Sandy M’s review of Somebody Like You (Sugar Shack, Book 3) by Candis Terry
Contemporary Romance published by Avon Impuse 17 Jul 12

I have had such fun with this series by Candis Terry. The three Silverthorne siblings couldn’t wait to get out of Deer Lick, Montana and away from the Sugar Shack, their parents’ livelihood. But when their mother passes away, the ball starts rolling, making them dodge life in a way that brings them all home.

With her perfect no-loss record as a prosecutor now bungled, Kelly Silverthorne heads home to lick her wounds and pep talk herself into getting back into the courtroom. She’s sick at heart she let so many people down and a killer is now back on the streets. Not expecting to stay long in Deer Lick, Kelly finds herself helping out at the Sugar Shack and face to face with Deputy James Harley. Embarrassed but turned on when remembering their one night together after her sister’s wedding, Kelly can’t let herself get involved because the day she’s heading back to Chicago is fast approaching. Or so she thinks anyway.

Seeing Kelly again only brings good memories to mind, ones James would like to live again. Knowing Kelly won’t be around long, James does his best to see her as often as possible, even challenging her to really find herself and do what makes her happy. When he realizes he’d like to have her with him all the time, he knows that can never be because of his situation at home. His mother has suffered a stroke and now James has her girly dogs and his rebellious younger brother to watch out for. He has too much baggage to bring someone like Kelly into his life.

What I love about his Ms. Terry’s stories is the journey of discovery her characters have. Though James and Kelly shared that one night together, there’s plenty, of course, they don’t know about each other. They both have huge issues they’d rather have stay buried, but for the relationship to work they have to share. Eventually. Kelly’s biggest disappointment was played out in the courtroom and in the news. The whole world knows. But what no one does know is what that one failure has done to her. She keeps telling herself she’s going back to the job, pick up where she left off and move on. But she also keeps ignoring those texts from her co-worker letting her know the next trial date has been moved up. James’ secret has had a much longer time to grow into guilt that he’s never let go. Though no one knows about his biggest mistake, it’s the most difficult thing for him to talk about, and it takes quite a while before he can open up to Kelly.

Though there are those tense moments in the story, especially with James’ younger brother, there’s such fun to be had with these characters. I still like the fact that the siblings’ deceased mother gives her kids advice by haunting her old boat of a Buick – and they know she’s about to appear when Tom Jones begins to sing It’s Not Unusual on the radio (link is for you youngsters out there). I still laugh at that. And the scene where James leaves chocolate hand prints on the wall of the Sugar Shack – oh, that’s my favorite! Kelly’s journey of discovering what makes her happy is unexpected and totally fun. There’s so many good times in this book that I’d have a list for you as long as my arm if I went through them all.

If you’ve not read this series, you need to start on it soon. Ms. Terry’s writing brings a depth to the characters, amusement to the reader, intensity to the lovemaking, enlightenment to life’s issues, and a fun, new look at romance novels. I’m anxiously awaiting to see what she does next!

Grade: A+

Summary:

Welcome Back to the Sugar Shack

Straitlaced . . . Chicago prosecutor Kelly Silverthorne has a perfect record in the courtroom and a big fat zero in the bedroom. When she loses her first case ever, she returns home to Deer Lick, Montana, to regain her confidence and shake off the “Sister Serious” moniker she’s been stuck with since childhood. Only a few hours into her repentance, karma thrusts her face-to-face with yet another of her major fiascos—a one-night stand with the hottest cop in the county.

Rebel with a Cause . . . Deputy James Harley has always played with fire. When smart and sexy Kelly pops back into his life, he doesn’t mind going for a full burn. And that might be exactly what happens when his past threatens to catch up with his future.

A Match Made in . . . Heaven only knows what Kelly’s dearly departed mom has planned from the other side—especially since she’s already meddled in Kelly’s siblings’ love lives. But even heaven knows that when love comes knocking, there’s no stopping the good things to come.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: