REVIEW: Erin’s Way by Laura Browning

In Erin’s Way (Mountain Meadow Homecomings #3) by Laura Browning, being back in Mountain Meadow isn’t easy for Erin Richardson. Not after nearly endangering a good man’s reputation and the fact that she’s the black sheep of her family. However, she needs protection from a dangerous criminal that’s known for eliminating any witnesses to his crimes. Will Sam Barnes — the town sheriff and the only man she’s ever loved – be able to keep her safe?

There was a long silence before Catherine touched his arm. “Stoner…Something’s wrong. She only came back last fall because of Tabby, then immediately took off again. Now she turns up out of the blue?” She shook her head. “Honey, do you think she’s in some kind of trouble? It’s not like her to come back home willingly.”

Even though this book can be read as a stand-alone, I found once I got to the end, I kind of wished I’d read the first two books of this series first to get to know the Richardson family a bit more. However, in saying that, I absolutely loved this book. From start to finish, it was highly entertaining, emotionally charged and a story I found myself reading in record time, despite the fact that I was fighting tears in several places throughout this book.

The dialogue was well-written and intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the heroine and the history between them. Sam is quite a few years older than Erin, and she’s crushed on him since a young age. Young enough that if anyone learned of what she tried to do with the hero that Sam’s reputation could have been ruined. Moreover, then there’s the hostility she feels towards her family. Never feeling as though she belongs or is good enough and anytime she does spend time with them she tends to either self-medicate or binge drink to cope. Honestly, I could sympathize with her in the beginning due to how her parents and brother treat her.

Both the main characters were compelling, although I didn’t know what to think of the heroine when she was first introduced. Why did she feel she needed to take drugs or drink to handle her family? Then once the secondary characters were introduced, I began to understand Erin better. She’s strong, brave, and I liked how she grows throughout this story. Also, I liked that she’s determined to find her way back to being a part of her family, instead of feeling like she doesn’t belong. Yet, what I liked most about her was how she proves that she has smarts of her own; that she’s somehow managed – although not completely — to overcome her difficulties with learning, especially when she reveals how much she’s worth money wise. While Sam, I absolutely loved him, even when he was fighting his feelings for the heroine. Also, I loved how protective he was of Erin, whether it was from her family or the bad guys that were after her.

”I don’t think I’ll ever get tire of feeling your hand on my skin,” she whispered.
Sam smiled. “And I will never get tire of touching you. I just hope the feeling is mutual.”
“Just wait until we’re both back to full speed. I’ll show you just how mutual it is.”

Hot sex scenes heat up the story, and prove how good these two are together. Sam has always felt something for Erin. Firstly, a strong friendship when she was younger and he was her savior and then she became so much more over time. Sam is good for Erin, and I liked that he was willing to fight for their relationship when it came to the town gossip believing that the heroine wasn’t good enough for Sam.

Overall, Ms. Browning has penned a wonderful novel with incredible characters, riveting dialogue and a plot that entertained me from start to finish. Really, I enjoyed the fact that I could feel every single emotion alongside the characters. The way this story ended was amazing, and had me on the edge-of-my seat with what happens to Sam and Erin. Would they get a chance to achieve their happy ever after? I would recommend Erin’s Way by Laura Browning, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope, the sexy protector trope or a heroine that finally finds acceptance by those that love her.

Book Info:

Publication: August 30th, 2016 | Lyrical Shine | Mountain Meadow Homecomings #3

Welcome to Mountain Meadow, Virginia, where love is worth waiting for…

The town bad girl is back, and this time, Erin Richardson is in need of protection. Years ago, her youthful crush on handsome older man Sam Barnes nearly led to scandal. Now she’s on the run from an entirely different kind of trouble: a criminal intent on eliminating his witnesses-including Erin. As the local sheriff, Sam’s duty-bound to provide a safe haven. Though tongues will surely wag once Erin is sharing a house with the sexy lawman….

Erin is still too young, too vulnerable, and too irresistibly beautiful. But when Sam lays eyes on her again, all he wants to do is shelter her in his arms. It won’t be easy keeping her out of harm’s way. But it’ll be even harder keeping the woman he never forgot out of his bed-and his heart…