Hideaway (Safe Havens #4) by Sandy James-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 14, 2020

In the wake of her father’s murder, Kayla Backer fled New York City and created a new life for herself in the Montana territory. As housekeeper and friend to Drew Pearson and Gideon Young, she has chosen a beautiful spot on their farm to build her own house—her first true home.

Once a respected cattle drive foreman, Drake Meyers lost his job after the payroll he was entrusted with was stolen. Drowning in alcohol and self-pity, he has nowhere left to turn until his skill as a builder lands him a job building Kayla’s house.

When Drew and Gideon travel to Missoula to assist Drew’s widowed mother, Kayla and Drake are left to cope with the treacherous Montana winter alone. Now Kayla must help Drake overcome his alcohol dependency and learn that his life has value, and that he is worthy of her love.

Then her past comes calling

••••••••

REVIEW: HIDEAWAY is the fourth instalment in Sandy James’ adult SAFE HAVENS historical, romance series set in White Pines, Montana. This is Kayla Backer, and Drake Meyers’ story line. HIDEAWAY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Drake was first introduced in book three Redeemed.

Told from dual third person perspectives ( Kayla and Drake) HIDEAWAY follows the building relationship and romance between former cattle driver foreman Drake Meyers, and housekeeper Kayla Backer. Months earlier Drake Meyers lost everything including his reputation when the payroll he was entrusted to deliver was stolen. Fast forward to present day wherein Drake’s reputation continues to deteriorate as his drunken escapades precede his introduction to our story line heroine. Kayla Backer wants a house of her own but when Drew Pearson and Gideon Young, the young men with whom she is currently living, must return to Missoula to help their mother, Drake is hired to ‘assist’ Kayla with building her future home. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kayla and Drake, and the potential fall-out as Kayla’s past comes looking for revenge.

Kayla Backer is on the run; hiding out in White Pines, Montana but her past has been desperately looking to even a score, and Kayla is determined to run again. Approximately one year earlier, Kayla’s life was destroyed when her father was murdered, and the people responsible are hoping to end her life, as well. Drake Meyers is unable to let go of the anger that has resulted in his life spiralling out of control. Working for and with Kayla Backer, gives Drake hopes for a future, until Kayla’s past threatens everything and more.

The relationship between Kayla and Drake begins acrimoniously as Drake continues to drink to excess. Having suffered enough, Kayla forces Drake to get clean, and in doing so realizes there is more to Drake than the bottom of a bottle. As our couple endure the winter weather of White Pines, Montana, Kayla is drawn to Drake, a man who believes he is not worthy of love or affection. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Ty Bishop and Cassandra Shay (Runaway #2), Caleb Young and Sara Fuller (Redeemed 3), Caleb’s brother Gideon and his partner Drew Pearson, as well as newcomer Brigit Ryan, Marshal Matthew Riley; Gregory Carrington, his mother Chantal, and Chantal’s right hand man Otto.

HIDEAWAY is a story of family, discrimination, retribution and revenge; a story of one man’s struggle to move on from the past, and one woman’s battle between head and heart. The premise is engaging and intriguing; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic, colorful, broken but recovering.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of books 1-3 of the Safe Havens series

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy