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Sterling Falls #6
Sterling Touch
I wasn’t supposed to love him. I wasn’t supposed to even acknowledge him. But my entire life, I’ve had heart-eyes for my oldest brother’s former best friend, Cortland Haven.
I can’t help it that boys are stupid, and a feud broke apart a long-time friendship and divided once-close families.
Twelve years ago, try as I might to ignore Cort, I didn’t miss his gaze on me from across a crowded bar one night. Oh, the way my skin tingled under his appraisal. The way my heart pattered knowing he was looking at me.
We shared more than a moment together.
Now, we’re older and wiser, with a twelve-year age gap between us, and a divide greater than that between our families, but my heart hasn’t gotten the memo.
No, that fickle organ as other plans for Cortland and me.
Because I don’t just tumble for the man adverse to touch, I fall hard for him, when he can never be mine.
I can’t help it that boys are stupid, and a feud broke apart a long-time friendship and divided once-close families.
Twelve years ago, try as I might to ignore Cort, I didn’t miss his gaze on me from across a crowded bar one night. Oh, the way my skin tingled under his appraisal. The way my heart pattered knowing he was looking at me.
We shared more than a moment together.
Now, we’re older and wiser, with a twelve-year age gap between us, and a divide greater than that between our families, but my heart hasn’t gotten the memo.
No, that fickle organ as other plans for Cortland and me.
Because I don’t just tumble for the man adverse to touch, I fall hard for him, when he can never be mine.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2025
335 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
L.B. Dunbar
90 books3,268 followersL.B. Dunbar loves sexy silver foxes, second chances, and small towns. If you enjoy older characters in your romance reads, including a hero with a little silver in his scruff and a heroine rediscovering her worth, then welcome to romance for those over 40. L.B. Dunbar’s signature works include women and men in their prime taking another turn at love and happily ever after. She’s a USA TODAY Bestseller as well as #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Later in Life Romance with her Sterling Falls, Lakeside Cottage, and Road Trips & Romance series. L.B. lives in Chicago with her own sexy silver fox.
To get all the scoop about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her weekly newsletter, Love Notes.
To get all the scoop about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her weekly newsletter, Love Notes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
June 8, 2025
idk
I’ve loved this series, but really I just felt disappointed about a lot of unresolved things like the annoying dad and the annoying deputy.
I skipped a lot of chapters because I honestly just didn’t feel good reading Cort and Vale’s story. It was an irrational dislike. It was still well-written like the others, but this simply didn’t hold my attention.
I’ve loved this series, but really I just felt disappointed about a lot of unresolved things like the annoying dad and the annoying deputy.
I skipped a lot of chapters because I honestly just didn’t feel good reading Cort and Vale’s story. It was an irrational dislike. It was still well-written like the others, but this simply didn’t hold my attention.
May 30, 2025
⭐ 4
🌶️ 3
🥵 Spicy chapters: 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 32, 37
📚 Tropes/Themes: small town, age gap, brothers ex bestie, second chance, forbidden relationship, the one that got away, praise, good girl, mental health rep,
👀 Dual POV 1st person
💔 Triggers: Mentions of DV & CA, alcoholism, parental death
🛍️ Available: 6/2
💬 So I have mixed feelings about this story. I liked the characters, although I'm still not sure how to pronounce Vale's name 😅 I keep saying it's like it rhymes with Gail in my head, but since it's short for Valentine I guess it could be Val-uh. Anyway, back to what I was saying about mixed feelings. I gave it 4 stars because overall I enjoyed it. However there were a few things that stuck out that I didn't really enjoy.
Some of my feelings can probably be attributed to the fact that I read three books in this series in a really short span of time. I've mentioned before that I need a lot of space between books in a series... oftentimes I will wait 1 to 2 months or more before reading the next book so I don't get burnt out. But like I said I did enjoy it, I think this is a solid read, and I plan to finish the series and not just because I want to know that fucking Andy gets his comeuppance 😂
First, Dunbar really seems to enjoy writing characters with dead moms... And it just seems a little overdone. I guess I'm just tired of that "trope". Like obviously it's going to be mentioned a lot because the Sylvers are the MCs of all the books and their mom passed but two other characters in this book had the same tragedy.
Along with that, I guess call me a prude if you want but I just find it really weird (and it made me kinda uncomfortable) that Vale thought to bring a vibrator to a weekend sports camp trip. I just .......... 😬 Like I'm not even bothered by them making out or having sex, that makes sense! It's a romance...but she can't go two nights AT HER SON'S BASEBALL CAMP without rubbing one out? 😂
I'm glad that I FINALLY found out what the issue is between Cort and Stone, and I get it I really do, but there's a part of me that's sort of like...really that's it??
Okay, I know I sound super negative but I promise it's not all bad. The camp thing sort of threw me I'm not going to lie but I also think of the three books I've read in the series this one is my favorite. It did pull me in and I got really invested in learning about Cort's history.
I really appreciated how the DV was handled in this book. I can't really go into more about it because it would give a lot of the story away but I think it was a really good way of shedding light on something that's not always talked about.
I also really enjoyed the touch aversion / touch starved plot line between the MCs. I know I've only been reading romance for about a year and a half but I've read a lot of books in that time frame and this is not a trope that I've come up against very much.
🌶️ 3
🥵 Spicy chapters: 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 32, 37
📚 Tropes/Themes: small town, age gap, brothers ex bestie, second chance, forbidden relationship, the one that got away, praise, good girl, mental health rep,
👀 Dual POV 1st person
💔 Triggers: Mentions of DV & CA, alcoholism, parental death
🛍️ Available: 6/2
💬 So I have mixed feelings about this story. I liked the characters, although I'm still not sure how to pronounce Vale's name 😅 I keep saying it's like it rhymes with Gail in my head, but since it's short for Valentine I guess it could be Val-uh. Anyway, back to what I was saying about mixed feelings. I gave it 4 stars because overall I enjoyed it. However there were a few things that stuck out that I didn't really enjoy.
Some of my feelings can probably be attributed to the fact that I read three books in this series in a really short span of time. I've mentioned before that I need a lot of space between books in a series... oftentimes I will wait 1 to 2 months or more before reading the next book so I don't get burnt out. But like I said I did enjoy it, I think this is a solid read, and I plan to finish the series and not just because I want to know that fucking Andy gets his comeuppance 😂
First, Dunbar really seems to enjoy writing characters with dead moms... And it just seems a little overdone. I guess I'm just tired of that "trope". Like obviously it's going to be mentioned a lot because the Sylvers are the MCs of all the books and their mom passed but two other characters in this book had the same tragedy.
Along with that, I guess call me a prude if you want but I just find it really weird (and it made me kinda uncomfortable) that Vale thought to bring a vibrator to a weekend sports camp trip. I just .......... 😬 Like I'm not even bothered by them making out or having sex, that makes sense! It's a romance...but she can't go two nights AT HER SON'S BASEBALL CAMP without rubbing one out? 😂
I'm glad that I FINALLY found out what the issue is between Cort and Stone, and I get it I really do, but there's a part of me that's sort of like...really that's it??
Okay, I know I sound super negative but I promise it's not all bad. The camp thing sort of threw me I'm not going to lie but I also think of the three books I've read in the series this one is my favorite. It did pull me in and I got really invested in learning about Cort's history.
I really appreciated how the DV was handled in this book. I can't really go into more about it because it would give a lot of the story away but I think it was a really good way of shedding light on something that's not always talked about.
I also really enjoyed the touch aversion / touch starved plot line between the MCs. I know I've only been reading romance for about a year and a half but I've read a lot of books in that time frame and this is not a trope that I've come up against very much.
June 11, 2025
Ok
"The last thing I want is Cortland Haven seeing all my pieces."
This book shouldn't be read asxa standalone. I needed a recap or a family tree diagram in the front of the book to help me keep things straight. There are so many siblings and side characters that add to the story.
While reading this, I felt like a lot of the story was a 'read between the lines' situation. Like this story was told on tiktok using vague descriptions to not get flagged. All the little subplots, I just needed more... for example...1. what is up with the sheriff guy who works with Stone? He is angry and dangerous. Why doesn't Stone do something? What was the deal with Cortland's sister? All the scenes with her were strange.. what about Cortland's brother, was that just a hookup we saw or does he start dating Vale's 'friend', and I say friend loosely because we only her about her when she ditches Vale for a hookupAlso, is Josh with his baby mama or is he a single dad all the way? And the end was confusing, I thought Stone was with the mayor, but now it seems he is in insta-love with this other chick?!?!
Overall, this was entertaining, and I will read the next one. I just feel like this read as part of another story, not a standalone.
"The last thing I want is Cortland Haven seeing all my pieces."
This book shouldn't be read asxa standalone. I needed a recap or a family tree diagram in the front of the book to help me keep things straight. There are so many siblings and side characters that add to the story.
While reading this, I felt like a lot of the story was a 'read between the lines' situation. Like this story was told on tiktok using vague descriptions to not get flagged. All the little subplots, I just needed more... for example...1. what is up with the sheriff guy who works with Stone? He is angry and dangerous. Why doesn't Stone do something? What was the deal with Cortland's sister? All the scenes with her were strange.. what about Cortland's brother, was that just a hookup we saw or does he start dating Vale's 'friend', and I say friend loosely because we only her about her when she ditches Vale for a hookupAlso, is Josh with his baby mama or is he a single dad all the way? And the end was confusing, I thought Stone was with the mayor, but now it seems he is in insta-love with this other chick?!?!
Overall, this was entertaining, and I will read the next one. I just feel like this read as part of another story, not a standalone.
June 5, 2025
Can we take a moment an appreciate the greatness that is this cover?
Not only is it a great “couple” pose, but it is THIS STORY! I’m not sure if I’m going to do this story justice with my review, but here goes…
I feel like I’ve said this a million times in the past, but for those of you in the back, LB Dunbar is one of the best authors of later in life stories. She’s always sensitive to the “baggage” that most people carry once they’ve hit a certain point in their life and is always respectful with any circumstances she adds to her characters, and by circumstances, I mean “conditions” her characters have to struggle with and such. And finally, her characters adult properly and it just makes me happy!
There’s a lot of history in this story, not just history between our MCs, but history between their families. There are challenges coming at them left and right and if I stop to think about everything this book touched on, I am in awe that everything had a purpose, and nothing was left blowing in the wind. The story just has all these circumstances everywhere and they all mean something, and they all need to be “told” in order for our MCs to make sense and that’s my favorite part about the book. Life is messy and not straightforward and the more we live, the more we experience and these two had buckets of experience and Dunbar didn’t skimp on any of it! It was heartfelt and heartbreaking all at the same time. It was powerful yet will bring you to your knees at times. It is so immersive, that I lost track of everything once I started reading. From the cover to the very last word, this is one of the best later in life romances I’ve read in years and I cannot wait to find out who’s going to be cast as Vale & Cort for the audiobook!
I feel like I’ve said this a million times in the past, but for those of you in the back, LB Dunbar is one of the best authors of later in life stories. She’s always sensitive to the “baggage” that most people carry once they’ve hit a certain point in their life and is always respectful with any circumstances she adds to her characters, and by circumstances, I mean “conditions” her characters have to struggle with and such. And finally, her characters adult properly and it just makes me happy!
There’s a lot of history in this story, not just history between our MCs, but history between their families. There are challenges coming at them left and right and if I stop to think about everything this book touched on, I am in awe that everything had a purpose, and nothing was left blowing in the wind. The story just has all these circumstances everywhere and they all mean something, and they all need to be “told” in order for our MCs to make sense and that’s my favorite part about the book. Life is messy and not straightforward and the more we live, the more we experience and these two had buckets of experience and Dunbar didn’t skimp on any of it! It was heartfelt and heartbreaking all at the same time. It was powerful yet will bring you to your knees at times. It is so immersive, that I lost track of everything once I started reading. From the cover to the very last word, this is one of the best later in life romances I’ve read in years and I cannot wait to find out who’s going to be cast as Vale & Cort for the audiobook!
June 5, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sterling Touch is the 6th book in the Sterling Falls series, but it was my first book by L.B. Dunbar. This was a sweet, slow burn, age gap with slight forbidden romance vibes.
Vale had a crush on her brother's best friend Cortland for years, but he was 12 years older than her. Unfortunately, Cortland betrayed her brother, and their families broke all contact. Vale had a one night stand with him when she was in her 20's, but the interaction didn't go great, and they didn't have contact for another 12 years. Now Cort is her son's baseball coach, and he is also coming to her for help with his back since she is a massage therapist. They have a lot of things to work through with their pasts and his betrayal of her brother. They are both really attracted to each other, and Cort finally decides to pursue her. They have to keep their relationship a secret because she did not want to hurt her brother Stone, who sacrificed everything to raise her when their father died.
Cort and Vale had such a beautiful connection, and their chemistry was off the charts. I really appreciated how slow they went sexually, especially since Cort suffered from touch aversion. Vale was so patient and understanding with him and waited for him to feel comfortable with opening up about his trauma.
It was beautiful seeing Cort finally forgive himself and realize he deserved happiness.
TW: death during childbirth, abusive parent, domestic violence, child abuse
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ARC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sterling Touch is the 6th book in the Sterling Falls series, but it was my first book by L.B. Dunbar. This was a sweet, slow burn, age gap with slight forbidden romance vibes.
Vale had a crush on her brother's best friend Cortland for years, but he was 12 years older than her. Unfortunately, Cortland betrayed her brother, and their families broke all contact. Vale had a one night stand with him when she was in her 20's, but the interaction didn't go great, and they didn't have contact for another 12 years. Now Cort is her son's baseball coach, and he is also coming to her for help with his back since she is a massage therapist. They have a lot of things to work through with their pasts and his betrayal of her brother. They are both really attracted to each other, and Cort finally decides to pursue her. They have to keep their relationship a secret because she did not want to hurt her brother Stone, who sacrificed everything to raise her when their father died.
Cort and Vale had such a beautiful connection, and their chemistry was off the charts. I really appreciated how slow they went sexually, especially since Cort suffered from touch aversion. Vale was so patient and understanding with him and waited for him to feel comfortable with opening up about his trauma.
It was beautiful seeing Cort finally forgive himself and realize he deserved happiness.
TW: death during childbirth, abusive parent, domestic violence, child abuse
Thank you to The Author Agency for providing the ARC.
June 12, 2025
Loved It
I’m not usually a big fan of the “It’s Always Been You” or “Friends to Lovers” tropes, but this one hit differently. Vale has been carrying a quiet torch for Cort since she was a kid. Sure, the 12-year age gap felt huge back then and Cort, being her brother’s best friend, had no clue she was crushing, but now, as adults, that gap doesn’t feel like such a big deal. And it’s worth noting: they weren’t exactly friends back then...more like “frequent houseguest and little sister-in-the-background” energy.
What really stood out for me was the sensitive handling of Cort’s backstory. Specifically, the fallout with Stone and the deeper reason behind Cort’s divorce. I’m keeping this vague to avoid spoilers, but I truly appreciated the way LB Dunbar tackled a rarely discussed real-life issue with care and nuance. It’s something I haven’t seen much of in romance, and it added emotional weight that felt honest and refreshing.
Another standout? The unique dynamic between the main characters. I don’t think I’ve read a book that pairs a character with touch aversion (Cort) and one who’s touch-starved (Vale), and watching them navigate that tension, emotionally and physically, was powerful and incredibly well done. It made their connection feel even more intimate and meaningful.
This was my first book in the series, but not my first by Dunbar. And now? I’m all in for Stone’s book next. His setup promises drama, fun, and heart. I’m still debating whether to go back and read the earlier ones, but Dunbar gave enough context that I didn’t feel lost and a few of those couples do sound like a blast.
If I had one critique, it’s the bee/honey euphemisms. I get that Vale is a beekeeper and Cort calls her “Little Bee” (though I don’t recall if he ever actually explains it?), but the constant sweet-talk (especially in the spicy moments) pulled me out of the story a bit. It leaned heavy into the theme and sometimes felt like too much.
Still, this book delivered in all the right ways: emotional depth, compelling tension, and a love story that felt earned.
Thank you, LB Dunbar and The Author Agency, for the ARC!
I’m not usually a big fan of the “It’s Always Been You” or “Friends to Lovers” tropes, but this one hit differently. Vale has been carrying a quiet torch for Cort since she was a kid. Sure, the 12-year age gap felt huge back then and Cort, being her brother’s best friend, had no clue she was crushing, but now, as adults, that gap doesn’t feel like such a big deal. And it’s worth noting: they weren’t exactly friends back then...more like “frequent houseguest and little sister-in-the-background” energy.
What really stood out for me was the sensitive handling of Cort’s backstory. Specifically, the fallout with Stone and the deeper reason behind Cort’s divorce. I’m keeping this vague to avoid spoilers, but I truly appreciated the way LB Dunbar tackled a rarely discussed real-life issue with care and nuance. It’s something I haven’t seen much of in romance, and it added emotional weight that felt honest and refreshing.
Another standout? The unique dynamic between the main characters. I don’t think I’ve read a book that pairs a character with touch aversion (Cort) and one who’s touch-starved (Vale), and watching them navigate that tension, emotionally and physically, was powerful and incredibly well done. It made their connection feel even more intimate and meaningful.
This was my first book in the series, but not my first by Dunbar. And now? I’m all in for Stone’s book next. His setup promises drama, fun, and heart. I’m still debating whether to go back and read the earlier ones, but Dunbar gave enough context that I didn’t feel lost and a few of those couples do sound like a blast.
If I had one critique, it’s the bee/honey euphemisms. I get that Vale is a beekeeper and Cort calls her “Little Bee” (though I don’t recall if he ever actually explains it?), but the constant sweet-talk (especially in the spicy moments) pulled me out of the story a bit. It leaned heavy into the theme and sometimes felt like too much.
Still, this book delivered in all the right ways: emotional depth, compelling tension, and a love story that felt earned.
Thank you, LB Dunbar and The Author Agency, for the ARC!
May 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5
🌶🌶🌶🌶 out of 5
💗Childhood Crush
🫦Age Gap (34, 46)
🪀Toys as Teammates
❤️🔥Mutual Pining
💙Brother's Ex Best Friend
🧏♀️Single Mom & Dad
🫶Touch Deprived FMC x Touch Averse MMC
Review
We have a bit of a silver fox, blue collar cowboy type in 46 year old Cort that you all you fall for. And we get a very strong and smart FMC with Vale. The family and found family vibe feels natural and solid (as we have many sibling characters from previous books). What I liked is the way in which their interactions increase. It felt organic and original, not predictable and forced for the narrative's sake.
It was interesting how Vale is said to be "touch deprived" and Colt is "touch averse". I felt a bit confused by the extent of Vales though and maybe i just don't understand the connection of her condition and why that means she doesn't get an org@sm (?). And Colt had touch aversion but it felt to me like there are lots of times Vale touches him even early on (but it seems his sensitivity is more in the intimate areas?). I just got confused by their conditions and the consistency and specifics. I loved the idea of their two conditions together though. And Cort's reason for aversion is such a sensitively handled one and made me love him more.
Cort is such a big softie. And the way these two have crossed paths and silently pined for almost 15 years, is both heart breaking and deeply satisfying (because they do eventually get their HEA!). I like that they can acknowledge that they have true feelings more readily. This man makes it clear he cares for her. It's their sneaking around that increases the drama since Cort stole his best friends girl 20 years ago (who"s Vale's brother).
Having read Sterling Fight (and loved that) before this, I'm happy to say this is a very solid addition to the Sterling Falls series! Andn im definitely in for the last and oldest siblings story, Stone!
🌶🌶🌶🌶 out of 5
💗Childhood Crush
🫦Age Gap (34, 46)
🪀Toys as Teammates
❤️🔥Mutual Pining
💙Brother's Ex Best Friend
🧏♀️Single Mom & Dad
🫶Touch Deprived FMC x Touch Averse MMC
Review
We have a bit of a silver fox, blue collar cowboy type in 46 year old Cort that you all you fall for. And we get a very strong and smart FMC with Vale. The family and found family vibe feels natural and solid (as we have many sibling characters from previous books). What I liked is the way in which their interactions increase. It felt organic and original, not predictable and forced for the narrative's sake.
It was interesting how Vale is said to be "touch deprived" and Colt is "touch averse". I felt a bit confused by the extent of Vales though and maybe i just don't understand the connection of her condition and why that means she doesn't get an org@sm (?). And Colt had touch aversion but it felt to me like there are lots of times Vale touches him even early on (but it seems his sensitivity is more in the intimate areas?). I just got confused by their conditions and the consistency and specifics. I loved the idea of their two conditions together though. And Cort's reason for aversion is such a sensitively handled one and made me love him more.
Cort is such a big softie. And the way these two have crossed paths and silently pined for almost 15 years, is both heart breaking and deeply satisfying (because they do eventually get their HEA!). I like that they can acknowledge that they have true feelings more readily. This man makes it clear he cares for her. It's their sneaking around that increases the drama since Cort stole his best friends girl 20 years ago (who"s Vale's brother).
Having read Sterling Fight (and loved that) before this, I'm happy to say this is a very solid addition to the Sterling Falls series! Andn im definitely in for the last and oldest siblings story, Stone!
June 16, 2025
THE ROMANTIC BOSNIAN BLOG REVIEW
*ARC Read*
This is not a new author to me but it has been a while since I've read her. I do remember that she does older characters, and I love that. This did not disappoint.
We have the MMC Cort who is 46 and lets just say a new meaning to silver fox *sizzling* that said his MFC is Vale who is just someone I want to be when I grow up. She was amazing, and strong, and sweet, and sexy...loved her. This is a SLOW BURN and it was well needed for these two. There was a few places I was not happy with and questioned it all but all in all I really enjoyed this book!
*ARC Read*
This is not a new author to me but it has been a while since I've read her. I do remember that she does older characters, and I love that. This did not disappoint.
We have the MMC Cort who is 46 and lets just say a new meaning to silver fox *sizzling* that said his MFC is Vale who is just someone I want to be when I grow up. She was amazing, and strong, and sweet, and sexy...loved her. This is a SLOW BURN and it was well needed for these two. There was a few places I was not happy with and questioned it all but all in all I really enjoyed this book!
June 20, 2025
a little too desperate
DNF at 63%. Not a fan of the FMC. She was a little too available for a woman in her situation. After 12 years of being ghosted by her “crush” who basically discarded her she was all too willing to just jump back in the hay with the him consequences be damned. Knowing full well her actions would actually hurt her older brother who basically took her in when she got knocked up and raised her in place of her drunk and absent father. As soon as the sneaking around began the rest of the story kind just wrote itself.
DNF at 63%. Not a fan of the FMC. She was a little too available for a woman in her situation. After 12 years of being ghosted by her “crush” who basically discarded her she was all too willing to just jump back in the hay with the him consequences be damned. Knowing full well her actions would actually hurt her older brother who basically took her in when she got knocked up and raised her in place of her drunk and absent father. As soon as the sneaking around began the rest of the story kind just wrote itself.
June 5, 2025
The Sterling Falls Series has been an absolute pleasure to read and as the only sister, and the youngest, to 6 brothers Valentine’s was one of my favorites. The chemistry between Vale and Cortland was undeniable.
Having just finished, I’m gathering my thoughts and can’t wait for what’s to come …this story is amazing!
Having just finished, I’m gathering my thoughts and can’t wait for what’s to come …this story is amazing!
June 16, 2025
This book is a solid 3 for me. It’s good and continues the series but there is nothing spectacular about it. This series is hard to read when books are released every 9 months. I have plum forgotten about the ongoing series details by the time I pick up the next book. Like, I don’t remember why Sebastian went to prison because I read that book December of 2023! Or the things their father did.
And I hate how the author introduces a plot point but then never feels resolved. Like Cort’s relationship with Stone. Clearly Cort was in the wrong but felt horrible about it and ultimately got the short end of that stick. But there was no resolution. Maybe that’s coming in Stone’s book 🤷♀️And what happened with Henry???
I appreciate the growth journey for both Cort and Vale. And the story overall is fine. Ok read. I’m ready for Stone’s story
And I hate how the author introduces a plot point but then never feels resolved. Like Cort’s relationship with Stone. Clearly Cort was in the wrong but felt horrible about it and ultimately got the short end of that stick. But there was no resolution. Maybe that’s coming in Stone’s book 🤷♀️And what happened with Henry???
I appreciate the growth journey for both Cort and Vale. And the story overall is fine. Ok read. I’m ready for Stone’s story
June 9, 2025
Well I don’t know if I can explain this but I can’t forgive him for what he did to Stone.
I’m really sorry for what his ex wife did to him, but he slept with his best friend’s girlfriend when he was at his worst and that is not acceptable.
I don’t like that Vale lied to Stone, the one who takes care of her and then her son. She lied to him like Cort has in the past.
If I was less upset about that, the story would have been better.
I’m really sorry for what his ex wife did to him, but he slept with his best friend’s girlfriend when he was at his worst and that is not acceptable.
I don’t like that Vale lied to Stone, the one who takes care of her and then her son. She lied to him like Cort has in the past.
If I was less upset about that, the story would have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
I knew from the beginning this book wouldn’t work for me
1 She fell in love when she was 10 and he was 22 (NO GOD! PLEASE NO!!! NOOOOOOOOO)
2 he changed her diapers (I have no words)
3 The age gap stuff is mentioned throughout the whole book(She's 34 and he's 46) I just rolled my eyes so hard I think I saw my brain
4.lies, lies, lies
There’s a lot more, but I won’t bother. This book has already taken up too much of my day.
1 She fell in love when she was 10 and he was 22 (NO GOD! PLEASE NO!!! NOOOOOOOOO)
2 he changed her diapers (I have no words)
3 The age gap stuff is mentioned throughout the whole book(She's 34 and he's 46) I just rolled my eyes so hard I think I saw my brain
4.lies, lies, lies
There’s a lot more, but I won’t bother. This book has already taken up too much of my day.
June 21, 2025
Overall Grade: B
Tropes: single mom; band of brothers (sister); brother’s former best friend turned enemy; small town; second chance; forbidden romance
L.B. Dunbar's Sterling Touch represents a solid addition to the Sterling Falls series, earning a well-deserved four-star rating as the sixth installment in this compelling family saga. Dunbar demonstrates considerable wisdom in finally granting Vale Sylver her own narrative, particularly given the series' previous focus on the Sylver brothers. The anticipation surrounding Vale's story proved justified, as her character deserved exploration beyond her supporting role in earlier volumes.
The strength of Sterling Touch lies in Dunbar's continued examination of how childhood trauma reverberates through adult relationships. Vale's character emerges from the profound absence created by her mother's death during childbirth, leaving what can only be described as a "mother-shaped hole" in her emotional landscape. The author skillfully depicts how Stone Sylver and his brothers attempted to compensate for both maternal loss and paternal neglect, creating a family dynamic built on protective love but also unintended consequences.
Vale's character development reflects this complex upbringing with remarkable authenticity. Her youthful impetuousness gradually transforms into adult caution, as she learns to prioritize her relationships with her brothers sometimes at personal cost. Dunbar captures this evolution with nuanced understanding of how family loyalty can both nurture and constrain individual growth. The psychological depth of Vale's characterization elevates the narrative beyond typical romance conventions.
The romantic tension between Vale and Cort Haven provides the novel's central conflict through the forbidden attraction trope. Cort's status as Stone's former best friend turned enemy creates immediate dramatic potential, and Dunbar exploits this tension effectively. However, the necessities of maintaining secrecy inherent to this trope create communication barriers that occasionally feel artificial. While adult characters maintaining clandestine relationships to avoid family conflict serves the story's dramatic needs, it sometimes undermines the emotional authenticity that otherwise characterizes Dunbar's writing.
The repetitive nature of Vale and Cort's secret meetings becomes apparent as the narrative progresses, representing one of the novel's structural weaknesses. The cycle of attraction, guilt, and concealment, while emotionally resonant initially, loses impact through repetition. This pacing issue prevents the story from maintaining consistent momentum throughout its development.
Cort's character arc provides significant emotional weight to the narrative. His estrangement from Stone Sylver carries genuine consequences that have shaped his adult identity, and Dunbar explores the psychological toll of prolonged guilt and isolation with considerable skill. The parallel journeys of Vale and Cort toward self-forgiveness create the novel's most compelling thematic element. Their mutual recognition that past mistakes need not dictate present choices offers a powerful message about redemption and personal growth.
The supporting cast of Sylver siblings and their partners continues to provide one of the series' greatest strengths. Their interventions in Vale and Cort's relationship feel organic rather than contrived, and their collective wisdom serves both character development and plot advancement. The family dynamics remain believable despite the dramatic circumstances, a testament to Dunbar's understanding of sibling relationships.
Sterling Touch succeeds in its exploration of middle-aged romance, a demographic often underserved in contemporary fiction. Dunbar's commitment to mature characters facing realistic emotional challenges distinguishes her work within the romance genre. The potential for expanding into a Haven family series based on the groundwork laid in this novel suggests promising future developments.
The novel's exploration of how individuals can overcome their formative traumas while preserving essential family bonds offers profound emotional resonance. Vale and Cort's journey toward authentic communication and mutual acceptance offers hope without sacrificing the complexity that makes their relationship all the more compelling.
While Sterling Touch occasionally suffers from the structural limitations of its chosen tropes, Dunbar's skillful character development and thematic depth create a satisfying reading experience. The novel succeeds both as a standalone romance and as a meaningful contribution to the Sterling Falls series, confirming Dunbar's ability to craft emotionally authentic stories that honor both individual growth and family loyalty.
Tropes: single mom; band of brothers (sister); brother’s former best friend turned enemy; small town; second chance; forbidden romance
L.B. Dunbar's Sterling Touch represents a solid addition to the Sterling Falls series, earning a well-deserved four-star rating as the sixth installment in this compelling family saga. Dunbar demonstrates considerable wisdom in finally granting Vale Sylver her own narrative, particularly given the series' previous focus on the Sylver brothers. The anticipation surrounding Vale's story proved justified, as her character deserved exploration beyond her supporting role in earlier volumes.
The strength of Sterling Touch lies in Dunbar's continued examination of how childhood trauma reverberates through adult relationships. Vale's character emerges from the profound absence created by her mother's death during childbirth, leaving what can only be described as a "mother-shaped hole" in her emotional landscape. The author skillfully depicts how Stone Sylver and his brothers attempted to compensate for both maternal loss and paternal neglect, creating a family dynamic built on protective love but also unintended consequences.
Vale's character development reflects this complex upbringing with remarkable authenticity. Her youthful impetuousness gradually transforms into adult caution, as she learns to prioritize her relationships with her brothers sometimes at personal cost. Dunbar captures this evolution with nuanced understanding of how family loyalty can both nurture and constrain individual growth. The psychological depth of Vale's characterization elevates the narrative beyond typical romance conventions.
The romantic tension between Vale and Cort Haven provides the novel's central conflict through the forbidden attraction trope. Cort's status as Stone's former best friend turned enemy creates immediate dramatic potential, and Dunbar exploits this tension effectively. However, the necessities of maintaining secrecy inherent to this trope create communication barriers that occasionally feel artificial. While adult characters maintaining clandestine relationships to avoid family conflict serves the story's dramatic needs, it sometimes undermines the emotional authenticity that otherwise characterizes Dunbar's writing.
The repetitive nature of Vale and Cort's secret meetings becomes apparent as the narrative progresses, representing one of the novel's structural weaknesses. The cycle of attraction, guilt, and concealment, while emotionally resonant initially, loses impact through repetition. This pacing issue prevents the story from maintaining consistent momentum throughout its development.
Cort's character arc provides significant emotional weight to the narrative. His estrangement from Stone Sylver carries genuine consequences that have shaped his adult identity, and Dunbar explores the psychological toll of prolonged guilt and isolation with considerable skill. The parallel journeys of Vale and Cort toward self-forgiveness create the novel's most compelling thematic element. Their mutual recognition that past mistakes need not dictate present choices offers a powerful message about redemption and personal growth.
The supporting cast of Sylver siblings and their partners continues to provide one of the series' greatest strengths. Their interventions in Vale and Cort's relationship feel organic rather than contrived, and their collective wisdom serves both character development and plot advancement. The family dynamics remain believable despite the dramatic circumstances, a testament to Dunbar's understanding of sibling relationships.
Sterling Touch succeeds in its exploration of middle-aged romance, a demographic often underserved in contemporary fiction. Dunbar's commitment to mature characters facing realistic emotional challenges distinguishes her work within the romance genre. The potential for expanding into a Haven family series based on the groundwork laid in this novel suggests promising future developments.
The novel's exploration of how individuals can overcome their formative traumas while preserving essential family bonds offers profound emotional resonance. Vale and Cort's journey toward authentic communication and mutual acceptance offers hope without sacrificing the complexity that makes their relationship all the more compelling.
While Sterling Touch occasionally suffers from the structural limitations of its chosen tropes, Dunbar's skillful character development and thematic depth create a satisfying reading experience. The novel succeeds both as a standalone romance and as a meaningful contribution to the Sterling Falls series, confirming Dunbar's ability to craft emotionally authentic stories that honor both individual growth and family loyalty.
June 7, 2025
Amazon
Long ago Vale (Valentine) and Cort (Cortland) had a moment. That moment could have become more, but a feud between him and his best friend at the time, aka her older brother Stone, has had him persona non grata with her family ever since. Now she's back and they keep running into each other, and more significantly, he's her son's coach. All their close proximity is bringing the old feelings back, and it's now a test of wills to see who will give in first. They're going to test their feelings, and discover things about each other they never knew. There are a lot of obstacles in their path to happiness, though - her brother and the rest of the family, all the things unsaid and unknown, and pain and betrayal.
Cort and Vale's history was complicated, littered with so much pain that I wondered if they'd ever be able to get past it all. Their journey was a slow burn, hampered by his condition, and of course the feud between her brother and Cort. Cort's backstory was especially heartbreaking - he had to come to terms with his part in the feud, but more significantly, to forgive himself and realize he wasn't a bad person, even if he had made super questionable choices in his past, and he had to finally tell Vale what had happened. I shed a few tears along the way, but I absolutely fell in love with this beautiful couple. The final installment of Sterling Falls, Stone's story Sterling Stone, is next, and excited to finally see who takes Stone to his knees.
ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.
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June 5, 2025
I love author L. B. Dunbar’s Sterling Falls series. Each book focuses on one of the seven siblings and the folks around them. We’re almost out of siblings and I’m already a little sad that this series will end someday. In the meantime, there are five books to go back and enjoy and this, number 6, Vale’s story, is just as wonderful as the others.
Valentine Sylver – Vale – is 34, a single mom to Hudson, 11, and the youngest of the Sylver siblings, the only sister to six brothers. She never knew her mother and her father basically ignored her until she was 10; things happened, life changed forever, and Stone, the oldest Sylver brother, came home and took care of everyone. And he’s been taking care of her ever since. She can’t even imagine how her life would have been if Stone hadn’t taken her in when she came home from college pregnant and with no partner.
Even if she is a mom, she’s still a young, vibrant woman with passions and needs, but prospects are slim in Sterling Falls and the neighboring towns like Rogue River. Besides, she had a little girl crush on one of the guys from Rogue River when she was 10, she still had that crush when she was 22 – but definitely not a little girl crush then – and unfortunately that crush still seems to be with her. Not that that is a prospect either: the man in question is Cortland Haven, ex-best friend of her brother Stone. Twelve years ago there was perceived betrayal, guilt, unfixable events – and no one has spoken since.
Cort is 46, not much of a talker, not a mingler. He didn’t mind when Stone’s little sister followed them around all the time, but that was nothing like the way he – much to his own dismay – sees and thinks of her now. In fact, he fell off a roof a year ago because he was staring at Vale. Which leads him to need physical therapy – and guess who the physical therapist is? Yep, Vale. Is Fate finally taking a hand here? Cort and Vale are going to be seeing more of each other – and talking to each other – more than they have the previous dozen years. Not only is she his physical therapist, but he’s also Hudson’s baseball coach.
There is something between them from the first encounters and it makes you just sink into the story like all author Dunbar’s books do. You kind of know what’s coming, or more accurately what you hope is coming. And you can’t wait to experience it all right along with Vale and Cort. At some point they each separately conclude that they are adults, they can stop trying to avoid this impossible to ignore attraction between them – but Stone can’t know. Not sure how that will work out, but it will be fun to watch them acting like teenagers trying to avoid the parents.
There is so much going on in Sterling Touch and I loved every minute of it. Cort is touch averse – how did that happen and can he be helped? What about Hudson’s father? He’s never really been in the picture except he occasionally sends Vale gifts – what’s with that? And the pushy, rude, overbearing father of Hudson’s teammate and friend? Who sleazily implies he’d like “something” with Vale, and also seems like the world’s worst single dad? Then of course there’s “book club.” Can’t miss that. Or any of the many little secrets that surprise you, or the tender, sweet little things that will make you swoon. Or, of course, the heat. That attraction is strong, as is the compatibility. When these two are together in the steamy scenes – wow.
Sterling Touch is funny, romantic, at times heartbreaking when you are again reminded of just how tough times were for the Sylvers. Family is so important and all of them make a welcome appearance. You will love Cort and Vale from the start, and immerse yourself into this exciting, heartwarming story. I received an advance copy of Sterling Touch. I absolutely loved it, recommend it without hesitation, and can’t wait to see if the little teaser at the end is for Stone’s story next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
Valentine Sylver – Vale – is 34, a single mom to Hudson, 11, and the youngest of the Sylver siblings, the only sister to six brothers. She never knew her mother and her father basically ignored her until she was 10; things happened, life changed forever, and Stone, the oldest Sylver brother, came home and took care of everyone. And he’s been taking care of her ever since. She can’t even imagine how her life would have been if Stone hadn’t taken her in when she came home from college pregnant and with no partner.
Even if she is a mom, she’s still a young, vibrant woman with passions and needs, but prospects are slim in Sterling Falls and the neighboring towns like Rogue River. Besides, she had a little girl crush on one of the guys from Rogue River when she was 10, she still had that crush when she was 22 – but definitely not a little girl crush then – and unfortunately that crush still seems to be with her. Not that that is a prospect either: the man in question is Cortland Haven, ex-best friend of her brother Stone. Twelve years ago there was perceived betrayal, guilt, unfixable events – and no one has spoken since.
Cort is 46, not much of a talker, not a mingler. He didn’t mind when Stone’s little sister followed them around all the time, but that was nothing like the way he – much to his own dismay – sees and thinks of her now. In fact, he fell off a roof a year ago because he was staring at Vale. Which leads him to need physical therapy – and guess who the physical therapist is? Yep, Vale. Is Fate finally taking a hand here? Cort and Vale are going to be seeing more of each other – and talking to each other – more than they have the previous dozen years. Not only is she his physical therapist, but he’s also Hudson’s baseball coach.
There is something between them from the first encounters and it makes you just sink into the story like all author Dunbar’s books do. You kind of know what’s coming, or more accurately what you hope is coming. And you can’t wait to experience it all right along with Vale and Cort. At some point they each separately conclude that they are adults, they can stop trying to avoid this impossible to ignore attraction between them – but Stone can’t know. Not sure how that will work out, but it will be fun to watch them acting like teenagers trying to avoid the parents.
There is so much going on in Sterling Touch and I loved every minute of it. Cort is touch averse – how did that happen and can he be helped? What about Hudson’s father? He’s never really been in the picture except he occasionally sends Vale gifts – what’s with that? And the pushy, rude, overbearing father of Hudson’s teammate and friend? Who sleazily implies he’d like “something” with Vale, and also seems like the world’s worst single dad? Then of course there’s “book club.” Can’t miss that. Or any of the many little secrets that surprise you, or the tender, sweet little things that will make you swoon. Or, of course, the heat. That attraction is strong, as is the compatibility. When these two are together in the steamy scenes – wow.
Sterling Touch is funny, romantic, at times heartbreaking when you are again reminded of just how tough times were for the Sylvers. Family is so important and all of them make a welcome appearance. You will love Cort and Vale from the start, and immerse yourself into this exciting, heartwarming story. I received an advance copy of Sterling Touch. I absolutely loved it, recommend it without hesitation, and can’t wait to see if the little teaser at the end is for Stone’s story next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
June 21, 2025
Overall Grade: B
Tropes: single mom; band of brothers (sister); brother’s former best friend turned enemy; small town; second chance; forbidden romance
L.B. Dunbar's Sterling Touch represents a solid addition to the Sterling Falls series, earning a well-deserved four-star rating as the sixth installment in this compelling family saga. Dunbar demonstrates considerable wisdom in finally granting Vale Sylver her own narrative, particularly given the series' previous focus on the Sylver brothers. The anticipation surrounding Vale's story proved justified, as her character deserved exploration beyond her supporting role in earlier volumes.
The strength of Sterling Touch lies in Dunbar's continued examination of how childhood trauma reverberates through adult relationships. Vale's character emerges from the profound absence created by her mother's death during childbirth, leaving what can only be described as a "mother-shaped hole" in her emotional landscape. The author skillfully depicts how Stone Sylver and his brothers attempted to compensate for both maternal loss and paternal neglect, creating a family dynamic built on protective love but also unintended consequences.
Vale's character development reflects this complex upbringing with remarkable authenticity. Her youthful impetuousness gradually transforms into adult caution, as she learns to prioritize her relationships with her brothers sometimes at personal cost. Dunbar captures this evolution with nuanced understanding of how family loyalty can both nurture and constrain individual growth. The psychological depth of Vale's characterization elevates the narrative beyond typical romance conventions.
The romantic tension between Vale and Cort Haven provides the novel's central conflict through the forbidden attraction trope. Cort's status as Stone's former best friend turned enemy creates immediate dramatic potential, and Dunbar exploits this tension effectively. However, the necessities of maintaining secrecy inherent to this trope create communication barriers that occasionally feel artificial. While adult characters maintaining clandestine relationships to avoid family conflict serves the story's dramatic needs, it sometimes undermines the emotional authenticity that otherwise characterizes Dunbar's writing.
The repetitive nature of Vale and Cort's secret meetings becomes apparent as the narrative progresses, representing one of the novel's structural weaknesses. The cycle of attraction, guilt, and concealment, while emotionally resonant initially, loses impact through repetition. This pacing issue prevents the story from maintaining consistent momentum throughout its development.
Cort's character arc provides significant emotional weight to the narrative. His estrangement from Stone Sylver carries genuine consequences that have shaped his adult identity, and Dunbar explores the psychological toll of prolonged guilt and isolation with considerable skill. The parallel journeys of Vale and Cort toward self-forgiveness create the novel's most compelling thematic element. Their mutual recognition that past mistakes need not dictate present choices offers a powerful message about redemption and personal growth.
The supporting cast of Sylver siblings and their partners continues to provide one of the series' greatest strengths. Their interventions in Vale and Cort's relationship feel organic rather than contrived, and their collective wisdom serves both character development and plot advancement. The family dynamics remain believable despite the dramatic circumstances, a testament to Dunbar's understanding of sibling relationships.
Sterling Touch succeeds in its exploration of middle-aged romance, a demographic often underserved in contemporary fiction. Dunbar's commitment to mature characters facing realistic emotional challenges distinguishes her work within the romance genre. The potential for expanding into a Haven family series based on the groundwork laid in this novel suggests promising future developments.
The novel's exploration of how individuals can overcome their formative traumas while preserving essential family bonds offers profound emotional resonance. Vale and Cort's journey toward authentic communication and mutual acceptance offers hope without sacrificing the complexity that makes their relationship all the more compelling.
While Sterling Touch occasionally suffers from the structural limitations of its chosen tropes, Dunbar's skillful character development and thematic depth create a satisfying reading experience. The novel succeeds both as a standalone romance and as a meaningful contribution to the Sterling Falls series, confirming Dunbar's ability to craft emotionally authentic stories that honor both individual growth and family loyalty.
Tropes: single mom; band of brothers (sister); brother’s former best friend turned enemy; small town; second chance; forbidden romance
L.B. Dunbar's Sterling Touch represents a solid addition to the Sterling Falls series, earning a well-deserved four-star rating as the sixth installment in this compelling family saga. Dunbar demonstrates considerable wisdom in finally granting Vale Sylver her own narrative, particularly given the series' previous focus on the Sylver brothers. The anticipation surrounding Vale's story proved justified, as her character deserved exploration beyond her supporting role in earlier volumes.
The strength of Sterling Touch lies in Dunbar's continued examination of how childhood trauma reverberates through adult relationships. Vale's character emerges from the profound absence created by her mother's death during childbirth, leaving what can only be described as a "mother-shaped hole" in her emotional landscape. The author skillfully depicts how Stone Sylver and his brothers attempted to compensate for both maternal loss and paternal neglect, creating a family dynamic built on protective love but also unintended consequences.
Vale's character development reflects this complex upbringing with remarkable authenticity. Her youthful impetuousness gradually transforms into adult caution, as she learns to prioritize her relationships with her brothers sometimes at personal cost. Dunbar captures this evolution with nuanced understanding of how family loyalty can both nurture and constrain individual growth. The psychological depth of Vale's characterization elevates the narrative beyond typical romance conventions.
The romantic tension between Vale and Cort Haven provides the novel's central conflict through the forbidden attraction trope. Cort's status as Stone's former best friend turned enemy creates immediate dramatic potential, and Dunbar exploits this tension effectively. However, the necessities of maintaining secrecy inherent to this trope create communication barriers that occasionally feel artificial. While adult characters maintaining clandestine relationships to avoid family conflict serves the story's dramatic needs, it sometimes undermines the emotional authenticity that otherwise characterizes Dunbar's writing.
The repetitive nature of Vale and Cort's secret meetings becomes apparent as the narrative progresses, representing one of the novel's structural weaknesses. The cycle of attraction, guilt, and concealment, while emotionally resonant initially, loses impact through repetition. This pacing issue prevents the story from maintaining consistent momentum throughout its development.
Cort's character arc provides significant emotional weight to the narrative. His estrangement from Stone Sylver carries genuine consequences that have shaped his adult identity, and Dunbar explores the psychological toll of prolonged guilt and isolation with considerable skill. The parallel journeys of Vale and Cort toward self-forgiveness create the novel's most compelling thematic element. Their mutual recognition that past mistakes need not dictate present choices offers a powerful message about redemption and personal growth.
The supporting cast of Sylver siblings and their partners continues to provide one of the series' greatest strengths. Their interventions in Vale and Cort's relationship feel organic rather than contrived, and their collective wisdom serves both character development and plot advancement. The family dynamics remain believable despite the dramatic circumstances, a testament to Dunbar's understanding of sibling relationships.
Sterling Touch succeeds in its exploration of middle-aged romance, a demographic often underserved in contemporary fiction. Dunbar's commitment to mature characters facing realistic emotional challenges distinguishes her work within the romance genre. The potential for expanding into a Haven family series based on the groundwork laid in this novel suggests promising future developments.
The novel's exploration of how individuals can overcome their formative traumas while preserving essential family bonds offers profound emotional resonance. Vale and Cort's journey toward authentic communication and mutual acceptance offers hope without sacrificing the complexity that makes their relationship all the more compelling.
While Sterling Touch occasionally suffers from the structural limitations of its chosen tropes, Dunbar's skillful character development and thematic depth create a satisfying reading experience. The novel succeeds both as a standalone romance and as a meaningful contribution to the Sterling Falls series, confirming Dunbar's ability to craft emotionally authentic stories that honor both individual growth and family loyalty.
June 4, 2025
Trigger Warnings include:
mentions of jail time, murder, death during childbirth, an alcoholic parent (including an incident of “mistaken bed” involving a child), loss of loved ones, suicide; descriptions of an abusive parent (on page incidents), abusive relationship (none of the abusive involved occurs between MCs)
Sterling Falls holds a special place in my heart. And that place grows with each book. But Cortland and Valentine have officially taken up the most room. A lot of that has to do with the fact that they NEED that room because of all the pain and heartbreak that comes with them! (Also, a lot of that has to do with the fact that I am already so attached to the Sylver family.) Cort and Vale are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They have a past that has left scars for the last decade. And to make matters worse, their families are basically mortal enemies. So should they really be trying to mend the broken fence between them if their yards are destroyed? However, fate steps in. He’s coaching her son’s baseball team, and she becomes his massage therapist. Vale may be willing to fight against fate, but Cort is willing to risk everything to swim against the current. I wasn’t prepared for the open wounds, and neither were they. I love their hearts, their bond, their NEED to take care of each other. Even if it hurts.
BECAUSE of my love for these characters/the Sylver family, I would have loved the expected and necessary conversion to end and heal the feud between families. But with Stone up next, I’m happy to wait and see how it properly unfolds!
Little Bee: 30
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I like having your hands on me.”
• “Look at you. My sweet bee. Dripping. Desperate. Taking this wand like a queen.”
• “Let me be your plaything. Use me for your needs.”
• “Not gonna stop until you soak my face, honeybee. Until you’re dripping on my tongue and clenching on my fingers.”
• “I forgive you. I forgive us.”
• “I want to be a little scared. With you.”
• “There are lots of things I want to give you. All of them in person.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Age Gap
7/10 Brother’s Ex-BFF
2/10 Enemies to Lovers
5/10 Forbidden
9/10 Second Chance
8/10 Single Parent(s)
5/10 Slow Burn
3/10 Sports Romance
8/10 Series
This is my review for Sterling Falls
This is my review for Sterling Brick
This is my review for Sterling Streak
This is my review for Sterling Clay
This is my review for Sterling Fight
mentions of jail time, murder, death during childbirth, an alcoholic parent (including an incident of “mistaken bed” involving a child), loss of loved ones, suicide; descriptions of an abusive parent (on page incidents), abusive relationship (none of the abusive involved occurs between MCs)
Sterling Falls holds a special place in my heart. And that place grows with each book. But Cortland and Valentine have officially taken up the most room. A lot of that has to do with the fact that they NEED that room because of all the pain and heartbreak that comes with them! (Also, a lot of that has to do with the fact that I am already so attached to the Sylver family.) Cort and Vale are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They have a past that has left scars for the last decade. And to make matters worse, their families are basically mortal enemies. So should they really be trying to mend the broken fence between them if their yards are destroyed? However, fate steps in. He’s coaching her son’s baseball team, and she becomes his massage therapist. Vale may be willing to fight against fate, but Cort is willing to risk everything to swim against the current. I wasn’t prepared for the open wounds, and neither were they. I love their hearts, their bond, their NEED to take care of each other. Even if it hurts.
BECAUSE of my love for these characters/the Sylver family, I would have loved the expected and necessary conversion to end and heal the feud between families. But with Stone up next, I’m happy to wait and see how it properly unfolds!
Little Bee: 30
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I like having your hands on me.”
• “Look at you. My sweet bee. Dripping. Desperate. Taking this wand like a queen.”
• “Let me be your plaything. Use me for your needs.”
• “Not gonna stop until you soak my face, honeybee. Until you’re dripping on my tongue and clenching on my fingers.”
• “I forgive you. I forgive us.”
• “I want to be a little scared. With you.”
• “There are lots of things I want to give you. All of them in person.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Age Gap
7/10 Brother’s Ex-BFF
2/10 Enemies to Lovers
5/10 Forbidden
9/10 Second Chance
8/10 Single Parent(s)
5/10 Slow Burn
3/10 Sports Romance
8/10 Series
This is my review for Sterling Falls
This is my review for Sterling Brick
This is my review for Sterling Streak
This is my review for Sterling Clay
This is my review for Sterling Fight
June 16, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
Naughty Baseball Camp scenes...that's it that's the review 🥵!
Life prevented Sterling Touch from being a one sitting read. Because it definitely held my attention and I was physically upset when I had to put it down. I've been waiting for Vale's story since I discovered this series. And Cortland was an amazing MMC. Vale's brothers have been capturing my heart one book at a time, but Cortland has definitely earned a place there as well. Especially after the plot twist, that I didn't see coming. I literally gasped 😭.
Second chance romances are one of my favorite genres. And LB Dunbar handled this one very well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cortland and Vale love story. They are two of the most self aware MCs I have ever read. I am forever grateful that Cortland and Vale communicated well. They had little tiffs but they didn't last long.
Loved Cortland 's relationship with his son Josh, glad they were able to connect through their shared tragedy. Hudson connected well with Cortland as well, and it brought tears to my eyes. I loved how safe he made both Vale and Hudson.
LB has once again made it very difficult to pick a favorite couple. I love them all, and enjoyed seeing the cameos of the previous MCs. I can't believe this series is coming to an end. But it's definitely one that I see myself reading over and over.
"It’s like I’ve forgotten how to read" was one of my favorite quotes. Not going to lie that's the type of love I'm trying to find. Cortland and Vale were steamy and passionate together.
I gave this book 4 stars because I feel a lot happened, but at the same time it didn't. Felt it was a little all over the place. A couple of plot points seem rushed or not completed. Not sure how I feel about the ending.
I suppose we will get more of Stone's pov on everything that has gone down in his book. I certainly hope it's a 500 page book 😂. Fully prepared to take the day off just to give Stone all my attention. The ending of Sterling Touch has me questioning everything I thought would be in Stone's book. The epilogue definitely threw us some curveballs.
Is it January yet ?!?!
Slight spoiler ahead, but not really since it's a HEA.
My favorite scene:
He even braved joining me for coffee at Curmudgeon Bakery one morning, where Sebastian narrowed his eyes at Cort with a strong warning. “I know people.” 😂😂
“If I hurt her, I’ll be the first to ask you for someone’s number.” Cort kissed my temple right in front of my brother, whose eyebrows I didn’t think could rise any higher on his head.
Thank you The Author Agency and LB Dunbar for providing me with an ARC for Sterling Touch. And allowing me to share my honest opinions.
🌶️🌶️.5
Naughty Baseball Camp scenes...that's it that's the review 🥵!
Life prevented Sterling Touch from being a one sitting read. Because it definitely held my attention and I was physically upset when I had to put it down. I've been waiting for Vale's story since I discovered this series. And Cortland was an amazing MMC. Vale's brothers have been capturing my heart one book at a time, but Cortland has definitely earned a place there as well. Especially after the plot twist, that I didn't see coming. I literally gasped 😭.
Second chance romances are one of my favorite genres. And LB Dunbar handled this one very well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cortland and Vale love story. They are two of the most self aware MCs I have ever read. I am forever grateful that Cortland and Vale communicated well. They had little tiffs but they didn't last long.
Loved Cortland 's relationship with his son Josh, glad they were able to connect through their shared tragedy. Hudson connected well with Cortland as well, and it brought tears to my eyes. I loved how safe he made both Vale and Hudson.
LB has once again made it very difficult to pick a favorite couple. I love them all, and enjoyed seeing the cameos of the previous MCs. I can't believe this series is coming to an end. But it's definitely one that I see myself reading over and over.
"It’s like I’ve forgotten how to read" was one of my favorite quotes. Not going to lie that's the type of love I'm trying to find. Cortland and Vale were steamy and passionate together.
I gave this book 4 stars because I feel a lot happened, but at the same time it didn't. Felt it was a little all over the place. A couple of plot points seem rushed or not completed. Not sure how I feel about the ending.
I suppose we will get more of Stone's pov on everything that has gone down in his book. I certainly hope it's a 500 page book 😂. Fully prepared to take the day off just to give Stone all my attention. The ending of Sterling Touch has me questioning everything I thought would be in Stone's book. The epilogue definitely threw us some curveballs.
Is it January yet ?!?!
Slight spoiler ahead, but not really since it's a HEA.
My favorite scene:
He even braved joining me for coffee at Curmudgeon Bakery one morning, where Sebastian narrowed his eyes at Cort with a strong warning. “I know people.” 😂😂
“If I hurt her, I’ll be the first to ask you for someone’s number.” Cort kissed my temple right in front of my brother, whose eyebrows I didn’t think could rise any higher on his head.
Thank you The Author Agency and LB Dunbar for providing me with an ARC for Sterling Touch. And allowing me to share my honest opinions.
June 1, 2025
Another trip to Sterling Falls has left me breathless and smiling. Valentine Sylver and Cortland Haven are the featured couple in
Sterling Touch,
and author L. B. Dunbar has hit another homerun with this second-chance small-town-romance. It’s a bit of a slow-burn with this forbidden best-friend’s-little-sister, but there is sizzle all the way through. Vale and Cort have a chemistry that never died when their families went their separate ways. And now that everyone is all grown up, it’s time to step up to the plate and face the past.
I could barely put this book down. I loved how Vale and Cort’s story played out. I loved how their lives started to intertwine and all the little glances and casual touches brought them back together. They are both dealing with trauma and demons from their past, and they found solace in each other, both physical and mental. Having each other to find that safe haven, reveal their secrets to, and have a soft and trusted space to fall, made all the difference. Their love grew slowly and proves to be a love that will begin to heal a lot of hurts and eventually bring these two families back together.
Small-town romances have become my newest obsession. I love knowing all the players and getting introduced to new ones along the way. The family dynamics are always a special part of the story, and that is definitely true in the Sterling Falls stories. Sterling touch is #6 but it’s not over yet. There are more siblings and perhaps, if we are lucky, the author will branch off into other families from this small town. But up next is the one we’ve all be waiting for. Eldest brother Stone is about to fall . . . in LOVE!
I could barely put this book down. I loved how Vale and Cort’s story played out. I loved how their lives started to intertwine and all the little glances and casual touches brought them back together. They are both dealing with trauma and demons from their past, and they found solace in each other, both physical and mental. Having each other to find that safe haven, reveal their secrets to, and have a soft and trusted space to fall, made all the difference. Their love grew slowly and proves to be a love that will begin to heal a lot of hurts and eventually bring these two families back together.
Small-town romances have become my newest obsession. I love knowing all the players and getting introduced to new ones along the way. The family dynamics are always a special part of the story, and that is definitely true in the Sterling Falls stories. Sterling touch is #6 but it’s not over yet. There are more siblings and perhaps, if we are lucky, the author will branch off into other families from this small town. But up next is the one we’ve all be waiting for. Eldest brother Stone is about to fall . . . in LOVE!
June 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
LB Dunbar has done it again with Sterling Touch! She has delivered a book filled with complex characters, dynamic relationships, and a heated romance that sets this story ablaze. I have absolutely loved getting to know the Sylver family throughout all of the Sterling Falls series, however I didn’t think we would ever get Vale’s story. The series has focused on the brothers thus far, with Vale always being an amazing and supportive side character. When her story was announced I was so excited to get to know the only Sylver sister.
Vale, to me, has always kinda been the glue that held the brother’s together. She is a single mom, but is supportive, strong willed, and doesn’t hold back when it comes to putting her brothers in their place. She is a great mother and it is evident she will do anything for her kid. She has always had a crush on Cortland, but after he betrayed her brother and their families cut each other out of their lives, he became a big no. His being 12 years older than her also put a slight off limits tone to their story. When they are brought back together due to her son’s baseball team. Old feelings and new sparks surge forward, but how does she go after her heart’s desire without hurting her brother?
Cortland was a joy to get to know. As you learn more about the history between him and Stone, it is easy to understand why the rift, but I was expecting more. When Vale comes back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings he feels. When he decides to give into said desires, the chemistry between these two threaten to set this book on fire. He was so sweet and loving to Vale as they got to know each other again. I loved his vulnerability with Vale and how much he opened up to her. Even with things that he seriously struggled with, he trusted Vale to open up.
This entire book pulled me in and as I watched Cort and Vale fall more and more in love, I was holding my breath for the moment they had to come clean to Stone. The forbidden/off limits vibe definitely adds a slight layer of drama, but the romance is what this book focuses on. As always, the Sylver family is there for each other through everything and truly emulates what family means! I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for LB’s next book!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🌳Brother’s Best Friend
💘Forbidden Romance
🌳Family Rivals
💘Blue Collar
🌳Age Gap
💘Single Mom
🌳Small Town Swoon
LB Dunbar has done it again with Sterling Touch! She has delivered a book filled with complex characters, dynamic relationships, and a heated romance that sets this story ablaze. I have absolutely loved getting to know the Sylver family throughout all of the Sterling Falls series, however I didn’t think we would ever get Vale’s story. The series has focused on the brothers thus far, with Vale always being an amazing and supportive side character. When her story was announced I was so excited to get to know the only Sylver sister.
Vale, to me, has always kinda been the glue that held the brother’s together. She is a single mom, but is supportive, strong willed, and doesn’t hold back when it comes to putting her brothers in their place. She is a great mother and it is evident she will do anything for her kid. She has always had a crush on Cortland, but after he betrayed her brother and their families cut each other out of their lives, he became a big no. His being 12 years older than her also put a slight off limits tone to their story. When they are brought back together due to her son’s baseball team. Old feelings and new sparks surge forward, but how does she go after her heart’s desire without hurting her brother?
Cortland was a joy to get to know. As you learn more about the history between him and Stone, it is easy to understand why the rift, but I was expecting more. When Vale comes back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings he feels. When he decides to give into said desires, the chemistry between these two threaten to set this book on fire. He was so sweet and loving to Vale as they got to know each other again. I loved his vulnerability with Vale and how much he opened up to her. Even with things that he seriously struggled with, he trusted Vale to open up.
This entire book pulled me in and as I watched Cort and Vale fall more and more in love, I was holding my breath for the moment they had to come clean to Stone. The forbidden/off limits vibe definitely adds a slight layer of drama, but the romance is what this book focuses on. As always, the Sylver family is there for each other through everything and truly emulates what family means! I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for LB’s next book!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🌳Brother’s Best Friend
💘Forbidden Romance
🌳Family Rivals
💘Blue Collar
🌳Age Gap
💘Single Mom
🌳Small Town Swoon
June 15, 2025
Filed under: “Books I didn’t know I needed but now I’m emotionally compromised.”
I came for the salt-and-pepper daddy. I stayed for the trauma, the tenderness, and the god-tier mutual touch therapy that made me clutch my pearls like I was born in the antebellum South.
Let’s begin with the name: Sterling Touch. And oof, does it deliver. Sterling falls, literally and emotionally, and so do Vale and Cortland (bless him and his wounded soul). We get a 12-year age gap, and instead of it being just window dressing, it’s layered, aching, and sexy in a “ruin me slowly” kind of way.
Cort is a touch-averse silver fox with enough baggage to open a TSA checkpoint. Vale? Touch-deprived, isolated, and carrying around enough sweetness to make a honeybee cry. The tension between them is like standing on a live wire. Chapter 20 and 21, I'm looking at you, are basically a masterclass in intimacy healing through skin-to-skin contact, and if you don’t moan under your breath at “taste myself on her lips,” you might be dead inside.
Oh, and the bee metaphor? Buzzing brilliance. Vale = keeper of bees, Cort = protector of the queen. 🐝 I didn’t expect a sexy romance novel to teach me the etymology of “Valentine” and still have me gasping, “YES, KING,” but here we are.
Now, let’s talk Bailey, “Stone's girl” from Cort’s past. She’s less “ex-wife” and more “demon from the seventh circle.” A dominant with a backhand, Bailey’s abuse is handled with nuance, not melodrama. I appreciate how Dunbar doesn’t shy away from the damage inflicted on both Cort and their son, Josh (who Bailey also beat, by the way, what in the unholy hell, woman?). Cort walking away when Josh was 11 ... did I scream? Maybe. Did I throw my Kindle? Also maybe.
But this story isn’t just about what broke them; it’s about what mends. Dunbar writes redemption like she’s seasoning it with holy water and aged scotch: slowly, carefully, with just enough burn.
Final verdict? If you’re craving a story that blends trauma recovery, found intimacy, age-gap deliciousness, and a metaphor so charming it should be illegal, then slap Sterling Touch onto your TBR like your life depends on it. Just... maybe keep a fan, a drink, and a therapist nearby.
5 out of 5 chili peppers for all the spice ... and I'm here for it!
#WorthTheRead
I came for the salt-and-pepper daddy. I stayed for the trauma, the tenderness, and the god-tier mutual touch therapy that made me clutch my pearls like I was born in the antebellum South.
Let’s begin with the name: Sterling Touch. And oof, does it deliver. Sterling falls, literally and emotionally, and so do Vale and Cortland (bless him and his wounded soul). We get a 12-year age gap, and instead of it being just window dressing, it’s layered, aching, and sexy in a “ruin me slowly” kind of way.
Cort is a touch-averse silver fox with enough baggage to open a TSA checkpoint. Vale? Touch-deprived, isolated, and carrying around enough sweetness to make a honeybee cry. The tension between them is like standing on a live wire. Chapter 20 and 21, I'm looking at you, are basically a masterclass in intimacy healing through skin-to-skin contact, and if you don’t moan under your breath at “taste myself on her lips,” you might be dead inside.
Oh, and the bee metaphor? Buzzing brilliance. Vale = keeper of bees, Cort = protector of the queen. 🐝 I didn’t expect a sexy romance novel to teach me the etymology of “Valentine” and still have me gasping, “YES, KING,” but here we are.
Now, let’s talk Bailey, “Stone's girl” from Cort’s past. She’s less “ex-wife” and more “demon from the seventh circle.” A dominant with a backhand, Bailey’s abuse is handled with nuance, not melodrama. I appreciate how Dunbar doesn’t shy away from the damage inflicted on both Cort and their son, Josh (who Bailey also beat, by the way, what in the unholy hell, woman?). Cort walking away when Josh was 11 ... did I scream? Maybe. Did I throw my Kindle? Also maybe.
But this story isn’t just about what broke them; it’s about what mends. Dunbar writes redemption like she’s seasoning it with holy water and aged scotch: slowly, carefully, with just enough burn.
Final verdict? If you’re craving a story that blends trauma recovery, found intimacy, age-gap deliciousness, and a metaphor so charming it should be illegal, then slap Sterling Touch onto your TBR like your life depends on it. Just... maybe keep a fan, a drink, and a therapist nearby.
5 out of 5 chili peppers for all the spice ... and I'm here for it!
#WorthTheRead
June 8, 2025
This book touched my heart, induced both tears and laughter and left me smiling, but also wanting to know more. Despite the twelve-year age gap between them, Vale and Cort have had a connection for years, one that has brought them comfort, pain and now healing. As the best friend of her oldest brother, he was often nearby when Vale was very young to offer comfort, encouragement and protection. A betrayal led to a falling out between Cort and her brother, though young Vale’s crush on Cort remained unaffected. An encounter years later when she was in her early twenties, connected them intimately, but left both feeling disheartened, confused and disappointed. In the twelve years since that encounter there has been no contact between them, but Fate seems determined to change that.
First, Cort and his brother are coaches for the baseball team that now includes her son. Second, Cort is in need of physical therapy after a back injury and Vale has been assigned as therapist. With their last encounter and their painful pasts standing between them, both Vale and Cort have plenty of emotional baggage to unpack, including issues with touch. While she craves it, he rebuffs it. Her compassion, skill and sensitivity finally help Cort to begin dealing with his issues with touch. Both give the other insight into the lives they have lived since the rift between their families began, while trying desperately to control their attraction to each other. At a baseball camp for the kids on the team he coaches, they take their relationship a step further, become more intimate. They both agree to keep their relationship secret due to the feud and not wishing to hurt her older brother who has always been the father figure in her life and now her son’s. From there, everything between them seems to be on tenderhooks, suspended between the bliss of being together, and the disaster that having their relationship discovered could bring to her family. Will they fight to be together or let each other go, leaving more heartbreak behind?
Their chemistry and connection certainly make this story hard to put down, but it is Vale and Cort’s vulnerability and bravery in revealing the pain they have carried for so long and the reasons for it, that are truly riveting. They go out of their comfort zones, take a risk and expose their inner selves to each other because they trust each other. Love wins out, but can her brother understand and forgive their new relationship?
This mesmerizing book has my wholehearted recommendation.
First, Cort and his brother are coaches for the baseball team that now includes her son. Second, Cort is in need of physical therapy after a back injury and Vale has been assigned as therapist. With their last encounter and their painful pasts standing between them, both Vale and Cort have plenty of emotional baggage to unpack, including issues with touch. While she craves it, he rebuffs it. Her compassion, skill and sensitivity finally help Cort to begin dealing with his issues with touch. Both give the other insight into the lives they have lived since the rift between their families began, while trying desperately to control their attraction to each other. At a baseball camp for the kids on the team he coaches, they take their relationship a step further, become more intimate. They both agree to keep their relationship secret due to the feud and not wishing to hurt her older brother who has always been the father figure in her life and now her son’s. From there, everything between them seems to be on tenderhooks, suspended between the bliss of being together, and the disaster that having their relationship discovered could bring to her family. Will they fight to be together or let each other go, leaving more heartbreak behind?
Their chemistry and connection certainly make this story hard to put down, but it is Vale and Cort’s vulnerability and bravery in revealing the pain they have carried for so long and the reasons for it, that are truly riveting. They go out of their comfort zones, take a risk and expose their inner selves to each other because they trust each other. Love wins out, but can her brother understand and forgive their new relationship?
This mesmerizing book has my wholehearted recommendation.
June 1, 2025
Sterling Touch
(Sterling Falls #6)
By L.B. Dunbar
First off, look at that beautiful cover! I have a great imagination so when Cort and Vale dance at his house, I could just see them dancing like they are on this cover. Cort smiling down at her and watching her face and eyes while they spend time together. They are definitely learning a lot about each other; some good and some hard to discuss.
I have been a fan of this Author for a long time! Her characters come across as real people you would find in any small town. We all know that Sterling Falls is very small and if you aren’t careful everyone will know what you are up to…in this case Vale and Cort! There is a lot of history between the Haven family and the Sylver family. We know that Stone (the patriarch of the Sylver family) and Cortland were forever best friends….but Cort did an unforgivable thing to Stone twenty years ago and that’s when the friendship was ended and the silence began.
In Sterling Touch there are several story lines that will all come together as the story unrolls, yet each story on its own will keep readers not just rooting for Cort and Vale, but captive to the point where it is hard to put this book down. You will begin to realize these two people had to wade through a lot to find each other and if things work out….maybe bring the Sylver and Haven families together.
Yes, there is an age gap, but I kinda like age gaps! Yes, there is history but some of these characters (I’m talking to you Stone Sylver & Cortland Haven). One of these men needs to sit down and share his story.
Where a slow burn starts, it soon turns into hot stolen hours between Cort and Vale.
I loved it! I loved the baseball aspect to the story (that’s cause I love baseball), I also think that the author did a beautiful job when Cort shares his past with Vale, and how we need to remember abuse can touch anyone!
I’ve been looking forward to Sterling Touch and it gave me everything I had been looking for along with characters who I would happily be neighbours with.
I recommend Sterling Touch and am giving it five stars.
(Sterling Falls #6)
By L.B. Dunbar
First off, look at that beautiful cover! I have a great imagination so when Cort and Vale dance at his house, I could just see them dancing like they are on this cover. Cort smiling down at her and watching her face and eyes while they spend time together. They are definitely learning a lot about each other; some good and some hard to discuss.
I have been a fan of this Author for a long time! Her characters come across as real people you would find in any small town. We all know that Sterling Falls is very small and if you aren’t careful everyone will know what you are up to…in this case Vale and Cort! There is a lot of history between the Haven family and the Sylver family. We know that Stone (the patriarch of the Sylver family) and Cortland were forever best friends….but Cort did an unforgivable thing to Stone twenty years ago and that’s when the friendship was ended and the silence began.
In Sterling Touch there are several story lines that will all come together as the story unrolls, yet each story on its own will keep readers not just rooting for Cort and Vale, but captive to the point where it is hard to put this book down. You will begin to realize these two people had to wade through a lot to find each other and if things work out….maybe bring the Sylver and Haven families together.
Yes, there is an age gap, but I kinda like age gaps! Yes, there is history but some of these characters (I’m talking to you Stone Sylver & Cortland Haven). One of these men needs to sit down and share his story.
Where a slow burn starts, it soon turns into hot stolen hours between Cort and Vale.
I loved it! I loved the baseball aspect to the story (that’s cause I love baseball), I also think that the author did a beautiful job when Cort shares his past with Vale, and how we need to remember abuse can touch anyone!
I’ve been looking forward to Sterling Touch and it gave me everything I had been looking for along with characters who I would happily be neighbours with.
I recommend Sterling Touch and am giving it five stars.
June 9, 2025
My oh MY, This series has turned out better than I could have imagined….I LOVE LOVE LOVE VALE AND CORT! They are such an AMAZING couple. Hudson was cute, but definitely not heard from enough in the book; Josh too. I would have loved to have had a little more insight into their lives, since they were such influential characters to Vale/Valentine and Cort/Cortland together and apart. “Spousal Abuse” is something I hate seeing in books because it’s not “fiction.” It happens everyday to people unsuspecting of it happening to and from people you wouldn’t expect doing the abusing. But when you read about or hear about “male spousal abuse” it feels like the end of time is nearer than we all imagined. I mean who can understand a man that doesn’t stand up for himself??? The male who cares more about hurting a female, regardless of who that female is. That male is Cortland, the man who doesn’t want to hurt anyone even if that person is hurting him, especially if that female is hurting him. He made me want to know him personally so I could give him the biggest hug. Especially since he was the biggest teddy bear. Vale needed him and he needed her; the best kind of main characters. The story was a little sparse though. I was hoping for a little more backstory to what stopped Stone and Cortland from being friends. Throughout the book you learn a little more each time the tale comes up in the story, but there wasn’t one time in the book that you get the full story straight forward. I needed that. I also needed a lot more confrontation between them, when it did happen. Too bad, but still a wonderful story and couple. My absolute favorite part of the WHOLE BOOK???? THE MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS! OMG…..SWOON, I couldn’t love the whole lot of characters more, well except maybe Bailey. Not a fan of hers at all. I can’t wait until Stone’s book and then once his is published, I suppose I will say until the next time. L.B, You are by far one of the most gifted authors of our time. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings from your catalogue.
June 1, 2025
✦Series: Sterling Falls #6
Sterling Touch is an interconnected standalone. You can enjoy it on its own, but you’ll have a richer experience by getting to know the Sylvers in the previous books.
Vale is the baby of the family with 6 older brothers. Cort Haven was her oldest brother’s best friend until a falling out left their families as enemies.
✦POV: Dual, first-person
Vale and Cort can’t manage to stay away from each other and even with a decade or so of no-contact, the comfort and familiarity of knowing someone almost your whole life shines with these two. The banter is great; a playful tease here, a dirty talkin’ flirt there; it was utterly charming.
✦Spice: Open door, explicit
Vale and Cort have chemistry that’s been arcing for years and oooh the tension! It’s kind of a slow burn, but the journey is full of moments that deliver swoon with delicious effect!
✩ The impact of touch and how Vale and Cort navigate their own experiences was unexpected, original, and thoughtful. Check trigger warnings!
♡ Sterling Touch has all the swoony, small-town charm to catch your eye and the forbidden, all-grown-up steam to binge to the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ Thank you to L.B. Dunbar and The Author Agency for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram for more bookish content!
Sterling Touch is an interconnected standalone. You can enjoy it on its own, but you’ll have a richer experience by getting to know the Sylvers in the previous books.
Vale is the baby of the family with 6 older brothers. Cort Haven was her oldest brother’s best friend until a falling out left their families as enemies.
✦POV: Dual, first-person
Vale and Cort can’t manage to stay away from each other and even with a decade or so of no-contact, the comfort and familiarity of knowing someone almost your whole life shines with these two. The banter is great; a playful tease here, a dirty talkin’ flirt there; it was utterly charming.
❝Cort is no longer the fantasy in my head but a real man. He’s a man who sweeps me off my feet and kisses me like I’m the air he needs to breathe.❞
✦Spice: Open door, explicit
Vale and Cort have chemistry that’s been arcing for years and oooh the tension! It’s kind of a slow burn, but the journey is full of moments that deliver swoon with delicious effect!
❝Vale goes off like fireworks against a dark sky. So bright, so beautiful, like nothing I’ve ever seen before.❞
✩ The impact of touch and how Vale and Cort navigate their own experiences was unexpected, original, and thoughtful. Check trigger warnings!
♡ Sterling Touch has all the swoony, small-town charm to catch your eye and the forbidden, all-grown-up steam to binge to the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ Thank you to L.B. Dunbar and The Author Agency for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram for more bookish content!
June 5, 2025
⭐️Arc Review⭐️
Sterling Touch by L.B Dunbar
Available Today
06.05.2025
Book 6 in Sterling Falls Series
4/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
🐝Brother’s former best friend
🔨Forbidden romance
🐝family rivals but childhood friends
🔨Age gap
🐝mutual pining
🔨Single mom & single dad
🐝Small town swoon
🔨Touch Deprived FMC x Touch Averse MMC
Sterling Touch is the 6th book in the Sterling Falls series, and it’s Vale and Cortland’s story. Vale or Valentine is the youngest and only female sibling to the Sterling brothers who are family rivals to Cortland’s and his siblings.
While you’d think their family would keep them apart they are brought together again and their chemistry grows with each passing encounter as Cort is coaching Vale’s sons travel baseball team.
I personally would have enjoyed more drama, I felt like the potential was there! I mean once the reasoning is reveled why the families siblings are rivals and why Cort and Vale haven’t spoke in 12 years, I was left wanting more details. Not necessarily more details to the events but more details to how these events affected their feelings.
I did enjoy how there was plenty of tough topics discussed-drugs, prison, touch aversion and his reasoning- it was refreshing that the author didn’t over indulge in it. I really appreciated how the DV was handled in this book. I don’t want to go into it to much because it would give a lot of the story away but I think it was a really good way of shedding light on something that’s not always talked about.She simply explained what it was but somehow with enough detail that it didn’t take away from the story or the relationship that the two MC were building.
I loved seeing how both Vale and Cory’s lives started to slowly intertwine in the present and it was interesting to see them navigate dealing with their growing forbidden love for each other, and seeing them eventually bring the families back together.
The family dynamics made this book really enjoyable And im definitely in for the last and oldest siblings story, Stone!
Sterling Touch by L.B Dunbar
Available Today
06.05.2025
Book 6 in Sterling Falls Series
4/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
🐝Brother’s former best friend
🔨Forbidden romance
🐝family rivals but childhood friends
🔨Age gap
🐝mutual pining
🔨Single mom & single dad
🐝Small town swoon
🔨Touch Deprived FMC x Touch Averse MMC
Sterling Touch is the 6th book in the Sterling Falls series, and it’s Vale and Cortland’s story. Vale or Valentine is the youngest and only female sibling to the Sterling brothers who are family rivals to Cortland’s and his siblings.
While you’d think their family would keep them apart they are brought together again and their chemistry grows with each passing encounter as Cort is coaching Vale’s sons travel baseball team.
I personally would have enjoyed more drama, I felt like the potential was there! I mean once the reasoning is reveled why the families siblings are rivals and why Cort and Vale haven’t spoke in 12 years, I was left wanting more details. Not necessarily more details to the events but more details to how these events affected their feelings.
I did enjoy how there was plenty of tough topics discussed-drugs, prison, touch aversion and his reasoning- it was refreshing that the author didn’t over indulge in it. I really appreciated how the DV was handled in this book. I don’t want to go into it to much because it would give a lot of the story away but I think it was a really good way of shedding light on something that’s not always talked about.She simply explained what it was but somehow with enough detail that it didn’t take away from the story or the relationship that the two MC were building.
I loved seeing how both Vale and Cory’s lives started to slowly intertwine in the present and it was interesting to see them navigate dealing with their growing forbidden love for each other, and seeing them eventually bring the families back together.
The family dynamics made this book really enjoyable And im definitely in for the last and oldest siblings story, Stone!
May 28, 2025
A flawlessly executed small town romance with emotional depth and heartwarming characters.
Dunbar is officially A Patron Siant of Sweet As Honey Romances . Her silver foxes are sexy and charming spectacularly rising to the occasion to help and protect their women.
I lived the chemistry between Valentine "Vale" Sylver and her brothers best friend, Cortland Haven.
" I’d made a foolish and reckless decision and sealed our forbidden fate forever. Thus, putting me on the periphery of her life and never within her line of sight until today. "
A fallout between boys, makes her a pariah as well. Family Fued divides the hear, but yearning is still burning in Embers. A second chance given by fate lands both of them in same town and same baseball team. Her son Hudson is now coached by Cort and this flares up the smoldering Embers to a full fledged roaring fire.
“High excitement, High Intention ”
As always I was enamoured and invested in this well paced story from start to finish. The scenes hot and steamy, kept the couple in throes and us readers enthralled
5 stars Bees like sweeter things
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
Dunbar is officially A Patron Siant of Sweet As Honey Romances . Her silver foxes are sexy and charming spectacularly rising to the occasion to help and protect their women.
I lived the chemistry between Valentine "Vale" Sylver and her brothers best friend, Cortland Haven.
" I’d made a foolish and reckless decision and sealed our forbidden fate forever. Thus, putting me on the periphery of her life and never within her line of sight until today. "
A fallout between boys, makes her a pariah as well. Family Fued divides the hear, but yearning is still burning in Embers. A second chance given by fate lands both of them in same town and same baseball team. Her son Hudson is now coached by Cort and this flares up the smoldering Embers to a full fledged roaring fire.
“High excitement, High Intention ”
As always I was enamoured and invested in this well paced story from start to finish. The scenes hot and steamy, kept the couple in throes and us readers enthralled
5 stars Bees like sweeter things
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
June 8, 2025
Sterling Touch is the sixth book in the Sterling Falls series. It follows Valentine ‘Vale’ Sylver and Cortland ‘Cort’ Haven.
I have loved this entire series so far and this book was no exception! I loved this book from start to finish. Vale and Cort had such an interesting relationship and journey that I found myself not being able to put this book down.
Vale is the only girl and the youngest in the Sylver clan. She is 34, a massage therapist and a single mom to Hudson who is her entire world. She is sweet, sassy, kind, funny and patient.
Cort is 46, an owner of a painting/roofing company with his siblings, and a divorced single dad to an adult son. He is caring, funny, stubborn, protective and thoughtful.
Growing up Cort was best friends with Vale’s brother Stone and their families had always been close. That is until Colt does something that changes their lives and leads to a falling out. It isn’t until 12 years later that everything changes once he becomes the baseball coach for Vale’s son Hudson and she becomes his massage therapist. He quickly realizes that he wants to be a part of Vale’s life and will stop at nothing to show her that he is all in.
Their connection had always been there but once she became an adult it only grew as their feelings for each other changed. They both have their differences as Vale is touch depraved while Cort is touch adverse but they make it work. This book is a bit of a slow burn but once things heat up they REALLY heat up! I will say one of my favorite things in this book was that Cort calls Vale ‘little bee’ or ‘bee’. It just made my heart so happy because it is such a cute nickname!
Their journey took many turns and wasn’t an easy one but I loved every second of it. I can’t wait to continue with this series. I am really looking forward to seeing what happens next for the Sylver family.
You will enjoy this book if you like the following:
- Small town
- Forbidden
- Age Gap (12 years)
- Older brother’s former best friend
- Childhood friends
- Single mom
This book can be read as a standalone but I recommend checking out the rest of the series as well!
Thank you so much, LB Dunbar and The Author Agency for the gifted copy!
I have loved this entire series so far and this book was no exception! I loved this book from start to finish. Vale and Cort had such an interesting relationship and journey that I found myself not being able to put this book down.
Vale is the only girl and the youngest in the Sylver clan. She is 34, a massage therapist and a single mom to Hudson who is her entire world. She is sweet, sassy, kind, funny and patient.
Cort is 46, an owner of a painting/roofing company with his siblings, and a divorced single dad to an adult son. He is caring, funny, stubborn, protective and thoughtful.
Growing up Cort was best friends with Vale’s brother Stone and their families had always been close. That is until Colt does something that changes their lives and leads to a falling out. It isn’t until 12 years later that everything changes once he becomes the baseball coach for Vale’s son Hudson and she becomes his massage therapist. He quickly realizes that he wants to be a part of Vale’s life and will stop at nothing to show her that he is all in.
Their connection had always been there but once she became an adult it only grew as their feelings for each other changed. They both have their differences as Vale is touch depraved while Cort is touch adverse but they make it work. This book is a bit of a slow burn but once things heat up they REALLY heat up! I will say one of my favorite things in this book was that Cort calls Vale ‘little bee’ or ‘bee’. It just made my heart so happy because it is such a cute nickname!
Their journey took many turns and wasn’t an easy one but I loved every second of it. I can’t wait to continue with this series. I am really looking forward to seeing what happens next for the Sylver family.
You will enjoy this book if you like the following:
- Small town
- Forbidden
- Age Gap (12 years)
- Older brother’s former best friend
- Childhood friends
- Single mom
This book can be read as a standalone but I recommend checking out the rest of the series as well!
Thank you so much, LB Dunbar and The Author Agency for the gifted copy!
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