Hero's Return - Contemporary Romance Review

Hero's Return (Montana Cahills) by B.J. Daniels

Rating: Very Good

Source: Blog Tour 

Description:  The prodigal Cahill is back—and ready to confess

Tucker Cahill disappeared from Gilt Edge, Montana, hoping to escape a secret that has haunted him for nineteen years. Then, when a young woman’s remains are found in the creek near his family’s ranch, he has no choice but to face his demons. The truth that sent him running years ago could take away his freedom now.

Kate Rothschild came to town looking for vengeance—and Tucker Cahill. What she finds is a tortured and irresistible man who’s more than meets the eye. Caught up in the past, they are drawn deeper into a twisted game that’s not over yet. And the consequences could prove fatal for them both…

Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  I enjoyed the previous Montana Cahills book and I love how Daniels weaves suspense in with the romance.

My Impression:  I do love a romance with a bit of a suspense and I adore when characters who don't know each other at the beginning of the book form a team to solve a mystery.  Why don't I ever end up on a team of people solving a mystery?  It sounds like a lot of fun - well except for the emotional issues the past trauma would have of course.

Characters with "big secrets" very rarely live up to all the hype.  The secret is rarely big enough to have done the damage and caused all the after shock that it tends to do. However, I completely bought Tucker's story.  Not only was it dramatic and with lots of emotions but he was only 17/just turned 18 at the time so I can see why he reacted in the way that he did though it was a bit over the top.  In the same way I believe Kate's reasons for becoming involved in the story.   She has both personal and professional reasons for becoming involved and I did liked that she knew how to successfully run an investigation but at the same time her emotions got in the way.  Because of the teamwork, the time spent together and all the emotions running amok I could even believe in the relationship which can be a bit iffy in this kind of book.  I liked that it wasn't insta-love but it was insta-attraction that grew in stages from allies, to friends and then to more.

Of course one of the best things about a contemporary romance series based around a family is getting a bit more of those family dynamics and this was no different!  I was so glad to see the rest of the Cahills and catch up with them - especially Flint and Maggie.  While this is 3 books into the series you can jump in right here no problems.  And if you start here I have a feeling you'll be wanting to go back and read the previous two books.

This book manages to do a good job representing multiple subgenres.  It's got a fantastic ranch-y/cowboy feel, a wonderful loving family, and a convincing suspense plot all rolled into one! This is one I thoroughly enjoyed and kept me reading well past my bedtime!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'd only read book 2 in this series but I'll be going back for book 1 and I'll be keeping my eye out for more.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy contemporary romance, cowboy romance, or romantic suspense you must give this series and this book a try.