Dancing in the Moonlight

Cowboys of Cold Creek #2

by RaeAnne Thayne, Vanessa Johansson (Narrator), Carly Robins (Narrator)

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Dancing in the Moonlight by New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne

Lieutenant Magdalena Cruz is home, but her return hasn’t gone the way she envisioned. Grappling with her painful past, she only wants to be left alone, but infuriatingly handsome Dr. Jake Dalton—of the enemy Daltons—won’t cooperate. And she needs him to, because the walls around her heart are dangerously close to crumbling every time he comes near.

Jake has spent most of his life trying to get closer to Maggie, with little to show for it. But she’s the woman he's always wanted, and no injury in the world could change that. Now if only he could convince her that the woman before him is beautiful, desirable and meant to be his.

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Always the Best Man by USA TODAY bestselling author Michelle Major

Jase Crenshaw always harbored a crush on his best friend's sister, Emily Whitaker. Back then, she was too good for the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Now she thinks the upstanding town lawyer and mayoral candidate is too good for her. Can Jase convince the girl of his dreams they're both perfect for each other?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Harlequin, Ebooks, Westerns

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lieutenant (and nurse) Magdalena “Maggie” Cruz has returned to her hometown of Pine Gulch, Idaho. While serving in Afghanistan she lost part of her leg, and now that she is back home, she just wants to hide away and to be left alone. Too bad for Maggie that handsome Dr. Jake Dalton seems to always keep coming around trying to help and make things easier for her, whether she wants him to or not. Jake used to be her childhood friend, but now she considers Jake and his family enemies since she believes that Jake’s father was responsible for her father’s death. Jake has always had it bad for Maggie, so he will not be put off so easily.

This was such an absolutely lovely romance. I really felt for Maggie. She was still adjusting to her prosthesis and now she had to live within certain limitations. She longed for her independence and pushed herself too hard, and she was very self-conscious. Jake was such a wonderful hero. He was in love with Maggie and wanted to make things easier for her, to lighten her load, so she could give herself time to heal and become adjusted to her new way of life. He was always so kind, caring, compassionate, and patient with Maggie. Maggie was stubborn every step of the way, but eventually she started to soften towards Jake and see him for the good man that he was. I also loved Maggie’s mother and uncle, and I enjoyed the setting of Pine Gulch, Idaho, and the view of the Grand Tetons.

[Ridley]

I read about 50 pages in before declaring it a non-starter. The amputee heroine fighting bitterness and grief less than six months removed from her injury I was cool with. The doctor hero bossing her around like he knew what was best for her, and the narrative treating this as if he had the right of it, set off my Get Fucked meter.

Just can't be bothered to read yet another angsty-cripple-shown-the-light-by-able-bodied-caregiver romance. Boring.

[Pat Amsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really liked this romance. Magdalena Cruz is a gutsy heroine returned from war in Afghanistan with an amputated leg and an attitude. Jake Dalton is a small town country doctor who grew up in the town and is now looking after the townspeople. He had a thing for Magdalena Cruz growing up but she wouldn't give him the time of day. Not only that but she blamed his family for her father's death.

The characters are believable and three dimensional. Magadalena or Maggie is trying to get over her past and move on with her life. She doesn't believe anyone could love her with a stump for a leg while Jake sees beyond that and loves her for everything she is. She'd have nothing to do with him but she ends up being forced to work with him in his clinic as a translater for the Mexican patients.

As the story develops she's forced to realize mistakes were made on both sides and it was her father's stubborness which caused him to push himself to exhaustion causing him to be killed in a car accident. She's also forced to realize Jake is an amazing man and to admit both to him and to herself that she loves him.

This is a contemporary romance with wonderful characters. I'll be looking for more books by RaeAnne Thayne.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel deals with the aftermath of a devastating war injury - how does a woman come to terms with an amputation of her leg when the man she loves rejects her. It is a story of persistence of love and of patience as a small community embraces their wounded soldier and helps her discover that life still has value and purpose.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My research into What's New and Hot in Category Romance continues. This is Book #4, and this is what I'm talkin' about!

This is my favourite of the free e-books thus far. This one is a Silhouette Special Edition. What sets this one apart from the previous three:

- strong heroine, struggling with wounds both emotional and physical (lost part of a leg while serving in Afghanistan, and her fiancé and her confidence as a result), with real relationships with other people, including family members
- strong hero, slightly reserved, who treats the heroine with respect and kindness, as he does his patients (he's a doctor)
- realism. war is hell, injuries hurt and take time to heal and in the meantime you suffer, people labour under misconceptions, people keep secrets
- good characterization, even to the walk-ons
- good story. The end is always a foregone conclusion, so story is crucial
- good writing, for the most part

There were a few turns of phrase that made me either laugh ("put on your big-girl panties") or cringe ("drew a deep breath into her lungs" - as opposed to 'on a sheet of paper'?; "it pained him like a bad abscess") or just roll my eyes ("thunderburst of emotion"; "fisted her hands" ['to fist' doesn't mean 'to make a fist', okay? Jeez:]).

This one? I might even re-read. Even though the title sucks and is kind of meaningless, as far as the story goes.

[Steamywindows♥♫ · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I liked: the theme of a female soldier, injured in Afghanistan is very contemporary, add the love of the fellow who became a doctor, but always loved her from afar (well they were neighbours growing up - so not so far). He never did anything about it because she had a long standing animosity for his family which indiscriminately included him.

Now here is what I didn't like: the fact that the heroine held onto this dislike bordering on hatred for years without ever questioning the facts she based her ire on. She knew her mother did not share her feeling but apparently never explored why. At every turn she shallowly judged the hero's actions with this old, old history, and it got to be trite very quickly. The heroine, in spite of a sympathetic conditions (war injury) just irritated me with all her carpy and unjustified criticism of the hero.

The last chapter had a lot of issues to resolve therefore some were left to the reader to fill in the blank. I would be willing to give this author a better rating, but the character development just didn`t happen. I hope her next book evolves this aspect of the author`s story telling as she has the potential to tell a great story.

[willaful · Rating 3 out of 5]

More realism and less drama than I usually go for in category romance, but I liked it for being a little different, featuring a heroine who is a wounded, handicapped and traumatized soldier.

Magdelana Cruz returns home after losing part of her leg and her fiance, afraid of resuming anything like a normal life yet bitterly resenting any attempts to help her. Nonetheless Jake, a warm and dedicated doctor, can't seem to resist trying to take care of Maggie, despite the hatred she's felt towards his family for years.

Despite a number of ongoing plot threads and themes, the book felt a bit thin and repetitive and Maggie's hatred for the Daltons didn't make much sense. But it was a pleasant read and I appreciated the touch of diversity. The issues involving Maggie's leg and prosthesis were well drawn.

[Deborah Obida · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all. This book is by far my worst harlequin read. It was a fast read but the characters are so shallow.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read a book quite like this one before and I was very touched by the pain, love, and growth that both Jake Dalton and Magdalena "Maggie" Cruz went through.

For 5 months First Lieutenant Maggie Cruz has been in the best Army hospital under going rehabilitation for her prosthetic leg she lost during an explosion. Now she's attempting to surprise her mom by coming home, but her plan was side swept when her tire blew out.

Which is where Jake Dalton comes into the picture. On the way home from a long day at the office, being the only doctor in the area is a busy job!, he finds her car pulled over. He doesn't at first recognize the woman in need as Maggie, once he does he's knows in for a fight in order to help her.

True to his thoughts, she fights tooth and nail before finally allowing him to change her tire. Back on her way, he follows her home.

There, her mother breaks into tears at seeing her only child back home. Making it to her room upstairs, she calls it a night, but is plagued with continuous nightmares.

It seems from that first bit of help onward, Jacob is always near, wanting to ease her pain and tries to caution her to take it easy. Her anger at his father and thus the Dalton family, for what she believes caused the death of her father keeps her from graciously accepting his help.

Despite her attempts to force him away, Jake stays and keeps an eye of her. Something he realizes he's been doing for many years.

It hits Jake before it does her that he's always had feelings for the one person who's always hated him. Yet, acts of kindness in the past gives him strength for hope. With the help and support of her mother and his, they throw her a welcome home party where the whole town show their support for her.

Yet, she's constantly struggling for the life she's lost and the one she's been given. The pain of her restrictions and the lost of dear friends and the ugliness from the guy she was to marry before the accident keep her walls tight around her.

But the feelings for Jake are real for her and the struggle to believe he loves her as she is, is another step she must accept. Until then, they have nothing.

Luckily, this Lieutenant is brave and takes one last risk on Jake and watches as he catches her and all her fears vanish.

Now, they look into the future together.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Snark + gifs + bad language.

I don't think contemporary romances are for me.

I was annoyed by the hero. He was patronizing. To the point where I was like fuck off, seriously, dude. He was also the "nice guy" schtick. You know the nice guy who feels entitled because he's "nice". Yeahhh, not cool.


This is how I feel.

I think that there should be more "realistic" people romances, especially a handicapped person. Hey, that's cool. I'm down for that. What I'm not here for is the feeling that these two would have never gotten together at all, even in a as-friends way, is if she wasn't injured to that severity.



I mean you don't just go from hating someone to loving them in like no time, unless she has some form of personality disorder (I'm thinking Borderline, but I could be wrong.), realistically. I think even being friends in real life is a stretch, it would take years for an actual healthy and functional relationship to develop.



I try so hard not to read contemporary romances from a feminist and psychological view, but it's hard not to. I mean yes, heterosexual women date men, but they feel less empowered and more like slaves to their desire or most likely a man's desire (your kink is not my kink and I'm cool with that), which feels odd to me. I mean if they are going to submit to someone, I guess don't make it feel like they are being so emotionally manipulated. It starts to feel kinda creepy, like restraining order time. I mean I like a little spitfire in a heroine, but so far in what I read in contemporaries something seems to be missing in them.


This is kinda how I see sex in contemporaries. It disturbs me a little.

I'm over-thinking this.

[Kellcifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a great book, but it isn't an awful book, either. Let me start by listing what I liked about the book.
- Magdalena Cruz, the heroine, is a former army nurse who lost part of a leg in Afghanistan. I liked the concept of a strong female character, and I liked the fact that she isn't magically healed. She struggles with her amputation, both emotionally and physically.
- Jake Dalton, the hero. Oh, how I loved him! He's the only doctor for a 30 mile radius, and his compassion and kindness with his patients and everyone else in his life is wonderful to read. I love that he isn't an over the top alpha asshole like so many Harlequin lead male characters.

What I didn't like:
- The heroine has a stupid, long held grudge against the hero's family because of a debt her father had to his father that she believes led to her father's death. Now, Jake and his brothers were children when this happened, so it is beyond stupid for her to hold them responsible for something that they had no part of. This aspect almost made me stop reading the book.

[Sharon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved this read. It wasn't the typical girl meets boy, fall in love kind of story. This was about Lt. Magdalena Cruz who returned to her hometown after a rough patch in Afghanistan and losing her leg. She stumbled across her neighbor Jake Dalton who she hates because she blamed the Dalton's for her dad's death. I loved sweet, old Jake who tries his best to show care to Lena but she is constantly rude and arrogant towards him. This is my first read from RaeAnne Thayne but I am excited to read more of her books.

[Gennie Gee]

Sweet :)

I read this a few years ago and thought it was good. I re-read it because I wanted to read the whole series. What amazes me is that even though this book was written about a decade ago, it still rings true and could happen today. There are so many coming home broken from war. I wish all could "heal" as Maggie did with Jake's love!

[Caridad Piñeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

So emotional and compelling. I had tears in my eyes as I read this book!

[Hilcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Jake Dalton is part of the ranching family of the Cold Creek Daltons. He and his two brothers, Wade and Seth, survived their childhood with their tough and dishonest father, Hank. They have all built lives they can be proud of and none more than Jake, who is now the dedicated and hardworking sole physician in Pine Gulch. Despite all these accomplishments, Jake is a lonely man who spends his days working long hours and takes little time for himself.

Maggie Cruz is home. After a tour of duty in Afghanistan that ended in the loss of a limb, numerous surgeries and five months of rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Army Hospital, Maggie is ready for some tender loving care. Rancho de la Luna and her mother Viviana can provide that for her, and frankly she doesn't feel she has too many options at the moment. With her nursing career at an end and her self-confidence in tatters, is there a better place to hide than home? Maggie is not taking Jake into consideration.

There is a history between Maggie and Jake. They grew up together and although both their fathers are dead, what happened between them still affects Maggie's view of Jake and his family. Her contempt for all things Dalton is evident from their first meeting early in the book and Jake seems to be her focus. Jake on the other hand can't stay away from Maggie -- he always had feelings for her and now she's back, in obvious pain and needs him. He's not about to stay away.

Dancing in the Moonlight has that 'secret crush' trope that I love to read in this type of romance. Thayne does an excellent job of bringing these two characters together and developing their relationship. The fact that they've known each other their whole lives helps with the development and gives them the background history needed to make the romance a believable one.

Maggie's struggle through her physical and emotional trauma was both believable and touching. Her cluelessness when it came to Jake's feelings was also understandable under the circumstances. She was carrying a lot of baggage and we share Maggie's growth by seeing her go through different phases: pain, insecurity, stubbornness, pride and self-awareness. Jake's persistence, patience and understanding were just what Maggie needed. He was a wonderful hero, if a tad too perfect at times. Neither an alpha nor a beta, Jake certainly knew what to say and when to say it. I liked him and wanted him to get his woman.

There is a sense of community in the book as secondary characters are kept in the periphery, with Maggy's mother, Viviana, and her uncle, Guillermo, highlighted within the story. The focus is kept squarely on the couple as is customary in these romances.

It has been a long time since I read a Silhouette I wanted to recommend -- Dancing in The Moonlight is that book. Needless to say I enjoyed it and will not only check Thayne's back list, but I'm also looking forward to her new release.

Dancing in the Moonlight is part of Raeanne Thayne's Silhouette Special Edition Cowboys, Cold Creek series. This is Book #2 in the original trilogy featuring the Dalton brothers: Light The Stars (Book #1) and Dalton's Undoing (Book #3).

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession - I only read this because I found it when I was browsing the free Kindle books on Amazon and as I was waiting for another book to be delivered it seemed like an easy way to kill a couple of days instead of starting something a bit more time consuming. Besides, if nothing else I could mock it afterwards, right? More fool me because I actually really, really enjoyed this.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm a bit of a book snob sometimes. I look down my nose at Silhouette and M&B books because they 'aren't real books' and all follow the same plot (handsome/arrogant/rich professional man falls for less successful but equally beautiful woman + misunderstanding + random drama + generic sex scene = HEA the end) silly stuff like that, so I was expecting the usual formulaic stuff. The thing is, despite the formula being the same (handsome doctor & an army nurse) - this book actually had a plot on top of that, and it had culturally diverse characters (seriously, I will never understand why it doesn't happen more) and it also dealt with someone trying to overcome losing part of a limb and, shock/horror didn't gloss over the real issues of insecurity and depression and frustration that would be caused. Not bad for a cheesy romance book, huh?

I liked both main characters - Jake is your stereotypical leading man, handsome, loyal, persistant etc but I didn't mind that he was like that. He felt rounded. Maggie, she was difficult and tormented and infuriating, etc but at the same time, I was glad of that. She had been through something and it affected her and sometimes she was a bitch, and sometimes she felt sorry for herself, and sometimes she wanted everyone else to not feel sorry for her. She wasn't the idea leading lady, but the story was better for that because you wanted her to trust him, to understand that he would do right by her and to stop pushing him away.

Sure, there was a sense of predictability about the proceedings - naturally Jake & Maggie would end up together for example, but despite that, I didn't feel cheated. I would have liked maybe an extra 100 pages to flesh out certain things and I can't help but wonder what direction the author would have taken it in if she wasn't bound by the genres length requirements, but for a free book, I think it's definitely worth a read. There are worst ways to kill a couple of evenings.

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5 stars
There were some things I liked. The little town seemed quite real, some of the secondary characters seemed to have potential. Maggie's mother cut a strong figure, except for the stupid way she handled her big secret and tried to hide it from her daughter after 13 years widowhood, she finally started to have feelings for her former brother-in-law who worked with her on the ranch ever since his brother died, Maggie definitely loves her uncle, but the mom felt too scared to say anything to her daughter and wanted to keep their relationship a hidden secret forever, the uncle disagreed and they had a big fall-out meaning they do not work together anymore but they still kiss and make out, really? . Some of Maggie's struggles to adapt and come to term with being amputated from her left leg seemed realistic and moving. But unfortunately even those struggles felt repeated at nauseam, rather than expanded and developed over the book. The lead characters were drawn along the same lines and not really changing, maturing over the book, they just had a few epiphanies coming through here and there helping them come to terms with their feelings or with misconceptions that they carried over for many years.
The hero was a bit too nice, a bit too overbearing, and overall did not really seem real.
The heroine's long standing and never questioned hatred for her neighbor family irritated me. And it felt like it lasted that long and that strong only because people never talked with each other and kept secrets for years.
I really am not convinced I'll pick another from this author, as I found the book slightly weak and lacking, though not resolutely poor.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry. Another sappy Sunday afternoon read. Another free Harlequin. (I just cannot resist the word free. I think I have only a few more downloaded!)
Not really impressed with this one. Ya, it kept me entertained. Ya, the story was sappy, sweet, and romantic - everything a romance book should be. However, I could not get over Maggie feeling so sorry for herself. Sure it was tough to lose her dad at a young age, but she admitted to having a fabulous mom and uncle to help her through it. I am sure it would be horrible to lose a limb, but her friends lost their life! I could have dealt with her suffering over that and all she had witnessed far better! (honestly not trying to downplay the war efforts or reactions to it, just felt it was a little misplaced) Sure it sucks when your fiancée dumps you, but give your head a shake girl, he couldn't have been anything special if he couldn't deal with a little hardship!
They kept saying Maggie was so mean to the Dalton's. Okay, she may not have been the friendliest neighbour but she was still pretty young when she left town. I didn't see her treating them too poorly when she returned.
The book however did make me smile and "aw" when Jake and Maggie finally got together - and that really is the reason you read a Harlequin!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing in the Moonlight is a love story with a sexy cowboy and he is a compassionate medical doctor in a small community. Dancing in the Moonlight has a war hero that returns from war not as she expected by learning to adjust to her injuries. My two favorite romance characters are sexy cowboys with a soft compassionate side for their women and war veterans, so Dancing in the Moonlight has both. The setting is Idaho with the Grand Tetons for a background to put the ranches in one of the most beautiful parts of the Rockies. The secondary romance of Maggie's mother was a sweet addition to the story along with the importance of the love of families.

Dancing in the Moonlight was enjoyable and I look forward to reading more of RaeAnne Thayne's books in the future because I loved this one.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a nurse who is wounded while on military duty in Afghanistan, and her struggle to adjust to "normal" when she gets back stateside. She has lost her leg below the knee and has a prosthesis. She is stubborn yet has a "who would want a cripple" streak to her. Her longtime neighbor/enemy - coincidentally a doctor - longs to get closer to her as he's always desired her.

Parts of it were really good but parts also dragged. I really wanted to see how their relationship was resolved, so I kept reading. Not a great story but an interesting story and one you don't see very often with the heroine being physically handicapped.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this as a freebie and it was pretty good. Just a sweet story about a returning soldier who comes home to recover from a devastating injury she received while serving in Afghanistan. Loved Dr. Jake, her childhood friend, who helps her to realize how much she has to live for. The first book in the series was ok, about Wade the oldest brother. This one was better, and I think I will be reading get Seth's book, Dalton's Undoing. He's the family playboy, and his story should prove to be a fun one.
This book could be read by itself, but if it's part of a series, I have to read all of them...and in order! I have issues!

[Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book,it was realistic and quick n simple story,easy to read

Jack and Maggie both are great characters,Maggie has went through a lot and now she has returned but she has this nightmares and is finding it difficult to make adjustment after the amputation but she is trying at same time there is Jack who always loved Maggie,he is always there for her and supports her

Maggie is conflicted with her loyalty towards her father but then her mother makes her see the truth and reveals quiet a few secrets which make a whole difference,Maggie realises her love for Jack and they have their HEA

Good read
Recommend it

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gut wrenching story. Army Lieutenant who looses part of her leg to a bomb in Afghanistan. Had her fiancee look at her with such pity and revulsion at Walter Reed hospital when he comes to see her the relationship is called quits. This story shows the strength one needs to get past the fears the war and the disabilities one might have to face but still have the courage to find love and happiness and most of all contentment and want to finish living there life to the fullest.Very good read.

[Dorel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by Raeanne Thayne. It was an enjoyable read & a nice romantic story & a nice ending. Very good free book to read.

[Ag_grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good little romance story! This is a story about pain, family, and understanding! I don't want to give anything away but it was a sweet little book!

[Zee Monodee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the very flowing voice of RaeAnne Thayne, and fell in love with Jake. Good book to whittle an afternoon with

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I really enjoyed this. The wounded heroine was so wounded, both emotionally and physically. Jake was a patient hero as he helped accept both her past, her present, and her future.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best in the series so far. I loved the characters. Can't wait to read the rest of the books!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is corny and reminds of the song but I decided to pick it up when I saw this on a list of romance featuring a female character with disability rep.

Magdelana Cruz "Maggie" has come home to Cold Creek and things are awkward because of her family's past with the Daltons. She reunites with Jake Dalton, the town's only doctor and guy who has always been in love with her. She struggles as she has a prosthetic leg after an injury while serving in Afghanistan. I liked how Jake tries to take care of her secretly by making her rest and recognising when she was in pain.

I didn't like how Maggie behaves at first, reluctantly accepting help from Jake and then calling him a "wimp", "pansy" while he is helping her around her family's ranch. She is naturally sarcastic and prickly because of their history and her embarrassment over the changes in her life that having a prosthetic wrought. Oh and did I mention stubborn? refusing to accept help, pushing herself through the pain of her healing wound and getting used to moving around with a prosthetic.

I liked how both of them are in healthcare and have a passion for helping their patients. Maggie is very useful when she translates for Jake during his free clinic with farm workers and their families. This an interracial romance as Maggie is Spanish and Jake is white.

The representation was good even though I do not have Maggie's disability, I did relate to how she felt. She has a shower chair, mentions a shower prosthesis and uses crutches at times. She has to take things slow and relearn things she knows. While she felt like there were many things she could not do, Jake shows her that she can. She even shows herself by working around the ranch. But her insecurity and fears do overwhelm her because she needs to reflect on how her life will change. Can she still practise as a nurse?

"'I know you think I've got some kind of chip on my shoulder about having to do everything without help but it's important for me to do things on my own,' she said on her way back to the table with a tossed salad. 'Mama wants to do everything for me, too, and every day I have to tell her to back off.'"
Page 84, Chapter 8

Yup I relate, alright. I think anyone who has a disability or chronic illness that limits mobility would.

"'I tell her that it might take me longer to figure out how to do things now,' she said. 'But just because things might take a little longer, that doesn't mean I can't do it.'

'That's certainly true.'"
Page 84, Chapter 8

Jake was very patient and took time to convince her that she is whole, lovable and beautiful just the way she is. Aww. I liked how he gave her massages and noticed when she was tired or in pain. I liked the dynamic change as it is usually the female who convinces the male that he is worthy of love. An unexpectedly deep read for a Harlequin.

Tropes: Hate to love, I have always loved you

[Monae Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was emotional, kind of heartbreaking and sweet and there were two people who went through a lot in their lives.

This story is about a woman named Magdalena (Maggie) Cruz. She was a nurse in Afghanistan. Some people that she served with got killed. She lost a leg during the incident. She served as a Lieutenant. She returns home but not the way she envisioned. Dealing with the guilt of what happened and what she lost she is angry and also sad. There is a Doctor in her hometown that she grew up with Jake Dalton. She considers him an enemy because of his father and how he was responsible for her father’s death.

Jake spent his life trying to get closer to Maggie. Maggie is trying her best to push Jake away. She treats him with resentment and anger. He is also pushy wanting to help her. Maggie struggles with her prosthesis that she has to wear. Eventually she begins to have feelings for him. I felt bad for Maggie and for Jake and how she was afraid to feel for him because of how her ex treated her. I liked how Jake was sweet and he was patient with her. It was a very good book.