It was supposed to be an easy house- and dog-sitting gig while the owner was gone for a month. But when my sportsing landlord comes home unexpectedly, injured and in need of a new arrangement, we end up as accidental roommates instead.
But if Holt Webster, the tall, thick-muscled, square-jawed, broody-eyed rugby player, had told me he played for the Copper Valley Pounders, I would’ve told him that my stepdad bought the team while I was working cruise ships overseas.
And he would’ve noped out of offering me a place to stay because the only thing worse than looking like you’re flirting with the owner’s daughter is looking like you’re hooking up with the owner’s pregnant daughter.
Yes, yes, I’m that woman—the one who accidentally got knocked up, decided to keep the baby, and had to move home because pregnancy and cruise ships aren’t a good match.
And now I’m that woman who doesn’t just look like she’s hooking up with an off-limits player. I actually am hooking up with an off-limits player. But who can blame me? He’s hot. He’s kind. And he’s spending our nights sleeping with his hand on my baby bump.
Claiming us both.
But if my dad finds out, Holt’s gone. And we’ll be…rucked.
Ziggy and Holt have one of the best meet-cutes I’ve ever read, and it only gets better from there. Her life is changing every day, but she’s up to the challenge, except maybe where her former BFF is concerned. Her bestie’s betrayal was not on Ziggy’s bingo card so she could not have been more shocked to learn how her ‘friend’ really feels about her. Now she has to adapt to her new normal while figuring out how to come to terms with the loss of her oldest and dearest friend, the one she thought she could count on forever. Holt has experienced loss, too. He’s hurt and damaged and just going through the motions as he grapples with the death of his brother. The neighborhood hero, Holt shows up for anyone in need. He’s a natural caretaker who hires Ziggy as a sitter for the dog he never wanted.
I really loved these characters and their story. It’s funny and sweet but with plenty of steam and I enjoyed every minute. Pippa Grant always delivers laugh-out-loud funny and this book is no exception. Holt is one of the best heroes she’s ever given us and I don’t say that lightly as a fan of both the Fireballs and Thrusters. Ziggy is brave, determined and sure, but also nervous for what’s to come and worried about handling it all. Ziggy is so relatable, from her family situation to the betrayal of her former friend to being forced to choose between her career and her family.
Despite the emotion and grief, this is still a light read that made my heart happy. I can’t get enough of this series and can’t wait to see who is next. I’d like to thank the author and Give Me Books PR for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
