Strictly Off Limits (Legacy of the Maquires 3) by Stella Holt -review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 23, 2023

This irresistible flirt would do anything to get his girl—but clearing his name could be out of his jurisdiction.

D.C. paramedic Hannah Paletti has just one problem: the ripped detective who’s starred in every romantic fantasy she’s ever had. Not only is longtime crush Conner Maguire her new partner on a community service project—he’s her brother’s sworn enemy. Hannah’s determined to raise enough funds for a community center to keep kids off the streets. And Conner, who denies betraying her brother, is all-in on her project. After one kiss, she can’t resist Conner anymore, and she doesn’t want to. But if her family finds out, she’ll lose more than just her heart.

Conner Maguire’s biggest problem has curves that make his hands itch, red curly hair, and enough sass to keep him hooked and booked forever. But to this day, he doesn’t know how her brother’s college sweetheart ended up in Conner’s bed, and he never cared to figure it out—until now.

Because choosing between family and love is tearing Hannah apart, so he needs to offer her both.

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REVIEW:  STRICTLY OFF LIMITS is the third instalment in Stella Holt’s contemporary, adult LEGACY OF THE MAGUIRES romance series focusing on the Maguire siblings. This is DC police detective, Sergeant Conner Maguire, and paramedic Hannah Paletti’s story line. STRICTLY OFF LIMITS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspective (Hannah and Conner) STRICTLY OFF LIMITS follows the rebuilding relationship and romance between DC police detective, Sergeant Conner Maguire, and paramedic Hannah Paletti. Years earlier, Conner Maguire was best friends with Hannah’s brother Parker but a perceived betrayal forever broke a life long friendship, and in the ensuing aftermath pushed Hannah out of Conner’s life. Fast forward to present day, Hannah Paletti has been tasked with a fundraiser for at-risk kids, a fundraiser where both her brother and Conner have volunteered to participate but Parker’s ongoing hatred of Conner continues to influence Hannah’s friendship with our story line hero, a friendship Conner was hoping to turn into something more. As the antagonistic relationship between Conner and Parker shoves a wedge between our story line couple, Conner is about to take drastic action to prove he was as much of a victim as Parker Paletti. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Conner and Hannah, and the potential fall-out as Parker vitriol towards Conner continues to build distrust for our story line heroine.

Hannah has been in love with her brother’s former best friend for as long as she can remember but siding with her brother meant losing the man who had stolen her heart. Conner is determined to prove he was a victim of a set-up but his methods are about to add more misery for our story line heroine.

The relationship between Hannah and Conner is a brother’s former best friend, second chance of a sort for our story line couple. Parker’s inability to see beyond the pain is influencing his sister, and her issues of trust towards the man that she loves. Conner knows that the only woman he will ever love is the woman that is struggling between head and heart but a struggle he is hoping to prove he is worthy of her love. Forced to choose between family and love, Hannah is heart broken to give in to pressure to keep peace in the family. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied-there is no foul language.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and captivating. We are reintroduced to Conner’s brother Finn, a US Navy SEAL, as well as Hannah’s embittered brother Parker, and fellow paramedic Dre.

STRICTLY OFF LIMITS is a story of betrayal and vengeance, manipulation and greed, lies and fraud, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The fast paced premise is impassioned ; the characters are sassy, spirited and heart broken; the romance is seductive and sweet.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Last First Kiss
Battle of Hearts

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Author of your next binge-worthy romance series, Stella has been plotting sexy, tear-jerker stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born a Georgia peach, Stella loves all things country but calls the beach home. Most days she can be found drinking too much coffee, collecting lipstick she forgets to wear, and baking.

Stella’s first series featuring first responders debuts in 2023.

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