A few interactions in their younger years formed an unforgettable bond between a man who thinks himself unworthy and the young woman who makes him feel anything but that in this sweet and sexy romance. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of One Chance, Fancy by Lani Lynn Vale, along with my impressions of this book that deals with disability and a surprising life change, then add this fifth installment in the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series to your bookshelf too!
Benson Bayou Beauregard is the president of the Bear Bottom Guardians MC, and the grandson of the Sergeant at Arms for the Dixie Wardens MC. He’s a mountain of a man and the warden of a prison, and there’s only one thing that can scare him—being told that he’s the father of a three-year-old little girl.
A three-year-old little girl that has no clue who he is. Hell, he only finds out about the little cherub when a woman from child protective services comes by and rocks his world before leaving the girl in his shocked arms.
Every single thing he thinks he knows goes up in a cloud of smoke.
To make matters worse, the woman that he’s been trying to convince to give him a chance takes one look at the little girl and tells him that he’s just not in the right place to handle both of them.
But Bayou was never one to back down from a challenge.
He can handle a three-year-old girl that acts exactly like him, and he can more than take on the fiery red-head that sets flame to his blood while he’s at it.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Set amidst the backdrop of the MC world, though focused squarely on the delightful connection between an unconventional hero and the strong-willed heroine who’s always been drawn to him, readers will find themselves charmed by this latest installment in the Bear Bottom Guardians MC series. From their first unforgettable meeting as teens to their more meaningful interactions years later this is a dynamic duo you’ll be rooting for as an unexpected event brings them closer together in a tale that pulls at the heartstrings while putting a smile on reader’s faces.
Benson Bayou Beauregard always knew he was different as his brain never rested, social situations were reasons to panic, and keeping quiet just seemed the easiest route. Over time Asperger’s was just something he came to accept, finding ways to accommodate the way his mind worked, and for the most part he was content. There was plenty of bullying though, from his father and others, depicted through flashbacks that battered his self-esteem and broke my heart. There were thankfully a few people he could always count on to support him, one of those being Phoebe “Fancy” the daughter of another club member and someone who accepts him unconditionally. Though their interactions were few over the years they were vital to him, making him feel worthy and striving to be the best he can be despite his disability. He’s got a good job, a life he’s living on his own terms, but when it comes to romance he’s had some very bumpy moments as he has difficulties with matters of the heart. A past relationship with a manipulative woman derailed his military career and has introduced him to a child he knew nothing about and put into a role he had no intentions of ever playing. It’s a dramatic reveal that brings out yet another delicious facet to Bayou and it brings him and Phoebe even closer together as they work through his self-doubts in becoming a family. I’ve been enamored of Bayou since his introduction in a previous installment in this series, drawn to his quirks as my own brother has similar issues, and I’ve longed to learn more about him. The wait was definitely worth it as he’s a thoughtful and kind hearted man who wants to be seen as worthy of the one woman to see him and love him as he is. His interactions with Phoebe had them starting off as friends but things slowly but surely became sensual in a journey that had me cheering. His interactions with Isa had me falling for him even more as he once again proved others wrong, showing him to be the delicious hero we suspected he’d be. Bayou may not be your typical hero, but he’s just what this story needed and I applaud Ms. Vale for showing him and his imperfections in such a positive light.
From the moment readers meet Phoebe “Fancy” they’ll find her a delightful heroine, strong-willed and inquisitive, even as a young girl. She’s someone who likes the quiet though too, someone always thinking, and it’s part of what brings her and Bayou together. They’re both open-minded and protective of others, particularly in the case of Phoebe who’s quick to call out anyone who belittles Bayou. Little does she know the affect this has on him, the fire it lights in him to be the best he can be to one day be worthy of her. From the very first page Phoebe shows herself to be an immensely likable heroine, tough on the outside but with a heart of gold. She’s always stood by Bayou and together they are a formidable pairing that warmed my heart. Theirs was a slow burn romance, but the time invested in their burgeoning romance made their HEA all the richer. Through all their ups and downs Phoebe rolled with the punches, dealt with Brielle like a saint, to become one of my favorite heroines and she was yet another highlight of this story.
Though this story is set in the world of the Bear Bottom Guardians MC it’s a story focused on matters of the heart and soul. There’s no bloodshed or bullets flying, just a tear or two falling as a unique hero finds not only acceptance but love from a woman who’s solidly on his side from the moment they first meet. Theirs is a sweet and sensual romance, made even more heartwarming by the arrival of Isa, that wrapped me in a warm blanket that had me rooting for them every step of the way. Along with an unforgettable main couple, Ms. Vale gave readers updates on past couples and other enticing characters courtesy of interludes of witty and playful banter that reminds us of the familial vibe surrounding this club. These interactions pulled me in even more wholeheartedly and show why this has been such a consistently satisfying series. Though there’s much to like about this book, there’s one glaring issue...the overly-jealous Brielle. She can be very toxic at times, manipulative, and just plain creepy. I’m sure Ms. Vale has a purpose for her, a way to redeem her eventually, but as of right now she did nothing but frustrate me. Despite this character, one that’s merely an annoying distraction, I still found myself utterly entertained by this story and look forward to where things go next in a series that hasn’t disappointed yet.
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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