All Summer Long - Susan Mallery

Book Blurb:
Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he'll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool's Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he's frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous…assets.

Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family—yet she can't move toward the future while she's haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?

In My Own Words:

What does a former underwear model do when he retires?  He heads to Fools Gold to start a life with this family and a ranch of his own, with ideas of his own.  What he doesn't expect is to find he is attracted to the town tom-boy, firefighter.  Since losing the love of his life, he has long stated he would never risk his heart again, but can Charlie change that way of thinking?

Charlie comes from a life no one can understand.  A famous mother that wants nothing more than to mold Charlie in to her own image, only to suffer disappointment when Charlie has no talent and isn't as attractive as a mother would want.  Coming to Fools Gold was the best decision Charlie ever made.  She has friends, a life and a job she loves.  When she comes to Clay with a proposal, and needs his help in a very intimate way, she is afraid she has lost her marbles completely.  To throw gas on that fire, dear old mom shows up and wants a Hallmark reunion.

Notable Quote:

"We're trying a new salad.  It's seasonal, with apples and fried chicken. You can get it with grilled chicken, but then I'll pretty much thing less of you. I'm just saying."

Review:

The Fools Gold series has had some hits and misses for me and this was in the hit column.  I loved that Clay took Charlie up on her proposal and their relationship grew slowly, not only romantic but also as friends.  Being able to see Clay's brother's and mom a bit, I admit, was a bonus.  I adored how the author didn't just throw the mother in there and have Charlie and her have a lovable moment and all was better, it was a struggle on both parts which made it way more real.  Can't wait for little sis' book, gonna be an explosion.

Only Yours - Susan Mallery

Book Blurb:
Montana Hendrix has found her calling—working with therapy dogs. With a career she loves in a hometown she adores, she's finally ready to look for her own happily ever after. Could one of her dogs help her find Mr. Right… or maybe Dr. Right?

Surgeon Simon Bradley prefers the sterility of the hospital to the messiness of real life, especially when real life includes an accident-prone mutt and a woman whose kisses make him want what he knows he can't have. Scarred since childhood, he avoids emotional entanglement by moving from place to place to heal children who need his skillful touch. Can his growing feelings for Montana lead him to find a home in Fool's Gold, or will he walk away, taking her broken heart with him?

In My Own Words:
Montana is the free spirit of the triplets and took a while for her to find the place she belongs in the world. Not in the location sense, cause everyone knows, Fools Gold is home for her.  Montana started working with Max helping with the therapy dogs and fell in love, with each and every dog and with helping train them to become better at what they do best, making people happy.  Montana's first meeting with the new surgeon in town was when one of her therapy dogs got loose on his burn ward.  Not the best first impression and Simon was only to happy to let Montana know exactly what he thought of her and her dirty dog.

When Simon comes across a patient that might benefit from Montana's expertise, he swallows his pride and asks for her help.  Simon doesn't become attached to anyone, only staying for short periods of time at one hospital, no matter how good of an offer he gets.  No emotional entanglements, has always been his motto.  Something about Montana calls to him, no matter how much he fights it, he is loosing his mind and his heart.

Notable Quote:
"I thought all surgeons has huge egos."
"I have my moments too." One corner of his mouth twitched. "Plus, that stick up my butt takes a lot of room."

Review:
The more and more we meet people of Fools Gold, the more I want to move there.  This was another hit for me.  I loved that Montana and Simon had to work for their HEA.  Both head strong, and both with hearts of gold, hidden behind all the sarcasm and cynicism.  The secret of the "Max" tattoo on Montana's mom may have been solved, for now, but the intrigue has made me almost giddy, to think she may also get a HEA soon.  Reading a Fools Gold book, is like catching up with old friends, getting to get little glimpses of old characters, and meeting new ones.  Can't wait for Only His.

Only Mine - Susan Mallery

Back Blurb:
You can't win if you don't play...

Her town's lack of men may make headlines, but it isn't news to Dakota Hendrix. The beautiful blonde has bigger problems to deal with, such as overseeing the romance reality competition filming in Fool's Gold. Screening eligible bachelors is a difficult enough task, but Dakota hits an unexpected snag when a sexy stranger comes to town.

Finn Anderssen will do anything to keep his twin brothers— the perfect contestants— off the show. Despite Dakota's better judgment, she finds herself drawn to the mysterious outsider. Like her, Finn knows about heartbreak and how a family can fall apart, so she doesn't dare to hope for anything more than a fling. After all, even in the Land of Happy Endings, finding true love is never as easy as it looks on TV.

In My Own Words:
After a filming crew takes over her town, the Mayor puts Dakota in charge of keeping the towns interest in the mix, therefore Dakota's own plans on hold.  During the beginning of production, a brother of two contestants shows up at her desk offering her the sun the moon and lots of money if she makes sure his brothers aren't chosen for the "love fest" show.  Finn wants to make sure his twin brothers go back to Alaska where they belong to finish college and start learning the family business.  The attraction between Finn and Dakota is instantaneous and is immediately acted upon by both of them.  During the getting to know you phase of the relationship, Dakota also has to explain to her family that several months ago, she had some tests done and her doctor recently told her that there was a one in a million chance of her ever getting pregnant, so she has started adoption papers and hopes to have her own family her own way.  When the call finally comes that there is a little girl for Dakota, it is Finn that comes to rescue and flies Dakota to LA to pick up the baby and then helps in the making of a new home when Hannah arrives.  Knowing that Finn is only there temporarily, Dakota tries her best to guard her heart, but what is there left to do when the stick turns pink??

Notable Quote:
"...You'll have to tell me if I become one of those annoying, interfering grandparents.  I'm not saying I'll change my behavior, but I will at least feel guilty about it."

Review:
This is the 4th book in the Fool's Gold series and while I enjoyed them all thus far, this is by far my favorite.  The town is one I would love to live in and raise my own family.  I love the feuding beauty shop sisters and the pink bar, and all of the sense of....home.  The relationship with Finn and Dakota was almost scripted for lack of a better word, you just knew how it would turn out, but reading how they got there was an exciting ride.