A Reckless Love (Daughtry House #3)

A Reckless Love (Daughtry House Series #3)

by Beth White

edition: paperback ARC, 2020

Synopsis: On the trail of an elusive enemy, cynical, war-damaged lawman Zane Sager crosses paths once more with Aurora Daughtry, the vivacious Mississippi belle he once admired from a distance. As his defenses start to crumble, the criminal he’s been pursuing reminds him that that no one he loves is safe. Ever.

The youngest Daughtry daughter, Aurora, is tired of being treated as the baby of the family. When the opportunity to turn a saloon into a boarding house presents itself, she is eager for the challenge. She is also interested to know what her brother-in-law and future brother-in-law are up to, and sets her sits on getting her information from the cynical lawman, Zane Sager.

Having read the previous two books, I felt a little let-down. While Aurora is a bubbly and cheerful character, she is a spoiled southern belle and those around her just…let her get away with a lot. This made it difficult to like her. Her infatuation with Zane occurred faster than I would have liked and, as my wording hints at, I doubted any romantic attachment.

Zane, on the other hand, was very interesting. We are introduced to him first when he survives the explosion on the Sultana. Before that, he was imprisoned in a southern Rebel prison of war. His drive to catch the man who tortured him and killed his mentor made him relatable. He resisted Aurora’s flirting at first, which made me respect him more.

Had the romance been given more time to grow, I might have enjoyed it more. Overall, the plot moves fast and the book as a whole it well written. Readers who enjoy historical romance set in the years after the Civil War and have followed the Daughtry House series will not want to miss this.

I received a free copy from the publisher, and all opinions expressed are my own.