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Veterans of Silver Ridge #1
Made for You
My Gram is the only family I have left, so when she asked for my help, I came running. Besides, a fresh start in her small town after blowing up my entire life seemed like the logical solution instead of wallowing in jobless misery for the rest of measurable time. But then Gram’s next-door neighbor turns out to be the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen, and my calculations show I just made a huge mistake. Being captivated by Bruce Camden is not part of my plan—even if he is a retired special ops soldier with a penchant for shirtless wood-chopping. Thankfully, Bruce finds a way to draw a line we can’t cross. Working for his private security company may be the answer to one of my problems, and it means we have a legitimate reason to keep our distance despite the blazing chemistry between us. But seeing how seriously he takes his role as his younger sister’s guardian only heightens the pull he has on me, and before I know it, I’m doomed. There’s no mathematical proof to solve and find x for what comes next. The man is chopping down my walls left and right, but when disaster strikes in a big way, where will we be when the dust settles?
Made for You is the first book in the Veterans of Silver Ridge series. It features mild language, light suspense elements, and implied intimacy/closed door heat.
Made for You is the first book in the Veterans of Silver Ridge series. It features mild language, light suspense elements, and implied intimacy/closed door heat.
324 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2023
579 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 13, 2023
This is my first Claire Cain book and it was very, very enjoyable.
Nikki loses everything and comes to her great-aunt Rosie's house to get back on her feet. I love how she recognizes right from the start that they might not see eye-to-eye on things when Rosie is caught watching her neighbor out the window and comments that he's adorable. Nikki, on the other hand, sees Bruce quite differently. "That man? Dangerous. Lethal. Potentially hazardous."
There are a few layers to this story that made it divine. Not only is there an insta-attraction between Nikki and Bruce that fairly sizzles off the pages, but there is a hint of suspense, a single parent of sorts situation, and some pretty big feelings to navigate.
It was nice to see characters interacting and working through issues, while steering through the waters of a new relationship. I loved the friendships and the small-town vibe and really enjoyed the overall feeling of this sweet, closed door romance.
Content/TW: mild+ romance (kissing, make outs, fade-to-black); mild perilous situation; (off page) talk of foster care, parent neglect, death
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Nikki loses everything and comes to her great-aunt Rosie's house to get back on her feet. I love how she recognizes right from the start that they might not see eye-to-eye on things when Rosie is caught watching her neighbor out the window and comments that he's adorable. Nikki, on the other hand, sees Bruce quite differently. "That man? Dangerous. Lethal. Potentially hazardous."
There are a few layers to this story that made it divine. Not only is there an insta-attraction between Nikki and Bruce that fairly sizzles off the pages, but there is a hint of suspense, a single parent of sorts situation, and some pretty big feelings to navigate.
It was nice to see characters interacting and working through issues, while steering through the waters of a new relationship. I loved the friendships and the small-town vibe and really enjoyed the overall feeling of this sweet, closed door romance.
Content/TW: mild+ romance (kissing, make outs, fade-to-black); mild perilous situation; (off page) talk of foster care, parent neglect, death
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*
February 18, 2025
Content: Premarital sexual relations implied between main characters, nothing on page
October 13, 2023
4.75 stars
My very first ARC! So exciting!
Okay, where to start?
Firstly, I’ll admit it took some patience to get into the story, but it really payed off when I started to see Bruce’s affection towards Nikki.
Whenever he would be physically affectionate towards her, I would either swoon, or need to take a moment to process how hot he is.
I love that he always wants an emotional connection with her especially when he hugs her. I adore hugs, so Bruce is my spirit animal. After the make out scene in the kitchen was interrupted, I paused after and imagined that a hug would be the thing I would want to happen next—and then it did! I was literally so happy that the scene did what I wanted it to lol.
“She wasn’t all that much shorter than me, but the counter had provided a nice boost, and having her feet on the ground made me wish I could hug her.
Wait. I could hug her. I needed that closeness after the… well, after the closeness.”
I literally felt the exact same way.
Let’s just say that Claire Cain fluently speaks my love language.
“I waited, ready for whatever she was going to tell me. Ready to slide my hand into her hair and hold her by her ponytail, steer her mouth to mine, and devour her.”
I’m pretty sure I fanned myself the first time I read this.
😩I wanna be kissed the way Bruce kisses Nikki.
And last but definitely not least…
“I hadn’t expected Nikki to answer the door so quickly, but when she did, the rapid beat of my heart gunned it through the floorboard.
“You’re gorgeous.”
She laughed, her smile radiant. “Aren’t you supposed to say something like, ‘Nice to see you’?”
With a hand on the doorframe, I leaned in. “That’d be a pretty severe understatement.”
Altogether this was a pleasant read, with lots of chemistry(no pun intended), sweet and emotional moments, and some good laughs along the way, which is a wonderful equation(haha I’m so funny) for a sweet closed door romance. Don’t you think?
Much thanks to the author!
My very first ARC! So exciting!
Okay, where to start?
Firstly, I’ll admit it took some patience to get into the story, but it really payed off when I started to see Bruce’s affection towards Nikki.
Whenever he would be physically affectionate towards her, I would either swoon, or need to take a moment to process how hot he is.
I love that he always wants an emotional connection with her especially when he hugs her. I adore hugs, so Bruce is my spirit animal. After the make out scene in the kitchen was interrupted, I paused after and imagined that a hug would be the thing I would want to happen next—and then it did! I was literally so happy that the scene did what I wanted it to lol.
“She wasn’t all that much shorter than me, but the counter had provided a nice boost, and having her feet on the ground made me wish I could hug her.
Wait. I could hug her. I needed that closeness after the… well, after the closeness.”
I literally felt the exact same way.
Let’s just say that Claire Cain fluently speaks my love language.
“I waited, ready for whatever she was going to tell me. Ready to slide my hand into her hair and hold her by her ponytail, steer her mouth to mine, and devour her.”
I’m pretty sure I fanned myself the first time I read this.
😩I wanna be kissed the way Bruce kisses Nikki.
And last but definitely not least…
“I hadn’t expected Nikki to answer the door so quickly, but when she did, the rapid beat of my heart gunned it through the floorboard.
“You’re gorgeous.”
She laughed, her smile radiant. “Aren’t you supposed to say something like, ‘Nice to see you’?”
With a hand on the doorframe, I leaned in. “That’d be a pretty severe understatement.”
Altogether this was a pleasant read, with lots of chemistry(no pun intended), sweet and emotional moments, and some good laughs along the way, which is a wonderful equation(haha I’m so funny) for a sweet closed door romance. Don’t you think?
Much thanks to the author!
October 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, though it's no surprise, because I've enjoyed all of Claire Cain's books. What I loved about this one was the math-genius heroine and the veteran-turned-guardian to younger sister hero. And the epilogue lets me know book #2 has one of my favorite tropes so I'm super excited for this series.
October 10, 2023
“The problem with this heart of mine was that once someone owned it, they owned it. I didn’t give it all that freely, but once given, I’d never have it back.”
It’s always a great day when Claire Cain releases a new book, and I couldn’t love this one more!
Bruce Camden is the perfect book boyfriend! He’s a retired special ops soldier, gorgeous, caring, and incredibly protective. He’s an amazing brother and guardian to his younger sister Kiley.
He’s dated a lot but never given his heart away, until Nikki. When they meet, he knows that she’s it for him. I loved how he was all in with her, and so open about his feelings. No game playing and no miscommunication.
Nikki had a rough upbringing, living many years in foster care, until Gram found her. She’s got some emotional scars, but she knows that in Bruce she’s found someone who will “stick.”
Gram and Kiley are fabulous secondary characters! Gram is a hoot—an unapologetic matchmaker, and she has no qualms about admiring Bruce as he frequently chops wood without a shirt on.
Kiley’s teen voice and angst was spot on—she’s tough and yet vulnerable, and so likable.
The romance between Nikki and Bruce was swoon-worthy. Their connection, the intensity of their feelings, and the obvious way they were made for each other leaps from the pages. There were several parts I had to reread—it was JUST SO GOOD!!
This is book one in the Veterans of Silver Ridge Series, and one I highly recommend!
Read if you like:
🩷 Smart writing
🩷 He falls first
🩷 Small town romance
🩷 Next door neighbors
🩷 Meddling grandmas
🩷 Workplace
🩷 She’s a math genius
🩷 He’s a book/lit nerd
🩷 Supportive friend groups
🩷 Closed door but lots of sizzle
🩷 HEA
It’s always a great day when Claire Cain releases a new book, and I couldn’t love this one more!
Bruce Camden is the perfect book boyfriend! He’s a retired special ops soldier, gorgeous, caring, and incredibly protective. He’s an amazing brother and guardian to his younger sister Kiley.
He’s dated a lot but never given his heart away, until Nikki. When they meet, he knows that she’s it for him. I loved how he was all in with her, and so open about his feelings. No game playing and no miscommunication.
Nikki had a rough upbringing, living many years in foster care, until Gram found her. She’s got some emotional scars, but she knows that in Bruce she’s found someone who will “stick.”
Gram and Kiley are fabulous secondary characters! Gram is a hoot—an unapologetic matchmaker, and she has no qualms about admiring Bruce as he frequently chops wood without a shirt on.
Kiley’s teen voice and angst was spot on—she’s tough and yet vulnerable, and so likable.
The romance between Nikki and Bruce was swoon-worthy. Their connection, the intensity of their feelings, and the obvious way they were made for each other leaps from the pages. There were several parts I had to reread—it was JUST SO GOOD!!
This is book one in the Veterans of Silver Ridge Series, and one I highly recommend!
Read if you like:
🩷 Smart writing
🩷 He falls first
🩷 Small town romance
🩷 Next door neighbors
🩷 Meddling grandmas
🩷 Workplace
🩷 She’s a math genius
🩷 He’s a book/lit nerd
🩷 Supportive friend groups
🩷 Closed door but lots of sizzle
🩷 HEA
May 16, 2025
I actually read the fifth book in this series first, but have known for quite a while that I wanted to start at the beginning and read through these books. I'm so glad I went back and started with book one, Made for You.
I loved that these two characters were such adults about everything. Even though they had a few fears and worries related to their pasts that they had to work through, they handled things in such a competent way. Both Nikki and Bruce recognized that the feelings and pull that they had toward each other was unlike anything either one had experienced before. I loved the way Bruce knew that Nikki was it for him so early on, yet he was patient and so attuned to her emotional needs.
I simply loved this story from start to finish, including the wonderful epilogues. And as soon as I finished this book, I could not help myself...I started reading on book two, Safe With You, right away!
I loved that these two characters were such adults about everything. Even though they had a few fears and worries related to their pasts that they had to work through, they handled things in such a competent way. Both Nikki and Bruce recognized that the feelings and pull that they had toward each other was unlike anything either one had experienced before. I loved the way Bruce knew that Nikki was it for him so early on, yet he was patient and so attuned to her emotional needs.
I simply loved this story from start to finish, including the wonderful epilogues. And as soon as I finished this book, I could not help myself...I started reading on book two, Safe With You, right away!
January 5, 2026
Seriously, I love this series. The entire thing and each individual read. So darned good. Though, this one and book two are my favorites.
September 24, 2023
I read Made for You by Claire Cain as an ARC and devoured it in about 6 hours. It’s so exciting to start a new series by one of my favorite authors, especially when the setting is the same a number of previous series but simply expanding the universe of characters that we know and love. Bruce and Nikki are such a good pairing. And it’s wonderful how even the side characters like Kiley and Gram are fully developed. The big problem with reading the book so quickly- I need to wait at least 5-6 months before the next!
October 12, 2023
✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨
📝 Nikki returns home to Silver Ridge after her Gram asks for help. Timing couldn't be better. She's ready for a change after a devastating breakup and quitting her job. What she didn't expect was Gram's plans...starting with staring out the kitchen window each morning. Little did Nikki know, that sexy, shirtless neighbor chopping wood could be the start to something new.
Bruce may be a veteran who now runs a protection agency, but his main priority is his little sister. He's now the guardian of her. Raising a teen is tough, but not as tough as resisting his next door neighbor's granddaughter. Timing couldn't be any worse. He doesn't have time to spare. But, maybe Nikki is what he's always needed to heal his heart.
What I 🤍:
🪵 Bruce FREAKING Camden
🧮 STEM FCC (Math Genius!)
🍻 Small Town Romance
🏠🏠 Neighbors to Lovers
💕 Found Friends
💔 No Third Act Breakup
🗣️ Healthy Communication
These characters were EVERYTHING! Let's start with Nikki. She's a smart, self-reliable woman who's kind even though she's been through the foster care system. Then there's Bruce. Swoon.....He's retired from the military but also the guardian of his little sister. He's the perfect balance of a strong, protective partner with a soft, tender side. Not to mention he loves helping his elderly neighbor. And then there's Gram. The melding yet precious woman who lives her life full of color. Cain puts so much into character development, that you can't help but adore these characters. AND what's great about her books is that they will all show up again in her Silver Ridge universe.
Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Passion: 🔥🔥 (Closed Door, Kisses)
Read If ➡️: You love sweet romances, like Emma St. Claire or Jenny Proctor.
Read 📅: Anytime of Year
CW ⚠️: Alcoholism, Abuse, Foster Care, Incarceration, Adoption
If you adore sweet, small town romances, this is for you. Also, the characters are MATURE, which I appreciate. They face their obstacles yet they also communicate in a healthy way. To me, I appreciated there being more to the plot rather than a breakup at the end.
Made for You is out now! Thank you so much to Claire Cain for an ARC of this book. I absolutely adored it, and can't wait to see who's love story we read next. (🤞Please be Tristian)
📝 Nikki returns home to Silver Ridge after her Gram asks for help. Timing couldn't be better. She's ready for a change after a devastating breakup and quitting her job. What she didn't expect was Gram's plans...starting with staring out the kitchen window each morning. Little did Nikki know, that sexy, shirtless neighbor chopping wood could be the start to something new.
Bruce may be a veteran who now runs a protection agency, but his main priority is his little sister. He's now the guardian of her. Raising a teen is tough, but not as tough as resisting his next door neighbor's granddaughter. Timing couldn't be any worse. He doesn't have time to spare. But, maybe Nikki is what he's always needed to heal his heart.
What I 🤍:
🪵 Bruce FREAKING Camden
🧮 STEM FCC (Math Genius!)
🍻 Small Town Romance
🏠🏠 Neighbors to Lovers
💕 Found Friends
💔 No Third Act Breakup
🗣️ Healthy Communication
These characters were EVERYTHING! Let's start with Nikki. She's a smart, self-reliable woman who's kind even though she's been through the foster care system. Then there's Bruce. Swoon.....He's retired from the military but also the guardian of his little sister. He's the perfect balance of a strong, protective partner with a soft, tender side. Not to mention he loves helping his elderly neighbor. And then there's Gram. The melding yet precious woman who lives her life full of color. Cain puts so much into character development, that you can't help but adore these characters. AND what's great about her books is that they will all show up again in her Silver Ridge universe.
Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Passion: 🔥🔥 (Closed Door, Kisses)
Read If ➡️: You love sweet romances, like Emma St. Claire or Jenny Proctor.
Read 📅: Anytime of Year
CW ⚠️: Alcoholism, Abuse, Foster Care, Incarceration, Adoption
If you adore sweet, small town romances, this is for you. Also, the characters are MATURE, which I appreciate. They face their obstacles yet they also communicate in a healthy way. To me, I appreciated there being more to the plot rather than a breakup at the end.
Made for You is out now! Thank you so much to Claire Cain for an ARC of this book. I absolutely adored it, and can't wait to see who's love story we read next. (🤞Please be Tristian)
October 11, 2023
i read this book as an ARC and i did enjoy it. i found it really easy to read through the writing style and plot. i loved the characters in this book too, nikki was a cool mathematical queen and bruce was a hot cinnamon roll trying to do everything he can to protect his sister. plus rosie was so funny, she was such a cute and funny old lady. i really did enjoy their romance however i just could not connect to this book as much as i wanted to, however i do think it’s a really sweet closed door romance
September 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-contemporary romance
CONTENT
-🤬: 1 h
-❤️: make outs, one instance of implied intimacy between an unmarried couple (100% closed door)
-⚠️: loss of parents (past), estrangement from family members, kidnapping
I'm so glad I finally got to this book! I really enjoyed Claire's writing and getting to know Bruce and Nikki. I thought this was adorable.
Nikki was so endearingly quirky. I loved her mathematical brain, and I loved how Bruce loved that and appreciated it about her too. Nikki had a challenging childhood—losing her parents to a drunk driving accident (that they caused) and then being bounced from foster home to foster home until CPS found her great-aunt in Silverton, Utah. Now, Nikki is back in Silverton. Things are going well, and it seems that maybe this is her chance to stick somewhere.
Bruce has been out of the military/special ops for a couple of years now, and he's gained custody of his teenage sister because her parents were neglectful. He happens to live next door to Nikki's great-aunt/Gram and therefore starts seeing her regularly.
I really loved the connection between Bruce and Nikki. They complemented each other so well. Seeing them be there for each other—even when that was just physically sitting together without words—was beautiful.
I'm so excited to read the rest of this series...and I may need to go back and read Wilder and Sarah's story too.
Favorite Quotes:
-I’d never seen anything like it—never in my life had I imagined an actual person could look like that. What a sad, sorry little imagination I had, apparently.
-And Bruce took the baby with the biggest grin I’d ever seen. And I died.
-Then his eyes took on this hooded quality, and he glanced at my mouth, swaying toward me. “There you go again.”
“There I go again doing what?” I asked, my words almost a whisper. Something about him looking at me, standing so close, touching me… it’d certainly dimmed my ability to follow his thought process. “Being gravity, I guess.”
-“It’ll change things, Nik. I’m not a man who’s going to pretend I don’t want you after this, especially if I taste you now.”
-“I know we’re new, but this is different for me than—well, it’s just different. And I need you to know you’ve got me, too.”
-“I love it when you talk about stuff I don’t understand. It’s so freaking hot.”
-The odds might’ve been against us, but I think we’ve got a chance.” His large, warm hand slid along my arm and up to cradle my jaw. “We’ve got more than a chance, Nik. We’ve got each other.”
GENRE
-contemporary romance
CONTENT
-🤬: 1 h
-❤️: make outs, one instance of implied intimacy between an unmarried couple (100% closed door)
-⚠️: loss of parents (past), estrangement from family members, kidnapping
I'm so glad I finally got to this book! I really enjoyed Claire's writing and getting to know Bruce and Nikki. I thought this was adorable.
Nikki was so endearingly quirky. I loved her mathematical brain, and I loved how Bruce loved that and appreciated it about her too. Nikki had a challenging childhood—losing her parents to a drunk driving accident (that they caused) and then being bounced from foster home to foster home until CPS found her great-aunt in Silverton, Utah. Now, Nikki is back in Silverton. Things are going well, and it seems that maybe this is her chance to stick somewhere.
Bruce has been out of the military/special ops for a couple of years now, and he's gained custody of his teenage sister because her parents were neglectful. He happens to live next door to Nikki's great-aunt/Gram and therefore starts seeing her regularly.
I really loved the connection between Bruce and Nikki. They complemented each other so well. Seeing them be there for each other—even when that was just physically sitting together without words—was beautiful.
I'm so excited to read the rest of this series...and I may need to go back and read Wilder and Sarah's story too.
Favorite Quotes:
-I’d never seen anything like it—never in my life had I imagined an actual person could look like that. What a sad, sorry little imagination I had, apparently.
-And Bruce took the baby with the biggest grin I’d ever seen. And I died.
-Then his eyes took on this hooded quality, and he glanced at my mouth, swaying toward me. “There you go again.”
“There I go again doing what?” I asked, my words almost a whisper. Something about him looking at me, standing so close, touching me… it’d certainly dimmed my ability to follow his thought process. “Being gravity, I guess.”
-“It’ll change things, Nik. I’m not a man who’s going to pretend I don’t want you after this, especially if I taste you now.”
-“I know we’re new, but this is different for me than—well, it’s just different. And I need you to know you’ve got me, too.”
-“I love it when you talk about stuff I don’t understand. It’s so freaking hot.”
-The odds might’ve been against us, but I think we’ve got a chance.” His large, warm hand slid along my arm and up to cradle my jaw. “We’ve got more than a chance, Nik. We’ve got each other.”
June 15, 2025
I liked it.
I really liked the characters and I enjoyed the story! I wanted to read this book because I’ve seen the series around Bookstagram and I like the covers. I didn’t read reviews first though, so I didn’t realize the characters have premarital sex. No details are given and it is completely closed door, but I’m still disappointed that happened and that affected my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
I really liked the characters and I enjoyed the story! I wanted to read this book because I’ve seen the series around Bookstagram and I like the covers. I didn’t read reviews first though, so I didn’t realize the characters have premarital sex. No details are given and it is completely closed door, but I’m still disappointed that happened and that affected my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
October 9, 2023
Loved this book!! I loved that they communicated very well all throughout the book. Even while being a closed door romance you still felt the tension and the sexual tension too. I was really happy with the suspense that appeared in the book as well as how I related to both main characters with the issues they faced.
September 12, 2024
My first good clean, closed door romance. Was a cute read. Thoroughly enjoyed
August 17, 2025
Sweet romance with relatable experiences
March 21, 2025
This one took forever to get into. It was nice overall.
October 17, 2023
Claire Cain did it again. I was so sad to see the end of the Back to Silver Ridge series, but this one picks right up there. The characters and setting are familiar, while not overtaking the story -- it felt like I was going home. I'm so excited for the rest of this series as we get to learn more about the new characters we met in this first book.
March 26, 2025
I picked this book up at a local author signing and enjoyed it! Our characters had some depth and past traumas that made them feel realistic. I loved that Bruce cared so deeply for his younger sister who he is a guardian for, it was sweet. Nikki was new in town and I liked seeing her find new friends outside of Bruce. Overall it was good, just a little forgettable for me. I would read more from Claire Cain.
November 16, 2023
If you’re looking for a light, easy, insta-love story then this book would be a great fit for you! This was just not the book for me. It was a very cute closed-door romance but the plot was slow and I was never able to connect with the characters. Nik’s nerdiness seemed too forced with the word choices and Bruce was too unrealistic for a book that was otherwise set in a very realistic time and place. While this was not my favorite kind of book I think many other readers would definitely enjoy this!
Many thanks to Claire for an incredibly sweet note and signed copy of this giveaway. Made my day to see her personalized message ❤️
Many thanks to Claire for an incredibly sweet note and signed copy of this giveaway. Made my day to see her personalized message ❤️
May 9, 2024
This was a kindle unlimited recommendation that just did not land for me. There were waaaaaay too many characters and back stories (maybe an interconnected previous series I hadn't read?), along with a lot of cheesy lines. I just got bogged down and it took me weeks to make my way through it.
It was very clean though with a few cute characters so someone else might enjoy this.
It was very clean though with a few cute characters so someone else might enjoy this.
October 26, 2023
It was a mix of insta love but no action and a slow moving plot. Not bad but not my fave
June 30, 2024
Foi okay e nada assim de especial, no entanto, achei que o final foi super apressado e tive ali tudo ali muito condensado ali para os últimos 13% do livro.
November 14, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. It was so much more than a romance. And I wouldn’t call it a rom com. It was emotional and beautiful. The two MC deserved the soulmate love that they found with each other. The author talks a lot about finding love that “sticks”. And I find that very important especially for these characters that had such broken pasts. This book was about found family and establishing relationships with people. I loved ALL the relationships being fought for in this book. Not just the main romantic one. I loved both MC so much. I loved Nikki and her mathematical brain and Bruce and his selflessness/overall goodness. I liked learning more about the special operatives of the military even if all the characters in the book are retired. I like their Saints Security business and all that it encompasses. I’m excited to dive into more levels of it. So many memorable characters from this book. So many passages that hit me hard and made me think. I love how this author writes. The honesty and understanding in the characters is very refreshing too. The flirting was top notch and made me grin so many times. The snark from the teenager in this book made me lol. And trust me you won’t be disappointed with the kissing.
SPOILERS and book notes:
Oh my heck this book starts off with her and her great aunt Rosie (reminds me of elder Uchtdorfs great aunt rose talk!) watching Bruce cut wood with an ax with his shirt off and I’m dying bahahahaha. All I can think of is the quote from She’s the Man “he’s not a piece of meat, Olivia!” Bahaha The setting is Utah! I like nikkis mathematical brain. I like the way she thinks. I like the perfect representation of a hormonal to cool teenager who is also sweet. And she calls Bruce her brother “Boo” bc she used to call him “boos” when she was little and I just think that is so adorable. He works and owns a private security company and a vet for the Army. Bruce came over to apologize after he acted like a jerk bc he had such a bad day!!! He was a grump and he apologized. What a gentlemanly soul. Oooo I’m getting soulmate vibes and I am here for it. I love this symmetry paragraph: “Because traditional beauty was all about symmetry and the illustrious Golden Ratio—1.618 times longer than wide and perfectly proportioned in every way. And like the most basic of all people, I happened to really, really love symmetry. Not just in nature and on a handsome man’s face, but in all things. One might say all of math was about symmetry—balancing one side of an equal sign with the other. And here he was flaunting it.” Bruce goes to a book club once a month bc he loves reading. I like that Nikki uses big words. This is a great quote from our math loving Nikki about not being afraid to share your talents to serve and help people: “Sometimes, basic familiarity with a subject someone else found intimidating or confusing caused the smallest thing to expand beyond its actual value.” They attend a movie premier in an Egyptian theater made in the 1920 in Utah. (Google that). I really like the interesting way Nikki’s brain works. When she finds out that movie stars make a home in the Utah town she calculates the income and regimes and taxes that brings to the town. And stuff like that! It’s interesting that movie stars are involved in this book! Even if the town silverton is fake, I bet it was based off the real Utah town called Park City! Nikki gives Bruce some very very good advice on effort. Christ loves effort. If we are just trying daily to become a little better, a little more like him it’s ok to make mistakes! We will make mistakes! it’s where our hearts and efforts are that matters. “It doesn’t mean you won’t mess up or hurt her or make the wrong choice, even accidentally, but it does mean that your effort matters.”” I love how straight up Nikki was with her past juvi and foster care and how straight up Bruce responded with it. Aww now we have a boss/employee trope and I loooove it. Awww I love the found family of brotherhood found with his old unit in special ops in the army. They work with him now and help him when they can tell he is down. Their nicknames are the best: Jaws, Oak, Barbie, Beast, Wilder. “And Bruce took the baby with the biggest grin I’d ever seen. And I died.” I like that they want their employees to live fulll, whole lives. And not get swallowed up in just the work. They know what actually matters. “Okay, so no one needs to be unalived because they hurt you?” End of chap 16 was a fantastic first kiss. I love the discussion about how elite ops have to go through this transition of thinking themselves superhuman or exceptional, to regular dude again when they retire. They were literally trained to BE the best. Physically, mentally, and emotionally and they had all the resources to be the best. And now they have to get off their high horse and be normal. That would be hard. I looooooove the emotional discussions that Bruce has to have with his sister Ki about being unconditionally loved and WANTED. She had a hard foster home life but he is amazing. But they emotionally wreck me at the same time. But I love it too. Like I am definitely bawling. “Such a sweet little ignoramus” not understanding a concept you are working to understand does not make you an idiot. These t things make you an idiot: “The inability to learn things, especially due to thinking you know it all already. The refusal to change your mind when presented with new information. Treating people poorly because of the way they look or their background.” Oh my heck those last chapters were heart pounding. Kylie getting kidnapped and Bruce being a literal hero and rescuing her and then getting freaking stabbed. And the Rosie being in the hospital!! But the confession of love. That they both tell each other that they “deserve incredible love.” And we have teenage love with Kylie and Marcus and geriatric love with Rosie and Amir. So many ships and I love it. I love how they talk about finding love that “will stick". That is what foster kids need! Love that sticks. Nikki finds that love with Rosie, her friends, Kylie, and of course the most Bruce. And then a proposal!! I melted. Seriously the best epilogue ever. She would give him a math formula when she was ready for him to propose to her. And she slowly tortured him by giving him pieces of the formula until she gave him the last envelope! Then he immediately kneeled and proposed with a ring and I died. Aw the bonus epilogue is sooo perfect. They have a baby and him and Kylie have the best relationship. Kylie went to the UofU to stay close to family bc that is what she is prioritizing! They all chose their family. And so fiercely loyal and loving. “we could easily become ships in the night. But Bruce never let an opportunity to see me pass, and I worked to do the same.” This bonus epilogue will make you cry happy tears!!!
REREAD:
This book is about love that STICKS but isn’t STAGNATE.
Spoilers
This book is just one puddle of melting happiness. There isn’t one part or scene or person I am mad at. It’s a perfect slow burn (but also falling super fast?) with tons of communication. There isn’t hiding feelings or playing games. And it isn’t just about romantic love. It’s about family love and friends love. It’s about love that STICKS but isn’t STAGNATE. And I love that theme. This book isn’t fluffy though! It makes you feeeeeel. I definitely felt the emotion. But i definitely don’t feel gypped with the romance. It has sooo much of it.
I love nikki big words and math brain. this town of silverton is based on park city Utah. The 1920’s Egyptian theater is a theater in park city. I like that Nikki tells him about her juvi record in the job interview even though it is sealed. She wants complete trust. And she tells him the real reason she was fired: bc she found out some sketchy money stuff from the owners son. Awww Bruce I love your protectiveness and wording of it: ““Who do I need to disappear?” Disappear? ““Well, I might’ve said kill, but I’m trying to keep my word choice less violent for Kiley’s sake.” His chagrined smile made a small laugh escape me. “Why are you killing people?” He notched his chin toward my phone. “You look distressed.” I love these moments even more than the heated make outs. They just mean more to the relationship. They are what stick: “I’d never felt so much for a person so quickly, and that in itself should’ve been terrifying. Except whenever I did feel that fear edging in, he’d do something like simply hug me. Not push for more physically or even emotionally. He’d just… connect.” Gram tells her to STICK. But she should confuse sticking with the word stagnant. Yes stick with the people you love, but change everyday for the better. Bruce with his sister: I. Will. Not. Leave. You. Soooo precious. Don’t forget the bonus epilogue with so much familial happiness and babies. I love that four generations present. And that the theme is happiness comes from family and not from an Ivy League school.
SPOILERS and book notes:
Oh my heck this book starts off with her and her great aunt Rosie (reminds me of elder Uchtdorfs great aunt rose talk!) watching Bruce cut wood with an ax with his shirt off and I’m dying bahahahaha. All I can think of is the quote from She’s the Man “he’s not a piece of meat, Olivia!” Bahaha The setting is Utah! I like nikkis mathematical brain. I like the way she thinks. I like the perfect representation of a hormonal to cool teenager who is also sweet. And she calls Bruce her brother “Boo” bc she used to call him “boos” when she was little and I just think that is so adorable. He works and owns a private security company and a vet for the Army. Bruce came over to apologize after he acted like a jerk bc he had such a bad day!!! He was a grump and he apologized. What a gentlemanly soul. Oooo I’m getting soulmate vibes and I am here for it. I love this symmetry paragraph: “Because traditional beauty was all about symmetry and the illustrious Golden Ratio—1.618 times longer than wide and perfectly proportioned in every way. And like the most basic of all people, I happened to really, really love symmetry. Not just in nature and on a handsome man’s face, but in all things. One might say all of math was about symmetry—balancing one side of an equal sign with the other. And here he was flaunting it.” Bruce goes to a book club once a month bc he loves reading. I like that Nikki uses big words. This is a great quote from our math loving Nikki about not being afraid to share your talents to serve and help people: “Sometimes, basic familiarity with a subject someone else found intimidating or confusing caused the smallest thing to expand beyond its actual value.” They attend a movie premier in an Egyptian theater made in the 1920 in Utah. (Google that). I really like the interesting way Nikki’s brain works. When she finds out that movie stars make a home in the Utah town she calculates the income and regimes and taxes that brings to the town. And stuff like that! It’s interesting that movie stars are involved in this book! Even if the town silverton is fake, I bet it was based off the real Utah town called Park City! Nikki gives Bruce some very very good advice on effort. Christ loves effort. If we are just trying daily to become a little better, a little more like him it’s ok to make mistakes! We will make mistakes! it’s where our hearts and efforts are that matters. “It doesn’t mean you won’t mess up or hurt her or make the wrong choice, even accidentally, but it does mean that your effort matters.”” I love how straight up Nikki was with her past juvi and foster care and how straight up Bruce responded with it. Aww now we have a boss/employee trope and I loooove it. Awww I love the found family of brotherhood found with his old unit in special ops in the army. They work with him now and help him when they can tell he is down. Their nicknames are the best: Jaws, Oak, Barbie, Beast, Wilder. “And Bruce took the baby with the biggest grin I’d ever seen. And I died.” I like that they want their employees to live fulll, whole lives. And not get swallowed up in just the work. They know what actually matters. “Okay, so no one needs to be unalived because they hurt you?” End of chap 16 was a fantastic first kiss. I love the discussion about how elite ops have to go through this transition of thinking themselves superhuman or exceptional, to regular dude again when they retire. They were literally trained to BE the best. Physically, mentally, and emotionally and they had all the resources to be the best. And now they have to get off their high horse and be normal. That would be hard. I looooooove the emotional discussions that Bruce has to have with his sister Ki about being unconditionally loved and WANTED. She had a hard foster home life but he is amazing. But they emotionally wreck me at the same time. But I love it too. Like I am definitely bawling. “Such a sweet little ignoramus” not understanding a concept you are working to understand does not make you an idiot. These t things make you an idiot: “The inability to learn things, especially due to thinking you know it all already. The refusal to change your mind when presented with new information. Treating people poorly because of the way they look or their background.” Oh my heck those last chapters were heart pounding. Kylie getting kidnapped and Bruce being a literal hero and rescuing her and then getting freaking stabbed. And the Rosie being in the hospital!! But the confession of love. That they both tell each other that they “deserve incredible love.” And we have teenage love with Kylie and Marcus and geriatric love with Rosie and Amir. So many ships and I love it. I love how they talk about finding love that “will stick". That is what foster kids need! Love that sticks. Nikki finds that love with Rosie, her friends, Kylie, and of course the most Bruce. And then a proposal!! I melted. Seriously the best epilogue ever. She would give him a math formula when she was ready for him to propose to her. And she slowly tortured him by giving him pieces of the formula until she gave him the last envelope! Then he immediately kneeled and proposed with a ring and I died. Aw the bonus epilogue is sooo perfect. They have a baby and him and Kylie have the best relationship. Kylie went to the UofU to stay close to family bc that is what she is prioritizing! They all chose their family. And so fiercely loyal and loving. “we could easily become ships in the night. But Bruce never let an opportunity to see me pass, and I worked to do the same.” This bonus epilogue will make you cry happy tears!!!
REREAD:
This book is about love that STICKS but isn’t STAGNATE.
Spoilers
This book is just one puddle of melting happiness. There isn’t one part or scene or person I am mad at. It’s a perfect slow burn (but also falling super fast?) with tons of communication. There isn’t hiding feelings or playing games. And it isn’t just about romantic love. It’s about family love and friends love. It’s about love that STICKS but isn’t STAGNATE. And I love that theme. This book isn’t fluffy though! It makes you feeeeeel. I definitely felt the emotion. But i definitely don’t feel gypped with the romance. It has sooo much of it.
I love nikki big words and math brain. this town of silverton is based on park city Utah. The 1920’s Egyptian theater is a theater in park city. I like that Nikki tells him about her juvi record in the job interview even though it is sealed. She wants complete trust. And she tells him the real reason she was fired: bc she found out some sketchy money stuff from the owners son. Awww Bruce I love your protectiveness and wording of it: ““Who do I need to disappear?” Disappear? ““Well, I might’ve said kill, but I’m trying to keep my word choice less violent for Kiley’s sake.” His chagrined smile made a small laugh escape me. “Why are you killing people?” He notched his chin toward my phone. “You look distressed.” I love these moments even more than the heated make outs. They just mean more to the relationship. They are what stick: “I’d never felt so much for a person so quickly, and that in itself should’ve been terrifying. Except whenever I did feel that fear edging in, he’d do something like simply hug me. Not push for more physically or even emotionally. He’d just… connect.” Gram tells her to STICK. But she should confuse sticking with the word stagnant. Yes stick with the people you love, but change everyday for the better. Bruce with his sister: I. Will. Not. Leave. You. Soooo precious. Don’t forget the bonus epilogue with so much familial happiness and babies. I love that four generations present. And that the theme is happiness comes from family and not from an Ivy League school.
April 4, 2025
Actual rating 3 stars - 5 star for edit at the end
*PSA this is a review for me only and complete speculative joking so plz if ur the author don’t read this im sorry i thought ur book was great it was super cute❤️❤️❤️*
Now.
I don’t know what turn I took but all I know is I think somehow on some level I’ve just read propaganda for something somehow.
Now I don’t know who my kindle thought I was when it suggested me this book after finishing the series I read before this but alas it is what it is.
Now it didn’t hit me until I was basically almost done with the book that I think I was reading BYU Mormon propaganda. Was religion a feature in the book? No. Was there any alluding to this? No. My case is completely conjecture but HEAR ME OUT. My case:
1. In the span of 3 months the mc’s went from knowing each other to “I love you” and then engaged in the next
6. Now I know insta-insta love and I am in fact a fan of the trope but something about the way they would deeply reflect after EVERY interaction with each other was… godly.
2. The build up to alluding about “I think in the future sometime we will have sex” on a date and then in the future the “plz would u stay tonight 🥺🥺” aka coital relation planning. At first I was like “we love consent” then I was like “hmmmm this is…… godly.”
3. Sorry, apologies, my fault. They never said the word sex the only reference to the amazing lovely wonderful night was that mmc said they “made love” ONE TIME🥸 blink and you’ll miss it. Romantic? Sure. That’s what I thought too. At first. But in combination with the other points? …… godly.
4. Fmc wants to become a university teacher in mathematics. I have no proof but I bet BYU is the closest uni (objection- speculation). Need I say more? Say it with me now……. godly.
5. This story was set in UTAH need I say more?
Case closed.
So yeah idk what April fools my KU recommendations set me up for but I think some sort of subliminal messaging permeated my subconscious.
Jokes aside this was a really sweet book! My rating has nothing to do with the above and all to do with the fact that there wasn’t really a plot at all it was just blimps but all was obvs good. It was an easy pill to swallow! 😜
EDIT: NOW HOLD OWN A DANG MINUTE BECAUSE WAS I RIGHT?!
Was looking at some of the other reviews and someone who did a low review said- and I quote “Content: Premarital sexual relations implied between main characters, nothing on page” LMAOOOOOOOO IS THIS REVIEW A WARNING FOR PREMARITAL SEX?! I’m changing my rating to 5 stars bc the fact this lady DNF’d for premarital relations is hilarious and I’m a hater (to her).
*PSA this is a review for me only and complete speculative joking so plz if ur the author don’t read this im sorry i thought ur book was great it was super cute❤️❤️❤️*
Now.
I don’t know what turn I took but all I know is I think somehow on some level I’ve just read propaganda for something somehow.
Now I don’t know who my kindle thought I was when it suggested me this book after finishing the series I read before this but alas it is what it is.
Now it didn’t hit me until I was basically almost done with the book that I think I was reading BYU Mormon propaganda. Was religion a feature in the book? No. Was there any alluding to this? No. My case is completely conjecture but HEAR ME OUT. My case:
1. In the span of 3 months the mc’s went from knowing each other to “I love you” and then engaged in the next
6. Now I know insta-insta love and I am in fact a fan of the trope but something about the way they would deeply reflect after EVERY interaction with each other was… godly.
2. The build up to alluding about “I think in the future sometime we will have sex” on a date and then in the future the “plz would u stay tonight 🥺🥺” aka coital relation planning. At first I was like “we love consent” then I was like “hmmmm this is…… godly.”
3. Sorry, apologies, my fault. They never said the word sex the only reference to the amazing lovely wonderful night was that mmc said they “made love” ONE TIME🥸 blink and you’ll miss it. Romantic? Sure. That’s what I thought too. At first. But in combination with the other points? …… godly.
4. Fmc wants to become a university teacher in mathematics. I have no proof but I bet BYU is the closest uni (objection- speculation). Need I say more? Say it with me now……. godly.
5. This story was set in UTAH need I say more?
Case closed.
So yeah idk what April fools my KU recommendations set me up for but I think some sort of subliminal messaging permeated my subconscious.
Jokes aside this was a really sweet book! My rating has nothing to do with the above and all to do with the fact that there wasn’t really a plot at all it was just blimps but all was obvs good. It was an easy pill to swallow! 😜
EDIT: NOW HOLD OWN A DANG MINUTE BECAUSE WAS I RIGHT?!
Was looking at some of the other reviews and someone who did a low review said- and I quote “Content: Premarital sexual relations implied between main characters, nothing on page” LMAOOOOOOOO IS THIS REVIEW A WARNING FOR PREMARITAL SEX?! I’m changing my rating to 5 stars bc the fact this lady DNF’d for premarital relations is hilarious and I’m a hater (to her).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2023
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Nikki & Bruce’s points of view
– Bruce’s father abused him; his mother & stepfather were/are drug addicts
– Nikki grew up in foster care (parents died in an accident of their own making- alcohol/drugs)
– a character had a stroke (past event)
– the main characters have premarital sex (no details – it just says that they made love the night before & woke up next to each other)
– there is a kidnapping
Review:
While I wasn’t thrilled with the characters having premarital sex, I did appreciate that it took most of the book (about 3 months timeframe) before they did so and that the author only mentioned a few times that they ‘made love’ (or wanted to). I didn’t remove a star because of how tastefully I found it that she did it this way.
I really enjoyed getting to know Nikki, Bruce, and their friends/family! I loved how their romance developed and the added is aspect of Bruce being his younger sister’s guardian (and him trying to balance that with everything else). I found it very funny & interesting to watch Nikki’s Gram trying to set Nikki & Bruce up. She would sometimes try to pull one over on Nikki and other times practically push her at him to get her to look. 😂 I loved Bruce’s relationship with his sister and that Ki was supportive of him getting together with Nikki. I also loved the camaraderie that Bruce had with his coworkers. I loved that they were the type of people to see each other both in and out of work and push into each others’ lives when they felt that a push was necessary.
Summary:
Nikki moved in order to help care for her Gram & to make a new start after her job fell through. But her Gram appears to be well enough that she’s able to take care of herself and push Nikki at their neighbor, Bruce. Nikki didn’t want a relationship when she moved, but Bruce might unfortunately change that. That is until he gives her an excuse (flimsy as it is) as to why they can’t be together: he’ll temporarily be her boss until the job she’s more qualified for opens positions.
Bruce is focused on work and giving his sister the best home life that he can give her. Even when it means setting aside his own hopes and life dreams like getting married and having a family of his own. Which hasn’t been too much of a hardship since none of the women he’s met up to this point held his interest the way he’d want to for his wife. That is until the woman of his dreams moves in next door to care for his older neighbor…
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Nikki & Bruce’s points of view
– Bruce’s father abused him; his mother & stepfather were/are drug addicts
– Nikki grew up in foster care (parents died in an accident of their own making- alcohol/drugs)
– a character had a stroke (past event)
– the main characters have premarital sex (no details – it just says that they made love the night before & woke up next to each other)
– there is a kidnapping
Review:
While I wasn’t thrilled with the characters having premarital sex, I did appreciate that it took most of the book (about 3 months timeframe) before they did so and that the author only mentioned a few times that they ‘made love’ (or wanted to). I didn’t remove a star because of how tastefully I found it that she did it this way.
I really enjoyed getting to know Nikki, Bruce, and their friends/family! I loved how their romance developed and the added is aspect of Bruce being his younger sister’s guardian (and him trying to balance that with everything else). I found it very funny & interesting to watch Nikki’s Gram trying to set Nikki & Bruce up. She would sometimes try to pull one over on Nikki and other times practically push her at him to get her to look. 😂 I loved Bruce’s relationship with his sister and that Ki was supportive of him getting together with Nikki. I also loved the camaraderie that Bruce had with his coworkers. I loved that they were the type of people to see each other both in and out of work and push into each others’ lives when they felt that a push was necessary.
Summary:
Nikki moved in order to help care for her Gram & to make a new start after her job fell through. But her Gram appears to be well enough that she’s able to take care of herself and push Nikki at their neighbor, Bruce. Nikki didn’t want a relationship when she moved, but Bruce might unfortunately change that. That is until he gives her an excuse (flimsy as it is) as to why they can’t be together: he’ll temporarily be her boss until the job she’s more qualified for opens positions.
Bruce is focused on work and giving his sister the best home life that he can give her. Even when it means setting aside his own hopes and life dreams like getting married and having a family of his own. Which hasn’t been too much of a hardship since none of the women he’s met up to this point held his interest the way he’d want to for his wife. That is until the woman of his dreams moves in next door to care for his older neighbor…
October 12, 2023
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is the start of the Veterans of Silver Ridge Series and can be read as a standalone, though characters from the author's Back to Silver Ridge Series and Love Undercover make appearances. It may be difficult to keep up with names, especially if you haven't read the books I mentioned, but, once the plot goes further, I think it shouldn't be as difficult. The book's blurb lets you know what to expect, though be aware that abandonment, child neglect, substance abuse, and kidnapping are themes explored. Made for You is told through Bruce and Nikki's pov and is a beautiful story about two individuals who are soulmates.
Being left without a job and feeling uncertain about what her future holds makes it the perfect time for Nikki to move to Silver Ridge to help her grandmother. She loves her grandmother, her only living relative, and would've still moved even if she had a job but her grandmother asking for help was a little push that Nikki was grateful for. Because of her upbringing, Nikki isn't used to letting people in her life or assuming that they would want to stay but she slowly starts to change her mind as she makes friends in town, including Bruce. She's attracted to him but, more than that, she feels secure in his presence and cherished. As she spends more time with Bruce, she begins to picture a life for herself that she hadn't envisioned before. I adored Nikki. Her enthusiasm for math was cute,even if I hate the subject, and I liked how it helped her to grow close to Kiley, Bruce's sister. Even though Nikki wasn't sure if she was capable of returning the love that she was given, she was a natural at it.
As a retired special ops soldier, Bruce is adjusting to a life out of the field co-running a personal security business and being a guardian to Kiley, his teenage sister. While he's content with the job he has now, because it gives him more time to spend with Kiley, there are things he's still figuring out. Trying to navigate between being a brother and father figure at the same time leaves him feeling lost at times. With everything he has on his plate, having a serious relationship isn't something that he has really considered. When he meets Nikki, he feels an undeniable pull to her but he's not sure if he would be able to give himself fully like he believes she deserves. I don't think it's possible not to love Bruce. He's caring, protective, and all around good guy. He takes his commitments and relationships serious so, once he makes a decision, he is all in.
Although they instantly feel a spark between them, their romance is a slow burn. Neither is looking for a relationship nor do they feel like they are at a place in their respective lives where they can be in one. Yet, the chemistry between them is strong and the friendship they develop is nice. Bruce and Nikki are able to be open with each other about thoughts and feelings they keep hidden. And, even though their situations are different, they understand each other and perfectly fit into each other's lives. One of my favorite things about them is the way they communicated with each other and worked through things together. However, they each had their own personal growth to do and I enjoyed that just as much as their romance. The romance is a closed door full of sweet tension leading to fade to black. Aside from the romance, I really enjoyed the relationship that Nikki had with her grandmother and the one that Bruce had with Kiley. The side characters were also fun and I can't wait to read their stories too. This was a great start to the series and I think readers, especially those who've been waiting on Bruce's story, will be happy with it.
Being left without a job and feeling uncertain about what her future holds makes it the perfect time for Nikki to move to Silver Ridge to help her grandmother. She loves her grandmother, her only living relative, and would've still moved even if she had a job but her grandmother asking for help was a little push that Nikki was grateful for. Because of her upbringing, Nikki isn't used to letting people in her life or assuming that they would want to stay but she slowly starts to change her mind as she makes friends in town, including Bruce. She's attracted to him but, more than that, she feels secure in his presence and cherished. As she spends more time with Bruce, she begins to picture a life for herself that she hadn't envisioned before. I adored Nikki. Her enthusiasm for math was cute,
As a retired special ops soldier, Bruce is adjusting to a life out of the field co-running a personal security business and being a guardian to Kiley, his teenage sister. While he's content with the job he has now, because it gives him more time to spend with Kiley, there are things he's still figuring out. Trying to navigate between being a brother and father figure at the same time leaves him feeling lost at times. With everything he has on his plate, having a serious relationship isn't something that he has really considered. When he meets Nikki, he feels an undeniable pull to her but he's not sure if he would be able to give himself fully like he believes she deserves. I don't think it's possible not to love Bruce. He's caring, protective, and all around good guy. He takes his commitments and relationships serious so, once he makes a decision, he is all in.
Although they instantly feel a spark between them, their romance is a slow burn. Neither is looking for a relationship nor do they feel like they are at a place in their respective lives where they can be in one. Yet, the chemistry between them is strong and the friendship they develop is nice. Bruce and Nikki are able to be open with each other about thoughts and feelings they keep hidden. And, even though their situations are different, they understand each other and perfectly fit into each other's lives. One of my favorite things about them is the way they communicated with each other and worked through things together. However, they each had their own personal growth to do and I enjoyed that just as much as their romance. The romance is a closed door full of sweet tension leading to fade to black. Aside from the romance, I really enjoyed the relationship that Nikki had with her grandmother and the one that Bruce had with Kiley. The side characters were also fun and I can't wait to read their stories too. This was a great start to the series and I think readers, especially those who've been waiting on Bruce's story, will be happy with it.
September 23, 2023
Nikki Hastings is staying with her “Gram” (actually great-aunt) in Silverton, Utah as she tries to rebuild her life, shattered by the loss of her eight year-old job and a boyfriend who is not such a great loss. Currently she is transfixed at the sight of Bruce, the shirtless, tattooed neighbor, swinging an axe.
Ex-military Bruce Camden is co-owner of Saint Security with his buddy Wilder Saint and staffed primarily with other veterans. Today he has his work cut out since short staffing has fouled up his entire schedule that includes babysitting an entitled jerk actor. He is also guardian to his sixteen year-old half-sister Kiley.
As they get to know each other, through Gram and Kiley, Nikki and Bruce seem taken with the other, even if they cannot say exactly what that means. Perhaps it was the little piece of common ground that makes them feel comfortable in the midst of uncertainty. But as is the case with most people, each has secrets, his involving an abusive father and addicted mother, which led to his guardianship of Kiley, and hers including both of her parents’ alcoholism and eventual deaths that left her in and out of foster care before a caring social worker finally found her Gram.
Claire Cain has once again created a compelling plot with real characters trying to overcome the hurtles life has presented, and, along the way, readers gain keen insight into the psyches of a gifted mathematician and a black special ops agent. Also, I love how she weaves in characters from the previous books in the Back to Silver Ridge Series, in this, the first book in the Veterans of Silver Ridge series. It’s like a warm homecoming in Silverton, and I look forward to the next work by this incredibly gifted author!
I received this book as an ARC reviewer and voluntarily offer my honest opinion.
Ex-military Bruce Camden is co-owner of Saint Security with his buddy Wilder Saint and staffed primarily with other veterans. Today he has his work cut out since short staffing has fouled up his entire schedule that includes babysitting an entitled jerk actor. He is also guardian to his sixteen year-old half-sister Kiley.
As they get to know each other, through Gram and Kiley, Nikki and Bruce seem taken with the other, even if they cannot say exactly what that means. Perhaps it was the little piece of common ground that makes them feel comfortable in the midst of uncertainty. But as is the case with most people, each has secrets, his involving an abusive father and addicted mother, which led to his guardianship of Kiley, and hers including both of her parents’ alcoholism and eventual deaths that left her in and out of foster care before a caring social worker finally found her Gram.
Claire Cain has once again created a compelling plot with real characters trying to overcome the hurtles life has presented, and, along the way, readers gain keen insight into the psyches of a gifted mathematician and a black special ops agent. Also, I love how she weaves in characters from the previous books in the Back to Silver Ridge Series, in this, the first book in the Veterans of Silver Ridge series. It’s like a warm homecoming in Silverton, and I look forward to the next work by this incredibly gifted author!
I received this book as an ARC reviewer and voluntarily offer my honest opinion.
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