I thoroughly enjoyed this little story of family found but there was a bit too much references to other characters that confused the heck out of me. Don't know if this is a series or not but the 6 year old, Luca, stole the show for me.

What a sweet story of 2nd chances!
My favorite reads by the way.
This was so good that I finished it one evening.
Carli and Shay I really enjoyed in getting to know them.
What a sweet little boy! He stole my heart in an instant.
I didn't like Shay at first but as I read on that changed. I'm glad he got Luca. Sometimes children can change us and make us see things that we normally wouldn't even think of.
I liked Carli in an instant. I loved her personality and found myself wishing I was like her.

I have to say I did not expect to love this story as much as I did. How can you not love a story with a kid who needs a family, a guy who tries so hard and a woman who was treated poorly but tries to think the best of those she meets - oh and I forgot about all the dogs. Throw in endearing characters in a small town you want to know more about and you are hooked. I don't give 5 stars often but this one really resonated for me. It's learning about yourself, love, and how to move on from past hurts. It's thinking about others and the impact you can have on their lives. It's rooting for your friends old and new. I liked how there was realistic issues for all three of them and solutions that were also realistic. Definitely give this one a try. I hope you like it as much as I did.

What a sweet and emotional second chance romance! A great storyline about found family and full of heart and charm. It pulls all the heartstrings. It's a well written and entertaining feel good read with the right amounts of cute, emotion and love. You'll be hooked from the start. An uplifting story that made me laugh, cry and believe in forever. Highly recommend!

When a terror campaign goes awry

A cop, a foster mom and a canine protector are on the case



Foster mom Stella Smith and Officer Joe Carpenter’s makeshift family unit is threatened with the arrival of two new vulnerable foster boys and a terror campaign waged by the boys’ biological mother’s violent boyfriend. When threats and extortion fail, the culprit resorts to kidnapping at gunpoint, leaving Stella injured and the kids fighting for survival. It will take a fearless cop—and a fiercely loyal canine—to face down a monster and bring the children home alive.

I enjoyed The Unexpected Family Man by Alexis Morgan, book four in the Heroes of Dunbar Mountain series, a sweet, heartwarming story with an unexpected responsibilities and second chances at finding forever. After a wonderful evening, dancing the night away at their friends’ wedding, Shay Barnaby seemed to have ghosted Carli Walsh; not calling for a date as promised. Shay wasn’t avoiding Carli, no, he was overwhelmed after learning his best friend, from their military days, and his wife had both died, and he was named guardian of their son, Luca. Having to enroll Luca in school, Shay runs into school administrator Carli who tries to ease their fears and concerns, and make the adjustment to a new school easier. Shay doesn’t like to depend on others but running his family’s bar, unable to continue being a volunteer firefighter, and becoming Luca’s guardian is more than he can handle. Carli is willing to help Shay out, but wants more to be more than a babysitter. Carli had learned too late that her previous marriage was built on lies and requires that any future relationships must include honesty. Shay has to figure out his priorities and change things before everything falls apart with Luca, he loses Carli and the possibility of a forever love.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Harlequin

Shay Barnaby has his hands full running his family’s bar, volunteering as a firefighter, and now raising Luca, the son of his late best friend. Struggling to balance his new responsibilities, he finds unexpected support in Carli Walsh, the caring administrator at Luca’s school. As Carli helps Luca adjust, she and Shay form a close bond, and soon, the three of them start to feel like a family.

However, Carli has been hurt before—her previous marriage was built on lies, and she refuses to settle for anything less than real love. Shay must prove that he isn’t just looking for a substitute mother for Luca but a lasting partner. Can they overcome their pasts and build a future together?

This touching and uplifting romance explores themes of love, trust, and second chances, with heartfelt moments and emotional depth.

The Unexpected Family Man by Alexis Morgan
A Clean and Uplifting Romance
A substitute family…
Or a second chance at forever?
Between running his family’s bar, volunteer firefighting and becoming guardian of his late best friend’s son, Shay Barnaby barely has time to sleep. Thank goodness for Carli Walsh, the administrator at Luca’s school. Carli finds herself helping the grieving little boy adjust to his new world—and marveling at how quickly the three of them feel like a family. But after a previous marriage built on lies, Carli needs the real thing. Can Shay prove he's not just looking for a substitute mother to Luca but a love that lasts a lifetime?
This is Carli Walsh's story.
This is Shay Barnaby and Luca's story.
Carli shook her head as she looked at the time. “Just my check. I need to get to work.”
Titus waved her off. “Breakfast is on me today.”
She didn’t even try to protest as she picked up her purse and prepared to leave. “Thanks, Titus.”
Turning to her friend, she added, “I’ll talk to you later.”
Moira stood up as well. “I’ll walk out with you. I’m not officially on duty for another hour, but I’m going in early to get caught up on a few things before I leave on patrol.”
“How are you doing over there?”
Shay’s question was met with complete silence, which was pretty much the status quo these days. One look at his small companion’s grim expression had Shay considering if he should give in to the temptation to turn around and go back home. Waiting another day or even another week probably wouldn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Right?
No, Shay’s conscience wouldn’t let him take the easy way out. Life had taught him that putting things off just because they were difficult or scary never made them any easier to deal with. The longer he delayed enrolling Luca in first grade, the harder it would be on the boy.
“Listen, kiddo, I know starting at a new school is a big deal, but I’ll do everything I can to make sure it goes smoothly for you. I’m sure they’re used to helping new students figure things out.”
I recommend this book.
The Unexpected Family Man by Alexis Morgan is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Alexis Morgan.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All words are my own.
More books by Alexis Morgan.
The Lawman's Promise: A Clean and Uplifting Romance (Heroes of Dunbar Mountain Book 1)
Book 1 of 3: Heroes of Dunbar Mountain
To Trust a Hero: A Clean and Uplifting Romance (Heroes of Dunbar Mountain Book 2)
Book 2 of 3: Heroes of Dunbar Mountain
Second Chance Deputy: A Clean and Uplifting Romance (Heroes of Dunbar Mountain, 3)
Book 3 of 3: Heroes of Dunbar Mountain
The Unexpected Family Man: A Clean and Uplifting Romance (Heroes of Dunbar Mountain Book 4)
The Firefighter Next Door: A Clean and Uplifting Romance (Heroes of Dunbar Mountain Book 5)

A sweet romance. It is also heartwarming and heartbreaking. New responsibilities are challenging. This is one of a series, but it is not necessary to read them in order. It can easily be read as a standalone. Of course, I do want to read the next one and the one I have missed. I enjoy Alexis Morgan's writing. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

The Unexpected Family Man is a well written romance. You will throughly enjoy the plot and the character dynamics. I recommend this book.

Alexis Morgan has written many, many books. Adventure, sexy romance, mystery and a Heartwarming series for Harlequin.

This is the 4th book in the Dunbar titles. I very much enjoyed reading about Luca, age six. The author can really write tender and sad subject matter. She even added a few lovable dogs.

I found there to bit a bit too many references to the first three books. I think this title needed more contain to hold its own. It seemed repetitive and thin.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author and publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The book was sweet and had a good story line. A cute read. While I loved the idea of the story I didn’t feel like the passion was there between the main characters. It was a lot of miscommunications and awkwardness with some sweet moments followed by the relationship going from 0-100% on the last page.