by Melody Anne
Series: Unexpected Heroes #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Alyssa's modeling career came to an abrupt end when her manager boyfriend emptied her bank account and ruined her professional reputation. Now she's heading to a new town in Montana to rebuild her life—if she can even get there (stupid delayed planes!). But things are looking up when she's upgraded to first class and a mysterious stranger sits down next to her…Jackson Whitman doesn't believe in love, or commitment, or forever—not since he lost his wife and daughter. But the beautiful woman sitting next to him at the gate has him rethinking that position. Can he convince her to be his for the night? Or will she convince him to be hers for a lifetime?
Her Unexpected Hero by Melody Anne the first in her Unexpected Heroes series, was a delightful surprise. Heat, secrets, and small-town charm made this contemporary romance a pleasure to read. Melody Anne is a new to me author, and this series is a spin-off to her wildly successful Billionaire books. Don’t let that stop you from diving right in as I found myself perfectly at home.
In a prologue, we meet Jackson and his brother as children. We glimpse a fateful night and I loved this insight into Jackson. At this point, I am hooked and excited because it means this series will involve brothers and ya’ll know how I feel about series involving brothers.
The tale begins as Alyssa finds herself heading home from Paris. Her modeling career and professional reputation is in shambles after her boyfriend/manager left her high and dry. She is heading to her parent’s home in Montana. A sexy stranger named Jackson Whitman takes a set next to her at the boarding gate. Aaand folks things about to get interesting as these two souls collide.
“Baby, when you’re good, you know it.”
The premise to Her Unexpected Hero was a fun one. Strangers meet on a plane, connect and share a passionate night to never see each other again or so they thought. Anne weaved in some twist, meddling parents and a few more surprises that cause these two star-crossed lovers to meet again and whoa baby the sparks are flying. I love that this ended up being a slow-burning romance despite the sizzling start. The author took time to develop the characters as she shared their pasts and allowed this complicated romance to unfold.
“Sometimes we have to risk everything before we can find true happiness.”
Alyssa Gerard is freshly wounded by mistakes, but I love that rather than despair she takes lessons from it. She is not without flaws and her secret might just destroy this budding relationship. Prior loss and lack of trust have Jackson believing he will never commit again. Watching that theory come unraveled was such fun. I love when a confident man falls. It such fun because it sneaks up on them until suddenly they get it. His brothers are not likely to let him forget and I loved this witty ribbing. The banter and teasing between them was simply delightful. I love family bonds and these boys have a special connection. The romance gave us a mixed bag of sweet, frustrating and heat. There were moments that had me wanting to slap them both and others where I wanted to shout, “Group hug”. Anne wrapped all of this up with family and small-town charm giving me the warm and fuzzes. I love when a book can make me giggle as much as it makes me swoon.
“I love to solve mysteries.”
“I don’t think you could solve me, Jackson.”
“Challenge accepted. I’ll give it my best shot.”
Her Unexpected Hero was an engaging, swoon-worthy read with twists, turns and just the right amount of angst to have me flipping the pages. Depth of character, small-town charm and family made this a winner for me and I cannot wait to read, Her Hometown Hero featuring the second brother, Dr. Spence. There will be an e-novels in-between featuring secondary characters, and the next is Who Am I, featuring motocross racer Taylor Winchester and their little sister to Hawk.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Berls
I love these kinds of books! I think I have some of get billionaire books… But I definitely want these! I share your love for brothers 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..brothers rock, and I usually end up loving the banter and bickering between the siblings.
Lorna
You, and a couple of other bloggers are determined that I get back into reading romances that aren’t paranormal! This sounds so good 🙂 And yes I am buying it right now! Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I love reading them in-between the other genres I love.
sherry fundin
Uh oh…a mysterious stranger. Something tells me she’ll have better luck than with her manager. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
He was a cad so I hope so!
Benish
I haven’t read a good romance novel lately, hoping this might be it! Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Benish, this was fun
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh sounds swoony! I’ve not read too many of this genre but when I do, I’m usually enjoying myself. I need to add this one to the wishlist.
kimbacaffeinate
I love mixing them in between other genres. 🙂 they tend to make me smile and giggle
Braine
I am not a model but why can’t this kind of swoony randomness happen in my life? Tsk
kimbacaffeinate
Right…I usually get stuck between two idiots on a plane.
Sophia Rose
Strangers on the plane and small town Montana sounds good. I haven’t read her books yet.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah I am trying to read at least one book by authors I have been curious about this year
Quinn's Book Nook
Ooo, I’m intrigues. I’ve never read anything by Melody Anne either, but I think I need to try this out.
kimbacaffeinate
I am enjoying trying new ones Quinn and hello Montana and brothers!
Ramona
Aww, this is another sweet one, Kimba. Family ties, small-town feeling, swoon-worthingness – it ticks all the boxes! And it’s also first in a series, which is great 🙂 Your review does a great job painting the plot in attractive colors, but without giving too much away. As usual!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks this one fun and I love when a hero falls and is the last to know 🙂
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
This definitely sounds like the start of a great series!
kimbacaffeinate
It was adorable Melissa and brothers..there are brothers!
kindlemom1
This sounds like my kind of read and a great start to a promising series!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes this has many elements I know you enjoy Ali
Sarah
This book sounds really cute. It sounds similar to an earlier work of Nora Roberts but I can’t remember the title. I am all about characters that are more than meets the eye and the small town charm is a draw too. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Love me some Roberts, I cannot place that one, but this was fresh and the brother’s story..will touch your heart
Anna
I love the title, mostly because that title can apply to anyone. I’m too curious to leave this one alone. 🙂
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
I liked it too and I am curious to meet the other heroes.
Angela Adams
“Baby, when you’re good, you know it.” — great alpha male line! Thanks for the post!!
kimbacaffeinate
Right..he was funny and I loved watching him fall.
Mary
I do love a good meet-cute, especially when it’s between two people who don’t think they’ll ever see each other again (but, of course, are going to).
kimbacaffeinate
I do too Mary 🙂
Lauren Marion
There are so many books out there where the characters are almost instantly in love/lust. This seems a nice change to that and is definitely added to my TBR.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah this was different they got the lust out of the way and then did a slow build.
Laurel-Rain Snow
How exciting to find a new series from the first book. Thanks for sharing!
Stacy (StacyHgg)
WOW! This one sounds great! I was debating whether or not to read it. Is the hero a pilot? For some reason I thought I read that somewhere but I don’t see it in the blurb. Got to love a slow burn 😉
kimbacaffeinate
No he has his own successful business and does travel.
Jenny
“I love that this ended up being a slow-burning romance despite the sizzling start.”
And I’m sold Kim! I can get behind insta-lust for sure, but I do like when things then slow back down and we get that build up of tension once again. Yay for there being just enough angst too, I like some in my romances but not so much that I want to roll my eyes in frustration. All in all, I don’t think I can pass this one up!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree and I liked that they worked for this, made mistakes and both grew as characters.
Nick
There are lots of books set in Montana these days!
I really love the sound of this, Kim because the romance seems so sweet! And slow-burn! YES!
*added to the never ending list!*
kimbacaffeinate
I love the Montana setting..it is so beautiful there. Would love to live there but no real jobs for hubby..plus it is bitter in the winter
Julie Whiteley
I love Melody Anne. I can’t wait to read this one. I’m always a sucker for small town romance. It looks like the series is off to a new start. Lovely review.
kimbacaffeinate
I am really glad I tried her Julie. She was on my list of authors and when I saw this was a new series I figured no time like the present.
Red Iza
I got a bit wary when you mentioned wanting to slap them both, but all the rest of the review made me want to read this – so thanks for sharing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ah, you know these folks need to grow and sometimes they are a little slow on up take..but it all ended up making me smile. Wanting to slap them only means I cared
blodeuedd
I am just yes to almost every romance lately 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Ah it is Spring and love is in the air!
Melliane
it’s nice that you had such a development for the characters like that. I didn’t know about this one so thanks for the discovery! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melliane, I had fun and discovering a new author/series is exciting.