Title: PRIMROSE LANE
Author: Debbie Mason
Series: Harmony Harbor, #3
On Sale: June 27, 2017
Publisher: Forever
Mass Market: $7.99 USD
eBook: $5.99 USD
The next book in an all-new contemporary romance series from USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason!
Olivia Davenport has finally gotten her life back together. She's left her painful past behind, started over in a new town, and become Harmony Harbor's most sought-after event planner. But her past catches up to her when Olivia learns that she's now guardian of her ex's young daughter. With her world spinning, Olivia must reconcile her old life with her new one. And she doesn't have time for her new next door neighbor, no matter how handsome he is.
Olivia may act like she's got everything under control, but Dr. Finn Gallagher knows a person in over her head when he sees one. He'd really like to be the shoulder she leans on, but Olivia makes it clear she doesn't want his help. Since he's returned to town, his waiting room has been full of single women feigning illness. Yet the one woman he's interested in is avoiding him. But with a little help from some matchmaking widows and a precocious little girl, Finn might just win Olivia over.
BONUS: The eBook edition includes a complete novel from BookShots Flames, THE MCCULLAGH INN IN MAINE by Jen McLaughlin!
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
This is the 3rd in the Harmony Harbor series, and whilst you could get away with reading it as a standalone, there are characters and parts of timelines that to carry through the whole series.
I have enjoyed the past 2 book in the series, however I think that this has become my favourite. Those Gallagher brothers sure do know how to get those hearts afluttering.
This is Finn's story - the doctor who was injured whilst working with Doctors Without Borders.
I wasn't sure what to think of Finn at first. He was such a Judgey McJudgerso towards our darling Olivia, and for a while there, I really didn't like the guy.
But of course I knew Ms Mason would turn that around quicksmart. I could understand his want to get back out of Harmony Harbor, but could also feel the pull he had to the place.
Olivia - oh my goodness my heart broke for her. Repeatedly. Hiding in plain sight, she kept rolling with the punches that life had thrown at her - and I admired the heck out of her for it.
I loved that we got the players from the earlier books, snippets of their lives now, the ghostly manouverings of the Gallaghers great-grandmother, the bickering that families always have.
Whilst the storyline was a little predictable (but you know what you are going to get going into a Debbie Mason book) there were some twists and turns thrown into the mix.
The story is well paced, flowed seamlessly and drew me in from the first word.
Now I can't wait to see what Ms Mason brings use next.
Dana leaned down to scoop her phone off the ground. No sooner had she picked it up than it rang. She recognized the number. Her finger trembled when she rejected the call. She should answer and get it over with. It might be something as simple as sending her copies of her divorce papers. But she didn’t believe that was all her lawyer wanted. Because every time she saw his number, the small hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she was overcome by a heavy sense of foreboding.
Strong fingers closed around her wrist. “Dana, relax. Take slow, even breaths or you’ll hyperventilate. That’s a girl,” Finn said when she did as he suggested, his other hand going to the nape of her neck. He gently massaged the tight muscles there, murmuring his encouragement as she got herself under control. There was no judgment in his voice. Just kindness and concern.
She’d heard Finn was well loved and respected by the people he served with Doctors Without Borders. She now had a better understanding why. Leaning against him, she was enveloped by the strength and warmth of his body and the seductive scent of his cologne.
“Thank you.” She self-consciously pulled away. “We should probably get going. I have to be back at the manor by two to get organized for the children’s craft session. They’re going to paint flowerpots for their mothers. I was going to use pink tulips but your dog trampled them, so maybe I’ll go with hyacinths. I think there’ll be enough. They’re pretty, and they mean constant love and fertility. That should work, don’t you think?”
“I have no idea what you're talking about. And not to be rude, but I really don’t care. What I do care about is who’s trying to contact you. It’s obvious that they frighten you, Dana. Why don’t you let me help?”
“No, it’s not what you think. I’m fine, honestly.”
“Sure you are, because perfectly fine people have panic attacks when they get a call in the middle of the afternoon, take too many sleeping pills, and wear a disguise. Come on, what do you take me for? At least do me the courtesy of being honest.”
All she could do was blink up at him, the warm feelings of moments ago shriveling up in response to his Arctic-cold words. She’d been right the day she met him. He probably did have a God complex. He might be ten years younger than her ex-husband, but he was just as sanctimonious and judgmental.
Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue, and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.
