Book Review for LOST IN YOU by Lauren Dane

19/5/2019

Welcome back to Petal, Georgia in this spin-off of the Chase Brothers series by Lauren Dane.

Getting lost in the arms of a bad boy never felt so good

Time—and the military— have made Joe Harris a better man than he was when he left Petal, GA ten years ago. Now that he’s back, all is wants is to take care of his dad, get his garage up and running and spend time with his dog.

He has no plans for a relationship, especially one with his best friend’s kid sister, no matter how much she tempts him.

And boy does she ever.

Previously published; newly refreshed by author—including bonus chapters!

From falling in love to heartbreak to family drama and dealing with aging parents with issues and how it affects your life, I was immersed in this tale and at times I felt the pain of the protagonists in my heart like it was my own.
Joe Harris just spoke to me, it was so easy for me to understand his struggles and the way he felt about his parents and everything he tried to do, to hold the family above the waterline and not drown into the sea of mental illness and dementia, issues within the family, PTSD, and everything else life was throwing at him.
Beth Murphy was a notoriously strong woman. She knew what she wanted and wasn't shy about going after it. There was that daring recklessness in her spirit when it came to Joe, and I loved it. I also loved the tight hold the Murphy siblings have, and how they were there for each other. The things they have survived and still were thriving, successful, healthy human beings was nothing sort of amazing and admirable.
The spark between Joe and Beth took off fast, setting out hot flames. What I really enjoy about this series - that is a bit different than what I often read in the romance genre - is that there is more to the story than just falling in love. The author tells a story that is spread over time, and she shows the difficulties to balance life, business, responsibility, family drama, and a new, budding relationship. Life is not always easy, and we do not always get what we want, and sometimes love and desire alone is not enough, you have to find the guts to dare to share, trust, and open up to build something lasting.
Beth showed that even in heartbreak and during the stormy weathers of life, you do not abandon your loved ones. Those scenes were not easy, the pain is palpable, the angst is high, and there are so many directions the story could take, and my gosh, the ache was real and raw, tangible in the air.
Petal, Georgia is well represented in the story, the meddling townfolks, and the extended family brings a lot of characters into the play. It helps to keep a track of everyone if you have read all the books, it is not necessary, but like said, it helps.
I loved the remakes of the original series with the Chase brothers, and this spinoff remake is proving to be just as potent, passionate, and entertaining.
So much emotion, life, drama, and triumph, fitted into a smoothly flowing, heartfelt tale.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!

The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.