REVIEW: Homecoming Heartbreaker by Joss Wood

Homecoming Heartbreaker by Joss Wood: Mack Holloway left Moonlight Ridge behind 15 years ago and never even told Molly Haskell, his first love, goodbye or why he was leaving. He is now coming home for a while to help his foster father who has suffered from a sudden health emergency and doesn’t need the stress of dealing with family’s resort that is not once the luxury destination it once was. Molly now works for Jameson, Mack’s father as the resort manager.

Molly hopes Mack can help with some of the renovations and PR for the resort to keep it going forward and not go under. Jameson is rather stubborn and set in his ways. He took in Mack and two other boys, Grey and Travis, but has never had a wife. Molly has been like a daughter to him even though she has her own family and some secrets she is hiding.

Mack can’t help being even more attracted to Molly now than he was in his younger days. How will he be able to work closely with her and still keep everything on a professional basis?

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. It has certainly been a long time for Molly and Mack. Despite a little too much rehashing of the hurts and details of their pasts, I had to admire both of them for their dedication to their work and to Jameson, who was definitely more than a little grumpy and difficult at times. I did really like Jameson despite his exterior. He had a loving heart for raising three boys and taking Molly under his wing. He was also pretty frisky, at least in spirit, when it came to Giada returning to help out with his care.

The author did a good job on telling a good bit about Mack’s brothers and what led to their estrangement. It appears that Travis and Grey will have their own stories in upcoming novels in the Moonlight Ridge series which will be written by different authors.

I would have liked to have known a little bit more about Molly’s despicable mother and brothers. They did add more drama to the plot, for sure. Since Homecoming Heartbreaker is part of the Harlequin Desire line, the reader know to expect lots of steamy scenes and Joss Wood delivers. You might want a cold drink nearby to help cool off.

Although Mack’s biological family background is only mentioned in passing, I am always happy to see more multicultural heroes and/or heroines included in romances.

Joss Wood is a new to me author who I would enjoy reading again in the near future. I, too, would like to have further adventures in Moonlight Ridge with Travis and Grey. The area near Asheville, NC is truly beautiful and a wonderful spot for a resort.

Book Info:

Publication: July 27, 2021 | Harlequin Desire | Moonlight Ridge #1

These ex-lovers are enemies hiding secrets that could change everything…in this explosive Moonlight Ridge romance by Joss Wood.

“You’re the one who left, remember?” How could he ever forget?

Celebrated entrepreneur Mack Holloway has come home to Moonlight Ridge to care for his foster dad and save his family’s once-luxurious resort. But to accomplish either he must face his past—the woman he left without a word, resort manager Molly Haskell. He’s never admitted what drove him away, and he’s not ready to confess now, even when working in close quarters ignites a fiery passion that burns away everything else. But Molly is keeping secrets of her own that could bring them to the brink…