Perfect Embrace

Mason Creek #8

by Kaylee Ryan

The day he walks into my bookstore with his adorable twin daughters, I know my life is going to change forever. The chemistry is tangible, the tragedy his truth, and my schoolgirl crush, even after all of these years, is still alive.

Full Blurb coming soon!

Genres: Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Firefighters, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Second Chance Romance

327 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2021

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has earned the affectionate title of “Queen of Swoon” from her devoted readers. With over sixty romance novels to her name, Kaylee has built a beloved catalog of heartfelt stories that celebrate love in all its tender, emotional, and undeniably swoony forms. Her signature blend of charm, chemistry, and genuine happily-ever-afters has captivated readers around the world.

When she’s not crafting new love stories or dreaming up her next unforgettable couple, Kaylee can usually be found with a book in hand, fueling her creativity as a lifelong reader. She cherishes the time spent with her family and friends, embracing the moments that inspire the heart of her stories.

Reviews

[Andrea Fleury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lakin and Grayson.

Sometimes after the lose of a love one it takes awhile to feel whole again. Grayson met Holly when they were 16 years old. After there twins were born Holly is killed in a car accident. Three years later Grayson is alone. The twins favorite place to go is a local book store. There they meet lakin. And there Grayson meets lakin.

[Alecia (The Staircase Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was quick to learn, my heart wasn’t ready for Laken and Grayson’s story! And that ending… SO MANY TEARS!!! Kaylee Ryan, you turned me into a sniveling ugly crying mess!! And I wouldn’t have had it any other way…

Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan is the eighth book in the Mason Creek series. Take it from the girl who decided to read this series out of order, Laken and Grayson’s story can be read as a standalone. If you love the learning to live again (man/woman loses a spouse) and the single father concept, the chances are in your favor for loving this romance!

Kaylee Ryan is my go to author when I want a sweet small town romance with that proverbial all the feels moment. I know when I grab a book of her’s off my shelf I’ll get more than a romance, I’ll get an epic happily ever after and I’ll get the character connection that I long for. Perfect Embrace is now a book in a long list of favorite books I have from this author.

Laken is the sweetheart of the story. This woman is one of the MOST understanding characters in the literary world. To love a man who is still in love with his deceased spouse, I can’t imagine that would be an easy task to take on going into a relationship. She wants to add to their lives, not replace those who can’t be there any longer and for this fact alone, Laken’s character is hard not to fall in love with right off the bat.

Holy crow, this woman made me cry so many tears! I’m not going to lie, I was a weepy mess throughout this story. I also loved Laken’s occupation of owning her own bookstore and I loved that she initially bonded with Grayson’s twins, Harlow and Hayden, first. And in a roundabout way we have both Harlow and Hayden’s Grandma’s to thank for that. Ahhh, you have to love meddling families, even if they don’t know their meddling. These two girls are so freaking adorable and their bonding time with Laken made for some of the most heart wrenching moments.

Now let’s get to Grayson Davis. This man has the weight of the world on his shoulders and it all stems back to the night he lost his wife in a traumatic accident. Left to raise two twin girls isn’t the easiest of tasks for a single father to get through, but with a small army behind him (his parents, and Mason Creek) he’s found his way through the thick of it all. The pain still lives on in his head though and day by day he can’t help but wish the love of his life was still standing by his side. Seeing the pain through his thoughts and his memories, broke my heart. It’s been a long time since I wanted to reach into a novel to give a character a hug and tell them everything will eventually be okay. Holy hell, did this man rip at my heart and slash my soul to pieces. I can’t even begin to describe the emotional roller coaster he was on throughout this novel. The love was strong in this one, but his guilt was stronger. However, It's not all angst and feels because eventually the swoon sets in and holy hell does this man bring the swoon, and let's just say, Laken is one very lucky lady!! I can’t get over how sexy his single father vibes were. The way he was so protective of his daughters... Yep, I was pretty much a goner and there was no help for me what-so-ever. Grayson may just be my new favorite Kaylee Ryan book boyfriend.

Having read my way through Kaylee Ryan’s publication list, I’m familiar with her writing style and the romantic and sometimes angsty as hell twists she likes to throw at her readers. However, as I was reading through Grayson and Laken’s story I wasn’t expecting the angst and the heavy dose of turmoil going on in Grayson’s thoughts.

I'm all over the place with this review... as I am with every book I love.. So to put it plain, simple and to the point, Kaylee Ryan is a rockstar at writing small town romances with ALL THE FEELS! If you love this vibe, don’t hesitate to pick up Perfect Embrace today!

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[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ⭐️

Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan is book 8 of the Mason Creek multi author collaboration and is Grayson and Laken’s story. Grayson is a single dad to four year old twin daughters, Harlow and Hayden. The girls are adorable and he is doing a fantastic job raising them after the losing his wife in a tragic car accident. Laken is a small business owner, she runs the local bookstore and has developed a sweet relationship with the twins sharing her love of books and reading.

Although Grayson and Laken know each other, they don’t know each other. But suddenly they are all the other can see. I loved watching them interact especially once it seemed like the universe (and two adorable little girls) were conspiring to bring them together.

Laken was already half in love with the sexy firefighter but was very hesitant to pursue anything, respecting his boundaries and for his part, Grayson was still coming to terms with life without his wife. How they manage to overcome everything and get together makes for a read in one sitting romance.

Perfect Embrace is a fantastic small town, single dad romance and you will thoroughly enjoy watching Grayson and Laken fall slowly and beautifully in love. I’m a sucker for these kinds of books and Perfect Embrace made my book loving heart happy. TBR and Enjoy.

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Embrace was a book I couldn’t put down. The moment I started reading I completely fell in love with Laken, Grayson, Harlow and Hayden. This story was beautiful and emotional from the start and I loved every single moment of it.

Laken had a crush on Grayson in high school, though she knew that nothing would ever come from it. Now, years later things may change. Grayson is a single father to the two most adorable little twin girls, Harlow and Hayden. His girls just so happen to love spending time at Laken’s bookstore and it has become a weekly tradition. Laken instantly fell in love with his two girls and Grayson slowly started to feel a connection to Laken.

I loved the chemistry between Laken and Grayson from the start. Grayson had forgotten how to live after losing his high school sweetheart and his wife, but slowly Laken brought him back to life. I loved how caring and loving she was to the twins and that she just wanted to make those two little girls smile and for them to be happy. Their story wasn’t always easy and at times made me super emotional but everything is worth it in the end.

If you’re looking for a small town, single father romance this is one to read!

[Maria Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart

I can't even begin to express how much I love this amazing story. I got this with KU but plan to purchase for my very own so I can read any time I want. If you love Ridge from Unexpected Reality prepare to lose your mind over Grayson.

[Hailey Siedel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Kaylee Ryan and she’s an amazing author but this one just didn’t really hit for me. It was kind of uneventful.

⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️.5/5

[Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.50 Stars

Oh man my heart was breaking for Grayson and his daughters. He was such a sweet and caring dad but he was a bit sad too.

Laken has been infatuated with Grayson since high school but she knew he wasn’t for her. He had his Holly and they were the perfect couple. Now years later Grayson is a widower raising his twin girls by himself with the help of his parents and in laws. Laken can’t help but fall in love with his girls and then it seems like Grayson is finally noticing her…

Grayson lost the love of his life three years ago. Now his whole world is his daughters and raising them. But then it seems like his little girls are totally enarmored with Laken. And now he cant seem to stop thinking about her. But is he ready to move and start a life with someone else. Can he put his heart on the line and what about his daughters and their hearts? Will he be able to get over the guilt he has about moving on with his life without his wife?

This was such a sweet romantic story, but it was also heartbreaking. Grayson was just too sweet and he was an amazing dad. And Laken she was so patient with him and she absolutely loved his girls. Those two little ones were adorable. I loved them. Laken was the perfect one for Grayson, she didn’t rush him into anything she just took everything at his pace. And even though Grayson lost the plot there for a minute you understood and was rooting for him to find his happily ever after 😊I am in love with this Mason Creek series and I cant wait to read the next one 😊 ♥

Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star Review Perfect Embrace (Mason Creek #8) by Kaylee Ryan
Oh where do I start? Kaylee Ryan is a relatively new author to me but what I have read I have found to be well written and entertaining.Set in the small town of Mason Creek, this book was an emotional roller coaster of a read.
Laken always admired the love and relationship that Gray and his deceased wife Holly had, in fact she has had feelings for him since high school, but always knew it couldn't go any where.
There were times that my heart broke for Grayson and his little girls Harlow and Hayden. It is obvious that he is lonely and when a second chance at love with book store owner Laken becomes a possibility he decides to take a chance.
As their friendship builds and blossoms into love, it was heartwarming to watch their love grow. I loved the relationship that Laken had with his daughters, she really treated them as though they were her own, whilst respecting the memory of their mother.
The struggles that Gray went through with his guilt about moving on was palpable at times and added an additional layer of emotion to my reading. I look forward to reading other books in the Mason Creek series as soon as time permits.

[Thuy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town romance with widowed, single dad of the cutest twin girls, and the sweet bookstore owner in Mason Creek. Navigating his new feelings for Laken but the guilt of moving on without his first love is weighing on him. Your heart will break for Grayson and his agonizing guilt thoughts. He’s a really sweet man who just doesn’t think there is that second love exists. This book was really really heartbreaking and oh so sweet. 4.5 stars

[Cecly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun novel to read, as is this series. Laken and Grayson, and his twin daughters make for are an adorable family.
It has taken Grayson a while to resolve his anxiety issues, but he gets there at the right time.
I love how the community comes together to make this all work for these couples.
I have enjoyed every single one of these books, with the exception of just one, they are all five-star reads.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-stars.

Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan is part of the Mason Creek series but can be read as a standalone. The only connection is the town they live in. I just loved this book. It was so sweet and a charming second chance romance with so many feels. Laken and Grayson were so perfect together. Grayson is a single-dad to twin girls, a widower and learning to live in his new normal. Laken is kind and caring. Laken used to have a crush on Grayson in high school but knew it would never go anywhere. But things are different now.

Grayson lost his wife years ago and is now raising his girls. He has a huge heart but did not believe he would ever move on. Now his daughters are drawn to Laken and he is starting to see her in a new light. Could he open his heart to Laken? Laken was so patient and understanding. Their story was so delightful and just such a fun and charming read.

Happy reading!

[Kat Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Laken and Grayson are prefect together! I loved the way we got a peek into Holly and Grayson interacting in high school. It made this story that much sweeter because Holly knew about the crush and held no ill will. So often when you read stories like this the first love is a bitch, but Holly was a truly beautiful woman through and through. Her mark was left on her husband and girls, but not in a way that there was no room for someone else a few years down the road. Of course there are some emotional bits, bit that is expected with a widower story.

I happily reccomend this book.

[Franci N (Franci's Fabulous Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 It's Okay to Love Again Stars!!!

Oh my heart!! I absolutely loved this book. Grayson struggles with loving again after losing the woman he thought he'd be with for forever. And Laken is just the right woman to show him that it's okay to want to be happy and love again. Ms. Ryan does a phenomenal job in addressing Grayson's feelings and the guilt that he's feeling in moving forward with Laken.

Add in the two most precious and precocious girls and this is truly a perfect small town romance!

[Amber Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so full of emotion! I could not put it down.

Grayson and Laken have a chemistry. The way Laken is with the girls melts your heart. I absolutely loved this book. And the tears were definitely flowing!

This was a great #KUread!

[Big Joe Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Heather]

Gotta listen to this. My niece is the cover model!

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Embrace is just that- that trademark Kaylee
Ryan warm, sweet and swoony hug that leaves your heart full and a smile on your face. Set in the Mason Creek world, Kaylee dives into the hesitant romance of widowed father Grayson and sweet and stoic Laken, local book story owner. And I am totally smitten.

I fell in love with Laken immediately. No longer the wall flower, a hesitant high schooler secretly in love with a popular boy from afar, she’s grown into a self-assured, kind, and patient woman. Your loneliness, while subtle to her character, was palpable- she’s realized her professional dreams, has a loving family, is a ray of sunshine in her community, but she’s not really living. And oh my how my heart related to that, because it’s not like she doesn’t know who she is, it’s not like she’s battered and bruised from love, it’s just that she’s never really had the chance to experience a life changing love. But there was always something about Grayson- a spark never explored, even though he didn’t know it. And watching Laken light up, start to fight for the life and love she deserves is a beautiful thing- a quieter character evolution that Grayson’s emotively powerful one, but moving nonetheless. She’s got the sweetest heart, the most beautiful soul. I’m not sure I would have been as patient and understanding in sharing Grayson’s heart- but she GETS it, and she’s the perfect forever love for him and his girls.

And Grayson- oh my heart this sweet man. Like Laken, he’s not living- because the life he invested in was tragically snatched away from him. And not only has he not dealt with it, but he also has his two twin daughters to care for, and he’s giving them everything. He’s stopped living- but Laken awakens his broken heart. She revives and heals him- but loving another is also scary, and he makes some mistakes out of grief and guilt that broke my heart for him and Laken, but I also felt such sympathy for his anguish. And his character journey is so moving- seeing this man vulnerably struggle to reconcile the confusion in his heart, to work through a tangled web of emotional strife- oh man, I felt it in my bones. He’s such a beautiful soul- a nice guy, a wonderful father, a thoughtful widow, and a soulful partner.

Unlike most Kaylee stories, this one took a while for me to really feel the chemistry. But when it comes to the character journeys, the slow burn nature of not just the physical relationship but the emotional one just enhances the thematic beauty of this story. Because Grayson is still mourning not just his wife but the life he thought he might have, and he’s fiercely protective over his girls, which means he’s not going to dive into anything too fast- and he keeps his distance at first. They start as hesitant friends, and truly, Laken falls in love with the girls first, and Grayson falls in love with how Laken is to his kids before he lets himself open up to her. But it made the reward all the sweeter, because you knew when he dove in hard it wasn’t impulse, it was a heartfelt expression of his soul, and then Kaylee unleashed his full swoon on us. That sweet, sexy, and tender chemistry that I LIVE for in her books. These two have a lot of added emotional dimensionality because of Grayson’s baggage and Laken’s unique relationship with the twins, and it made the chemistry even more rich, more sincere, more engaging.

Kaylee does something really challenging in this story- She lets Grayson’s wife be amazing. She lets his love for her be true, pure, special. She HONORS it. And honestly, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do with that at first. I respected it, but the romantic in me wants my hero to love our heroine alone. But Kaylee does it JUST right. She finds a way to value and honor Grayson’s love for both women - without ranking them or comparing them. And that is what I loved most about this story. Sure, there is one little element that felt a bit...convenient….but this is romance, after all, and ultimately this story is really about Grayson learning that it’s okay to have love in your heart for two women. That it’s okay to move on, to build a life you never expected but is just the life you need. It’s a journey of grief and healing, and I appreciated how Kaylee didn’t ignore that- she leaned into it, let our characters struggle through it. It’s not lovely melancholy, but it did feel like a deeper and more nuanced emotional journey, one still swoony and sweet though.

The kiddos as usual stole the show- they wrecked me with their cuteness and sincerity. The epilogue just melted my whole heart- so even if this story started a slower burn than I expected, it gradually squeezed my heart harder and harder. I just adored them- and I’m so excited we’re getting a Mason Creek story about Laken’s sister- both because I want to know she gets her HEA and because I’m so desperate for more Grayson and Laken, even if just glimpses. Perfect Embrace is yet another sweet and swoony Kaylee story to obsess over!

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off let me say I’m loving my visits to Mason Creek because not only am I getting some wonderful reads I’m also finding new authors to follow and that’s a win win. This is Laken and Grayson’s story and what an emotional roller coaster of a journey they took me on.
Laken has had feelings for Grayson since high school but she knew it would never go anywhere because he only had eyes for Holly who he married and had twin girls with but now times have changed in Mason Creek, Holly was tragically killed in a car accident and Grayson is raising two adorable little girls. It’s obvious he is often lonely and when a second chance at love comes around he decides to take a chance with book store owner Laken. His girls know her well because they spend every Thursday afternoon reading in the book store and just like their father they are smitten with this adorable, caring woman but what will happen when Grayson starts feeling guilty about finding love again, will he be all in or will he hold back…..
This book touched me on so many levels, I smiled and I giggled at the one liners only a child delivers well, I swooned as I fell hard and fast for Grayson, I sighed at the sizzling chemistry shared by this couple and I shed a tear as guilt took over. I found myself wishing and hoping this couples and the girls got the HEA they all so deserved and I guess all I need to say is you need to one click this gem of a read, you won’t be disappointed.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Embrace is a second chance single dad romance that has your emotions on a journey of happiness, heartbreak and love. Grayson has spent the last 3 years focused on his daughters and it takes just the right moment for Laken to awaken a stirring in his heart. Their story captivates and enchants you as you ride the ups and downs of passion, drama, romance, guilt and fear. A story that not only has sparks flying but will have your heart melting as two sweet little girls own it with ease. Their story wraps itself around you like a much needed hug. There will not only be smiles and heart melting moments but there will also be tears as Grayson is torn between the past and the present. A truly amazing love story that owned me.

[Sarah Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in this simply brilliant series and I was hooked from beginning to end.

Grayson is a single parent to his twin daughters (they will steal your Heart) after tragically losing his wife 3 years previously. Laken has had a crush on him in years but only from afar. Its only when his daughters get attached to her at Storytime at her store that he finally notices her.

Is Grayson finally seeing Laken as its the right time to move on? to get the second chance at love.

Oh the heart and emotion that went into this one. I will be honest I shed some tears. It was raw and it was real and a fantastic addition to this brilliant series.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review from the Author

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my heart - I'm such a mess after finishing. Both Grayson and Laken stole my heart from the very first page. My heart was hurting throughout this story for Grayson. Life was not easy for him but when he finally noticed Laken he started to breathe. She was such a good human. The size of the heart can not be measured. She accepted the fact that they had a love before her and she was OK with it, not only OK but she wanted to make sure they never forget their past.

To say I love Kaylee Ryan is such an understatement - her way with words has me devouring her books like a maniac and I'm not even sorry for it.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog * **

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: An ARC was provided by the author.

This was a surprisingly lighthearted read, albeit with a sprinkling of angst. I enjoyed seeing Grayson and Laken's relationship develop from nothing more than near strangers to friends and then much more. I empathized with Grayson's feelings of guilt, and I understood the grief he was going through, where sometimes he was okay, and other times, the loss still knocked him over. I think that Laken coming into his life, and in turn, that of his girls, was a turning point, and her love and patience went above and beyond. I was moved by this story of beautiful love, grief, and family, to the point that I plan on checking out both upcoming AND past Mason Creek books. 4.5 stars for Perfect Embrace!

[Kathryn Linke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Embrace is the eighth title in the Mason Creek series, with each title written by a different author. This title is a sweet, charming, and heartfelt, small town romance that can easily be read as a standalone.
Grayson is a widower and single parent to twin girls Harlow and Hayden, and Fire Chief. He’s sweet, caring, and a wonderful father, if a tad overprotective at times after loosing his wife in a tragic accident.
Laken owns and runs her own bookstore and she’s had an unrequited crush on Grayson since high school. She has a huge heart, and I loved her interactions with the twins.
Overall an enjoyable story of love, loss, hope and family.

[Nancy Metsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books Kaylee has ever written.....This one will really hold a very special place in my heart.
I love small town romance and this one was beyond perfect. But as you read this book you will see you can see it's possible to have 2 happily ever afters.
Yes I get fear, the possibility that you'll start to forget. But know in the end you have space in your heart for the past love of yur life and the new love of yur life

[The Bosnian · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so beautiful, my FULL REVIEW & TEASER on my Blog ->

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start with story? It was a story full of heart and love and passion and guilt and fear. I loved all the characters and felt for their story. Laken and Grayson met at just the right time and their connection is full of chemistry and sparks. I loved Grayson’s little girls too and I’m glad they all get their hea. This is a definite must read.

[Bookish.Midnight. and. black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. No real drama, just a guy feeling guilty because he feels that he is replacing his dead wife with another women,3years after the wife's death. Predictable but cute

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet, heartwarming story about moving past loss and embracing a second chance. Grayson and Laken had amazing chemistry and I loved how her relationship with his daughters. I fell in love with them all and my heart is happy.

[Vfc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laken
Sixteen years old
“Gah! Did you see Grayson?” I ask my best friend, Justine. “Holly is so freaking lucky.” We’re standing in the bathroom of our high school, Mason Creek High. As sophomores, we don’t usually see the juniors and seniors too much. However, there are times, like today, that we get a glimpse and, well, let’s just say, seeing him walking out of the office and watching his tight end, which has nothing to do with his position on the football field, just made my day.
“That she is,” Justine agrees. Before I can gush about how gorgeous he is, one of the bathroom stalls opens, and out walks Holly. As in Holly, Grayson Davis’s girlfriend.
“H-Holly—” I start, and she smiles. Not a sneer, but a genuine smile.
“I happen to agree with you.” She winks.
“I’m so sorry. I would never— I mean, I was just looking—and I’ll shut up now.”
“There is nothing wrong with looking, Laken.”
I didn’t even know she knew my name. “I’m sorry,” I say again.
“Don’t apologize for looking. It’s not illegal. You weren’t plotting this evil plan to seduce him,” she jokes. “It’s all good. I promise. And honestly, if I were you, I’d be looking too.” She shrugs.
“Still, I shouldn’t have said that. Not here.” I bow my head.”
“Hey. You did nothing wrong. I know what Gray and I have is good. Even if you were plotting the demise of our relationship, it wouldn’t work. Have a good day, ladies.”
As soon as the door closes, Justine looks at me with wide eyes. “Did that just happen?”
I hold my arm out to her. “Pinch me.”
She does, and I indeed feel the sting. “She’s so freaking cool.”
“She really is. Couple goals right there.”
“Truth. No wonder he’s head over heels in love with her.” That’s the other thing. Grayson isn’t afraid to show the entire school that Holly is his number one. He walks her to class, sits with her at lunch, kisses her at halftime before heading to the locker rooms. The list goes on and on. Grayson Davis has set the bar high and has helped me realize that’s what I want. I won’t settle for a guy who doesn’t love me like he loves Holly.

Grayson and Holly had been together since they were sixteen. They met in high school, married and had twin girls Harlow and Hayden, unfortunately during a girls trip Holly and her sister were in a fatal car crash. Holly at the time, was on the telephone with Grayson, as he helplessly listened an hour away as his wife died, leaving him to raise his girls with the help of both sets of grandparents.

Accompanied by his girls, they run into Laken at the market. The girls saw the brownie mix in her trolley which then led to the girls helping her make brownies. (The brownies were intended as a thank-you for getting her and Leni home safely the night before). She’s the first woman he’s intentionally had around his girls.

They asked her if they could help when they saw brownies in her trolley and she in turn deferred to him. She deferred to him on everything in their relationship.

Laken’s interaction with Grayson’s girls, Harlow and Hayden:::
“Now, you have to promise me that you’ll be good for your daddy. I won’t be able to come over if your rooms are messy either. So you better get on that when you get home.”
They gasp. “Miss Waken, did you go to our house before?” Harlow asks.
“Daddy, how does she know our room is messy?” Hayden asks.
Grayson and I have to bite down on our lips to keep from laughing. “I’m an adult. I know these things.”
“Daddy, we hafta go.” Harlow looks at him with wide eyes.
“Go fast, Daddy,” Hayden chimes in.
“You’ve bewitched my children.” Grayson chuckles.
“They’re sweet girls. I’m going to finish up here and run home to unload. Give me an hour or so?”
“That sounds good. Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, Grayson. I’ll see you soon, ladies.”

As soon as we pull into the driveway, the girls are unbuckling from their car seats and literally bouncing at the thought of Laken coming to make brownies with them.
“Wait until the truck is off before you open the door,” I remind them.
“Hurry, Daddy!” they exclaim in harmony.
I slow to a crawl just to mess with them. “Daddy,” Harlow whines.
“Faster!” Hayden demands.
“Wait for me,” I tell them.
“We’re big girls, Daddy. We’re this many.” Harlow raises four fingers in the air.
“Yeah,” Hayden echoes.
Biting my cheek to hide my smile, I lift them from the truck, and they take off, sprinting for the front door. “Where are you going? We have nail polish to tend to,” I call after them.
“We hafta cwean our room!” one of them yells back. Is it bad that they also sound so much alike that sometimes even I can’t tell them apart unless they are right in front of me?”

Making up their beds:::
“But I’m too wittle,” she huffs.
“Yeah, Daddy. We’re too wittle,” Harlow agrees.
“Yeah, but Miss Waken is coming, and if ours rooms not cwean, she might not cook the brownies,” Hayden argues.
“We weally wove bwonies, Daddy,” Harlow adds.
Bending my knees, I hold my arms out, and neither of them hesitates to come to me, wrapping their little arms around my neck. My heart swells just like it does every time I get even the smallest embrace from them. “Daddy has a secret.”
“We won’t tell,” Hayden assures me.
“We pwomise,” Harlow adds.
“Daddy loves brownies.”
They gasp. “Does Miss Waken wove them too?” Harlow asks.
“I don’t know, baby. I’m sure she does. Who doesn’t love brownies?”
“We hafta ask her,” Hayden announces.

Since Holly’s death, he hasn’t been intimately involved with anyone.

The girls have had no women around their mum’s age in their lives and Laken’s very good with them. Every Thursday, the twins visit Laken's bookstore accompanied by their grandmother and she has story time with them.

They begin dating, a month later the girls asking if Laken can be their new mummy sends him into sheer panic and he breaks up with her. His apology was pathetic. He proposes and she accepts.

Life is messy, no one can control it even if they try. You embrace it and find the good.

Laken’s and Leni are the very best example of a sister-friendship.

Grayson- was grief stricken, struggling each day to overcome his loss. Laken was patient and understanding and at times it was frustrating to read, Holly was woven into the entire fabric of the storyline. It felt as though there were three of them in this relationship.

Holly was not demonised or forgotten, although the letter conveniently materialised granting him, her blessing. As a young, newly minted mother, it seemed unrealistic that she would write such an insightful letter to him. This story is about overcoming grief and accepting that it’s okay to love both women, although it seemed Laken’s role was somewhat diminished to Holly.

Epilogue

Nine years later, Laken nurtures them with love and acceptance that only a mother can give as they grow. Hours spent, sifting through old photos, even the wedding photos of Holly and Grayson. Laken insisted they keep every photographic memory for the girls. She’s keeping Holly’s memory alive for their daughters. They even visit the cemetery—all six of them. Grayson and Laken’s son and daughter, Kaden and Ella (Kaden refers to Holly as “Mommy in heaven” just like the twins) and Laken smiles at them. Not an ounce of jealousy from her.

It’s okay to move on, and to build a life one never expected but its the life one needs to heal.

Everyone heals differently. There’s no timeline or handbook for mourning the love of your life. We all do whatever necessary to get us through the day.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. (SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW)

I do love many of Kaylee Ryan’s books, but some of her books are way too sweet for me. This book was sweet but also had a decent amount of angst (I don’t like a lot of angst but I usually need “something”). SPOILERS AHEAD…..

Laken was a decent heroine. She was almost too perfect TBH, but I still liked her. Grayson was ok for me. I don’t know—he never really seemed to get over his late wife—at least enough to move on. I just remember feeling like I would never want date him in real life because I would feel like no one would ever measure up.

Anyway, once he decides he’s ready, he immediately asks Laken out. They have good chemistry. She’s always had a thing for him, and he’s definitely attracted to her and she’s great with his girls. She’s amazingly patient with him and takes their relationship at his pace. Every time their relationship moves to the next step, it’s Grayson who takes it there. It turns into a full-on relationship rather quickly (although it takes them a while to have sex). He’s the first to say “I love you”. His girls absolutely adore her. It’s pretty much perfect. (EVEN BIGGER SPOILERS HERE SO…….)

His girls ask him if Laken can be their new mommy and he absolutely freaks out. He ghosts Laken and when she confronts him he breaks up with her and he was pretty damn nasty. I kind of hated him. Normally I like this kind of thing though, because I love it when the guy does something really stupid and has to earn the girl back. And after the things he said to her, he should have had to really grovel. But no. He barely says “I’m sorry” he proposes and she takes him back immediately. I was still really pissed off about the way he talked to her and the things he said. I just felt like he needed to to earn her back a little bit more. I was glad her sister told him off at least.

That all being said. I loved the epilogue, and I was glad they got their HEA.