Kristie J’s review of Finding Kyle by Sawyer Bennett
Contemporary Romance published by Big Dog Books 14 Jan 17
I have mixed reactions to this author. Most of her books I like. A lot. But then on occasion I read one to which I have a very negative reaction. Much of the time it’s because I have issues with the heroine. So it’s almost with a sense of adventure when I start a new Sawyer Bennett book. This book turned out to be a positive reading experience.
The heroine of Finding Kyle, Jane Cresson, lives in a small town where there isn’t an abundance of young, single men. So when she notices a hot new neighbor who is tending to the lighthouse near her home, she sits up and takes notice. It isn’t long before she brings him a “welcome to the neighborhood” basket of unintentionally badly baked muffins.
But Kyle Sommerville wants nothing to do with her or her muffins. He just wants to be left alone. Right from the beginning, Kyle is a Most Excellent Hero – and I do say Hero with a capital H. He has been working undercover for the ATF as a motorcycle gang member. He’s had to do some horrific things in order not to blow his cover and it’s deeply affected him. He has nightmares and feels that he is not worthy now of anything. The last thing he wants to do is get involved with a beautiful, young woman offering him friendship. And if that isn’t enough to make sure he keeps her at arm’s length, they have busted the case and he’s in hiding until the trial, since he’s a principal witness. He wants to avoid people for this reason also – so that no one else gets pulled into his shit.
Kyle is, in fact, the opposite of how he sees himself – he’s a true hero. He started working for the ATF when a friend was kidnapped and disappeared. Though he thought the chances of ever finding her were slim to none, he wanted to help prevent that from happening to anyone else. So he did what few could or would do and pretty much descended into hell to save others. He lived daily with the knowledge that he could be found out and killed at any time. So, all in all, he needs someone patient and special.
And Jane is just such a person. I love the line – and she persisted. Totally different content here of course, but that is what Jane did. In a very gentle, non-threatening way, she slowly works her way into his daily life. Although he is wildly attracted to her as she is to him, he puts a friends only limit on their growing relationship.
But the sparks and attraction between them grow so strong and Kyle finally gives in to them. While he tells Jane some of what he’s gone through, he tells her very little. But with every little gem he does give, Jane loves and admires him more.
But eventually his past does come roaring back, and you have to read the book to see if things work out between them.
Unlike some of the heroines of Ms. Bennett’s, I think Jane is pretty near perfect. There isn’t one thing I find fault with. She is perfect for Kyle, and Jane and the rather laid-back lifestyle of the town is exactly what he needs. They are truly his Zen.
Kyle is totally the bee’s knees of heroes. The author has always excelled at writing heroes and in Kyle she has truly soared. This book gets a huge thumbs up from me.
Grade: A
Summary:
When you’ve lived your life as a criminal…
When you’ve done unspeakable things …
When your soul has become dark and stained…The path to redemption begins where you least expect it.
Kyle Sommerville is in hiding and doesn’t want to be found by anyone. Certainly not by his quirky, free-spirited neighbor who’s managed to push her way past the walls he’s built around him. But Jane Cresson’s indomitable will and insatiable curiosity about her reclusive neighbor makes it impossible for Kyle to stay immersed in his dark world.
Little by little, she claws through his shell.
Day by day, she gets him to smile a little more.
Night by night, they both find pleasure they never knew existed.When Kyle’s terrible past is exposed, Jane begins to think she’s in over her head. Can her love for this broken man finally clear his path to redemption, or will Kyle’s darkness finally extinguish every bit of hope she’s put into him?
No excerpt available.
