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The Southerlands #3
Practical Arrangement
From New York Times bestselling author Evelyn Adams, a stand-alone small town romance about the wounded war hero and the single mother and the fake relationship that might give them a chance at real love.
Summer Maddox has had horrible luck when it comes to men. The only thing good to come out of it all is her daughter. Even though she feels guilty that her child doesn’t have a father figure in her life, Summer’s learned from her mistakes and won’t be repeating them
After three tours in Afghanistan, Travis Southerland has finally come home. His body is healing, but his heart still aches for his friends who died in combat. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be whole, and the last thing he wants is to have someone depending on him for anything ever again.
After family events keep throwing them together, Travis and Summer can’t deny the spark between them. Neither of them are interested in a relationship, but a practical arrangement might solve both of their problems and get their families off their backs. And just because they aren’t looking for love doesn’t mean it won’t find them—if either of them is willing to take a chance.
Summer Maddox has had horrible luck when it comes to men. The only thing good to come out of it all is her daughter. Even though she feels guilty that her child doesn’t have a father figure in her life, Summer’s learned from her mistakes and won’t be repeating them
After three tours in Afghanistan, Travis Southerland has finally come home. His body is healing, but his heart still aches for his friends who died in combat. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be whole, and the last thing he wants is to have someone depending on him for anything ever again.
After family events keep throwing them together, Travis and Summer can’t deny the spark between them. Neither of them are interested in a relationship, but a practical arrangement might solve both of their problems and get their families off their backs. And just because they aren’t looking for love doesn’t mean it won’t find them—if either of them is willing to take a chance.
- GenresRomance
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2023
152 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Adams
54 books268 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Evelyn Adams loves coffee, her kids, Netflix, and books. Not necessarily in that order. If she's not writing steamy romances, she's chasing kids, reading, or binging Mrs Maisel
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 3, 2025
Autumn and Jude Sutherland had just gotten married, and what an event this was. Autumn's sister, Summer, and her niece, Abby, are both in the wedding. Summer is her Maid of honor, and Abby is her flower girl. Summer gets the pleasure of being escorted out of the church by Jude’s younger brother, but next in line, Travis. Also, he is the war hero, who has a bit of a limp, and the pain still shows, for as much as he bravely tries to hide it.
That day at the wedding, it is all Travis can do to get through the day. The pain in his leg is unbearable. However, he is not willing to get hooked on prescribed pain meds. So, he does things to get himself out of his pain and headspace to keep him fit. By going to a veteran memorial there in their hometown. Its stairs are steep, so it builds up his endurance. He needs to sleep, the more tired he is, the less time his mind has time to wander and work against him. It’s a couple of days after the lucky couple is home from their two-week honeymoon, and Travis stops by to talk with Jude.
Summer tells him he should be home at any moment, so he sits with Abby to play with Legos, and she goes to make coffee. She takes Abby up to do her nightly routine and tucks her in. When she comes down to serve the coffee, she sees that Travis is sound asleep. She served herself coffee and just watched him for a bit. Then, he started to snore. She could tell he needed the sleep. When Summer’s phone rang she thought for sure it would wake up Travis. It was Autumn, saying she and Luke would be staying at his apartment over his clinic.
Autumn was just checking to make sure they were okay. Summer told her of course, but didn't tell her about their visitor. Once she ended the call, she put up the coffee cup, got a quilt to cover Travis, took off his shoes, and watched him sleep for just a minute. The next time he shows up too late he says to talk to his brother it was it ends up being a cathartic purging where he tells him what happened in Afghanistan that caused him so many sleepless nights. He had never told anyone. That was when he needed all of Summer to feel her connection like no one else.
However, afterward, he let her know that the experience of war shorted his heart and that he would never be able to love her. But, they could benefit each other. See how they work through this quandary of emotions and boundaries. Will they come to an agreement to suit them both? Very good book. Loved the characters.
That day at the wedding, it is all Travis can do to get through the day. The pain in his leg is unbearable. However, he is not willing to get hooked on prescribed pain meds. So, he does things to get himself out of his pain and headspace to keep him fit. By going to a veteran memorial there in their hometown. Its stairs are steep, so it builds up his endurance. He needs to sleep, the more tired he is, the less time his mind has time to wander and work against him. It’s a couple of days after the lucky couple is home from their two-week honeymoon, and Travis stops by to talk with Jude.
Summer tells him he should be home at any moment, so he sits with Abby to play with Legos, and she goes to make coffee. She takes Abby up to do her nightly routine and tucks her in. When she comes down to serve the coffee, she sees that Travis is sound asleep. She served herself coffee and just watched him for a bit. Then, he started to snore. She could tell he needed the sleep. When Summer’s phone rang she thought for sure it would wake up Travis. It was Autumn, saying she and Luke would be staying at his apartment over his clinic.
Autumn was just checking to make sure they were okay. Summer told her of course, but didn't tell her about their visitor. Once she ended the call, she put up the coffee cup, got a quilt to cover Travis, took off his shoes, and watched him sleep for just a minute. The next time he shows up too late he says to talk to his brother it was it ends up being a cathartic purging where he tells him what happened in Afghanistan that caused him so many sleepless nights. He had never told anyone. That was when he needed all of Summer to feel her connection like no one else.
However, afterward, he let her know that the experience of war shorted his heart and that he would never be able to love her. But, they could benefit each other. See how they work through this quandary of emotions and boundaries. Will they come to an agreement to suit them both? Very good book. Loved the characters.
February 17, 2024
Happy ending
Great plot. After a long struggle Travis finds his way. This plot is a testimony to what some veterans feel post discharge. Maybe its on the lighter side of reality but there is some truth too.
The characters are relatable and Abby, Summer's daughter, is so cute. I think anyone who enjoys romances should read this one.
Great plot. After a long struggle Travis finds his way. This plot is a testimony to what some veterans feel post discharge. Maybe its on the lighter side of reality but there is some truth too.
The characters are relatable and Abby, Summer's daughter, is so cute. I think anyone who enjoys romances should read this one.
April 22, 2024
Great Arrangement
What was practical turned into the best arrangement. This was a good story for a veteran. To know you can still love after all you have seen and been through. I enjoyed the way she showed him love even though he thought he couldn't lobe again. Great work the way you brought it together.
What was practical turned into the best arrangement. This was a good story for a veteran. To know you can still love after all you have seen and been through. I enjoyed the way she showed him love even though he thought he couldn't lobe again. Great work the way you brought it together.
July 21, 2024
Struggles are better with a partner
Both of these characters are or have struggled in the past. Love these families, too. The love they have for each other is so evident. Abby is such a joy! Enjoy their journey. 📚🎉❤️🌻
Both of these characters are or have struggled in the past. Love these families, too. The love they have for each other is so evident. Abby is such a joy! Enjoy their journey. 📚🎉❤️🌻
December 30, 2024
Practical Arrangement
I liked this book because it was a fun family to lovers type of story that warms your heart. I feel that anyone that enjoys this type of story Will also love it.
I liked this book because it was a fun family to lovers type of story that warms your heart. I feel that anyone that enjoys this type of story Will also love it.
January 3, 2025
I did like this simple Romance. The struggles they both had about relationships. The concept of tried and true was an interesting concept. Think of it like this. LOVE is hard but given a chance and time, they got there. It was a relaxing read.
April 6, 2025
Very real emotional and deep feelings bring recovery.
The scars of war and traumatic events are evident here and the loving emotions that make life bearable. This shows how two damaged people can find happiness and love. A very good book.
The scars of war and traumatic events are evident here and the loving emotions that make life bearable. This shows how two damaged people can find happiness and love. A very good book.
June 30, 2025
Super
Really enjoyed this story sp he finally found his true love in his wife. With all the ups and down along the way.
Really enjoyed this story sp he finally found his true love in his wife. With all the ups and down along the way.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews