Blurb
Corey swore off love when his wife Annie died from breast cancer. Caitlyn is too young, too citified, and vibrates with a passion and energy that will upend the safe, comfortable rhythm of his life. Corey has to choose between playing it safe and taking a risk on love. Caitlyn needs to find the patience to let Corey lead. If not, the Maple Sugar Ball might end in a sticky mess, instead of a slow dance with the man who has captured her heart.
Will their fire burn hot enough to erase doubts and past hurts?
Review
In this Deerbourne Inn series book, accountant Caitlin
Summers is visiting Willow Springs to help her friend Annette with the annual
Maple Sugar Ball. Even though she’s been traveling the world for a year, she
still hasn’t gotten over her bad breakup with her ex-boyfriend.
Widower Corey Duncan lives his life around his feed store
and avoids entanglements with women, but he can’t deny the instant attraction
he feels for Caitlin, no matter how much he wants to. As their mutual friends
play matchmaker, he and Cat are roped into working together to perform a
special Chinese lion dance at the Christmastime festivities.
Cat and Corey are great characters. Both of them were
suffering from loss and they helped each other heal. Cat, especially, was very
understanding and considerate when Corey talked about his deceased wife. Love
and romance bloomed from friendship and sexual attraction.
Cat’s Lao Lao (grandmother) was hilarious, and I
would’ve loved more scenes with her! I found the history of the lion dance very
interesting, and the lion costume and dance moves were described so vividly
that I easily pictured it in my mind.
The townsfolk play a big a role in the story. Even though
Annette, Lynn, and Stan are series stock characters, Ms Boon really brought
them to life and made them interesting in their own right.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the romance. The
sex scenes were both hot and heartfelt, showing the healing process. I would
definitely like to read more books by Ms. Boon.
4 Stars
Disclaimer – I received this book from Net Galley. I
volunteered to read and review this book. I am not paid or compensated in any
way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for
any reason unless at my discretion.