Worth the Risk (McKinney Brothers, #2)

by Claudia Connor

For readers of Bella Andre, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor follows up her heartfelt debut, Worth the Fall, with a novel about Matt’s brother, Stephen. When a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind.
 
Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.
 
Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.
 
Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.

• ISBN10: 0553390929
• ISBN13: 9780553390926
• Publish Date: 3 February 2015 (first published 1 January 2015)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Random House Publishing Group
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 272
• Language: English

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

Not my favourite type of hero...

Look I know that most heroes act stupid but by the end they redeem themselves, but poor Stephen didn't get the chance. At 64% he nibbled her toes ewwww. There is no getting past that indiscretion.

This story was not a hearts and flowers love story. We had two very broken individuals who meet and decide to give each other a chance.

Hannah is both physically and mentally scarred from a tragic and despicable event that happened when she was 14. She had been brought up by her protective and loving brothers when her parents died at the age of 2.

Stephen had lost his fiancee in a horrendous crime and he still grieved for her. To bury his grief he works long hours, drinks heaps and sleeps around.

Stephen and Hannah meet and they are both attracted to each other. Stephen doesn't want to fall in love again and Hannah doesn't want to get hurt. Lots of issues to get through with the biggest one being their feelings for each other.

Really enjoyed seeing familiar characters and meeting new ones as well. Hope Ms Connor gets the Walker brothers some loving.

There were some good bits and some really devastating bits. Enjoyed this authors style of writing and will definitely be reading more.

This review and more can be found at http://edgyreviews.com/

[Lynn]

This next installment in the McKinney Brothers series is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming.

After his fiancée is brutally murdered, Stephen McKinney exiles himself from his parents and brothers and throws all of his time into building up his company. Being around those closest to him only reminds him of the nightmare and his loss. Not believing he'll ever find love again, he's become a sports car driving playboy to match his CEO status. So, when he sees a shy, beautiful golden-haired woman whilst grocery shopping, he seizes the moment and asks her out. He's a millionaire used to getting is own way with women. So getting turned down not only surprises him, but makes him more intrigued to get to know Hannah.

Hannah Walker doesn't normally cry whilst grocery shopping, but this wasn't an ordinary day. Consumed with grief, Hannah never expected a tall, dark and incredibly handsome man to talk to her, least of all to ask her out on a date. Her knee jerk reaction is to say “no”, however, maybe this was an opportunity to spend a little time away from her over-protective brothers?

Claudia Connor has written a beautiful love story about two emotionally damaged people finding true love. Both Stephen and Hannah's pasts are tragic so it is all the more amazing that they have achieved as much as they have before they meet. They are truly meant to be together and have to work hard to overcome their personal inhibitions that have held them back in order to lay foundations to build a future together. Their mutual families also have an important role to play and I admire that they offer so much love and support to both of them. The overwhelming emotion in Worth The Risk is hope, as a reader you will have your heart strings tugged, not only for the protagonists, but to those close to them that have sacrificed so much too.

If you have read Worth The Wait, you'll love how life for Matt, Abby and their brood is getting along in the two year time-line since their love story was told. We also get an introduction to other members of the McKinney family too.

Claudia Connor is now very much part of my small list of go-to authors. I'm looking forward to catching up with the remaining McKinney brothers in future books and also hope that eventually we'll we get to know more about the Walker brothers as well.

5 Stars

***arc received courtesy of publisher via NetGalley***.

[leelu92]

Another 4.5 star from Ms. Connor!!

I was in complete denial about this book ending. I wanted more Stephen, more Hannah and more of the McKinney and Walker families.

Stephen. Definitely different from Matt and I appreciate a writer than can write unique characters and Stephen was his own man and what a man he is.



 

I read this in November of last year and I made some notes when I read it but when it came time for me to write my review, I knew I needed to go back to the book.  Which, you know, is such a chore.  NOT.  I fell right back in love with the McKinney family. I know a book is special when I can go back and read it again and feel all warm and fuzzy.  I ended up taking about two hours and re reading almost every word of this book.

I was reminded of how much I love the male characters that Ms. Connor creates.  I found myself laughing because Hannah is completely surrounded by a very high level of highly protective alpha males.  Between 4 brothers and Stephen, she is swimming in testosterone! It's great!  It would different if they were complete jerks but they aren't at all.  Stephen comes off as pretty arrogant and full of himself in the beginning ("Have dinner with me.")  but I realized that McKinney gene pool prohibits him from descending into complete assholedom.

Did I mention that Hannah has FOUR brothers?  Uh yeah.  The Walker Brothers series is just begging to be written!!!

Nick- FBI
Luke- Special Forces
Zach- Fireman
Dallas- Cop

Aside from the fantasticness (made that word up) of the McKinney family, Ms. Connor has created two characters that need someone to love and protect them from the ghosts of their pasts.  After Stephen realizes how special Hannah is, he treats her with such reverence and tenderness.  To her credit, Hannah lets Stephen shelter and protect her.  She relishes the safety and protection that he offers her.  Growing up with her protective and loving brothers, one might think that Hannah would rebel against Stephen's protective nature, instead she flourishes within it.

So many great things about this book.  I suspect Ms. Connor will be another Marie Force for me, an author whose work I can depend upon to be unique and interesting, and that I can read and enjoy endlessly.

If you loved Matt and Abby, I think you'll enjoy Stephen and Hannah just as much, if not more.  So, if you have not read this book, you need to.  If you haven't read the first book in this series, Worth the Fall, then get busy and start reading!

 

Purchase:

 

Giveaway ($25.00 eGift Card to Choice Book Seller, Loveswept Mug and Romance at Random Nail Polish)
a Rafflecopter giveawayThis review was originally posted on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews