Book: Defend Her Heart by Jillian Arly
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
Defend Her Heart by Jillian Arly
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
I really enjoyed Avery and Connor's slow-burn, second-chance romance. High school sweethearts reunited when Avery becomes the new commentator for Connor's hockey team; they have a mountain of history to overcome, making their eventual romance feel completely earned.
My heart really went out to Avery. This woman has so much on her plate: a recent divorce from a loser who should have a degree in gaslighting, a chronic illness she hasn't been able to get diagnosed, and a new job and city to adjust to. Add in working alongside the man who broke her heart, and Avery is having a no-good, very bad year. What I admire most is how she handles it all with grace. She's determined to stand on her own two feet, but not so stubborn that she refuses help when she truly needs it.
And Connor? It's obvious he fell hard for Avery as a teenager and never got over her. Despite being the one who broke things off and the years of silence that followed, he never hesitates when Avery needs him. His caretaking instincts are unmatched, and his yearning is absolutely swoonworthy (secret tattoo, anyone?). This man is peak husband material, and it's easy to understand why Avery eventually lets him back into her heart.
The romance doesn't fully bloom until the second half of the book, but it's worth the wait. Connor's offer to marry Avery so she can access the health insurance she needs for long-overdue medical testing was such a natural extension of the way he has always loved her—quietly, selflessly, and without expecting anything in return. Watching him fight for a second chance and slowly earn Avery's trust again absolutely melted my heart. And when the spice finally arrives, it's the perfect balance of sweet and steamy.
Another great addition to the Green Bay Bobcats series.
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for providing an ARC.