REVIEW: Looking for You by Kelly Elliott

In Looking for You (Boggy Creek Valley #6) by Kelly Elliott, Boggy Creek cop Kyle Larson has seen a lot of bad things happen to good people in his days on the force. Comes with the job. But he’s never had a situation hit so close to home as when he finds lovely Everly Higgins waiting on his doorstep, beaten and bruised, hiding from some bad guys. Kyle doesn’t think twice about letting her stay with him. He’ll do anything to make sure Everly can heal and is out of harm’s way. As will his loyal Belgian Malinois K9 partner, Cat. But as details of the abduction come out, including who is believed to be involved, Kyle realizes Everly is in more trouble than she at first thought.

“You don’t have to be scared, sweetheart. I swear to you, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Kyle was the first person that came to mind when Everly escaped her kidnappers. As did the sweet kisses they shared several months ago. She doesn’t want to put him in danger–or anyone in Boggy Creek, for that matter, including her brother Hudson or his girlfriend, Kyle’s sister, Greer. As much as she doesn’t want to recount her story to Kyle, Everly knows it will help them piece together why her life is suddenly at stake. But why is it that all she can seem to think about is Kyle? Or how wonderful it would be to put their perilous situation behind them and see where their insane chemistry could lead. Everly makes a pact with herself that if they both come out of things unscathed, she’s sticking around in Boggy Creek to give a relationship with Kyle a real try.

I gasped when I walked in. He’d lit candles and placed them all around the room. Soft music was playing and the tub was filled with bubbles. There was even a glass of wine sitting on the edge of the tub. I turned and looked at him. “Why are you still single?”

Talk about a sweepingly romantic, tender yet steamy love story–but with an edge of suspense. Looking for You was a most satisfying way to end Kelly Elliott’s Boggy Creek Valley series while we revisited previous beloved characters one more time.

“I’ve been waiting so long for you. For the one woman who made me want things I never dreamed I would want. I’m falling in love with you, Everly.”

Trigger warning: View Spoiler »kidnapping & physical assault (of a female). « Hide Spoiler

I am so sad that Looking for You is the final full-length novel planned in Boggy Creek. I’ve come to love this cast and their close bond, the locals who keep them all on their toes, and the location–Boggy Creek, New Hampshire–itself. Kelly Elliott has teased that fan fave Candace will get a novella in the future and possibly Adam will get a short story or novella, too. (Yay!!) But she made sure to usher these characters out in grand style, with Kyle & Everly’s romantic journey. Plus of course Elliott had one of her trademark epic epilogues set a few years in the future, giving fans a peek into how everyone was doing.

Elliott couldn’t have ended the series with a better couple, in my humble opinion. We’ve seen Kyle as a secondary character throughout the books and he’s been an utter joy to watch. He really was as wonderful as he seemed. Romantic, thoughtful, funny, strong and protective, a great pet dad to his K9 partner Cat, and a loyal friend you’d want in your corner, Kyle was the ultimate hero. We dove deeper into his love of Jane Austen. (swoon) And we got to see his fierce competitive side. (Pick-up sticks! lol) But it was how kind he was with Everly, always having her safety and best interest at heart that will have readers melting. Well, that and the beautiful picnics Kyle made to sweep Everly off her feet. *sigh*

Everly herself had been through the ringer by the time she showed up on Kyle’s porch. It was tough to read about her reliving memories of the abduction and getting beaten up by the bad guys, but it also showed just how strong (and smart!) Everly was. She was a nice balance for Kyle in his everyday life. They both loved the outdoors, enjoyed cooking, adored Cat of course, but the instant attraction they had together was what made it feel intense and destined to be.

QOTD: Kyle finally gave the full story behind naming his K9 partner Cat. (Which is taken a step further in the epilogue!) Have you had any pets with unique or memorable names?

Book Info:

Publication: Published May 17th 2022 | Pub: K. Elliott Enterprises, INC | Boggy Creek Valley #6

The last person I would ever expect to be waiting on the front porch for me in the middle of the night was Everly Higgins. To say I was both surprised and thrilled to see her would be an understatement. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since we met last fall when my sister, Greer, fell in love with Everly’s brother, Hudson.

When I see her bruised up face, I instantly want to hurt someone. The problem is, Everly won’t tell me who hurt her or who she’s running from. The only thing she’ll tell me is that she needs a safe place to stay where no one can find her.

Being a cop, I have the urge to unravel this mystery, but the other side of me simply wants to protect Everly from whatever it is she’s running from.

But as the people she is hiding from catch up with her, I quickly discover there is nothing I wouldn’t do for Everly Higgins.

I’d even die for her.

Looking for You is book six in the Boggy Creek Valley series. It can be read as a stand alone, but for a better reading experience it is recommended to read the books in order.