Tracy Solheim

It Had to be You by Tracy Solheim
Chances Inlet #4

Grumpy golfer versus protective teacher meet and fall in love in a small town that is known for providing second chances.

What I liked:
* Paige: teacher, daughter, raised by mother, estranged from her father, dealing with personal and professional issues, giving, caring, intelligent, good friend, insightful, trust issues, perfect with and for Tanner
* Tanner: professional golfer at top of his game, twin died in the past two years, surprised by Whitney on his doorstep, wealthy parents, checkered professional life, has trust issues, deeper than he first seems, perfect with and for Paige
* Whitney: 4-year-old, selectively mute, abandoned with Tanner by her mother, outgoing, graceful, has nightmares, sees Paige as a safe harbor, adds a lot to the story
* Sheriff Hollister: Paige’s father, married to Patricia McAlister, wants to get to know Paige better, ex-military, a man I’d want in my corner
* The McAlister family: previous three books starred various family members finding their HEA – did not read those stories but if I had, would have known the characters mentioned better, probably. Would love to join a family like theirs!
* Summer: Paige’s friend from Chicago, supportive, caring, kind
* Lou and Denise: owners of the children’s bookstore, committed loving couple
* That this was a story that drew me in, made me care, had characters I liked, and made me feel a part of the community – a community I would love to live in
* Wondering if Hayden and Elle will be up next in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to
* Thinking about how easily a reputation can be ruined

Thank you to NetGalley and Sun Home Productions for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (més)

Rating: ★★★★✬ (4.5/5 Stars)
Title: Shot in the Dark
Author(s): Tracy Solheim
Character(s):
― Josslyn Benoit: 28 years old, Black, Gray Eyed
― Adam Lockett: Black, Green Eyed
Setting: Washington, D.C
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: R
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
― “He was damaged goods with a black hole where his heart should be.”
Overall Opinion:
When a tribal militia hunter shoots at her teammates during a wildlife conservationist group mission, resulting in one of her team members getting shot, the zoologist Josslyn Benoit calls in a favor from her older half-sister, the First Lady of the United States. Returning back home to American soil, she is held under the protection of Adam Lockett, commander of the Secret Service’s elite team of snipers who is forced to work on a boring protective detail after a major head injury. The She-Devil, the name he deem fit best for her, is hell-bent on ditching her detail every opportunity she gets leaving the sniper on the tips of his toes and he plans on being one step a head of her.

Their witty banter had me laughing out loud and you can definitely sense there is a connection the first moment they meet, even years prior during a military rescue mission in the middle of the ocean. Unable to forget the kiss from once upon ago, they are unable to denied nor their overpowering attraction and emotions flared up. This suspenseful action-packed romance series was filled with great characters struggling with past and present issues, well written and thought-provoking content and a perfectly blend set of characters that brought the entire story together. Furthermore, like many other greatly written suspense romance novels, the romance built-up and wasn't rushed despite the hard-hitting chemistry. "Shot in the Dark" was a perfectly blend mix of compelling romance, action-packed suspense, humor, and a kick-ass heroine.

Being my first Tracy Solheim novel read, needless to say, it won't be my last and I am looking forward to reading the "The Men of the Secret Service" followup series. If my 4.5 star rating is any indication, "Shot in the Dark" is highly recommendation.

… (més)

A satisfying contemporary romance read. Gotta wonder though about the author's grasp of English and indeed that of every beta reader, editor and proofreader. These were not typos. The phrase "She brooked no argument," was used incorrectly TWICE.

When she'd told Carly that she and Owen were staying there, the relief in her friend's voice had been palpable. Worse, her friend hadn't brooked any argument.

What she meant to say was Worse her friend hadn't offered any argument. Two entirely different things. Brooked is a synonym for tolerated. So if her friend hadn't tolerated any argument then Carly wouldn't have been relieved that the heroine, Julianne, was staying somewhere else. The other occurrence was misused in the same way to indicate that the person had not argued rather than that they had not allowed any argument to sway them.

Another weird misuse of English is when Will thinks that Julianne's brother is saying that Will was not good enough for Julianne. But in fact that is not what this sentence actually says.

Will tried not to cringe. Apparently, even the duplicitous sister of a con-man senator wasn't good enough for a boy from the Seaside Vista Trailer Park.

What this sentence actually says is that she is not good enough for him. All through this book we've been told about the chip on Will's shoulder about his background and how he thinks everyone looks down on him. So I know that's what the author meant, but that's not what she said.

I don't mind the occasional typo but actual misuse of English does not get a pass from me.

So leaving aside these irritating issues, how was the book? Pretty decent and readable. Some good images of the hero's relationship with the baby. He was very young but wasn't just one of those plot device babies that sleep all the time so the hero and heroine can get it on. Some of the stuff on the football crime was interesting and well thought out. There was quite a bit of lack of communication that seemed a bit ridiculous. And did anyone else find the whole she called out another man's name during sex kind of OTT? I would have understood if she and Nicky had been lovers but as it was it seemed just something to keep them apart. The end had a bit of a deus ex machina feel to it. But all in all I enjoyed it and might try others in the series.
… (més)

Though this is book 3 in the ‘Out of Bounds’ series, it is my first read in the series. I don’t read a lot of football romances, but I had fun with this one. Previous books in the series were referenced, but I had no problem reading this one as a standalone. Nevertheless, the characters are simply wonderful, begging me to play catch up and read their stories. This is Brody and Shay’s story. He is a bit of a spoiled entitled football star and Shay has had to work for every little thing in her life. When she happens on to a secret about his health, he blackmails her into helping him keep it a secret. He doesn’t trust her but finds himself grudgingly admiring her. Of course, she fits perfectly into his life and while that would be nice for her, she has obligations.

At first, I really didn’t like either of them; he was a manchild and she was seriously uptight. Their progression warmed me to them and it wasn’t long before I was rooting for them to succeed. The evil blogger is such a great plot device. I eagerly soaked up her vile gossip, while simultaneously wanting to sit on her and pull her hair until she cries (if it is even a she). I will admit I did eventually hit on the identity of the mole, but the several red-herrings throughout led me astray each time. So frustrating and fun. Great Story. Yeah, I will be reading the rest of the series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
.… (més)