Susan's Review of Come Together-by Marie Force Butler #7

Three years after his marriage ended in dramatic fashion, Noah Coleman has one goal—to steer clear of romantic entanglements. In fact, he steers clear of most human interaction, studiously avoiding his large, meddling extended family, working until he’s exhausted and then repeating the pattern day after day. His strategy has worked well for him for years, keeping him sealed off from anything that can cause him pain or angst. Or it was working for him... before his company was hired to rebuild the Admiral Butler Inn after a fire reduced it to rubble, and he was forced to co-exist with the exasperatingly difficult, gorgeous architect the inn’s owner, Mrs. Hendricks hires to oversee the project.

While nursing a badly broken heart, Brianna Esposito is determined to complete the Butler Inn construction under budget and on time—and to make partner in the Boston firm where she’s been working fourteen hours a day for five years. Nothing is going to stop her from achieving her goal, especially a cranky contractor with the people skills of a rabid cougar. Noah Coleman is the most exasperating human being she’s ever had the misfortune to tangle with. She’s never had screaming fights with anyone the way she does him, and the fact that he’s also the sexiest man she’s ever met makes it that much more difficult to hold her ground.

When Mrs. Hendricks intervenes and orders the two of them to resolve their differences, Brianna is stuck having dinner with the man she wants to stab one minute and kiss the next. And will he ever tell her why he’s so bitter and angry? Brianna suspects the answer to that question could also be the key to his well-protected heart.

Come back to Butler, Vermont to find out if these two adversaries will give in to the sparks that’ve been flying between them for months or if they’ll finally succeed in driving each other crazy.

Maroe Force writes an engaging, emotional and romantic story for contractor Noah Coleman and architect Brianna Esposito. I was captivated by this couple and set my alarm early to finish the book before work.

Noah has been hired to rebuild the town’s inn and he’s in daily contact with Brianna who is the project’s architect. Acrimonious best describes their working relationship. Noah believes that Brianna is micromanaging the job. Brianna admits that Noah is sexy but she’s convinced that Noah has no people skills. The owner of the inn intervenes and provides them with a coupon for dinner and suggests that they work through their difficulties. Can Brianna spend an evening with Noah without arguing with him?

I loved the spirited banter between the couple and their emotional heart to heart conversations. Noah has appeared in previous books and I wondered what set him apart from his relatives—he’s quiet and a bit of a loner. Noah is torn—he’s attracted to Brianna but, should he trust his heart again?

Marie Force is one of my favorite authors. I love the dynamic characters who own their stories, the blend of sassy and emotional conversations that pull at your heart strings and the small town community of Butler, Vermont. Loved catching up with Elmer and Linc—they make me laugh each time they appear in the series- Hunter and Megan and Grey.

Come Together is a fast paced, well-crafted novel which explores several challenging topics—I was immersed in this novel until the very last page. Looking forward to Izzy and Cabot’s book in 2022!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Book purchased the book through the author's bookstore