Reckless

The Last Roundup #2

by Ruth Wind, Barbara Samuel

Jake Forrest had always believed in honor. It was how he lived his life, made his choices. Dressed in army greens, he stood tall and proud, his startling blue eyes focused on the task at hand, his broad chest swelled with pride. But in the brutal desert, far away, Jake came face to face with the cost of war, and now all he wants to do is forget.

In the arms of town doctor Ramona Hardy, Jake starts to find some peace. Burying himself in her lush body, her long hair, he starts to think that maybe, just maybe, he can come to terms with his life.

But Ramona has done some hard time with demons of her own, and she knows the love growing between them can never last…unless Jake stops running, and stops fighting his memories. The more he runs, the less chance they have. Can he find peace in time? Their future depends on it.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Friends To Lovers, Category Romance

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Pseudonym of Barbara Samuel and Barbara O'Neal.

Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to read Jake’s story and it was all I expected it to be and more.
A truly tormented ex-soldier, a classic case of PTSD with actual physical and psychological symptoms. A sweet gentle earth mother h. And the healing power of love - especially the love of a good woman?

Well, but….
First, her endowments are brought up again and again. If I heard the word round one more time..!
.He skimmed his fingers over the round flesh and slid lower, to a belly as soft and round as her breast.

Then her earth mother femininity is rubbed in one’s face once too often
he realized his imaginary picture of her kitchen could not have been more on the mark. There were herbs hanging from the ceiling in neat bundles, and rows of home-canned goods in the glass-fronted cupboards. Plants grew in a tangle on every windowsill …

His trauma and PSTD are real and I like the authenticity and even the not-so-easy wishing away of his troubles but the stretching out of the resolution made me lose interest just as probably the h did too.
Oh, I can love you." She raised her eyes. "But I can't heal you. I can't be the doctor who always comes running and patches you up. You need something, but I can't provide it.”

This book went from being potentially amazing to a bit boring and repetitive. Sad because these two are great mcs.

[Anna Bowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gobbled this in one day, which should not surprise me when it comes to Barbara Samuel romances. From the start, when a gruff ex-soldier finds himself paired with a doe-eyed doctor at his brother's wedding, the stage is set for a romance that will open old wounds -for both of them- only to prove that love is the greatest healer of all.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Como dije en mi blog, esta es «una historia preciosa de gente normal». Él es Jake Forrest, ex soldado con síndrome de estrés postraumático que no se trata. Ella, a la que conoce en una boda, Ramona Hardy, médico que ha alcanzado un punto de tranquilidad en su vida y no quiere hundirse por los comportamientos arriesgados de él. Entre ellos surge la amistad y una intensa atracción sexual, pero no parece que pueda ir a algo más por la resistencia de Jake a tratarse. Tiene momentos tremendamente intensos y emocionales. No se me ocurre ninguna forma mejor de contar una historia así entre adultos. Es una de mi autoras favoritas en esto de las novelas genéricas.

[Lynne Spreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Red Creek series takes a dark turn with the introduction of Jake, a war veteran with PTSD. Of course, the woman who can save him is the town doctor, but one thing I really like about Barbara Samuel (O'Neal)'s books is that the women are smart, strong, and practical. They don't waste your time with false drama. Ramona is admirable, and she can help Jake if he'll let her, but she's not going to waste her life trying to convince him. A very good romance.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!!

This is the second book in this serious and it did not disappoint. I love this series and can’t wait for the next one!!

[Ns2np5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Duchess of Booksburghe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 Stars

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful romance, but at the same time deals with a serious subject,that of post traumatic stress. Both Ramona and Jake have suffered in their lives,but she was able to get beyond her trauma. Jake cannot get over the horrors of war and when he is finally able to fall asleep, the nightmare wakes him. How these 2 fall in love and how he finally starts to heal is a satisfying and believable read. Once again, this author has penned a winner.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written with engaging characters. I preferred this to the first Red Creek Brothers book. They are stand alone novels but characters reappear so it is worth reading them in order. Jake is suffering from PTSD and this subject is handled sensitively and fairly accurately. I read this in a day as I could not put it down and plan to read the rest in the series.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town doctor Ramona is attracted to ex- soldier Jake Forrest whom she met at a wedding. But Jake has some PTSD Problems to overcome till the happily ever after is possible. Nice friends-to-lovers story with charmingly sensible protagonists.

[Lhenry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just a little too sappy for me, Ramona's character was overdrawn for my taste

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet, well-written book. Jake Forrest has returned home after leaving the army, and he can't forget what he has experience while being at war. Town doctor Ramona Hardy has the ability to heal people, and Jake finds moments of peace in her arms. I really enjoyed reading the story of the journey between Ramona and Jake. I especially appreciated the way Ramona's physical attributes were described. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is part of a series with related characters. I look forward to reading other books in this series and other books by this author.

[Regina Mastrogiacomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging story, about a romance that had to work to become true. It started out like a fling but as Ramona and Jake begin to share it becomes meaningful. A lot of healing had to happen for Jake in order for him to open up to his love for Ramona. Love the pets and the love of food.