blurb
Standing alone in the middle of the Oregon woods, Alessia Conners was officially out of options.
With no money, no family, and no friends to turn to Alessia has little hope of escaping the predator in her home without doing something–drastic. All she wanted was a safe place to call home. With a tent and some camping gear, she is determined to find refuge and a new start to life in the peaceful woods of Oregon.
There was something in his woods, something that didn’t belong.
Jax Beranek is a rugged, mean recluse whose powerful presence and sharp tongue hide a damaged man who has given up on the world. He is a man that doesn’t need or want anyone. He has his cabin, his peace and quiet, and above all else is solitude. So when he happens to find some young woman sorely unprepared and close to getting herself killed in his woods he gives her a hard but fair choice: leave with his aid or leave tied and gagged over his shoulder, but either way she was leaving his damn forest.
It was the pain though, that familiar soul-wrenching pain he recognized all too well inside the lonely, sad-eyed woman that struck at a cord of compassion he didn’t know he possessed.
But his help wouldn’t be free–he was going to put the little vagabond to work.
With her days filled with hard work, back and forth bickering and her nights filled with exhausted sleep in Jax’s safe, cozy cabin, Alessia could finally for the first time in months breathe easy and forget about the monster in her past.
If only the monster would forget about her.
She was here. She was finally free.
my review
Katerina Winters is a new to me author, but when I saw this book took place in Oregon and had a burly mountain man I just knew I needed to read it. I devoured this book. I really couldn’t put it down. I loved Jax and all his broodiness. I loved Alessia for getting out of her situation, for trying to find a better life for herself.
This was a SLOW BURN and at times I found myself yelling at my kindle just telling them to give in to each other. The tension was so strong. I was getting frustrated with them! However, when they finally do give in the chemistry is explosive. Jax is a protector, despite Alessia trespassing on his land, he can’t help but feel the need to keep her safe.
I loved how their relationship progressed and how they both helped each other. Though, I wanted more when it came to the ending. I just felt like something was missing for me. Though, this book is still a must read and an emotional story. I will definitely be checking out more books from Katerina Winters in the future.
