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A review by kfriend
Can't Fight It by Lacey Black, Kaylee Ryan
4.0
Whenever I need a love story that I know will be sweet, charming, and healthy, I know I can rely on the stories of Kaylee Ryan and Lacey Black to deliver. Can’t Fight It, the third in the Fair Lakes series, is so full of charm and heart. This is the kind of book that makes you feel safe and sated- the book equivalent of a tender hug. With the added dash of suspense and an adorable baby and that same amazing KR and LB character chemistry, this is easily my favorite of the series!
Fans of the series will recognize Colton- Chase’s brother who, in the last book, discovers that the mystery baby left on his brother’s porch is, in fact, HIS baby, not Chase’s, from his last one night stand. Recently honorably discharged from the army, Colton is building a new life back home so that he can single parent his 3 month old son Milo. Renting the extra room in his house seems like a great way to ensure he’s got financial security for Milo, so Colton finds a new roomie. Things don’t work as planned when said roomie is not the man he’s expected- instead Hollis turns out to be a smoking hot woman. Hollis is starting over in Fair Lakes, her grandmother’s home town, hoping to find somewhere she feels safe, where she has a community. Their attraction is instant- but both have reasons to try to hold back. Colton wants to stay professional and focus on his son, and Hollis is running from something. Their chemistry, their sweet and soulful connection can’t be denied, however, and we’re treated to a heartfelt journey as these two decide to stop fighting their hearts.
COLTON. OH MY STARS- I think my ovaries exploded, or I got pregnant just from reading about him. WHAT A SWOON-WORTHY LEADING MAN! An ex-military single dad with a million abs and a heart of gold?! Where do I sign-up? Seriously- he’s just such a charmer. He’s loyal and committed to his family, he’s sweet, patient, protective and authentic, incredibly genuine and open with his feelings, and a dominant but caring lover. But the sexiest thing? He’s an incredible father to baby Milo- he’s rearranged his whole world to ensure his son knows he’s loved, and he’s a confident and loving dad to him. See? Ovaries exploded. Seriously, I am so in love with this man.
And Hollis is so relatable and likable- she’s humble, kind, stoic and demure. She just has such a sweet and caring soul- and the patient and supportive way she loves Milo and Colton just warmed my heart. I felt like we didn’t know her backstory as much as Colton’s- in part because Colton’s family is a huge part of this story so we know more about his past, but she still felt like such a vivid character- these authors creating an essence about her that was just so calming and inviting.
I was ravenous for these two- and given he more medium burn, I was turning pages zealously to get to see the magic that I knew would happen when they were together. They are just so perfectly matched, and the minute they give in, it is like they’ve known each other for together- they find this natural flow between them that is familiar and healthy and so incredibly sweet. And I love how low angst their chemistry is- they naturally gravitate to each other, and when they get there, there isn’t any question that they aren’t meant to be, even with the Hollis backstory. And the way they form this beautiful balance and cadence as a newly cemented family with Milo- BE STILL MY HEART!
So adorable. I did find the climax to be a little, well, anticlimactic and a bit weird, but even so, I wanted to keep the drama minimal, that’s what I expect from these authors, and the couple journey was just so perfect that it didn’t really bother me as much as it might in other stories- because the point here isn’t about the drama, it is about how easy it is to lean into love when you find it, even in the most unexpected of places. This is about two people visualizing a life for themselves that they never thought of before- only because their love for the other person inspires it in them- and it is just so delightful.
If you are looking for a warm and fuzzy read or for a panty-melting, heartfelt single-dad story, pick up this book. Kaylee and Lacey will charm you and leave you feeling happy and soothed. Sometimes you just need a story that makes you believe that love can be simple, that all it takes to loving someone is just allowing yourself to do it- Can’t Fight It works like magic.
Fans of the series will recognize Colton- Chase’s brother who, in the last book, discovers that the mystery baby left on his brother’s porch is, in fact, HIS baby, not Chase’s, from his last one night stand. Recently honorably discharged from the army, Colton is building a new life back home so that he can single parent his 3 month old son Milo. Renting the extra room in his house seems like a great way to ensure he’s got financial security for Milo, so Colton finds a new roomie. Things don’t work as planned when said roomie is not the man he’s expected- instead Hollis turns out to be a smoking hot woman. Hollis is starting over in Fair Lakes, her grandmother’s home town, hoping to find somewhere she feels safe, where she has a community. Their attraction is instant- but both have reasons to try to hold back. Colton wants to stay professional and focus on his son, and Hollis is running from something. Their chemistry, their sweet and soulful connection can’t be denied, however, and we’re treated to a heartfelt journey as these two decide to stop fighting their hearts.
COLTON. OH MY STARS- I think my ovaries exploded, or I got pregnant just from reading about him. WHAT A SWOON-WORTHY LEADING MAN! An ex-military single dad with a million abs and a heart of gold?! Where do I sign-up? Seriously- he’s just such a charmer. He’s loyal and committed to his family, he’s sweet, patient, protective and authentic, incredibly genuine and open with his feelings, and a dominant but caring lover. But the sexiest thing? He’s an incredible father to baby Milo- he’s rearranged his whole world to ensure his son knows he’s loved, and he’s a confident and loving dad to him. See? Ovaries exploded. Seriously, I am so in love with this man.
And Hollis is so relatable and likable- she’s humble, kind, stoic and demure. She just has such a sweet and caring soul- and the patient and supportive way she loves Milo and Colton just warmed my heart. I felt like we didn’t know her backstory as much as Colton’s- in part because Colton’s family is a huge part of this story so we know more about his past, but she still felt like such a vivid character- these authors creating an essence about her that was just so calming and inviting.
I was ravenous for these two- and given he more medium burn, I was turning pages zealously to get to see the magic that I knew would happen when they were together. They are just so perfectly matched, and the minute they give in, it is like they’ve known each other for together- they find this natural flow between them that is familiar and healthy and so incredibly sweet. And I love how low angst their chemistry is- they naturally gravitate to each other, and when they get there, there isn’t any question that they aren’t meant to be, even with the Hollis backstory. And the way they form this beautiful balance and cadence as a newly cemented family with Milo- BE STILL MY HEART!
So adorable. I did find the climax to be a little, well, anticlimactic and a bit weird, but even so, I wanted to keep the drama minimal, that’s what I expect from these authors, and the couple journey was just so perfect that it didn’t really bother me as much as it might in other stories- because the point here isn’t about the drama, it is about how easy it is to lean into love when you find it, even in the most unexpected of places. This is about two people visualizing a life for themselves that they never thought of before- only because their love for the other person inspires it in them- and it is just so delightful.
If you are looking for a warm and fuzzy read or for a panty-melting, heartfelt single-dad story, pick up this book. Kaylee and Lacey will charm you and leave you feeling happy and soothed. Sometimes you just need a story that makes you believe that love can be simple, that all it takes to loving someone is just allowing yourself to do it- Can’t Fight It works like magic.