Book Review: Mike's Way Back



Mike's Way Back by Amy Gregory
(Finding Perfect: Book 1)
September 30, 2013
140 pages
Genre: Adult Romance
(contains: sex, strong language)
Source: Personal purchase

Book Blurb:

Detective Mike Sterling walked away from his dream job telling himself it was to honor the promise he’d made his mother, while lying in a Chicago emergency room. A year later, he’s still fighting the demons that followed him back to his boyhood town.

Taryn Watts is an award-winning designer, going from project to project, living from a suitcase. Her plan for Renlend Kansas was the same as always. Go in, get the job done and get out, just the way she likes it. Growing up as a cop’s daughter, her every move was controlled. When she escaped to college she vowed to never fall in love with a cop –ever. Until she found herself sitting across from the ruggedly handsome stranger. Looking into Mike’s ice blue eyes they pulled her, called to her, but there was a haunting in them she knew too well.

Mike is drawn to Taryn, her passion for her work and her stunning beauty left him breathless, but what surprises him most is the peace he feels when he’s near her. Maybe it’s because Taryn is a temporary addition to his town and his secret is safe, or maybe it’s because she makes him feel safe. Mike knows he can’t keep up this charade and when Taryn moves to Renlend for an extended stay he can’t hide the truth any longer.

Can Taryn forget he’s a cop and give him her heart, or will his demons drive them apart? 

My Review:

I loved the "Racing To Love" series by Amy Gregory, and flew through the books. So when I found out there would be a new series by her, with the first book as a spin-off with Mike, Carter's brother from the RTL series, I was thrilled. Now it is not necessary to have read any of the RTL books previously, but some of the characters make cameos, so for me it was a special treat. Mike's story is completely his own. But by the end you may find yourself wanting to meet the other side of the family.

Mike's Way Back follows Mike, detective and cop extraordinaire, who has moved back to his hometown. He has this quiet strength about him that I really liked, and though he is still a cop, his alpha male side is controlled, sensitive or strong at all the right times. Plus his detective side allows him to see beyond the surface. He's been burned before, and old wounds die hard, but into his life walks Taryn, a woman to challenge him, but maybe even heal him. Taryn herself is passionate about her job, has created an exterior that has protected her over the years, but unknowingly needs someone to see past her walls and love her for who she is, letting her inner firecracker out.

I loved the pacing and interactions between Mike and Taryn. They have wonderful banter that helps open them up to each other, and beyond that the more they are with each other, even by phone or email, the clearer you can see their friendship forming, and blooming into more. Even within the limited time frame, it all felt very natural. I truly enjoyed their honesty, their genuine care and consideration of the other, their lack of game-playing, how well they worked together, the laughs they shared, and of course their chemistry (their hot chemistry).

Additionally, one of Amy Gregory's strengths in her RTL series was the great community of characters she brings to life. We're not limited to just the MCs or given some token one-dimensional secondary characters. In MWB, we once again gain some wonderful characters that I look forward to getting to know more and more. Everyone has a place in the story and it gives a lovely depth to this book.

Amy Gregory created a beautiful, sweet romance between two characters with incredible humor, heart, healing, and love. I'm so happy about the start of this new series, and I hope Mike and Taryn make appearances in the rest of the upcoming books.

 

5 STARS

 

FIND ON AMAZON  *  ADD TO GOODREADS

RACING TO LOVE SERIES:

  

  

RACING TO LOVE SERIES ORDER AND LINKS:
CARTER'S TREASURE (#1): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
BRODY'S LOVE (#1.5): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
JESSE'S SOUL (#2): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
ELI'S HONOR (#3): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
ALEX'S DESTINY (#4): MY REVIEW * AMAZON