Made the Grade: Whiskey Creek Series, Book 3

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 400; Paperback - Pages: 400; Kindle Edition - File Size: 508 | Expected Release Date: January 29, 2013 | Publisher: Harlequin : MIRA Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"When Summer Comes" [Whiskey Creek Series, Book 3] by Brenda Novak

Author's Book Description : One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news. . .

She needs a liver transplant. But her doctors warn that, in her case, the chances of finding a compatible donor aren’t good.

Determined to spend whatever time she has left on her own terms, she keeps the diagnosis to herself and moves out to her late grandparents’ farm. She’s always wanted to live there. But the farm hasn’t been worked in years and she begins to fear it’s too much, she’ll have to return to town.

One night, a stranger comes knocking at her door...

He’s an attractive and mysterious drifter by the name of Levi McCloud who offers to trade work for a few nights’ shelter. Callie figures she doesn’t have anything to lose. He needs a place to stay until he can fix his motorcycle; she needs an extra pair of hands. The arrangement seems ideal until what was supposed to be temporary starts to look more and more permanent. Then she realizes she does have something to lose — her heart. And, although he doesn’t yet know it, Levi stands to lose even more.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! An Army vet, who's on the run, stumbles onto Callie's front door and into her life after being attacked by dogs seeking help. Little does Callie know that Levi will give her the hope that she needs to keep fighting for her life, if only they both are willing to sacrifice their hearts for one another.

After reading "When Lightning Strikes" I found I wasn't a fan of Callie (at least from how she acted in that novel), therefore I was delighted to find that I enjoyed her as a heroine in this novel. She is a strong woman who doesn't know how to inform her friends and family about her illness. When Levi comes into her life he gives her an unknowing reprieve to forget about her own fears, a chance take care of someone else for a change, and a way to come to terms about what she really wants out of her life no matter how little she might have left of it.

I found Levi and Callie's romance to be heartwarming and fun. I liked how Levi held his previous love in such high regard that it took him a while to come to terms with his own feelings for Callie. Together they found a way to lighten each other’s burdens and create prospective futures for themselves, if they are willing to get over their pasts and fight for what they want.

The only reason I didn't give this novel a higher score was because of how long it took Callie to inform her friends, family, and Levi about her illness. I understand she was under a lot of stress and liked to pretend everything was normal for her but it was very annoying how long she waits and then the way she just throws the results out there for them was terrible too.

Nevertheless, I liked how this novel wraps up, how Levi steps up, and the epilogue. In addition, I liked how this one was written in a multi-POV way and updated us more on Kyle's divorce along with a bit about Olivia and Brandon's relationship.

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes contemporary romances that deal with intense situations.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 0.5 (Prequel) | Book 1

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Bastard / Honor Bound | Coulda Been A Cowboy

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

Author's Novel Extras : WHEN SUMMER COMES - Overview & Excerpt | When Summer Comes Hit USA Today’s Top 100! | WHEN SUMMER COMES & THROUGH THE SMOKE are NRCA Finalists!

Author's Series Extras : Whiskey Creek Series - Overview | WHEN WE TOUCH - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES - Overview & Excerpt | WHEN SNOW FALLS - Overview & Excerpt | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK - Overview & Excerpt | TAKE ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | COME HOME TO ME - Overview & Excerpt | THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS - Overview & Excerpt | THIS HEART OF MINE - Overview & Excerpt | Whiskey Creek Store | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES is a 2012 NRCA Finalist! | WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES is a 2013 finalist in the Booksellers Best! | WHEN SNOW FALLS is a Golden Quill Finalist | WHEN SNOW FALLS Named Best Contemporary of 2012 by RT Book Reviews! | Next up on the Whiskey Creek Series... | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is a RITA Finalist! | HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is a Booksellers Best Award Nominee!

Book Teaser(s) :

The hair rose on Callie's arms. Her dog meant business. She'd never seen him like this. What had him so upset? And what should she do about it? She'd watched too many true-crime shows not to realize what could happen. But, given her health, getting murdered would be too ironic. Surely, this couldn't be leading there. ~ within Chapter 1

"We're going over approved content for when we're making love."
She smiled at his playful expression. "I see. How about 'just shut up and kiss me'?"
"Not bad. I've used that one myself," he said, his mouth so close to hers they exchanged breath.
"Do you have a list?" she asked.
"Just some suggestions."
"Like..."
"'Give me more' is fine. 'God, that feels good' is even better. And 'Ah, yes, fuck me' in broken gasps is pretty much my favorite. But I'm in a precarious state when it comes to control, so you might not want to use that one too soon."
She laughed; she'd never seen this side of him. He'd always been so serious. "What about 'nice ass'?"
He nipped at her lips. "I give you 'fuck' and you give me 'ass'? That's grade school stuff." ~ within Chapter 20

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Brenda, then please check out her website.