Deputy Colin McLaughlin is never looking for love, but something stirs his blood when former high school crush Hailey strolls back into his family’s Whidbey Island pub. He wants to keep nursing his anger at the woman who betrayed his family and nearly ruined his brother’s life. Instead, the desire burns hotter than ever… Not that he’d ever act on it.
Hailey Alexander knows her past is littered with mistakes. She’s worked hard to move on, but a certain Scottish-born deputy isn’t in any hurry to forgive or forget.
Can they fight the attraction that’s compromising their hearts?
Titles in The McLaughlins include: One More Round – Straight, No Chaser – Top Shelf –
Title: Straight, No Chaser
Series: The McLaughlins #2
Author: Shelli Stevens
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: original 2014, March 13, 2018
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Colin and Hailey have a history, a family history, and one that Colin is not letting go of any time soon. That makes his attraction to her a very rough issue in this romance. Yes, Hailey did some really bad things. There really are no excuses, although there are explanations and regret, so much regret.
With Hailey back on the island, and his twin brother and his wife willing to forgive, it places Colin in that uncomfortable spot of being the holdout in the “welcome Hailey back committee”. He is certainly not looking for love, been there, done that – have the broken heart and the didn’t happen wedding to show for it. Yet Hailey keeps drawing him in.
Hailey knew that coming back and trying to make amends would not be easy. Yet she’s trying. Her attraction to a man who cannot stand the sight of her hurts, there’s no denying that. But maybe Colin can begin to see that she’s different now from the girl he once knew. Sure she admits that she, and her family were trouble back then – but right now trouble is following her and this reluctant man, this cop may be her only hope not only to survive but to find out that love can be so very real.
Straight, No Chaser is an emotional story, full of anger, hope and that thin line between hate and love that eventually crosses over to one side or the other. I enjoyed my time in this world. Watching Hailey and Colin work through their past and toward their future was a rocky, emotional journey.
This is a re-release title. It was originally released as Kilty Pleasures in 2014. Simply be aware that you may have already read this story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Available for the Kindle
