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Jackson Hole #1.2
Strong Enough to Love
USA TODAY bestselling author Victoria Dahl delivers sassy and sexy contemporary romance in a new series set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Get a taste with this novella, Strong Enough to Love....
Photographer Eve Hill was completely comfortable being single. Or at the very least, she was completely resigned to it. There was only one man who made every nerve in her body and brain light up when he walked into a room. But Brian Stewart had always been off limits. Hell, she'd never even kissed him!
For Brian, returning to Jackson Hole feels like coming home. But that has nothing to do with the town. It's Eve drawing him back. Eve and the chance to finally see if they have something or if it's all been in his imagination.
Eve doesn't think she can open her heart to Brian again after getting hurt so badly before, though her body still wants him. She offers Brian one night to fulfill their long-denied fantasies, and that's it. No love or promises, just a chance to get their attraction out of their systems. But can one night really be enough?
Return to Jackson Hole for more steamy romance by Victoria Dahl in Close Enough to Touch, Too Hot to Handle and So Tough to Tame.
Photographer Eve Hill was completely comfortable being single. Or at the very least, she was completely resigned to it. There was only one man who made every nerve in her body and brain light up when he walked into a room. But Brian Stewart had always been off limits. Hell, she'd never even kissed him!
For Brian, returning to Jackson Hole feels like coming home. But that has nothing to do with the town. It's Eve drawing him back. Eve and the chance to finally see if they have something or if it's all been in his imagination.
Eve doesn't think she can open her heart to Brian again after getting hurt so badly before, though her body still wants him. She offers Brian one night to fulfill their long-denied fantasies, and that's it. No love or promises, just a chance to get their attraction out of their systems. But can one night really be enough?
Return to Jackson Hole for more steamy romance by Victoria Dahl in Close Enough to Touch, Too Hot to Handle and So Tough to Tame.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Victoria Dahl
62 books2,001 followersI have my mother to thank for my passion for writing. My mom is an avid reader of popular fiction, and I began reading highly inappropriate books around the age of eleven, I think. (Thanks, Mom, for always leaving those delicious books strewn about!)
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
May 4, 2013
Before getting into the story itself... Was I the only one that once Brian and Eve were described on the book went back to have a look at the cover?
I have 2 main problems with this story:
1. The heartache they were dealing with was too hurtful to get their happy ending in 50 pages.
2. Why are female characters the one always waiting and ready to forgive? It doesn't make a difference to me that she had sex during the 2 years they were apart when she makes it clear she was loyal to him by avoiding emotional entanglement.
Meanwhile he was going on with his life (sexually and emotionally) for 18 months until he decided to end his . He was selfish to the point of messing up with her life by writing a letter telling her he was leaving because he was failing in love with her. He comes back 2 years later and gets her to sleep with him in less than 1 hour and back together in less than 24 just paints the female character as a moron.
I have 2 main problems with this story:
1. The heartache they were dealing with was too hurtful to get their happy ending in 50 pages.
2. Why are female characters the one always waiting and ready to forgive? It doesn't make a difference to me that she had sex during the 2 years they were apart when she makes it clear she was loyal to him by avoiding emotional entanglement.
Meanwhile he was going on with his life (sexually and emotionally) for 18 months until he decided to end his . He was selfish to the point of messing up with her life by writing a letter telling her he was leaving because he was failing in love with her. He comes back 2 years later and gets her to sleep with him in less than 1 hour and back together in less than 24 just paints the female character as a moron.
May 5, 2013
It started out so well. Dahl painted the picture of Eve and her life and slowly eased in the tropes. I liked that they’re an older couple, closer to forty than twenty.
And then I started feeling sorry for the throwaway suitor, Mitch, who could never compete with Eve’s one true love or have the Chemistry with her that Brian has. Except that Mitch was the decent, loveable guy who didn’t stalk Eve, break her heart and storm back into her life expecting to replace whatever and whoever was occupying it currently. There is or there should be a difference between wearing someone down and pushing too hard.
It’s safe to say I didn’t care for Brian at all.
The ending? It’s the “unbelievable, too fast, miraculous cock cures all” kind.
Maybe this is a good read for those who already are fans of Dahl’s work, but for a casual reader it offers little. It certainly didn’t entice me to read more from her.
And then I started feeling sorry for the throwaway suitor, Mitch, who could never compete with Eve’s one true love or have the Chemistry with her that Brian has. Except that Mitch was the decent, loveable guy who didn’t stalk Eve, break her heart and storm back into her life expecting to replace whatever and whoever was occupying it currently. There is or there should be a difference between wearing someone down and pushing too hard.
It’s safe to say I didn’t care for Brian at all.
The ending? It’s the “unbelievable, too fast, miraculous cock cures all” kind.
Maybe this is a good read for those who already are fans of Dahl’s work, but for a casual reader it offers little. It certainly didn’t entice me to read more from her.
January 20, 2016
3,75 stars
I read this novella for Wendy the Superlibrarian's TBR Challenge first theme: 'We Love Short Shorts' and because I started catching up with this series at the end of last year so it was a two birds, one stone situation.
I met Eve in the first full-length story of this series and admittedly I wasn't as eagerly looking forward to her story as I was Jenny's (TOO FAST TO FALL). Can't explain exactly why but she just didn't stand out to me in the cast of secondary characters that were in that first book.
But Eve's story surprised me and I ended up liking it way more than I thought I would. Hero Brian was completely new to me as he wasn't mentioned anywhere prior to this story.
The novella-length of the story didn't leave much room for in-depth character development, especially considering how little we knew about especially Brian and in the end it left me wanting to know more about them, their past and their back-stories but this being said I still really enjoyed this novella as Victoria Dahl's writing never disappoints in its sexiness and its ease of reading. Also the way the romance was set up it worked as a novella as the couple already had an emotional history together.
In conclusion: I flew through the story as it was a fast-paced, hot, enjoyable and quick read that satisfied my need for a Victoria Dahl fix.
I read this novella for Wendy the Superlibrarian's TBR Challenge first theme: 'We Love Short Shorts' and because I started catching up with this series at the end of last year so it was a two birds, one stone situation.
I met Eve in the first full-length story of this series and admittedly I wasn't as eagerly looking forward to her story as I was Jenny's (TOO FAST TO FALL). Can't explain exactly why but she just didn't stand out to me in the cast of secondary characters that were in that first book.
But Eve's story surprised me and I ended up liking it way more than I thought I would. Hero Brian was completely new to me as he wasn't mentioned anywhere prior to this story.
The novella-length of the story didn't leave much room for in-depth character development, especially considering how little we knew about especially Brian and in the end it left me wanting to know more about them, their past and their back-stories but this being said I still really enjoyed this novella as Victoria Dahl's writing never disappoints in its sexiness and its ease of reading. Also the way the romance was set up it worked as a novella as the couple already had an emotional history together.
In conclusion: I flew through the story as it was a fast-paced, hot, enjoyable and quick read that satisfied my need for a Victoria Dahl fix.
May 12, 2013
It's difficult for me to review this book without giving away the plot. Suffice to say that Eve's reasons for not getting involved with Brian again make NO SENSE. She's an idiot. Below in the spoiler I will detail a few things I hated. IT WILL GIVE AWAY THE PLOT! You've been warned.
January 4, 2014
I really wanted to like this. I didn't blame either Eve or Brian for falling for each other. It wasn't planned, they were best friends and there was no physical cheating. Most importantly, Brian was separated.
This is where it all falls apart for me. He was on his third separation and had fallen in love with Eve. How then did he possibly think he could fix the marriage?
He sends Eve a letter explaining he has feelings for her but believes it necessary to try yet again to fix the marriage. (Try number 4)
Eve, rightly so, doesn't answer the letter, which angers Brian when they meet again. What in the word did he want her to say?
I don't blame Eve for her anger when Brian comes waltzing back finally divorced. I didn't understand why she would go back to him.
She met him while he was on the *third* separation. He admits he has feelings for Eve in the letter. Why send a letter like that? Go on with your life and let her pick up the pieces of hers without putting the burden of what could have been on her. It would be far more honorable to leave it unsaid then come back if and when you can actually *do* something about it.
Brian even admits he hoped she'd wait for him. I was so sorry that she did. I wish she and Mitch got together instead.
This is where it all falls apart for me. He was on his third separation and had fallen in love with Eve. How then did he possibly think he could fix the marriage?
He sends Eve a letter explaining he has feelings for her but believes it necessary to try yet again to fix the marriage. (Try number 4)
Eve, rightly so, doesn't answer the letter, which angers Brian when they meet again. What in the word did he want her to say?
I don't blame Eve for her anger when Brian comes waltzing back finally divorced. I didn't understand why she would go back to him.
She met him while he was on the *third* separation. He admits he has feelings for Eve in the letter. Why send a letter like that? Go on with your life and let her pick up the pieces of hers without putting the burden of what could have been on her. It would be far more honorable to leave it unsaid then come back if and when you can actually *do* something about it.
Brian even admits he hoped she'd wait for him. I was so sorry that she did. I wish she and Mitch got together instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2016
I think this story would have rocked if it weren't so predictable. Like, what if Mitch had been the guy for Eve? The guy she'd had sex with that one time and avoided like the plague afterwards? I've never read that story before and I suspect it would be awesome. But I have read the one about the guy who was off limits but who set skin on fire with a touch and soaked panties with one word probably about a GRILLION times. Of course the sex is fantabulous from jump street because of the awe inspiring CHEMISTRY between Eve and Brian. They don't even have to work for it. But as is standard with Dahl heroines, Eve can't do a committed relationship. Just sex! Really! She suggests that they have sex once just to "get it out of their systems". Good Lord, how many times have I read THAT? And when they do Brian says "Jesus" a lot. Eve says "Please" at one point. Dahl writes some damn good sex scenes but it wasn't enough to hook me.
March 6, 2013
I have some issues with this one, mostly the same ones that Eve had, but unlike Eve I can't bring myself to like Brian. I sort of hate him for the choices he made. I sort of understand him wanting to try to save his marriage. I did seem a little odd to me though as it was the third separation and they had been apart for 2 years. Was there anything to save at that point? I get that Brian and Eve grew closer working together, was even glad that they didn't act on their developing feelings. But what I had issue with was Brian confessing all to Eve, then leaving her to go back to his wife. She really didn't need to know that and then be told/shown that she still wasn't enough. I hated him even more that he would come back and expect to pick up like nothing happened. I wish that Eve could have found someone in the mean time, that she could have been happy during that time, instead of knowing where he was and what he was doing. It was because of those issues that I am ambivalent about the ending.
March 18, 2013
Dahl's stories are always compelling but I preferred "Too Fast to Fall." This one features a hero who finally gets a divorce after trying to work things out w/ his wife and a heroine who just happens to still be available. I didn't love that setup. I kind of wish the heroine had tried again with Mitch! I'd rather read about a woman who has awkward sex in an attempt to move on and ends up falling for the new guy.
March 21, 2016
No. Cute couple, good background, great chemistry - but NO FUCKING WAY does it resolve like that. So far removed from reality that I can't buy the fantasy. I'm not looking for long drawn out angst or pettiness - but people who feel that broken just don't open up that quickly.
March 5, 2013
Free on the Amazon March 1, 2013.
May 6, 2013
Victoria Dahl's contemporaries are an auto-buy for me. This one was short but satisfying and I will of course be reading the series.
November 23, 2017
Yep, loved it!
July 22, 2013
Quickie introduction to Victoria Dahl. This novella packed enough punch in character development and emotional conflict to be a full fledged novel. Eve is a thirty-six year old photographer who was unfortunate enough to fall in love with a married man--with a twist. Brian wanted to go back to his wife to make it work, leaving Eve feeling guilty and abandoned.
Two years later, he's back on her doorstep with a clean bill of divorcement. The only problem? Eve has spent the last two years healing from her wound.
This is an excellent setup. But unfortunately, for whatever reason, the author wanted to make this short. So mountains of emotional conflict are resolved under a quick one night stand and a conversation at her place of work.
The sex scenes were hot and emotional, and I did totally get the layers of guilt, anxiety, regret, and jealousy that Eve experienced. However Brian did not strike me as being truly put into his place. Yes, at the end, he glimpsed some of the hurt he caused her, and yes, he did the right thing to try and reconcile with his wife, because adultery is always wrong. But... did he really have to talk to her about all the details? Even at the end, he seemed arrogant, like he knew she'd crumble and everything would be okay. Well, fine, it just felt like he got his cake and to eat it too. A tad more suffering for Brian would have made this story much better, and of course more roller coaster ride than the sure thing.
Two years later, he's back on her doorstep with a clean bill of divorcement. The only problem? Eve has spent the last two years healing from her wound.
This is an excellent setup. But unfortunately, for whatever reason, the author wanted to make this short. So mountains of emotional conflict are resolved under a quick one night stand and a conversation at her place of work.
The sex scenes were hot and emotional, and I did totally get the layers of guilt, anxiety, regret, and jealousy that Eve experienced. However Brian did not strike me as being truly put into his place. Yes, at the end, he glimpsed some of the hurt he caused her, and yes, he did the right thing to try and reconcile with his wife, because adultery is always wrong. But... did he really have to talk to her about all the details? Even at the end, he seemed arrogant, like he knew she'd crumble and everything would be okay. Well, fine, it just felt like he got his cake and to eat it too. A tad more suffering for Brian would have made this story much better, and of course more roller coaster ride than the sure thing.
March 5, 2013
Review originally posted over at Sleepless Nights Reviews!
Victoria Dahl is on my 'auto-read' list for books such as this! She does an excellent job of making the readers feel the characters' emotions. For most of the novella, my heart was aching for Eve because of her history with Brian. It wasn't over the top nor was it too cliche that it was unbelievable. Eve is successful and knows what she wants but she's also haunted by one big regret. I might just be a really big fan of the whole second chances thing, but no matter how happy someone is, there's always something we wish we could've changed. Both Eve and Brian had to make a difficult decision and I really liked how Ms. Dahl handled it. Brian, I think was a bit too optimistic, but then again, it all made sense.
Don't be alarmed, there is a happy ending. My only one true complaint was that I wish Eve had gotten a full novel. I felt like their resolution was too quick. I understood that Eve didn't want to let this chance slip through her hands again, I did, but I don't know, it was a bit too fast for me personally.
So if you're a fan of some emotional angst, second chance at love, small towns, Victoria Dahl and free books, you should check Strong Enough to Love!
Victoria Dahl is on my 'auto-read' list for books such as this! She does an excellent job of making the readers feel the characters' emotions. For most of the novella, my heart was aching for Eve because of her history with Brian. It wasn't over the top nor was it too cliche that it was unbelievable. Eve is successful and knows what she wants but she's also haunted by one big regret. I might just be a really big fan of the whole second chances thing, but no matter how happy someone is, there's always something we wish we could've changed. Both Eve and Brian had to make a difficult decision and I really liked how Ms. Dahl handled it. Brian, I think was a bit too optimistic, but then again, it all made sense.
Don't be alarmed, there is a happy ending. My only one true complaint was that I wish Eve had gotten a full novel. I felt like their resolution was too quick. I understood that Eve didn't want to let this chance slip through her hands again, I did, but I don't know, it was a bit too fast for me personally.
So if you're a fan of some emotional angst, second chance at love, small towns, Victoria Dahl and free books, you should check Strong Enough to Love!
March 5, 2013
3.5
I wasn't going to write a review, but I decided to bc of some of the reviews I read.
I wasn't going to write a review, but I decided to bc of some of the reviews I read.
March 11, 2013
If this as a taste of what Victoria Dahl's new series is going to be like, then I have to say to the readers "hold on to your under-britches" while you read these books. I have to believe that the new full length novels will be just as hot as this novella was.
This is a quick little story (52 pages -about an hour of reading time) of two people, Eve and Brian, who had been best friends two years ago and then realized that they wanted more. This could not be, since Brian was married at the time. He was estranged yet still felt compelled to make one more go with his wife of 20 years.
Now Brian is back in Wyoming, just as Eve was dealing with despaired over her life, her age, her lack of love and even more importantly sex and simply being held and loved. She doesn't think that she could ever deal with Brian again since he seems to have broken her heart so badly.
Anything else will be a spoiler, so suffice to say that this was a very erotic read. Since it was only 54 pages we do not have a lot of character growth, plot or any of the other things one needs to make a typically great novel. But no matter, since what Ms Dahl DID manage to put in here was very satisfying.
Grab this short while you can at this great price! *wink*
This is a quick little story (52 pages -about an hour of reading time) of two people, Eve and Brian, who had been best friends two years ago and then realized that they wanted more. This could not be, since Brian was married at the time. He was estranged yet still felt compelled to make one more go with his wife of 20 years.
Now Brian is back in Wyoming, just as Eve was dealing with despaired over her life, her age, her lack of love and even more importantly sex and simply being held and loved. She doesn't think that she could ever deal with Brian again since he seems to have broken her heart so badly.
Anything else will be a spoiler, so suffice to say that this was a very erotic read. Since it was only 54 pages we do not have a lot of character growth, plot or any of the other things one needs to make a typically great novel. But no matter, since what Ms Dahl DID manage to put in here was very satisfying.
Grab this short while you can at this great price! *wink*
September 6, 2016
When Brian left Eve for his wife two years ago, he devastated her. Yes, it was the right thing for him at that time and in that place. Nothing physical ever happened but it sure as heck sounds like they fell in love. Or at least in lust.
Now Brian's back and he wants another chance.
Now Brian's back and he wants another chance.
September 10, 2014
Fast paced and interesting. My problem with it was simply one I usually have with short stories. Abrupt endings and the way there is no time to develop certain aspects. Also it had that "created conflict" vibe, where there is no real reason they can't be together but the author needs to have a "problem" so she makes the heroine constantly flip flop and change her mind which I can't stand when women do.
Plus there was a mild love triangle, and I liked the original guy more than the "bad boy" new entry. I think Dahl builds her books too much on sexual chemistry and great (rather immediate) adventures in the sack and not enough on character compatibility and whether a man is actually "good" for and to you. I think as a whole her female characters accept some utter crap treatment with nary a protest. And for the short story format, there really isn't enough of a page count to tell a proper story if most of it is made up of sex scenes.
Plus there was a mild love triangle, and I liked the original guy more than the "bad boy" new entry. I think Dahl builds her books too much on sexual chemistry and great (rather immediate) adventures in the sack and not enough on character compatibility and whether a man is actually "good" for and to you. I think as a whole her female characters accept some utter crap treatment with nary a protest. And for the short story format, there really isn't enough of a page count to tell a proper story if most of it is made up of sex scenes.
March 12, 2013
I really like the story I just read. I felt for Eve and her broken heart, and thought she was a strong character for holding it together all this time. Surprisingly, I ended up liking Brian a whole lot too, and felt his sincerity and his passion and love for Eve. Interesting to read about a married man who falls in love with another, but who doesn't do anything about it except walk away -- cruel as it was (to take their words for it), it was the right thing to do. ("I didn't want it to feel wrong, because it's so fucking right between us.") Same with Eve, who didn't succumb to her feelings then. I love it when they were finally open and honest with each other, and though her heart was bruised, I loved that Eve was able to say that he's worth the risk and she's worth taking the chance. I really felt invested in these two and was glad for their happy ending!
November 16, 2020
This book really annoyed me and that's being nice. Brian was married 20 years, separated 3 times, loved another woman (Eve) and left her to save his marriage - again. The marriage was over a long time ago and he and his wife knew it.
Eve was working on moving forward and had a nice guy in Mitch and then Brian comes back to town - 2 years later. Brian wasn't going away easily - give me a break you walked before, keep going.
I am so tired of weak women and always at the beck and call of a guy. Mitch is the nice guy and Brian was arrogant. Eve goes right back to Brian without a thought. Are you friggin kidding me.
Eve was working on moving forward and had a nice guy in Mitch and then Brian comes back to town - 2 years later. Brian wasn't going away easily - give me a break you walked before, keep going.
I am so tired of weak women and always at the beck and call of a guy. Mitch is the nice guy and Brian was arrogant. Eve goes right back to Brian without a thought. Are you friggin kidding me.
March 3, 2013
It's so weird to me that I've liked both of the novellas in this series better than the actual book that's been published. But there we are. We'll see how the second full length book goes.
Want to read
March 2, 2013Free on amazon today!!
Read
March 4, 2013I haven't read a Victoria Dahl book I didnt like! This is short and hot! And I'm ready for the next book!!
March 7, 2013
Very short, fast read. Worth the price I paid (uh, free last week.)
Also side note, it makes me laugh to see that this story is #1.6 in the series. .6?! Heh heh.
Also side note, it makes me laugh to see that this story is #1.6 in the series. .6?! Heh heh.
September 13, 2018
The writing was great but the premise was not - and, more annoyingly, it was aware of that. The hero was married; he and the heroine were close friends who fell in love with each other, and the hero promptly bolted to work on his marriage - which he did for the next eighteen months, culminating in a divorce six months before the book starts. Now he's turned up and wants a second chance with the heroine. Uh... no. As the heroine rightly points out, he had everything in this scenario - a life, friends, and a spouse - and he didn't even question leaving the heroine in the dust. Basically they declared their love for each other and then he returned to his wife. Ugh. Then the heroine changes her mind for no reason, because otherwise there wouldn't be a novella, and the story proceeds from there.
September 13, 2021
Honestly one of the worst "love" stories I've ever read. I disliked Brian from the get-go. I could have appreciated him not crossing a line with Eve while he was separated from his ex wife. Even been ok if he wanted to wrap up a divorce before starting anything with Eve but...writing a letter saying he's falling in love with her BUT wants to work out things with his wife was CRUEL and selfish. This was a mysogonistic MESS. Short story yet I still couldn't finish it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
"Strong Enough To Love" is a novella about Eve and Brian. They used to be best friends, and could have been more, but he chose to return to his failing marriage and walked out of her life two years ago.
When he finds her again and offers to restart their relationship she decides that one night of sex will clear him out of her system.
It doesn't!
HEA.
1 Star.
When he finds her again and offers to restart their relationship she decides that one night of sex will clear him out of her system.
It doesn't!
HEA.
1 Star.
June 4, 2017
It was an okay book. Short, but nice to pass time.
October 3, 2019
Not a fan. Had it been longer, I would have DNF’d it.
June 10, 2013
This was a decent read. It wasn't quite a full three stars, in part because of the length. There wasn't enough of a build up to make me care about Eve and Brian's love story. One minute it wasn't there, the next it was. I had already read the first Jackson Hole story that introduced us to Eve, so I knew who she was. This is basically a short story explaining why she wasn't dating much.
I've read reviews where people are upset that she had an emotional affair with Brian while he was still married. I think those people didn't read the story and absorb it correctly. She actually didn't have an emotional affair with him. She wanted that, he wanted that, but they never let their friendship get deep enough because they were both afraid and aware of what could happen. And then when it got to the point where it was about to implode, Brian walked. The thing is, he was separated at the time. His wife left HIM. For the third time. And yet, despite the fact that he had fallen in love with someone else, he still tried to make it work with his wife one last time. He was a good enough man to know that doing otherwise would have cast a shadow over his relationship with Eve that could never go away. Was it because I had an affair? Or was it because it was over? It was because it was over, for real, and he proved that to himself first.
I've also seen reviews where people complain that she took him back too easily. Those people have to believe that she had an emotional affair with him, because otherwise, she wasn't taking him back! She was giving him a shot. Sure, she could have said no. But she had fallen for him and he had done the right thing - in the end, both by his wife AND by Eve. She'd have been stupid not to at least TRY. I did like her justification for being willing to do just that: You left me once and it didn't kill me. Almost, but not quite. I can survive it again. I'm strong enough. Which, I guess, is where the title comes into the picture. Strong enough to love and lose. "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never loved at all."
Same general quality of most Victoria Dahl stories and I actually liked it a little more than the first Jackson story, Close Enough to Touch, mostly because I liked Eve and Grace is still sort of annoying. By far, my favorite of her series is the Donovan Brother's.
I've read reviews where people are upset that she had an emotional affair with Brian while he was still married. I think those people didn't read the story and absorb it correctly. She actually didn't have an emotional affair with him. She wanted that, he wanted that, but they never let their friendship get deep enough because they were both afraid and aware of what could happen. And then when it got to the point where it was about to implode, Brian walked. The thing is, he was separated at the time. His wife left HIM. For the third time. And yet, despite the fact that he had fallen in love with someone else, he still tried to make it work with his wife one last time. He was a good enough man to know that doing otherwise would have cast a shadow over his relationship with Eve that could never go away. Was it because I had an affair? Or was it because it was over? It was because it was over, for real, and he proved that to himself first.
I've also seen reviews where people complain that she took him back too easily. Those people have to believe that she had an emotional affair with him, because otherwise, she wasn't taking him back! She was giving him a shot. Sure, she could have said no. But she had fallen for him and he had done the right thing - in the end, both by his wife AND by Eve. She'd have been stupid not to at least TRY. I did like her justification for being willing to do just that: You left me once and it didn't kill me. Almost, but not quite. I can survive it again. I'm strong enough. Which, I guess, is where the title comes into the picture. Strong enough to love and lose. "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never loved at all."
Same general quality of most Victoria Dahl stories and I actually liked it a little more than the first Jackson story, Close Enough to Touch, mostly because I liked Eve and Grace is still sort of annoying. By far, my favorite of her series is the Donovan Brother's.
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