I read book 12 of this series and really liked it. So when book 14 came up I had high hopes. It turns out that book 12 (Fast Track) was nothing like the rest of the series, I don't even know if it has any of the same characters.

It's ;possible that the aspects of this story are just the "romance" tropes I don't like (enemies to lovers, for one) so I tried to like it, but it drove me nuts from the minute Michael entered the picture. Isabel is an amazing person, clearly, and very special. Meanwhile her sister and brother in law's family are hugely overbearing and keep trying to control her in literally every way. Michael is hot and cold, then appears to be taking her virginity (what college graduate doesn't know what an orgasm is? On her own body?), then leaves for the next day, then is hanging out with his former girlfriend? THEN the family has an *anniversary party for their parents* and not only is Isabel forced to entertain all the guests because she met a celebrity (aren't they at all interested in celebrating the couple?) but the next day they're all hung over? At their parents' anniversary party?

By the way, Isabel has the chance to date a huge celebrity (and supposedly *every other guy she ever comes in contact with*) but she'd give it all up (I assume, I'm not finishing the book) to date an older man whose family takes over her life and took her virginity so carelessly? I've read Kindle Unlimited books that are less offensive.

Grace Under Fire is the long awaited Buchanan novel in Garwood's long running series. She takes us back to Nathan's Bay with all our favorite Buchanans and spouses to watch Michael fall in love (finally). Isabel McKenna is working towards visiting Glen McKenna in Scotland when she finishes college. However, two completely unrelated incidents slow down her new adventure. When she finds herself in deep water, Michael, ex-Navy SEAL looking for his new path, is there to keep her safe...no matter how crazy she drives him.

Garwood is back with this thrilling adventure. I am an avid Garwood fan and this novel doesn't disappoint. It's got her exciting mystery, perilous adventure and wonderful, slow build romance. Grace Under Fire is a perfect addition to this beloved series. Now I just wish I could call Nathan's Bay home, too.

I really enjoyed Grace Under Fire. Garwood delivered another excellent installment in the Buchanan series. I

How could a story that revolves around someone being chased down, probably to be killed and out of the picture for good, be funny. Well GRACE UNDER FIRE is filled to the coffers with wildly witty moments that absolutely have you laughing out loud. Immensely enjoyable with one of the best characters destined to become one of your all time favorites. That would be Grace Isabel McKenna. Isabel dreams of being a song writer but that didn’t feel adequate to her mother. So Isabel had alternate choices as well. But music and songs were practically all she thought about. This distraction was at times the bane of her existence and candidly the basis for some of the best situations in GRACE UNDER FIRE .

Julie Garwood decided that Isabel would embody everything you could think of as a distracted artist type. But Isabel has an even more compelling side, compassion. Isabel is a great listener and that seems to be how she manages to make strangers into friends. It is this innate talent that mystifies Michael Buchanan. Isabel’s sister is married to one of Michael’s brothers and that automatically makes her a member of this huge family of larger-than-life folk. Each one a joy to meet.

It is the inner discussions that Isabel has with herself that radiate off the page. She admits that Michael is attractive, but he is barely beyond the grunting level of mankind. At least according to Isabel. Michael is trying to keep his distance but finds himself unexpectedly and unhappily drawn to this strange woman.

Isabel finds herself the target of unwanted attention coming from very different directions. She handles troubles somewhat easily but then gets swallowed up in some frightening events after the fact. Michael realizes Isabel is a lot stronger than she gives herself credit for. And when things get dicey the two of them join forces. Actually Michael charges in like a bull but Isabel graciously has to admit her relief having him at her back.

At the center is a tale of greed and bullying but what shines through is the gift of love and laughter. GRACE UNDER FIRE is a joy to read. Isabel barely filters out what she harbors in her mind and what escapes her mouth. It is those moments of irreverent blasts that endear Isabel to the reader and will no doubt win Julie Garwood a new batch of fans. Julie Garwood is a true master creating fabulous larger than life characters. Isabel is one of her best and destined to be one of yours too. Flaws and all Julie Garwood captures the inner beauty of her characters. Welcome to GRACE UNDER FIRE.

Grace Isabel McKenna aka Isabel has finally graduated collage and is days away from her 21st Birthday when she’ll finally inherit land in Scotland left to her by her Great Uncle Compton McKenna. But, first she’ll be going to Boston for a Buchanan Anniversary Party before going to Scotland to claim her inheritance “Glen McKenna” in the Highlands.

When she arrives in Boston and checks into her hotel, she decides to go for a walk to clear her head. Isabel has a habit of getting lost in her thoughts and now unfortunately she’s hopelessly lost! As she attempts to find her way back to her hotel a wounded man stumbles into her arms and as she catches him he hands her his gun, just as another man attempts to shot her she takes aim and fires, killing the man, saving her life and that of the wounded stranger.

As the story progresses, we find out that Isabel is in grave danger. There is a valid threat on Isabel’s life, unfortunately Isabel isn’t aware of the threat and leaves Boston for Scotland before anyone is able to stop her. Michael decides to appoint himself as her protector and follows her to Scotland to find out who wants Isabel dead and make sure she stays alive.

I loved this book!!! I love Michael & Isabel, their bickering is fun and will put a smile on your face. Isabel’s driving skills are LAUGH OUT LOUD funny!!!! I loved that we catch-up with Kate & Dylan, Theo & Michelle, Alac & Regan, Nick & Laurent, and Noah & Sydney.

Lastly, we meet a couple Buchanan cousins the four wild “McAlester” brothers….I’m intrigued and hoping there will be a spin-off series!!!!

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Once again Garwood has brought us back to her much loved Buchanans. We have a mystery with all of its red herrings and suspects, we have romance that will sweep both of our main characters off their feet and a thrill a minute in this novel. Grace Isabel Mckenna, known as Isabel, is flying to Boston for a Buchanan Anniversary Party before leaving with her sister to go to Scotland to see about her inheritance. When she arrives in Boston and checks into her hotel, she decides to go for a brisk walk to clear her head. What end up happening is that she gets lost in her thoughts and hasn’t realize how far she has walked when a wounded man stumbles into her arms. As she catches him, he hands her his gun and ends up using it on the shooter. Saving her and the wounded man lives but ends up killing the shooter. She calls her brother-in-law to say she killed a man and he sends Michael Buchanan his cousin to help her out, since he is a former Navy Seal and a lawyer. Michael and Isabel don’t really get along but they both decide to tolerate each other because they are family. As the story progresses, we find out that Isabel is in danger and Michael decides to appoint himself her guardian and follows her to Scotland to find out who wants Isabel dead. Pick up this book and laugh, fall in love, and solve the mystery of who wants Isabel dead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had a hard time getting into this one as there was a lot of backstory to a variety of different characters and not as much action as I was expecting. The characters were enjoyable and the plot did eventually pick up the pace. I would recommend this book for people who enjoy complicated family dynamics and are looking for a more leisurely pace with detailed character descriptions.

Julie Garwood never disappoints. This newest installment will meet all your fantasies - rockstars, Navy Seals, and FBI agents wind together to create a compelling tale that will keep you up until the early hours of the morning and then color your dreams when you can finally fall asleep.

There was just a few too many things going on in the story -- trip to Scotland, shooting, music career. I would have prefer it to focus on one or two plot points and have more romance.

Another enjoyable book in the Buchanan/MacKenna story. The story involved Isabel MacKenna and Michael Buchanan, the youngest two members of the clans. Isabel was to inherit from a great uncle Compton MacKenna the land MacKenna in Scotland on her 21st birthday with certain restrictions attached. Isabel graduated from college with a degree that would be useful if she needed to support herself as her mother requested before her death. Her mother was afraid that the music Isabel loved would not be enough to support herself with. Isabel did as her mother requested and didn’t sing at all during her college years but continued to write songs. Exciting things started happening to Isabel regarding her music. There were dangerous twists and turns that to be overcome before the MacKenna land could be transferred to Isabel. Michael Buchanan was with Isabel acting as her attorney and her security during the problems that kept coming up. Another exciting story by Julie Garwood. I have been looking forward to this book since reading the story of Jordan and Noah becoming involved in the mysteries and deaths in Texas.