I’ve only just finished Bountiful, so I was extremely excited for Alec’s story. His devotion to Nicole was the perfect indication that he’s not just this over protective and annoying brother. And I was right!
May Shipley – the big sister in the family, the one who’s girlfriend was a terrible b#$%h at Griffin and Audry’s wedding, the one who is a recovering alcoholic, the one who is secretly in love with her best friend – she’s the center of the first drama in the story. Catching your live-in girlfriend cheating with her ex isn’t pretty. And when it’s done in public, in a well known establishment that’s also a bar (which as an alcoholic she will probably not frequent) but everyone she knows will, that’s just mean.
Alec, said bar’s owner, is such a good guy, will be the one to control the situation and as a friend, will take care of May. From that point on, their relationship grows in a very physical way, through late night hookups and a graduate ceremony at May’s law school. He acts as the light and fun guy, the one that is dependable, but no one really takes seriously. The party guy.
The thing I like most in these types of stories is the fact that emotions just sneak up on the characters. They don’t realize they care deeper for each other until it’s almost too late, or until some outside force might put a dent in their perfect system.
May and Alec are made for each other, even with her recovery and his business. Even with his flighty ways and her need for stability. Their goofiness compliments their personas and they are both regarded in a way that isn’t always the way they want to be regarded. Alec will probably always suffer his uncle Otto’s criticism and May will probably always be viewed as a bubble that’s about the burst in the eyes of her family.
The best part is when they both prove everyone wrong. Just shows that sticking to what you believe in, and a little outside support, will take you a looooooong way.
Loved it.
5 Stars
~Eleanor
Sometimes you fall for Mr. Right. And sometimes for Mr. Right Now…
May
Did you hear the one about the girl who walks into a bar and catches her live-in lover kissing someone else? No? You’re the only one in town who missed it.
Luckily Alec is there to wrap me up in strong arms and carry me out the door before things get too ugly. And that’s not all Alec is good at. Our unexpected chemistry makes him the perfect rebound guy.
Alec
I should know better than to hook up with my rival’s little sister, but the fiery look in May’s eyes really turns my crank. She needs cheering up, and I’m just the guy for the job.
It’s not like I’ll fall in love. Not even after a string of scorching hot trysts, and the realization that we’re good at the same things: wild nights and familial disappointment. I don’t do love, never have, never will. So this is the perfect arrangement, for both of us.
Nobody would approve, but nobody has to know…
The Book Hammock 