Resisting the Urge

Larchdown Valley #5

by Jem Wendel

Levi and Mackinley's story

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

Reviews

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Larchdown Valley series. Each book can be enjoyed as a standalone read. This is the story of Levi Burton and Mackinley West. Levi has moved to the small town and is a bartender while going to school. He is keeping his head down and trying to put his past behind him. He was just released from prison for stealing a car. He also has no love for the police. Mac is a police officer and Levi works at his best friends pub. The two meet and sparks fly. Then Levi becomes a witness is a case that Mac is working on. Trying to convict a corrupt and abusive police officer. To make matters worse, Levi moves into Mac's mom house as a renter. This makes it harder for Mac and Levi not to indulge in the chemistry between them. Even though he makes mistakes, Mac knows that they must keep their distance until the trial is over. This is their story. I liked how they weren't fans of each other in spite of the chemistry between them. The book is well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed it. I will look for more books by this author.

I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I received this book as an ARC. This is the second one in the series that I've read. I have to go back and read the others but I'm addicted. I just love how Jem works out her stories. They're comfortably paced more on the faster side which I appreciate. I love the ex-con x cop and I appreciate how good of a person Mac is from the beginning when he could've been judgemental. Their first meeting was truly enjoyable~ Can't wait to read the other ones and see where this series might go from here... I heard Nolan may have met someone 👀

But overall, I really recommend Jem and her books. I've read a few now and they feel like a warm hug in the times of bad. So I'm glad I get to run to them for a safe space. I would say if you want to read this book though, read book 4 first as this may have spoilers but I know she writes them to be a standalone. Just keep that in mind and enjoy!

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mac and Levi are opposites who are attracted to each other, they're somewhat enemies to lovers and angst definitely occurs throughout their story.

Max is a detective at the local precinct and has spent the last few years building a case against a despicable man. When a witness comes forward with information about what else that awful man did, Mac is forced into Levi's orbit... And from there on these two circle each other, trying to repel the other way but being brought back together every time..

I liked how the case Mac is working on is such a big part of the story and I also liked how we got to see him be a cop. He worked on other cases, did paperwork, had to deal with office politics, and all of those moments really helped give his character more depth. The same can be said for Levi as well, he works as a bartender while also attending school and we got to see him go about his life too. And when these two came together and finally stopped fighting their feelings it was electric.

I thought this was a nice story, and I hope Nolan gets his own happily ever after.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

After working for years, Mac has finally gotten a crime lord, drug dealer, and dirty cop arrested. Now they await a trial and compile all the evidence. Levi works at a bar owned by Mac’s best friend, and they clash, get into a fight in the alley, then kiss.

Levi likes working at the bar and the town he’s moved to after getting out of jail for stealing a car. But he doesn’t want trouble, which Mac is, to his heart. His boss is a good friend, and finds him a room to let, which happens to be at Mac’s Mom’s house.

The two aren’t supposed to talk or they could jeopardize the case. But, Mac goes to his Mom’s for dinner and they end up doing the dishes and talking. They learn more about each other’s pasts and families, and eventually, they give in to their attraction, which has grown to become more.

Close to the trial, Mackinley cuts things off temporarily, and they do what they need to. Once the scummy criminal is convicted, they reunite and share their feelings, starting a new life together.

These guys are combative, but each has a softer side, and they finally let their walls down with each other. It’s fun to see some of the other characters from the series at the Friday night group, and I really like Wren and Shari, as well as Nolan and Reece.

I received this ARC for free and am pleased to give it my honest review with appreciation.

[Kiki Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s no secret I love Jem Wendel's Larchdown Valley books. Resisting the Urge is another great entry in a series full of compelling characters to fall in love with and stories I can’t get enough of.
We met MCs Levi and Mac in Trusting the Fall, and their relationship is complicated, combative, and incendiary.
I adore Levi. The new King’s Arms bartender’s prickliness is just a protective coating on a kind, caring soul. Seeing his youthful hopes crushed by people who should have protected him was heartbreaking. Given his past, Levi’s mistrust of detective Mac is understandable.
But they share a common enemy, and when Levi shares his story, their new witness/DI dynamic puts their palpable attraction to each other on the edge of ethical.
Adding to their rocky relationship, Levi is now boarding with Mac’s estranged mom.
Mac. What a stubborn, stubborn man. His pride is stopping him from reconnecting with the mother he clearly loves. Levi cares for her and offers Mac some harsh truths about the way his life could have been…
I understand Mac’s reasons for keeping his distance from Levi. He’s worked on this case too long to jeopardize it. The pining is off the charts, and their slow burn sizzles until that spark ignites and wow!
And Levi finding a purpose and a group of friends was wonderful. There’s a passage where this formerly lost, lonely man recounts all he’s gained since coming to Larchdown that’s just lovely. And Mac finds out going home isn’t so bad. In fact, it can lead to some pretty amazing things.
This is such an emotionally complex story, part legal thriller, part love story, and 100% captivating.
There are some surprising revelations and I love the hint of one (maybe two?) more books. Fingers crossed!
Jem does a great job recapping what happened in Book 4, but I recommend reading it to get the full scope of what all these characters have experienced. And if you’re new to Larchdown Valley, pick up Putting Down Roots and binge the entire series. Trust me, you won’t regret it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Caroline Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Larchdown Valley is the gift that keeps on giving.

Mac and Levi shouldn't work; there is so much against them, yet the heart wants what it wants.

We have met Mac before as a hard-nosed officer, with a heart of gold but a firmly in place suit of armor masked by pride. He has been making a difference for a long time, but one young man will make him take his protective nature to the next level. Levi has been on his own and alone for a while, he has had no reason to trust, especially a cop. When we learn his story and why he is in town, it is obvious how much he desired to have a genuine connection. Levi and Mac have a meet-ugly turn hot, turned professional. But Levi starts living close to Mac's existence, staying away and ignoring the magnetic pull is harder and harder. Their buildup and fiery come together is very much in line with what I have come to love from Jem.

I will say it felt like the end of the story came in a rush, and I felt like I did not get as much Mac and Levi time, but the time we did get was memorable and sweet. This series is one of my faves, and Jem has yet to disappoint.

[Manon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great addition to the Larchdown series. I think you need to read at least book 4, Trusting the Fall, to understand the storyline better as it is the background for Mac and Levi.

These two have their share of baggage and there is plenty to unpack. It's a quite slow burn of a story and large parts are actually not them together but each individually processing their past and learning to accept a future.

But it doesn't mean that there is no chemistry, both connect great together and are also quite similar in a way. When they come together, it's great to see them as more than just jumping into bed and when Mac has to make a tough decision, they are solid and know that they can find their way forward afterwards.

Both side stories, Mac's backstory and Levi learning to build himself a future, are well done, they add, not take away from the overall romance.
I love to see Mac's friend Nolan again, he was part of a anthology short story. But I now want Reece to have his HEA as well.

[Likes2Explore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m not a kitten.” His voice is almost scornful. “No, you’re a hellcat, all teeth and claws. But I reckon I Could get you to purr like a kitten.”


Such a joy to return to the small town community of Larchdown Valley that I have fallen in love with.

Levi and Mac are both tough on the outside but have soft insides that very few get to see.
As their walls come down they are able to show each other who they really are.


“A few months ago, I was going about my business and a little hellcat of fury ensnared me with his sharp claws and beautiful eyes. Since that day I haven’t been able to tear myself away. I loved his feisty side, but I also knew there was a softer kitten who wanted to be seen and understood. One that was never shown to anyone else. I wanted to be the one he’d show his soft side to. Then he did and I was caught even deeper until I would risk everything to make him mine.”

The twists and turns were brilliant.
Oh and holy moly the way Jem wrote her readers into the story was beyond fantastic!

Thank You for this wonderful story and series!

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac and Levi feel that they are not a good fit. Levi is down on his luck and has relocated to Larchdown for a fresh start. And he does not like cops. Mac is a cop in the throws of working through a difficult case. He left Larchdown and does not come back often. Each of these men is self protective for his own reasons. Their first meeting was at turns cryptic - Levi treats Mac to a drink but not in a very friendly way and then they have a bit of an altercation when Mac leaves the bar. Then it turns out that Levi is a factor in the case that Mac is working on closing. In spite of the things that should keep them apart they find their way to one another and despite their initial contentions they do make a good couple. Mac is the supportive other Levi needs. The ending is so sweet getting to read about the way they are building their lives together.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

lemon shortbread, "Rainbow Boys", stars & planets, maroon Harrington jacket, butter finger, chocolate pinwheels, on the black bonnet

We see all the Larchdown Valley gang. Josh plays a somewhat important role. This is a 'prior reading recommended but not required' kind of series installment; it can be a standalone story.

The plot is fascinating. The execution is a little wanting. The MCs are at each other's throat and start off at odds with one another. They're hot and cold in their interactions but it gets stale after a while. But, I still like and enjoy Jem Wendel's style of writing. She has a way of bringing her stories off the page.

This is Mac's and Levi's romance tale. Other than the push and pull between them, they are great MCs. I found myself cheering for them. The side characters are wonderful and extremely likeable. I enjoyed reading this and recommend it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book.
If you love courtroom drama, police procedurals and romance...Read this book.

You'll also experience life after prison, the difficulty former criminals have obtaining employment and the stigma of having committed a crime.
And you're given an inside glimpse of the English legal system.
Few people are willing to look beyond a youthful indiscretion.

When a law enforcement detective and an ex-con team up to bring down a dirty cop, it becomes even more complicated when they develop strong feelings for each other.

You're going to fall in love with the small town of Larchdown Valley, moms, bosses, police partners and friends who know everything about their past.

Levi and Mackinley are perfect for each other.
Their lives bring them closure and the possibility of a wonderful future.

Thanks to GRR for this ARC.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great series! I love this community and love the characters in all of these books. A for me the cover alone made me want to read the book so having a great story line was the cherry on the top. Book five is not different with the story of Levi and Mac. Both lovable characters and both had me rooting for them. Of course the fight their attraction for many reasons, one being Levi does not like cops which Mac is, and Mac cannot get involved with a witness in one of his cases which Levi is. The pull they feel is what makes This a great fun read. They are determined not to engage with one another on personal level but stars seems to be working again them and for the reader that makes this a wonderful read. I will admit I want to move to this type of community where everyone feels safe and welcome. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac and Levi are total opposites—grumpy detective vs. fiery bartender—but the chemistry? Undeniable. It’s a bit of an enemies-to-lovers slow burn, with plenty of angst along the way.

Mac has spent years building a case against a truly awful man, and when a witness comes forward, it unexpectedly pulls Levi into his orbit. No matter how much they try to resist, they keep getting drawn back together.

I loved how the book didn’t just focus on the romance—Mac’s case, his job, and even the office politics made him feel real. Levi, balancing bartending and school, also had his own life outside their push-pull dynamic, which made their eventual surrender to their feelings even more intense.

A solid read, full of tension and slow-burn payoff—I really hope Nolan gets his HEA next!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, putting aside the fact that the forbidden relationship (cop/witness) in this book could have still caused Mac to be fired when it became public even after the trial was over, I'm confused about who actually owns the pub in Larchdown. For the first three books, I assumed it was owned by Darla, and then in book four, it certainly seems to be implied that Alex's parents own the whole pub and prefer to work in the kitchen while Darla is possibly the bar manager. In Alex's head, we learn he thinks of her as a big sister as he grew up at the pub. Then, in this book, Darla refers to the pub as her business more than once, and in Levi's mind, we're told that Alex's parents run the pub kitchen. What? Who actually owns the place? Whose business is it?

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I'm a fan of Jem's characters! All of her stories are sweet, & this one is no exception. Levi has every right to be bitter at the twists & turns his life has taken. Mac thinks he has that right as well. It's easy to cheer them on as they work toward their HEA! Every time I "visit" the little town of Larchdown Valley, it makes me wish that it was a real place... And as soon as I finished Levi & Mac's story, I was already hoping for another one!

**And the selfish reader in me wants to make sure everyone takes note of the owner of the Yarn Barn! She seems 5-star worthy based on name alone! **

[Roxanna Mascarenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jem does it again with another wonderful story to Larchdown Valley.

This one was not what I was expecting. It was definitely much grittier and darker than the other stories.

Max, a cop who’s busted a fellow law enforcement officer and is putting together witnesses and trying to keep this case from unraveling.

Levi, in town out of jail a possible witness to Maxs case but will an attraction between them cause a possible issue with the case.

Levi and Max have become intertwined in each others lives without all the information and the past comes to haunt them, will it break the case apart, or break them.

This was a great story and I truly enjoyed it. I recommend the series as well.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet

Levi is just out of prison and has no love for the police.
Mac is a very by the book detective who doesn't believe in shades of grey.
When their orbits collide due to Levi being caught up in a career case for Mac, sparks fly between them.
Mac has a lot of work to do in order to be with Levi.
Not only is he leery of the police, but Mac is continuously messing up with him.
Their being in close proximity just makes it that much harder for them when Mac has to distance himself because of the case.
Thankfully everything is resolved and they're able to obtain their hard fought for and well deserved HEA.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three things! Levi, is a witness and Mac is a cop relying on Levi's testimony. Both men have a list of three things that creates intense emotion about the other. They need each other professionally, and they have strong feelings for each other personally that could put the case at risk. So, hands off. Knowing, not to do and being unbelievable tempted to doing, can make life tense. Lots going on that put Mac and Levi on edge. The author does an amazing job building up the tension in the case and personally. Intense read keeps you riveted, excited engaged and committed. Good story. Nicely done.

[Damian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was too long.

I'm just going to put this out there. Even though I enjoyed the book it was too long and had too much angst. If a story is good, you don't need the angst for people to read it. The other thing is that there was too much inner mind thinking. This reminds me of a screenplay where the actors have to know how to show their emotions. Another thing that bothers me is that you have two characters together and there is no conversation. Mac and Levi both have baggage to leave behind in order to have a good relationship.

[Nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back in Larchdown to witness the story of Mac and Levi. Two men with their own baggage that found each other when they need someone the most. I must admit I didn't like Mac too much at the beginning of the book, but once I found out his reasons to act the way he did, I just wanted to hug him. I won't spoil the book, you'll have to read it to see them on their way of their deserved HEA. Can't wait for my next trip to Larchdown

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that Mac our police detective and Levi our man trying to stay out of trouble are both tough and determined men. Levi wanted a chance to make his life better and he was a bit defensive at first and for good reason. I enjoyed the push and pull between him and Mac. Mac liked both antagonizing Levi and getting under his skin, but as the story goes on it was in a genuine fondness for him. Great town and supporting characters from the series in here to rally around them too!

[Maitana C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this expecting some tension, some angst, a whole lot of opposites attract and that’s, kind of, what I got.
It wasn’t as angst filled as I thought it was going to be, and both MCs were pretty tame with each other.

There was a bit of hurt/comfort but I wish it had gone a little deeper. I felt like their connection was very fast, and it wasn’t as deep as I was hoping.

Overall it was a good story, it had an HEA, 3/5 ✨

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent cop and ex-con forced proximity romance. Levi maintains after his prison experience he hates all cops, but he can't stay away from Mac. Mac knows he needs to keep things professional with Levi because of a case they are both connected to but thanks to Levi's persistence and Mac's own attraction distance is impossible for these two. The author does a great job of blending the romance with the criminal case.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. Larchdown is such an amazing place, always so kind and welcoming and it was no different for Levi when he needed a new start. Mackinley is gruff and grumbly but so sweet and caring when it comes to those closest to him. I loved watching the way these two finally came together, it was beautiful. I was also happy to get a little more of Nolan’s (who we met in the Candy Hearts Anthology) back story. I can’t wait for the next book and I hope is Reece getting his HEA!!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Larchdown Valley series and it was another great addition. This is Mac and Levi’s story cop and ex-con they shouldn’t work but their chemistry is on fire and the author writes their story so well that it grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps it right through to the end.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the series. A well written storyline with plenty of action with Mac in his police job but also the relationship development between him and Levi had plenty of tense moments! Brilliant secondary characters really helped keep me engrossed in the storyline!
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a big trial brewing where the former police and crime inspector Gerald Winstanton is up on several charges. Detective Mackinley West has been investigating for awhile. This is the culmination of the Larchdown Valley series although each book can be read as a standalone. You have danger, misunderstanding, romance, family and many other twists and turns with a HEA.

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the Larchdown Valley series by Jem Wendel. I liked the premise of this story. Mac had a doggedness to get results that was inspirational to read and Levi had a vulnerability that made my heart ache for him. Their chemistry is great, but will being on opposites of the law come between them?

[Melduk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read the other books in the series but this was easily read as a standalone. The story moves at a fairly fast past, mostly on a surface level. But the characters are engaging and the story is interesting. Quite an enjoyable read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BRILLIANT AND SMASHING READ THAT I JUST THOUGHT WAS SO GOOD.

Levi and Mac have gone through so much through their lives. These two have a great connection. Well written story with strong characters.