Review: Brash by Laura Wright

Brash (Cavanaugh Brothers #3) by Laura Wright
Publisher: Signet
Publication date: March 3rd 2015
My rating:  4.5 stars 
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The New York Times bestselling author of the Cavanaugh Brothers novels returns to the Cavanaugh’s Texas Triple C ranch as the brothers confront the painful memories of their childhood and the truth about their sister’s murder…

No matter how many fights UFC champion Cole Cavanaugh wins, he can’t rid himself of the guilt of not having saved his twin sister’s life. Now, not only is he facing his arch enemy in the ring, he’s fighting to uncover the truth about Cass’s death. But will winning both fights truly give him the retribution and absolution he seeks? Or does he need the healing power of love to finally move on with his life?

The mystery surrounding Cass’s murder also haunts veterinarian Grace Hunter. Many believe that her father might hold the key to the truth. Unfortunately the ex-Sheriff’s deteriorating mental state makes it impossible to separate fact from fiction. As Cole persuades Grace to help him unlock the elusive clues, her defenses weaken. She finds the Stetson-wearing fighter irresistible. But while the truth could free Cole’s heart, it could very well end up shattering hers.

My Thoughts:

Cole Cavanaugh is determined to find his twin sister’s killer. She was murdered back when they were teenagers and it still haunts him years later. Cass was the other half to his whole and he felt like he should’ve been able to protect her. Cole’s willing to go to desperate lengths to uncover the killer’s identity, even some breaking and entering into Dr. Grace Hunter’s office, the daughter of the now retired sheriff in hopes of finding clues.

Grace’s father is the only family she has left. He was her everything after losing her mother in a tragic car accident. Now Cole is threatening her father’s reputation, implying he may have knowledge in his sister’s murder and covered it up, or may somehow have been involved. Cole suspects Grace’s father knew more about his sister’s murder, but can’t really get the information out now that he’s suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Grace knows the pain of losing a loved one, so she can’t fault Cole for looking for answers, she would do the same. So she offers to help Cole by digging through her father’s old files together. While she wants to help Cole and the entire Cavanaugh family find peace and justice, Grace is determined to clear any doubts about her father.

Cole and Grace didn’t get off to the best start, and they seem to be working on opposite sides, even while working together, but that doesn’t stop the attraction they have from building as they get to know each other better.

I adored this romance! It seems lately I’ve been reading a lot of stories where there’s long internal musings, dialogue that goes on in the character’s head but not much character interaction. Not so with Brash.  Instead the characters actually communicated and got to know each other.  I want lots of character interaction, especially in a romance, not just detailed, long inner lusting with the other party having no idea how they feel because they keep it all in.  Inner turmoil on why they should or shouldn’t be together is even worse. I get so sick of the back and forth! Thankfully, this is not the case with Brash. Grace and Cole had fun, humorous exchanges that had me cracking up throughout:

“Don’t you think a doctor should be doing this?”—

Her eyes met his and she looked slightly insulted. “I am a doctor.”

“You’re a vet,” he countered.

She lifted her chin. “And you act like an animal most of the time, so I’d say it’s a match made in heaven.”

I appreciated there wasn’t any long, drawn out angst because Cole and Grace were open with their feelings. I loved the writing style so much! Yes, there were serious, deeper issues plaguing Grace and Cole, but the story was also fun and HOT! There was sizzling sexual tension, and build-up!

Cole was a tough, tatted, UFC fighter, but he showed his softer side with Grace, and Belle the Bassett hound he supposedly had no intention of taking on. Grace was a sweetheart, but definitely not a pushover. Not overly jealous or dramatic either. She just told it like it was, saying whatever she thought for the most part.

This is the third book in the Cavanaugh Brothers series, but it wasn’t necessary to read the previous books. I wouldn’t mind going back and reading the first two to get a better feel for the continuing story/mystery arc which still isn’t completely solved. Also, I enjoyed this romance so much I’d love to experience the two previous ones, as well. 

Cole and Grace’s romance wrapped up nicely, but there was sort of a cliff with Blue Cavanaugh, and a surprising revelation.  Blue is the next brother to get his story in Bonded, slated for a September release. We got bits of Blue’s POV in Brash, and he was bitter and angry.  He had every right to be after discovering the truth of his past, and I’m guessing the next story may be a little darker.

 

 

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