Up By Five by Erin Nicholas

Title:  Up By Five

Series:  Counting On Love Series Book #5

Author:  Erin Nicholas

Genre:  Romance/Contemporary

Blurb:  He’s got the last thing he ever wanted…and it’s the best thing that ever happened.

Ace paramedic Conner Dixon has sworn to never live with another woman after raising his four younger sisters. Now that they’re all in love, Conner’s ready to retire—from worrying, fixing problems, and cleaning up messes. Yet when fellow paramedic Gabrielle Evans’s apartment burns down and she needs a place to stay, he can’t say no.  Gabby’s penchant for poker and her ability to overhaul a transmission definitely make her different from Conner’s usual women—not to mention a total lack of interest in getting involved with him. With her sights set on medical school, Conner’s crazy mix of family and friends is the last thing Gabby needs right now.

But within forty-eight hours of moving in, Gabby’s up to her eyeballs in a family crisis and Conner’s got the last thing he wanted—a girl and all her stuff, all over his stuff. Still, the more she makes herself at home, the more he thinks that maybe this is exactly where her stuff should be. For good. 

Warning: Contains a girl who thinks she wants to be just one of the guys, a guy who happily proves why that won’t work, and a very good reason to buy cinnamon roll icing—you know, other than for use on cinnamon rolls.

Thoughts:  This is the book I have been waiting for since the start of this series, and I have to say it lives up to the anticipation!  One of the things I liked most about this one was Gabby’s bluntness – which definitely catches Conner’s attention!  Not to mention the sparks between them!  The best scenes for me were when Connor and Gabby were tempting each other with that very same chemistry….I just couldn’t get enough of these guys together.  Not to mention, we have been waiting for Conner to get his Happily Ever After (HEA) since the first book in this series!

     I personally thought – considering all the grief Conner gave his sisters – that he would have a much harder time getting – and keeping! – his love interest.  He had it far too easy in my opinion!  While this couple does have its issues to overcome, it wasn’t near close enough considering all the grief and heartache he caused – and just sheer bullheadedness that he exemplified in previous books.  Don’t get me wrong, I love, love, LOVE Conner, but I was really waiting for him to get his just desserts in this one.

As always though, this book is just sheer brilliance on the part of Erin Nicholas.  I have loved this series, and I was very content to finally get to read Conner’s story.  After everything he has done for his sisters over the years, I was happy to see he found his happiness at last.  This is a series that is just not to missed – so if you’re in the mood for a good romance that is fun, flirty, and original – this one is perfect.  Definitely a recommended read!

Rate:  A