Rating: 5 ššššš

Thereās no literary voice like BA Tortugaās . As I read one of her stories, the richness of the regional dialect that rolls out from the mouths of her characters rings with such authenticity that I can still hear those words and sentences even now.
Itās not just a muttered āsweet baby Jesusā or a āall you allā. Nor is it all the many local dishes eaten, barbecue grilled ( btw Iām definitely taking up the pickled mustard seed tyvm), or even the Tex mex delicious drool worthy food her characters devour, nope, itās more. Itās small town Texas itself, the good, the heartwarming, and yes, the ugly. BA Tortuga knows the land and itās people on a truly cellular level and is able to take that knowledge and love and pour it into her books.
I always feel as though I honestly know these people, these flawed human beings she writes so well. Here itās Jericho and his children, a rancher neighbor of Baileyās. Sheās got a stalker and called her brother Anderson back in California for help. A brother bullied as a youth in school there in that small Texas town and now reborn as Logic, a highly successful tv robotics Star, writer, and robot builder. The renewal of acquaintance sparking more, being in town pulling up old memories.
Both the sister and Jericho have children and again, these kids are so well written. Perfect for their ages, each voice memorable and funny, engaging and sweet. When Travis meets his hero Logic for the first time and thinks heās being punked? Perfection!
I could read that and enjoy their relationship over and over.
In fact all the interplay between the families just draws you into this incredible dynamic and makes you want to be a huge part of it as well.
Thereās drama, hurt/comfort elements. But also for me thereās that great ending..
Iāve really debated with myself over how much to say here about it. Because at one point I thought BA was going to go a certain way with it ( shame on me, should have known better) because hey, isnāt that what happens with romances like this.
I know I know. Wet noodle time. Trust in the Tortuga.
So yep, fantastic endingā¦.. ok I wanted more but I say that about all her stories. Canāt stop now. Thatās because I never want them to end. Sue me.
But this one? Itās so special. One of my favorites out of so many of hers. Read it and I think youāll agree.l