Title: Back to You
Series: The Hurley Boys bk 3
Author: Lauren Dane
Genre: Contemporary
Former model Kelly Hurley has finally put the ashes of the past behind her. After a passionate but turbulent marriage to rock star Vaughan Hurley that ended in heartbreak and divorce, Kelly rebuilt her life in Portland, where she settled so their two young daughters could be close to their father. Just not so close Kelly couldn’t truly make her own way without interference from the man who shattered her heart. Now Kelly’s finally ready to move on, and she’s planning to marry another man.
But not if Vaughan has anything to say about it.
Vaughan knows he was a fool all those years ago. A young, selfish—and prideful—fool. Even as he buried himself in the fast, decadent rock star lifestyle, he could never drown out the memory of Kelly’s beauty and love. Or the sweet, searing heat whenever they touched. For years, he’s had to deal with the pain of seeing her only because of their daughters, but it was never enough. Now Vaughan must prove that he’s the only man Kelly needs, before he loses her for good. And there’s only one way to do it.
Thoughts: It’s no secret that I’m a huge Lauren Dane fan and have all of her books both in print and e-book, and this book has been on my I can’t wait for it to come out list every since she started this series.
I have to tell you it more than lives up to everything I expect from a Lauren Dane book. In fact I can honestly tell you this book is in my top 5 of favorite Lauren Dane books.
One of the things I adore about Dane’s writing is the how real the characters are. More than once I’ve found myself wishing I knew her characters in real life. None more so than Vaughan and Kelly (oh who am I kidding as hot and awesome as Vaughan and Kelly are they are nothing to Julian, Vincenz and Hannah from Captivated)
There is nothing like a man who realizes that the family he had and threw away is the only one family he wants, and that he’s waited to long to take back what is his. Now that his ex-wife has gotten engaged he realizes he’s waited to long but to long. He still has a chance. When one of his daughters gets sick he knows this is his chance, and it’s one he isn’t willing to pass up.
When Vaughan threw their family away 8 years ago Kelly picked up the pieces and made a life for her and her girls. One that still allowed Vaughan to be dad, because while he might have sucked in the husband role, he’s a great dad. So when Vaughan temporarily moves into her house to help out with their sick daughter sh discovers a new Vaughan, the Vaughan she’d wanted years ago.
I freaking loved this story. No, I don’t just freaking love this story I FREAKING (I would use that other F word here, but Amazon will bounce the review if I do) love this story. As much as I liked the other Hurley brothers stories this one is my absolute favorite.
Part of growing up is owning up to your mistakes and that is exactly what Vaughan does. It isn’t easy and Kelly doesn’t make it easy on him (I respected the hell out of her for that, way to many times in romance does the hero grovel once for being an a**hole and the heroine forgives him and they move on). She makes his show her he’s changed by being present in their lives, and not just the fun time dad.
The emotions between these two were so heartfelt and strong I found myself crying and laughing so many times. I’m not kidding when I say that this is one of my favorite Dane stories and that it is my favorite Hurley book.
This is Dane at her best.
Grade A+
