Welcome to Fallbrook.
Jennifer Ryan introduces you to the rowdy men known as the McBrides: Brody, Owen and Dylan.
The black sheep of Fallbrook is back . . . and he's in for the surprise of his life.
Former bad boy, now-decorated Army Ranger Brody McBride is home and on a mission: Find the woman he never should have left behind and right the wrong he did eight years ago.
When the man she loved broke her heart and skipped town, Rain Evans picked up the pieces. But along with heartbreak, Brody left her something infinitely better than she could have imagined: two beautiful daughters. One she gave birth to, and the other she rescued from the woman who helped destroy her relationship with Brody.
Brody is shocked to discover he's a father, and he's more determined than ever to win back Rain and protect his girls. Can they rekindle the love they once shared and become the family they were always meant to be? Or will a danger from their past return and ruin everything?
****FOUR STARS for The Return of Brody McBride****
Man on man. I saw the cover, and I knew I was gonna love this book. This lady loves her a down home country love story. I did NOT expect the depth this story would have with each turn of the page. Jennifer Ryan weaves this amazing story of friendship and family. When meeting Brody in this first installment, you know he never stopped loving his first love, Rain. Raised in a household that never allowed him to feel worthy of anything good, he knew Rain would leave - so he left first. Unknowingly, he left more than Rain behind.
The tension between Brody and his brother, Owen was real. This wasn't sugar coated and easily forgotten. My favorite part is once they worked to get past the tension, Owen and Brody continued to tease and test it. Just like brothers would.
"Why does he constantly do that?" Brody asked through his teeth.
"Before you came back, he did it because he loves me and wanted me to know he cared." Her eyes when soft as she glanced at Owen gathering up the girls.
"Now that I'm back?" Brody asked, knowing he wouldn't like the answer.
Her eyes met his and the corner of her mouth turned up. "Just to piss you off, because you've made it clear you don't like him being affectionate toward me."
Second chance at love seems to be my favorite troupe lately. Something about the stories from the past that just makes it so much better. I thought the "secret babies" would throw me off because I do not condone hiding kids, but this situation was different. Rain made attempts, and after no luck - she continued her life to protect her girls.
While you love learning about them McBride's, I can't pass up telling you that Rain and Pops are my favorite! Rain is so strong, and the epitome of what a mother should be. She loves her girls with everything she has. Her father was such a great example. Clearly she wasn't raised with tiara's and tutu's and even now, she is one hell of a mechanic. Pops is Pops. Such a dad. Rain and her dad have such an incredible relationship full of sass. (Side note: that is how my Dad and I are, which might be why I feel so close to these two!)
"Well, aren't you just full of love and wisdom this morning? What's you stir your coffee with, Cupid's arrow?"
My other favorite line about Pops is when Owen called him after Brody's accident with the truck.
"He hopes you'll be a hundred percent when you come to get the truck...so he can kill you," Owen finished around a bite of chili.
Pops has anger towards Brody for how he left Fallbrook, but he knows his daughter never stopped loving the man who caused such pain and helped create two beautiful girls. Everything from the unfolding of the story to the instant love he felt for his girls felt real. Jennifer created a world where it didn't feel like I was reading BUT experiencing it firsthand. Without giving away any more of the story, what you will find in Brody and Rain's story is: a wonderful re-kindling of a relationship, the kind of parental love every child deserves, supporting characters who you pray that she will write about, a brother who steps up to the plate for his brother while most wouldn't, a crazy night at a bar that changed everyone's life, and a warm feeling that will stay in your heart long after you return THE END of Brody's book.
***
The McBrides of Fallbrook return with reformed bad boy Owen. He'll do whatever he must to protect the woman who's captured his heart.
Attorney by day, rancher by night Owen McBride conquered his dark past and made it his mission to help the innocent-even at the expense of a personal life. But when a client's abusive ex-husband targets Owen and his gorgeous neighbor Claire gets caught in the crossfire, his feelings turn anything but professional. The mysterious beauty awakens something in him, and he'll move heaven and earth to keep her safe.
Coffee shop owner Claire Walsh learned the hard way that handsome men aren't to be trusted. Owen may be sexy as hell and determined to take care of her, but she's reluctant to put her heart on the line. His presence in her life puts a target on her back, yet the more time she spends with him, the more she finds she can't help falling for Owen.
*****FIVE STARS for Falling For Owen*****
I quickly picked up Owen's book after falling hard for him in the first installment. Owen showed his dedication to family and just about all of his good guy cards while Brody and Rain found their way back to each other. You can see, I was ecstatic to find Owen had his own 395 pages. *Insert Fangirl Squeal Here*
A misunderstanding of huge proportions brings an unwanted guest to Claire's door. Before she knows it her life is flooded with McBrides from the town sheriff, Dylan to the intended person of attack, Owen. (No fear ladies, Brody returns the favor to Owen this book by watching out for Claire too!)
"You're very kind, Mr. McBride, but it's not necessary. I'm sure I can find my own way home."
"My name is Owen. Use it," he pressed gently. "Get used to me hanging around. Until they find and lock up Dale, I'm not taking any chances he comes back to hurt you again. Besides, someone needs to help you clean up this place."
See? He keeps showing them damn good guy cards, and I am collecting them like a nerd. I adore one particular part of this story where Brody is giving Owen a hard time about Claire. "Got your girl squared away?" Brody asked when he stepped out onto the back patio. And then you have the moment when Brody & Rain crash his date with Claire. Oh man. Seeing Brody happy and silly makes me happy. "I promised Rain a nice dinner out. Messing with you is a bonus."
Lately, Romance has been all about one person winning the other person over - and don't get me wrong... I love a good story where one party won't admit to the obvious feelings that we are reading. Silly woman, you know you love that biker/billionaire/English cowboy/rodeo guy.... you get it? Well, Claire fights it a little... but this story was more about Owen and Claire fighting against all the crazy around them. It was a nice change of pace. At first, I was like wait... what did she just say? "I am interested," she said more boldly than she actually felt. But trust me when I tell you that even though they gave in early on, this was one bumpy (and fun!) ride.
Jennifer wrote Owen so well. In the first book, you met Owen the Uncle. Protective and fiercely loved his family. You still get to see and love that man. But, here you dive in deeper. You meet the professional lawyer, the approachable baseball coach and the hotter than an Mississippi summer rancher.
"You know, I never truly appreciated baseball until now. You look really good."
He chuckled. "I was wearing a suit yesterday." Which he thought she'd prefer to his backwards baseball cap, T-Shirt (THIS WAS THE BEST MISSED TYPO EVER... I GIGGLED LIKE A KID! WANNA KNOW? BUY THE E-BOOK!) , catcher's pads, sweat pants, and tennis shoes.
"Yes, and you were very handsome and professional. This... I don't know, you seem more approachable and fun."
"Well, by all means, approach and have fun. I'm all yours," he teased.
I don't want to tell you any more! And yet I want to read this book aloud to you. It was so good. So, you get a list from me of some of the awesome things you will find:
- McBride brothers buying rings together.
- A whole bunch of cats, one named Pumpkin
- Owen proposing before Brody. (And Rain's funny reaction!)
- A different side of Dylan, which is good because I wasn't a fan in Brody's story. That will show me to judge a book by it's cover.
- Owen's sweet ways of calming Claire down.
Man, Jennifer. Fallbrook has their hands full with all them McBrides. Add their kids - I see another generation of hell-raising fun!
***
There's a new sheriff in Fallbrook … Meet Dylan McBride.
Jessie Thompson had one hell of a week. Dylan McBride, the boy she loved, skipped town without a word. Then her drunk of a father tried to kill her, and she fled Fallbrook, vowing never to return.
Eight years later, her father is dead, and Jessie reluctantly goes home—only to come face-to-face with the man who shattered her heart. A man who, for nearly a decade, believed she was dead.
Dylan accepted the position as sheriff of Fallbrook looking for a fresh start and a chance to uncover the truth about Jessie's disappearance. He knew he'd have to face a few ghosts … he just never thought one would be Jessie, all grown up, stunning … and alive.
The pull between them is instant, but Dylan's heart has already mourned Jessie, and she has secrets she can never share. Can they escape the darkness of their past for a chance at a bright future together?
***I received this book in exchange for an honest review***
****EASY FOUR STARS for Dylan's Redemption****
Another second chance romance from the McBride's. Dylan and Jessie fell hard for each other in high school. Wasn't the perfect situation, but for them - it was real.
"I needed a break from all the whispers and snide remarks. They're taking bets on what I have on you. How in the world did the Queen of Geeks get the most popular everything to ask her out?"
Eight years passed since the last time they have seen each other. Dylan left without another word, and Jessie was presumed dead. With the death of her father, she heads back into Fallbrook to handle his final arrangements, shake her brother out of his funk and face her demons, also known as Dylan McBride - the newest sheriff.
Here is a few things you need to know about me:
1) I am a highlighting fool.
2) I love quotes.
3) I devoured this book so quickly, I only highlighted FIVE.
Dylan and Jessie's story could so easily be a Lifetime movie. I love Dylan's reaction when he lays eyes on Jessie for the first time in 8 years after thinking she died. After a gasp and the realization that he was not staring at her ghost, he quickly scans her hand for a wedding ring. This man means business.
Add Dylan's sweet son, and you are a goner.
"You've got your work cut out for you. She's afraid of being hurt again. Good luck knocking down all her walls."
"I plan on bulldozing them to the ground."
"I want to ride on the bulldozer," Will cheered.
"It's you and me all the way, buddy."
Dylan's story had so many layers to it. You met Will before, but didn't know his story. You met Dylan before, but didn't understand the childhood he endured. It reminds me of that saying about walking in someone else's shoes. I saw Dylan through the eyes or Owen and Brody. Dylan had it all - well off financially, popular and his parents were sober. What we didn't see is that he didn't have the chance to find his place in the world. He was living his own personal hell and had to get away. Reading Dylan's Redemption felt like I was meeting him for the very first time.
Jessie's story was a heart breaking one. I've said it before, and I will stand by my statement. Jennifer doesn't just write a book, she writes you into the world. Right along with Dylan, it killed me that I didn't see all the warning signs of the abuse as a child. My heart ache for her brother as he got his life back together. I wanted to pick up and hold Will with everything he encountered during his journey of picking his Momma. I felt the sting of jealously Dylan felt seeing Jessie with her other family as well as the sense of relief that someone was there to care for her. Finally, I wanted to smack Momma McBride across her smug face.
Before I leave you to go buy these incredible books, I want to share a few of my favorite lines:
"She's my mommy. Okay, Daddy?"
"Are you here officially, Sheriff?" Dr. Williamson eyed his badge and gun at his hip.
"No," Dylan said tightly.
"You're going to break all the hospital rules to get to Jessie, aren't you?"
"I'm glad we understand each other, Doctor."
"Do you want some more drugs?"
"Let's leave a few brain cells," she said sarcastically.
He smiled. "There's a little bit of my Jess...."
FANS OF THIS SERIES ALREADY? Comment below as to who your favorite McBride was?!?
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