Late Bloomer

This book is a winner! I love the Konigsburg series, and particularly
enjoyed this novel. Gray is a lawyer temporarily (hopefully) unable to
practice. He escapes to Konigsburg and fills his time helping his
brother along with other odd jobs. Amanda owns a garden store with a
staffing problem. Gray is the answer to her prayers and is immediately
helpful. When something more seems to spark between them, neither is
sure what it means or how it changes things.

I loved the characters, especially Gray, who, though he is a very
successful attorney, has yet to fully come into his own and become part
of a community. Before long is Konigsburg, he finds himself immersed in
the community. For a man who never knew his neighbors, this is a
drastic change, but one he wants to embrace.

If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. This is a stand alone
novel, however, it's so good that you really owe it to yourself to read
them all. The author is on my must read authors' list.

Engaging romance. Finding the joy of small towns. Adorable children. Interesting variety of characters, some of which are lawyers or formerly were. Lots of extended family relationships. Wildflowers. I did skip over the intimate details. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

This is my first time reading something by this author and it definitely won't be my last. Though I haven't read any of the books in the series, I had no trouble following the story, and it can easily be read as a standalone. The story flowed nicely and the characters were lovely. The story pulled me in right from the start. The characters were well-developed and endearing with realistic qualities which made them very relatable and you can't help but fall in love with them. The author did a really nice job of bringing the story and characters to life with her vivid descriptions and attention to details. Gray and Amanda were great characters and I enjoyed seeing them as a couple. Both are angry people and struggling with their own problems, but learn to work through their issues. The attraction and chemistry between them was definitely strong. It was quite the journey for them, however, before they arrived at their happy ending. The story displayed quite a range of emotions and had some seriousness and humor and lightheartedness, and the dialogue between the characters was witty and entertaining. This was a sweet story, full of heart and left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling afterwards and I had a really nice time reading it. The characters were well-developed and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them and follow their story. The story was beautifully written and very entertaining. I would definitely like to read more by this author. Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining book and I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Late Bloomer is the tenth book in Meg Benjamin’s Konigsburg series. Attorney Gray Temple came to Konigsburg to seek solace as well as time with family members. His brother Harris, a recovering attorney, has a premier bar-b-q restaurant in town where Gray is helping out, or getting in the way, to fill his empty hours. He’s living in his cousin’s barely furnished apartment over her bookshop. Gray is angry at his hiatus from his family’s law firm, at his mother for first putting him in an awkward position then taking her sleazy boyfriend’s word over his. Gray must keep his anger in check, and the only way to do that is to keep busy and wear himself out.

Amanda Sunderland has taken over her family’s garden center business and is raising her 7 year old son, Vic. She is short two workers and worried about the rumblings Vic’s wealthy father and his fiancé are making about her child. When Gray volunteers to help her out at the garden center she is quick to make it so. But it is more than the help that interests her.

As Gray spends his days at the garden center and nights trying to figure his way out of his legal dilemma, he slowly acknowledges his attraction to both Amanda and Konigsburg. As the relationship grows with Amanda and Gray life seems to be running smoothly. Then, Vic and his young friend Daisy Toleffson disappear, bringing out the community in their search.

This is a lovely story of second chances and community support. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Late Bloomer may be the tenth Konigsburg, Texas Book 10 by Meg Benjamin but these characters are my favorite ones now. While I didn’t understand Gray Temple’s mother, I understood him, thinking he was a very patient man. Thank goodness for his brothers. I loved Amanda Sunderland and her son Vic. Gray, Amanda and Vic all have some family issues that could have gotten them completely down but each on trudged on to making the best out of each day.

As for Konigsburg, Texas it is a small place that is growing. However, don’t talk about anyone cause the one you are speaking with is probably related to them. Quite a few cousins, aunt, uncles, and marriages going on there. What meddlesome fun they all are. Need a place to belong then this is the one for you. Where best friends go along to protect even when it could be dangerous. Go to Konigsburg, Texas today with Late Bloomer.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.