Totally speechless. Delicious Drew. Pardon my dust while I formulate a review that may make sense.
This book is over the moon and one of my top 5 favorite reads of the year. I'll amend that statement by saying all three books of this series are my #2 favorite reads of 2019. I loved them all. Fickle me can't seem to decide which Auprince brother she's crushing on more... moving along.
Drew is the youngest of the Auprince brothers, successful and determined to bring his boutique hotel to a whole new level, he's ambitious, devastatingly hot, along with being generous and kind. Even with his darling meddling Grandma Rosemary trying to hook him up! With her 80th birthday bash fast approaching she's got work to do! That work presents itself in the lovely Alejandra, hard working good girl who works at a local seniors center. She loves her work, her clients, and her siblings. She's loyal, fierce, beautiful and protective of those who mean much to her.
We revisit a scene from the past, to a night out with her sister, that Allie really reluctantly agrees to where she sees and meets Drew. Noticing him when he walks in, as he pauses to chat it up with a few people, Drew works his way over to her and the two talk and there is a definite connection there. When her sister leaves the dance floor and tells Allie they are leaving, all Allie can do is leave Drew a note on a paper napkin. Drew returns to find her gone, but hangs onto that napkin.
The story picks up with Allie, along with her sister and the sisters skeevy boyfriend having breakfast at the hotel Drew owns. Drew has come in to meet his Grandma for breakfast, it's what they do. Her way of keeping tabs on her grandsons. When Allie does something totally out of character on a dare, she is spotted by Drew, who can't miss the chance to wander over to speak with her. In the midst of their chat, dear Grandma wanders in for their breakfast date, Grandma presses for info and who he's bringing to her 80th birthday bash and Drew introduces Allie as his date and girlfriend. Allie plays along not knowing what else to do.
Allie has a lot on her plate, with funding cut by one of their largest supporters (the Auprince family),
the senior center is at risk of being closed and sold off to a real estate developer who just happens to be Drew's best friend. Trying hard to keep things together and find funding from other resources Allie has her plate full. Then when a water pipe burst in the home she shares with her sister, the house they grew up in, and forced out of the house during repairs she takes Drew up on his offer to stay at the hotel. He also happens to be staying there as well because his home is under reno. What he neglects to tell her is the two will be sharing the penthouse suite. Large enough for two, but not quite large enough for poor Allie when she gets a shot of Drew post shower, towel around his perfect waist, bare chest and still damp.... you get the picture. I did. Scorched into my brain forever. These two have some serious steamy chemistry going on.
Drew has baggage he's really never dealt with in any real fashion. It does color his view at times, however he pushes it aside with Allie. Allie has her own, her one and only boyfriend left the country a year ago to pursue his own career goals, with just a promise they would meet a year later on that same day. Drew knows she's only had one boyfriend although she's not gone beyond that explaining the meet she'd promise to be at and that date is soon approaching. Drew inserts himself into Allie's life, coming to her job, charming her senior ladies at their book group. Grandma inserts herself into the mix also, then invites herself along to a baseball game with the two. Comedy abounds here. I also wanted to slug Drew a couple times, got angry and put my reader away until I could remind myself it was a book, stop cursing at him and give the guy a chance.
Meanwhile added to the mix is her finding out that Drew's friend is the real estate developer who is trying to buy the land the senior center is on, conflicts start to abound. Grandma's birthday party is soon approaching and when Allie finds out the date, it's the same day she's supposed to meet her old boyfriend. When she tells Drew about it, he of course blows his nut, throwing Allie out, but reserving another room for her in the hotel. Allie knowing the house is close to being ready goes home. Drew wisely seeks counsel from his oldest brother Ethan (adore him) and Ethan gives him his unedited advice. Allie is sleeping on a mattress on the floor of their house. She's scored a victory saving the senior center, however because when she makes a promise she sees it through, no matter what the outcome she's lost Drew. As the big birthday bash approaches and time is ticking down what will happen? Does Drew put on his big boy pants? What happens when Allie goes to meet her old ex?
Does the guy even show up? With an end I never saw coming, I'll just leave you hanging on that.
While I'm a little sad, this series has come to an end with Drew's story, I have to say that all three of these books are must reads. I love Robin's ability to weave a story that will lure you in a not let go until the very end. I'm a fan what can I say? Stellar writing, intricate plot weaving and characters that are real and relatable it's the book you'll read more than once.
graciously gifted a copy by the author.
Book releases 1/30/2020