Claiming Ally

Esperance Valley #3

by Mary Waterford

Always a bridesmaid, never the bride…I’ll bang the best man though.

I’m a good time girl, with a string of flings behind me. A girl who’s sworn off marriage, because I’ve been betrayed before, and I won’t risk my heart again.

Gabe Walker, though. He’s a problem. He’s been driving me wild for months. What am I gonna do? Offer myself up, like the snack that I am. One intense night with him and I’ll be cured.

Only problem… I got more bang for my buck than I ever imagined. Now I want him even more! He melts me with just a look, and his smile… oh boy, that smile.

Just when I’m on the brink of surrendering, Gabe gets the shock of his life - a seven-year-old son he never knew existed.

It changes everything between us. We aren’t playing around anymore.

Gabe wants to build a life with me but I’m afraid to take off the armor.

Am I ready to be loved by the hot single dad who sees me for who I really am?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Small Town Romance

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Lumppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story all the way up to the last few chapters, where I just felt everything was a bit rushed. Like we didn't get a proper scene of Allegra trying to figure out her feelings for Gabe and we didn't get a good final sex scene!

But other than that the plot points were really solid. I loved that Gabe was this mother figure of a guy who knew how to read people and when they needed him and when they didn't.

Over all it was a solid and good story!

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great, truly. But like all books, there are those little niggles that let the side down. My purpose for reviewing is to tell you all about them - without spoilers of course.

The plot - right this is a weird one. Small town, enemies to lovers romance. It’s got your found family, your minor doses of trauma but nothing majorly heavy. It’s got a bit of sports in it, and a bunch of feel good vibes. It is a HEA in a series of interconnected standalones. The smut was good, 3.5/5 on the spice scale. Now for my issues with it; the big love declaration. It was rushed. I think the author got 85% in and thought “Shit. I’ve gotta wrap this up quick.” And then she did. WHAT THE FUCK? I don’t think we had more than 6 pages of angst after the big 3rd act break up? No grovelling, no whining, no pining, no inner monologue realisations? After reading the first 85% of decency, the last 15% let it down. Epilogue was adorable but sullied by the last few mediocre chapters.

The MC - I liked Ally. A little. I thought she was stubborn and hot headed and weird; none of these in a good way. I think she was tryna be a mature version of a Wattpad traumatised girlie and sucking at it. I liked parts of her personality, disliked her for the rest of it.

The male counterpart - no faults with Gabe here. The man knew what he wanted, when he wanted it, and he made that clear. Set boundaries, and was the best kinda grumpy man you want. Also, his sacrifices with Jesse? Made me tear up.

[Sharon Holroyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just getting better and better. This time we eat Ally and Gabes story. There’s a fair few side stories that you don’t expect. It’s a great tale, with some sadness and always a lot of happiness. I love these characters, just the sort you want as your friends. Gabe is just adorable and Ally is so much fun.
Can’t wait for Emma and Jakes story
Fabulous.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story

I really liked this story. The girl was a bit much and didn't really see her problem. Jessie was cute but I couldn't understand why Gabe never asked him or had him talk about his treatment with his mother. The fact he froze up when hugged would have made me worried. The romance was different even mainly one sided. I was surprised Gabe didn't see anyone else considering how he was treated. The ending felt rushed but it was a good feel.

[Dewey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find Ally annoying with her push/pull behaviors. Sure she was betrayed in the past but deciding to never catch feelings again is silly. So she only has ONS and short flings. At 50% in and she's still trying to avoid him and her feelings.

Gabe finds out he has an 8 year old son 25% into the book. Big shocker for him. Ally soothes him with sex. Then the story spends a lot of time on him and his son.

I am not sure there is an actual plot here. DNF

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claiming Ally by Mary Waterford is a good, and enjoyable small town single dad romance read. The story has a great story line. The characters are great, wonderful, and they have great chemistry. This story is a very entertaining love story romance read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Mary Waterford; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the third book in the Esperance Valley Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Ally & Gabe; she’s just the have fun type of girl until they meet.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Kay LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful! The series gets better with every book. Enjoy!

I loved all the details of their pasts helping explain why they each reacted the way they did. We all carry baggage, sometimes outright abusive treatment . It affects who are, how we act and our deepest fears. Luckily we can reach past the barriers and create new lives for ourselves. So worth your time!!!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can count on one hand of the number of books I've cried while reading and still have a couple fingers left on that same hand. They were absolutely happy tears. Loved this book. Everything in it was "chefs kiss." I'm also on my period so I'm all up in my feels lol.

[Alexandra Toma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute read!

I do love how natural she was with jesse and the whole family chemistry, but i do really feel like the action was a little rushed, and i would have loved to see a little bit more into jesse’s backround with his bio mum.

[Sarah Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

he finds out he has a kid in the middle of the book (not my kind of trope)

[Smacka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, Gabe was IT for me. The way he was with Ally, calling her Allegra always made me laugh. And the way he built his relationship with Jesse was amazing. Loved all of it.

[N Warfie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe was hot. I adore a single dad romance and this was it. Highly recommend.

[Lari · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great Book 4/5 ⭐️

[Nini · Rating 1 out of 5]

The fmc should have had to grovel a bit lol

[Mrs D Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 had me hooked just like the others love this series and characters

[Haley Buijtendijk]

Loved this book! Absolutely need to read this if you love a single dad romance

[jamnash.05 · Rating 2 out of 5]

i literally read the entire thing in a day and the plot wasnt plotting but i giggled waaay too much i dont know what to make of this book but yaah ig 2/5 stars

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75 ⭐️

[Delilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending felt a little rushed, but I really loved this book!!

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 books down

I loved this story. So many emotions that had to be overcome and also patience to let other emotions become clear.

[Petra Škobalj · Rating 3 out of 5]

suprize 8 year old kid

[Solace Adekunle · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love this book

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good read

Surprising because the FMC messes up.
The writing is really good. Man, Jesse is just the cutest.
And be ready to cry during the epilogue because man I did.

[📚📚📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so torn on what to rate this book…I didn’t connect as much to the characters as I usually do and definitely felt as though it was a little rushed towards the end, but mr. Gabriele being so manly and yet so sweet towards his son was absolutely magical, and to see how keen to loving allegra he was was beautiful…love a man who falls first! not a big fan of friends with benefits trope but I’ll take this because the family like interactions they all had throughout the book had my ovaries rebelling 🥹🥹🥹🥹 overall a pretty good book … plus as an Italian I love to see Italian characters ehehe

[Mimi.reads.24.7 Karen Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd book in the Esperance Valley was a charming steamy love story between Gabe and Allegra "Ally" with some surprises thrown in. I have enjoyed this series, this story being my favorite so far. Ally had suffered a trauma in her past that left her feeling unworthy and her growth was wonderful to see. I recommend this book to anyone who loves small town, found family and a story where love conquers all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Antrea Ahha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute