Spring Forward by Catherine Anderson – Review & Giveaway

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Description:
When a favorite customer on his delivery route needs a favor, Tanner Richards agrees to help without a second thought. The last thing he expects is to face off against the man’s spitfire granddaughter.

Crystal Malloy is near her breaking point. Her beloved grandfather constantly skirts the rules at the retirement center where he’s recovering from surgery. She’s caring for his escape artist dog, even if it means abandoning her salon customers, and she has no time for a romantic attraction to the handsome new stranger.

After Tanner’s reassigned to Mystic Creek, Crystal can no longer ignore how much she misjudged the man’s good intentions. She has known too much sorrow to easily open her heart, but she can’t deny that Tanner and his children could gift her with a happiness beyond compare–if only she can forgive herself for the past and accept that she’s deserving of such a love.

Review:

Spring Forward by Catherine Anderson is the 4^th book in her wonderful Mystic Creek series. Crystal Malloy, our heroine, lives with her grandfather (Tuck), who brought her up; she also manages a hair salon.  Crystal’s grandfather is currently recovering from surgery after a fall at a retirement home, and Crystal is beside herself trying to find his dog, Rip, who is always running away every day. 

Tanner Richards, our hero, is a parcel delivery driver, who has always been a friend to Tuck; and when Tuck calls him to bring him some beer and chewing tobacco, he doesn’t hesitate.  Unfortunately, Tanner will get into trouble, as the nasty head of the facility discovers the forbidden goods, and calls Crystal.  She will threaten Crystal to report the truck driver, or she will send Tuck home, even if he isn’t ready.   

This will open the door for Crystal and Tanner to meet.  Some fun begins when Tanner has to deliver a package to Crystal and finds himself trapped in the yard by Rip, who was a terror and blocks him from escaping, eventually trying to pulling off some clothes to distract the dog.  Crystal will arrive home to see a half naked stranger stuck on her porch; she will rescue him, and in a short time when they meet again, and a slow built romance will begin. 

What follows is a sweet romance between Tanner, who is a widower, with two children and the single, but emotionally damaged Crystal.  Before Tuck took Crystal to live with him, she suffered emotional abuse from her father and mother, and the tragic loss of her younger sister.  Crystal loves her grandfather very much, but those days with her parents caused her to blame herself for anything that goes wrong; she doesn’t think she is good for Tanner and his children.  Tanner will do all he kind to convince Crystal to believe in herself.  Will Crystal’s love for Tanner help her get past her issues?  

There is also a very nice side romance between Tuck and a lady in the retirement home, Essie.  Essie is a very smart, independent and wealthy woman, who will fall for Tuck.  There is some fun when it is Essie who will help Tuck against the evil administrator.  Catherine Anderson’s ability to create wonderful characters makes this a great series; as I loved Tanner, Crystal, Tuck, Tanner’s kids and Essie.  I loved Rip more so later in the book, when he calmed down more and was very loving to the kids, and Crystal, as well as being protective. 

Spring Forward was a fun, romantic and sexy read, with two great couples, cute children, and a crazy dog.  Catherine Anderson once again gives us a wonderful story that was very well written.  I suggest if you have not read the Mystic Creek series, you need to do so soon and start with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Catherine’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of SPRING FORWARD to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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