Sandy M’s review of Brash (Cavanaugh Brothers, Book 3) by Laura Wright
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 3 Mar 15
Sigh. I try to keep up with series, especially if there’s a chance it’s finite in number. But life happens, and in this case Cole and Grace have had to wait for me to catch up. Maybe it’s a good thing, though, because so far this couple is my favorite of the series (I thought that honor would have gone to James and Sheridan in Broken, but as much fun as I had with them, Cole and Grace outdistance them quite a bit.). Cole is the brother who felt their sister’s death the most and he’ll do anything to find out what happened to her, and Grace will do anything to protect her father, even while her sympathies may lie with the man who seems to want to hurt her dad the most.
Normally fighting his way through life in the ring, but now that he and his brothers have more clues to his twin’s murder, Cole will do whatever it takes to finally have some answers – even a bit of breaking and entering. Grace Hunter, the local veterinarian, doesn’t like him much anyway, as we’ve seen all along since the first book in the series, so why not see what she may be hiding in her office. That doesn’t go quite as planned, so now in between training for his upcoming big fight and keeping company with the pretty vet, Cole slowly begins to open up.
Angry as she is that Cole would invade her privacy, along with hounding her ailing father, Grace’s soft and kind – as well as determined and sometimes steely – heart feels for Cole and what he’s going through. Though they’ve been ticked off at one another throughout the series to this point, once they agree to work together to see if perhaps any of her father’s files might give them further clues – information to assist in Cole’s sister’s death and also to prove Grace’s father was not involved – their dancing around each other turns into a completely type of give and sway. Their banter is fun and flirtatious, which is all it can be while Cole is in training. No sex, period. But it sure makes for some great sexual tension.
And when they finally do hit the sheets? Hot and sizzling to no end. Not only that, I really enjoyed these two because they talk to one another. They work through any issues that now come up, making sure their common goal remains center stage and their burgeoning relationship takes it slow and easy. We also get caught up with Cole’s older brothers and their wives, which is always nice in a series. I’ve finally warmed up to Mac and Deacon a bit more from the first book. I had a hard time with them in the beginning, but they’ve definitely mellowed out some. And it’s terrific seeing James and Sheridan doing so well after the horror of their story.
It’s my recommendation that you read this series in order, though they can be read as standalones. But you’ll miss the importance of the mystery that is woven throughout, and you’ll need that at the end of this book, which is a huge cliffhanger. However, now that Blue’s book, Bonded, is out, you can read the entire story arc all at once. I’m looking forward to Bonded, because Blue and his situation has broken my heart since his life seemed to blow up for him early on. Thank goodness for happily ever after, because that man needs one desperately.
Grade: B+
Summary:
No matter how many fights UFC champion Cole Cavanaugh wins, he can’t rid himself of the guilt of not having saved his twin sister’s life. Now, not only is he facing his arch enemy in the ring, he’s fighting to uncover the truth about Cass’s death. But will winning both fights truly give him the retribution and absolution he seeks? Or does he need the healing power of love to finally move on with his life?
The mystery surrounding Cass’s murder also haunts veterinarian Grace Hunter. Many believe that her father might hold the key to the truth. Unfortunately the ex-Sheriff’s deteriorating mental state makes it impossible to separate fact from fiction. As Cole persuades Grace to help him unlock the elusive clues, her defenses weaken. She finds the Stetson-wearing fighter irresistible. But while the truth could free Cole’s heart, it could very well end up shattering hers.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
