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Different but still captivating
Hurricane Mathilda is heading towards the Florida Keys and local EMT Jackson has been put in charge as the incident controller for the response during the storm. Lucy is a vet who owns a local animal shelter and has volunteered to support displaced animals during and after the hurricane
I liked Jackson as a character, he is strong with a take charge attitude that appealed to me but at the same time he wasn’t suffocating. Lucy had OCD and whilst she was still a good person, it felt like that dominated a lot of the time spent with her and whilst I understand that’s a big part of life for someone with OCD, it stopped me from being able to bond with her as much as I would have liked because I wasn’t able to get through everything to see the person underneath
Both Lucy and Jackson have personal issues and this story is about them being forced together and having to confront their fears before working out what is important to them
I enjoyed this book, even though I at times struggled with some of the characters, Lucy’s dedication to her animals came through really strong and showed the importance of animals in peoples lives
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a modern romance with a difference and a fabulous cast of furred, feathered and scaled characters

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

5 Word Review: Loyalty, care, danger, love.

This was such fast-paced romance that I am still trying to catch my breath. I couldn't put this book down and read it in a single sitting.

Lucy's love of animals is a massive part of her - she's so caring and so driven to give that care. I thought the portrayal of her OCD was really well done, and loved how the story explored her daily life with it. She's had a tough past and is out of a bad relationship, and is trying to protect herself.

Jackson is admittedly a bit of a douche at first. He's arrogant and distant, especially when it comes to love. But when it comes to caring for others, he can rival Lucy. He's fiercely protective and full f ambition, always looking to work that bit harder.

Both are so quick to forget to care for themselves, that when they're together and trying to care for the other, it's just so freaking cute. Whether it's Jackson giving Lucy a hug because he thinks she needs one, or Lucy chewing Jackson out about caring for his wound.

This story is so fast paced. The imminent danger really drives the tension up, and the close quarters that Lucy and Jackson find themselves in is irresistible. Theirs is a burning passion fuelled by forced proximity, and instant attraction, danger outside, and their generous caring natures. I am here for it.

I will definitely be reading the next First Response in Florida story Her One-Night Secret, there was the barest peek of Stacy at Luis in this book and I liked what I saw.

Jackson is leading his first emergency and trying to show just what he can do in the hop of promotion when Lucy walks in and takes his breath away. Now he is facing his biggest challenge whilst also falling for the Vet who is determined to fight him at every opportunity.

I liked that Lucy was 'flawed' in that she had OCD and anxiety and I liked the way Jackson dealt with this, realising that these perceived flaws don't take away from the person. Their story was sweet and I found myself firmly in their team wanting them to get their happy ever after.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Strangers to lovers premise
I enjoyed the story a lot and liked the characters

A story focusing on Lucy, a vet who runs an animal shelter in the Florida Keys. She left her familial home to escape a controlling relationship and a family who don't offer the support she needs to further her independence. Jackson is an EMT whose commitment issues stem from his childhood. The setting is the build-up of a tropical storm to a hurricane forcing the couple into close physical proximity.

The scenes in the medical setting are atmospheric, but the animal shelter needs a greater focus. Lucy and Jackson are complex characters. The setting ensures that the reader gets to understand them despite the brief time period.

There's an undeniable attraction with a passionate outcome and the sought after emotional connection.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Two virtual strangers are trapped together, with a menagerie of animals, to sit out a hurricane. As the elements batter their tiny refuge, Lucy and Jackson talk and explore their bruised emotional pasts. For him, abandonment and for her others trying to control her. After the storm passes our couple will need to know where they stand and who they are to each other.
A rather unbelievable plot and there is a lot packed into a short number of trapped hours. The emotional journey required for our couple to have a chance at a future is crammed into a night and leaves the reader rather wanting.

This was an interesting romance, given that the heroine suffered from OCD problems and with a distrust of men in general. The hero was a bit of a 'player' and not interested in long-term relationships. Due to a hurricane arriving closer than expected to where the heroine has a vet clinic and animal sanctuary, the pair find themselves trapped together during the storm. They talk earnestly, and over the ensuing hours, they fall in love. Given the short passage of time this story covers, the story is actually well written. I suffer from OCD myself and recognised a lot of the symptoms and strategies written into the book, so it made it a bit uncomfortable for me to read at times, but that is a personal thing. I wasn't impressed by the heroine at first, but reading further into the book, I warmed to her as the true nature of her problem was revealed and she warmed to the hero.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Mills and Boon in return for an honest review.

This was an interesting and rather different romance with its focus on a heroine who suffered from major OCD problems and whose background had left her distrusting men. The hero was also suffering from his own demons and wasn't interested in forever relationships. He was a player. Trapped together during a hurricane, they are forced to reveal themselves to each other and gradually fall in love. It was well written with some wonderfully sensual scenes. I found the heroine difficult to take to at first but the author skilfully revealed her true character.

An enjoyable romance.