Love in the Storm by Mandi Blake: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Contemporary romance
• Series: Love in Blackwater (Book #1)
• Length: 384 pages (Kindle edition)
• Publication Date: January 17, 2024

Tropes

• Forced proximity
• Second chance at love
• Small-town romance
• Single father
• Reformed FMC

My Rating

Book Description

“When a snowstorm sneaks up, she gets stranded with the handsome man who once arrested her. Will he be able to forgive her when the truth comes out?

Lyric Woods has been sober for years now, but nothing about picking herself up from rock bottom has been easy. She’s behind on bills and on the verge of getting evicted, still paying for the mistakes of her past. When she is stranded with the deputy who doesn’t remember her, she gets a second chance at a first impression. 

Asa Scott isn’t complaining about being stranded with the beautiful Lyric. The kind woman tending his wounds after a wreck in the storm is the first to make him think he could move on after his wife’s death. But when he finds out about her record, he can’t reconcile the woman from the past with the woman who cared for him at the cabin.

When Lyric needs his help after they’re rescued, Asa treads carefully. Helping her is fine—letting her into his life and trusting her near his son is another story.

Despite his fears, Asa can’t fight the way he feels about the resilient woman who helped him. But when it looks like Lyric has fallen back into her old ways, will Asa trust the evidence or believe the woman he’s falling for and fight to clear her name?”

— from Goodreads

My Review

Lyric Woods has a lot on her plate — working two jobs and trying to leave her wild past behind her. She doesn’t really have time for romance. But all that changes when she’s stranded in a blizzard with Asa Scott, a widower and single father, who just happens to be the police officer that previously arrested her.

Asa and Lyric’s romance was a bit too insta-lovey for me. But, I did enjoy their interactions while they were stranded at the cabin. Forced proximity because of snow is one of my favorite storylines!

Jacob (Asa’s son) bonding with Lyric over cars was also very sweet ☺️

Favorite Moments

❄️ Clue
❄️ One hundred pages
❄️“I’m glad it was you”
❄️ Shoveling snow

Favorite Quotes

“‘Everyone messes up, even Christians. It’s how we fix it that matters.’“

Mandi Blake

“‘Are you insinuating that I’m lying?’

Lyric took a step closer, bracing her hands on her hips. ‘You don’t even know that insinuating means.’

‘That’s it. You’ve insulted my intelligence.’ He threw his hands in the air and stalked off. ‘Bring out Monopoly. I’m taking you to the bank!’“

Mandi Blake

“‘That wasn’t my most heroic moment.’

‘It was still appreciated. Of all the people I could have gotten stuck with, I’m glad it was you.’“

Mandi Blake

“‘Taking you inside. I can’t watch you shiver any longer.’

‘Asa, I really don’t need —‘

‘Shoveling snow is not important. You are.’“

Mandi Blake

“‘My family isn’t like yours. I do have one friend, and she’s good to me, but that’s all.’

Asa’s hand slid down her arm. He threaded his fingers with hers and tightened his grip, as if firmly planting himself beside her.
‘What if I said you can have me?’“

Mandi Blake

“‘Yeah. Just thinking about you going in there when someone might be inside. It reminded me how dangerous your job can be.’

‘It’s not always highway robbery, sweetie. It’s mostly the paperwork that kicks my butt.’“

Mandi Blake

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