Friday, March 4, 2016

Second Chance with the Billionaire - Janice Maynard (HD #2392 - Aug 2015)

Series: Kavanaghs of Silver Glen (Book 5)

Former ski champion Conor Kavanagh enjoys a challenge. And he's encountered no challenge more arousing than Ellie Porter. Once, she broke his heart. Now that she's back in town? He can't seem to stay away…

But Ellie has changed. Widowed, with a baby, she has responsibilities -- and secrets -- weighing her down. Still, his desire for her is undeniable. Surely, he can have her without giving up his heart -- or his daredevil ways? He's willing to risk it all to find out…

Very good reunion story. After a devastating accident that ended Conor's dreams of competition he set his eyes on different challenges. One of them is being part of the family business and making his ski resort one of the best. When he hears that his childhood friends, Ellie and Kirby Porter are back in town he's happy, but also wary. His teenage crush on Ellie had ended badly when she wanted him to choose between his risky activities and her, so he's surprised when she comes to him for help.

Ellie and her brother have come back to Silver Glen to take care of their sick grandfather. Ellie is also at her wit's end trying to figure out how to help her brother, who was badly injured in the same climbing accident that killed her husband. She thinks that Conor, having had to overcome his own disappointments, is just the person to help his old friend. She doesn't count on her old feelings for him coming back too.

Conor agrees to spend time with Kirby, and soon it is as if they had never been apart. I loved their first meeting, as Conor faced the elephant in the room and commented on Kirby's artificial foot. After the initial shock, Kirby reacted with the humor that Conor remembered from their youth. I loved seeing Kirby come out of the depression he was in and begin to live again. 

Spending time with Kirby also meant spending time with Ellie. The attraction they felt as teens is much stronger now, but there are still obstacles blocking their path. Between her husband's death, having her baby and taking care of Kirby and her grandfather, Ellie has avoided dealing with any of the emotions that came with them. Avoiding her attraction to Conor is out of the question, and a fling with him may be just what she needs. Conor can't stay away from Ellie, but he also doesn't want to take advantage of her while she is vulnerable. He can see that she's living on the edge and he doesn't want to hurt her. 

I loved how much Conor obviously cared for Ellie. He tries so hard to do the right thing, but she is determined to have her way. The heat between them is intense and opens the door to more than just sex. I loved seeing them grow closer, and especially the way that Conor's protectiveness came out when Ellie was hurt. But he is keeping a big secret from her that may end anything before it really has a chance to get going. And her reluctance to talk about her late husband has him wondering if he's just a stand in. At the same time, Ellie's own past has her believing that Conor wouldn't want her if he knew the truth.

Another devastating blow to Ellie and Kirby brings everything out into the open, where both Conor and Ellie have to deal with it. It is here where Conor's feelings for Ellie really shine through and bring them the happiness they both deserve.

As a secondary character, I really loved Kirby. It would be great to see him get his own story.

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