Ava Miles writes books that speak to the soul and the heart while being extremely entertaining with an unforgettably suspenseful romance. I've read three of her books thus far, not from this series, and she has never let me down. Her books always end with the happy ever after ending, leaving you with the satisfaction found in living in small towns. I've attached here my review of book 1 of this 3-book set. I highly recommend her writing style, her stories and the she-made-be-feel-good feeling.
About the Story: Meredith Hale is running, from herself and from her ex. She hasn’t been able to move beyond the divorce, although she was strong enough to accomplish getting it. She needs a change of scene so decides to couple her need with lending a hand to family living in Dare Valley. Her dad and grandpa own a newspaper in there and her dad has recently suffered a heart attack. Meredith has been in New York for several years and has proved to herself and her family that she’s has the family talent when it comes to journalism.
Now her ex is threatening her, although in this story, she is the last to know. She promised her New York boss an unusual and unique article on looking for and finding, or not, the perfect man such as the ones found in Nora Roberts’s novels. And Meredith, buried deep within her heart, wanted to find her small-town Nora Roberts hero. What better way than in Dare Valley, helping her dad and grandpa and herself? Her secret weapon is her La Perla bustier lingerie, purchased with money she got from the divorce, AND her alter ego who constantly gives her advice, who she names Divorcée Woman. Could happy endings be possible? Well, she was willing to find out.
Tanner McBride has also found his way to Dare Valley, but not for altruistic reasons. He’d recently returned from Afghanistan as a war correspondent, contacting a major newspaper which just happens to be the newspaper owned by none other than Meredith’s ex. But before he could work for him in the capacity he wanted to, his boss wanted him to ‘prove’ himself in Dare Valley. It all came with a nice little package of blackmail. His boss was paranoid that whatever Meredith was going to write would hurt his chances in his run for Senator. Tanner’s mission was to make Meredith fall in love with him and then break it off, so she wouldn't have the story she was planning on writing. Even though Tanner disliked this assignment handed him, he had no choice, no choice at all. And no choice in how he and Meredith connected, sparks and all.
My Thoughts: I don’t normally read many contemporary romance, but I make exception for a few authors. Ava Miles happens to be one of them. This is the third book I’ve read of hers, however not in the same series. In each case, they have been warm, real, sweet romances that seize my heart.
This particular story revolves around the love of family, both of Meredith and Tanner’s. With that love, comes need to protect even when one has to lie or tell half-truths. The story also shows that once you’re found out, it just may hurt more than if the truth had been spoken. Both Meredith and Tanner had difficulty telling untruths and I commiserated with both, knowing they had little choice. Both of them despised themselves in part because of it, yet felt truth would hurt more.
This story has secondary stories other than the main ones, which gives it quite a bit of depth and interest where friendship, love and honor all are part of it. Many suspenseful moments await you, laced with fear, sometimes passion and other times humor involving more villains lurking to strike.
A heart-warming, entertaining story, yet with an edge of suspense and mystery of a woman who falls in love with the wrong man, or so she thinks. Should she trust her heart or her logic? Her predicament leads her where her brain dare not go--with pitfalls of heartache along the way.
Ava Miles will soften your heart and take you to a world where the valor of people is more important than material possessions. I haven’t read many of Nora Roberts’ books, but after so many allusions to them, I’m ready to delve back into Nora Roberts. Thank you Ava Miles for such a sweet, powerful read. As a contemporary romance author, I highly recommend her work.