Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey *Book Review*

Title: Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family No.3)
Author: Shannon Stacey
Published: June 6th, 2011 by Carina Press
Pages: 201

Synopsis: Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he’s recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiancé. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother’s upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn’t like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma’s offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there’s no chance he’ll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he’s not planning to call home.

Emma’s not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his “pretend” kisses are. (from Goodreads.com)

I'd like to preface my full review by saying that if you haven't read the first in this series, you don't really need to (as I still haven't) because it all makes sense, so you are good to go.

I actually started this book because I had an immense inkling for some romantical literature in my life and all I have to say concerning that is: I picked a good one. Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey was a funny, sweet contemporary set in New Hampshire. Our main characters, Emma and Sean were well written and well developed and I loved reading about their totally off the wall relationship.

Emma was an excellent lead who I could totally relate to, she was strong and feminine as well as a hard worker. I think that was why I liked her so much. She wasn't the type of girl to sit around and do nothing or the type of girl who needed a man to take care of her. NO! She could take care of her dang self, thank you very much.

Although, if you are going to have a man by your side, or wrapped around your body naked...*clears throat*...Sean Kowalski is definitely the way to go. He was hot (duh) and being that he just got out of the army he was all sorts of built/stacked (however you'd like to word it). Plus, he actually had a personality that was so charming you just wanted to wrap him up and put him in your pocket and take him home with you.

The plot, while not wholly surprising, was fabulous and I just loved how the whole thing fell into place. Of course, this kind of thing happening is fairly unlikely, BUT I didn't read it for reality. I read it to get a good, fun contemporary read that would make me sigh and curl my toes and ladies and gents...that's exactly what I got. Lucky for me, Shannon Stacey can write a dang good novel and keep out the dismal sugary sweet junk that I prefer NOT to read in romance novels. Yours to Keep was such an excellent read that as soon as I finished it I wanted to read it again. I actually went back and read some of my favorite parts, just to satisfy the inkling. I'm definitely going to be reading more of Shannon Stacey's work in the future. I'm very curious to see what happens with the other single members of the Kowalski family!

(**note** This book is for an adult audience as it contains swearing and sexual content)

(**note2** I'm rating this book in comparison to other romances - FYI)

I received this book free of charge from Carina Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Rating: 4/5