Mary Connealy provides yet another page-turning adventure in her latest release Braced for Love.
Book Blurb
Left with little back in Missouri, Kevin Hunt takes his younger siblings on a journey to Wyoming when he receives news that he’s inheriting part of a ranch. The catch is that the ranch is also being given to a half brother he never knew existed. Turns out, Kevin’s supposedly dead father led a secret and scandalous life.
But danger seems to track Kevin along the way, and he wonders if his half brother, Wyatt, is behind the attacks. Finally arriving at the ranch, everyone is at each other’s throats and the only one willing to stand in between is Winona Hawkins, a nearby schoolmarm.
Despite being a long-time friend to Wyatt, Winona can’t help but be drawn to the earnest, kind Kevin–and that puts her in the cross hairs of somebody’s dangerous plot. Will they all be able to put aside their differences long enough to keep anyone from getting truly hurt?
My Thoughts
As far as the plot goes, Connealy does not disappoint. The premise of the novel, three half-brothers who didn’t know the others existed, grabbed my attention from the beginning. And there’s plenty of action. That’s one thing I love about Connealy’s books: there’s an adventure in every story.
I had a hard time connecting with the characters, though. Kevin’s frustration was understandable, especially considering he’d spent most of his life thinking his father was dead. Then there’s the attempt on his life. But I never found myself really relating to him during the book. And while I thought Winona is a good fit for him, I had a hard connecting with her too. This didn’t keep me from enjoying the story but it did make it too easy to move on to another story when I finished.
I had a similar problem with some of the supporting characters, but I did have a couple of favorites. Falcon for one. I found him intriguing, and I hope the mystery surrounding him is solved in the next book. And Andy, Kevin’s youngest half-brother, is a character I couldn’t help but love. I also like Molly, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of her as the series continues.
The romance felt a bit rushed to me, but to be honest, it took me a moment to realize it had been rushed. So much happens in a short amount of time. And because of this, I think I forgive the rushed romance.
Overall, Braced for Love gives readers an adventure that will keep them turning pages.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
Further Information
Click the book cover image above to order a copy from Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores. Or visit your favorite book retailer.
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(Check out my reviews for other Mary Connealy books: Aiming for Love, Woman of Sunlight, Her Secret Song, The Accidental Guardian, and The Unexpected Champion.)
