Step aside previous bachelors, I might have just found my most favorite (until the next book!).
First, I have to say that I've been waiting for Michael's book for a while, mostly because I was absolutely curious about him. And having gotten to know Brooke in Cole's book, I was already very much impressed with her, so this book was highly anticipated - and as Sorensen has proven time and again -her writing just gets better.
Brooke's had a rough go at it, left to deal with a multiple pregnancy alone, raise twins alone, and deal with a somewhat crazy family situation, she's got a lot on her plate and no time to add more to it. But when Michael randomly shows up at her home to be a stand in sitter it kicks off the start of something new in her life, something unexpected and hard to let in. Brooke is a strong woman, but even the strongest person has their fears and vulnerabilities.
Michael has never needed to defend himself to others, content enough to let them think what they want rather than show his true self, after all he's never really had a reason not to shrug off the misconceptions - until now. Michael is drawn to Brooke for several reasons at first, the least of which is an attraction to her, but its more than that. He wants to help her, he wants her to see she's someone strong and capable. He wants to give her another person to count on, another friend to turn to.
I loved watching these two grow closer and seeing them fall for each other hard and fast, without even realizing it for themselves. I loved watching as they made mistakes and tried to keep their feelings to themselves out of fear or another misplaced emotion. Brooke's a tough cookie and I love that she wanted to do the right thing for her kids. I loved Michael and his gradual realization that Brooke was someone he wanted to see the true him fully, that he wanted her to trust him and believe in him that she was the one person who fit him.
AS with previous books, I love watching the interactions between all of the friends, seeing former book couples and also those I still needs books for always adds an extra layer of family and bonds to these books. I love watching as they help each other, they listen, offer advice, or just step in and force the group to see what they haven't or don't want to. It never fails to make me feel like they are an awesome group that I'd love to have in my own inner circle.