree to get to know each other better to be good co-parents. I loved watching Brandon demonstrate that he has all the right instincts. There are sweet scenes of his efforts to take care of Cassidy, from food to a coat she'd been dreaming of. I loved their trip to the parenting class.
Cassidy fought hard against falling in love with him when he obviously cared. The evening they babysit for a friend was tough because Brandon was a natural with little Maeve. Her biggest problem with him, besides his anti-love stance, was his tendency to take control. The purchase of the coat was bad enough, but when he interfered in her request for a bank loan for her business, she hit the roof. Her confrontation with Brandon was hard enough, but when his dad overheard and stuck in his opinion, she'd had it. When she attended a family dinner a few days later, I loved watching her tear into Cornelius. Unfortunately, Brandon froze when she faced him with what she really wanted.
The ending was terrific as Brandon finally realized the truth of his feelings. I loved seeing his emotional declaration to Cassidy and her belief in what he said. I hope they pop up in later books so I can catch up with their lives.
I also enjoyed the part that Winona Cobb played in their relationship. Her "readings" and comments are always enigmatic until her subjects look back and see what she meant. Her statements to Brandon and Cassidy are no different.
