Fighting for Magnolia (Redemption Harbor Security #4)

Katie Reus

Blurb:

He promised forever, but then he left…

Magnolia fell fast and hard for the boy her parents warned her about. He told her that he wanted to give her the world, but then vanished. Now she runs a successful company in New Orleans and her son is picking out colleges—but someone is lurking in the shadows, stalking her every move. And they won’t stop until she’s six feet under.

Now he’s back and not going anywhere…

Security expert Ezra has just discovered the woman he never got over had their child years ago. Magnolia’s family lied to him, to both of them, and if he wants a place in their lives, he’s going to have to prove that he didn’t leave without a reason—all while keeping her safe from a deadly stalker who will do anything to destroy everything she loves.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

Gotta say I love that I didn’t even read the blurb for this story before jumping right in, because that first chapter set everything up and prepped me for a great, sometimes overdone, but always fun trope of a romance story by one of my favorite authors. Katie Reus returns to New Orleans with the latest installment of the Redemption Harbor Security series as she brings back together to former childhood sweethearts that were separated by circumstances and a past that truly has two sides to each of their stories. The story is interesting, romantic, intense and sad in many ways as these two former lovers are faced with the truth of their past, present and the hope of a future that might allow them to build a family and home together if they can overcome all the obstacles in their way. I really loved every moment of their adventure and the stories within stories that Katie wove as she has Magnolia and Ezra fighting through the layers of their past in order to find their way to the core of their feelings and the love that never died for either of them. I am dying for the next story because I know that Berlin falling in love will be a blast and whichever man, she enchants is going to be in for a serious battle to win her heart and trust.

Ezra Hunt has returned to New Orleans, somewhat reluctantly, to build a new branch of the business he runs with his friends helping people and he refuses to think about the past he left behind there eighteen years ago. When he saves a woman from being shot on the street he never expects to come face-to-face with Magnolia Lavigne, the girl that shattered his heart and sent him fleeing NOLA so long ago. Magnolia is terrified when she runs into Ezra again, because she knows there will be not hiding the secrets she kept from him, even though he left her heartbroken when he left NOLA at eighteen. Now the two of them are forced to deal with the full truth of their past and face the consequences to their present and future, as well as the danger surrounding Magnolia. Ezra and Magnolia each have unresolved feelings for the other, but can they deal with that as well as the pain of their loss and find a way to move forward, while dealing with the dangers they face, or will they be forced to let go of the future they both so wanted when they dreamed of a future together as kids?

Wow I love when two such conflicted characters, still so obviously in love are forced to deal with one another and find a way to handle their feelings. Ezra obviously never stopped loving Magnolia even as he tried to move forward in some way after leaving NOLA to join the military, but now that he’s returned everything points him back to her. When he learns the truth of their past and has to deal with the fact that his choice no longer affect only himself, Ezra begins to understand that he is more than a simple security operator. His strength, caring, and loyalty are obvious even when he is at his angriest. I loved the moment when he backed up Magnolia, standing at her back and giving her the extra strength, she needed instead of simply trying to stand in front of her to take care of things himself. To me those choices of bring a partner instead of being an alpha male, just taking over, make him the perfect match for Magnolia. Magnolia made a choice long ago, with the limited information she had, to stand on her own, supporting her son and be a great mother and businesswoman, but she never got her heart back from Ezra, leaving her unable to share it with anyone else. When he comes back into her life, she tries to fight his pull, but like a lodestone and metal they are unable to resist one another, and Magnolia knows that her family will never be fully complete without him now. The way she stands up fore herself, demanding her due shows her character more than anything, that sass, backbone and strength softened by her love for her friends and family as well as the way she is determined to help other women in need. She really was a great character to learn about and it was easy to see why Ezra loved her so deeply.

Ezra and Magnolia might have had a short time together in their youth, but their past connection is apparent immediately when they are brought back together, that emotional connection snapping right back into place and there is no doubt why Ezra is all in for Fighting for Magnolia from the very beginning. Magnolia has spent most of her life as a single mother, but now she is confronted with the only man that ever truly made her feel like a woman and made her heart soar and her soul sing, so it is no wonder that she loses herself to him again almost immediately. Ezra is cautious when he is faced with losing his heart again, knowing the pain that he faces, because he knows he isn’t good enough for Magnolia and he will face the heartbreak of having to give her up again, but that doesn’t stop him from losing falling. The love and passion between these two are incontrovertible and I dare anyone to try to tell me they don’t below together, and I am kind of angry that they had to wait eighteen dang years for their HEA! The twisty plot and the way the villainy of the story unfolds was interesting and certainly a little bit unexpected, one of Katie’s expertise. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens with Berlin as she falls in love, but even more I am looking forward to Katie introducing more NOLA folks and expanding maybe into even more areas of the US with her Safety Harbor folks…. Heck let em take over the world! Once again Katie has struck a heartstring and brings a beautiful and meaningful story of two people separated by time, but never truly moving on, that finally get their second chance at love together.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.