GRR Reviews Choosing You (Thirsty Hearts Book 2) by Kris Jayne

Choosing You is about a not-quite triangle that pivots into romantic suspense, where you aren't sure who's the villain and who's the hero, who's the victim and who's the abuser. However, the MMC came off as really bland, and the two FMC's are the fascinating ones.

Taryn is about to marry Jeff and adopt his daughter Olivia in a few months. In order to cut all ties to his past, Jeff got his PI to find his ex-wife Shannon and serve her papers to sever all custody to Olivia. Shannon became a druggie and disappeared, and had not cared about her daughter at all in years, so it should be a slam dunk. But Shannon suddenly appeared at Olivia's birthday party, and claimed she's clean and why won't anyone give her a chance. Taryn was not about to take Shannon at her word, so when Jeff decided to give his ex the benefit of doubt and treat Shannon nicely, Taryn rehired the PI to follow Shannon. Soon it's clear Shannon is currently married to an ex-con with plans to squeeze money from Taryn and Jeff through any means possible. In fact, Shannon had ALREADY stolen stuff from Jeff just now... But is Shannon a willing dupe and accomplice, or an abused woman looking for a way out? This revelation caused a rift between Jeff and Taryn about trust... Because she investigated behind his back. Then Shannon's ex-con husband executes his own plan for a payday...

The twists and turns are quite good, all logically flowed from one to the other. My problem is Jeff, who's basically a gullible white knight that you wonder if Shannon is just scamming him, or is Shannon really trying to squirrel away some money so she can get away by herself. I find Shannon and Taryn far more interesting. All in all, a good romantic suspense that managed to add a twist to "on the rocks" romance.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Is her fiancee's ex trying to scam him? Woman is determined to find out... even when he refused to see the truth...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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