Tall, Dark, and Determined:  Husbands for Hire – Book 2

Written by:  Kelly Eileen Hake

Published by: Barbour Publishing

Tall, Dark and Determined is the second story in the Husbands for Hire series by award winning author Kelly Eileen Hake.  Maybe if I had read the first book, I wouldn’t have felt so lost throughout Lacey Lyman’s story.  She and her four friends are seeking to rebuild Hope Falls after the mine collapsed, which nearly killed her brother.  They post an ad for husbands who can help turn the town into a successful sawmill.  The men arrive by the dozens, but none of them catch Lacey’s eye.    

But then Chase Dunstan arrives in town.  Only he’s not looking for a bride; he’s looking for answers.  His brother-in-law was killed in the mine collapse, and He stays on at Hope Falls as the ladies’ hunter in the hopes of finding out the truth behind the mine collapse.  But his investigation is always interrupted by the troublesome and talkative Lacey.

I can only give the book two stars.  The point of view switched so often, and not just between the main characters.  It created a dizzying affect to an already unclear story line.  I struggled through the book until I hit about Chapter 25, and even then, I wasn’t all that engrossed in the book. 

The characters have potential, but I never felt like I got to know them, or relate to them.  Lacey is really big on her independence and her capabilities as a woman, but she complains a lot about men – the proverbial, Typical man, he …  I found the whole thing excessive, and it bordered on offensive for me.  Chase wasn’t much better with his gender assumptions. 

The book also has a lot of description about food preparation.  However, it isn’t woven seamlessly into the story.  While educational, it just served to drag the already slow story down even further. 

Either leave this one on the shelf, or just check it out from your local library.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 25.  Cover photo obtained from publisher’s website.