A+ rating...

y Review:
Overall.... 4.75
Performance... 4.0
Story.... 5.0

*happy sigh* This book was all that I love when I go to read a contemporary romance. It had an angst-filled hero, a heroine that simply broke my heart, and a love story that made me swoon. Seriously I have so much love for this book (and yes, I cried a couple of times while reading it. A book that can touch me that much emotionally always earns high marks from me).

Beck is the man-slut of the trio of men who have moved to Strawberry Valley. Everyone in town knows it, especially Harlow since she's been camping out on the land where the three men of this series live so she's had front row seats to the loops of porn happening nightly in Beck's bedroom. Beck loves women and they love him for it. He never lies to them and he never invites them back for a second go. He's there just to have a good time. Period. Dot. He uses sex to feel good temporarily because he has some mental things going on that never make him feel good. He's more than a little broken (Hint for the series...all these men are more than a little broken, but that's what makes this series so good to read. They just need love.).

Harlow is the town outcast. In high school she learned that she could make herself feel a little bit better (after her father relentlessly tore her down and shattered her self-confidence) by bullying others. This town HATES her and none of them have ever forgotten that horrible girl she was. Harlow takes the hate. She knows that she deserves it and more. She was awful to them. If it helps the townspeople to tear her down now, then she will take it. She's trying so hard to be a better person, but the poor girl simply cannot catch a break. When the story begins she's stealing food from Beck's house. She's camped out on his property and starving to death because no one will give her a job.

Beck has been fascinated by Harlow Glass from the moment he found a box of photos of her at the top of the closet. Looking at those photos he can see that something significant happened to her to change her over the years. He's curious and needs to know more. When he finds her, this is his chance.

So many times during reading this book, my heart cracked a bit more. Both of these characters have been through so much. And the blows just kept on. But it's a book filled with hope because they both kept rising up stronger every time. And watching the two of them fall in love and learn to trust that love was gorgeous. Like I said at the beginning of my review, this book is a perfect example of why I love to read romance. It was just so good and made me smile through the tears by the end of it. All the feels were there and they were phenomenal.

Note: (And I also pointed out in the first book which I also listened to on audio) Overall, I really enjoy this narrator, but she doesn't have much differences between her men's voices. It's okay though because of Gena Showalter's writing...she's always good about identifying who is speaking when the guys are all together.

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Sizzling Hot Series, I love it!

Nothings hotter than three sizzling HOT friends that had a difficult childhood in "foster" care, and went through some very difficult times, but came out of their entire nightmare by having a rock hard solid "unbreakable" friendship. They become self-made millionaires and decide to move to "Strawberry Valley" because it is remote and quiet and they thought they could live in peace with no recognition, or so they thought! They did not anticipate the affect the women of Strawberry Valley would have on them and how they will help them heal their past the hard way, and the guys also help the women heal, as well!

Book 1 gave us the story of Jase Hollister and Brooklyn Dillon
Book 2 gave us the story of Beck Ockley and Harlow Glass
Book 3 will give us the story of Lincoln West and Jessie K Dillon

This is my second time around listening to this recorded series, because it is that good! Savannah Richard does a stellar job on giving these characters the perfect voices that fit their personality.

Now I will say, I do get annoyed with the characters here and there, but they always come around in the end. The story is very well written, and it makes you feel like you know these people.

Gena, you need to write more of these types of stories. I have listened to many of your books, which are very good, but nothing beats this series in my opinion.

Beck and Harlow

The most frustrating couple in the series! But oh are they enjoyable! Loved loved every part even if most of the time. You want to slap Beck with his own book! And as per usual Savannah did an amazing job!

what a read

I have to say I did not like this book I am a fan of this writer I've read a few of her paranormal romances but this book did not feel very cohesive to me I did read it as a standalone so I did not read the first book and I will not read the next book in the storyline. there were elements in this book that were good parts that made me laugh or made me smile but most of it was a wash I wish that there were more chemistry between the characters and the storyline had greater substance. I do not want to spoil the story for you but I have to think that if you like extremely sappy lifetime movies you will like this book I however am not a fan of lifetime movies and while I love romance and romance novels the tropes in this novel we're just a little overdone and went too far.

Exceptional Story!

I started out reading this book and was immediately enthralled with Harlow Glass with the hints at her life. She is such a complex character. The more I read the more I needed to know. Then I switched over to the Audible version so I could continue with the story while I got things done around the house. The narrator did an awesome job with both the male and female voices. "One and Done" Beck quickly entered the scene and captured my heart with all his issues as well as his fascination with his blueberry pie thief. The give and pull of the couple's blossoming relationship is peppered with heartache, laughter, heat, friendship, and growing love. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Harlow, Jessie Kay, Brooke Lynn, and Kenna got drunk at Two Shoes restaurant and Harlow sent pictures of her sitting on a guy's lap to Beck to make him jealous. His response was awesome. I can't express enough how much I love this story and the series. This being the third book in the series and I can't wait to read the next. Technically you could read this book out of sequence as it stands alone fine by itself but you will enjoy it more if you read them in sequence. This is a book/series you won't want to miss in whatever medium you prefer.

Flat and formulaic

Very disappointed. Familiar with Showalter’s paranormal series and enjoyed the character development and layers of story telling. Decided to try this romantic normal people series Plus love the narrator. Usually pick books if the author, narrator and storyline match my appeal. Really thought this out be a homerun! This series is half baked. It felt like She was following a check list with a little intrigue, a little adversity, a little sexy time and then HEA in the last 3 min. Truly expected more. Not funny or fun enough for a cute summer read. Just flat and formulaic. Maybe it’s due to being earlier work.

This author is grate!

Well developed and always entertaining stories. She makes you laugh, ponder and care about the stories and characters. #funny, #feelgoodread#, #small-townamerica, #tagsgivings, #sweepstakes.

Great book

I enjoyed the book. I love the story line and the characters. The positive outcome on their lives was great.

painful past, abuse, apologies, forgivness,

Beck and Harlow have both been watching the other just in different ways. He has harbored her picture, while destroying all her other possessions, from childhood to early adulthood. She has watched he throughout the valley with each new conquest. She had seen it all and finally he sees her in the flesh. In his home. Stealing his pie.

Savannah brings us a narration that opens up more possibilities. She gives diction, tone, pit h, and depth.

Even more devasting than reading it on your own

dear lord I've never ugly cry more from an audiobook. Kudos to Savannah the woman does an excellent job with that sexy voice of hers. Beck and Harlow are so perfectly broken they'll devasted you to no end. Worth all 11 plus hours i spent listening!