Veena’s review of Back To You (Hurley Brothers, Book 3) by Lauren Dane
Contemporary Romance published by HQN Books 26 May 15
This series has appealed to me on a deeper emotional level such that I have been fully engaged throughout each of the books. Vaughn appealed to me as a romantic little boy lost and somewhat pampered as the youngest of the Hurley brothers. His pain is obvious as his brothers find their significant others and he’s left looking in from the outside. There are hints in the earlier books that there may be lingering feelings between him and Kelly, even though she seems ready to move on and settle down with someone else. This book totally floored me in the emotional depth as they both reach out for each other and try to create a new together that’s stronger and more lasting because of the lessons they’ve taken to heart.
At the tail end of a grueling tour, Vaughn goes to visit his children and finds himself at the right place at the right time to support Kelly and his daughter in an emergency situation. He steps in to take on the role of father that his daughter needs in the face of Kelly’s current fiancé. Soon the fiancé is on the way out and Vaughn has won himself a way in. It is so heartwarming to see him revel in the simple tasks of walking his children to the school box or fixing lunches for them and supervising bed time. Not something he had aspired to before and definitely not part of a typical rock star image.
Kelly is a lovely character. Not only is she beautiful and runs a successful business but she’s a wonderful mom. She’s determined to give her children as normal a life as possible with a famous rock star for a father and an ex-model as mom, not to speak of their own musical and dancing talents. I really related the oh-so-human moments of stolen pieces of chocolates and her wonderful ability to make long-lasting friendships.
Who can resist bad boy Vaughn on his best behavior? Certainly not Kelly, though she does an admirable job of setting boundaries and terms. I love the evolution of their relationship and the sweet intensity of keeping it under the radar of their children who share the house with them. Vaughn might have been in love with Kelly before, but he never really saw much beyond the raw chemistry of their intense sexual attraction. His eyes are opened and he has a new appreciation of all her strengths, even as he’s determined to protect her from the unpleasant realities of a life in the lime light.
I totally love this story and am sorry to see Sweet Hollow Ranch in the rear window as all the Hurley brothers marry and we wait for the next set of adventures from Lauren Dane.
Grade: A
Summary:
What won’t he do for a second chance?
Former model Kelly Hurley has finally put the ashes of the past behind her. After a passionate but turbulent marriage to rock star Vaughan Hurley that ended in heartbreak and divorce, Kelly rebuilt her life in Portland, where she settled so their two young daughters could be close to their father. Just not so close Kelly couldn’t truly make her own way without interference from the man who shattered her heart. Now Kelly’s finally ready to move on, and she’s planning to marry another man.
But not if Vaughan has anything to say about it.
Vaughan knows he was a fool all those years ago. A young, selfish—and prideful—fool. Even as he buried himself in the fast, decadent rock-star lifestyle, he could never drown out the memory of Kelly’s beauty and love. Or the sweet, searing heat whenever they touched. For years, he’s had to deal with the pain of seeing her only because of their daughters, but it was never enough. Now Vaughan must prove that he’s the only man Kelly needs, before he loses her for good. And there’s only one way to do it…
Other books in this series:
