Review: Jaded (Walkers Ford #2) by Anne Calhoun

Jaded (Walkers Ford #2) by Anne Calhoun

Published February 4th 2014 by Berkley

Paperback, 304 pages

Series: Walkers Ford

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Heat Rating: Steamy-ish

Source:  I got a copy of this book from goodreads first reads in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | The Book Depository |  Goodreads

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ for sexual content and language

Summary from Goodreads

They can’t hide from desire…

After life as a cop in Denver leaves him burned-out, Lucas Ridgeway returns to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, to serve as their chief of police. He’s hoping to start over with a clean slate and avoid any emotional entanglements—even after his next-door neighbor kisses him senseless. Alana is passionate, dedicated, and most importantly leaving town soon. So why not have some fun?

Alana Wentworth comes from a larger-than-life political family, yet all she wanted was to be a librarian. Then after an embarrassing marriage proposal from Mr. Not-For-Her, she jumps at the chance to live her dream for a few months. She wasn't supposed to get involved with the community—or sexy, troubled Lucas. But when the time comes for Alana to put Walkers Ford behind her, she’s not ready. And Lucas may not be ready for her to go…

Alana Wentworth comes from a large political family. After an embarrassing public proposal, she takes the opportunity to act as a stand in librarian in a small town of Walkers Ford and escape a life she never thought was meant for her. Lucas Ridgeway returned to Walker's Ford to serve as their chief of police after an incident in Denver bringing him back home to start over. He doesn't want any distractions but the blushing librarian next door is proving to be one he cannot ignore.

Cute story. I juggled between 3.5 stars and 4 stars on this one, and in the end I decided to give it 4 for many reason.

• I really enjoyed the romance. I felt the sparks between them and so much more. The interaction between Lucas and Alana was comfortable and easy. After reading a bunch of heavy stuff, this was rather welcoming. There was sparks and of course just the right amount of chemistry.
• It takes place in a small town and if you been following me for a while you know I love my small town romances. They make me all warm and fuzzy on the inside with their small close knit community and recurring characters. Speaking of which, thought I have not read the first book, I did look to see who was in it and Adam and Marissa do appear in this book as well!
• The pace of the book was pretty good. The story flowed and I found myself really immersed in it. Sure there was some parts that were kind of slow in the end but they where brief and minor and did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.
• I liked the storyline, especially in the end. Alana was not meant to stay in Walker's Ford. She was there to propose a project in rebuilding the library and in the end managed to show the community how important the library was to the town and it's people. How many of them it has helped, and how central it was to the community.
• Lucas. A brooding chief of police with a retired police dog named Duke? Yes please. Thought Lucas did manage to get on my nerve at times, I was so glad that in the end he allowed to town and it's appeal to kind bring down his own walls and start to actually help people a little more on a personal level. I did not like how he treated Cody and Tanya at first, but everything clicked nicely in the end!
• I liked the supporting characters. There was trouble and people who come from broken homes and Alana had managed to get entangled with each and one of them and make an impact on their lives. Even Lucas had bought down his walls in the end. I really loved that he did not give up on his cousin Tanya and had drug addiction as much as Alana did not give up on a teenager by the name of Cody who also came from a broken home. 
• The writing. Calhoun did a wonderful job in luring me into the story that I found myself invested in the small town and connecting with her characters.

Lovely story, so much more then just a romance I liked the other stuff that was going on in the background just as much. Of course I enjoyed the romance in this book as well. Thought a part of me wishes she didn't jump into Lucas bed right off, since I do love and enjoy the build up more. It did seem to work!

Looking forward to more from Walker's Ford and it's characters :) with familiar faces.