Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Destiny
Format: Paperback; 368 pages
Publisher: Avon (October 25, 2016)
ISBN-10: 006239259X
ISBN-13: 978-0062392596
Author's Website: http://www.toniblake.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating. Please note that as I read and ARC and quotes are subject to change, they will need to be checked and verified against the final version.
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Shane Dalton was about to get a fresh start on life. His father had died of cancer, and he had a new job waiting for him in Miami. Before his father passed, he told him there was something for him in the small town of Destiny, Ohio. So on his way to Miami he took a detour to find out what his father was talking about. He had only planned to stay a short while, but an accident leaves him stranded on the outskirts of the tiny town at the doorstep of Candice Sheridan, a sweet and sexy young woman, who makes him wonder if staying in the small town would be all that bad...
Candice Sheridan knows trouble when she sees it and Shane looks to be a whole lot of it. While she knows he'll only be in town for a short while, she keeps finding herself gravitating towards him. Trouble is the last things she needs, but as she gets to know the man she once thought of as tall, dark, and scary (in an oh so hot and sexy kind of way) she finds she might be willing to take a chance on him...
"The truth is that I'd like to do more than kiss you."
He'd just said it. That plain. Like it was nothing.
"But you're trouble?" she asked. (...)
"Been on Santa's naughty list my whole life." And ended with another wink.
Shane's been told his whole life he's bad news and he believes it. When he comes to Destiny he's not looking to do anything other than honor his father's dying wish. Destiny, however, holds more for him than he or his father could ever have imagined. For years Shane and his father seemed to go from city to city, never really settling down. They never had a place they truly considered home. So it was easy to uproot and move after his father's death because there was nothing tying him down. Destiny, however, is the type of small town most believe only exists in Hallmark specials and in eras gone by. Everyone knows and looks out for each other, and it might just hold everything Shane never knew he always wanted.
Candice has lived her whole life in Destiny. The last relationship she was in ended badly, and she's not looking to repeat the experience. Shane seems to be all that her ex was and then some. While the relationship ended five years ago, she hasn't dated anyone since. Though Shane claims to be trouble with a capital 'T', she sees a side of him that makes her think his bark may be worse than his bite, and decides to take a chance on him.
Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. The story had a nice pace with characters that leapt to life on the pages, While the story was at times predictable, it left me with the warm fuzzy feeling of coming home. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. Oh, and if you're wondering how this story relates to 'It's a Wonderful Life', it's not so much in the story line, but more in spirit. The main character comes to the realize he's not as bad as he once believed himself to be. A truly lovely story that is perfect for the holiday season.
Order of the Destiny series:
Great review! I haven't read the series yet, but plan to. Glad you can read out of order!
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