Worth The Risk - Book Review

By Claudia Connor

Synopsis

Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.

Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.

Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.

Review

WORTH THE RISK is the second book in the McKinney Brothers series and it’s quite different from the first book, WORTH THE FALL. If I had to use one word to describe WORTH THE FALL, I would use emotional. For WORTH THE RISK, I would use dark. The suffering both Stephen and Hannah have experienced are briefly described in this story and be warned, it’s not pretty and could be triggers for some readers.

After suffering a devastating loss five years ago, Stephen went to a dark place and distanced himself from everyone, including his family. He feels responsible for what happened and believes he doesn’t deserve happiness, until he sees something in Hannah that brings out his protective instincts. Hannah made an innocent choice twelve years ago that changed her life forever. She has no real interest in being with a man until she meets Stephen, someone other than her brothers that makes her feel safe. I liked Stephen and Hannah and thought they made a nice couple. Stephen was vital in helping Hannah achieve that final step in her healing, as was Hannah to Stephen.

WORTH THE RISK is told in dual POVs and while it’s part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. With the introduction of Hannah’s four brothers (FBI, Army, Cop, Firefighter), I have to wonder if they will end up with their own series. The youngest McKinney brother, J.T., will get the next book, titled WORTH IT ALL.