REVIEW: Tripped By Love by LJ Evans

Tripped By Love (The Anchor Series # 6) by LJ Evans is a small-town slow-burn romance full of emotion. Marco and Cassidy have known each other for years. The former Fleet Marine Force corpsman is country-rock superstar Brady O’Neill’s bodyguard. She’s the singer’s sister, owner of a restaurant and single mother. For two years he has been helping her improve her physical shape, bonding more with her. However, they have never done anything about the latent attraction between them. They both think that the other deserves better than themselves. But is this true?

Cassidy and Marco’s lives have been complicated from a very young age. Cassidy has been overprotected by her parents and bullied at school by her extra X chromosome and hypotonia condition. In addition to her health situation, her condition as a single mother, despite having the unconditional support of her family, has convinced her that she has nothing to offer someone like Marco and her only priority should be her son and the restaurant, for which she has fought so much. He, for his part, lost his parents at age 15 and ended his teen years as a foster kid. He also fights the demons of his time in the Marines that still torment him.

“Some people can’t see beyond their own flaws enough to realize they deserve more.”

Something they have in common is the guilty feeling invading them at all times. Cassidy has always saw herself like a burden due to her condition, while Marco berates himself for not being able to protect his foster mother —who he believes he literally broke her heart— and his teen brother, also a foster kid. Out of nowhere, the “sperm donor” (as she calls her ex, Calvin) reappears in Cassidy’s life, reclaiming his rights over the little boy. Marco introduces himself to Cassidy’s ex as “her boyfriend”, and that little lie makes the feelings they have both been hiding to each other and themselves come to light.

The story is very well told and delineated. In turn, the situations that arise are simple and credible. The secondary characters are diverse and varied; from the superstar brother to Cassidy’s boy, Chevelle, to Marco’s picturesque foster family and teenage brother, Jonas —with his own complex drama—, make the story a refreshing one. (This author knows how to create really good characters!) Speaking of Jonas, his secondary story not only doesn’t overshadow the main plot, but it complements certain aspects of Cassidy’s conflicts due to the parallelism between both stories, which is a success that I must highlight.

This is my first LJ Evan’s book, and it will surely not be the last to read, because I really liked her way of mixing music with an intelligent and precise writing that anyone who has the opportunity to read this book will love.

Book Info:

Publication: January 12, 2022 | Independently Published | The Anchor Series #6

He’s a broody bodyguard with secrets he can’t share.
She’s a busy single mom with a restaurant to run.
They’re just friends until a little white lie changes everything.

Marco Hernandez is the somber trainer here only to bend my body into shape, but when the perfectly sculpted man holds my son in his arms and smiles, I’m a goner. Weak legs. Pounding veins. Too bad as my brother’s bodyguard, he’ll never look at me the way I crave. Too bad I don’t have the time between the café and my baby boy to persuade him otherwise.

Cassidy O’Neil has looked like an angel from the moment I met her…an angel I can’t touch. Not only because she’s my boss’s sister but because I’m still trying to redeem myself for the sins of my past. The tantalizing mirage of “family” she represents will remain just that―a dream-like apparition.

Until her ex returns trying to claim the son he never wanted, and I’m the one who shows him the door. The lie that falls from my lips while trying to protect her threatens the tenacious balance we’ve established.

Once it’s Cassidy’s heart on the line, how will I defend her? Especially if I’m the one putting it at risk.

Inspired by Ingrid Andress’s “We’re Not Friends,” this achingly tender, slow-burn, small-town romance from award-winning author LJ Evans has loveable characters, deep emotions, and a windy path to creating a family.

Get it now and see why readers say LJ creates unforgettable characters.