Safeguard: The World of True North

4 stars — In some ways this book was really easy to read. There wasn’t a lot of conflict, just bits here and there. It was kind of nice to get a lot of happy getting together time. They resisted and resisted because of their pasts, but once they gave in I really enjoyed seeing them enjoying one another and supporting one another. I think I had a hard time understanding just how damaged Melanie was from both the dumping and I think from the expectations from her parents. Not to mention her struggle with self-confidence/self-worth. The thing is that she was already making inroads on her self-worth journey, and so I didn’t get to *see* it as much. I appreciated her desire for independence and making sure she was putting herself first (or at least equally important)…but it got a bit frustrating at times…like something was missing for me to *really* understand her hangups. Despite all that, she was infinitely likable. She was kind, caring, sassy. I loved that you could feel how much she genuinely liked children, and wanted to work with them. And seeing her make such a connection with Lauren just had my heart melting. Similarly for Matteo, I didn’t quite always understand his hangups and damage from Callie. Like, I got it a bit, and I really appreciated the way Melanie forced him to really deal with his damage at the end, but I still had a slight disconnect. And yet again, despite all that, I LOVED him. He was also kind, caring, and sassy. 😛 He was a great father, and I appreciated the way he went for it with Melanie. And they were pretty freaking hot together, even if half the time I was waiting for them to get caught by Lauren. *snort* Lauren was freaking ADORABLE, but still realistic as a child. She was precocious, and she knew how to push the boundaries. She added a lot to the story. So yeah. A very enjoyable story…just a tiny disconnect for me.

I love sexy single Dads and tension filled, forbidden romance, and Ms Rose delivers both beautifully. Matteo is a wonderful, single father to his sweet and adorable little girl, Lauren. He has moved to Vermont, away from the pitying stares they receive in his Bronx neighborhood after his wife suddenly left them. Wanting a fresh start, he takes a job as the bar manager at the Speakeasy and is excited to raise his daughter in a quiet and idyllic small town. Melanie has returned to town for graduate school and is struggling to keep up with homework, while balancing classes and working late shifts at Speakeasy. When Matteo has a hard time finding reliable childcare, he asks Melanie to be their nanny, when he sees how great they are together. It seems to be the answer to both their problems except one, they are both wildly attracted to each other. Matteo and Melanie have an easy rapport and the more time they spend together the more their attraction grows. But can they act on those feelings and risk hurting Lauren as well as their own hearts? This was a sweet story that will warm your heart. Melanie was a kindhearted and determined woman who was the perfect match for the charming, and loving, Matteo. I loved them together and they had me laughing, smiling, and swooning throughout. This story had so much emotion and heart, and I loved every moment!