Love In The Wild By Mandi Blake

Love in the Wild

by Mandi Blake

Publisher: Independent

Series: Love in Blackwater

ISBN: 978-1953372543

I have loved the entire Love in Blackwater series! When the author asked me if I'd read book three, I couldn't say no because I'm loving this series. She sent me her book for review.

Summary:

It’s all fun and games until the fake relationship puts their lives on the line.

Gage Howard’s last name is a legacy, and not a good one. The Howards and the Pattons have been rivals for half a century, but his sister's actions have branded her a traitor. Now, his own loyalty is divided.

Hadley Morgan has no clue how bloody the family feud between the Howards and the Pattons is when she volunteers to help her new roommate get information to Gage. A fake relationship with her roommate’s brother is a simple solution to stay below the radar.

Gage is guarded and stoic, while Hadley is full of hope. As they carefully navigate their arrangement, they find unexpected connection in the tragedies of their past.

Hadley is determined to show Gage a God of forgiveness as he is constantly reminded of his dark past. Alliances are drawn, and betrayals can put a target on anyone’s back. Together, they’ll have to strive to keep the Howards and Pattons from destroying each other while fighting for the new love that could be the way to healing for both of them.

If you loved the Blackwater Ranch series and the Wolf Creek Ranch series, get ready to fall in love all over again in Blackwater, Wyoming.

My Review:

One of the things I enjoy about Mandi's stories is getting to visit with old friends in them! Reading stories set in Blackwater feels like going home.

We meet Gage in the previous story so I was wondering what it was going to be like getting to know him. He wasn't very likable in the beginning, and it took a while to to feel empathy for him. What do you do when you grow up in a family who has zero issues with crime? You either join them or ... actually, I don't think there was an "or" option.

Then there's sweet, kind Hadley! She's had a rough life, but her faith in God has transformed her. When she's thrown into Gage & his sister's (Thea) lives, she immediately wants to help and as time goes by, she wants to see Gage's life transformed as well. You can't help but like her and not surprisingly, Gage does as well.

Unfortunately, Gage's family and Thea's old boyfriend's family are basically like the Hatfield & McCoys. You're either running for your life or you're fighting others for it. Hadley willingly goes along with helping the siblings, but nothing about helping out is easy. There are lots of nail-biting moments and it's hard to know who to trust (aside from Hadley).

My favorite part of the author's stories is that she infuses them with incredible faith, wonderful examples of a mentor, and shows how even the toughest of characters are worthy and able to be redeemed.

I have to admit, I was very confused in the first few chapters. Who was dead? Who was killed? Which person(s) did those things? I was also confused by some of the secondary characters' names because of a lot of similarities. This time it felt like a 3.5 star read, but giving it a 3 felt too low (although I feel like 3 star reviews get a bad rap)! I've given all of her other books 4 starts so this fits right along with those! I can't wait for book four! I need Travis' story asap!

About the Author:

Mandi Blake was born and raised in Alabama where she lives with her husband and daughter, but her southern heart loves to travel. Reading has been her favorite hobby for as long as she can remember, but writing is her passion. She loves a good happily ever after in her sweet Christian romance books and loves to see her characters' relationships grow closer to God and each other.