Better Than the First!

Sorry Cash, but I liked Ty way more than you. ;) Once again Lynnette Austin takes us to Maverick Junction to see what's new in town. While Nearest Thing to Heaven can be read as a standalone, it's more fun to meet the whole gang in Somebody Like You. This review may contain mild spoilers for the first book.

We met Sophie in the first book when she came to "talk some sense" into her cousin Annalise. Needing a break from her family, Annalise found herself in Maverick Junction and also ended up finding a cowboy as well. While Sophie didn't understand the attraction Annie had for the dusty little Texas town, she did appreciate the man candy that lived there. That includes one handsome single dad named Ty.

The father to four year old triplets, saying Ty has his hands full is the understatement of the year. Like his buddy Cash, Ty runs his own ranch right along side of being a dad. There isn't much time for a love life at the moment. He met Sophie quickly months before at the annual BBQ and hasn't forgotten her one bit. Now that Sophie is back for the big wedding, Ty is contemplating a making a move on her. Trouble is, he hasn't made those kind of moves in over four years.

Unlike Cash (sorry to keep putting him down) I liked Ty instantly. He didn't have the same cheesy lines as Cash and came off a lot more genuine and humble. Excellent qualities in a man. The down side, the guy has a TON of baggage. Emotional and otherwise.

That said, Sophie isn't coming to town with clean hands, although I felt her issue wasn't as significant as his. It was something she could have taken care of right away, while his was totally out of his control. Even still, Sophie remembered the handsome cowboy from the BBQ and though she wasn't staying (although they always seem to) she didn't mind getting to know him better.

Lynnette Austin has a writing style that I'm not use to. With my reading, it's usually dark and angsty, while these books are sweet and romantic. I was ready for it this time around and really liked how Ty and Sophie took the chance to get to know each other, especially with kids involved.

We go round and round with Ty and Sophie, her trying to decide if she's going to stay and him trying to let down the walls he's got built around his heart. Along with these two, we also keep tabs on Maggie, Brawley and Dottie and pretty much everybody else. I like how the characters stories continue through out the books.

Nearest Thing to Heaven is well written and like I said, very sweet. My one complaint would be tiptoeing around the word Daddy in an adult situation. I really, really don't like that and was so glad Lynnette Austin didn't go all the way with it. Maggie and Brawley's book is set up nicely and I wouldn't mind another visit to Maverick Junction.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.

Ty was the hardworking, single dad cowboy that was living in small-town Texas. He was sexy, smart, and well a cowboy to his heart. He did not need or want to find himself attracted to a pampered, princess from the north, a.k.a city slicker. Sophies' first impression of Maverick Junction was not the best. The more time she spent their the less she was enjoying herself until she was.

Small children, animals, small-town gossip, and a few mishaps here and there makes this a read that builds the attraction to Maverick Junction. The secondary characters have charm, character, substance. I look forward to the next read.

Normally when I read a series, I get super exited about book 1 then struggle a little bit with book 2. That was so not the case with Nearest Thing to Heaven. I think I may have enjoyed this book a little bit more than the first because this book dives right in almost immediately after then end of Book 1 and you get more story vs world building. That said, if you haven't read the first book, I would not recommend starting here.
Nearest Thing to Heaven is a sweet story about a second chance at love (for the hero) and self discovery (for the heroine). We meet Ty and Sophie in the first Maverick Junction book and meet up with them again when they are together for Cash and Annie's wedding. Fate definitely plays a part in shoving these two together and the results are sweet and a little steamy.
This is a well written series continuation. Ty and Sophie are both very easy to like and the secondary cast is active and equally fun. Ty's the boys are scene (and heart) stealers! There is a mild suspense element, but no big surprises. This has definitely left me hungry for the series conclusion!

OMG, there is nothing sexier than a single dad who's both a cowboy and great with not one but three kids. Ty has had it rough raising these three little dynamos from birth. Luckily, he has the help of family but it's not the same as a mother and while no one could ever accuse city slicker Sophie London of being mother material, she is pretty awesome with the boys. The only fault, I had with the whole book was, Sophie not letting her friends in on the stalkerish ex-boyfriend until almost too late. I know there has to be some conflict but I don't like an otherwise smart lady doing some of the dumb things she did.
Overall, another great cowboy romance that made you both laugh and cry.