REVIEW: His Reason to Stay by Cathryn Fox

In His Reason to Stay (In the Line of Duty #6) by Cathryn Fox, years ago Rachel Andrews was in love with the Nelson brothers. Yet, she ended up choosing James over Kyle. Now though, after the death of her husband, Rachel is finally recovering from his loss and determined to move on with her life for her daughter’s sake. However, the unexpected return of Kyle into her life gives her the opportunity to be with the man she should have chosen.

Kyle Nelson hasn’t had a chance to get to know his niece, Ava, since it would have been too hard to be around the woman he loves; the woman that chose his brother over him. But now he’s back in town, and Rachel needs him more than ever when Ava’s babysitter isn’t able to watch her. When he offers to look after Ava, Kyle knows it’s going to be hard to resist Rachel. Still, he’ll do anything to spend time with the woman he’s always loved and the little girl that’s got him wrapped around her little finger.

”Thank you,” he said, his voice too soft, too low.
“What are you thanking me for? You’re the one doing me a favor.”
“No, Rach. It’s the other way around. Ava is an amazing little girl, and I’m happy that you’re letting me be a part of your life.”

I love second chance romances, and Ms. Fox has delivered a captivating tale in this sixth book of her In the Line of Duty series. Encompassing a couple with a very complicated past, and a secret that could destroy their chance at a future together. I really liked how it started with the prologue and the first chapter, giving me – as a reader – a chance to know just how complicated their past relationship was when James was still alive, and how Rachel always turned to Kyle when she needed him most.

Both characters were compelling, and the dialogue was well-written and intense due to the heroine’s secret and Kyle’s parents dislike of Rachel. However, there were some light-hearted moments between Kyle and Rachel as well as Kyle and Ava that made me smile. The little girl just sounded so cute, so precious.

”That’s right, Ava, it’s going to be a lot of work but remember what I told you. We don’t repeat what we hear at the lumber yard.”
She crinkled her nose, cupped Kyle’s face and squeezed. “Right, I forgot.”

Rachel was a strong heroine, determined to do what’s best for her daughter by allowing her to spend time with Kyle. A man that has always been there for the heroine through thick and thin, willing to help her any way he can and not caring what his parents think about his decisions. Yet, even though Rachel knows she can trust Kyle, it was a struggle for her to explain her secret; for fear that he’d hate her. Then there’s the fact that his parents don’t approve of her, so that made things extra difficult.

While Kyle, there was so much for me to like about him. He’s altruistic by what he did for his brother by accepting the relationship between him and Rachel, even though he loved her so much. He’s kind, caring and would do anything for the heroine. The way he stood up to his parents made me like the hero even more because his brother certainly didn’t do that for Rachel.

Really hot sex scenes heat up the pages, and illustrate how good this couple is together. Rachel is determined to show Kyle that they deserve a second chance, and that they have nothing to feel guilty about over his brother because they are a couple meant to be.

In the end, I really enjoyed this story where the secondary characters definitely aren’t afraid to express their opinions on the couple’s future and how they should give a relationship between them a chance. Indeed, they certainly help Rachel decide what she’s going to do about the hero. The ending was wonderful. But even though Kyle was angered by Rachel’s secret, he understood her reasons for it because she knew how loyal he was to his brother and she didn’t want him to feel any more guilt than he already felt. I would recommend His Reason to Stay by Cathryn Fox, if you enjoy second chance romances.

Book Info:

February 16th, 2016 | Samhain Publishing | In the Line of Duty #6

“They made one beautiful mistake. The consequences could haunt them for life.”

From the moment the Nelson brothers took a lonely young girl from the wrong side of the tracks under their wing, Rachel Andrews loved them both with all her heart. But it was James who won her hand.

Now widowed, she s trying to pick up the pieces for her daughter s sake as well as her own, but once again loneliness is her closest friend until James s brother comes back to town. The man she secretly wishes had asked her first.

Army ammunitions expert Kyle Nelson would rather face live fire than face the raw reminder that the woman he loved chose his brother over him, but he s tired of running. And ready to step up to be the man everyone needs him to be especially the young niece he s never met.

As time runs short before Kyle ships out again, the desire Kyle and Rachel have suppressed breaks free in a fiery rush. Tempting her to reveal a secret that could give him a reason to stay or burn their love to ash.

“Warning: Contains a hot military man who will steal your panties as well as your heart.”