Publisher: Tule Publishing
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: NetGalley
Reviewer: MinnChica
Bid on a date with this wounded warrior for an unforgettable night of adventure. Aim high—and bid higher!—because no one comes close to local hero Gabriel Morales.
Molly Dekker hates being the town charity case, but when her son Josh is seriously injured she has no choice. She lets her best friend organize a bachelor auction to help pay her massive bills and make Josh’s life more comfortable. She can’t bid on any of the men, but a surprise bidder gives her a gift she never expected: a date with the man who saved her son’s life—the only one she’s in danger of losing her heart to.
Former Air Force pararescueman Gabriel Morales made a career of flying to the rescue, until a tragic helicopter crash stole more than his livelihood. Being auctioned off like a slab of beef isn’t in his recovery plan. But one look, one touch and one night unlocking Molly’s pent-up passion makes him realize how badly he needs to be rescued…and how badly he wants to rescue Molly right back.
Will Molly and Gabriel’s never-quit attitude have them rushing head-first into love? Or will Gabriel’s secret pain stall their relationship before it can get off the ground?
*Blurb from Goodreads*
I really wanted to like this book because I’m a huge fan of Latham’s rugby books, however this one fell flat for me.
Gabe was severely wounded while serving overseas, he lost his best friend and a huge part of himself in one tragic moment. He came home to lick his wounds, and chose to do it alone, isolated, and without help. But when his best friend’s little sister, Molly, walks into his life needing his help, Gabe can’t turn her down, and feels useful for the first time in ages.
Molly wanted Gabriel for more than just a roll in the sack, but she was willing to take whatever she could get. When she needs Gabriel to help rescue her son, her plans go out the window and Molly is left trying to scrape together her life with what little she has left. But Gabriel continues to be there for her in his own way, and when her son buys Gabriel at the auction, the might have a second chance to make their happily ever after work.
It was obvious to me that Gabriel had a huge secret dealing with his war injury, but I hated the way Latham dragged it out for what felt like FOREVER. It seemed to me as if the secret wasn’t revealed until the last chapter, and then everything was hunky dory for them both and they moved onto their HEA without any big conflict or resolution. The whole reveal just didn’t work for me, and I was bummed because it’s a trope I enjoy.
Because of that, there were times that I struggled trying to understand Gabe. He kept so much of himself close to the vest that I didn’t feel like we really got a chance to know him as a hero. I wanted more from him, and was disappointed that we never really got from him what I wanted to see.
Unlike Gabe, I really enjoyed Molly. Despite the loss she’d been handed, she made the very best that she could from a crappy situation. She did everything she could for her son and didn’t let her pride or ego stand in the way. She was a sweet romance heroine, and she was the reason I enjoyed the story as much as I did.
All in all, I was disappointed in this book. I felt like the pace was too slow and that the big reveal happened to late in the book to make any kind of big impact. While I really enjoy Latham’s writings, this one just wasn’t for me.
I give One Night With Her Bachelor a C-