Bountiful (True North, #4)

by Sarina Bowen

[stacey_is_sassy]

***IT'S ALIVE***

It’s not really a sacrifice…

I think there’s a little switch in my brain that got turned on when I had kids. This switch made me think about my kids wants and needs before my own. Sure, I’ll give up alcohol for the health and well-being of my child. OK, I don’t really need a new e-reader when I could buy my boys new laptops. That overseas holiday we’ve been thinking of taking, who needs that when you can spend the same amount to watch your son play in the Nationals for baseball? For about two seconds you consider resenting these little hellions who forget to say thank you, but then, you just don’t. There’s no question, you just do it. It’s not really a sacrifice.

In Bountiful we meet Zara and Dave. Dave’s on holidays in Vermont and sees Zara and is instantly attracted to the beautiful, strong and determined woman. The more he gets to know her, the more time he wants to spend with her talking and doing other stuff. She’s not an easy woman to flirt with, but he’s kind of enjoying the challenge.

Zara is having a bit of a rough trot. She’s made some silly decisions in her life and she’s feeling regret, disappointment and loneliness. When Dave comes into her life, she decides to use him to make herself feel better for a little while. Mutual attraction and the knowledge that there’s an end date in sight, makes it even more appealing.

Life can change in the blink of an eye.

Babies change your focus. All your regrets and worries seem piddly when there’s this little person who relies on you for everything. Nicole became the focus of Zara's existence. When Dave comes back and realises there's a new person in his life, his focus changes completely.

I am a sucker for a bloke holding a baby. There was no problem for me picturing Dave and Nicole together. I just said to hubby the other day I miss seeing one of the boys (when they were babies) on his hip. There is nothing better than daddy and baby snuggled up napping together. I still get mushy-gushy when I pull out the photos of snuggle times.

I really enjoyed reading Bountiful. The characters, storyline and love story kept my attention from start to finish. I’ll be honest, I was thinking 4 stars throughout the whole story but the ending bumped it up to a solid 5 stars. It was refreshing to have a hero that obviously had his priorities straight. Sarina Bowen really showed her skill in that ending scene. I had no hesitations or doubts believing that this couple would make it and that their future was together. The storyline flowed well, the intimate scenes were steamy and the conflict and emotional scenes were never OTT.

Another great instalment to the True North series and I really hope Sarina Bowen treats us to a few more.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.