Title: Every Little Kiss
Author: Marina Adair
Series: Sequoia Lake #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel
Available: Now
There’s nothing that single mom Liv Preston won’t do if it means making her six-year-old son smile again. After a heartbreaking two years, her little family is due for some fun in the sun. She just didn’t expect to find it in the big, rugged, Search and Rescue hero next door—who shows her just how exciting, and sexy, life’s adventures can be.
As head of Reno’s K-9 search division, Ford Jamison knows what it takes to make life-and-death decisions on the fly. He doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t do regrets, and has never doubted his instincts—until he makes a promise that turns his world upside down. Desperate for redemption, he returns to Sequoia Lake, only to find himself face-to-face with his past…and the one woman he can’t have. Not when his secret would destroy her—and everything she holds dear.
For Liv, finding love once was a gift. Finding it twice seems impossible, until the moment Ford’s lips meet hers. Love doesn’t always come easy, but when it’s right, it’s worth fighting for…
Source: ARC from Montlake Romance via NetGalley
This is a classic Marina Adair romance – small town setting with a close-knit community, complete with a gaggle of high-spirited old ladies, unbreakable friendships, a strong female lead who might have taken a few knocks in life but is willing to fight on regardless and a protective hero, preferably with a rescue background. This book has all of that and more in another easy, enjoyable romance from an author who rarely lets me down.
And she doesn’t this time. Largely thanks to Liv, a young widow with a vulnerable son. It’s been two years since the accident that killed her husband and left her son with selective mutism, but she’s made a whole new life for herself and Paxton, doing everything she can to ensure her son grows up loved and surrounded by those who knew his father. Sure, things are still tough, not least because Paxton’s grandmother doesn’t seem to want to understand what her son is going through and Liv is constantly worried about how lonely he seems, but they are making progress.
I really liked Liv. She’s hard working and caring and determined and so strong. I wanted all the best things for her.
Most of the time Ford fit the bill. He’s gorgeous and understanding, good with Paxton, makes her feel desirable and genuinely seems to care about Liv. He also has the most adorable rescue dog, Bullseye, who I wish we’d seen a lot more of. That dog stole every scene he was in and I would have loved to have seen more of him and Ford actually at work. Bullseye aside, Ford and Liv make a great team and it was easy to see why they were drawn to each other.
However, Ford keeps his secret for far too long. There is no excuse for it and makes him seem incredibly weak. Even his daddy issues didn’t really explain why he holds back, especially when he has plenty of good opportunities to come clean and explain. And this is a massive shame, because secret aside, I really liked Ford. Yet the longer the secret went on, the more annoyed with him I got and the less I enjoyed the romance. This wasn’t made any better when everything does come out right at the end and gets cleared up far too quickly.
So it’s not perfect, but if you’re feeling in a forgiving frame of mind, it’s still well worth a read. The characters (secrets aside) are likeable, the setting is charming and the romance is enjoyable with a nice touch of heat. In all I liked it, if not as much as others by this author, and I’ll definitely be looking out for the next one.
Every Little Kiss is Out Now.
Visit Marina Adair for more details.
