Riverbend Road - Review

Riverbend Road (Haven Point #4) by RaeAnne Thayne

Rating:  Very Good
Source: Publisher
Description:  Protecting the streets of Haven Point isn't just a job for police officer Wyn Bailey, it's a family tradition.  But lately she's found herself wanting more, especially from her boss- and overprotective brother's best friend - sexy chief of police, Cade Emmett.The only problem is getting Cade to view her as more than just a little sister.  Cade's hands-off approach with Wyn isn't from lack of attraction.  But his complicated past has forced him to conceal his desire.  When Wyn is harmed in the line of duty, Cade realizes the depth of his feelings, but can he let his guard down long enough to embrace the love he secretly craves? (from Goodreads)

Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  I love RaeAnne Thayne's books and I've been wanting to get to know Wyn better as she's been a side character in the earlier books in this series.

My Impression:  RaeAnne Thayne's novels are essentially the book equivalent of a perfectly cold fruity drink on a hot day while sitting by the pool.  They're sweet and refreshing with enough of a tang to keep it from being sappy.  This is one of my favorite romance tropes - Cade is Wyn's brother's best friend and they've known each other forever.  In fact Cade spent so much time at the Bailey house he might as well have been one of the family except that Wyn definitely never sees him as a brother and Cade just doesn't think of Wyn as a little sister.  They both want so much more from their relationship.  However, the reasons for not becoming involved are pretty solid.  Cade can't become involved with one of his employees.  He's well aware of the consequences both on an ethical level and on a practical level and neither of them are the type to get involved and hide it.  Plus, there's something shadowy reaching into the present from the night that Wyn's father, Chief of Police John Bailey, was injured on the job.
While all this is going on a new resident moves to Haven Point and Wyn's sure there's something not quite right with the very guarded Andi Montgomery and her two children.  When Wyn gets a 7 day suspension for disobeying a direct order she uses the time to get to know Andi as well as figuring out what she wants to do for the rest of her life.
This isn't the most unique story.  I've read the good man who was a bad boy from a rough family plot before and I've read the bad boy turned law enforcement who still feels like he has a lot to prove plot before.  However, while it didn't feel unique it didn't feel like "this again".  Thayne infuses her characters and her stories with so much heart that they really come alive and I connected with Wyn right away.  It was also really fun to check in with the characters from previous books.  I loved checking in with Devin, Eliza, and MacKenzie but I didn't feel like I had to remember their stories to enjoy them.  If you haven't read the previous books you could jump right in here and be fine though I have a feeling you'd be rushing to pick up the previous books when you finished this one!
If you enjoy women's fiction with lots of heart, likable characters, and an entertaining plot RaeAnne Thayne is an author you should not miss!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Absolutely!  I've loved every book I've read by her and I'm looking forward to catching up on the books I haven't read yet.  Plus, I saw who the next book was going to be about and I'm so excited!

Would I Recommend this Book?: Definitely!  These are total comfort reads without being to much fluff.