cover image The Whole Package

The Whole Package

Marie Harte. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978-1-4926-7044-5

Harte (The Troublemaker Next Door) launches her Movin’ On series with a spicy but flawed story about family ties and new beginnings. Ever the caretaker, former Marine Reid Griffin founded his all-veteran moving company to help his troublemaking big brother, Cash, adjust to civilian life. When Cash foils a robbery on the job, the company lands in the media spotlight. PR expert Naomi Starr knows Reid’s company is the perfect client to help her fledgling PR firm, after her last job ended very badly. But neither Reid nor Naomi planned on falling so hard and so fast. They’re not sure whether their connection is purely physical desire or love that could help heal the wounds in their pasts. Harte has created a rich world, populated by a couple with tangible chemistry and a supporting cast who help their relationship develop in unexpectedly charming ways. Despite moments of emotional maturity, the story as a whole isn’t able to overcome the veterans’ stereotypical hypermasculinity, keeping the final resolution from feeling as satisfying as it might be. Nonetheless, this is a strong series start that will have fans of mega-alphas eager for more. (Feb.)