Runaway Heir

Westerly Billionaire #5

by Ruth Cardello

When a woman runs from family, fortune, and secrets, love follows in New York Times bestselling author Ruth Cardello’s dazzling romance.

The Boston Westerlys are reuniting for a wedding—a longtime wish for its matriarch. If only Nicolette, the youngest of the clan’s siblings, could find love. With her true parentage suddenly in question, she feels like more of an outsider than ever. It figures that the one guest of any comfort is her grandmother’s greatest enemy. Now, Nicolette’s only impulse is to run. Disappearing to a small Iowa town, she can build a future on her terms without the Westerly name or money—or the secrets that have divided the family for years.

Despite his damning history with the Westerlys, Bryant Taunton recognizes a kindred spirit in Nicolette. He is drawn to the beautiful loner. When she vanishes, he follows. But Bryant has his own secrets, and gaining Nicolette’s trust won’t be easy. It might even require the help of the family she left behind.

Now, for Nicolette and Bryant, coming to terms with the past is the only way to make both their dreams come true, and to finally find a way home.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Family, Adult

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2019

About the author

Ruth Cardello hit the NYTs and USA Today for the first time back in 2012. Millions of sales are evidence that her books are akin to potato chips, addictive from the first one. She has created a multi-series billionaire world with a combination of escapism and realism that has gained her a faithful following of readers.

What Kindle Reviewers write about her:

"Wow hot at every page. Heart stoping, fear raging, mind blowing wonderful."

"I'm a true fan of Ms. Cardello. I ran on to her first book a few years back and have been hooked ever since. I could go on and on about the story like of this book, but I'm not. All of her books are total page turners, unique, heart wrenching, and I love them all. There isn't two alike in the bunch and I feel like i know the characters personally. I personally read 97 authors books. And I buy every book they put out. This author is in my top 10. Great job and keep them coming."

"Love this series. Got me to start reading again. I look forward to the next book. Thank you for giving me the love of reading back."

Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York--then came full circle and moved back to New England. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.

She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she's not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm or connecting with her readers online.

Email Notice of New Releases: www.RuthCardello.com/Signup

You can find her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/RuthCardello

Follow her at Twitter @RuthieCardello

If you'd like to email her directly, you may contact her via her website: www.ruthcardello.com

Lone Star Burn Series
Book 1: Taken, Not Spurred
Book 2: Tycoon Takedown
Book 3: Taken Home
Book 4: Taking Charge

Want to hear the song Charles proposed to Melanie with? https://youtu.be/SGZT5nVKfMs

The Legacy Collection
Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire (FREE on Amazon!)
Book 2: For Love or Legacy
Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire
Book 4: Saving the Sheikh
Book 5: Rise of the Billionaire
Book 6: Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption
Book 7: (Novella) A Corisi Christmas

The Andrades:
Book 1: Come Away With Me (FREE on Amazon)
Book 2: Home to Me
Book 3: Maximum Risk
Book 4: Somewhere Along the Way
Book 5: Loving Gigi
Christmas Novella: A Recipe for Love (Maddy and Richard)

The Barrington Billionaires:
Book 1: Always Mine
Book 2: Stolen Kisses
Book 3: Trade It All
Book 3.5: A Billionaire for Lexi
Book 4: Let It Burn
Book 5: More than Love
Book 6: Forever Now
Book 7: Never Goodbye
Book 8: Reluctantly Alpha
Book 9: Reluctantly Rescued
Book 10: Reluctantly Romanced
Book 11: Loving a Landon
Book 12: Loathing a Landon


For a more complete list visit her website at www.ruthcardello.com

Reviews

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Another great book , riveting and romantic all in one .
Delinda strikes again , or puts her foot in it , could be other titles for the book, but it’s so good to have more from the Westerly‘s.
This time it’s Nicolette who’s the one in need of a helping hand or two, but that would depend on how many Bryant would be willing to lend her , and I’ve a feeling he’s not going to stop at hands ;)
The two meet when Nicolette is drunk at Eric and Sage’s wedding and sparks fly , the man has a sense of humour to Match her lack of it .
But can he worm his way into her life and heart .
Not if Delinda has a say , Bryant’s family and hers have never been close to say the least and animosities run high .
But the two young lovers are perfect together and where there’s a will there’s a way , and Bryant is nothing if not determined .
Thoroughly enjoyed the book as I have the series , and recommended it .
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

[Marie Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicolette’s Story was a sweet one. Each of the Westerly grandchildren have such different personalities and Nicolette, being the youngest had always been outspoken and bold. But after family secrets were revealed in previous books within the series, she becomes withdrawn and sad.

Meeting Bryant was what she needed to find herself again. He’s familiar with and recognizes a kindred spirit in Nicolette, and what started out as a need to help her became more of a need to claim her. He was kind and understanding and always did things he knew would make her whole again. Even set up a meet with the family’s matriarch. He had a way of getting through to people and if he could get through to Delinda Westerly, he can get through to anyone.

It did take some time to connect with Nicolette, but when I did it was SO easy to fill her shoes and share in her hurt. Disappointment and a sense of abandonment were at her core and with a finesse only Bryant could deliver he brought light back into her life.

This was a beautiful story!

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway Heir is the only book in the Westerly series I've read, but I didn't have trouble understanding anything. Nicollet and Bryant are adorable. She's wondering where she fits with her family and who she is. Bryant is the guy who helps her. There are many predictable elements to the story, but it's still a worthwhile read. It's entertaining, fun and easy to read. The story line moves just right. The characters are likeable, complex and charming. Overall, this story is a delightful read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[TheMadHatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars

This book was okay, but I didn't really connect with the characters, the believability of the romance or like the dialogue (and I am big on dialogue). I am not sure whether it is me, but 2024 has started out to be a very average reading year so far and I am dying to fan girl over a book - but everything is coming up underwhelming.

This was not a bad book and it has lots of high ratings, it is just not something I connected with. The pacing felt off and a little too insta-love and probably my least favourite in the series (tied with book 1).

Again, this may just be a case of the right book, but the wrong audience.

Reading Challenge
Aussie Readers 2024 February "Alexander McCall Smith" Challenge: McCall Smith settled in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1984 with his wife and two daughters. His neighbours include J.K.Rowling, and Ian Rankin. Read a book where each title letter fits into EDINBURGH (RH)

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good addition to a series I very much enjoyed.

The romance was nice, he was a nice male MC and female MC was also very likeable.

[Mayas · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some unknown reason Ruth books seems to speak to me on a personal level like no other. The story of Nicolette not only hit home for me personally but my kids as well. This is a story I shared with my oldest two and after they finished we talked it out. Took a note from Bryant.

Alessandro, vision was spot on and helped heal everyone. Brought light to dark places. This goes on the self as one of my favorites for 2019. Storyline, comic relief, tearful truths... perfection like no other.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.0
I liked the overall story-line of this book, I just had trouble connecting or even caring for Nicolette's character. She spent the majority of the book in the "poor me" rich-girl mindset rather than do anything to show she was more than what people thought her to be. It was especially frustrating when many of her insecurities could be solved very easily (A DNA test for heaven's sake!!)

Bryant is a wonderful hero. His patience with Nicolette and continued pursuit was saint worthy! I just could never figure out exactly what he saw in her. We were told but never actually experienced anything from her to warrant his admiration. Just a fabulous guy who loves to help "fix" his heroine, I guess.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud good! I wish I had time to reread the series because I had forgotten a lot of the character's backgrounds.


Delinda is still Feisty, out of control and still trying to run everyone's lives! I am so glad that Bryant revealed how Nicolette is just like her grandmother, Delinda, and needs to make peace with her, so Nicolette can finally find peace for herself.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the fifth book in the series - and one which I have been looking forward to a lot - Finally Nicolette gets her story. As the youngest Westerly, she has felt lost for a long time, and definitely deserves to find her place in the family. I would recommend that you read them in order, as we meet all the family and catch up with their stories too.

Nicolette has never accepted anything from anyone, and so she lives pretty much hand to mouth working as a photographer/ gofer on projects around the world. She does however attend her brother's wedding, and try and feel some happiness from those around her. But her lack of certainty about her place in the family makes for a difficult time. Then she sees Bryant across the room, and suddenly feels ... something.

Bryant is really the good guy in this story - his thoughtfulness is something most of us can only dream of, but I loved how he develops his relationship with the very gun-shy Nicolette. He benefits from plenty of funds, and running his own business, but he realises very quickly that the way to Nicolette's heart is nothing to do with his wealth or status (something that plenty of men fail to get!)

We get our usual interference from Delinda, although her royal fiancé is pretty effective at softening her attitude. Their exchanges cannot fail to raise a smile! In fact as Nicolette changes her approach, we see the women's relationship improve and develop at last.

I have really enjoyed all these very different romances, and would recommend them to you as a whole, although each one has been fun in its own right too. They would make a great holiday read.

[Tianna Croy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the way Alessandro sets things in motion. He knew exactly what he was doing when he got Bryant invited to Eric's wedding. One look at her and he was entranced with Nicolette. As she was finding out, hitting rock bottom taught people a lot about both themselves and those around them. Bryant had experienced a simular situation when his mom died so he was able to somewhat guide her. Running away to Macauley turned into a compass toward home for Nicolette. With a little helpful meddling from Alessandro and Bryant she found out that family is a choice. Either everything makes you happy or nothing does, the choice is yours. Delinda is a truly unique character and the more I read about her the more I'd like to know her. She's strong, tough, yet loving. A once broken family is finally on the mend.
"Family is a choice"

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryant's wooing skills could use some touching up, “while we’re sharing openly, you’re effing hot when you lose your temper. I’m not suggesting you wouldn’t benefit from an anger-management course, just saying it’s a good look.” Bryant likes to makes sure his plans are heard, "he growled in her ear, “I want to hear all about it, but what do you say we find a hotel near here, eff until neither of us can walk, then we spend the rest of the night talking.” I liked this book, I fell in love with Bryant.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway Heir is the fifth book in the Westerly Billionaires series but it is easily read standalone This is Nicolette's story and I really enjoyed it. Nicolette is a bit of a lost soul. She's the youngest of the dysfunctional Westerly clan and not at all sure of her place in the family. Bryant Taunton and his family have a very tenuous relationship with the Westerly's so being drawn to Nicolette will surely lead to trouble. Turns out it is the best kind of trouble there is!

This book is very well done with great characters, an easy pace, and an interesting storyline. Definitely a book I would recommend.

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Westerlys!!

This is Runaway Heir, book 5 of the Westerly Billionaire series written by Ruth Cardello. I love the Westerly family and Delinda is a total hoot! You will love Nicolette and Bryant as they try to grow into better people all while trying to resist each other. You will love them too!

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the end of this series and the youngest sibling, Nicolette, is really struggling and lost. She doesn't feel as if she belongs anywhere. Bryant is invited to Eric and Sage's wedding and meets Nicolette and there is an instant connection. Back in the states they reconnect and, as with all good things, they have a bit of a push/pull because she really does have a lot of her grandmother's fight in her. These two are wonderful together and watching them made this book a lot of fun.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicolette and Bryant

Nicolette is the last Westerly grandchild of Delinda that hasn't found her happily ever after. Then she meets Bryant but it was not her finest moment and his family has been enemies of hers for years.

Nicolette doesn't feel as if she belongs in this family anyway. She's not my favorite of the kids. I really liked Bryant though, right from the beginning. He was fighting for Nicole even before they acknowledged their attraction to each other.

A bit of a tug-of-war, but enjoyable regardless. The narrators are really good.

[Lydia]

Manwhore with women waiting for him in most states.
Heroine has been with 2 guys.
I stopped reading when the heroine read his messages (with his permission) and they were from his harem of women.

Oh, for heavens sake wear a freaking condom. Gross

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runaway Heir

Very good book with lots of laughing. Nicolette and Bryant are a fun and exciting couple. This story has some great characters and I adore the small town.

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last of the Westerly's, Nicoles book, and you really need to start at the beginning of the series to not only know who is who but what causes them to tick and what went down and why the are so dysfunctional. I liked Bryant but I wasn't crazy about Nicole, to be completely honest I was never a fan of her since the very beginning. So Nicole is not sure who her real father is and is having a life crisis, now she doesn't really know anything of her life, what she wants to do, is not connecting with her family is at a total loss. Maybe I am just not sympathetic enough but she bugged me and I just found her to be immature and irrational and couldn't see why Bryant would be attracted to her besides her physical attributes, I know it seems that I am just bashing her. Regardless I still enjoyed because I needed to know where and how this series would end and I have to say I am sad to see it go and honestly wished we had more interactions with her family especially my favorite couple Brent and Alicia still love them..See ya Westerly's, wouldn't mind reading about the matriarch's wedding to King Tadeous or even Derrick and Stephanie..

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.

[Rosalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book via a giveaway on Goodreads. I’ve only entered a few of the giveaways on books I felt a true interest in based on the description. I’m sorry to say I was wrong on this one. I’ve tried three times to get into this book and so far the furthest I have gotten is to page 25. This is book 5 in the series and IMO it can not be read as a stand alone. I haven’t read the previous 4 books and I was just too confused at the beginning of book 5 to follow any of the characters. I just stopped caring what was going on and moved on to something else.

[Evelyn Carrillo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining romance. Nothing special, but good enough to read on a lazy afternoon. The same formula this author has used in the other books in this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley'

This is book 5 in the Westerly Billionaire series. I wasn't sure when I received this that I would get lost because it was that far along. Although in most romance book cases writers are usually good about letting it be a stand alone if you haven't read the others. In this case it's mostly true, though being this far along I wish I would have read the others. (Funny enough I have a few in this series on my kindle that have been in there awhile, but I have a bad habit of continuously acquiring new books, so I have a book pile up going on)

This story focus on Nicollete who feels like she doesn't fit in with her family, who seems like it has such high standards that she can't do anything right. At the day of her brothers wedding she becomes drunk and meets Bryant, who is from a family that the Westerly's have a beef with. She embarrasses herself in front if him, but he understands what she is going through with his past experiences in his life.

Not wanting to be around her family anymore she leaves to Iowa to escape, with the town people hoping she'll put their town on the map to help them thrive again. Bryant follows just to check on her but finds himself that he can't keep her out of his mind and his life. What follows is a sweet story of two broken people finding each other and bringing each other back alive as well as mending their relationships with their families.

I really enjoyed both characters. Nicolette was relatable in someways. Sometimes we feel like we're outsiders to our family, sometimes you can't find your way in life and that you just don't fit in. When she meets Bryant things slowly change in her and both their character arcs are sweet and enjoyed the ride with them (no pun intended on certain sections of the book).

I would say if you are going to read this book (and you should) that you should invest sometime in the earlier ones because I wish I did.

[Carey S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicolette has received some disturbing news recently, and she’s not really sure where she belongs anymore, or if she’s even still a part of the Westerly family. Because of her insecurities about this issue, she is acting out and behaving poorly. Her brother is getting married as the book opens, and Nicolette is on her way to inebriation.

Bryant is the son of a man who is an enemy to the Westerly family, and all of Nicolette’s family is wary of him, except his friend, Alessandro, who is like family to the Westerly matriarch. They share a scorching kiss, but because Nicolette is drunk, Bryant doesn’t plan to take any further action that night.

Nicolette is searching for her place and purpose in this life. She gets an invitation to help a small, dying town—MacAuley, Iowa—and decides to use the opportunity to do some soul-searching. She leaves the wedding abruptly and is soon on her way there. The town embraces her and helps her shift her perceptions. She realizes some important truths about her relationships with her family members, and she begins to realize that she has the power to affect positive change for the town and its people. She also gets the courage to accept that Bryant is really there for her. There is a hilarious and cringe-worthy scene with Bryant at one point!

There is a fun twist at the end, that hints of something more in a future book. This book is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone, if the reader doesn’t mind missing out on some details. Nevertheless, this is one of those books that leaves the reader smiling.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[ZETTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facing Your Past!!!

The youngest of the Westerly siblings, Nicolette has been feeling like an outsider when it came to her family. She was questioning her true parentage and who could blame her after all the secrets that have divided them years ago.

She was attending her brother Eric's wedding, still things between her and her loved ones were a wee awkward. The matriarch of the family, Delinda Westerly wanted to see her walk down the aisle someday too. She found herself lonelier than she ever been and the only person who gave her any comfort was one of her grandma's biggest nemesis...Bryant Taunton.

In spite of his rivalry with the Westerlys, Bryant Taunton found himself drawn to Nicolette Westerly. She kind of reminded him of himself but she ran before he was able to get to know her better.

Nicolette wanted to make a name for herself away from the Westerly money or name. She ended up in a small town in Iowa where she worked as a photographer. They needed her help to put their town back on the map. She felt like a fraud but eventually she overcame her fears and insecurities and did what she had to do.

Bryant found himself in Iowa as well after Alessandro Andrade pleaded with him to go check in on Nicolette. They got to each other and what they found out intrigued them. So glad Nicolette finally got all the answers she was looking for and much more.

RUNAWAY HEIR is the fifth and final book in Ruth Cardello's WESTERLY BILLIONAIRE series. It was heartbreaking, alluring, fun and passionate. Two thumbs up and I recommendation for you guys to grab yourselves a copy!

[Shannon Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the best advice comes when you aren't willing to listen.

Ruth Cardello hits another home run with Runaway Heir! This is a continuation of a series so you would need to have read the other books in order to know the characters, their situation and to understand their dynamic personalities.


Nicolette who used to be the Westerly that reached out to others, the light of the family, is lost. Not physically but emotionally. If you're caught up in the series you'll understand with the bombshell that was dropped on her. She no longer knows who she is and rather than find out she runs away.

Expect a lot of meddling from the normal characters. The whole family shows up as well as a connection you may not see coming. I loved this story and loved how evolved Delinda is becoming as a person. I appreciate her more and more as this series goes on. It was also great to see the comparison of just how alike Delinda and Nicolette are, no wonder they butt heads so much.

There were a couple really great quotable sections in this book. Feel insights and life lessons. I Think the one that stood out to me the most was:
"The walls you use to protect yourself, they don't just keep people out-they trap you in."

That speaks to me very loudly. I'm sure we all have something in our lives we'd like to forget, to run away from. But when we do that we're missing out. We're building walls against our experiences and before we know it there will be walls in every side and we'll be trapped. Sometimes you just have to face things, even if it hurts to do so because you can't live your life in a box.

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was a great ending for a family book series, I must admit I love a good series about bunch of sibling who find true love. I was kind of mad at Nicolette at the beginning, mostly because everyone else in her family had worked through their issues and I didn't understand why she hadn't joined the happy train, it wasn't until I saw how her relationship with Delinda really was that I began to understand her. I guess that everyone else in the family had a chance to understand Delinda except Nicolette, she was the only one who hadn't seen the good side of her and I hadn't realized that she really was waiting for her dad to go to her. It wasn't until Bryant- with help from Alessandro- understood how the Westerly family worked and showed both Nicolette and Delinda how to show how much they loved each other while trying to win her heart that they all became the loving family they always wanted to be, because their biggest issue wasn't if they loved each other, just that they didn't know how to show it. That was the main reason why I loved this book, because Bryant saw how much Nicolette was suffering, and instead of walking away, he helped her realize that she wasn't a failure and her family loved her.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is one thing I can say for this series and it’s the Delinda never ceases to amaze me. With as harsh and unmoving she seems at first glance there is absolutely no denying the fact that loves her grandchildren and would do a thing for them.
Now Nicolette you could see her sabotaging herself in the previous books...she was like a ticking time bomb especially after the news of her mom’s infidelity came out and all but demolished her pristine image of her.
Nicolette always blamed her father for their family being irrevocably broken but it went so much farther than she or the rest of her siblings knew.

Bryant was thrown into Nicolette’s crosshairs by Alessandro and in my opinion was his best move to date with matchmaking. Not only do these to mesh well together but Bryant knows how deeply Nicolette’s fear goes. He’s been there but his story didn’t have a happy ending with his family...he was unwilling to let Nicolette have the same outcome with her family.
Add on top the turmoil between Bryant’s family and the Westerly’s, winning Delinda over proved to be very entertaining to read. Luckily Bryant had a secret weapon on unraveling Delinda’s reasons for all her bluster and harshness.

I’m really sad to see this series ending but I look forward to future books by this author!

Advanced copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Runaway Heir is the final book in the Westerly Billionaire series by Ruth Cardello. I didn't get the impression that this is the final book since I felt like the author has left some ties loose and she could give us closure in a 6th and final book. There were hints for another story, but that didn't happen, unfortunately, not even as a secondary plot.

I wasn't a big fan of Nicole. I never truly understood where she was coming from and why she was acting the way she did. The main characters didn't have as much character development as the secondary did and that is weird and a shame. Nicole's grandmother had the biggest development and change of heart. Bryant was easier to like and more focused on the developing romance he had with Nicole. I didn't like that like a sailor he had a woman in every state he visited or the mention of them, but it wasn't that bad since he never did anything with another woman after he met Nicole.

A couple of things made the some of the male characters (one of them been Bryant) seem juvenile and I am not sure if it was added for comic relief or not, but I didn't appreciate it. The romance felt like a secondary plot that was sometimes forgotten and my overall impression of the book is that it was poorly written and not a proper ending to a series I enjoyed so much.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 in the series of stand-alone Westerly Billionaire stories and its Nicolette’s turn to find love.
What I love about this series is how different each of the Westerly grandchildren personalities are and how I always feel like I’m home watching this family find the love they all deserve.
Nicolette may be the youngest but that doesn’t mean she keeps her views in check in fact she is probably the most outspoken of all the grandchildren but then family secrets are revealed and she ends up losing her passion for life she ends up withdrawn and sad. A drunken Nicolette meets Bryant at Eric and Sage’s wedding and one thing leads to another, there may be an attraction but Bryant needs to break down the walls Nicolette has put up so will he be the one to get her to open her heart up and lead her to taking one more chance on life and love ........
Families don’t always agree with who we choose as soulmates and will Bryant and Nicolette win over Delinda the grandmother who rules the roost, guess you need to read the book to find that out...
A beautifully written love story that will touch your heart, the characters are likeable and charming and I certainly recommend this to all romance lovers.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Westerly Billionaire series and focuses on Delinda Westerly's last grandchild, Nicolette. Like her siblings, she has distanced herself from her family. After her brother, Spencer, found out that Dereck Westerly was not really his father, Nicolette began questioning her own parentage as well. At her brother Eric's wedding, she meets Bryant Taunton whom a family friend purposely planted in her path. After the wedding, she escapes to MacAuley, Iowa, a small town that is hoping Nicolette can help save from oblivion. She also plans to use the time away from her family to help her put things in perspective. One by one, starting with Bryant, friends and family start showing up to check on her. There is some bad blood between the Taunton and Westerly families, so Nicolette and Bryant's attraction stirs the pot.

Thank you to Goodreads and Amazon Publishing for the gift of this book that I received in a giveaway. I decided to read the other four books in the series before reading this one and was glad I did, because there was a lot of background information that each book builds on. While I think each book could be enjoyed as a standalone, I'm glad I read them in order. This was a delightful and easy-to-read series.

[Ann-marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what can I say Ms. Cardello left the best for last in this Westerly series. As of this writing I have read 4 out of the 5 books in the series and this by far is my favorite. Nicolette is still grappling with being told that the man who she knew as her father may not be her father. While at her brother's Eric wedding she meets Bryant and they are instantly drawn to each but not doing anything of it that attraction since Nicolette is drunk. He takes her home to sleep it off. Nicolette decides to take a job in Iowa of all places to get away from her family. Bryant whose still drawn by her is giving a assignment by one Nicolette family friend for Bryant to go to Iowa and make sure she's okay. Can i say the town and the cast of characters are their own book. We meet Paisley (who own the local inn) and her spitfire niece. I enjoy the redemption backdrop story of Nicolette trying and deciding who she is if not Dereck Westerly daughter. Of course no Westerly book would not be complete without Delinda the fiery Octogenarian grandmother of the Westerly clan. This book had it all seriousness thought provoking discussing of daughters and their father and children who have to adjust to divorce parents etc.