ABOUT THE BOOK
I should have known everything was going to change when she walked into my tattoo shop…
Timid as hell and gorgeous to the extreme. I knew better than even thinking about touching a woman like that.
My life is dangerous.
My calling wicked.
Willing to cross any line to protect the innocent.
I thought I’d never see her again until my little boy tumbled and busted his lip, and I found her working at the doctor’s office.
The woman who’d taken possession of my thoughts.
When it becomes clear she’s in trouble, I offer up a deal.
Twenty questions to earn her trust.
Too bad trusting me is the last thing she should do.
With one kiss, I’m addicted. With one night, we’re falling into a passion greater than either of us has ever known.
The voices in my head warn I can never keep her. She can’t know the secret life I lead.
Only she’s keeping a secret, too.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it means losing everything…
MY REVIEW
I’m a reader who likes to enjoy a series in order, so when I signed up for a book tour with A.L. Jackson’s second book in the Moonlit Ridge series, I picked up Charleigh and River’s story first. And I’m glad I did because watching these two broken and brave individuals come to life together is extremely rewarding.
Charleigh has been running from her past for a long time. You can feel the weight on her shoulders. She’s been through some traumatic struggles all alone, and now, in a new town, she finds a glimmer of hope. But A.L. Jackson does an incredible job filling the reader with that nagging fear about what happens if Charleigh gets too close to River and his sweet boy, Nolan? It’s a heavy burden to carry, making her journey all the more compelling.
River is the kind of guy who is gruff on the outside but has a heart of gold. There’s something undeniably magnetic about him. He’s devoted to his family and goes to great lengths to protect the life he’s created with them, and his vulnerability makes him all the more appealing. But River’s work isn’t just simply tattooing. It’s more complex and dangerous as he battles his demons while trying to shield his loved ones from harm.
The heat level in their story is high, yet it’s wrapped in layers of emotion that make every encounter sweet and genuine. Watching Charleigh discover the joys of a found family is so beautiful. She truly deserves all the love and hugs coming her way. And wait for the mind-blowing happy ending that I never saw coming!
Add in the supporting characters of River’s lovely sister Raven, who becomes Charleigh’s instant BFF, River’s crew, who are thrilled to see their brother River fall in love, and, my favorite, River’s adorable son Nolan, who makes me smile every time he calls River Daddy-O.
So, if you’re in the mood for a book that captures the essence of fate, bringing together two broken souls ready for a second chance, this one’s for you. Charleigh and River’s story will resonate with anyone who’s ever loved, lost, and found hope again. Raven and Otto, here I come!
Moonlit Ridge Series
2 Under an Endless Moon (2024) – My review
3 At the Edge of Surrender (2025) – My review
4 Beyond the Blue Horizon (2025) – My review
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
If she’s not writing you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
Follow A.L. on her website, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Bookbub, and Goodreads.
