🏔️🚑 “The Paramedic’s Forever Family” (Smoky Mountain First Responders #2) (2022) 🚑 🏔️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Smoky Mountain First Responders (Book #2)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming (March 29, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335426671
ISBN-13: 978-1335426673
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“Sometimes “good friends”
Just isn't enough…
Bachelor paramedic Mason Ruddick doesn't know what he'd do without Lindsay Hudson. The widowed mom is his sounding board, his neighbor and, since the death of her husband and his best friend, his lifeline. Only lately, Mason can't stop noticing just how beautiful and special Lindsay is. Or how often he thinks about her. Now Mason's heart is caught between the best friend he lost…and the one he's falling for.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Tanya Agler, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I have been a fan of the author since her debut book – The Sheriff’s Second Chance (February 2020), the first book of the Heroines of Hollydale series, which this series is connected to. That is where we meet Georgie and Mike who are also referenced in this book.
Since then, I’ve read all the books of that series, and the first book of this series – The Single Dad’s Holiday Match. That is Aiden and Natalie’s story, and the two make a memorable appearance here.
This one is about Lindsay and Mason, and the cover depicts a cuter and more adorable relationship than the one that is depicted in the book. It’s not a total misrepresentation, but there is a “slight” difference.
Other returning characters are Lindsay’s aunt Hyacinth and Hyacinth’s frenemy Belinda. Another one of the Matchmaking Mimosas shows up briefly – Fabiana, she tries to pair Lindsay up with her son Carlos. As of note, book #3 is going to feature Carlos and his ex-wife. There is also a judge from one of the books that isn’t even mentioned.
That said …
One thing that Lindsay makes clear – she won’t date a first responder again.
Characters mentioned in The Single Dad’s Holiday Match that don’t show up are: Brooke and Johnathan as well as their combined kids. And, Brooke’s aunt Mitzi (another one of the “Mimosas”) is missing as well.
In this book, readers also meet Lindsay’s mother, Dahlia (Hyacinth’s sister). In addition, Becks and Jillian also show up here or there. Lindsay also has two cute kids – Evan (4) and Chloe (20 months).
Agler also introduces us to Mason’s sister Bree who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Mason and Bree lost another sister, Colette, to leukemia years early.
We also get to meet Mason’s grandparents – Grandma Betty and Grandpa Joe, as well as Joe’s chiweenie Goliath (yes, I laughed my head off at that). For those unfamiliar with the breed, a chiweenie is a cross between the Chihuahua and Dachshund.
Lindsay is good friends with her neighbor Mason. But they also have a unique relationship – Mason was Lindsay’s late husband’s partner. Tim died in a helicopter crash. Lindsay is working on the memorial for the first responders, and she desperately wants Mason there.
Mason, for his own reasons, doesn’t want to attend. And, even without knowing them – it is pretty easy to guess why.
Mason, over the past year, has grown close to Lindsay through their nightly talks at the fence. He’s pretty sure he’s fallen in love with her, but she hasn’t said anything about finding someone else.
The first line really hit me …
“One more minute on hold and Lindsay Hudson would scream so loud the spring wildflowers in bloom outside her office would wilt.”
Yup, I’ve been on hold that long. It has to do with Tim’s last name being misspelled on the memorial plaque. At first the company isn’t owning up to their mistake, but eventually does.
Mason enters the conversation, and it has to do with lunch with Lindsay.
Agler introduces us right off to the pair who should, already, know what they want in life. But, they’re focused on other things. One thing is clear – their meetings at the fence and their friendship. He considers Lindsay and her kids his family, so much so the kids are the beneficiaries of his life insurance policy.
Because of Bree’s diagnosis, Mason is tasked with watching Grandpa Joe while Grandma Betty heads to Tennessee to support Bree.
While cleaning up from a tornado and working on the memorial, Lindsay starts to wonder about her feelings for Mason; but she won’t act on them because she doesn’t want to lose him too.
Mason isn’t sure how to act on his feelings for Lindsay, and doesn’t think it is right because she is/was his best friend’s wife, now widow. He feels it would belittle Tim’s memory.
As they get closer (as friends) Lindsay then sees that each conversation is almost an argument with Mason. But, instead of confronting the feelings, he tends to pull away.
It isn’t until about the 56% mark where Mason reveals his reasons for not wanting to go to the dedication – he wants to remember how Tim lived, not how he died. Lindsay counters it with Tim’s “final act” as a first responder. But, it also reminds Mason of how Lindsay is still in love with Tim. Which; isn’t true at all.
If what they’re going through isn’t enough, a new position in Wilmington opens up and Lindsay’s boss thinks she’s perfect for it. That worries Mason who thinks he might be losing his best friend.
This is a typical “middle” book read. The plot is a bit light on the action and a tad heavier on the drama. It works as a good weekend read. It isn’t a bad book, but it isn’t a stellar “must-read” either. It works to continue the series. The plot does quite a bit of heart with some reality sprinkled in.
I think part of my problem with it was Lindsay, particularly her insistence at Mason’s attendance to the dedication of the memorial. I did find Mason’s reasons a bit solid. Everyone processes their grief differently.
On the other hand, Grandpa Joe certainly carried more of this book than I expected. The short chapters really helped move the story along without rushing it. There were times I didn’t want to stop reading it.
There are some remarkable scenes that stood out:
💐 Mason and Lindsay delivering Natalie & Aiden’s baby
💐 Lindsay falling through the roof of her guest room
💐 Dahlia trying to rearrange Lindsay’s house, and life
💐 Near the end with Mason at the dedication (it is rather amusing)
One reviewer noted Lindsay’s lack of a sense of humor. I am on the fence (pardon the pun) about that. The woman did lose her husband two years earlier, after her husband’s death she had to give birth to her daughter, and she is a single mom. So, the humor deal is sort of understandable. Yet, she did seem to have “fun” with her friends while they were out drinking.
This, for the most part, is definitely a heartwarming read; especially as both Mason and Lindsay consider – “is love worth the risks”. Agler handles the balance of grief and second chance romance remarkably well.
Although listed as a romance, there is very little romance except for a few kisses. It is a very clean read though.
Fans of the author and genre are sure to love this. I’m eagerly awaiting my next visit to Hollydale later this year.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Previous Book in the Series:
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming (September 28, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335426434
ISBN-13: 978-1335426437
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“'Tis the season…For unexpected love!
Officer Jonathan Maxwell is just as devoted to his job as he is to his two
young daughters, leaving zero time for a social life. Until he meets Brooke
Novak. The newly hired community center director is a single parent, too, and
also part of his latest investigation. Jonathan needs Brooke’s help if he's going
to close his case by Thanksgiving…but she might be the biggest distraction from
keeping his mind on his job.”
Connected Series (Heroines of Hollydale):
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Or can they?
Officer and single dad Mike Harrison doesn’t believe in second chances. Ever. That is, until he learns that his former best friend—gorgeous green-eyed car mechanic Georgie Bennett—is back in town. Unfortunately, she’s also a suspect in a recent break-in! But it’ll take an old classic car to show Mike and Georgie that almost anything can be restored with a little patience…and a whole lot of love.”
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“She fell from grace…
Before falling for him
When her husband defrauded the town of Hollydale,
now-divorced mom Lucie Decker went from being the town darling to total pariah.
Now she’s launching a new business and needs ranger Caleb Spindler’s help. And
her twins adore Caleb. After all, he’s a genuine hero—even if he is hiding a
secret. But while Lucie’s heart has forgotten how to trust, it still remembers
how to fall in love…”
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“He had a plan…
She changed it all!
Major Aidan Murphy arrives in the charming small town of Hollydale to take full
guardianship of his six-year-old nephew. Only there’s a slight problem—his
vivacious, fiery co-guardian. School teacher Natalie Harrison has no intention
of letting Aidan take her best friend’s heartbroken little boy away. Now Aidan
must convince Natalie that blood is stronger than love…even if his heart tells
him otherwise.”
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