ABOUT THE BOOK
She’s a small-town boutique owner. He’s a world-famous former MMA champion. They’re both wary of relationships, but the attraction between them is undeniable. When someone threatens the life he’s built, everyone he loves becomes a target…
Fresh out of a messy divorce, Poppy Walker is determined to stay strong and grow her business, Rainy Day Boutique. But while her twin sons are thriving during their first year away at college, she’s all alone for the first time in years, fighting to hide the internal scars from her failed marriage. The last thing on her mind is dating…but a certain local celebrity athlete is determined to win her over.
Cade de la Rosa is riding high as one of the top mixed martial arts coaches in the world, and he’s more than happy to focus all his attention on his gym and fighters. His fame and fortune taught him the hard way that trust is a rare thing, so he’s avoided relationships for years, keeping his flings brief and casual. That’s why his endless fascination with the pretty and sassy boutique owner is the last thing he expects.
Drawn together by a series of perilous events, Poppy and Cade quickly go from acquaintances to friends. As their magnetic connection lures them closer and their chemistry proves explosive, an unseen enemy puts everything at risk. Will their relationship survive the danger? Or will it get cut short by the person who wants to destroy everything—and everyone—Cade holds dear?
MY REVIEW
I discovered Christina Sol last year when I devoured book 2 in this series so I jumped at the chance to read book 3. It did not disappoint. I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, but Cade’s patience and kindness works wonders for this reader as he slowly wiggles his way into Poppy’s battered heart.
Poppy Walker is a woman of strength, resilience, and determination. She has fought her way through some of life’s toughest challenges and come out with two loving sons, a business that she loves, and friends and family that have her back. Newly divorced from a narcissistic and emotionally abusive ex-husband she is working on her insecurities and trying to regain her sense of self-worth.
Enter the sincere and incredibly sweet Cade de la Rosa. He’s a retired MMA champion and local hero who runs a gym training future fighters. His interest in the beautiful Poppy is immediate and with patience and honesty, gives her strength and safety she never felt before.
Poppy and Cade make an adorable couple and are meant to be. Their empathy for others and their common decency is so refreshing without all of the drama and angst that a lot of couples have. I loved how they had each other’s backs and settled each other down when panic would start to set in. Poppy’s relationship with her college-aged boys is incredible and very loving. And Cade (what a keeper) did a great job of being mindful of that relationship by being real with the boys about his feelings for their mom.Â
This book has it’s share of twist and turns when someone is trying to destroy Cade’s businesses and putting people in danger. I always love a hoard of hot security guys rallying around and protecting the heroine from harm. Yum!
All the characters feel like family and friends with their teasing and deep love for each other. Poppy’s boys, Carter and Dylan, give a realistic feel to the story with their teenage antics and protective instincts toward their mom. And Cade’s friends and brother Dante give so much support and will drop anything to be there for them.Â
This sweet small town romance is fun, suspenseful, and steamy. The characters are endearing and the setting is beautiful. I can’t wait to read Matt and Scarlett’s story. Â
Thank you to Ms. Sol for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Hudson Island Series
  1. Shattered Vows (2023)
   2. Shattered Illusions (2023) – My review
   3. Shattered Dreams (2024)
   4. Shattered Secrets (2024) – My review
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Christina Sol writes what she loves to read – romance filled with heart, heat, and suspense.
When Christina’s not writing, reading, or knitting, she’s watching football or fueling her washi, sticker & planner obsession.
Christina lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.
Follow Christina on her website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Bookbub.
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