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Esperance Valley #3
Claiming Ally
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?
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?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 25, 2024
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!
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!
August 17, 2023
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.
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.
June 17, 2026
Beautiful Story
Allegra has been hurt in the past in a truly devastating way, not physically, but emotionally. Watching her overcome that is very special.
Gabriel seems to be a man that takes everything in stride so when he gets things that he didn't even know that he wanted and is overwhelmed with love by those things., it is beautiful.
I love when a book includes children; especially when the children are an integral part of the story. When Gabe finds out that he has a son , he's welcomed by everyone with open arms right from the very beginning. His son is afraid to make a misstep in fear that he'll be rejected and watching him realuze that he is loved and wanted and accepted is just amazing.
Allegra has been hurt in the past in a truly devastating way, not physically, but emotionally. Watching her overcome that is very special.
Gabriel seems to be a man that takes everything in stride so when he gets things that he didn't even know that he wanted and is overwhelmed with love by those things., it is beautiful.
I love when a book includes children; especially when the children are an integral part of the story. When Gabe finds out that he has a son , he's welcomed by everyone with open arms right from the very beginning. His son is afraid to make a misstep in fear that he'll be rejected and watching him realuze that he is loved and wanted and accepted is just amazing.
May 6, 2023
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.
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.
December 23, 2024
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.
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.
December 3, 2025
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
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
July 14, 2026
Review...
I swear the books just keep better the more you read this series. This was Ally and Gabes book. A great story, with some sadness and always a lot of happiness. I love these characters so much. Allegra has been hurt in the past in a truly devastating way, not physically, but emotionally. When Gabe finds out that he has a son , he's welcomed by everyone with open arms right from the very beginning. A beautiful story.
I swear the books just keep better the more you read this series. This was Ally and Gabes book. A great story, with some sadness and always a lot of happiness. I love these characters so much. Allegra has been hurt in the past in a truly devastating way, not physically, but emotionally. When Gabe finds out that he has a son , he's welcomed by everyone with open arms right from the very beginning. A beautiful story.
May 6, 2023
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.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 10, 2023
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.
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.
December 9, 2025
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!!!
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!!!
July 23, 2026
Where was the plot???? Yes he has a child but that happened within the first few chapters it felt like it was suddenly over. There was no big plot or anything.
This was also so boring. I honestly couldn’t stand Allegra. All the push and pull- it drove me mad that she’d pull away and then get upset and cry about it. Like girl, you did that to yourself.
This was also so boring. I honestly couldn’t stand Allegra. All the push and pull- it drove me mad that she’d pull away and then get upset and cry about it. Like girl, you did that to yourself.
July 31, 2023
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.
February 9, 2025
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.
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.
May 9, 2023
he finds out he has a kid in the middle of the book (not my kind of trope)
September 19, 2023
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.
September 19, 2023
Gabe was hot. I adore a single dad romance and this was it. Highly recommend.
September 19, 2023
It was a great Book 4/5 ⭐️
October 7, 2023
The fmc should have had to grovel a bit lol
July 7, 2024
Book 3 had me hooked just like the others love this series and characters
Read
November 12, 2024Loved this book! Absolutely need to read this if you love a single dad romance
April 19, 2025
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
July 13, 2025
3,75 ⭐️
December 10, 2025
The ending felt a little rushed, but I really loved this book!!
December 27, 2025
3 books down
I loved this story. So many emotions that had to be overcome and also patience to let other emotions become clear.
I loved this story. So many emotions that had to be overcome and also patience to let other emotions become clear.
January 5, 2026
suprize 8 year old kid
January 9, 2026
love love love this book
January 22, 2026
Totally hooked
Heartfelt novel, made me laugh, cry and sob. Was absolutely worth the read and I will be now starting at the beginning of the series lol
Heartfelt novel, made me laugh, cry and sob. Was absolutely worth the read and I will be now starting at the beginning of the series lol
February 16, 2026
Allegra & Gabriele
A sweet and spicy story of finding love when you don’t feel like you deserve it. They all found each other and came together in the best of ways by the end.
A sweet and spicy story of finding love when you don’t feel like you deserve it. They all found each other and came together in the best of ways by the end.
September 22, 2023
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.
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.
February 1, 2025
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
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews