Forging Legacy

Great series, great characters

I came into the story of the Stag family a little bit in the middle with Wyatt and I know I’m going to have to read all about all of them now. But Wyatt? He’s pretty special. Sexy stellar hockey player about to go pro; he should feel like he’s on easy street. But there’s a lot of worry going on in that gorgeous head of his. He’s got to finish school, but what’s really stressing him out is that his scum-of-the-earth biological father is trying to get money from him and threatening him in the process. He is so afraid to put his real family, the one that raised him, the one that loves him, the one he loves and needs, in jeopardy or expose them to any possible harm, so he keeps things to himself. Until the night that cute bartender he’s been watching for a while leans over the bar just so and he thinks maybe tonight could be a happy one for a change. He almost always keeps his head down, appoints himself the designated driver, but perhaps tonight could be different, could be fun.

Fern is equally stressed but for different reasons. Also about to finish school, she’s pinning all her hopes and dreams on winning a position in England after graduation. She needs the grades and the recommendation of the professor she’s TA’ing for. She’s passed up a lot of experiences and opportunities keeping her nose to the grindstone and she’s promised herself that she’ll raise her nose from that grindstone just once and get that one special experience she’s so far denied herself. She’s noticed Wyatt before, too, and maybe tonight could be the night.

On the surface Wyatt the hockey stud and Fern the math brainiac seem very different, but somehow they just fit and it’s so sweet. Gets the story off to a great start. Under the blindingly handsome, hot exterior he is very romantic, well-mannered and considerate. Fern may not mention that one little fact but she is enthusiastic and fearless, easy to talk to and comfortable with him. It is, in fact, a very good night for both of them. Of course she is gone in the morning. You know, future goals, no entanglements. He fleetingly wishes there could be more but you know, current problems and future goals. So not having a way to really contact her is okay; they will each have good memories.

Until he walks into the Math Recitation class and – whoa! – guess who the TA is? She goes into immediate panic: this could look like a conflict of interest, ruin her chances for that position, they can’t even really act like they know each other, they definitely can’t be seen together.

But much to her dismay, time with him feels so good and she wants more, even if just for a little while. So they aren’t exactly able to ignore each other. And that leads to other things and other things and . . . well, you’ll just have to read it for yourself. Wyatt is so sweet and protective and caring, not just of Fern but of his entire family. He sees himself as the outsider who might mess everything up, and Fern feels like a lifeline, a safe place. She worries about and wants to ease his troubles if she can.

Don’t worry, it’s not all just sticky sweet stuff (which is lovely BTW). There are a lot of steamy, scorching scenes. And a whole lot of humor, including their little getaway (see, they can’t stay apart) at his family’s cabin that is supposed to be empty. Did he forget to check the family sign-up? You’ll be laughing out loud.

Thanks to author Lainey Davis for providing an advance copy of Forging Legacy, Book 2 in the Forging series. I absolutely loved it, plan to go back right now and catch up on the rest of the family and can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s an entertaining, satisfying story about dreams, family, facing adversity, doing what’s right, and then finally letting yourself do what feels right, too. There’s a bonus scene as well that gives you a perfect little glimpse into their future. Sigh. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.