Rebel’s Return by Victoria James – a Review

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Description:
Natalia Puccini has spent her entire life playing by her overbearing but well-intentioned Italian family’s rules…except the one time she took a chance on a bad boy and fell hard. She’s worked to get her life back on track so when Aiden McCann comes sauntering back into town with his heart-stopping smile, Natalia vows not to fall for him again. There’s no way she’ll let him mess with her perfectly planned life…and there’s no way she’ll let him near her heart again…

Now reformed and a self-made success, Aiden is tormented by regrets and secrets. He left Red River years ago filled with anger and resentment and a promise to never come back. But when his ill father needs help, Aiden knows it’s time to face the mess he left behind, and face the one woman he never got over. It doesn’t matter how beautiful or intriguing she is, though, because he’ll never be able to give her what she needs. As soon as his father is healthy, Aiden is leaving Red River…for good.

Review:

Two thumbs up for The Rebels Return by Victoria James. I absolutely loved Aiden McCann, he just stole the story for me. As all of you know I love a good story where the hero is the town bad boy with a checkered past and Aiden fell into that category for me. From his first appearance in the story I knew I’d be a gonner for him and Ms. James proved me right. Aiden’s past broke my heart and made me want to make everything better for him. He’s the type of hero you can’t help but root for and want to see get his HEA that he’s denied himself all these years. Every time I learned a little bit more about Aiden and his brother Dylan’s past, and why he left Red River in the first place broke my heart even more for him. However, even though I was sympathetic to Aiden and wanted him to be happy, he caused me much frustration at times. I wanted to shake him silly and tell him to just spit it out, the whole reason as to why he lied to Natalia and broke her heart before leaving Red River. I had an idea about the why, I honestly thought it was going to be Nat’s brother who cheated on someone, or was having an affair with someone and Aiden to protect Nat’s brother took the downfall, but I was wrong. I was correct in that it did involve Natalia’s brother, only he told Aiden to never see his sister again and to leave town or else, so Aiden did just that, rather then face his screwed up life and figure out a way to fix it. Thankfully by books end he finally grows a pair and tells Natalia the truth in front of pretty much the whole town. That scene had me cheering and shedding a few tears at the same time. Yes Aiden and his brother’s life went to hell after their mother passed and their father couldn’t deal with it and raise his sons, but Aiden didn’t need to go down the wrong path either. If it hadn’t been for Natalia then he really would’ve been lost. She helped him stay somewhat on the straight and narrow, but it’s because of her that he leaves town to figure out his life and straighten it out, make something of himself and hopefully finally be worthy of her.

Natalia was a breath of fresh air in an emotionally and angst filled story. She brought light and laughter to Aiden’s life and to the story. She’s that quirky girl next door that’s sweet as pie and can charm the socks off the grumpiest senior in town. Natalia balances out Aiden’s bad boy persona and brings out another part of Aiden he’s never showed to anyone but her. With Natalia he can truly be Aiden, let his vulnerability and insecurities show and she never judges him for it. If anything she loves him all the more when he’s like this, able to let his guard down and just be Aiden. Their scenes are funny and sweet at times, while others are full of emotion that pours off the pages and makes your heart ache for this couple.

The Rebel’s Return is a fast paced read, packed full with emotional angst, regrets, lost love with the hope for future love, all set in the charming little town of Red River, with it’s cast of quirky fun characters that only add to the charm of this beautifully written story.

Until next time, happy reading everyone!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Doctor’s Fake Fiancee by Victoria James – a Review

Description:
Their marriage bargain is just what the doctor ordered…

Former surgeon and self-professed life-long bachelor Evan Manning has one thing on his mind—to reclaim the career that a car accident stole from him. But when he’s forced to return to his hometown of Red River, Evan comes face-to-face with the gorgeous woman who’s haunted his dreams for the last year—the woman he rescued from the burning car that injured his hand. Now Evan needs her help. In a month, he’ll have the job opportunity of a lifetime…he just needs a wife to get it. Artist Grace Matheson is down on her luck again…until she walks into Evan Manning’s office. When her sexy former hero hears that she needs work, he offers her a job and a home—if she’ll pretend she’s his fiancée. Grace knows she shouldn’t fall for him. Once the month is up, Evan will be back to his old life. But the more time they spend together, the more real their feelings become—and the more likely heartbreak is.

Review:

The Doctor’s Fake Fiancee by Victoria James is the 3^rd book in her Red River series. When I decided to read this book, I was concerned that I had not read the first two books. I did not need to worry, as this was a wonderful book that read very well as a standalone.

This story started off with a bang,. Our heroine Grace was driving her young son to school, when a trailer truck over turned trapping her in the car. A doctor comes to her rescue, and saves both of them. The story flips to three years later, when Grace finally finds the name of the doctor, and travels to Red River to meet him and thank him for saving her life, as well as her sons.

Evan is our hero, and he is only in Red River temporarily helping the old time resident doctor, until the job he has been waiting for comes through. We learn early on that Evan suffered a hand injury in that accident three years earlier, not allowing him to do surgery anymore. He is very anxious to get this new job that would make him the CEO of a major clinic. The company is family oriented, and wants to know that their new ceo is the same. He knows he needs to present himself to them, and plots to find a fake fiancée to help him. Evan will let nothing stand in his way, and he can’t wait to get out of Red River, though his family still lives there.

This is where Grace enters the practice to find Evan and thank him. Grace has trouble holding a job, and barely makes ends meet. She is a budding artist, but has not had an opportunity to show her work. When she does meet Evan, in a short time, he begs her to help him be his fake fiancée for a few weeks. He offers her a job as a receptionist at the doctor’s office, a place to stay, and even buys her clothes to fit the part. After some doubt, she finds it difficult to refuse, especially since she could save some money, and work on her art.

What follows is a wonderful sweet story, with great characters, including many of the secondary characters. Grace’s son Christopher is a charmer, and so much fun. The slow to build romance between Grace and Evan was great, with both attracted to each other, but they each had their own past issues.

The Doctor’s Fake Fiancee was an enjoyable heartwarming story; filled with pure romance, humor, super characters, that I found myself so entranced that I read it all in one sitting. I really loved reading this book, and was so impressed with Victoria James writing, that I plan to go back and read the first two books in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Tag Archives: Red River

The Rebel’s Return by Victoria James – a Review

Rebel’s Return by Victoria James – a Review

The Doctor’s Fake Fiancee by Victoria James – a Review

The Doctor’s Fake Fiancee by Victoria James – a Review