I loved Nix's first contribution to this series, but I think I enjoyed this one even more. Even though they were in a situation unlike anything I will ever find myself in, main characters Tess McGregor and Donal Larkin were somehow both incredibly relatable. There were misunderstandings on both sides to work through, but I appreciated that they were brought out into the open so early in the story. That's not to say that they got over those hurts and fears overnight, but they did do a good job of communicating and trying to move past them.
I also loved the "found family" aspect of this story, which was somewhat unique in that the reason they all came together was the daughter Tess and Donal gave up for adoption 30 years ago. After losing her stepmother and with her father in the late stages of Alzheimer's, Tess didn't really have any family (or even a circle of close friends) left when the story began. Having Erin in her life not only gave her a second chance with Donal, but with his family as well. Donal's mom took Tess in and made her one of her own even before she and Donal started dating. Their love and support gave Tess the courage she needed to prioritize and re-establish other relationships, such as the one with her old friend Dawn from high school. (Readers familiar with "Mad About Ewe" will likely remember Dawn as the female lead of that story.)
Overall, "Not Since Ewe" gave me all the feels and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Susannah Nix writes next.
*Review copy provided by Smartypants Romance. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Not Since Ewe"
Tess McGregor doesn’t need anyone.
So what if she doesn’t have any close friends or family anymore? Her successful consulting business keeps her so busy she barely has time to be lonely. She’s got her life organized exactly the way she wants it.
Until the daughter she gave up for adoption 30 years ago tracks her down.
Tess doesn’t know anything about being a mother, but now that she’s met Erin, she’ll do anything to stay in her life.
Even if it means facing the life-ruining jerk who got Tess pregnant in high school and broke her heart.
Donal Larkin would do anything for a second chance.
He’s divorced, his kids hardly talk to him, and he works so much he barely has time to eat. But when he’s united with the daughter he never had a chance to know, he vows to make up for past mistakes.
Step one is proving to Tess he’s not the same unreliable kid she knew 30 years ago.
And maybe if he’s lucky he can win back the heart of the girl he never got over…
"Not Since Ewe" is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Read an Excerpt from "Not Since Ewe"
“I’m just nervous.” Admitting that to Donal took a lot of effort. “Opening up to people isn’t exactly my strong suit, and I’m taking my insecurity out on you.”
He surprised me by pulling me into a hug.
Wow. The man really knew how to give a hug. I wasn’t generally a big hugger, but just like the other night when he’d held me in his arms, I didn’t hate it.
In fact, it felt amazing. A few more hugs like this, and I’d be a dedicated convert to the holy sacrament of hugging. I’d be going door to door proselytizing on the spiritual benefits of embracing physical embraces.
“I promise I’m on your side.” Donal’s voice was low and rough, his breath a warm caress against my hair. “I’m not going to say or do anything to damage your relationship with Erin. You’ve got to trust me on that.”
It was difficult to talk with my heart lodged in my throat and my face pressed against his astonishingly firm chest. “I want that for you too. I’ll try to be a better teammate.”
He pulled back to look at me, and my stomach did another one of those unsettling flips under his up-close scrutiny. “We’re really bad at this, aren’t we?”
I was so flustered, I thought he was making fun of my poor hugging skills and stiffened. “I—what?”
“Being friends.”
Oh. There went my heart, right into my throat again. “Is that what we are?”
“I’d sure like us to be.” His eyebrows notched up a few millimeters. “Wouldn’t you?”
Damn the man for being so likable. How was I supposed to protect myself when he kept being all vulnerable and appealing?
And handsome. Don’t forget the handsome.
Shit, did I really want to be friends with Donal Larkin again?
Yes.
Even with our poor track record, I wanted that. Maybe it could be different this time. We were both mature adults now. Surely we could handle it. We wouldn’t make the same mistakes.
“I’d like that too.” I sounded out of breath, like I’d just done a hill ride on the stationary bike.
“Good.” Donal’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Can we go sit down and eat now? Because I was too nervous to eat much at lunch, and I’m seriously hangry.”
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