Books & Spoons review: Caught Up in You by Kim Boykin

After attending her baby sister’s destination wedding, Shelby Worthington decides she’s ready to do some husband hunting of her own. The only problem? She’s still insanely attracted to Declan Enright, her high school and college crush. He’s now a wildly successful painter who’s temporarily back in Magnolia Bay, but Declan should be Shelby’s last choice for possible husband material. He didn’t earn the reputation of runaway groom for nothing…

Declan has worked hard to make his mark on the New York art scene and has succeeded at everything he’s ever done…except love. But Declan has come back to the Bay to change that and care for his dying father, even if he’s still never forgiven Declan for leaving the family business. Shelby is determined to steer clear, but while her lips keep saying no, her heart is pounding out yes each time she and Declan are together. While she can’t deny her attraction, Shelby’s convinced that Declan’s track record means he will break her heart. Or has Declan changed for good, and made love worth the risk?

---

Many serious, deep issues brought up in this novella, making it easy to relate to, and lifelike. Declan had come back home, to keep an eye on his ill father. His childhood hadn't been happy, the relationship with his father was not close, but he still cared and did his duty as a son, never giving in to his father' ornery behavior.
Declan also had run away from the altar three times, and making everyone, including himself,  question his ability to love and commit.
Shelby has had a crush on Declan as long as they had known each other. She's taking care of her sister, who left her husband during their honeymoon, because of fertility issues, and is now living with her. The sisters have lost their parents at a young age, and all the issues in their lives recently made them  grieve for them anew.
It is an interesting, and a sweet story. I liked how the relationship between Declan and his father, developed, and what role Shelby played in it. I wish there would have more about the interaction between people, especially between Declan and Shelby. Because even though they had been friends a long time ago, time had passed, and they needed to get to know each other better. I felt like the story was just starting, when it already ended. I really would have loved to see more, got deeper into the story, cause there was so much potential for an amazing tale here
~ Three Spoons