
How did the hottest hockey player in the NHL wind up braiding hair and hosting tea parties?
Because someone was foolish enough to name him co-guardian of their children. That’s how.
Cole Montgomery’s living his best life–until he gets a call from an attorney letting him know he’s been entrusted with the care of two little girls. He can’t imagine why anyone would think he was a good role model. He can’t even keep a plant alive.
Lingerie designer Hailey Casselton grew up with a free-spirited mother. So, when she finds out she’s the temporary co-guardian to two children, she’s determined to give them the best Christmas they’ve ever had. Unfortunately, she has to live with the jerk from high school who ruined her senior year.
But she gets a glimpse of the man behind Cole’s larger-than-life persona, and she likes what she sees. He might be used to living for himself, but he works hard to change his ways and meet the needs of these lost and scared girls. It doesn’t take long for her to enter dangerous territory–falling for a guy who’s never going to settle down.
Except…as much as Cole keeps saying he can’t wait to get his freedom back…he can’t deny these girls–and okay, even Hailey–have become the very best part of his life.
And he’s not quite sure what to do about that.
How much did I love this story? Let me count the ways: Loveable characters, heartbreaking backstory, adorable kids, great supporting cast. I could go on but suffice it to say I fall in love a bit more with Calamity Falls with every book. Hailey and Cole are career-focused singles with lives in Boston and New York. The last thing they ever expected was to become guardians of their best friend’s children back in Calamity Falls. Aside from being the girls’ godparents, they weren’t really involved in the kids’ lives and had fallen mostly out of touch with their friends. Despite not knowing a single thing about children, they’re both happy to step up temporarily until family can be located. Except there doesn’t seem to be any family so Lindsey and Darren chose their friends for good reason.
Cole Montgomery has always had a thing for Hailey Casselton, but she was too closed off from the world to ever realize how interested he was in her. He’s used to be rejected and ignored after his lonely childhood, so Cole resigned himself to the fact that Hailey wanted nothing to do with him, especially after another one of his mistakes cost her everything.
Hailey and Cole were perfect together even before they wanted to admit it. They both had a lot of baggage, especially Cole, but they’re determined to get past it for the sake of the two little girls who need them now. Until they aren’t and it all blows up in their faces. This is a surprisingly light read considering the heavy subject matter both in the events which reunite them and the history of both characters, but the girls are so sweet and the MCs so good for the kids and for each other that just makes you happy. I love these characters and their story and highly recommend this book. The HEA is exactly what you want for them and feels like a hug from an old friend. I received an ARC from Grey’s Promotions in exchange for an honest review.