One More Heartbeat by Stina Lindenblatt
One More Heartbeat by Stina Lindenblatt, book five in the Carson Brothers series, is an emotional roller coaster filled with heartbreak, family, friends, love, and a bit of suspense. WARNING: because this story is deeply emotional there are some major triggers including: s*x trafficking, grief, kidnapping, PTSD, and a chronic illness disability.
Zara
Thompson, owner of Picnic and Treats and ex-Marine and bestselling author
Garrett Carson have been best friends since they were kids; even having
feelings, like love, as they grew older. During college Zara’s friend, Kenda, became
involved with Garrett, before she could tell him about her feelings. After
college, life had its own plans for them: Garrett joined the Marines and after losing
his best buddies in a bombing he returns home with a huge case of survivor’s
guilt; turning his feelings into writing best-selling novels. After spending
time cooking and learning family recipes with her grandmother in New Orleans,
Zara returns home to Maple Ridge and opens a coffee shop. These two have strong
feelings for each other but fear ruining their friendship once they admit the
love growing between them.
During
a run with his brother, Garrett learns that the book he is currently writing is
to be turned into a movie; shortening his deadline. When he arrives at his house
he is met by a woman holding a toddler, announcing this is his daughter, Peony,
and she is her nanny, Athena. As the story unravels, he learns that Kendra
never shared that she became pregnant after their last hook-up; recently being
killed during a shooting. As Garrett struggles with the revelation and wonders
how much is true and what secrets are being hidden. One thing is for sure,
Peony is afraid of men; all men. After reaching out to Zara for help, she is
there offering support as he confronts the challenges of becoming a new father.
The more time Zara and Garrett spend together, the more their friendship blooms
as their feelings for each other develop into something more; igniting a
passion and love that has lain dormant between them.
As
Peony and Athena become comfortable in Garrett’s home, the past Athena had
hoped was left behind arrived; threatening the fragility of this families as mysteries
are uncovered and lives are at risk. As
the Carson brothers and friends join together, moving into search mode: Garrett,
in protection mode, encounters twists and turns and an underground world he would
have preferred to have never learned about.
This
was an amazing, suspenseful, emotional, small town romance with major drama, keeping
me on the edge of my seat, as Zara and Garrett journey from friends to
something much more. Including characters from the previous books added to the
overall enjoyment of the book. Now I wonder how Kellan is going to come back
from his grief.
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