Series: Boys of Bishop (Book 2)
As the daughter of a wealthy politician, Ashley Montgomery has had enough of her parents’ expectations for her future and is going her own way, volunteering to work at a refugee camp in Africa. But her act of charity turns dangerous when she takes a boat trip and is abducted by Somali pirates. Enter Brody Baxter, who was a bodyguard for the Montgomery family ten years ago and doesn’t think twice about coming to Ashley’s rescue. Handsome and tough, Brody has always done what needed to be done. So he swoops in, saves Ashley, and brings her to a place where she can rest and recuperate without the glare of the press and her demanding family: Brody’s small hometown of Bishop, Arkansas. But Ashley soon realizes that she’s not the only one in need of healing.
Holed up with Ashley in a tiny apartment over his brother’s bar in Bishop, Brody is tempted and torn in ways he never anticipated. Beautiful Ashley, vibrant despite her ordeal, fearless enough to love him beyond his wall of self-punishment, is now determined to save him. But with a little faith and a lot of love, they just may find happiness in each others’ arms.
Good second chance romance with some deep emotional issues. The book opened with a rush and a blast from the past. As Brody worked a bodyguard job, he was approached by Harrison Montgomery. Brody had worked as a bodyguard for the Montgomery family ten years earlier. Hearing that Harrison's sister Ashley had been kidnapped by Somali pirates, Brody didn't hesitate when he was asked to get her after the ransom was paid. Brody and Ashley have an awkward history. At seventeen, Ashley had a huge crush on Brody that she acted on. Brody was interested in her also, but her age made it impossible. After the fiasco of that encounter, Brody quit the detail and moved on with his life, and Ashley did the same.
I liked Brody, though he frequently frustrated me also. Events of his childhood had left him unable to accept love, to believe that he deserves to be loved. He keeps his emotions locked up tight. As the book progressed it was easy to see how much he cared for his family and Ashley, but he always felt that he would mess it up somehow. He wanted that connection with those he loved, but he didn't know how to make it happen.
I liked Ashley too. She is kind-hearted and positive about most things but doesn't have much confidence in herself. She never felt like she fit in with her high profile, political family and their expectations - especially her mother's. Instead, she went after her dreams by volunteering at a refugee camp in Africa. That dream came to a violent end when she was kidnapped and held for ransom by Somali pirates.
From the moment Brody learned of Ashley's situation he focused on what needed to be done. Just thinking of what she might experience made his blood run cold. I ached for him and the way he felt at his first sight of her. It was clear from the beginning that Ashley still meant something to him. And even in her condition, it was obvious that she was aware of his presence, that he made her feel safe, and she wasn't going to let him go. Once the rescue was done, Brody still couldn't force himself to leave her and continued his protection to her home in New York. That was another scene that showed his protectiveness. Besides trying to get her to eat, he was there to back her up when she faced her mother. Mom is an iron-clad witch of the first order and was determined to use Ashley and her experiences to further her family's political aspirations. Ashley has gained enough confidence to want to resist her mother's efforts but isn't in a physical condition to make it happen. I loved how Brody stepped in with the perfect solution - for her, though not for him.
Brody took Ashley to the one place no one would think to look for her - his hometown. Unfortunately for Brody, it is also the last place he wants to go. He has a difficult relationship with both his brother and his father because of his inability to let anyone get close. He loves them both, but fears disappointing them, so he stays away. His brother, Sean, had always worshipped Brody, who protected him when he was a kid. But Sean also has a lot of anger because of the way that Brody always pushes him away. It was painful at times to see how much Sean wanted Brody's attention and approval, only to have every attempt rebuffed. Then there is their father, Ed, a grouchy old man with health issues. Ed has never been a touchy-feely kind of guy, but it got worse after his wife died.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Brody and Ashley. Brody's care and gentleness as he watched over her those first few days was very sweet. However, that intensity of attention ran up against Ashley's embarrassment at her weakness and her need to stand on her own feet. There were some very amusing moments between them as Ashley came out with some snarky reactions to his efforts. As she started to heal she became more interested in learning everything she could about Brody and the life he never shared with anyone. The more time they spent together, the greater the attraction between them grew, and the more she wanted from him. Brody also wanted more but was hesitant to pursue it, believing that he would only hurt her in the end. I loved watching her determination grow and her realization that Brody might feel the same but he wouldn't take the initiative to do anything about it. It was fun to see her chip away at his defenses. Just when it looked like he might believe that he's allowed to be happy, trouble from a previous job reared its ugly head. I wanted to smack Ashley's brother Harrison for the things he said and did that drove a wedge between them. I hurt for Ashley, who was devastated by Brody's retreat. It took a near tragedy for Brody to realize what he was throwing away. I loved his "aha" moment and the effect it had on him. His big moment at the end was amazing. I loved seeing him open himself up to all those feelings that had been buried for so long. I also loved seeing Ashley's transformation into the woman Brody knew she could be all along. The epilogue was a nice wrap-up to the book.
There was also a secondary romance between Brody's brother Sean and diner owner Cora. They'd been fighting like cats and dogs for several years, but under the antagonism was an undeniable attraction. Sean has always been the one who acted like a juvenile delinquent, but he has finally outgrown that attitude. Sean also has a bit of a self-esteem problem that went along with his relationship with Brody. I loved seeing how the changing relationship with Cora also gave him a boost in his own self-confidence. There were some terrific scenes of the two of them as they worked together on his bar expansion. I loved seeing how she pushed him, showing him that he had what it would take to be a success.
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