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 insecuritiesβand
heartachesβare 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 hasnβt
forgotten her humble beginnings. So when her high school
crush, the former class bad boy, walks back into her life,
she keeps him at armβs length, protecting her heartβand her
pride.
Reese Marino gave up most of his wild ways years ago,
graduating from college and becoming part owner of his
uncleβs pizza parlor. The fact that Gabby still treats him
like a troubled teenager drives him mad, but thatβs not the
only thing about the sassy florist driving him to
distraction. Despite Gabbyβs reluctant attitude, Reese is
determined to win her over and show her that love often
blooms right where you least expect it.
βNice moves, Gabby.β
Gabby froze and then looked over at Reese standing in the
doorway. βThanks.β She hoped her light response hid her
embarrassment. βI try.β
βSo, youβre bringing sexy back?β he asked, referring to the
song that just had to be playing.
βDid it ever leave?β Gabby responded nonchalantly but felt
heat creep into her cheeks and silently cursed her fair
skin. She hoped he didnβt notice.
βYeah, it did.β When Reese walked toward her Gabby wondered
how he could make merely walking somehow look sexy. βAbout
eight years ago,β he added.
βYou wish.β 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 Reeseβs
appearance didnβt 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
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