A married couple torn apart by the heroine’s traumatic childhood find themselves back together as danger rears its ugly head in an attempt to stop their second chance just as it’s starting. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of How About No by Lani Lynn Vale, along with my impressions of this scorching and suspenseful read, then add this third installment in the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series to your bookshelf!
Wade had everything he could ever want in life...then he lost it.
Now, his life—his forever girl—is living in a house he built for her while he’s struggling to move on and find meaning where there isn’t any to be found.
Landry Hill was his girl. his everything. His high school sweetheart. His first kiss. His first and only love. His old lady and wife.
Then one day he does something monumentally stupid. And she walks away knowing she’ll never come back.
Fast forward five years, and he’s still just as in love with her now as he was when she left. The only problem is that she’s moved on with her life, found a new man, and seemingly forgotten him. Then there’s Wade—stuck in the same awful place where she abandoned him. The only thing he has left is his job as a police office and the Bear Bottom MC.
Just when they both think things can’t get any worse, life kicks them both in the teeth, and Landry finds out really quick that the only person she can depend on is the one that let her walk away.
With understanding comes a deal. One that Landry has no hope of ever breaking free from, and one Wade will do everything in his power to make a reality.
But one thing is still certain. The force that split them apart is still out there. And there’s no hope of escaping fate.
EXCERPT:
“No, Wade,” I snarled. “It’s not just that easy.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about? I realize that it’s tough, and it’s going to hurt, but baby, this is your sister! Your sister is your family. Your blood. You can’t just leave her in need.”
That was when I felt everything inside of me still.
“The first time I donated bone marrow to my sister, I was a toddler. Barely the age of two and a half,” I said, almost in a whisper. “The second time, I was four. The third? Seven. Do you see a pattern, Sergeant?”
Wade frowned and tilted his head to the side, confusion spreading over his face.
“My parents had me to be their donor baby,” I whispered. “They never wanted me. I was never allowed to be a child. I was a useful object to them.”
Wade looked startled. “What do you mean by not being able to be a child?”
I laughed maniacally.
“I’m saying that I was bred to be their baby’s saving grace,” I hissed. “And I’m not doing it anymore. My sister is an asshole. My father’s a conniving bastard, and my mother is the biggest bitch known to man. Don’t you think that there’s a reason that I’ve never spoken of them?”
He looked at me like I was crazy. “Honey, you told me that you had a falling out. But this is your sister.”
I looked over at where my sister was sitting out on the front porch, silently crying her big, fat crocodile tears.
She’d always been good at them.
There was a time when I was younger that all she had to do was get that look on her face, and I’d be scared shitless.
Because if Lina wasn’t happy, nobody was happy, least of all me.
There was always going to be hell to pay if a single tear fell down Lina’s perfect cheek.
Lina also looked like a little China doll. She had perfect blonde curls, soft, milky white skin, blue eyes the color of a crayon, and she was tiny.
I, on the other hand, was none of those things but short.
I had brown hair to her blonde, brown eyes to her blue, freckled skin to her perfect complexion, and when I tried hard, I was also skinny.
Except, lately, I had been drinking beer and having the time of my life—living it like I’d always wanted to live it.
“I won’t do it,” I refused again, sounding petulant now.
I knew he didn’t understand.
Deep down, Wade was a really good man.
He’d experienced a lot in his life. He was a cop and had seen some very bad things.
But, what he did not have, was a bad family.
His family was awesome. His mom was the best mother in the whole world, and his dad was the kind of father I’d only ever dreamed of having when I was younger.
God, even his brother was the best.
He had no clue what it was like to hate your family like I did.
Hell, the only reason he hadn’t heard of them sooner was because my sister hadn’t gotten sick enough to need me.
Had she, Wade would’ve learned the truth about who my family was a hell of a lot quicker.
“I’m going to tell her that you’re thinking about it, and we can discuss it more later, okay?” Wade offered. “I don’t want you to make any hasty decisions because you’re overreacting.”
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
The men and women of the Bear Bottom Guardians MC are back and ready to protect the only woman to hold the heart of one of their own in this sexy and suspenseful tale of second chances. From the first page to the last readers will find themselves quickly consumed by this thrill ride and rooting for this reunited couple being weighed down by the heroine’s past as they fight for their HEA. By the turn of the final page readers will be left breathless and satisfied, yet ready for more.
Landry Hill’s childhood was one of pain and loneliness as her body was used to keep her sister alive as her parents clearly chose Lina over her in every instance. She was kept in a protective box until she was needed, kept from living her own life so that her sister could live her own. It was a childhood of feeling betrayed, feeling lost, and she longed to be put first for just once. Coming of age saw her leaving that life behind and finding the one man she thought would never let her down...until his kind heart left her feeling betrayed again. Walking away from him was the hardest decision she ever made, but at the time she was hurt and didn’t want a repeat of her childhood. Time hasn’t healed her heart though but there’s still a definite attraction between the two and it’s why she runs to his side the moment he’s injured in the line of duty. Reuniting with her ex was a seamless transition, it was as if their two years apart never happened, as there was still a crackling connection between them. It was clear she still loved him, had never fully moved on from him, and I enjoyed seeing their solid support of each other as they were both extremely protective of one another. As the story progressed Landry’s painful past became clearer and I could easily understand why she feels as she does and why she felt so betrayed by Wade. Landry’s a strong-willed heroine who survived a truly hurtful childhood and still had a kind heart when it came to dogs and children. She might not have had a large and loving family of her own, but the MC rose to the occasion to become a family of their own making and counted her as one of their own when she needed their help most.
Wade Johnson’s a sexy beast with a big heart and coming from a family of love has Wade willing to always help those in need. The moment he saw Landry he knew she was the one for him and for two years they had a beautiful marriage. During that time Landry gave some insight into her childhood, but didn’t give him the full picture which is why he pushed her to help when her parents came calling again. His decision was made without all the facts and I certainly don’t judge him poorly for going with his heart at the time. During their time apart he was hurt and angry but kept watch over her, kept her in his heart and mind, and their reunion was sweet and sexy. When danger came ever closer to her Wade didn’t hesitate to stand beside her, he and his brothers immediately went into a protective mode that endeared all of them to me. Their reunion had Wade learning the truth about Landry’s past, had him feeling guilty over his actions, but wholeheartedly proving himself to her with his bold words and deeds. Though he wants a family he understands her fears and never pushes her for more, he let her set the pace, and it all made for a richly rewarding ending.
On a whole this was an exhilarating romance of second chances, a romance full of heart and soul, that kept me glued to the pages. The connection between Landry and Wade was a crackling one that had a speed-bump of frustration but was ultimately one of solid support and scorching encounters. They were protective of each other, willing to sacrifice all for the other, and their interactions had me smiling. The danger being leveled at Landry seemed to come out of nowhere, it seemed a bit over-the-top at times, and it easily could’ve been omitted with the story still being satisfying. Along with this delightful main couple came an equally engaging cast of secondary characters. Some we’ve seen in previous installments in this series, like Rome and Bayou, but some are new and they left an indelible mark on me. MC members Hoax and Castiel are the strong and silent types, quick to protect their brother and his woman, and I look forward to the kind of woman to wrangle them. Landry’s sister Lina, and her friend Kourt, gave intriguing insight into her past and the subtle attraction between the two should be interesting for readers to watch evolve. With this latest installment in the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series, Ms. Vale has once again crafted an unforgettable romance and presented readers with an unconventional family of the MC brothers. With its heartwarming romance and eclectic cast of characters I continue to look forward to what’s coming next and recommend this series to all lovers of true romance.
Landry Hill’s childhood was one of pain and loneliness as her body was used to keep her sister alive as her parents clearly chose Lina over her in every instance. She was kept in a protective box until she was needed, kept from living her own life so that her sister could live her own. It was a childhood of feeling betrayed, feeling lost, and she longed to be put first for just once. Coming of age saw her leaving that life behind and finding the one man she thought would never let her down...until his kind heart left her feeling betrayed again. Walking away from him was the hardest decision she ever made, but at the time she was hurt and didn’t want a repeat of her childhood. Time hasn’t healed her heart though but there’s still a definite attraction between the two and it’s why she runs to his side the moment he’s injured in the line of duty. Reuniting with her ex was a seamless transition, it was as if their two years apart never happened, as there was still a crackling connection between them. It was clear she still loved him, had never fully moved on from him, and I enjoyed seeing their solid support of each other as they were both extremely protective of one another. As the story progressed Landry’s painful past became clearer and I could easily understand why she feels as she does and why she felt so betrayed by Wade. Landry’s a strong-willed heroine who survived a truly hurtful childhood and still had a kind heart when it came to dogs and children. She might not have had a large and loving family of her own, but the MC rose to the occasion to become a family of their own making and counted her as one of their own when she needed their help most.
Wade Johnson’s a sexy beast with a big heart and coming from a family of love has Wade willing to always help those in need. The moment he saw Landry he knew she was the one for him and for two years they had a beautiful marriage. During that time Landry gave some insight into her childhood, but didn’t give him the full picture which is why he pushed her to help when her parents came calling again. His decision was made without all the facts and I certainly don’t judge him poorly for going with his heart at the time. During their time apart he was hurt and angry but kept watch over her, kept her in his heart and mind, and their reunion was sweet and sexy. When danger came ever closer to her Wade didn’t hesitate to stand beside her, he and his brothers immediately went into a protective mode that endeared all of them to me. Their reunion had Wade learning the truth about Landry’s past, had him feeling guilty over his actions, but wholeheartedly proving himself to her with his bold words and deeds. Though he wants a family he understands her fears and never pushes her for more, he let her set the pace, and it all made for a richly rewarding ending.
On a whole this was an exhilarating romance of second chances, a romance full of heart and soul, that kept me glued to the pages. The connection between Landry and Wade was a crackling one that had a speed-bump of frustration but was ultimately one of solid support and scorching encounters. They were protective of each other, willing to sacrifice all for the other, and their interactions had me smiling. The danger being leveled at Landry seemed to come out of nowhere, it seemed a bit over-the-top at times, and it easily could’ve been omitted with the story still being satisfying. Along with this delightful main couple came an equally engaging cast of secondary characters. Some we’ve seen in previous installments in this series, like Rome and Bayou, but some are new and they left an indelible mark on me. MC members Hoax and Castiel are the strong and silent types, quick to protect their brother and his woman, and I look forward to the kind of woman to wrangle them. Landry’s sister Lina, and her friend Kourt, gave intriguing insight into her past and the subtle attraction between the two should be interesting for readers to watch evolve. With this latest installment in the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series, Ms. Vale has once again crafted an unforgettable romance and presented readers with an unconventional family of the MC brothers. With its heartwarming romance and eclectic cast of characters I continue to look forward to what’s coming next and recommend this series to all lovers of true romance.
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.
Lani is married with three children, and lives in the Great State of Texas.
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