Worth It All by Claudia Connor
Series: The McKinney Brothers, #3
Romance Contemporary
April 19, 2016
Loveswept

Reviewed by Tori

Paige Roberts is a young single mom with a disabled child. She works two jobs while going to school. She has no time to indulge in a casual sexual affair. Growing up, Paige’s irresponsible mother spent most of her time chasing men and the next high, leaving Paige to be the adult in their relationship,  When she got pregnant from a boyfriend who finds out and deserts her, Paige takes absolute control over her life, making sure her little girl will never want for anything-especially love and security.

Jake McKinney was a star high school football player with a bright future ahead of him until a serious car accident takes that future away with the loss of his leg. The youngest of a large family, Jake had to leave when their love and concern over his accident began to suffocate him.  Now a biomedical engineer in a company he started with two friends, Jake works on cutting edge prosthetics and feel a general contentment with his life. But a certain waitress has him tied up in knots. He never thought he wanted more than the occasional one night stand but Paige and her daughter makes him long for things he feels he doesn’t deserve.

Worth It All is the third book in Claudia Connor’s McKinney Brothers series, focusing on the youngest brother-Jake.  This steamy, emotional, and comfortable romance contemporary series brings life-weary people together and offers them an arm to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, and a heart to fall in love with. Minimal conflict, affordable characters, and realistic issues allows readers an easy couple of hours of escapism. 

While enjoyed the story overall, it didn’t blow me away or keep me on edge as the first two books did. It reminded me heavily of the first book in the series-Worth The Fall-but far more subdued and less emotional. Steamy love scenes and a formulaic romance paves the way but  there is no real conflict for them to overcome. Paige needs to learn to trust Jake and Jake needs to learn to trust himself. I felt the chemistry but there was no anticipation in the relationship. Every bump and obstacle is resolved tout suite with little fanfare and drama. In fact, I found the small secondary romance a bit more invigorating even though it had very little page time and would have worked better as a novella.

A personable cast of secondary characters, some new and some familiar faces, gives the book depth and allows us to see what some of the series’s previous heroes and heroines have been up to. Paige’s daughter Casey is a cutie and her dynamic is the base on which Jake and Paige’s relationship is formed and maintained. Jake’s affection for her felt real and he doesn’t use her as away to win over her mom.  He genuinely grows to care and love her all on his own. Paige’s cousin is a pillar of strength at her back and offers up some much-needed advice during her periods of indecisiveness.  Jake’s family are always there for him; staying the background when he needed his space but making sure he understands they love him unconditionally.

All in all, Worth It All was a  sweet uncomplicated romance contemporary that addresses all the necessary points but I personally feel the weakest of the series.

Grade: C+

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