I had not read anything by this author, but enjoyed the characters and heartfelt “family” dynamics of this story. Former Army Ranger Banks Stephens owns his own trucking company, but when money is tight, he agrees to transport the daughter of his deceased best friend and comrade, Josh, to her grandmother in Vermont. He and Josh along with Josh’s wife Laci had been the best of friends prior to Josh’s death on their last mission. The grandmother is paying him to bring Riley Berridge to Vermont and he hopes to share some memories, about her father, with the young girl who lost her father. When he arrives, he is shocked to learn that Riley is not a nine-year-old girl, but twenty and soon to be twenty-one and they will be travelling with her German Shepherd, Otis. He finds himself attracted to her and shouldn’t be, but it isn’t long before she shares that attraction. Riley has plans to “sight see” on their way and he has arranged to stay with other vets who could share their memories of Josh. Will they be able to travel across the country and maintain a platonic friendship? Arriving in Vermont, there are issues and secrets yet to be shared. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Absolutely devoted this book! Loved the storyline and the main characters! The book had a good amount of spice and was a well written age gap/taboo love story! I definitely recommend this one!!!

I’m afraid this book just didn’t work for me. The premise was interesting and the book started off well, but there were a number of things that felt odd, like the MMC constantly doing safety checks of their rooms, scanning venues for threats, asking to be updated every 2 hours etc as if they were running from danger. It felt like the FMC was being infantilised despite being 21. Referring to women as “females” throughout the book sounded strange. Finally there was a reference to the FMC being a “good girl” because she hadn’t had sex with many men, which felt slut shame-y. I’m sorry but the book just wasn’t for me and I DNFed at 68%.

A great weekend read. Seems everyone loves a good age-gap romance these days and this was certainly one. I enjoyed the characters and even affable Otis. There were a lot of layers to wade through, but the journey was worth it!

Well, I really really really wanted to like this story.
For some reason I just couldn’t get into this story even though I skipped a few chapters at a time just to finish it.

Riley has just lost her mother and has been told by her mom’s lawyer that she has a grandmother in Vermont. She has three days to decide if she wants to go to Vermont. If she goes, her mother’s last wish is for her deceased father’s closest friend to drive her to her grandmother’s house.
Riley and Banks immediately hit it off even though he’s double her age (40 to her 20).
They go from friends to more to him not even talking to her! Good thing she reaches out to him.