Be Mine Forever (The Bennetts # 3) by Kennedy Ryan
Released: February 3, 2015
Contemporary Romance
Forever Yours

Reviewed by Sheena

Favorite Quote: “He’s not my husband,” Kerris said with so much composure, you never would have known five minutes before she had been doubled over with a contraction.  “Anymore, I mean, my husband’s away…He’s um…Cam is…”  

“I’m a Family friend.”  The last thing either of them needed was to air their weirdness in the maternity ward.

I have been looking forward to this novel for months!  The eagerly anticipated conclusion to Kennedy Ryan’s, The Bennetts, series was exceptional as a series ender. [ Insert tears, I don’t want to see these characters go!]  Be Mine Forever is brilliant as it illustrates the beauty and raw honesty necessary for the redemptive power of  love to be everlasting.  Authentic and rapturous, it is a love story that celebrates two souls, wild and brave enough to reach out for one another when remaining apart would forever change their destiny.  I mean come ON, this novel, this freakishly talented author inspires me to use words like “rapturous” and “redemptive power” you know it has GAWT to be good!   Author Ryan has this magic, this finesse that twines and  weaves its way around your heart- strumming the hell out of the strings it’s made of your most vital organ.  Your brain, forgetaboutit!  By chapter three you are beyond thought and just functioning off of the innate driving need to finish Be Mine Forever, practically careening through the space and time continuum- okay okay! But seriously, this story just pushes all of my reader buttons in the most amazing way!

Jo Walsh has loved Cameron Mitchell for as long as she can remember. Whether front and center in her life or on the periphery, the tall, brooding artist has made his presence seductively and irresistibly known. But whenever they start to get close, Cam pulls away. Jo’s tired of keeping her feelings in a box Cam is afraid to open. If he wants her, he’ll have to prove it. And if he doesn’t, Jo will need to know the real reason why . . .

. . . become the love of a lifetime?

How do you walk away from your soul mate? Cam wishes he knew. No matter how far he runs from Jo, he can’t resist looking back at the silver eyes that seem to see right through him  

The only thing worse than unrequited love, is love that is requited like shit but the object of your affection can’t/won’t face it!  They want to think for you and be noble and set you free when the only freedom you desire is the freedom to love them with abandon! This is the story of Jo and Cam. Cam who I once loathed – Cam who I once wished would take his ass to Europe and never come back- sort of a twist instead of To Paris, with love- more like To Paris, kiss my arse douche!  Who knew that not only could he be redeemed but my ole cold, stone heart could break for him and he become a hero I root for.  Jo.  Good old cast aside Jo.  You too created fissures in my heart and damn if I didn’t want to see you happy.  Two of the most unlikely characters of the series come together and the result is a love story that is so real it brought to mind memories of my own past lovers (but then I snapped out of it and thought damn, I dodged some crazy ass, sniper stealth ass love bullets) but that’s not the point.  The point is Jo & Cam made me freaking nostalgic! And  I loved it.

It is always a dicey circumstance when you have a heroine who knows exactly who she wants and a hero who is unseeing.  Jo pines for Cam in a way that gives her character a sense of strength, even when you would think she a weakling, fawning pathetic creature of a woman.  She is an intelligent, professional go-getter and her loyal heart was one of her best attributes.  Cam knows Jo wants him.  He’s had her body but was not brave enough to take her heart and soul as a part of the deal.  He circles her, and circles her, like a wary animal does its prey- prey that they are fiercely protective over- as no one else will dare have their prized meal- even though they’ve not yet decided upon pouncing.  Jo is ever watchful and knows with just the right incline of her beautiful swan neck, she could be claimed and taken for good.  There is a distinct thrill in the wanting, and the wondering if that desire will finally be overcome by the needing to be satisfied at last!  Talk about sensual and romantic tension! Squee!!!

Not just a romance between Jo and Cam, this is also a story of friendship and forgiveness.  The gang is back for this final installment and even though it is sooooooo deliciously awkward when Walsh and Cam or Cam and Kerris are in a scene together, witnessing them rebuilding their bonds and maintaining their fledgling friendships is rewarding.  In hindsight it really made me respect Cam even more, poor guy (never thought I’d say that!) had to deal with emotional wreckage from all fronts; his woman, his best friend and his ex-wife. Oy vey!  No wonder he was strung to tight.  I suppose it made it all the more sweeter when he finally released his demons and let go and let love in. *sigh*  Cam’s journey was riddled with hard knocks.  Even when he came into good fortune with the Bennett’s, those hard knock memories continued to clang and bang around on the inside.  A survivor of unthinkable abuse and sub-human conditions, he is scarred and battled his way back to himself and to Jo.

Jay-zus I’m a sucker for these scarred and damaged heroes. *shivers*  And he is gorgeous and strong and artistic. Bish what! Sold!!

Be Mine Forever can stand alone, but read the series, don’t circumvent the awesomeness.  Don’t you want to be in knots, excited, satisfied and just so damn happy- just like me!? I will miss this series dearly, but the resolution is complete and Ryan did an amazing job of wrapping it up perfectly, only thing missing is the pretty bow- though, I am not certain I didn’t just gnaw the bow off in my elated delirium.  *wink*

Grade: A

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