Having finished Tangled back in December, I was so intrigued by Clara and Cooper’s relationship, I couldn’t wait to read Enticed. As this is book 2 in the Emerson Falls series, you don’t need to have read book 1, as it can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading Tangled first because you then get to fully appreciate the friendships and group dynamic of this amazing group of friends.
Enticed starts with Clara Anderson dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic attack which happened in her place of work. As she starts to spiral downwards, putting on a front to her friends and family, the only person who knows how she’s really dealing with the aftereffects is her best friends’ younger brother, Cooper Walsh. Clara begins to open up to Coop as he’s the only other person who knows the real truth of what happened that night. She relies on him when she’s feeling down, but at the same time her romantic feelings grow, as even before that night she'd began to notice he’s not the gangly teenage boy she knew growing up anymore.
Cooper, Olivia from book 1’s younger brother, has harboured a crush on Clara for years, ever since she hung round his house as a teenager. He always wrote it off as attraction and nothing more, but when he rescues her from the attack and Clara opens up to him more each time they spend time together, he begins to realise that there could be something more between them, if only they could have the chance to explore the chemistry.
As luck would have it, a charity bachelor auction for the local police force is put together, which is the perfect opportunity for them to spend time together and go on a date without having to answer questions from the nosy small-town residents and Olivia. Their attraction grows and they give in to their mutual feelings, but under the promise that their relationship stays a secret. But are there other reasons why their relationship can’t be out in the open? Can they overcome the events from that traumatic night together and finally admit their true feelings, or will fear of the unknown stop them from getting their HEA?
These characters were incredible. I loved Clara, she was so strong and sassy on the surface, so unapologetically herself, but underneath has a vulnerable side, although she's nowhere near broken. She puts on this front to avoid her true feelings about what happened, and that’s relatable, because it’s not easy to admit that things are difficult, and you don’t want to feel like a burden to those around you. Which is why Cooper is so amazing, because he shows Clara that it’s okay to rely on others when you need them and that you can get through anything with the support of those you love. How she dealt with everything wasn’t ideal, her journey was not an easy one, but she grew so much as a person, not because she had to but because she wanted to.
And Cooper! I joked with Harlow when I was halfway through that he might be my favourite, just above Kane but by the end I’ve decided I’ll have both. He was amazing, he knew what he wanted and he wasn’t going to give in until he got it, even if that meant going through some heartbreak along the way. He was everything he needed to be, for himself, Clara, his family, Roark! He was respectful, loving, caring and so swoon worthy, I fell for him just as hard as Clara. The chemistry between them was coming off the pages and I adored their journey, even though it did make my heartache at times.
One of my favourite things about the Emerson Falls series is how all the characters are interconnected, even if all the books can be standalone. I love that you feel like you become a part of this group of friends, you laugh when they laugh, you go through heartbreak with them, and you’re happy for them when something amazing happens. Harlow has such a way with words that you feel like you are in the book, and you experience everything they go through as if you are there. Every single side character contributed to this book and intrigued you into wanting to know more about them. I am so ready for Cash’s story, the little teaser at the end has made me so excited for it already!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*