I had to admire the main character- she had a plan for moving through her grieving and she determinedly stuck to her plan.

This story also shows in a serious, thoughtful manner the difficulty in handling a child's disability.

Wat wasn't quite as well- developed was the chemistry between the two main characters. Both characters were written well but i just didn't feel the sizzle.

This was my first read for Marina Adair! It most certainly won't be my last! I fell in love with her characters. I was hooked from the start and could not put the book down until I was done.

This is book number 2 in this series and it has Liv Preston a mother, and nurse working on keeping her son and herself going after her husband was killed two years ago in an accident. A neighbor Ford Jamison is with K-9 search and rescue out of Reno and is there in Sequoia because he missed a qualifying test. He is also the person who could not save her husband but did save her son and later in the book it is all explained. Dealing with his guilt he finds himself along with his dog “Bullseye” drawn to the woman and to her son. Paxton her son is beginning to open up and heal when he is around Bullseye and when she sees the way Ford talks to Paxton it is gentle and kind for such a large man. Things besides him being good looking are sending her a message that maybe it is time for her to move on with her life. Ford wants to help her but he was not expecting to fall for the pretty women, scared he must decide what he wants especially when she finds out before he tells her that he and Bullseye were the ones that were on the rescue. He does make a dramatic entrance but also does something that shows her that he is all in. A very good story and good characters as well.

This was a sweet little story. But I found this couple to be a little bland, in fact, I was much more interested in the story of Sam and Avery.

Enjoyable read from Marina Adair. The story kept you on an emotional roller coaster because both of the main characters were suffering because of the same loss in different ways. I loved how Ford & his partner & rescue dog were so sweet with Paxton the little boy who Ford was secretly watching over for his late father. I felt sorrow for Liv an ER nurse & Paxton's mother has been doing double parent duties for 2 yrs, trying to bring Paxton out of the shell he's hiding in. I laughed at the antics of Ford's dog & how the dog was a clepto of stuffed animals & would sniff out Paxton whenever he could. I also enjoyed the ribbing that Ford & his work friends did with each other, especially the girlie bouncy castle with 10 screaming little girls set up on bachelor Ford's front yard & him having to play dress up(in tutus & heels no less)with coloured hair & lipstick as well. I cried when Liv found out who Ford really was & put together who all the mysterious gift received in the last 2yrs were from. This book was written with heart & it kept me wanting to read until finished. Recommend this book.

I LOVE Liv and Ford! What a great story! The connection between these characters was fantastic and the writing was so good I didn't want to put this one down. I hope this author writes more in this series - it is so good!

Oh man! Have the tissues ready at the end. Liv and Ford have some series baggage, some of which they don't even know about. Ms. Adair made this emotional book fun, sexy, and with an awesome happily-ever-after!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. This is the first book of Marina Adair's that I have read. I have always loved the covers and book summary on the back and to be honest I even have a couple of hers on my book shelf that I still need to read so when I got the opportunity to read this book I jumped at the chance. This is the second book in the Sequoia Lake series by Marina.

Having never read of Marina's books in the past I was not sure what her writing style was going to be but I found that they kept a pretty steady pace and had a mix of romance, heartbreak and humor all rolled into one. I think that Marina did a great job of developing both the characters Liv and Ford so that you would understand their reasoning for their actions but didn't go overboard where you felt like it was dragging on and you lost interest. In addition, I really enjoyed seeing Liv's character grow through out the book from being closed off from letting someone into her life to by the end opening up for more than just a man.

In regards to storyline I found this book to have a couple different ones going on which you would think would be hard to follow but Marina did a good job of intertwining them to make it one great story. I liked how she not only told you of the love story developing between Ford and Liv but also incorporated her son into the mix. It was cool to see how the soon really opened up at the end and became more social with both kids his age as well as his own grandma. Lastly, it has a dog in it. Gotta love a book with a dog in it.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the first one in the series as well as the ones that follow. In addition, I will be definitely checking out more of Marina's book as I really enjoy her writing style. I recommend this book to readers who love the romance but also the heartwarming family stories too as I think it has that too.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Liv Preston is trying to get her life back together after the death of her husband, not just for herself but for her young son too. Paxton has shied away from most things since his father's death a few years ago. But Liv is determined to make life happy for them both. But when Liv meets Ford Jamison, can she trust her feelings?

Ford Jamison is head of the K-9 unit in Reno, and one hell of a man to behold. He is huge and very handsome. He calls Liv “Cupcake” because when they first met, she was wearing scrubs with cupcakes on them and doing surgery on a stuffed dog.

But Ford has a secret and he is only in town for a short time, but is afraid when Liv learns his secret, she will hate him. Can he tell her the truth and move on? Will Liv be able to accept the truth and trust Ford in anything else he says? Will Paxton trust and began talking again? And will Bullseye ever stop stealing kids’ stuffed toys?

This story is heartwarming, with points of laughter, and I loved it. Marina Adair has a way of touching your heart in this series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Every character Marina writes, you just want to fall in love with and Liv and Ford were no exception. When Liv meets Ford, sparks started to fly and both of them were suffering from a form of guilt. Ford over his inability to save her husband and Liv over an argument with her husband. They have some touch and go here and there but eventually they learn that it's ok to let go and to start over again. This book has some adventures, and great humor. I love the Sequoia Lake series and this is a great read for the beach, or at home!

I don't know how to rate this because I love some parts and have mixed feelings for some other parts but anyway I love Liv's love and devotion towards her son, Paxton. Paxton is the cutest, most adorable child it's hard not to love him. The bond between Ford and his dog Bullseye is also my favourite. I also love Ford's flirty ways, as weird as it sounds. He's just a fun guy with a huge crush on the single supermom. The only qualm I had about this story is Ford's inability to come clean about who he really is and the role he played in Liv's husband's death, it made me uncomfortable.

Overall, it was an entertaining read. I really hope that Harris gets a book of his own. He's so adorable with his daughter. And I also want Liv's friend Grace to find her own HEA.

Unfortunately the book was not for me, no review was publicly posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads or Twitter etc, so no ratings were affected in relation to it.

This is the sort of happy ending read you'll like for the characters. Liv, Prescott, Ford, and don't forget Bullseye, are all so real. You'll feel Liv's pain as she helps her son overcome his grief. You'll argue with Ford to give it up already and become whole. You'll sniff along with Bullseye. It's a nice story with good characters, nicely written, and entirely believable. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This was an escapist read on a too hot summer day!

Ford and Liv were an interesting, and at times, frustrating couple. Liv, because she seemed a bit too independent, in that she couldn't seem to accept even the most benign of neighborly help. Ford, because of his inability, or stubborn refusal (you decide), to tell Liv what she doesn't know about her husband's death and son's rescue.
But overall, I loved Ford's protectiveness, sexy flirting and, weirdly, his guilty feelings. I like Liv's independence...for the most part...her love and devotion to her son, and her willingness to flirt back! The small town feel and quirky characters in Sequoia Lake brought me back for book two, and it will keep calling me back (for Grace's story next, I hope!!), along with the great storytelling I get with every Marina Adair book I read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. All thought and opinions are my own.

Marina Adair has a special knack for writing stories that are filled with emotion and that grab you from the start. This book is no exception. I read the first book in the Sequoia Lake series and loved it so was excited to be able to read an advance copy of this book and share my review.

Olivia (Liv) Preston is a single mom trying hard to raise her son Paxton after losing her husband in a car accident. She is living in the small town where her husband grew up and works hard each day as an ER nurse. Her focus is on her son and helping him deal with losing his father.

Ford Jamison is the head of the K-9 search and rescue team in Reno and has been assigned to desk duty in Sequoia Lake as a disciplinary measure for not completing his recertification testing. He has his reasons for not completing the testing and he has ties to the small town but no one knows why but Ford and his supervisor. He struggles with his secret… especially when he realizes how attracted he is to Liv.

Liv is working through her grief and is not sure she is ready for a relationship but cannot deny the chemistry she feels for Ford. They take tentative steps forward in their relationship but when his secret is revealed, can their tenuous relationship survive?

One character in this book definitely stole my heart…. Bullseye the rescue dog! The scenes with him and his stuffed animals will sure make you smile!

This was a heartwarming story of healing and of moving forward. I would recommend it and look forward to the next book.

Another amazing book. It has some heartbreaking moments, it's sweet and heartwarming second chances at love. It will have you feeling all sorts of emotions. It's beautifully written story with characters you will love. It's an enjoyable read. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

Liv Preston has been a single mom since the day her son was rescued after a bad accident in an extreme winter storm. She's worked hard to build a life for her small family and help her son Paxton break out of the walls that went up on that fateful night when his dad didn't make it out of the storm.

When Ford Jameson shows up in town as a short term transfer to re-up a critical certification for his search and rescue job, he vows to avoid Liv, and the little boy he rescued at all costs. But fate, circumstances and his overly friendly dog keeps throwing them in to situations together, and they find themselves working together on the upcoming Wagon Days fair in town. As their lives become more deeply intertwined, Ford continues to struggle with the choices he made on that rescue all those years ago. And Liv is coming to terms with accepting that the life she planned is never going to happen, and it's okay for her to move on and feel again.

The thing neither of them ever anticipated was the connection they would feel, how drawn to each other they would be. Can they get past their personal demons to build something real and lasting? Or will the night that already changed Liv and Preston's lives continue to impact them?

The storyline in Every Little Kiss is a very poignant and romantic story about second chances and redemption. There is love out there, all you have to do is look.

Olivia, Liv to her friends, is a hard-working, single mom. She's also a widow of two years. Used to doing everything for her small family, Liv has trouble accepting help, making commitments, and socializing. When a position as a RN with the new, mobile medical unit becomes available, Liv decides to step outside her comfort zone to do whatever it takes to earn the job. The job would allow her more time with her six year old son and a raise in pay.

Ford, head of the Search and Rescue K9 Unit, is in the doghouse. He has been temporarily transferred to Sequoia Lake and placed on "desk duty" as punishment for missing his exam. Ford was at the top of his game, never doubting his decisions until that fateful night when he had to make a life-altering decision. Ford feels obligated to make sure Liv and her son are doing okay. So he inserts himself into their lives. The more time he spends with Liv and Paxton, the more difficult it becomes to walk away.....

This was one of the most heartfelt, inspiring, courageous, funny love stories I've read in awhile. I LOVED the elderly ladies!!! They were competitive, racy, and funny. I loved their nicknames for Ford too--Dr. Doolittle and Mr. McBuns. Ford's ability to connect with Paxton and help him come out of his shell brought tears to my eyes! Every little boy needs a superhero! Let's not forget the dogs or Bullseye! The matching hot pink outfits...too funny! This is the second novel in the series, but can be read as a stand alone novel. I read a gifted copy of this novel and all opinions stated are my own.

'When he wasn’t around her, all he could think about was seeing her. And when he was with her, he couldn’t stomach the idea of leaving.'

Another sweet, small-town romance from Marina Adair, another enjoyable book in the Sequoia Lake series. I recall liking the first in this series, though, admittedly, I struggled to remember exactly what happened and who all the characters were. Despite that, it didn’t take long for me to get into the book, and I soon found myself very much enjoying Ford and Liv, and their friends.

Every Little Kiss is a cute book. It deals with grief and loss and moving on in a well-written, respectful but thankfully not maudlin way, and produces some funny, flirty banter. Ford, in particular, nailed the flirty. Plus, development of the relationship between Liv and Ford grew was nice—not exactly friends-to-lovers, but the way they slowly progressed really worked for me.

What else worked for me? Paxton was lovable, and oh, how I wanted more for and from him. Bullseye caught my eye with his stuffed animal obsession. And then there’s Harris. Single dad, mountain man, not afraid to rock glitter and pink and beads for his daughter. I certainly hope Ms. Adair plans to make his book the next in this series.

So, why not five? Simple, really. Ford’s secret, his connection to Sequoia Lake, dragged out a little too long for my liking. I found myself increasingly frustrated with him, his reasoning, with his lack of communication. I had hoped that, as we neared the end, Ms. Adair had a trick up her sleeve, and though that wasn’t the case, I still loved the conclusion.

In fact, it was a heart-happy, sweet and swoony moment, and a great finish to yet another enjoyable book from this author.

“I came here searching for answers and found meaning.”

~ FOUR Cupcake STARS ~