Destiny’s Embrace (Destiny #1)

By: Beverly Jenkins

Blurb:

Gentleman Seeks Housekeeper. Must be willing to travel.

Desperate for another life away from Philadelphia, headstrong and beautiful Mariah Cooper answers an advertisement for a housekeeper at the other end of the continent. Waiting in California is the most breathtaking—and arrogant—man she has ever met…and he’d like nothing better than for Mariah to go back home!

Logan Yates has run Destiny, the family ranch, since he was a boy. He doesn’t need this Eastern miss his stepmother hired, though his home’s chaotic state suggests otherwise. Still, he’s secretly pleased that Mariah gives as good as she gets—and he must fight the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her whenever she proudly stands her ground. But when he’s in danger of losing her, Logan will have to choose between pride…and his heart’s true desire.

Review:

Finally, the justice I wanted! Lol

Mariah is abused by her mother, emotionally and physically. It’s heartbreaking. At the age of thirty, after basically doing everything for her mother, she finally realized the woman would never love her. So she left.

Logan lives in California and desperately needs a housekeeper. For whatever reason, he is pretty lazy when it comes to doing anything domestic. He lets his house become a pigsty and doesn’t build a bunkhouse after a year of not having one. Honestly, I don’t know why that was such a big hurdle for him. It was odd.

Their love story was fast, lasting just about a week. Not too surprising since it happened in the old West and women were very scarce. There were multiple fights, feisty banter, a loving mother, and good friends. All things I love.

I did find Mariah’s almost complete change in temperament a bit hard to believe, but honestly, I enjoyed it. The image of a woman trapped in such a horrible situation; being able to stand up and conquer everything in her way is beautiful.

As soon as I finished this, I immediately downloaded the next in the series. I’m excited to plow through Beverly Jenkins catalog.

4/5