GRR Reviews Maggie's Way (Montana Bound Series Bo by Linda Bradley

Maggie's Way, volume 1 of a 3 volume series, is a contemporary romance using the "unexpected love" trope, with a "happy for now" ending in order to set up volumes 2 and 3. The love was a slow simmer, and complications were interesting, not cliche.

Maggie Abernathy is suffering through her darkest hours alone. Her son had moved out for his internship hours away. Her husband of 20+ years is divorcing her, after raising a son together... As he finally realized that he's really gay. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer, and her radiation treatment starts soon. She just wants to spend her summer alone, away from her teaching job, in peace. However, that was not to be, as her peace was disturbed by the precocious seven-year old Chloe next door, with her gorgeous father John, a pediatrician. Her mother also drops by unexpectedly, and her ex-husband is still there, offering support. Maggie just wants to be alone in her huge house, but nobody will leave her alone. When an accident with Chloe sent Maggie to the hospital needing stitches, Maggie found herself falling in love with Chloe... and John, and her empty house didn't feel so empty anymore...

The story started off angst-y, but Maggie's mood slowly brightens. Romance with John was slow, and complications, such as Chloe's mom made the relationship complicated. However, the book just feels slow overall.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman spending her darkest hours and wanting to be alone fell for the 7-year old girl's gorgeous father next door

Tropes: family pressure, single parent, neighbor

Overall Rating:  4/5