Gabby Goodwin and her mother lived in the trailer park
when she was a child and considered by the town folk and
other students of Cricket Creek as trailer trash. Now an
adult after persistence has endured and her mother now
deceased, she has opened her own flower shop called Flower
Power in the same town after completing college. Property
is changing hands and new businesses opening, of which one
is River Row Pizza. Flower Power is among the other new
shops in Wedding Row area. Her childhood bad boy friend,
Reese Parker, is back in town from Brooklyn and half owner
of the shop. Gabby's mother's constant words of advice to
her were to "find and marry a good strong and steady man".
Gabby's father deserted her and her mother long ago andwith
no further word from him.
Reese and his mother Tessa have discarded his father's
name and are now going by his mom's maiden name of Marino.
His father disappeared 10 years ago without a goodbye and
no further contact which left them struggling for
existence. Reese's business partner is his uncle Tony, an
older and gorgeous Italian hunk mirroring Reese in
looks. With his love for Gabby still alive, convincing
her he's no longer the badass hot headed guy who can't be
trusted, is going to take some work. Finding out Reese is
not just a pizza delivery guy but also owner, is a surprise
to Gabby. Reese admits his love for Gabby but his anger
and attitude return when his father shows up after all
those years. Gabby has trouble convincing herself he can
truly be the kind of man her mother intended for her after
his change of attitude.
LuAnn McLane does not disappoint! Reading this clever
tale of growing up and leaving your years of insecurity
behind is packed with emotion and hot, hot sex. This is a
very cleverly written story that is guaranteed to keep your
attention, always in this author's scheme of writing. I
couldn't help but feel the desperation in these characters
as well as the elated fulfillment. I truly love the works
by this author and strive to read everything she writes.
Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its
baseball, shopping, and weddings. After the recession,
business is finally bouncing back, but old insecurities—and
heartaches—are slower to heal
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Gabby Goodwin
had more to prove than the rest of Cricket Creek. Even now,
as the successful owner of the local flower shop, she hasn’t
forgotten her humble beginnings. So when her high school
crush, the former class bad boy, walks back into her life,
she keeps him at arm’s length, protecting her heart—and her
pride.
Reese Marino gave up most of his wild ways years ago,
graduating from college and becoming part owner of his
uncle’s pizza parlor. The fact that Gabby still treats him
like a troubled teenager drives him mad, but that’s not the
only thing about the sassy florist driving him to
distraction. Despite Gabby’s reluctant attitude, Reese is
determined to win her over and show her that love often
blooms right where you least expect it.
Excerpt
“Nice moves, Gabby.”
Gabby froze and then looked over at Reese standing in the
doorway. “Thanks.” She hoped her light response hid her
embarrassment. “I try.”
“So, you’re bringing sexy back?” he asked, referring to the
song that just had to be playing.
“Did it ever leave?” Gabby responded nonchalantly but felt
heat creep into her cheeks and silently cursed her fair
skin. She hoped he didn’t notice.
“Yeah, it did.” When Reese walked toward her Gabby wondered
how he could make merely walking somehow look sexy. “About
eight years ago,” he added.
“You wish.” Gabby tried not to grin but failed. She really
needed to stop cranking the music up so she could hear the
bell ding over the front door. She shrugged as if Reese’s
appearance didn’t send a flutter in her stomach. Although
she often had to wear sweaters she was suddenly grateful
that she had to keep the store pretty cold for the health of
the flowers because she could certainly use a cool down just
from looking at him. She barely refrained from fanning her
face. Was it