4.5 Smooches
Synopsis
Dalton Calhoun hadn’t always planned on a life up on the big stage, beneath the bright lights, but that was where he found himself. A second chance of sorts. An opportunity that had come along after his real dreams vanished when he was eighteen years old. Although country music was more than he could’ve expected, he’d never dismissed the notion that there was still something missing.
When Dalton followed his buddy Cooper Krenshaw to Devil’s Bend, Texas, it didn’t take long before Dalton realized just what that was. But just because he has topped the country music charts, and made his fair share of women swoon, doesn’t mean that everything comes easy to him. And when he sets his sights on the black-haired, gray-eyed waitress at The Rusty Nail, Dalton realizes he might just have to work for what he wants.
Katie Clarren’s life has been a series of unfortunate events, starting from the time her mother left on her eighteenth birthday. Not exactly how she had planned to spend one of the major turning points in her young life. Nor had she planned to spend the next five years dealing with the fallout. Somewhere along the way, Katie adapted, doing exactly what she needed to do in order to survive. But Katie has secrets that even her closest friends don’t know. Secrets she has worked hard to protect.
Although she longs for handsome, charming, country music sensation, Dalton Calhoun, she knows that anything that starts between them can’t last. Too bad her heart doesn’t seem to be on the same page. Katie gives in to her love for Dalton, needing that human connection that has been missing for so long. But when it comes time to make the hard decisions, Katie forces herself to walk away from him. To protect her secrets, and him. The last thing she wants to do is hurt Dalton, no matter how much pain she has to endure in the process. She loves him.
Can the two of them overcome the secrets and lies? Can they look to the future and stop living in the past? Or will they keep dwelling on the dreams that vanished, not seeing what is right in front of them? Each other.
Review
“Are you gonna kiss me?”
Vanishing Dreams is book 2 in the Devil’s Bend series by Nicole Edwards although it is easily read as a standalone. Vanishing Dreams tells the story of famous singer Dalton Calhoun and spunky waitress Katie Clarren. We met both these characters in book one and learned of their attraction for each other so when this book starts they are already deep in the midst of a flirting relationship. But for Katie that is where is needs to stay. Katie has many secrets and knows it is for the best to keep Dalton at arms length but their sexual chemistry makes this very very difficult.
“He damn sure didn’t intend to give up until she was his. Forever.”
Despite Katie pulling back from him, Dalton is determined to make her his. Now this being said that does not mean he doesn’t make many mistakes of his own and even lets her run from him. It is clear from early on that Dalton and Katie love each other and even that they are aware of this but all the secrets Katie is keeping makes a relationship impossible. In order to have the only man she has loved and given herself to she has to learn to open up and let him in to not only understand her but to help too.
“I’ve got you, Katie,”
This book started off getting super sexy sooner than the first but I honestly felt it had even more depth and story than Chasing Dreams as the story played out. I fell for these two and desperately wanted them to put their stupid decisions and thoughts of what they thought were best for the other aside and just be together. Once I started getting into this book I simply could not put it down and was riveted by Katie’s life and all she has been through. If all of this does not convince you to read this great book how about the fact that Braydon Walker makes an appearance! For me I would be SOLD! I am loving the Devil’s Bend series and absolutely cannot wait for the next story!
~miranda
