Can't Let Go - Book Review

By Gena Showalter

Synopsis

With trust issues a mile long, Ryanne Wade has sworn off men. Then Jude Laurent walks into her bar, and all bets are off. The former army ranger has suffered unimaginably, first being maimed in battle then losing his wife and daughters to a drunk driver. Making the brooding widower smile is priority one. Resisting him? Impossible.

For Jude, Ryanne is off-limits. And yet the beautiful bartender who serves alcohol to potential motorists tempts him like no other. When a rival bar threatens her livelihood—and her life—he can’t turn away. She triggers something in him he thought long buried, and he’s determined to protect her, whatever the cost.

As their already scorching attraction continues to heat, the damaged soldier knows he must let go of his past to hold on to his future…or risk losing the second chance he desperately needs.

Review

For me, Can’t Let Go is another great addition to this series. It handles tough subject matter and leaves you with hope for a future.

The story picks up where Can’t Hardly Breathe leaves off. They are all getting ready for the wedding between Daniel and Dorothea. Jude served with Daniel and considers both Daniel and Brock brothers. Jude has lost more than one person should ever have to lose. He now lives to make sure his friends are happy and safe. That now includes Dorothea and her friends.

Ryanne is best friends with Dorothea and Lyndie. She is the owner of the local bar. She also comes with her own emotional turmoil. Ryanne has major trust issues with men because of her mother and because of mother she is a virgin.

Because Ryanne is the owner of the local bar, this is an issue for Jude. He wants to hate Ryanne because he doesn’t want to have anything to do with alcohol. But because Brock still goes out to the bar and Ryanne is best friends with Dorothea, Jude feels like he must do everything in his power to protect Ryanne. This becomes an issue when the mob moves in across the street. Jude is now put in the position of protecting something he hates because he has feelings for the owner.

This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. Ryanne is so likable and you want good things to happen for her. And you can’t help but feel the despair that Jude has gone through. You want him to see that loving another person doesn’t change the love that you had. Their chemistry was amazing and left you with hope. I love this series and can’t wait for the next installment.