Review: Love At Last by Claudia Connor

Love At Last by Claudia Connor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Attending a conference on a tropical island still means all work and no play to Dr Deacon Montgomery until he sees a beautiful woman and asks her out for dinner. A fling is just what he needs but spending time with Clare makes him realise how lonely he is. When a phone call summons him home, he leaves without saying goodbye, but their story is far from over.

Clare Franklin should be on her honeymoon, but without a husband, the trip to the Dominican Republic has become a singles holiday. After the drama, it's a chance to relax and recuperate before moving to Chicago to begin her new life. Surrounded by sun, sea and sand it's more than she needs until a sexy fellow guest walks into her life and turns it upside down.

It's complicated! Deacon and Clare's relationship may have begun almost perfectly, surrounded palm trees and the sound of waves but the reality now is unfamiliar. Their path to reconnect after Deacon's hasty departure is full of misunderstands. When they finally reconnect, their attraction to each other is still there, but with the added baggage of undisclosed information not shared in the Dominican Republic and a surprise discovery, the protagonists have greater challenges to overcome than the geographical distance between them.

I'm not a huge fan of children included within a romance novel however, Ms Connor always has a knack of incorporating little people into her narratives which doesn't detract away from the sexual chemistry between the protagonists. As a single father of twins, Deacon is caring and considerate of others, even though he has little time for himself. Yet, he still manages to go the extra mile when he and Clare finally reconnect. Clare isn't the same woman he fell for on the tropical island, her life has changed dramatically since he distracted her from the memory of her non-wedding day. She's strong and determined but cautious so their relationship begins tenuously as past actions are forgiven.

With strong secondary characters to support Deacon and Clare, the beginning may have started quickly, but circumstances slowed it down in a satisfying way. The ending is a sugar-coated cliché, but satisfying all the same. Overall, a fun, light and entertaining novel. Perfect for a poolside read with a cool drink.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley***

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How many times can you be unlucky in love before you decide it’s not luck, it’s you? 

I’m in love with someone else. With her ex-groom's words still ringing in her ears, Clare Franklin flies off alone to her would-be honeymoon. Forced to accept not everyone gets that happily ever after she’s always dreamed of, she’s done with men. Until she gets tangled up, quite literally, with one sexy veterinarian. 

The only thing Dr Deacon Montgomery wants is to share his surgical expertise and get back to his two year old twin daughters. But, the connection he feels with Clare highlights just how alone he really is and makes him wonder if he can be more than doctor and daddy. 

Long talks and moonlit walks under the rustle of palms has Clare thinking maybe she gave up on love too soon. Until one phone call from home changes everything.