Sandy M’s review of Kiss Me Hello (Sweetest Kisses, Book 3) by Grace Burrowes
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 3 Mar 15
I have been waiting for MacKenzie Knightley’s book since I started this trilogy. He’s the oldest brother and takes the job seriously, a man to be reckoned with in the courtroom, and he’s not dated in ten years. That alone is the curiosity that makes this character so intriguing. You just know his story will be emotional and compelling. Ms. Burrowes doesn’t let the reader down in any respect as we get to know this hero and his heroine.
Deciding at the drop of a hat to take care of an equine issue at the ranch he grew up on, I love that scene when he crests a hill to spy two huge draft horses leisurely grazing toward a woman wielding a broom, of all things. I could clearly see that scene, with Mac, nearly as sizable as the horses, becoming reacquainted with those two ladies from his past, all the while wanting to get to know the new lady who piques his interest from first sight. That interest, along with long-buried memories, will throw Mac’s world for a loop.
Sidonie is trying to hold her life together, and she’d rather do it without lawyers involved. Unfortunately, adopting sixteen-year-old Luis has lawyers and plenty of others, including a snotty social worker, roaming into their lives at will. She’s also still grieving the loss of her brother, so dealing with Mac and his horses is not part of her current plan. But the man is good with Luis, teaching him how to care for the animals, and Luis is taking to it all like a duck to water. Mac also gives good advice when it comes to that social worker and the possible loss of her case. Little does Sidonie know, she doesn’t have a chance when it comes to getting involved with Mackenzie Knightley.
I love the slow and gentle wooing Mac begins, to his surprise and his brothers’. He may have been celibate for his own reasons, but the man has not forgotten how to romance a woman, even a prickly and stubborn Sidonie. Those nights under the stars are sizzling and amazing for both characters, and usually when interruptions are presented during imminent loving, I’m not very happy. But these two, on the edge of pleasure and frustrated, take it all in stride, because they know how explosive it will truly be when they finally do come together. (Hmmm, I guess that pun is intended there!) When their secrets are revealed, it’s almost like fate telling them they belong with each other, and how they throw fate’s message right back at her is wonderful.
Family is huge in this series. The three Knightley brothers are close and never let each other down. I adore each of them. It shows how stellar their characters are in that all three find heroines who have children already and those boys love the kids as much as they love their new ladies. Each brother has had to fight alongside their heroine to keep the family together, and every member is involved in some way, making sure their numbers stay strong. Loyalty and trust is as bone deep with this family as is love and romance.
Mac does mess up a bit when he’s not completely honest with Sidonie, but I’m with her son when he tries to get her to see that Mac’s life doesn’t add up to what they can see. She never questions Mac, so, in my opinion, the resulting melee does rest a bit on her shoulders too when Mac’s extra secret comes to light. But he takes it like a man and also resolves it like a man, and that made me love him that much more. Just like Sidonie.
I’m rather bummed this is the last book about this family. I’ve enjoyed every word and had the best time getting to know them. I hope Ms. Burrowes has another contemporary series in mind for the future. While I do like reading her historicals, I’m now a contemporary fan of hers to the core. So keeping my fingers crossed there’ll be more fun, even with a different family, down the road.
Grade: A
Summary:
MacKenzie Knightley is the best criminal trial attorney in Damson County, but he has no defense against petite, peppery Sidonie Lindstrom, a foster mom who’s moved into the farmhouse where Mack and his brothers grew up.
Sid is grieving the loss of her brother, worried she’s about to lose her foster son, and in no mood for romantic nonsense when Mack drives up the lane. And yet, he’s good with her horses, good with her foster son, and just the sort of solid, trustworthy, guy she might fall for—until she learns that he’s not at all what he appears to be.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
