Veena’s review of It’s Only Love (Green Mountain, Book 5) by Marie Force
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 03 Nov 15
“Ella Abbott settled into her sofa with her two best friends—Ben and Jerry. She’d been spending a lot of nights with these guys lately” Right then I knew this is another winner from Marie Force. The long-awaited story of Ella Abbot and Gavin Guthrie hits the gamut of emotions from despair to laughter, as it sweeps the reader back into Vermont and the lives of the Abbot family.
Ella has been in love with Gavin for the longest time. On a few occasions it almost seems like he might actually return her feelings, but his grief for his brother’s death always seems to get in the way. Ella is just about ready to give up and move on when a late night cry for help changes things up between them. Gavin is so full of anger, fear, and hope that it’s almost amazing Ella can actually make a connection with him and almost forcefully pull him out of the black despair that threatens to drown him.
As Ella and Gavin love and laugh, it’s like the sun has come out of the clouds for Gavin’s parents, but Ella’s family seems to have a wait-and-watch attitude, especially her overprotective brothers. The Abbot women, of course, close ranks and provide their own brand of love and support, all the way from her mom to her sisters and sisters-in-law.
Just as everyone seems to be cautiously optimistic, a surprise present from Ella to Gavin leads to very unexpected and not-so-pleasant consequences. In order to win back Ella and mend their fences, Gavin is going to have to come to terms with all the issues that are holding him back. He’s going to have to bare his soul to a lot more than Ella. Readers, have your handkerchiefs ready as you read this story.
I want to hit Gavin on the side of his head for his stupid beliefs, while at the same time I want to hold him close to give him the love and support he needs to work his way through his issues. I laughed hysterically when Hannah and Cameron have to talk Fred the moose into letting them leave the town on vacation. Only in Vermont! Or I should I say only in this series does Fred the moose play as pivotal a role as any other character.
The Abbot family is at the heart of the success of this series. The love, respect, and relationship between the multiple generations strikes a deep chord in my heart. Each featured romance brings out a depth of emotions that captures a reader in its very intensity. I simply can’t wait to read the next one, which seems to suggest a lot of fireworks, based on what the author has shared with us so far.
Grade: A
Summary:
Ella Abbott has long been secretly in love with Gavin Guthrie. A few recent encounters have only added to her infatuation, especially the kiss they shared at her sister’s wedding. It doesn’t matter to Ella that Gavin is in a bad place. He says there’s no hope for a future with him, that he has nothing to offer her. But all Ella cares about is the love she feels.
It’s been seven long years since Gavin lost his brother. He’d kept himself under control and moving forward until his brother’s beloved dog died and his brother’s widow re-married. Since then, he’s been drinking, fighting, and even getting arrested. It seems the only time his demons leave him alone is when Ella is around.
Gavin knows it wouldn’t be fair to drag Ella into his darkness, but when she inserts herself into his life, what choice does he have but to allow her to soothe his aching heart?
Other books in this series:
