Sandy M’s review of Slow Ride Home (The Grady Legacy, Book 1) by Leah Braemel
Contemporary Romance published by Carina Press 11 Nov 13
This is my first book by Leah Braemel and is the first book in her new series about the Grady brothers, one of which is quite a surprise for everyone, reader as well as characters, near the end of this story. I like our hero Ben a lot. I always fall hard for a sexy cowboy. Allie is his weak spot, even after all the years she’s been gone and then suddenly reappears in his life. Despite all the lies and deceit they discover in their past and the fact he and his brother Jake could lose the ranch, Ben is very happy to have Allie back at Bull’s Hollow. Now he just has to convince her it’s the right thing for them both.
Having just discovered someone has sold a portion of their ranch, Ben contacts the insurance company to take care of the problem. Imagine his surprise when it’s Allie O’Keefe who shows up on his doorstep to investigate the claim. They have a history, one they thought would be their future, full of love and everything that goes along with it. But Allie’s father is accused of stealing and Ben’s dad fires him on the spot, forcing him and Allie to leave town. That was fifteen years ago and not one word has Ben heard from her in all that time. That doesn’t keep his feelings and reaction to her at bay, though. The woman still gets to him, no matter what she’s doing.
But Allie is all over the place about being back at Bull’s Hollow. Her life had been perfect at one time on this ranch, but then everything came crashing down around her once her father was fired. It seemed everyone blamed her for the fallout, her father and even Ben. Because she never heard from him once they left town. But she’s a different woman now, confident in her job, so there’s no reason at all she can’t do what the company and the client need of her and then be on her way. This time on her terms.
Of course, what both Ben and Allie can’t get away from is those feelings – everything from anger to lust to betrayal and even to love – when they’re near each other now. This time, however, they talk to each other. At least to a point. There’s still residual anger and denial they can’t get past until much later, but in the meantime they discover how they were each betrayed by those they loved, and they begin to work together to figure out what the hell happened fifteen years ago to tear their world apart.
I enjoyed their investigation, which twists and turns at every bend. Every chance Ben and Allie come together, they can’t keep their hands off each other, no matter how stern they try to be with themselves. Allie is the one who has more doubts about continuing where they left off. She can’t seem to make herself believe in Ben, and that’s my problem with her. I realize she has a lot to get over with everything she went through before, but there’s no way Ben could be any more supportive or loving than he is. Allie is in bed with him one moment and ready to walk away the next. This is okay the first few times, but it goes on much too long for my tastes. Even when her beliefs are shown to be untrue, she still balks. Eventually, though, Allie does realize what she has with Ben, and as her investigation comes to end, decisions need to be made.
The story does get a tad confusing here and there with all the family relations and goings-on, past and present. That bogs it down some once in a while, trying to keep the players straight. But you don’t get totally lost, things become more clear as you go along. The surprise near the end is quite enjoyable, and I like that Ben knows he has to do the right thing from the beginning. I do look forward to future books. There’s two more intriguing Grady brothers to be had, so I’m curious what Ms. Braemel will do with them.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Losing his father was hard enough, but now Ben Grady must face the fact that he and his brother may not be sole owners of their beloved ranch. To protect his family’s legacy, he’s forced to rely on the legal prowess of the woman who stars in his erotic fantasies: Allie O’Keefe. Ben’s never forgotten the illicit encounter they shared fifteen years ago—or forgiven himself for letting her go.
Allie thought she’d moved beyond the scandal that cost her Ben in the past. But working so closely with the seductive rancher arouses the wild child within the cautious woman she’s become. Though she tries to keep business and pleasure separate, Allie soon gives in to temptation, and discovers Ben’s sensual skills surpass even her X-rated memories…
Allie has every intention of leaving Bull’s Hollow forever after her investigation is complete. But there are a few complications. Not the least of which is that while saving the ranch, Allie’s lost her heart.
No excerpt available.
