REVIEW: Worth the Wait by Lori Foster

Posted July 21st, 2017 by in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Top Pick!, Review / 23 comments

HJ_TopPick

In Worth the Wait (Guthrie Brothers #2) by Lori Foster, Still fairly new to town, Hudson Guthrie is getting himself and his teenage son Colt settled in after his wife passed away in the midst of a shocking betrayal. At least he has a good support system with his brother Jason right next door and a new bunch of friends to help keep an eye on Colt. Not that his son gets up to any trouble between going to high school and working a few jobs. Hudson keeps busy as well being an accountant by day and barbecuing at the local diner at night. The best part of his time there is flirting with the diner’s owner, Violet Shaw. And she loves to sass him right back. Their bantering only gets hotter as the duo decides to see where their chemistry takes them, not knowing that before long, they won’t be able to walk away from each other. Their connection is that strong.

“I have no idea what it is about you, but I want you so damned much I can’t think straight. You insult me and I want you.” He took another step closer. “You tease me and it makes me hot.” Closer still. “You boss me around, and it’s all I can do to keep my hands off you.”

Town sheriff Nathan Hawley was attracted to his beautiful new neighbor immediately. But contrary to Brooklin Sweet’s last name, she’s been a bit prickly to his obvious interest in her. Not one to be easily deterred, he keeps on trying to win her over. Nathan soon figures out that there may be a reason Brooklin holds everyone at arm’s length and his instinct as former SWAT–and now a sheriff–tells him she’s in danger. Just as he’s making strides to become a part of her life, her past resurfaces, causing his protective streak to go into overdrive. He already knows he’s a goner for this brave, compassionate woman. And he’ll be damned if anyone will harm her or get in the way of their happy future together.

“I went from being so alone to feeling so blessed. Thank you for convincing me to let you in.”
He touched away the tear from her bottom lashes. “Sometimes I’m a pretty smart guy.” Nathan breathed in the scent of her, stroked her soft hair…

Oh, what fun Worth the Wait turned out to be! Lori Foster definitely brought her A game with this story as we celebrated not one, but two lovely romances. And we also got glimpses of another romance going on in the background that was every bit as sweet in its own way.

With a shrug, she said, “Honestly, you don’t look like any man I know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Violet pulled in a much needed breath. “Every part of you stirs every part of me.”

I’m a big fan of Lori’s already but this book made me remember why I fell in love with her work in the first place. She has a writing style that’s very emotional, very easy to read with a nice flow to it, and she creates some of the best heroes and heroines out there in the genre. I swear that every guy in this book (aside from one towards the end) was utterly swoon-worthy. Hogan, Nathan, Colt, Jason, Sullivan…yep. They were honorable, sexy, and were there to protect their family, friends, and community as a whole. And I have to mention that I think readers will get a kick out of the final scenes at the diner where the guys have a little show they put on for ladies’ night. Hilarious and also super romantic!

Violet was probably my favorite character, just for how down to earth and caring she was. Let alone her work ethic and how she took care of everyone. And as for our main hero, I haven’t read book one yet but I have a feeling Hogan might have come across as a ladies man in it, given Violet’s comments to/about him. But he completely changed his tune here when he gave in to his feelings for her and I loved their relationship. They were flirty, with such entertaining bantering going on–Violet’s sassy Southern charm was great–and there was obviously tons of chemistry between them. The “Barbecue Master” as Violet called Hogan could go all alpha guy and be a bit pushy at times, but he had a good heart and was still getting over what his now deceased wife did to him and their son Colt. Speaking of Colt, what an absolute sweetheart of a young man. I loved getting his POV and seeing how he cared for his dad, Violet, and the rest of the crew. And his interest in a girl at school was the third romance we got to watch blossom, which was adorable and seemed oh-so right.

Nathan and Brooklin was the other couple falling in love and that’s where the light bit of suspense came into play. I like how he was tenacious in his lively pursuit of her and how she wasn’t afraid to push back while they antagonized each other a bit at the beginning. They both had some darkness in their fairly recent past which influenced how they now lived their lives. But it was Brooklin’s past that ended up threatening them. Nathan was another great hero who had her back and who knew he was completely under her spell right away. He was fun to get to know and I must say that I loved how he was not only the town’s sheriff but he was a local rock star, singing and playing guitar in a band with a great bunch of guys. Sexy, right?

Even though the final scenes made me laugh and happily sniffle, I hated to see Worth the Wait end. I haven’t heard if there will be any spinoffs from this duet of books but I hope somehow we readers get to revisit these characters in some way soon. Highly recommended.

 

Book Info:

Publication: July 25th 2017 | HQN Books | Guthrie Brothers #2

Ready or not…love will find a way

Single dad Hogan Guthrie is getting his life back on track, and working as the “barbecue master” at a local diner is just a temporary detour. He and restaurant owner Violet Shaw constantly butt heads…until one night they end up mingling other parts instead. Hogan thought he had the recipe for happiness all figured out. But loyal, carefree Violet is daring him to trust his impulses…and see just how sweet small-town living—and loving—can be.

Nathan Hawley traded his SWAT team credentials for a sheriff’s badge, but a gorgeous new neighbor is shaking up his orderly life. Nathan has a hunch there’s more to Brooklin Sweet than meets the eye—but given her caution about getting involved, he has his work cut out for him. Still, there’s something about the elusive beauty Nathan can’t walk away from—and helping her come to terms with her past might pave the way to the future they both secretly long for.

 

add-goodreads

«
»

23 Responses to “REVIEW: Worth the Wait by Lori Foster”

  1. Teresa Williams

    I know this will be awesome .Lori Foster is a fabulous author.Can’t wait to read this.

    • Michele H

      She really does a great job with her books, Teresa. 🙂 I have a feeling you’ll love this heartwarming story and all the antics this cast gets up to!

    • Michele H

      Thanks, Kathleen! Isn’t it nice to go into a series or a specific book and just *know* you’re going to enjoy it because of the author’s previous work? Love that! 🙂

    • Michele H

      Nice!! There was a whole lot to love about this one, wasn’t there, Pennie? Now we’ll have to try to patiently wait for what Lori does next… 😉

  4. krittie28

    I loved this book sooooooo much!!! I agree – I felt almost every emotion there was and it was a definite reminder of why I fell in love with Lori’s writing!

    • Michele H

      That’s so great to hear! I’m glad you loved this as much as the rest of us have so far. There was just something about this group of people that clicked, wasn’t there? *happy sigh*

  6. Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook

    I’ve been a Lori Foster fan for a long time, too, but I didn’t care much for the first book in the series. It wasn’t bad, but I just didn’t love it. I’m glad to hear this was fantastic. Maybe I will give it a try.

    • Michele H

      Nice to hear you’re a fan of Lori’s as well, Quinn! You know, I think you’re in the majority in regard to the first book. I haven’t read it yet but I did notice it got lower ratings than this one did. Not sure why. But it might mean book two could be a better fit for you. 😉

  8. Beth T.

    Thanks for the enjoyable review! I’m looking forward to reading this book, especially since I absolutely loved the first book in the series.

    • Michele H

      Thanks, Tammy! I know you’re a Lori Foster fan so this should be a winner for you. 😉 It’s one of those books you finish with a grin and a happy sigh and can’t wait for what’s next.

    • Michele H

      The struggle is real! She’s a pretty prolific writer so it’s difficult to keep up with it in addition to all the other good stuff out there. 😉

  11. Loverofromance

    oh I honestly can’t wait to pick this one up. I admire Lori Foster’s work for the same reasons that you mentioned. I love how easy they are to read, her books just pull me in. I do love it when she can make me laugh and her characters are fantastic. Now you have me really excited to pick up this one.

    • Michele H

      Yay! So glad you’re a fan as well. 🙂 This story was a great combo of emotion and quick bantering. I truly did bounce back and forth from going “Awwwww” over the sweet moments to outright laughing over their antics. Such a cool cast of characters! I hope you love this one, too!