🏡🚌 “Together for the Twins” (Cedar Ridge #3) (2022) 🚌🏡 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Cedar Ridge (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (January 24, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335585524
ISBN-13: 978-1335585523
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“He opened his home to twin boys
Will he open his heart to their nanny?
Self-made man Ryder Montgomery is the guy with all the answers…until he inherits custody of his out-of-control twin nephews. Nanny Elise Cooper is a lifesaver and even agrees to give him parenting lessons. Soon they’re starting to feel like a real family. But with an end-of-summer expiration date, is it even possible to build a future together?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Laurel Blount, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
It was through JustRead Publicity tours that I found the author’s books, and from the one I read – I was hooked. As of note, I do have two of her books from a previous series on my TBR list.
Naturally, having also read two of her Berkely mainstream books, Blount is one of my many favorite “must-read” LI authors. The cute covers are also a draw and Love Inspired does such a great job with them – though, the kids on this cover look like angels, anything but what the twins in the book are.
While this isn’t listed as a series per se, it is set in Cedar Ridge, Georgia and characters from two previous books are either mentioned or appear:
⛪ Neil & Maggie (Book #1 – Lost and Found Faith)
🚓 Logan & Charlotte (Book #2 – Her Mountain Refuge)
👩🏻🦳 Ruby (Book #1 and Book #2)
👩🏻 Torey (one of the foster sisters)
👩🏻 Jina (another foster sister)
However, Charlotte’s former “monster-in-law” – Elizabeth – is not referenced, nor is Logan’s father. Charlotte’s former business is not mentioned either.
And, as stated in the review of Her Mountain Refuge, this is Ryder’s story.
As some of the characters are returning, it would be best to read the previous books in the series in order to place everyone and understand the relationship dynamics.
New to the Cedar Ridge family:
👩🏻 Elise Cooper
👩🏻🦳 Nanny Bev (sort of – she talks to Elisa over the phone)
👦🏻👦🏻 Tucker & Benjamin – Ryder’s 4-year-old twin nephews
Poor Ryder – right off he needs help, it is definitely apparent. Twin terrors which are more like the Tasmanian Devil x 2 (think the Loony Toons one). I mean, they were pretty bad to get a lifetime ban from a library at their age. And, I didn’t blame the librarian.
They also, even at their age – had no remorse for their actions, didn’t see where their actions were problematic, and truly were accident-prone little brats.
In addition, poor Ryder had to fix meals they wanted just to avoid issues.
Charlotte offers to take the boys to the park, and Logan warns Ryder he wants his wife back in one piece as he’s fond of her.
Ryder meets Elise Cooper, a nanny who was influenced by her English nanny – Nanny Bev. Elise’s “language” has also been influenced. She admits her clients think the inflection is rather posh.
After seeing how Elise “commands” the boys, Ryder hires her. Learning he is a single father – that is a no-go for her after a previous issue, which incidentally had to do with her controlling father, Andrew. A father who wants her to marry one of his corporate guys as he feels her nanny job is beneath her.
And, he was the one responsible for her landing in Cedar Ridge. Her father sends her current employer on a 3-month vacation with childcare. Due to her own expenses, as well as helping Nanny Bev’s assisted living costs, Elise takes the job for Ryder. Of course, Ryder needs a new place due to Elise’s policy.
Of course, the only place Ryder can get is not for rent, but he makes a deal. As a result, he reminds Elise of her father, and she almost re-thinks the job. But, it is clear that Ryder needs the help.
He not only needs her to “watch” the twins, but train him as a parent as well, given her “short tenure”.
There are mishaps a plenty, and even an issue with some thinking she’s “special” to him, something she cannot afford to allow to happen. She soon sees why he parents the way he does, and offers to help him do better.
But, even Nanny Bev thinks there is potential for Elise and Ryder.
And, Ryder’s keen business sense helps Elise with a side hustle. It is immediately successful, but at one point, it backfires and endangers Elise’s ability to find better employment.
As usual – there are ups, downs, misunderstandings, kisses, and love. Not to mention a happily ever after in this sweet, and near rom-com story.
One thing about the story – it didn’t rush or linger in any one place, and it was definitely hard to put down. I just had to keep going.
I absolutely loved Ryder’s “foster” family and felt they definitely had a bond. On the other hand, I didn’t know which I initially disliked more – the bratty twins or Elise’s “stuck-up” attitude. Though, she did sort of become more likeable, and I had to admit – she had the Tasmanian Devil twins sorted out quite well, almost like a whisperer of sorts.
Given their background, one thing they needed was therapy. Though, I did have to laugh at Torey’s idea of selling the two monkeys to the circus.
While distributed by the faith-themed line, Love Inspired, this only had a handful of faith references. It definitely didn’t come off as preachy, but was definitely inspirational in its tone.
As a fan of the author – I definitely recommend other fans pick this up. I’m also looking forward to her next Love Inspired book as well as a return to Johns Mill from Berkeley.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Series: Cedar Ridge (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (August 21, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335758763
ISBN-13: 978-1335758767
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“A terrible tragedy nearly broke him.
Can love put him back together?
Widowed history teacher Neil Hamilton has lost his way – at work, with people and even with his faith. But, Neil's shut-down existence is disrupted when a small toddler and his would-be foster mother, vibrantly pretty Maggie Byrne, come crashing into Neil's yard and his life. Can this absentminded teacher find himself again ... and take a chance on love, too?”
Publisher: Love Inspired (May 3, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133575931X
ISBN-13: 978-1335759313
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“Going home could mean risking her heart…
She needs help to start over…
But can she ever trust again?
Widowed, pregnant and under her controlling mother-in-law’s thumb, Charlotte Tremaine needs help—but she doesn’t expect it to come from her estranged childhood best friend. Yet after a fainting spell lands her in the hospital, Sheriff Logan Carter whisks her away to his foster mother’s mountain home to recover. But when her secrets follow, can she face her painful past with Logan at her side?”
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