Yet, all he can see in himself is failure from a lost college football career because of an injury, a failed marriage, and even coming back to manage his family business is something he considers a fail because he gave up his dreams of being an environmental lobbyist. He does so much for the community that he lives in between serving on the library board, working for Habitat for Humanity, helping out with the high school reunion committee, and anything else he can do to help his fellow citizens. Alex is someone I wanted to wrap up in a comforting hug. Both characters complexity made me love this book so much. Nicki does so much with this rather simple set up. What unfolds over the coming weeks is the rekindling of far more than a friendship. Sparks fly at the reunion when Ricky Lee shows up without a ticket and Alex gets him in as his guest. Alex regretted he didn’t defend Ricky Lee and prevent the expulsion, but he was scared he’d lose his football scholarship if he did. Alex hasn’t heard from Ricky Lee since he was expelled and sent away to reform school. One afternoon, while working with his sister at the store, they witness a motorcyclist pulled over and it’s soon revealed that the man is Alex’s high school bestie, Ricky Lee Jennings.

Alex Morrison has been back in town for several years, taking over his family’s hardware store when his parents needed him to. The story kicks off on the eve of a high school reunion taking place in a small Oklahoma town. It all combined to give me exactly the read that I needed.

I’m a sucker for second chance romance combined with friends to lovers and this one adds in a bit from the redeemed bad boy trope as well. Reviewed by Jeff Bad to the Bone turned out to be one of those perfect Dreamspun Desires for me. LaQuette also shares details on her upcoming Harlem Heat series, what got her started writing romance and details about what she does as the president for New York City’s Romance Writers of America chapter.Ĭomplete shownotes for episode 184 are at .īad to the Bone by Nicki Bennett. They find out about the story’s inspiration and how it ties into LaQuette’s other series. Jeff & Will interview LaQuette about Under His Protection. Will reviews LaQuette’s Under His Protection. Jeff reviews Bad to the Bone by Nicki Bennett. The guys open the show with a discussion of the Netflix original Unicorn Store.

Under His Protection by LaQuette