His Best Friend's Sister

Devil's Rock at Whiskey River #2

by Eve Gaddy

Whiskey River businessman Zack Banister has had his eye on Laurel Lewis for years, even though she's always been off-limits. The timing has never been right between them, but now that they’re both free, Zack is determined to convince Laurel that he's the perfect man for her.

The last thing Laurel needs is a white knight. She's a single mom and knows she can only rely on herself. But the thought of a fling with Zack is a different matter—and far too tempting to resist.

Then reality crashes in and Laurel faces hard decisions. And Zack will do anything to convince her to take a risk on him for their happy ever after.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Ebooks, Fiction, Friends To Lovers

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2018

About the author

Eve Gaddy is the award winning, national bestselling author of forty novels and novellas.

Eve 's books have won and been nominated for awards from Romantic Times, Golden Quill, Bookseller’s Best, Holt Medallion, Texas Gold, Daphne Du Maurier and more. She was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Innovative Series romance as well as winning the 2008 Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Series Storyteller of the year. Eve’s books have sold over a million copies worldwide and been published in several languages and many foreign countries.

Eve’s writing career began when she was in search of the perfect job and a friend challenged her to write a novel. Naturally, she thought of romance, since that is one of her favorite things to read.

Eve loves her family, spring and fall in east Texas, the Colorado mountains, dogs, chocolate, books, and electronics. She enjoys cooking except when she is creating, and has been known to tell her husband that is what takeout was created for.

Eve also loves a happy ending. That's why she writes romance.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of an honest review

I don't think I've disliked a book so much in such a long time.

Full of terrible TERRIBLE tropes, predictable, the pacing is all off, continuity... sorry what?
Meh, disappointed.

[Janssen]

Sometimes you think, "Do I actually know when a book is terribly written?"

And then you read this book and you know you can spot a badly written book.

[Sophie (slovenianbookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the blurb of the book and I always have liked the best friend’s brother/sister trope but this one felt a little flat to me. Even though it wasn’t completely rushed, everything still happened a little too fast for me.

Laurel is a devoted mother to her two kids (six and four years old). She is working two jobs but then she got fired and desperately needs another job. Not so coincidentally, there’s Zack, who has been crushing on Laurel for years. He just happens to has a job for her at his company.

He admits he liked her and that he wants to date her and soon, they started seeing each other. Kids love him, but Laurel doesn’t want to admit – even though she likes him too – that they could be something more than friends with benefits because her ex-husband betrayed her.

Basically, the first half of the story includes all the drama and the book could be easily finished there but since Laurel couldn’t make up her mind the other half of the book mentions her turmoil about their relationship. One day she decides that yes, Zack apparently does love her for her, not just the kids, and they could live together. And there’s that.

3 stars.



Important information for readers:

Standalone? Yes.

HEA? Yes.

Cheating? No.

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dee/ bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

#HisBestFriend'sSister #NetGalley

Hit the ground running....

The book started off fast and kept going. It was predictable things went fast, no slow sizzle and then a pregnancy.. and commitment issues. Then it was like a switch and the issues are gone and everyone is happy. You could see the ending before finishing the first 10 %.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Zac has had a thing for Laurel his best friend’s sister for years. It has just been different reason why they were not able to be together. Now as the time seems to come up now she is single and raising two daughters but still does not want to allow herself to feel again for the way her ex treated her. Zac continues to go after her to the point where you think that he is going to walk away because she thinks that no man could act the way he does, but then she knows he has always acted that way. He even tells her brother to back off because he is going after her and it won’t be him hurting her, but her hurting him. A good story and I liked the characters surrounding the main ones. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love best friend of brother and little sister books. Maybe because I so badly wanted a brother for this reason. Zack (the brother's best friend) has had a crush on Laurel for years. Now, she is divorced with 2 little kids, he decides to make his move.

I love this type of story. There is always a pissed off brother and a sister fighting for her man. This was no exception. Cute story.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/23/2019)! 🎁

[Kacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with the authors writing in the first book of the Devil´s Rock at Whiskey River series. This book was just as good as the first in the series. This book is centered around Laurel. She is the sister to Travis who we met in the first book. Well Zach is Travis´ best friend. He is in business with Travis. Zach has always had a crush on Laurel since she was 15. He never acted on it or told anyone. Well 2 years after Laurel´s divorce Zach is determined to ask her out. Laurel´s divorce did not go well. Her ex husband left her with 2 kids and a mountain of debt. She is struggling working 2 jobs. Laurel has big trust issues when it comes to men because of this. It doesn´t matter how wonderful and nice Zach is. Zach accepts her children and her situation. When they get an unexpected surprise Zach steps up but Laurel is hesitant not knowing if she can ever depend on anyone else. This book put me through all sorts of emotions. I have been through a terrible divorce and I had to learn how to trust again. This book is so relatable to anyone who is a single parent or has been through a divorce. I loved how real it was. The author is able to tell a story with perfection. I was so involved with the characters I could not stop reading. I had to know what happened. I like how we still got glimpses of Travis and Tobi and we also got to see Harlan their other brother. I would totally recommend this book to anyone who likes a real romance.

[Racheli Zusiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

ההמשך של Rebel Pilot, Texas Doctor שקראתי בעבר.
הספר הזה הוא על לורל, אחותו של טרוויס מהספר הקודם, ועל זאק, חברו הטוב והשותף העסקי שלו.
זאק היה מאוהב כל השנים בלורל אבל לא עשה עם זה כלום. לורל היא גרושה ואמא לשניים. מערכת היחסים הכושלת שלה עם בעלה לשעבר מעיבה מאוד על חייה, היא שקועה בחובות ומאוד חסרת ביטחון. זאק מחליט לפעול בהתאם לרגשותיו ומתחיל עם לורל. לורל מצידה בהחלט מעוניינת, אבל מאוד חוששת מהתחייבות ומלהיות שוב בקשר, ומעדיפה להסתמך רק על עצמה ולא לקשור את עצמה שוב למישהו.
ספר נחמד וחמוד, קליל כזה. אין בו יותר מדי עלילה אבל נהניתי לקרוא.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed reading His Best Friend's Sister by Eve Gaddy, book two in her Devil’s Rock at Whiskey River series. Laurel divorced her husband after discovering he cared more about drugs than her and their kids. Being a single working mom struggling to safely raise her kids made Laurel determined not to depend on her brothers for help or money. Taking on a second job should have helped but after one too many pinches she loses this job by pouring a pitcher of water over a patron’s head. Zack has been interested in Laurel for years but since she’s the sister of his best friend, she’s been off-limits. After witnessing Laurel’s melt-down, Zach tries to help her, but independent Laurel does not need a hero or white knight. Laurel has always had a crush on Zack, but he always appeared uninterested in her. Having a fling with Zack is tempting and allows her to act like an adult but when trouble rears its head, Laurel is not ready to make any of the hard decisions or find any answers that Zack needs. Zack will do anything to convince her to take a risk on him for their happy ever after.

I loved how independent Laurel was and understood her lack of trust toward Zack, but I also felt it was misguided. Zack truly loved her, something Laurel was not willing to believe. I also questioned her need to not rely on her brothers for help other than babysitting. Family, especially hers, sticks together, offering help that they are willing to provide, not take away one’s independence or resilience. Zack was a wonderful hero, providing a great role model for Laurel’s children, and loving her so much that he would let her walk away if that was what she wanted. I’m so glad she finally came to her senses.

Ms. Gaddy wrote a wonderful and moving story that is not to be missed. This story is filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters. I highly recommend this book to other readers and look forward to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zack Bannister had hots for his best friend Travis’s (1st book) sister Laurel since high school. He knew she was off limits to him while in high school and he waited until he graduated from law school but she was already married. Now she is divorced, single mother raising two children. He knew Laurel single now but he didn’t know how to approach her.
Laurel didn’t want charity from her brothers. If she really needed them, she could ask for their help but she wants to stand on her own and raising her kids. She was really tight on money and she was not ready to ask for financial help from her brothers. While working as a waitress in a restaurant on Saturdays, one of the customer grabbed her behind and she threw a pitcher of water on his head and that got her fired. Now she needs to look for another job...
When Zack saw Laurel being harassed and fired from her job, he couldn’t just stand there and watch. This was a perfect opportunity for Zack help her. When he offered an accounting job for his business, Laurel was reluctant but she decided to take it.
Now they are seeing each other more often and it was perfect for Zack get closer to Laurel. Zack loves her children and he is total opposite of her ex-husband.
Laurel and Zack perfect for each other except Laurel has a hard time believing this could be more than a fling. Zack is trying to convince her he really loves her but his timing couldn’t be worse when she finds out she is pregnant... Now Laurel will need help but is confused if he really loves her or is he obligate to take care of her.

It was really sweet story of Zack and Laurel. Zack was perfect knight in shining armor. He was patient and loving from beginning to end. I enjoyed both series from this one.. I can’t wait to read the next one about Levi.
Thanks to netgalley and Tule Publishing for my ARC in exchange for honest review.

[SynergyQuest · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I enjoyed the read, but just pass the 50% mark the heroine started to bug me. She keeps telling a wonderful man who loves her, and whom has gotten her pregnant, that she won't marry him. She gives him no reason that is justifiable. Okay, that's not exactly fair. She wants to make sure he really loves her. However, after he moved in temporarily to nurse her and her sick babies and she still doesn't believe him, she lost all credibility with me. Her babies are begging for him to be their dad, she loves him, everyone in her life who loves and in whom she trusts says that they see his love. Fear and hesitation I understand, but straight up silliness is a show stopper.

Obviously, they ultimately get together, but her secretiveness about her failed marriage, honesty about her true reservations to remarrying, and selfishness made this lose a star for this reader.

If you can find it in you to sympathize or identify with the heroine, you’ll likely enjoy the things that had me on the verge of tuning out.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is an incredible sweet story in this book but it somehow feels flat to me. Perhaps the writing style just didn't match my tastes but it felt a bit repetitive mainly because Laurel kept having the same inner dialogue with herself and the same conversations with Zack and her brothers. I wish I had just felt more of an emotional connection with this book because there was so much potential for this to be a beautiful love story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Hopeless Romantic Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one!

Love the plot, easy to read, the characters are wonderful. I so much enjoy reading friends to lovers type of stories. Second chance in love for Laurel, Zacks devotion to her paid off finally she took noticed and realized the good man he is. His sincerity and genuine love for her. Thanks Eve!

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack Bannister has been in love with his best friend’s little sister, Laurel Lewis for years. For her, he had always been Travis’ friend whom she had had a crush on a long time ago. Since then she had been married, had two children, Cody and Katrina, and gotten a divorce. Now doing the single mom gig is the hardest job she has ever had to do. It wouldn’t be so bad, but she had to incur the debt that her ex-husband incurred on top of the normal debt she needed for herself and the kids to survive. So during the day, she is an accountant.

At night she does some waitressing at Jalisco’s Mexican restaurant right there in Whiskey River.
Laurel started to notice that Zack had started coming in every Saturday night to have dinner. What she didn't know was that she brought him in. He was trying to get his nerve up to ask her out. You see he has had a crush on her, too. She didn’t mind flirting with him but it never occurred to her that Zack wanted more. But Zack had no one to blame but himself. He was starting to feel like a stalker. It was all she could do to find and now hold on to that job too since it had recently changed hands.

The new owners did care for the employees the way the old ones did. So when the customers got handsy it was dealt with and the new owners said Deal with it they're a big party and we need the business. So Laurel dealt with it when she was groped. But the owner didn’t see her method as the correct way to handle it. Zack tried to come to her aid and explain what had happened but it wasn’t any good. The manager had it out for her and fired her. Laurel was able to hold back her tears until she made it to her car but then the damn broke.

She was always dead on her feet between raising her two young children and working her two jobs. She was almost relieved that she got fired but she needed that minor income. To help make ends meet. Laurel calls her sister-in-law to say she will be by to pick up the kids and asks her what's wrong so she tells her. Her sister-in-law says they’re all watching a movie and that her brother got ice cream for after the movie. So for Laurel to take time for herself. So she heads for a bar down the street. Meets a new guy in town and she gets tipsy and starts friendly flirting.

It is when Zach comes to find her and finds her with the new pilot they just hired meaning him, her brother Travis, and Harlan, and explains that she is their younger sister. You never saw a guy move so fast and yell over his shoulder since you're the bearer of bad news you get the tab, Zack. Which Zack was fine with. He tells Laurel it's time to go but she starts to pout and says she never gets to go out it’s not fair and pleads not to take her home. So he takes her to his place. She asked for the potty after ten minutes he worried and went looking for her.

She had stripped to her panties left her shirt on thank goodness and was sound asleep on his bed. He’s too large for his couch he stripped to his boxers and slipped in behind her put his arm around her and fell asleep. See what the morning brings and what memories surface between the two of them from the night before. But watch out when one of the big brothers comes a calling and all hell breaks loose. This was a very sweet story of long-unrequited love.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach was one of laurel’s older brother’s-Travis- best friends. But he had been coming to jalisco’s Mexican restaurant every Saturday night for six weeks and sat in Laurel’s section. He still couldn’t make any headway with her. They’d known each other since they were kids. Zach had been in love with laurel for years. Although she wouldn’t believe it is he told her. She didn’t mind flirting with him but it never occurred to her that Zack wanted more. He still hadn’t asked her out. He knew why, he was afraid she would reject him. Zach didn’t have trouble with women. They liked him and he liked them back. He never had trouble asking women out , never had trouble falling in- and out of relationships. He’d come close to marrying his last girlfriend -Sabrina. But when push came to shove he couldn’t do it. He finally accepted he wasn’t going to get over Laurel. Laurel had been saving up to move to a better apartment but her full time job as an accountant wasn’t enough to cover her expenses and a more expensive apartment. Back in HS Laurel had a crush on Zach but he hadn’t noticed her other than his best friend’s little sister. A man groped Laurel’s butt and she poured a pitcher of water over his head and ended up getting fired. Zach offered to help but she said no. When she got to her car she broke down. The called her sister in law to say she could pick up the kids but Savannah said they were watching a movie and could stay the night. Laurel didn’t want to go home and ended up at the bar Booze. Laurel had married Stan but he had left her with two kids-Cody and Katrina- and a tom of dent. Her brothers would help her more if she let them nut she would not let them. If she hadn’t had to pay her ex husbands debt off she would have been doing pretty good. Zach showed up at the bar and offered to give her a ride home since she was drunk , she still didn’t want to go home, so he took her to his place. They kissed a couple times and she offered to sleep with him and Zach said no if she was sober he definitely would. The next day Laurel asked Zach if she’d been sober if he would have slept with her and he said yes. Zach offered her a part time job at the airport as their accountant had moved away. And it wasn’t a charity job they needed an accountant. Zach lets her know he wants to date her and they start seeing each other. Laurel cares for Zach but is afraid to admit it as she had been hurt by her ex husband. Zach tells trevor he is going to try to make it with Laurel and if anyone gets hurt it will be him.
I really enjoyed this book. It felt like I was there with Laurel and Zach. I have been divorced and a single parent struggling to make ends meet. I really liked the plot and pace. I loved Zach and Laurel together and how they interacted. I did get to the point where I wanted Laurel to stop going back and forth with Zach and choose Zach. I loved how Zach stepped up when Laurel got pregnant. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend it.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

His Best Friend’s Sister by Eve Gaddy
Devil's Rock at Whiskey River, Book 2
Whiskey River businessman Zack Banister has had his eye on Laurel Lewis for years, even though she’s always been off-limits. The timing has never been right between them, but now that they’re both free, Zack is determined to convince Laurel that he’s the perfect man for her.
The last thing Laurel needs is a white knight. She’s a single mom and knows she can only rely on herself. But the thought of a fling with Zack is a different matter—and far too tempting to resist.
Then reality crashes in and Laurel faces hard decisions. And Zack will do anything to convince her to take a risk on him for their happy ever
This is Laurel Lewis and Zack Banister's story.
I’m not a stalker but I sure as hell feel like one.
Zack Bannister sat in Laurel Lewis’s section of Jalisco’s Mexican restaurant in Whiskey River. He’d come in every Saturday night for the last six weeks and still hadn’t managed to make any headway with Laurel. Since Zack was one of Laurel’s brother’s best friends, he and Laurel had known each other since they were kids.
What Laurel didn’t know was that Zack had been in love with her for years. And she wouldn’t believe it if he told her. To her, he was simply Travis’s friend. She didn’t mind flirting with him but it never occurred to her that Zack wanted more.
She’d done it this time. Laurel had no illusions about what would happen once Todd caught up with her. Why had she lost it now when similar things had happened to her before? Because she was exhausted? Because it had been the final straw? She’d debated about taking this job in the first place, but even the small amount of extra cash had been welcome. She’d been saving up to move to a different apartment complex and her salary from her full-time job wasn’t enough to cover her monthly expenses plus a more expensive apartment.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
His Best Friend’s Sister by Eve Gaddy is a 3 star book
Eve's Books with Tule:
Sing Me Back Home
Homecoming
The Gallaghers of Montana
Texas Heirs
The Brothers of Whiskey River
Texas Cowboy
The Brothers of Whiskey River
Texas Rebel
The Brothers of Whiskey River
The Billionaire’s Lover
Amalfi Night Billionaires
Texas Bachelor
The Brothers of Whiskey River
Love Me, Cowgirl
The 78th Copper Mountain Rodeo
The Gallaghers of Montana
The Doctor’s Christmas Proposal
The Gallaghers of Montana
The Cowboy and the Doctor
The Gallaghers of Montana
Return of the Cowgirl
The Gallaghers of Montana
A Texas Christmas Reunion
Whiskey River Christmas
Rebel Pilot Texas Doctor
Devil's Rock at Whiskey River
His Best Friend’s Sister
Devil's Rock at Whiskey River
No Ordinary Texas Billionaire
Devil's Rock at Whiskey River

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

His Best Friend’s Sister is a fun, flirty and, at times, frustrating romance. It was very easy to fall under Zack’s spell. He’s a good man who has cared about Laurel, his friend Travis’ sister, for years ever since their high school days. He didn’t make a move back then because of that whole ” bros don’t date their best friend’s sister” code. But now that Laurel is free of her jerk of an ex-husband Zack’s determined to have her and those adorable kids in his life. Now comes convincing Laurel that she can trust him.

Laurel’s life didn’t turn out quite as she expected. Instead of that happy family, she got an ex-husband who is pretty much worthless. Two pretty amazing children make up for that sad fact, but she’s still now a divorced, single parent with no intentions of ever trusting in a man again.

I enjoyed Laurel and Zach’s romance, but must admit that I was completely on Zach’s side in this story. Laurel takes her mistrust of her own judgement in good men too far, to the point of exasperation for me. She has a man that most women would turn cartwheels for wanting her for herself, loving her just as she is… and she hesitates, turns him down even though she’d admit that she does love him but cannot trust that he loves her. I really wanted to step into the story and give her a stern talking to… but characters never listen to me. I did enjoy this story, but Laurel wasn’t my favorite heroine because of her actions. Just because I couldn’t really connect with a character doesn’t mean that you should pass this story by. I would definitely recommend His Best Friend’s Sister to any Contemporary Romance reader… and leave your decision about Laurel up to you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

His Best Friend's Sister is a fast read and overall cute but good gracious this heroine needed to be shaken.

The Gist: Zack's been half in love with his best friend's sister since basically ever. But Laurel has been off limits. The whole friend thing. Then she was married thing. But a drunken night...on her part...has him coming to the rescue and finally gives him the chance to tell her how he really feels.

Zack is such a good guy! Oh my gosh. He's successful and kind. Has the patience of a saint and is just one of those guys who does the right thing, loves those around him and that you want to spend time with. Unless you're Laurel. Who is a trial. She's been hurt in the past by an ex and because of it she just will not give Zack a chance and is a pain in the butt. Stubborn and ridiculous and making way too big a deal out of her past and using it against Zack. She was not my favorite person. I didn't hate her but she came real close there in the middle to needing a rogue carriage to run her ass over.

The romance was slow since, well, Laurel. Poor Zack. I would not have blamed him for moving on and finding someone else who could admit they wanted him, too. They finally got there somehow. There's some steam but not a ton. The chemistry. Eh. Not amazing. More relying on having known each other forever and the comfort of that.

Overall, it was a cute read mainly because of Zack who is doing whatever he can to get his girl. He was also incredible with her two kids. It was just so sweet on that front.

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the blurb for this book I had high hopes that it would be amazing. I am a massive fan of best friend's little sister type stories and this one was just kind of meh.

Laurel is a divorced mother of two and Zack is her brother, Travis, best friend. Zack has had feelings for Laurel for years and gave up a relationship to have a chance with her.

At times the story felt very predictable and seemed to just kind of progress at a rapid speed. There were a few moments where I though I missed whole sections of the book and had to go back and double check only to find out I didn't.

Laurel kind of drove me crazy, I get that she has issues because of her relationship with her ex husband, but Zack was insanely sweet and so patient with her. I felt like screaming at her to just believe him.

I loved the Laurel's brothers, Harlan and Travis, and Zack's friend and business partner Levi. They were fun secondary characters and I definitely look forward to seeing more of them. With all the mention of Laurel's ex husband and his job I do wish that there was more of a tie in to that into some of the story line for a little extra drama.

Overall, it wasn't a terrible story and I still did enjoy it. I'm curious about what happens going forward since it is part of a series, so I will check out those as they are released because the ending to Zack and Laurel was just kind of abrupt.

****ARC provided by NetGalley****

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zack is in love with Laurel he just needs to convince her that he's in love with her and his intentions are true. Laurel is broken and keeping a secret from her family and she knows it could destroy her and one of those things is she can't let herself ever fall in love again.

I loved Zack, Harlen and Travis, Harlen and Travis are like any typical big brother and will stop at nothing to protect those they love. Zack was a good guy with a big heart and the love for Laurel just jumped off the pages. I did however find while Laurel was broken she just wasn't willing to admit the most obvious throughout the book. I loved all the fun characters, Tobi, Savannah and Edith as well as the kids. This book did have strong language and adult situations. I would give this book a 3.5 stars because in the end I was left with a ton of questions, and I felt that the end was rushed. I wish there was more played out since what took place towards then seemed big yet seemed to brush over quickly. I loved the story overall it was a sweet love story and a fun read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion.

[Sandi Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been waiting not so patiently I might add to take a trip back to Whiskey River. I was so happy when Author Eve Gaddy posted that she was finally going to take us, her reader back to TEXAS! I have been waiting for slow poke Zack to make a move on Laurel for so long I thought I would be a great grandma before the boy got his nerve up. And Laurel Oh let's talk girl who got hurt by a jerk in a first marriage. It is like looking at my daughter and sisters's exs all 3 rolled up into one character in a book. OH author Eve Gaddy is good. She is really good. I just wished she would have let that ole ex... never mind that might give the storyline away. Back to the story there are some times that Laurel can get stubborn and I have to say I do understand this character as I live with her right now. Zach has such a big ole heart and he opens it wide as Texas. This story has been peeking out of the edges of a few books, waiting to be told for a while now. I am so happy that our author let the dogs out of the gate and they are running free and wild around Whiskey River right about now. Barking up a storm and chewing up everything in sight. And who cares if everyone is happy like we are when we get to sit and read a good book right.

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated Lauren with a passion

I don't know if I'll like other books by this author, but I know I hated this book. The writing itself is decent, but the plot lost steam after she found out her big news. She just repeated the same argument and acting the same way for half the book. When you have trust issues you don't act the way Lauren does. Lauren acts like someone does in a lifetime movie, not a real person. It would have helped to at least talk to someone that had been in that situation. In my experience, they are jaded because all men are the same. Lauren isn't. They blame the kids for staying saying they didn't want them to grow up without a father. They have PTSD they flinch at a big noise, have triggered responses, and bad dreams. They loathe their ex even if they have contact or even go back to them--the loathing in their eyes and voices is there all the same. The loathe themselves too because they fell for it or keep falling for it. They may blame the alcohol or drugs for the abuse but they don't trust their partner even stone cold sober. Lauren wasn't an abused woman she just played one on tv. And badly at that. The guy didn't help he was so generic I forgot his name. So maybe I'd like her other books better, but I'm not in a hurry to find out.

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This book is part of a series and I hope you are reading from the beginning, yes the author brings you up to date but you will get more if you start from the start. So we have Zack who has had a crush on Laurel for a long time now, but since she is Travis's sister (one of his best friends) he has never approached her and he feels that that needs to change he is tired of holding off and he had almost lost his chance since she is a divorced mother of two. He is going after her, even if he is going to piss off one of his best friends. Laurel has had a disastrous marriage, her husband ran off leaving her in debt and now she is working two jobs trying to make ends meet and giving the best that she can to her two children, yes she can rely on her brothers but she doesn't want that, she wants to be able to provide for them, I respected her for that and much more. She was surprised when Zack showed interest in her, he never has before and she is a little wary but you know what she needs some happiness too. Grab a copy my friends and Enjoy!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurel Lewis was Zack Banister’s best friend’s sister. Therefore, she was supposed to be off limits. But Zach had always had a thing for Laurel and he was finally ready to make his move. Laurel was a divorced single mother, living in Whiskey River in a run-down apartment. She worked two jobs just to stay ahead. Her plan was to eventually find a better place to live. Laurel had been hurt by her ex and wasn’t trusting of men or her own decisions when it came to men, but she finally agreed to date Zach. When Laurel ends up pregnant with twins, everything changes. Zach wants to get married, but Laurel fears Zach might change like her ex did. Zach has a lot of work ahead of him if he wants to convince Laurel how much he loves her and that he is nothing like her ex was.

I enjoyed this book a lot even though it was a very quick read. Several times I got upset with Laurel for being so hardheaded and making Zach wait for her. But it all played out well in the end and they got their happy ever after.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this trope, but I’ve never been able to understand why, once the characters have reached adulthood, the sibling should be off-limits. After all, if a man is good enough to be your best friend, why wouldn’t he be good enough to court your sister? Be that as it may, this is a charming book. I think the book moved into the sex scenes too quickly. At thirty-six percent the couple is jumping into bed. The hero is a bit wishy-washy. He decides he wants something but then backs off from following through. The heroine is a single mom with all the attendant issues but unwilling to accept help. Having been a single mom, I don’t believe the heroine could afford to be so independent. One accepts help wherever one can get it. The supporting cast is interesting and fleshed out. They add tension and conflict to the story. Technically, the book is well written and well formatted. I would read other books by this author. I voluntarily chose to receive, read, and review an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in the Devil’s Rock at Whiskey River series. I also read the first book but didn’t realize until later that this book was in that series. I enjoyed the storyline tremendously. Zack was a super character and book boyfriend. Laurel was a little annoying at first when she wouldn’t commit to Zack. This was only before we knew all the things she endured with her ex husband. Then the reader was totally sympathetic with her not wanting to rush into marriage or her hesitancy to move in with Zack. Zack and Laurel’s two brothers have been good friends since they were little and we learn both Laurel and Zack have always had crushes and strong feelings for each other. I loved the suspenseful situations as well as the humor between the brothers and Laurel and the brothers and Zack. I am excited for the next book. I’m pleased to give this 5 amazing stars.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Best Friend's Sister by Eve Gaddy is second in the series with the title giving a major idea of the story-line. While I found this to be true, it is also a story of how doubts and hesitations can run a person’s life, affecting those that are also connected.

The premise is a good one with one super good guy. Zack is the best friend of Travis, (Rebel Pilot Texas Doctor), who is interested in Travis’ now divorced sister, Laurel. Several twists happen in the story that are predictable but somewhat unexpected. Still it is Laurel’s reluctance that gives the story its main conflict, which seemed overdramatic on her part. Still the supporting character are interesting, with a couple of the guys that I am hoping will get their own story in the future.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trademark Eve Gaddy, this book is sweet and sexy, just what you’d expect when one of your protagonists is a divorced mother of two young children. Set in Whiskey River, Texas this is book two in the Devil’s Rock at Whiskey River series, though it works just fine as a stand-alone book.
I loved Zach, the long-suffering hero of this story. He came across as honourable, patient, tolerant, sexy, and just about any other positive superlative I could think of.
Laurel was not my ideal heroine. Frankly there were times when I wanted to box her ears for being obtuse. I get that she went through hell in her first marriage but I just couldn’t accept her reluctance to take Zach at his word. Thankfully she eventually saw reason and their relationship blossomed.
This story is perfect weekend reading - it is light enough that you’ll find yourself smiling plenty but with plenty to hook you and keep you turning the pages. I really enjoyed reading this one.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

While I enjoyed this book, I was getting a little upset with Laurel. She kept putting up roadblocks with Zack in moving their relationship forward especially after finding out she is pregnant with twins. Zack on the other had was excessively patient. He has been in love with her for years though but unfortunately while not wanting to tell her immediately and scaring her off, they learn of the pregnancy and she feels he only said the "love" word out of expectancy.

It was a charming read. It was a good thing that this was written in a dual POV as again, I was getting tired of Laurel. But reading her POV, you could understand it a little more. Zack on the other hand, heck I would have said "yes" immediately. What a great male protagonist he was. I do recommend this story. There were so really great scenes especially in the beginning!!!