Title: Count On Me
Series: Petal, Georgia bk 3
Author: Lauren Dane
Genre: Contemporary
Petal is the last place Caroline Mendoza thought she’d end up. Sixteen years ago she lost both parents there—her mother to murder and her father to prison for the crime. Since then she’s built a successful life, but she’s never let go of the belief her father is innocent.
Now she’s back in Petal to find the truth. With a new job and a mystery to solve, she’s got plenty on her plate. But when she bumps into Royal Watson, the sparks fly hard and fast.
When the whipsmart, opinionated lawyer blows into town like a beautiful storm, Royal has a reason to make the time to get off his organic farm and pursue her. And soon their intense attraction is tipping into something more.
As Caroline’s dogged investigation digs up ghosts of the past, there’s not much time for basking in love’s glow. The closer she gets to the truth, the more threatened the real killer gets…and the greater the danger that all her digging could lead to her own grave.
Thoughts: If you’ve never read one of Lauren Dane’s contemporary romances you are missing out on one of the best storytellers in the industry. Her stories are full of everyday people living their lives to the best of their ability. All while falling in love.
I fell in love with Royal in Once and Again. In Once and Again and Lost in You we’ve gotten glimpses of the awesomeness that is Royal Watson. I ain’t gonna lie, it was nothing compared to Royal full on in all his southern boy charm.
From the moment Royal runs into Caroline he wants her. He launches a one man campaign to win her. It doesn’t take long either as she’s just as attracted to him as he is to her. Before long they are in a relationship and seeing where the future will take them. There are just a few bumps on the road.
The first being now that Royal has moved on and is in love Anne (the girl he was in love with for years and in a relationship with) has decided that she wants him back.
The second because of Anne’s attitude towards her none of Royal’s best friends who happen to all be related to Anne are very accepting of her and so she doesn’t feel comfortable around them and so she doesn’t go to any of the events with them.
The third her family isn’t very welcoming to her and accuse her of a lot of nasty stuff. Especially her grandparents.
Fourth, the person responsible for her mother’s murder doesn’t want the truth coming out and has fixated on her.
Combine all of these elements and Polly Chase, who is probably one of the absolute best secondary characters ever written and you have an awesome book.
One of my favorite scenes is when Anne decides she’s going to get rid of Caroline and get Royal where she wants him. I won’t tell you what happens but it was so awesome I read the scene four times before moving on.
This is a perfect summer read book. In fact this series is a perfect summer read series. So if you haven’t already read it, now’s the time to start.
Grade B+
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