TANGLED UP IN YOU – Samantha Chase
The Shaughnessy Brothers , Book 7
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 978-1492655992
May 2019
Contemporary Romance

Carolina coast – Present Day

Police officer Bobby Hannigan is recovering after being shot while off duty and isn't sure when—or if—he'll return to work. Because of these worries, he's not always in the best of moods. Currently, Bobby is staying with his parents and one day is coerced into attending a BBQ at a neighbor's house. Also attending is a new arrival, Teagan Shaughnessy, a single mother of a little boy, Lucas. The moment Bobby spots Teagan, he's intrigued by her. But unfortunately, his injured arm decides to wimp out on him, causing him to drop his plate of food, and he takes off in shame. Shortly afterwards, he meets a little boy. Turns out the boy is Lucas and when Teagan comes looking for her son, she encounters him with Bobby. The fledging interest is now a full-fledged attraction.  

Lucas never knew his father as he died before he was born. Teagan has mostly sheltered her son from others and as such, never dates. But as Bobby and Teagan continue to meet, which is often since her cousin is married to Bobby's sister, a relationship develops. Dare she see where it will lead? Bobby's job is in Myrtle Beach, while Teagan's new home is here. How could they even make it work with what is more than a short commuting distance? She also fears that if they break up, Lucas will end up hurt as he's becoming attached to Bobby. Should she cut ties now?

There are plenty of mixed emotions in play for Teagan and Bobby in TANGLED UP IN YOU as they struggle to decide if there can be any chance of a relationship between them. While she is the only child of a military family and is used to moving around, the past few years she has lived at home with her parents while she raised her son. Her parents were the ones who decided to move to South Carolina, and she followed, where for the first time she has her own home. In a few weeks, Teagan will start work at Lucas's school as a guidance counselor. The relationship between her and Bobby starts out slow in this tale, though it's clear there is an instant attraction. Neither feels like they have anything to offer the other, what with Teagan not wanting to bring a man into her life, while Bobby still has hopes of returning to law enforcement—and his home—in Myrtle Beach.

TANGLED UP IN YOU is part of Ms. Chase's long-running  The Shaughnessy Brothers  series, which means that this tale has several Shaughnessy family members ending up in scenes with Teagan and Bobby. However, it can easily be read a standalone even if you haven't read any of the prior books in the series.

Readers will ride along with Teagan and Bobby on their bumpy road to romance in TANGLED UP IN YOU, but it's one that will have you rooting for them to find a happily-ever-after. Life hasn't been easy for them, so making love work is a well-earned reward. Be sure to put TANGLED UP IN YOU on your book shopping list.

Patti Fischer