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BOOKWORM REVIEW: Reunited on Sugar Maple Road by Debbie Mason

 

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥

Well, well, well..this read was certainly an unexpected surprise.

Emma Scott just wanted people off her back. The workaholic cop from Highland Falls has built an emotional wall around herself after her fiancé and work partner died over a year ago. Throwing herself at her work has her family and friends on level-10 concern about her when she just wanted to be left alone.

Enter the solution to her well-meaning problem: Josh Callahan. Her older brother's best friend is not looking for any commitment either after being burned by marriage before. Trying to fix his reputation as Highland Fall's resident lothario, he offers his services as a fake boyfriend to Emma to get everyone off their backs. It shouldn't be a hard sell; after all, as a volunteer in the town's fire rescue and the high school football coach, it would not be a stretch to fall for the likes of him. 

As with every well-intentioned fake relationship, the lines start to blur, but can Josh convince Emma that he is worth the HEA?

This book delivered the sweet romance it promised and offered a healthy side dish of suspense and mystery that I was not prepared for. Did I mention that there is also some paranormal stuff involved? I mean, it was definitely a pleasant surprise on top of the wonderful chemistry between our main characters. I love the progression of their relationship from somewhat friends to lovers, and that plotline was nicely balanced with the action, suspense, and mystery.

This is apparently the last in a series, but as a newbie, I was fine with the read as a standalone. There are characters that I suspect are from previous books in the series, but I got enough context to follow along.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Debbie Mason, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fake dating isn’t supposed to lead to real feelings....

Highland Falls police officer Emma Scott is a workaholic who doesn’t do small talk, hugs, or anything else touchy-feely. Ever since her fiancé’s death over a year ago, Emma’s been sleepwalking through life, and her family is growing increasingly worried about her. Enter Josh Callahan, her brother’s best friend. Josh is obnoxiously good-looking and, even more annoyingly, in a perpetually cheerful mood. Though he may drive her crazy, his suggestion to fake date him is brilliant because there are no feelings involved. At least, not at first.

High school football coach and volunteer firefighter Josh Callahan is a fun-loving guy who is all about friends, family, and community. After his wife left him, he committed to staying uncommitted, except now he’s earned the nickname “Heartbreaker of Highland Falls.” Spending time with Emma will improve his rep while she can remember what it means to get out and enjoy life again. And his plan works…until Josh realizes that the feelings he has for Emma are all too real. But is Emma ready to share her heart again?


MEET DEBBIE MASON

Debbie Mason is the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series and the Harmony Harbor series. The first book in her Christmas, Colorado series, “The Trouble with Christmas,” was the inspiration for Hallmark’s “Welcome to Christmas.” Her books have been praised by RT Book Reviews for their "likable characters, clever dialogue, and juicy plots.” Debbie also writes historical paranormal as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When Debbie isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family in Ottawa, Canada.

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