Handle with Care

Emily and Tanner. Miss perfect school teacher and the town ex-con bad boy. Set up by her Gran Mimi, when she wants Emily to stop playing safe and start living life, Mimi goes to town to buy and Harley from Tanner. Tanner and his two brothers own a shop in town, selling and restoring old hogs.
Tanner is bitter, having served time for killing his best friend when he was younger in a car accident.
Didn't help that the golden boy came from the most elitist family in their tiny town. The Conner brothers didn't have an easy time growing up, their dad was the town drunk and they got no help from anyone in the town. Tanner is the brother with the attitude. Reese recently found out he's a father to a sweet little first grader who happens to be one of Emily's pupils. Emily the epitome of school teacher, even dresses like one. Her Gran runs a ranch where she lives. Em lost her parents in a plane crash and she's lived with Mimi since then. Mimi is the best character ever. She runs an equine program for Vets with PTSD and others who need it. When Emily catches wind that her 70 year old Mimi has just bought a Harley she goes to town to give Tanner a piece of her mind and the two end up in a molten meltdown of steamy sex that melted the words of the pages. When Emily finds herself pregnant she goes to Tanner and his response was honestly the best. Not what I expected but he wanted to do right by Emily and his child. The two decide to take is slow and become friends to get to know each other going on dates. Meanwhile her ex tries to win her back... what a loser. You have to read the book to get the back story on that one, but being deemed wife material because you're sensible doesn't hit my checklist. Tanner's insecurities play into their story heavily and his doubt whether he's good enough for Em and their child. But he is determined to be their for them, no matter what. The story takes a number of twists and turns and though they've kept their impending marriage on the quiet side, they decide to go public. Bringing a whole new set of problems to these two. Tanner has also brought onboard a friend from prison who did 40 years and Josh and Mimi become close friends, causing yet another stir. No one dares say a word to Mimi who has lived in town her whole life and has her own secrets as well. Everyone in this story has a secret. When they come out, it puts yet another spin on things. After a night out together as a couple and an altercation with an old friend, Tanner makes a major decision, serving absolutely no purpose other than making him a miserable sob. Tanner is stubborn and digs in for the haul. Fool.
This is a good read. I enjoyed it because despite Tanner's attitude about the people in town, he does everything he can for Emily. There was no question that Tanner was going to not be there for her.
Emily made Tanner happy and Tanner helped Emily get back out there and live. The rest of the story you have to read. I hope we see more from this little town and the brothers.

advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Entangled for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I’ve read this book at least 3 times since I purchased it about a year ago and let me tell you...I need more Saddler Cove books with Reese, Aiden and maybe even Emily’s girlfriend. I’d love to read each of their stories and see each story intertwined with the others😃Very well written! I enjoyed the characters, the back stories and everything in between! Job well done👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Loved this book, the characters, the dialogue, the humor. Very gifted author. Absolutely 5 stars.