Guard My Heart

Jackson is a great character but he has built a wall of steel around himself. In spite of the family "secret," deep down I think he just wants acceptance based on the person he is, not his family's repetition. He's stubborn though and I think Anika should've been more mature about the benefit of doubt. He's added fuel to the fire in his effort to try to hide. Their attraction is powerful and I like the give and take as they both try to decide if they should build on that chemistry and work on their relationship and learn to know, love and trust in one another based on their experience with one another instead of gossip. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Bagels make all the difference to a San Francisco man! This is about Jackson and Anika. Anika is the owner of Knead a Little Love and she has heard about Jackson's reputation ever since he came and has avoided him as well. Now that her neighbor is fixing up Little Lemon bakery to open up and has Jackson helping out with the renovations. Jackson is here as a firefighter and handyman. Anika also makes the best bagels and Jackson is hooked on them ordering them in dozens and running an extra five miles a day to loose the extra carbs. Jackson has a thing for Anika, but when he goes over to help her out on day and she rude to him, he decides to walk away for good. Anika finally figures out the truth and goes to Jackson but then Jackson has a secret that he needs to share in order to move forward but is afraid she will leave. It was a great story and the fun part is of course the recipes at the end. Love them. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I really liked the pacing in this story. Anika and Jackson took their time, especially due to some misunderstandings when they first began to notice one another. Anika's family owns the local bread shop, and she's a small town girl at heart. Sassy and hardworking, at her core Anika is loving and supportive. Jackson needs that in his life. Jackson is an intensely private man, his past full of secrets and pain. Add in that this firefighter is a relative newcomer to Crystal Shores, and a vicious rumor has him labeled a playboy, something very far from the truth, and you have a situation ripe for misunderstandings. Each Anika and Jackson must learn to trust each other, opening their hearts to the other. While definitely full of steamy encounters, at it's heart this is a sweet and loving story. I enjoyed it very much, and I hope you do too! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.