Books & Spoons Review A TEXAS SOLDIER'S FAMILY by Cathy Gillen Thacker

DON'T MESS WITH THIS TEXAN! 

On the last leg of his tour of duty, Captain Garrett Lockhart is summoned home to Laramie, Texas, to handle an urgent family matter—a scandal that could destroy the enduring legacy of the Lockharts. Except it's already being "handled" by Hope Winslow, a professional crisis manager. 

Hope is also the beautiful single mother of the most adorable baby boy the Army doctor has ever seen. Garrett is resisting Hope's efforts at damage control—and pushing her clearly defined boundaries. Too bad she can't resist him…and fantasies of a future with her Lone Star soldier!

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This story was just what I needed for this Sunday evening. It had meaning, substance, yet no angst or agony to be too heavy.
The family drama, and the embezzled funds, the mystery behind it, and the stress of the publicity all gave texture to the story and intrigue to the mind. 
The attention brought to the need of the veterans after service care was admirable, and well done with respect towards the service personnel. 
I liked the honesty of the family, their view of the history, and how the loyalty to family meant something to all of them. The light banter between the siblings was witty and made me smile.  
Garrett and Hope have chemistry, connection, and understanding between them, that was instant, yet felt genuine. They truly get each other, and see the point of view of each other, even though they don't always agree on matters. They have open communication, until it suddenly gets too personal, and brakes down completely. 
I loved how Max brought them together. The bond between Garrett and Max was like father and son from the first time they meet. Max brought a lot to the story, making me smile several times. Taking care of Max, getting his needs met, and keeping him happy gave Garrett and Hope a unique way to bond, get closer to each other in fast, yet honest way. The passion between them is ardent, the desire palpable, but is there more to their relationship than sex and taking care of Max, or is there a foundation for true, lasting kind of feelings, even for a future? 
Enjoyable and entertaining story, just enough depth and matter, to be a quick summer read, something to take your mind off the world around, while relaxing. With enjoyable, developed characters, engaging events, and alluring, steamy romance, topped with one heart stealing infant, gave me lots of smiles and few deep sighs 
~ Four Spoons

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