Guest Reviewed by Ang
Title: Behind the Scandal
Author: M.A. Stacie
Series: Reluctance #2
Hero/Heroine: Taylor & Libby
Genre: M/F Contemporary Romance
Length: 202 pages
Publisher: TWCS Publishing House
Release Date: July 31, 2014
Available at: TWCS Publishing House, Kobo, and iBooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Sent to the family ranch to overcome his addiction, Taylor Reese is angry and hurt. Feeling rejected by his father and brother, Taylor throws himself into ranch life to help him forget. He struggles with his addiction, though he refuses help. But it isn’t long before it hits him hard how much his life has spiraled out of control. He begins to question every aspect of his life, and the confusion leaves him floundering and looking for something, or someone, to cling to.
Libby Karlin is cautious, wary of Taylor’s presence. His brutal honesty and lack of respect claw at her composure. Her dark past makes her reluctant to let anyone near her family, but when Taylor strikes up a friendship with her son, Libby finds herself drawn to the sadness within him. His experiences are no secret to her. She sees where his world turned upside down and offers him a helping hand. But her own secrets stay buried, locked away until a knock on her door has her gasping for breath.
Libby’s fear paralyzes her as she comes face to face with her demons and, determined to stay strong, she battles for a way out.
Could dealing with their pasts really give them a future?
Review:
“Anger will always hold you back.”
Behind the Scandal is book 2 in the Reluctance series and follows the lives of Taylor and Libby
Taylor is an ex junkie who is sent to live on his Uncle Josh’s ranch to detox. He is a grade-A ass and is always angry. There, he meets Libby, a young mum with a 6 year old son, Levi, who lives on the ranch. Libby is a horse trainer and is very secretive of her past.
Libby and Taylor do not get along in the beginning and have a few run-ins with each other. There’s sexual banter and watching their slow romance grow into something more was nice. Libby is sassy, beautiful, and straight forward and doesn’t put up with Taylor’s moods or his grade-A self-absorbed attitude. It was quite fun to watch these two fall for each other. When Taylor realized that he wanted better for himself and wanted Libby and Levi to be his home, the story gets really good! And Libby thinking she’s finally safe and free from her crazy ex, starts to let Taylor in…
“Running away isn’t the answer, kid. You need to face your problems head on.”
Eventually, I started to warm up to Taylor and his bonding moments with his uncle Josh and Libby’s son, Levi. There are many beautiful moments throughout the story.
I loved the ending and the epilogue was beautiful. This was my first M.A. Stacie book and it won’t be my last. Behind the Scandal is a predictable love story with a few twists and turns but it’s an enjoyable, lovely romance with an okay heat factor.
“Wherever you and Levi are is home.”
I recommend reading the first in the series, Beneath the Surface, as it took me a while to understand what was going on, although, it can still be read as a stand alone. If you enjoy New Adult and unnecessary drama, then this is the one for you.
Overall Impression: It was good
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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