Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Mostly contemporary romance with some mystery/suspense elements
• Series: Deep Haven Collection (Book #4)
• Length: 330 pages (Kindle edition)
• Publication Date: July 1, 2021

Tropes

• Grumpy + sunshine
• Opposites attract
• Small-town romance

My Rating

Book Description

“He’s in Deep Haven to relax.

Detective Daniel “Boone” Buckam is more than burned out. After fourteen stellar years on the job, one bad judgment call—and, fine, a whole lot of cynicism—has forced him into a mandatory vacation. If he can get his head on straight, there’s a job as Police Chief waiting for him back in his Minneapolis suburb. 

But then he meets Vivien.

Actress Vivien Calhoun isn’t really a drama queen. Sure, she gets swept up in the emotions of life—but please, she’s an actress. Or, um, was until a stalker made her flee the bright lights of Broadway. Now, she’s passionate about directing her local theater production. But when she accidentally ropes an uptight police detective on vacation into her cast, she can’t help but wonder if he might be the leading man she’s always longed for.

Of course, she’s in trouble.

Boone can’t help but like Vivien. He might even have a type — vivacious and bubbly, with a penchant for attracting danger. He can smell trouble even if she can’t, and is pretty sure her stalker has hunted her all the way to Deep Haven. He’ll have to stay by her side — even if it means being in her silly play—to keep her safe. But Vivien is more than he expected as she helps him discover a part of him he’s locked away…the part that said he could never love again.

So much for relaxing.

It’s summertime in Deep Haven, and the fun is heating up in this laugh-out-loud, charming story.”

— from Goodreads

My Review

Years of expectations and stress have left Detective Boone Buckham rapidly heading toward burnout. With a promotion hanging in the balance, he reluctantly agrees to a vacation in Deep Haven. What he doesn’t count on is meeting Vivie.

The small-town setting really added a lot to this story. Local shops, high school football games, festivals — it all sounds so cozy and fun!

I loved how Vivien simultaneously pushed Boone out of his comfort zone and helped him relax. 

Their romance had many cute moments, like how “in character” they got while reading lines from the play.

Boone’s struggle with expectations, trying to decide between the life he wants and the life he thought he wanted (or should want), really resonated. 

A couple of nitpicks: 
* The Beth and Gordy subplots were resolved a bit too quickly
* Vivien could be a little pushy at times

Favorite Moments

🎭 car parade
🎭 reading lines
🎭 cauliflower pizza
🎭 performing the play

Favorite Quotes

“‘You’re suppose to stay calm, right?’

‘Right.’

‘Hmm.’ Caleb gave him a look. ‘Interesting.’

The way Caleb said it gave Boone the feeling that he’d just invited a little bit of trouble into his life.

And he didn’t exactly hate it.“

Rachel D. Russell

“She nodded. ‘I think it’s okay.’

He raised a brow at her. ‘Think?’ How often do you need to smell the food in your refrigerator to determine if it’s edible?’

‘Not that often.’

‘Answer under oath.’

‘I plead the Fifth.’“

Rachel D. Russell

“He’d faced dangerous criminals. He could eat vegetables. Vegetables didn’t kill. Probably….

He readied his Coke and took a bite. Chewed. Drank. Swallowed.

Didn’t die. In fact, it wasn’t half bad.“

Rachel D. Russell

“And he knew she needed the play just like he needed that promotion. Because the world was watching. And neither one of them wanted to face failure.“

Rachel D. Russell

“Problem was, pretend didn’t break her heart. No matter what happened under the spotlight, pretend was safe. At the end of the night, she walked away from the heartache.

But maybe she also walked away from a happy ending.“

Rachel D. Russell

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