Friday, April 22, 2016

Review ~ DOING IT OVER by Catherine Bybee

Doing It Over (Most Likely To Series, #1)
by: Catherine Bybee
Series: Most Likely To Series
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 19, 2016
Source: Montlake Romance via NetGalley


Voted Most Likely to Succeed, Melanie Bartlett ended up anything but. The down-on-her-luck single mom wants a complete do-over—is that too much to ask? With her family long gone from River Bend, strong, independent Mel is as surprised as anyone to end up in the quaint small town she once called home. But with her friends, Jo and Zoe, by her side, and a comfortable room at Miss Gina’s quirky bed-and-breakfast, she just might have turned the corner on a new life.

Wyatt Gibson never liked the big city. River Bend suits the ruggedly handsome builder just fine. Wyatt knows he’s home, even if that means being charmed by the appearance of Melanie and her spunky, adorable daughter. Is Wyatt’s calm devotion—even amid a coming storm—enough to convince Mel she may have found a home to call her own, a family that never leaves, and a true love to last a lifetime?
REVIEW
A lot can change in ten years.  But real friendship never does.

Ten years ago, Melanie Bartlett left the small town of River Bend behind, with a bright future ahead of her.  Too bad life got in the way of her hopes and dreams. She returns to River Bend to attend her high school reunion, puttering into town in need of a miracle.  She’s a broke, single mother with only the possessions she has in her broken down car.

Wyatt Gibson is a laid-back carpenter.  He’s only been in town for about two years, but knows River Bend is where he wants to stay.  He’s more than what he seems. He’s never thought about settling down until he meets Melanie and her 7-year-old daughter, Hope.

Melanie is a strong heroine who loves her daughter and isn’t afraid of hard work. She’s not accustomed to a man being good to her and her daughter like Wyatt is. Yet, time and time again, Wyatt proves to her that he’s a man she can rely on.  A man she can allow herself to love.  The two are good as a couple.  But this story is more than the intimacy these two share.  It’s about second chances and finding true everlasting love.

I loved that River Bend is a small town.  I love even more that you don’t have busybodies all around.  Yes, the people know what’s going on, but they don’t seem to meddle in other’s business.  However, they do watch out for each other.  Miss Gina, the owner of the B&B, where Melanie and Hope find themselves, is a riot. She has Melanie’s best interest at heart.  Melanie’s best friends, Jo, Zoe, and Luke are also great characters who are getting their own stories.

I always forget how much I enjoy Catherine Bybee’s stories until I start to read one. Doing it Over was soooo not what I was expecting.  I went in thinking I was going to get a straightforward romance with a HEA in the end.  What I got was a romance with suspense elements that I didn’t see coming.

The suspense is a slow build with pieces you desperately want to put together.  It’s straightforward but does hold some surprises.  I can’t wait to find out who the next book is going to be about and what’s going to happen.  The Most Likely To series promises to have some interesting couplings and a few surprises.

**Received a copy from Montlake in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.**

Rating: 4.5


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2 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting me today... And for the lovely review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome. Thanks for writing the book!

      Delete

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