Rachel Henderson has always believed in true love and
happily ever after and being left at the alter by her
fiancé definitely didn't fit into that dream; so she did
the only thing she could think of in that moment. She
went home to Valentine, Texas to destroy the symbol of
everything she'd ever believed in, and everything that had
broken her heart; the billboard shaped like giant lips
that welcomed the world to Valentine.
Brody Carlton had come up against a lot of challenges in
his life. He managed to grow up without his parents, he
managed to survive the war, he managed to rebuild his life
minus a leg, and he managed to get a job as the chief of
police in his hometown of Valentine, Texas. So last
challenge he ever thought he'd come up against was
climbing to the top of a billboard to stop some crazy lady
in a bridal gown from painting it solid black. The only
thing that could shock him more would be the discovery
that that same crazy lady was none other than that the
little girl that grew up next door.
After climbing the billboard to rescue Rachel and stop the
obvious destruction of Valentine property, Brody knew he
had no choice but to take her in. He didn't want to
arrest her, but Kelvin gave him no choice. So when he got
to the jail and discovered there was no one to stay with
Rachel at the jail overnight, he knew he had two choices.
Keep Rachel, who was obviously distraught, in jail
overnight and have to spend the night on the uncomfortable
cot in his office, or take her home with him, where she
could get cleaned up, and they could both get a decent
nights sleep. The one thing he didn't anticipate was the
feelings that he'd start to develop for her that very
night.
Rachel knows that what she did was wrong, and she's fully
capable and ready to take responsibility for her actions.
So when she shows up to court she knows they'll be some
consequences. She has no idea that those consequences
will keep her in Valentine for weeks and will eventually
cost her her job. She has no choice but to make the best
of it, and while in Valentine, she's determined to try to
help others overcome the same romance addled existence
that she, herself, has lived, so she starts the very first
Romanceaholics Anonymous group.
Brody knows that it's not professional to have feelings
for Rachel, but he can't stop himself from seeing the
little girl that she was, the one that he selfishly hurt
so many years ago. The fact that she's grown up to be
such a beautiful woman certainly doesn't help the matter
either. As time goes on, he knows that he's never felt
for anyone else, what he feels for Rachel. Now all that's
left is to convince her that they're meant to be.
Rachel definitely has deep feelings for Brody. She's
fought it as hard as she could the whole time she's been
in Valentine, but she knows that it's no use. She didn't
want to have feelings for him. Everything that's happened
in her recent life contradicts the fairy tale ending she'd
always picture; from being dumped at the alter, to her
parents divorcing after twenty plus years of marriage. As
much as she wants it, she's just not sure that true love
is for her. Can she get past the circumstances of her
past, and the mistakes of others, to move on and find the
happily ever after she's always dreamed of?
ADDICTED TO LOVE is a fast paced, fun read. The
characters are wonderful and it completely pulls you into
their story. The characterization is incredible, and
you'll find yourself thinking about the qualities in each
character that make them seem real; so you'll feel what
they feel throughout. I'd highly recommend this book to
anyone looking for a great read to keep them company
through the long winter months ahead. Two enthusiastic
thumbs up!!
Growing up in Valentine, Texas, can make anyone believe in
happily ever after. But newly declared recovering romantic
Rachael Henderson has decided that love stinks. After having
not one but two grooms ditch her at the altar, she announces
her disenchantment in an uncharacteristic act of rebellion.
She feels liberated...until she's arrested by Sheriff Brody
Carlton.
Once upon a time, being hauled
against the taut, rippling body of her first crush would
have had Rachael planning the wedding of the year. Now it
spurs her to created Romanceaholics Anonymous, a twelve-step
program for love addicts. Soon all of Valentine is divided
as die-hard romantics clash with antilove cynics. But when
Rachael starts fantasizing about a lust-filled affair with
Brody, she goes against everything the program stands for.
Should she protect her fragile heart...or find a way to have
her wedding cake and eat it too?