Series: A Family in Paradise (Book 3)
It's time to get her life back
Lilah Bell
isn't asking for much-just a normal life. A future that's different from
her shadowed, traumatic past. Maybe even a chance to start over.
Instead, all she gets is the suffocating attention of her overprotective
sisters, who seem to be waiting for her to break again. They don't get
that helping save her family's beautiful Virgin Islands resort is
definitely a challenge she can handle. But what she can't handle is a
serious relationship with carefree visitor Justin Cales. After all,
wanting a man who isn't planning to stick around isn't smart.
Problem
is, falling for Justin is too easy. And now life is more complicated
than ever. When the truth unravels, they'll either be brought together
in unexpected ways...or torn apart for good.
Very good, very emotional story. Lilah is still trying to get herself back together after her breakdown last summer. She feels like she is doing pretty well, but her sisters just won't stop watching her. Justin is on the island for a last hurrah before being forced to become a productive adult. He has been an irresponsible playboy and his father has had enough. Justin isn't happy about it, but decides to live it up while he can. He is floored by Lilah when he sees her and wants her. They have an immediate attraction that they act on, but Lilah has no intention of getting involved with him. She doesn't need that kind of stress and he isn't staying long anyway. But he makes her feel good and she finds herself falling for him anyway. Lilah's biggest fear is that she will fail at something she does and that it will send her back into the depression that nearly killed her. She also has some serious self esteem issues, especially when it comes to her art. Justin can't stay away from Lilah. There is something about her that makes him want to be better than he has been. When his reputation catches up with him she pulls away and he leaves the island, going home to take up the political life his father wants him to have. Justin finds that he actually likes what he's doing and begins to repair his relationship with his father and live up to his potential. But he also can't forget Lilah and when he gets a break, goes back to see her. Lilah is hiding a couple secrets that really throw him for a loop, but eventually bring out the best in him. I loved the way that he stood up to his father and refused to walk away from Lilah. I also really liked Justin's mom. She seemed pretty weak at the beginning of the book, but her true strength showed up at the end when she helped Justin and Lilah.
Series: A Family in Paradise (Book 2)
If Lindy Bell had her way, she'd still be in
L.A., partying and angling for her next acting job. But a crisis at the
family's resort has surfaced, and who can ignore the call of duty?
Still, duty would be easier to take if she didn't have a bratty kid
making trouble. Too bad the dad, Gabe Weston, can't seem to put down his
phone long enough to see his daughter needs his attention.
When Lindy points out to Gabe the error of his ways, sparks fly and she
has his undivided attention. Unexpectedly, the three of them -- Lindy,
Gabe and his daughter -- bond in a serious way. Such a serious way, in
fact, that Lindy may be auditioning for a new role she never considered
before…
Very good book. There was a lot going on in this book. When they met, Lindy was dealing with a mess caused by Gabe's daughter. She was furious at what she saw as bratty behavior, and disgusted at Gabe's apparent obliviousness. When she finds out that his wife had passed away, she begins to understand Carys's actions. Her understanding helps Carys, but Gabe doesn't really want Carys hanging around someone like Lindy. They find that they have a serious attraction to each other, but try not to give in to it. As Lindy points out that Carys's actions are a cry for attention, they start spending time together to help Carys and Gabe renew their bond. Lindy and Gabe enjoy their time together, but feel that there is no future in it. I liked Lindy, Gabe and Carys. Lindy had come home to help at the resort, but resented being away from LA and it rather showed in her attitude. She felt that being away would be detrimental to her career. She also couldn't understand a dad who was so wrapped up in his business even on vacation that he couldn't spend some time with his child. She also was dealing with worry over her grandfather, who was suffering from dementia, and the financial condition of the resort. Her twin sister was also behaving oddly and Lindy was unable to get her to talk about it. She found herself falling for Gabe, but couldn't see any way that a relationship between them would work out. When he made unpleasant remarks about her career she was furious and hurt and walked away from their relationship. Gabe was still trying to deal with the loss of his wife and becoming a single dad. He couldn't understand how Carys had gone from a sweet child to a monster and didn't know how to fix it. At first he resented Lindy's interference, but soon realized that she was having a good influence. He didn't want to be attracted to Lindy. He felt he had no time to have a relationship with a woman because of his business and taking care of Carys. He also found that he couldn't stop wanting to be with her. When their big fight happened he and Carys went home, but missed her terribly. It took a few weeks and some soul searching on their parts, but I liked the way things worked out and am really looking forward to Lilah's story.
