I haven't read the previous volume yet but it didn't stop me from enjoying this one. I choose this book for the Alaska setting. We may not see lots of landscape but it got the small town vibe that I like. I adored the history of the town of Hard Luck and the O'Halloran family's at the beginning. It can be a little over the top at time, maybe it's because it's short stories, but I didn't mind.
Falling for him : 4 star
Mariah is a klutz when her boss is near. Christian O'Halloran is exasperated because she lose things and ruin his coffee every morning. He act like a grumpy bear but it didn't stop her from falling for him. Clueless about being, in a manner of speaking, responsible for her clumsiness, it's almost funny how rude he can be.
The O'Halloran brothers own and operate a bush-plane business, and when Christian fly her in Anchorage for her vacation, a kiss will let him confuse. He may be hard to follow, he change his mind too quickly, but it's amusing to see him trying to find all kind of excuse to deny what he really feels.
Ending in marriage : 3.5 star
Ever since she met Duke Porter, one of the pilot at Midnight Sons, she couldn't stand him and his archaic vision of women.
Ever since he met Tracy Santiago, an attorney from Seattle who came to make sure there's nothing crooked about the contract in Hard Luck, he takes great delight in shocking her on purpose.
There's only one thing that can change their opinion on the other : a life-threatening experience.
I always liked the nemesis plot, but it's not always like I want it to be. I enjoyed the first part of the story. But Tracy sudden desire to marry and abandon her life in Seattle for Duke so fast did not seem plausible with the image and attitude of the character the author presented us at the beginning. In the end, I didn't really believe in them as a couple.
Fortunately, there was a second romance with Ben and his new cook, Mary, that even if it was quick too, was more satisfying. When you want a good meal, a good coffee and advices, you go to Ben Hamilton's café. A wise man when it comes to guide the townsfolk, the elder will met his match.
Midnight sons and daughters : 2 star
Scott O'Halloran and Chrissie Harris know each other since they were kids. They thought they would marry eventually, but adolescence happened, Scott had a couple of hard knock and he broke Chrissie's heart twice. First in enroling in the Army and the second time when he didn't tell her right away he have a fiancé when they were about to resume their relationship.
Now Scott is back for good in Hard Luck to work at Midnight Sons and maybe work things out with Chrissie.
In his youth, Scott was quite the matchmaker and helped the men with his advices. That's why I don't understand what happened to make his own lovelife a mess and how he's not romantic at all. It's fun that those couple intended to reciprocate with the matchmaking and it give us the opportunity to revisit all the couples.
I'm so disappointed by Scott and Chrissie romance. But especially by the hero. He should have listen to his own advices. It's like it was not that big of a deal that he hided a fiancé. He didn't fight for Chrissie at the time, and he still didn't fight for her now, so that's why this story didn't work for me.