Some men are off-limits to a convicted felon. The new police chief, is at the top of her list.

Convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, Morgan has no faith in the law or those who enforce it. When her best friend decides to play matchmaker between her and Chincoteague Island’s new chief of police, Nathan Shepherd, she is determined to fight her attraction to the man. When he finds her after she runs off the road to avoid an animal, her restraint is challenged in ways she did not expect.

Nate’s first meeting with Morgan went about as badly as a first meeting can go. She was dismissive and rude. He believes that the self-proclaimed wild child of Chincoteague needs to be tamed.

Can he vanquish the demons that have caused her so much hurt and pain before she leaves town for good?

The Reviews

Jigsaw Girl
There is a trigger warning at the beginning of this book. A SA was perpetrated on the main character Morgan. Including it in the book left me both confused and conflicted. Did it really add anything to the story? 

In a sense, it explains her anger and resentment. It also makes me wonder if she could not have felt the same level of anger and resentment in the book without it. An unjust incarceration when innocent seems like it would be enough for the anger and resentment that Morgan expressed.

Morgan and Nate eventually settled in a relationship that worked for them. The way the relationship began made me more uncomfortable because of Morgan's previous experience than it would have had she not been subjected to the assault. I found myself questioning both of their behaviors even when I didn't want to.

Morgan's explanation about her experience in prison made this book feel different to me. It also didn't make much sense. Was she really that altruistic? Why was she? I found it difficult to get past Nate and Morgan's dynamic even when it became clear it was consensual.

I felt one way about the book if I took the first chapter into consideration. I felt another way about the book if I ignored the first chapter. As much as Nate and Morgan seemed to love and care for one another, it felt too much like there was an elephant in the room that was never addressed. 

This was not a book I could just kick back, relax, and enjoy. Especially since I felt like I started out reading one book and ended up reading another. I had too many deep thoughts about this book. I would go with 2.5 or 3 stars. 

Although Nate and Morgan ended up with their HEA, including that first chapter left me feeling like I couldn't give an honest review unless I considered the ENTIRE book. Not just Chapter 2 until "the end".

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Amy Reads Romance
739 reviews
5 followers

March 24, 2023
After being wrongfully convicted, and having served her time, Morgan Jennings finds herself on Chincoteague Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She expects to live a quiet life as an erotic novelist, and saving wild ponies from those who would hurt them. She encounters the new Chief of police as she is moving out of the local B&B into her new house, and is unimpressed. She has no use for those in authority. Nate Shepherd, however is smitten, and decides he is the one to tame her.

This is an incredible heroine. There is a trigger warning at the beginning of the book. Morgan is raped in prison, so be aware. It is not graphic or gratuitous. Morgan is justifiably angry, and Nate is a strong Alpha male who will make her want to submit to him, but not at first. When push comes to shove, Morgan really just needs someone to love her unconditionally, not despite her past, but because of the woman she is today. Beautifully written, this is possibly the best book I've read this year. The characters truly resonated with me, and the story begins tragically but the happily ever after suits the characters. This is a powerful book I can easily recommend as well worth the one click. I did receive a free advance review copy and am leaving my honest review

Donna Louise
763 reviews
10 followers

March 25, 2023
The start of this book may cause distress to some, but it is essential as it highlights
the reason for Morgan’s behavior towards law enforcement. The sex scenes are phenomenal. The chemistry was palpable, and each new encounter drew Morgan
and Nate close together. I like the inclusion of sex and spanking scenes in a book,
but this story has an overabundance of both. In saying that, I still enjoyed the book.
I also thought the ending was abrupt. I was glad when Nate caught Morgan’s
attention ending the game of cat and mouse.

Morgan’s story was complex, and she had an overload of baggage. Not only did she
survive, but she grew resilient. Her revenge was sweet. She lived on Chincoteague
Island, where she ran horse riding tours and rescued the wild ponies. Her other
passion was as an erotic romance writer. Morgan was no shrinking violet. She was
prickly and as wild as her ponies. Morgan bucked Nate every inch of the way. She was an interesting character. Someone who did not like to be told what to do yet thrived on it. The beauty of the book was when Morgan stopped fighting Nate and offered him her submission.

Nate was the local sheriff. He was captivated by Morgan despite her caustic tongue.
He believed in her innocence and made it his mission to exonerate her conviction.
Nate was a bulldozer and would not take no for an answer. He was domineering,
possessive, and protective in and out of the bedroom. It took his hard hand to win
Morgan’s heart and her trust.

This was a fast-paced action-packed book with an interesting storyline and likable
characters