Veena’s review of His Reason to Stay (In The Line of Duty, Book 6) by Cathryn Fox
Contemporary Romance published by Samhain 16 Feb 16

Cathryn Fox is a new-to-me author, with a second chance at love with an adorable little girl thrown into the mix. It definitely sounded like a recipe for an enjoyable story.

Rachel loved both the Nelson brothers and possibly never had a chance to know which one she would have chosen, because James got to her first and proposed on bended knees.  His parents were always resentful of their daughter-in-law, who came from the wrong side of the tracks, and James really did not stand up for her. Did she make the right choice?

Then James passed away, leaving Rachel to live a hard life as a single mother raising her little girl, until Kyle breezed into her life again. Before she can think about it, he’s moved in with her, babysitting his adorable niece, raising the temperature of the stay-at-homes in the neighbor, and taking care of all her honey-dos. The biggest gift he brings into her lonely existence is opening her life again to friendships that she’d let lapse.  Of course, Kyle is definitely not like James, because the one thing he is determined to do is stand up for Rachel with his parents.

This is a great light-hearted romance and the little girl totally stole my heart. I love the neighborhood moms stopping by to check out the hot stud, it definitely makes a reader wonder about the state of modern marriages. I appreciate how Kyle stands up to his mom on Rachel’s behalf and makes her back off. That is what Rachel had always deserved and I wanted to cheer to see her finally getting the support from a partner that she deserves.

I enjoyed the story and enjoyed meeting the characters from the earlier books, such that I want to go back and read them.  Even though the series is six deep, I had no problem jumping in and enjoying this story without having read any of the earlier books.

Grade: A

Summary:

From the moment the Nelson brothers took a lonely young girl from the wrong side of the tracks under their wing, Rachel Andrews loved them both with all her heart. But it was James who won her hand.

Now widowed, she’s trying to pick up the pieces for her daughter’s sake as well as her own, but once again loneliness is her closest friend—until James’s brother comes back to town. The man she secretly wishes had asked her first.

Army ammunitions expert Kyle Nelson would rather face live fire than face the raw reminder that the woman he loved chose his brother over him, but he’s tired of running. And ready to step up to be the man everyone needs him to be—especially the young niece he’s never met.

As time runs short before Kyle ships out again, the desire Kyle and Rachel have suppressed breaks free in a fiery rush. Tempting her to reveal a secret that could give him a reason to stay—or burn their love to ash.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: