The Shadow

Men of the White Sandy #3

by Sarah M. Anderson

Nobody Bodine is a nobody who came from a nobody and will always be a nobody.

He disappears into the shadows—no one sees him if he doesn’t want them to. He exists in neither the white man’s world nor the tribe’s, dispensing vigilante justice when he sees fit. There’s no other place for a man like him in this world.

Until Melonie Mitchell shows up on the rez. From the first moment he lays eyes on her, he can tell there’s something different about her. For starters, she’s not afraid of him. She asks where his scars came from, and why he has so many. But more than that, she sees him. For the first time in his life, Nobody feels like a somebody in her eyes.

Melonie has come west to run the new day care on the White Sandy Reservation. She’s intrigued by this strange man and his tattered skin, and when she discovers that he’s a self-appointed guardian angel for the boy in her care, she realizes that there’s more to Nobody than meets the eyes. But how far will he go to keep the boy safe? And will she be able to draw him into the light?

This book was previously published as Nobody.

TW: This book contains graphic fight scenes, descriptions of childhood abuse, hot sexy and light, sensual spanking.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Native American, Westerns, Fighters, Abuse

ebook

First published March 8, 2014

About the author

With over 1.2 million copies published in over twenty-one countries, Sarah M. Anderson has published over 45 books. Sarah's book A Man of Privilege won a RT Book Reviews 2012 Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. The Nanny Plan was a 2016 RITA® winner for Best Contemporary: Short. Additionally, Sarah has given workshops at national and regional conferences, taught craft classes online, spoken at libraries and book clubs, and published articles in the Romance Writers Report.

When she’s not walking her rescue dogs, reading or crafting, Sarah spends her days having conversations with imaginary people, all of which is surprisingly well-tolerated by her wonderful family. Find out more about Sarah’s books at www.sarahmanderson.com and sign up for the new-release newsletter at http://bit.ly/sarahalerts.

Reviews

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just...I have to...just look at that cover! Here's a closer look:


Nobody Bodine...shivers!! He's a BETA hero, folks...not my normal favorite. He's also very insecure, very much a loner, and is one of the most tortured heroes you'll come across. Literally tortured as a child, he's been a complete recluse his entire life. His name is Nobody, and it fits. He has no friends, trusts no one, cares for no one. Except for Jamie, a boy who also lives on the Lakota Indian reservation. Jamie is living the same life that Nobody grew up with, and aside from Nobody's herd of horses, he's about the only thing the big, dark, scary Indian man cares about. When Melinda Mitchell, sister of the new reservation's physician, comes to White Sandy to run the new day care center, Nobody no longer cares for nobody. Haha...I can't help it...that's funny.



My friends, this was a phenomenal story. Nobody is such an atypical hero. And Melinda is truly the kind of heroine that I usually don't like...she's bubbly, somewhat flighty, and a bit aggressive when it comes to romance.

"She might have crazy hair and whatever, but she was still a rich-ish white woman who would be afraid of him, once someone saw fit to tell her all about the nothing that was nobody."

And yet. And yet somehow, I loved this book! There is something about a confident, modern woman with a heart of gold teaching a hesitant, social outcast hunk of man what the value of love and patience is. It is magic. It was alluring and enchanting. There's a sweet abused little kid who stole my heart, and the fact that Nobody literally sits outside his house at night to protect him from his own parents gave me a bad case of insta-love. What a wonderful guy!! The fact that he's this protective stems from his past experiences. Those experiences are writtien all over his body in a horrible miasma of scars.

" The man looked like he'd come straight from the UFC cage fight, and she honestly couldn't tell if he'd won or lost. He had a long scar down his left cheek that didn't look old and burn marks on his right arm that spoke of nothing good."

Not only is there a fantastic love story set amid the spiritual world of a Lakota Indian reservation, but there are some social awareness issues that this author is very good about bringing up without being preachy...things that happen in the US even today that many people aren't aware of. Midwestern residents should have some knowledge of the way things are today for many Native Americans but this series is told with such heart and insight that there's not any finger pointing OR victim blaming. It's just bringing issues to light. And I really appreciate that. Not only is this one of those obscure and unique romance series that I WISH more people would read, but there's enough humor and passion and mysticism for the most random of readers to enjoy it.


"For the first time in his life, he was tired of lurking in the shadows - never seen, never heard. Melinda saw him like no one else did.
If it were just that, it wouldn't be so bad.
But she forced everyone else around her to see him, too. She dragged him out of the shadows and carved a place for him around the fire by sheer will."

But still...it's romantic as hell. So good. Soooo good.

Copy provided by the publisher via Net Galley for review

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. DNF @40%.



I really do like to read about a beta hero once in a while but Nobody was a special case. I liked that he was physically scarred but it didn't appeal to me that he depicted himself as an absolute low life with no self-esteem or self-confidence whatsoever.

Just not my cup of tea. Onwards…

[Sarah Anderson]

Hands down, Nobody is my most tortured hero ever.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you think NOTHING can break through your armor and put a tight squeeze on your heart? Read Nobody by Sarah M. Anderson. I love a good, tension-filled romance, add a dark and mysterious hero, give me a good and feisty heroine and I’m on board! What I didn’t expect was how deeply I would get involved in Nobody Bodine’s story. Huge, scary, and able to blend into the shadows, Nobody has few friends, lives is a world of loneliness and secrets, he is almost like a ghost, a nobody. What nightmares from his past have made him feel less than deserving of living a full life? Why does he do endless good things for people under the cover of the shadows?

Melinda has made a mess of her life, always making bad “boyfriend” choices, getting hurt, and never quite able to fit into the mold the world has prescribed for her. Needing a fresh start, she comes to the White Sandy Reservation, where her super successful, super confident and super in love sister is the only doctor for miles. Melinda is determined not to fail this time as she sets out to open a day care for those on the reservation. What she hadn’t planned on was Nobody or her reaction to him. What Nobody hadn’t planned on was the beautiful woman who actually “saw” him, treated him like a man, a somebody. What she saw was a scarred man, desperately alone, who would risk his life for an abused boy, and be his champion, all without the glory of notoriety.
When things get out of hand, Nobody becomes a wounded fugitive, and Melinda is determined to make things right, but at what cost? Can she turn her back on him when he needs her the most? Hinged on her actions, she has the power to save the young boy, but possibly kill that last ember of hope in the man’s heart.

Sarah M. Anderson dug deep for this one! Nobody is probably the most damaged and misunderstood hero I have ever read about! And Melinda? Talk about a hidden warrior woman unleashed! Wonderful writing from the heart, filled with amazing characters, a twisted plot and an awkward romance between two completely different people. If you like romance with heart and grit, pick this one up, you’ll be glad you did!

I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.


Series: The Men of the White Sandy - Book 3
Publication Date: March 8, 2014
Publisher: Sarah M. Anderson
ISBN: 1941097014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 270 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color me impressed. This was so much more fulfilling in every way. The author really did her homework. No glossing over the realities of life on a modern day rez. Each character drawn with their own individuality.

Melonie is you. She is me. Faults and failings but a good person. Caring, crazy, strong and fearless. Loving. Beyond the ordinary heroine. I loved her.

Nobody Bodine. Nobody is damaged. Horribly abused as a child, caught in the prison system at a young age. Never loved. A loner. Always alone. Living in the shadows.

Jamie, a lost boy. Abused, neglected. Nobody Bodine watches over Jamie. Cares for him. Gives a little boy hope.

Circumstances occur that bring about the possibility of a future for these three. Together. Like a family. To walk in the light.

Heartbreaking and lovely. What a beautiful story. To chose to walk in the light. Nobody Bodine makes that choice. You catch your breathe and smile. Yes, yes!

To be so free in the light.

[Jennifer Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book just as much as the first in the series...I was so excited for Nobody's story since meeting him in book 1 and I wasn't disappointed. If you like the strong silent type, the tortured hero, you'll love Nobody.

I also appreciate that the author chose to write this series on an American Indian reservation, as I think that setting is pretty rare.

[Mei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Nobody in the previous book very much and I'm disappointed by how he was depicted here... I had so many expectations...

The main complaint is that Nobody come out a retarded child.
His inner thoughts, his reasoning, his actions are soooo childish. I didn't want to believe that Nobody will reason in that way!

I was expecting a wounded hero, but I was left hanging. And I felt very bad about it!

[Kame · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 4 1/2 star

I am having a hard time to put into words how much I enjoyed this book.

The emotion behind this story will get to anyone heart.

I really didn't want it to end - I want to read more about Nobody and Melinda.

TBQ and I will be doing a review and book discussion at http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspo...

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't really describe how much I love these Native American heroes in the Men of the White Sandy series. I still call them Indians in my head because I grew up with Cowboys and Indians.

Nobody is a secondary character in the previous two books and he was intriguing right from the start. A kind of vigilante, who protects kids in danger but has a dark and mysterious past and spends his life in the shadows.

When Melinda turns up, the wild child sister of the doctor heroine in Mystic Cowboy, she seems an unlikely person to become involved with a man who is quite simply scary to look at. Big, scarred, definitely not a smiley kind of guy.

Yet somehow she is drawn to him. And the amazing thing is that she sees him. A man who has a gift for melting into the darkness, for watching without being seen. Right from the start, he is somebody to Melinda.

A romance between them was bound to be complicated, even before it got tangled up with saving a mistreated child, and finding out just how dark Nobody's history really is.

This book had me all choked up and in tears before the end. These guys aren't your average romance heroes. Nobody is strong in so many ways, but it is his unexpected vulnerability that catches you off guard. He brings out the best in seemingly ditzy Melinda, and she finds her strength even when it hurts.

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - good writing and plot. The h was my favourite character, she's flawed and felt real. She didn't sugar coat things, and she made the H work for their HEA. He's a wreck really, emotionally and physically scarred. So why not 5 stars? Stupid detail jarred me out of the story, h's name is Melonie Mitchell, her sister is Madeline Mitchell, and 2 other characters (sisters) Tara and Tammy! Please, this was just silly. The h made poor decisions at first, and I liked seeing her become stronger, and challenge the H to do better. Great idea let down by a few silly things, sadly not picked up be beta or arc readers.

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope the author at some point writes a novella continuing Nobody and Melinda's story. The ending left much to be desired. Their story feels incomplete.

[Shawnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Down 1 star for the idea of manipulating law enforcement at your whim or for the story.

[Erin Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Men of White Sandy, and while I did read it first and it stands well on its own, if you can get hold of the previous two books, Mystic Cowboy and Masked Cowboy I'd highly suggest it, because it takes a little something away from those two books to read Nobody first, in my opinion.

Now on to the review.

Oh, this story is just lovely, lovely and heart wrenching and heartwarming. Nobody Bodine is tall, dark and enigmatic. He's a vicious fighter and a protector of horses and children. He's also the invisible man...except to Melinda Mitchell. SHE can see him, even when he doesn't necessarily want to be seen. Melinda is Madeleine's sister (she's the heroine from Mystic Cowboy) and she's just about as opposite to her uptight doctor sister as is humanly possible. She's artistic and empathetic, and to put it not too kindly, something of a flake. But she can SEE Nobody in both a physical and a metaphorical sense. And their dance back and forth between each other and their own issues was something I adored watching unfold.

I'm torn between labeling this contemporary and paranormal because the paranormal aspect of this is really light and not a major focus of the story, but it is in there so I suppose it isn't a strict contemporary either. What I loved about this story is how clueless and sweet Nobody is (and his inner monologues can be quite humorous) behind that gruff exterior. He's just a rough, tough, cream puff and that's my favorite kind of hero. And I really enjoyed that Melinda is a strong capable heroine while still managing to be understanding without being a doormat. There is no "big misunderstanding", just the logical sort of miscommunications and difficulties one might expect from their backgrounds. And the way that Melinda learns to be the grown up and make the hard choices for the right reasons, and the way that Nobody learns that trust comes in a thousand different daily actions rather than one big gesture is just perfect.

Only two things didn't work for me. One, I was really hoping for that ooey gooey sweet real name reveal that never happened (I cracked up when Melinda was screaming "Nobody" during intimate moments). I mean I suppose it is acceptable that it supposedly doesn't matter since he's a someone to Melinda, but dang I wanted it. And I really wanted an epilogue of some sort. But that may have been more a function of how much I wanted more of their story than any actual need for it to complete the story. This will definitely be going on my re-read list.

Cross-posted http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.c...

[Kathie (katmom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this blurb. Although it's not listed as paranormal, there is a certain mystic quality to it. And Nobody can hide...in shadows. I liked him from the start. I haven't read the first two stories in the series, but this book can stand alone. One is quickly caught up in Ms. Anderson's world.

Nobody had a very hard life. A life that includes a lengthy time spent in jail. While a spirit guide spoke to him in Lakota, so he doesn't know what the guide said, he's found himself as a guardian to those weaker and younger than himself. Somehow he knows when they are threatened. He's focused on their care and safety. But then he meets Melinda and she knocks him off kilter for sure.

Have to say, I wasn't fond of Melinda. Yes, she's been a bad judge of men for years. But she's also bitter and not very nice. She did finally grow on me once her jealousy kicked back a bit. I enjoyed watching her grow up.

There were several scenes with horses and I applaud the author for how right they were. Red was a particularly sweet animal.

Reading the advance reader copy was hard on me. There are random letters strewn throughout the manuscript. Thankfully, the letters have disappeared in the final copy (I downloaded the sample just to check) and I didn't take any rating points away for the messy copy. But there are typos galore throughout the book. A proof editor would have been helpful. Two characters' names were misspelled so often, it was almost amusing.

Nobody, and his growth, too, was a nice way to spend an afternoon. I'm curious enough about the Men of the White Sandy, that I will be checking out more from this author.



*Thank you, NetGalley and Fido Publishing, for the opportunity to read Nobody

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah was gracious enough to give me a copy of this book for my birfday! I just happen to be a blogger/reviewer as well. :-)

I. LOVED. IT. I haven't had a chance to read the first two books in this series, but now I MUST go back to read the others. I *have* read Sarah's HQ books, so I figured I was prepared, but this book blew me away.

Nobody isn't just tortured, he resonates with pain and the confusion of being misunderstood. In some ways, he's jaded and cynical, and in others it's like he's just starting on the path to adulthood.

Then there's Melinda. She's from the big city. Horrible at relationships - never making the right choices, she follows her sister to run the day care center at the White Sandy rez.

Nobody's used to being a shadow, a vigilante. Taking up for those that can't fight back, protecting the people of the rez, even if they can't recognize that he's a part of the tribe. But Melinda sees him. Like, *really* sees him. And it scares him shitless.

Not only that, she's not afraid of him. Not afraid of his scars, his anger, his dangerous nature. And she's also ready to fight for someone in need. Someone he cares for. Someone just like him. Maybe Nobody can learn to trust again. This woman who asks for nothing but Nobody...

Dammit Sarah. This book was just amazing. Thank you so much for gifting me with not only the words, but the emotions and the characters. I was just sobbing for Nobody and Jamie - and even Melinda when she had to make the decision to leave Nobody alone near the end of the book. Heartbreaking.

Five. Stars. <3

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Nobody, I really did he was just so cute at times, "I know you're there, you know." She was still admiring her pile of metal. Not looking at him. "You're stealthy, but you're not invisible. Come tell me what you think." Sh**. She was talking to him." I mean he's really adorable when he wakes up disoriented and finds a woman on him, "...Hell, he wasn't even alone. There was a head in his lap. W head with wildfire hair that was spread out over his jeans - over his groin. Melinda. He went hard in an instant, the overwhelming desire pushing the pain back so far he didn't feel anything but where she was touching him." Melinda that girl, she's a take charge kind, "she grinned at him as she leaned down to kiss him. He took the kiss, pressing her against his chest. "so much," she whispered against the skin of his neck. "I'm going to ride you now." I loved how Nobody cared for Melinda he's so gentle, "I didn't...I didn't hurt you?" His hand skimmed the surface of her bottom, where he'd smacked her three times." I haven't read the other books in this series but I may have to I liked this one so much.

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am happy I read this book and I will most likely read more of this author's books. I loved the author's portrayal the hero Nobody (scarred, sexy, brooding, scary but boyish at the same time). I am rating it 3 stars because some parts of the book dragged, when Hero and Heroine were apart. And I would've liked it if the book had an epilogue.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. It is the only one of the series I have read, and it left me wanting to read the others. It was an emotional book about a man who endured horrible things as a child and the effect on his life thereafter. It was also the story of the woman who saw past the scars to the man.

Melinda left Ohio after yet another failed relationship to join her sister at the White Sandy rez. She will run the new daycare center. The man who cleans the center and visits her sister and brother-in-law late at night intrigues her with his scars and haunted eyes.

Nobody was a hero who pulled at the heartstrings. Named Nobody by his mother, who told him he was "a nobody who came from nobody and would always be a nobody," he lives in the shadows and avoids contact with almost everyone. His history is heartbreaking, but it left him with a streak of protectiveness, especially toward children.

I loved the connection that formed between Melinda and Nobody from the moment they met. Nobody has an uncanny knack for melting into the shadows, and it's a rare person who can see him when he does. Melinda is one of those people, and it scares Nobody spitless. I loved watching her get to know him by slipping into his world. She understands him and what makes him the way he is, and she doesn't try to force him into her world. Instead, she accepts him in all of his solitary glory while ensuring he doesn't push her away. Nobody bought into the world's opinion that he's no good and doesn't understand what Melinda sees in him. His internal commentaries are both funny and heartbreaking as he tries to wrap his head around her interest.

It isn't long before their two worlds collide in the person of a young victim of the same kind of abuse Nobody suffered. Nobody protects young Jamie with his own form of justice, frequently taking the boy to his own home and giving him a safe space to recover. I loved the connection between the two of them. Jamie worships Nobody; his imitation of his hero is spot-on. He is also as protective of Nobody as Nobody is of him. When Melinda becomes aware of Jamie's situation, her reaction is to remove Jamie from his home ASAP. She receives an eye-opening education on what happens to Native children when they end up in foster care and struggles to find a compromise.

I loved the solution that Melinda and Nobody devised and that it had a good chance of working. Unfortunately, fate intervened before their plans could be fully executed. Melinda has the problem well in hand, but it requires Nobody's patience and cooperation. I ached for Nobody, whose worry for Jamie became so overwhelming that he did a very stupid thing. This left Melinda in an awkward position of having to find a way to fix the results of his actions and ensure that the solution is the one they want. I was quite impressed with Melinda as she went to bat for both Jamie and Nobody, though her methods for Nobody were very unorthodox. I ached for Nobody as he endured the consequences of his actions and worried that he'd also lost Melinda.

The ending brought tears to my eyes as Melinda waited and hoped for Nobody's return. I loved that she wasn't going to give him long to avoid her. I loved how, once again, she felt him before she saw him. Nobody broke my heart as he shared his fears and his feelings with her. "I've never loved anyone. I don't know how to love you. Will you show me how?" And Melinda says, "All I can ask is that you don't give up on us." Nobody: "Us. Never had an us before." Sigh.

#netgalley

[Ni_kii · Rating 5 out of 5]

FTC : I bought this book because I love the series.

I’ve been waiting for Nobody’s book. The mysterious man with the bad reputation and grumpy demeanour has been on my want-to-read pile since he first graced the pages of this series and, by God, he was worth the wait.

I knew straight away that I was going to love him. From the moment he saves an abused boy from his alcoholic parents (a thing he had been doing since he had gotten wind of the boys plight) I adored him and then, as I watched him struggle to deal with his developing emotions for Melinda, my heart just ached. Nobody is a product of an abusive parent and, partially because of this, he struggles with his self worth and emotions. He can’t quite fathom that Melinda can care for him, even when he cares for her from the moment he sees her, and it broke my heart every-time he showed just how unlovable he truly thinks he is. He decides to do what he thinks is best for them both; he protects her as best as he can but, ultimately, he stays away. Yes, this does lead to more tortured angst, cuteness and general swooning on my part…. of course, Melinda decides that he isn’t allowed to do this for very long.

Melinda is a free-spirit who is on the Rez to get over her latest break up with a loser boyfriend. I loved the warmth of her character and it complemented Nobody’s character immensely. She never allowed him to keep her at arms length but nor did she demand that he adapt himself to her world; he was still free to live amongst the stars and be alone in the wilderness if he wanted, he just wasn’t allowed to push her away. She understood him like no one else seems to and I think it was quite beautiful that she alone knew when he was around. The notes that she left him when he was cleaning her art room made me chuckle as I could see that she was trying to prove to him that he wasn’t nobody, even if his name suggested it.

I adore the way that this author is completely unflinching and unbiased in her stories about life on the Rez. Cultural and race issues run through this series as the heroines start to live amongst the residents of White Sandy but this book took it that much further and it made me so sad. The tale of the young boy living with his abusive parents was heart-breaking; he would rather live on the Rez and take his chances because, if social services came, they would give him to a white family who would make him cut his hair and take a white name and he wanted to keep his heritage. Yup, the tears were flowing at this point. Please don’t get me wrong, it isn’t portrayed as all bad; there is a sense of community and heritage that is truly lovely to read about throughout the series. I like that it isn’t a judgement of either characters culture; this is a tale of two people with different cultures accepting their differences and building a life together.

Overall, this a wonderful book about a tortured hero and the woman who grows to love him. I loved every page of it.

[Jen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody is the kind of tortured hero I love. He is strong and powerful, yet painfully vulnerable. He knows how to cherish and to protect, but he doesn't know how to be loved. He has been through hell and back, and he thinks that survival is the best he can hope for. But we know better.

Even Melinda was intimidated the first time she saw him. All of those muscles; all of those scars; his silence; his stealth. But it took her next to no time see beyond all that. She asks him questions no one has ever dared. She looks at him when no one else does. He barely knows what to do with that. He can't wrap his brain around the idea that someone could want him. It pushes all my happy buttons.

The story is set on a Native American reservation. Nobody lives in the shadows of the tribe, dispensing vigilante justice. Melinda is a white woman who has left behind an unhappy life to come set up a child care center on the Rez. I really enjoyed learning the new culture through her eyes. I liked seeing how she found her place there. I enjoyed watching her lose her heart to Nobody... but more than anything else, I loved seeing him grow through their feelings for one another. His internal dialogue made the book, as he first questioned her interest, and then struggled with how to reciprocate. His vulnerability is so deep and we learn him as Melinda does. There is just the right amount of sex; and an engaging side-plot surrounding an abused boy on the reservation. There is also a tiny supernatural fringe, surrounding Nobody's ability to blend into the shadows.

It's not perfect, though. There were times the author was a bit heavy handed with Nobody's self-deprecation. For instance, I think I read he was "a nobody who came from nobody and would always be a nobody" at least four or five times, which made me roll my eyes each and every time. And I have to believe he started out with a real name. He wasn't called Nobody as a baby, right? I would have liked to have a true name revealed to Melinda and have her call him that. That would have made me swoon a little.

This is book three in the White Sandy series, but I didn't read the other installments and I never felt the lack. This could easily read as a stand-alone. Would recommend for fans of a tortured hero.

Rating: B


*ARC provided for review via NetGalley

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

Oh I have waited for Nobody’s story since the first book in this series and I loved it! The troubled hero is all that I imagined and I thoroughly enjoyed his tale.

Nobody Bodine did not exist in the white world or the tribe’s world, he was brought up to believe he was a nobody who had no champions to help. Yet he watches from the shadows, looking out for others in need, especially for a young boy named Jamie.

Melinda Mitchell has come to the White Sandy Reservation to run the day care center. Melinda’s sister Madeline is the doctor here and the day care is situated next door. The sisters came from a privileged background yet have always wanted to help others. Melinda is looking to start over; her last relationship did not work out, she seems to pick losers for boyfriends and she thought of herself as the odd daughter of their family, Madeline was the perfect student and Melinda was always a little different, but she always had a special way with kids.

Most of the residents did not look at Nobody, they were either afraid of him or refused to acknowledge his existence, all except Rebel, Madeline, Jamie, and now Melinda, she sees him more than the others, watches him in the shadows and knows when he is around. They form this interesting relationship that seems to grow into more each day, but the trust they have built up is tested when they must intervene in Jamie’s life to save him.

I absolutely love the tortured hero trope, and Nobody fits perfectly into my happy place.

Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind

Copy from author for an honest review

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the uniqueness of the characters this author writes. Even though these books are works of fiction there is such a sense of truth throughout them about the plights that the Native Americans have had to go through. The male lead in this book is defiantly one for the books of most tortured. One that has only lived in the dark making sure no one sees him because he is his name – a Nobody. Even typing that makes me cringe because he isn’t a nobody. He is a man that had a horrible childhood that ended with him in prison at 17 for seven years. Even once getting out he still chose to live isolated away from people. He really thinks he is nothing and no one would want to be around him. That is until an abused child that reminds him of what he went through and a white woman who can see him even when he she shouldn’t start dragging him out of the darkness he has grown comfortable and in to the light.

Now that I’ve read all 3 books in this series I can stay this author has a unique writing style that doesn’t just focus on one thing. Each book has had specific thing its focused one – The first book was the healthcare of Lakota’s, the second book the horses and cattle taken care of by the Lakota’s and how a greedy land owner uses the beef given back to them in a sinister way which also ties into what happened in book one and the third dealt with the abuse of native American children and what happens to them if they are taken by social services – how they are stripped of their Indian names, hair cut and made to basically become white. Each book has also had unconventional romances with couples that you’ve never think to read as leading ladies or men.

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley Free Book

Nobody Bodine is like a shadow in the night. He is able to melt into the dark places and not be seen or felt. That is until Melinda Mitchell shows up on his reservation. She takes over taking care of the daycare which her sister had built next to her clinic. Both sisters are from a rich and very influential family while Nobody Bodine came from nobody and will always be a nobody.

I loved this book. It was so much more than just a story. It was an insight into what abused kids endure on a daily basis. It is what happens to them once they are grown and out on their own. It is how they are perceived by themselves and mirrored back by society. It is what happens to their souls when they are finally "seen" by another human being.

The author is not only fabulous in her writing skills but also in her vision for this book. She had me speechless and stunned. I could not put this book down. It was predictable in every aspect of a love story but unpredictable in what a human heart can endure. KUDOS!!

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A copy was provided by the Netgalley for an honest review.

Awe, Nobody is such an enigmatic, beautifully damaged man, I just want to hug Nobody.

I was not sure about the book in the first chapter, by the end of the third chapter there was no way I was not going to finish. I truly enjoyed reading the progression of Nobody and Melinda’s relationship. The unconventional family that they became is incredible touching.

I admit I am reading out of order again, now I have another series to catch up on. This was my first Sarah Anderson book, it will not be my last!

[Anne in VA · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts that were great, but the parts that weren't so great were a little boring. I would have probably given this 4 stars if not for the very end where the actions of one of the main characters seemed way, way out of character and was used as a way to add a little twist at the end. I dislike it when authors do that. Side note: as I was reading this, it irked me a bit that the two previous books also had white women as the love interests to the Lakota men. The 4th book seems to have a Lakota woman, however that's a novella??? SMH

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC for review

Oh, I fell in love with Nobody. I want to change his name so bad. This story is amazing. I did get confused a couple times between the sisters cause their names are just so similar. I had to stop and think which one was the heroine of the story. Mellie was a great match for Nobody. I might have to go back and read the first two books.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 STARS!

Heart-wrenching, powerful and a super sweet love story! I knew there was something special about Nobody from encounters with him in the previous books in the series, but getting to know his past and seeing the true person he is inside was really special. I think he might just be my favorite hero in the series so far! The characters were quick to draw me into their story, and I hoped against hope that she was going to be able to convince him to take a chance on her. Loved their special connection and their story!

Melanie Mitchell has just arrived on the White Sandy Reservation to stay with her sister, Dr. Madeline Mitchell and to start up a day care center adjacent to the clinic. She doesn't know what to make of the strange visitor that comes around to visit her sister's husband Rebel, but she's intrigued. He's silent, strong and scarred and she thinks there's a lot more to his story than he tells.

Nobody Bodine lives in the shadows letting life pass him by. He isn't much for this world and thinks no one could want a man like him, but Melonie soon shows him different when she takes an interest in him. When they find themselves on the same side helping out a troubled young boy, it takes their relationship to a whole new level, but when Nobody endangers their future, can she find a way to calm him like no other?

[Julianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This girl was literally giving redheaded white girl liberal whos rich as fuck whos heart bleeds for poc.(the author actually wrote this about her character.) — this is an EXACT quote: ““Something in her cramped up, a pain that more than one person had referred to as Melinda’s ‘bleeding liberal heart.’ Whatever, she’d always said.”

Fucking cringe and a heavy side eye.

It was literally giving white hero complex. And the way she reacts to the hero and the condition of the day care is so entitled like she can’t read the room. When she sees the daycare she literally says “this isnt it- is it?” It just sounds so fucking snobby like at least try to hide the social differences and then she repeats it AGAIN saying “this is IT?”. Her next words are “this is just hard to get used to.” As if the whole reservation doesn’t live here and use this crappy shit like shes just being rude in her ignorance like these are peoples homes and lives. Lets not forget she literally gapes at Nobody looking just stupid and terrified and rude like a rich white woman, she couldn’t stop staring and couldn’t speak.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, when I haven't read anything for a while, sometimes I binge read as I return from my slump ;) I was looking for something military or scarred hero and this one came up as a recommendation on some website (thank you! even though I can't remember which one!)

I didn't love the heroine so much and that is why I took one star off... she was a little too unpredictable and flighty for me. She lacked a little depth for me. However, the hero was quite good.

Overall, a very solid and enjoyable read....