Temptation Trails: A Small-Town Romance (The Haven Brothers)

Welcome back to Tilikum, where small town vibes hit best and the squirrels are planning world domination at their new picnic tables, thanks to Harvey!

This book hit me in all the feels! Garrett is a single dad to 14 year old Owen. As a member of the sheriff's department, and freshly minted investigator, he faced a dad cop's worst nightmare, his son shoplifting. But Garrett handled that with aplomb, putting him right in front of Harper after canceling their blind date. It was hysterical when he was dumbstruck in front of Owen at his first sight of Harper.

And Harper, with her string of bad luck, was just as dumbfounded as Garrett. It was truly awesome watching superstitious Harper and good guy Garrett fall in love, especially when Harper's "bad luck" had their relationship moving at warp speed.

Throw in a weird podcaster and a serial killer, and you have a recipe for one awesome Claire Kingsley book! I have to say, I really thought I knew who the had guy was, but I was way off!

Fair warning, Owen's awesomeness is going to tug your heartstrings and make you want to hug your teenage sons or nephews!

Wow, what can I say about this book? It is incredible. Spiciness, sweetness (in more ways than one), and several twists you’ll never see coming. At least, I didn’t.

Garrett has the ultimate big brother vibes. As a sheriff’s deputy and part-time detective, he feels the need to be the hero for everyone. We saw it in Rewriting the Stars with Annika, we saw it in Storms and Secrets with Marigold. And we definitely see it in his own story. With his son, Owen, and his new lady, Harper.

I usually focus only on the main couple in my reviews, but Owen takes a big part of the story. We first met him in Rewriting the Stars. Now he’s a teenager, and almost grown up. We all remember how it feels to be 14. The world seems to be wide open in front of you, but you don’t always know what you want to do with it yet. But it is clear that he idolizes his dad in a lot of ways. And he has his own hero complex, for sure.

Harper is new in town. Her aunt Doris owns the main bakery, but she’s to the point that she can’t work every day anymore. Fortunately, Harper has been a baker for years, and is interested in a change of pace. So she comes in to take over the bakery. And does it really well, despite her bad luck curse. I am definitely going to need to bake some cookies in the near future!

There are a few less-than-savory characters running around Tilikum right now, though. And they may or may not be focused on Harper and Garrett. Will Garrett be able to save the day? Or will Harper’s bad luck finally catch up with her? Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, though. These two are definitely “compatible” ;)

Really great story. Quality writing, good character development, and a nice little twist in the plot mystery. I really liked Harper, Garrett, and Owen together.

Claire Kingsley sure does great family series. I got hooked on her writing when I started reading the Miles family series. Then the Bailey Brothers came. And now the Havens. She does an exceptional job at weaving stories built around big, chaotic but loving families. The relationships and conflicts are done well.

Claire Kingsley writes in such a way that one wishes they could be a part of the Miles family, or the Bailey brothers family, or the Havens. The way she develops the surrounding towns makes you want to go find one and live in one just like them with characters just like the ones she portrays. I know I would like to find an Echo Creek, or Tilikum.

Such an enjoyable read. I highly recommend it as I do the first two books in this series. And the entire Bailey Brothers series before it - and even better yet - start with the Miles family series and move forward from there.