Another fantastic addition to the Nashville Nights series!!! Elle Hart can't seem to find the right guy for her, they only seem to love her for what she can do for them or for the fact that her sister is a country superstar. After yet another disastrous date, Elle calls her best friend Tucker to vent about men. Tucker is the sheriff of the town they grew up, before the Harts moved to Nashville. Tucker has had a thing for Elle for years but values their friendship too much to push for more. When Tucker shows up on Elle's doorstep concerned for her after her latest dating disaster, comforting takes on a more physical nature that neither of them excepted. Their friendship returns to normal after their one night of passion except their one night had consequences neither of them know what to do with. Tucker will do whatever it takes to show Elle that he has always been there for her and has never yet let her down, their relationship becoming more serious will not change that. Elle has to work through some self doubt and meet Tucker halfway, he is the only one who has ever seen and excepted her for who she is. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite story lines and this one was done very well. Elle is used to traveling and is free spirited and Tucker is kind of a salt of the earth guy, complete opposites but they complete and complement each other incredibly well.

Elle Hart has had her share of pretty boys. Except she's starting to see that external beauty isn't all that's cracked up to be. Mostly the men she goes for are selfish, egotistical and are interested in what her family can do for them. Then there is Jason Michael Tucker, her first love and best friend ever since. The best man she's ever known. He's always been there for her, and after a particularly bad night he is the man who rocks her world and changes her life forever. Tucker has loved Elle since they were teens. His gypsy. The wild child to his calm. She's the one that got him and made him happy. Protecting her was second nature to him. Loving her was like breathing. Lusting after her however, changed everything. After the best night of his life, Tucker couldn't go back to being just friends, but finding their grove again might not be in the cards. For once this reliable cop, might just need to lay down the law and get his woman if he wants to be happy. Love Taker is a sexy southern romance with a quiet, protective, alpha male and a sassy, independent and stubborn woman. They are perfect together, but can't seem to be on the same page at the same time. Their banter is entertaining, the sex is hot and the romance swoon worthy it.

Elle and Tucker were perfect. The "twist" was hardly unexpected, but I still enjoyed watching them work through that complication together.

Elle Hart is a hair and makeup artist who has had a lot of bad luck with men, though she can always count on her best friend Jason Tucker. After a particularly bad night Elle turns to Jason for comfort and they have sex. Their friendship changes after that, especially when Ell finds out she is pregnant. They struggle to deal with their new normal and end up getting married before their daughter is born. I like the friend to lovers storyline, but I am not a fan of the surprise pregnancy cliche. After their first time together, it took way too long for them to get together again, and then their new love wasn't really believable. And Jason came across as a big pushover. Yes he is supposed to be a nice guy, but get some balls!I liked this series, but this has to be my least favorite of the books.

I really enjoyed this light and sweet friends to lovers romance. I loved Tucker! I really enjoy this author's writing and look forward to reading more!

I enjoyed this light-hearted contemporary romance with its likeable characters and well-crafted plot that kept me entertained and intrigued from beginning to end. Even though this is the third book in the Nashville Nights series, it is the first I have read and I had no problem reading it as a standalone. I loved the dynamic and sweet romance between friends-to-lovers Elle Hart, hair and makeup artist in Nashville and Jason Michael Tucker, humble and handsome sheriff's deputy in Starkey, Kentucky. This is the first book I have read by Erin McCarthy but I like her style so I look forward to reading more from this talented author. I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Love Taker and all opinions are mine.

Erin McCarthy is a favorite author for me, and this book of hers was a hit for me! After seeing Elle Hart previously in the series, I really enjoyed getting her story. She made a great lead character, along with her best friend and former boyfriend, Jason Michael Tucker. I enjoyed the storyline that led to these two realizing they were meant for one another.

In this book, Elle calls Tucker to cry on his shoulder, and he ends up driving all night to make sure she is okay. They end up in bed together, and then have quite the aftermath to deal with. Elle has to learn to grow up quite a bit in this book, and to figure out how to put others first. I enjoyed watching her grow to be a better person. For the most part, I loved Tucker, but I was rather frustrated with him when he dated a woman other than Elle an at inopportune time.

I loved the way everything was resolved between Elle and Tucker, and I enjoyed the glimpses of previous characters from the series. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Yeah this book is not for me. I do like friends to lovers story, but did not find this one to be one. There was too many back and forth, and I am sorry I know Elle was immature, but if Trucker truly loved her, he would have stopped sleeping with the other (woman). I just cant have that, it ruins story for me. You either love someone or you dont, even there is conflict, you pick one and that is it.

Review on Goodreads and other retailers on release week.

Thanks for allowing me to read. A fantastic read.

Love Taker is the third book in Erin McCarthy's Nashville Nights series and it is my favorite.
Best friends since they were teenagers Elle Hart and Jason Michael Tucker tried the dating thing, but distance, careers and failed relationships kept them apart unless they needed a friend until one night they crossed the "just friends" line.
Tucker has loved Elle for as long as he could remember, but Elle always kept them in the friend zone where Tucker didn't want to be any longer.
Elle didn't want anything to change in their relationship because in doing so she would have to admit that she cared more about him then she was ready to admit. What if it didn't work out? The possibility of losing her best friend was worse than never fully allowing their relationship to grow into something more.

I thought this book had interesting, well-developed characters and good plot flow. That said, it relied on a plot line I really dislike - one I think is a bit of a cop-out and really doesn't belong in a standard contemporary romance. I think the characters could have grown and flourished without the plot device.

A good quick read for when you need something light to escape all the noise. Predictable but heartwarming, the characters here follow the normal pattern of misunderstanding, maybe loving, another misunderstanding, major event which finally makes them realize how much they love.

4.5 stars
This is the third book in the Nashville Nights series and can be read as a standalone. Elle Hart is a makeup artist/stylist to the stars, in the shadow of her sister Jolene who is a mega-country celebrity. Her brother is also in the lime-light as a highly sought-after songwriter. Both of her siblings are in steady relationships that leave Elle feeling a little jealous. After going on a particularly horrific date with Nathan, her latest guy, she winds up calling her best friend Tucker to make her feel better. Tucker is a small town police officer from where Elle grew up. When they were younger, they were high school sweethearts. However Elle moved away, effectively ending their relationship. Tucker has been harboring feelings for Elle since he was sixteen years old but they seem to be polar opposites. Elle is mercurial and has difficulty finding the right man while Tucker is steady as a rock, the kind of man that any woman would want. After spending the night together, Elle is afraid that she will lose their friendship. She tries to keep things the way they have always been and proceeds to tell him about a date she is going on. This frustrates Tucker and he makes the determination to get on with his life and hangs up on her. A few weeks pass and Elle makes a surprise visit to Tucker’s house to rectify her wrong, only to realize that he is not alone. How will she tell him about the secret she is harboring now that he has someone else in his life? How will this secret affect their future?
Erin McCarthy has created this book just like the South itself, sweet and homey with characters you just fall in love with. This is another warm-hearted addition to a distinctive body of work from a gifted author. I can’t wait to read what comes next!
I volunteered to read an arc and was provided a copy from the publisher via Netgalley.

Love Taker by Erin McCarthy......This was a cute fun story that enjoyed. I loved watching these two go from friends to lovers. Elle and Tucker had things they need to work through, but we're a cute couple. I am loving Erin McCarthy writing style, she connects the reader to the story. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

Awesome read by Erin McCarthy. The wild child meets the sheriff.
Two best friends that have one wild morning together and miraculously create a child.
Elle is the wild child sister of a famous country singer. She always chooses pretty boys that treat her like crap and she always ends up crying on her best friend Tucker's shoulder.
Tucker is cop who always comes to Elle's rescue. He's the practical one that keeps his feelings hidden so he can keep his friendship with Elle. Till one morning when he lets his lust take over.
And surprise surprise a month later Elle is crying on his shoulder that he knocked her up.
Now they have to figure out what kind of relationship they can have with each other. Do they just stay friends and raise a baby together? Or do they say the hell with it and become lovers and make a real family?
With lots of twists and turns in their relationship it's a great story.
I loved this book right from the beginning. It had enough steamy sec to keep my interest too.
This can be read as a standalone or as a series. I haven't read her other books in this series and had no problems. I'm definitely adding Erin McCarthy to my list of fav authors.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for my review.

Elle and Tucker were high school sweethearts until she had to move away with her family. Her and Tucker have stayed in contact and remained the best of friends. Tucker married and divorced, but Elle hasn’t found the right man yet. She seems to always pick the wrong ones. Tucker is always there for her when she calls with her latest dating woes. Her most recent date says some hurtful things to Elle, making her feel a little lost and dejected. She calls Tucker in the middle of the night for the support only he can offer her. She doesn’t realize how upset she is and ends up crying. Tucker, who is taken aback by her tears since she is not a crier, jumps in his car and drives hours to her doorstep to be there for her in person. He has always loved her and can’t bear the thought of her hurting. After a night of support and holding her in bed, Tucker can’t deny himself any longer and Elle doesn’t resist, in fact welcomes the intimacy. Tucker heads back home to work that night and Elle is scared they have damaged their friendship. Losing Tucker is something she will not do, so she tries to keep things status quo and in their phone conversation later that day, ends up telling him she has another date that night! Tucker has had it. He can’t handle hearing about her dating life when he loves her so deeply. He abruptly ends the call and is determined to move on with his life. 
 Elle knows she messed up but can’t bring herself to call him. Six weeks later she knows she needs to face him personally as their night has caught up to them. She is hit in the face with reality when she shows up on his doorstep late one night to find out he is not alone. Elle has finally realized she loves and wants Tucker, but he has moved on. How will the ramifications of their night together affect their future, especially now that he has someone? 
Erin takes us through so many emotions in their story. I was frustrated with Elle’s flippant, childish behavior when it came to her dating life choices and the way she seemed to take and take with Tucker with little give back. Then my heart hurt for her when she finally grew up and opened her eyes to see what had been there all along, but was it too late? 
Tucker had me from the beginning. His devotion, loyalty, and love was apparent immediately and your heart hurt for him. I hated to see him move forward and open himself for a new relationship. You could feel how torn he was when Elle appeared on his doorstep. 
This is a touching friends to lovers romance I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The journey is not an easy one and there is angst and drama, but there are also many funny, romantic, and heartwarming times. Love takes patience and sacrifice, give and take, but in the end – it’s worth it! 
Fantastic job Erin! Great addition to the Nashville Nights! 
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to volunteer to read this book and provide an honest review.

Love Taker (A Nashville Nights Novel 3) by Erin McCarthy is an interesting story but not necessarily my favorite in the series. It is a “friends to lovers” story but really do friends use friends because Elle sure used Tucker at times, which did not work for me. Of course, he let her but still.... It reminded me of the Tim McGraw song about all the narrator did “just to see her smile.” Finally, Tucker stands up and decides to move on in his life. Then it seems as if they both are using others on the rebound. I never truly bought that Tucker was finished with Elle so how did Misty? Then this story gets really complicated. Yep, it is just like a country love song.

It is well-written with my having some definite views on the characters and their actions. While they may not be my favorite people in these stories the author’s style kept me reading even when I wanted to bop the immature Elle and too-accepting Tucker.

3.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.

**ARC received from the author for an honest review**

Take one part southern charm, mix in some Hollywood drama, and a dash of girl next door and you've got the basics for McCarthy's closer in the Nashville Nights series "Love Taker". Elle is the last and final Hart sibling left; her sister found love and her stubborn brother found his soulmate. How come Elle keeps finding the bottom of the barrel? What's a girl to do when she's down other luck but call her best friend, Tucker.

Tucker's the down south good-ole-boy cop I didn't think I had a thing for but boy was I WRONG! I wish we had gotten a bit more of Tucker in the previous novels but it was so worth waiting! He's just the right amount of sweet and caring to make any girl swoon. But when it comes time to convincing Elle she belongs with him...oh that man has no problem taking charge!

Nashville Nights entire series got better with each story McCarthy told. But I loved Elle's story so much! It's not always easy to go from best friends to lovers. You've got to risk it all or you could lose it all. These two fought each other so hard but fought even harder FOR each other by the end. The perfect feel good story to end any tale!

The third book in the Nashville Nights series by Erin McCarthy can certainly be read as a standalone. Although it is the third book of 3 siblings making their way in Nashville, Elle's story is such a standalone that I didn't even really have to remember much about the other 2 books. Elle is not famous for being a country star like her sister or a songwriter like her brother, but works doing makeup and dressing the other stars. Her best friend is Tucker who is a cop in the small town Elle grew up in, and they were childhood friends and sweethearts. They have not been together for many years because Elle moved away as soon as she could after High School and broke it off with Tucker. The typical second chance romance, they both really still loved each other and had stayed friends, but each tried to move on. In this relationship Elle is the flighty, never settles down and can't find a true love, and Tucker is the steady normal, don't rock the boat but definitely has wanted to settle down best friend. Although fairly predictable in its plot, the writing style of Ms McCarthy is so good that I just get sucked into the plot and the characters as if I had never seen this trope before. I always enjoy her books, have thoroughly enjoyed this series, and this book was no different. As always, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book for an honest review. I honestly enjoyed it!

Erin McCarthy continues her Nashville Nights series with the third, stand-alone book - Love Taker - and you will love this thoroughly enjoyable friends-to-lovers romance. Elle Hart has been unlucky in love and doubts her ability to choose the right guy, but she is confident she chose the right man years ago when she struck up a friendship with Jason Michael Tucker that is strong today. She can rely on him and she's often leaned on him throughout the years. Jason cares deeply for Elle, and he drives from his home in Kentucky to Nashville one night after she calls him upset over another failed date. He ends up comforting her a lot more than normal when the two end up in bed together potentially complicating their friendship, which is very important to both of them.

Both resolve to not let their momentary jump in the sack affect them and try to move on as usual after that night, but this is difficult to do when it was the best sex of their lives. Things start to get REALLY complicated between them, and Jason and Elle have to decide exactly how they feel about each other and if they want to risk their friendship to pursue something more.

Both Elle and Jason handle the situation with maturity and caring; you can tell they both truly love the other even though they are still sorting out whether that love is romantic or platonic. Love Taker is an enjoyable and sexy romance without a lot of angst but with a lot of love. Erin McCarthy can be relied upon to deliver a wonderful love story, and she has done so with Love Taker.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.