Susan's Review of Love Me Sweet by Cindy Kirk--Jackson Hole-- #11

Cinderella and Prince Charming don't only live happily ever after in fairy tales...

Sylvie Thorne doesn't consider herself a runaway fiancée. Okay, she did leave her fiancé, Dr. Andrew O'Shea, behind but logic told her it was for the best. She should have never accepted his ring. She was a struggling baker trying to rise above her humble beginnings and he was a Boston blueblood. It was obvious, at least to his family and friends, that they were an imperfect match.

When Sylvie bolted, she didn't leave a glass slipper for Andrew to find, only a simple text. She never expected him to follow her to Jackson Hole wanting closure.

Twenty-one days with Sylvie is all he asks. Three weeks for him to accept that they were never meant for happily ever after. Instead of proving how little they have in common, all the conversation and togetherness makes for a sweet reunion and has this prince-of-a-guy hoping fairy tales really can come true .

Sylvie Thorne Andrew O’Shea are featured in Cindy Kirk’s Love Me Sweet. I enjoyed this story of second chances and loved the author’s passionate descriptive voice.

Dr. Andrew O’Shea travels from Boston to Jackson Hole to seek out his former fiancé Sylvie Thorne. Andrew is devastated that Sylvie broke up with him via text and vanished into thin air. He can’t move forward until he understands why she ended their relationship. Loved the unusual plot twist—Andrew wants to immerse himself into Sylvie’s life to understand her. He hopes to find out that they are too different so he can move forward. The author does a fabulous job balancing the simmering passion between the couple, their need to be open and honest with each other and their need to belong.

Cindy Kirk is one of my go to authors because she creates captivating characters. Being together 24/7 worked for Sylvie and Andrew. Both of them were at an emotional crossroads –this drew me into their story. It was apparent that they cared deeply for each other—but was that enough to build a future? Loved the honest, often emotional conversations between the couple. Sylvie learned to trust Andrew and opened up to him about her childhood and her desire to belong, to be valued. Andrew understood that Sylvie expressed herself through her baking. Baking wasn’t a hobby for Sylvie—it was her passion. Andrew learned to trust Sylvie and he experienced a sense of freedom in Jackson Hole. He met other doctors in the community who shared his passion and he volunteered at a free clinic.

Love Me Sweet is an engaging, compelling second chance romance. Cindy Kirk writes a fabulous story for Sylvie and Andrew. Loved that both characters had the opportunity to become friends while their chemistry sizzled in the background. Loved that each chapter revealed a new clue, a new layer to their relationship. I rooted for this couple and wanted them to realize that their love for one and another was the icing on the cake!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Amazon purchase

Susan's Review of Cindy Kirk's All The Right Reasons-- Jackson Hole Series --#7

When a good girl ignores the rules, crazy things can happen…

Social worker Poppy Westover had once been an incurable romantic. Cheated on by her ex and now, divorced at thirty-four, she’s determined to live her life by the book. She may deviate on some smaller points, but one rule is absolute. She will not get involved with another doctor. One was more than enough.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Benedict Campbell isn’t looking for anything serious. He’s intrigued by Poppy and the tension that fills the air whenever they’re together.

Spontaneity isn’t in either of their vocabularies, but the heat between them is too strong. One evening they give in to the attraction, but only after setting up a few ground rules. When it’s done, they walk away and never speak of the night again.

But never speaking of it again becomes hard to do when there's a baby on the way.

Cindy Kirk returns to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for this captivating story of second chances.

The pairing of social worker Poppy Westover and Dr. Benedict Campbell surprised me. Ben is an extremely busy surgeon and has been linked to several woman throughout this series—none of the relationships panned out. Poppy returned to Jackson Hole after a painful divorce and was rebuilding her career and was starting to socialize with her friends. The intense sexual attraction between the couple drew me into the story immediately.

Both Ben and Poppy have trust and commitment issues. Cindy Kirk writes a compelling story for this couple. Ben and Poppy are allowed time to explore their friendship and own their feelings for one and other. Poppy can’t help but compare Ben with her former husband. Both men are charming, confident surgeons who adhere to schedules and are used to getting what they desire. The similarities are too much for Poppy in the beginning of the relationship and haunt her throughout the story. Ben has trust issues and isn’t sure he can fully commit to a relationship.

Cindy Kirk weaves several themes -- families and their expectations, infidelity, infertility and freedom of choice-throughout the novel. She is able to incorporate these themes into Ben and Poppy’s story effortlessly. I could relate to the push-pull of the romance because with each chapter the couple shared more with each other.Their conversations were filled with honestly, anguish and heartbreak… so very relatable.

I adore Cindy Kirk’s voice – her characters are multi-faceted and her well-plotted stories are filled with compelling issues Ben and Poppy’s journey was passionate, emotional and so very rewarding. Am looking forward to the next Jackson Hole story.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Author

Susan's Review of Cindy Kirk's Her Kind of Hero - Jackson Hole 6

Love isn’t on her list…

Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mitzi Sanchez has always had a plan for her life.

Through hard work and self-sacrifice, she fulfilled her dream. Mitzi has a thriving practice and the spacious home she’s building in Jackson Hole is a far cry from the tiny apartment in East Los Angeles where she grew up.

Now she’s ready for a husband. She’s got a plan for that, too. Trouble is pilot and local handyman, Keenan McGregor, doesn’t meet any of the criteria.

After taking the blame for someone else’s actions, Keenan is in the process of rebuilding his life from the ground up. He doesn’t need unwanted distractions—in the form of a sexy doctor—causing him to lose focus.

Only when they find themselves falling reluctantly in love do they realize plans need contingencies. Like what to do when you forgot to factor in love…

I adored Mitzi Sanchez and Keenan McGregor’s opposites attract romance in Her Kind of Hero! Loved the pairing of Mitzi, the successful surgeon with the down-to-earth Keenan.

Mitzi was a secondary character in Healing the Doctors Heart. I admired her commitment to her career and her loyalty to her friend, Dr. Kate McNeal. Kate understands her friend’s desire to settle down. She also appreciates Mitzi’s determination to put her less than perfect childhood behind her and build a successful career. Kate remembered that Mitzi made etiquette lists during her residency so she would embarrass herself. Lists when she wants to learn about art, wine and books. Kate is not surprised that Mitzi has created another list— A Husband List-because she understands Mitzi’s fear of making a mistake.

Mitzi and Keenan meet at his Welcome Home party and the chemistry between the couple sizzled. Mitzi was attracted to Keenan but quickly dismissed him because of his past. Keenan has to rebuild his career—and a successful man is at the top of her Husband List.

The author does a great job balancing Mitzi’s growing feelings towards Keenan with her need to stay on track with her goal. At first, Mitzi seemed very superficial as she focused on success, not love. Mitzi’s less than perfect childhood influenced her decisions. Even though Keenan is charming, smart and determined to re start his career as a pilot; he believes he is not good enough for Mitzi.

Loved the conflict in the story-love vs. career—it’s very relatable. Cindy Kirk creates memorable characters and the charming, hardworking Keenan and career focused Mitzi are two of my favorites. Loved how both characters grew in the novel. On the surface they seem totally opposite but, as I read the book I realized how much they had in common and that they complimented each other. The story was very moving and I could hear the emotion and feel the passion in their conversations.

If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry and smile —then Her Kind of Hero is for you!


Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

Susan's Review of Second Chance Family by Cindy Kirk

Adolescent wounds vs very grown-up attraction. Toss in a small boy and mix well

My name is Margaret Fisher. I agreed to be the guardian of my best friend’s little boy should anything happen to her and her husband. Charlie is my godson and I love him to pieces.
When I was called into the attorney’s office after their tragic deaths, I thought I knew what to expect. Then Cole Lassiter walked in like he owned the place. My first thought was how amazing he looked after all these years. My second was shock. What was he doing here? I hadn’t seen him since high school when he’d broken my heart.
What is the attorney saying? We’re to be co-guardians of Charlie?
Nonononono.
This cannot be happening. It will not end well.
Then again, I’ve been mistaken before…