Review: Stealing Home by Harlow Cole (St. Michaels #2)

Note: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via Enticing Journey Book Promotions.

“How am I supposed to trust you when everything between us is based on lies?”  

“The only lie between us is you thinking, for one single second, that I came back here for myself. I came back her for you. That's been my plan since day one. And the sooner you settle down and realize that, the sooner we can get back to where we belong.” 

Take my heart already, why don't you, Harlow Cole?! This author broke my poor heart piece by piece in the first novel of her St. Michaels duet, Interference, and just when I thought I had stitched it all back together, I read the conclusion to Brayden Ross and Ashley Foster's epic love story. The result? My heart was battered and bruised yet beating as strong as ever because just like Brayden's and Ashley's broken hearts at the beginning of Stealing Home, time helps to heal. However, time isn't always enough and neither is the love that remains. Just a quick reminder: These books MUST be read in order because this duet is about one couple and book one does end in a cliffhanger.

Brayden Ross may find his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player coming to fruition, but there's one thing that has eluded him for the past four years. He may have had no other choice but to keep his distance from Ashley Foster, but that must come to an end. He made promises--promises he's always intended on keeping. The time for wishing on stars is over and done with. He wants to make those wishes of Ashley's come true in whatever way possible. And it's those very same stars that'll lead Brayden home--home to family and his first AND last love.

Le sigh. I'm still in absolute awe that this duet is Harlow Cole's first foray into writing and publishing romance fiction. The depth and breadth that both the St. Michaels novels have is impressive, leaving me to wonder if we're just skimming the surface of what this author is capable of. There is nothing easy about Brayden and Ashley's journey to their happily-ever-after, and these two do have to fight for what it is they truly want. I think that what I loved most was that there were no quick fixes to their issues and that there was an acknowledgment of needing to work on themselves as individuals if they have any hope of working out as a couple. Oh, and those two epilogues at the end? Among my top swoon-worthy moments ever! Stealing Home absolutely stole my heart! Five-plus stars! ♥

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Read my reviews for the St. Michaels duet:

Interference (book one) - five-plus stars - My Review

Stealing Home (book two) - five-plus stars - My Review (posted above)

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Date Read: 11 August 2019

Learn more about Harlow Cole.

Purchase Stealing Home on Amazon.