Title:  Catching Summer
Series:
Author:  L. P. Dover
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  April 5, 2016
Publisher:  Loveswept
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Falling for someone can be dangerous, especially when someone wants to take them away from you. But what happens when fighting for the one you love could cost them their life?

For over two years, Summer Jacobs has tried to get her life back on track. A former nurse and now a prestigious restaurant owner, she’s living the dream just like her husband wanted. After watching him get killed in the MMA ring and almost losing her life herself, it left a scar on her soul. The thought of moving on scares her, but the local NFL star, Evan Townsend, is determined to catch her heart.

Forced to work with him and the football team, Summer succumbs to his relentless attempts at capturing her heart. He has the power to heal her, but there’s someone out there who wants to keep them apart. Even if it means getting rid of Evan permanently. Summer is being chased by hidden dangers and it’s up to Evan to catch her. The question is . . . will he get to her in time?

Read on for my thoughts on Catching Summer.  No true spoilers, promise.

Catching Summer is a suspenseful romance with some very dark aspects to it.  A few years ago Summer’s husband was killed, tormented in front of her as he pleaded for his wife’s life.  While time does heal some wounds, Summer hasn’t moved on and her husband’s murder still haunts her.  Now that she’s made one of Austin’s dreams come true by opening the restaurant they’d dreamed of operating together – it’s time, past time to start to think about opening herself up to emotions once again.

Evan has watched Summer deal with the tragedy of her husband’s death.  He’s watched her be destroyed and slowly start to mend, to live again.  Now he’s going to take his chance for a future with the woman he’s cared about from a distance for years.  And slowly their romance takes shape.  Until once again danger enters Summer’s life as an attempt is made on Evan’s life.  Someone doesn’t want Summer to find happiness again – and he’ll kill to make that happen.

I enjoyed Catching Summer – but there are some very dark moments within.  The pace is steady and at times fast as we get to the gripping dangerous parts.  Evan and Summer worked for me – Evan shows patience and understand as he begins to work his charms around Summer.  She is still wounded at the beginning of their relationship but willing to take the steps she needs to move on with her life.  She loved her husband, but her life continues.  Even is not overly forceful about pushing Summer, he simply is there and shows her that there is still life and love to be had.  Until someone decides that Summer belongs only to them and any other man must, again, be eliminated.

I believe any romance reader who enjoys a bit of suspense, mystery with their romance would enjoy Catching Summer very much.

*I received an e-ARC of Catching Summer from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle