Worth The Fall (The McKinney Brothers, #1) Claudia Connor
Contemporary Romance
Ebook
September, 9, 2014
Loveswept
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I’m here because I couldn’t stay away.”
Matt McKinney, a Navy Seal, is on leave after his best friend is killed on a mission and Matt was injured. Unable to fully deal with what happened or the promises he made to his dying friend, his commander forces him to take some time off and he winds up heading to the beach with a cousin of his. While there, he spies a single young mother of four and his vacation suddenly takes a much different turn.
Abby Davis has brought her young children to the beach to help start the healing process after their father was killed in a plane crash. Not looking for a replacement dad or husband, Abby can’t help but be drawn to Matt as he invites himself into their family fun and gives her children the time and attention they never experienced with their father. A week is all they have though and while Abby isn’t looking forward to saying goodbye, she knows it’s for the best. When the time comes for them to part ways, Matt isn’t ready to let go of this special woman or her kids and soon plans are made to see each other again.
Matt and Abby spend as much time as they can together, slowly building their attraction into something much deeper but Abby has already sacrificed her happiness for one man whose job was his life and refuses to put herself and her children through that again. Matt will have to open his heart and give it his all if he wants to convince Abby he is worth the fall.
Worth The Fall is a sweet heartfelt story about two people who are given a second chance at finding love after life delivers a set of painful blows against them. Fast pacing, realistic issues, in depth relationship exploration, and poignant character growth gives readers a romance that focuses on the journey and surrounding elements as a whole rather than focusing on one single element and building around it.
It was refreshing to interact with two mature adults who have serious responsibilities that can’t be conveniently tossed aside until the protagonists need a reminder. Abby has four children who are her life. She can’t indulge in a casual sexual fling with anyone. She also has serious abandonment issues. Matt has a very dangerous job takes him away, placing him incommunicado, for weeks at a time. Trust is a valuable commodity that will have to be earned. And boy, does Matt earn it. *swoon* He is one of the sexiest heroes I’ve come across in awhile. Strong and sensual, he has a quiet strength to him that screams to the world-you can depend on me.
There is an “insta love” feeling to the story though I saw it more as a couple finding the “one” and choosing to act on it without any games. The story itself is pretty straight forward in it’s delivery. While I enjoyed this tale, it’s the characters who breathe life into this story and elevate it beyond a simple romance. Connor has created real people with real issues. They are easy to relate to. Their joys, fears, wants, and needs are laid bare and we are allowed to share in their journey as they experience the hard lessons life sometimes hands us. The journey isn’t perfect and both are plagued by uncertainty. The execution, offered in dual points of view, flows smoothly and gives readers the ability to see where their mindsets are at during key scenes.
A personable cast of secondary characters will steal your heart right along with our protagonists. Abby’s children are delightful and Matt’s interaction with them is heartwarming. He doesn’t see them as competition or a way to win over their mom…he genuinely cares and grows to love them as much as he grows to love their mother. Abby has some wonderful friends in her corner who offer advice and strong shoulders for her to lean on. Matt’s family are the voices of reason and bring up some very important concerns when it becomes apparent Matt is serious about Abby.
My only issues with the story revolved around Abby. One, she seems to come up against no real problems when dealing with four children under the age of 10. That just isn’t realistic, especially considering she is raising them alone. Two, her reaction at the end was over the top. I could understand her qualms concerning Matt’s decision but being in the military isn’t the same as working a 9 to 5 job. You can’t say, “Oh, sorry, I can’t do this mission, I have other plans.” His job was saving lives and I felt she was selfish in her anger towards him. However, Connor does a wonderful job of addressing Abby’s reason behind the reaction and allowing Matt and Abby to understand what happened, deal with it, and move beyond it.
All in all, Worth The Fall is a beautiful compassionate romance that hits you straight in the heart and will have you falling in love with this family.
RATING: B
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This was such a great read. I loved watching Matt develop his relationship with his princess, so sweet. And the football in the back? Love.
I’m definitely interested in the next book.
I loved how at ease he was slipping into their lives. It was a beautiful thing. I am interested in reading more from Connor.
SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE is my favorite trope! I’ve been trying to find more of this kind. Thank you!
It’s very swoony worthy. :P
I saw this review late last night so decided to give it a try. Next I thing I knew I was doing the ugly cry for two straight hours while I devoured the thing in one sitting. Hot guy, cute kids – damn, they get me every time. I really enjoyed this book.
Ugly crying FTW! So glad you enjoyed. Matt is a type of hero we don’t see much of these days.
Great review. This sounds like a terrific story! I’ll be picking this up for sure.
The ugly cry is exactly what I did, too! Even today when I thought about that scene toward the end (you know which one I’m talking about) I started crying in the car. This was another can’t-put-it-down book.