Reviews
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance Undaunted is an in-depth well-written gem where the truth of opposites attract really exists.....a cold-hearted billionaire and a sweet gentle-hearted woman who learn to see the best of each other and find an HEA despite the odds against them. Undaunted is the 52nd book (according to the author's website, Goodreads has it as 48) of her Long Tall Texan series and I will admit that I haven't had the pleasure to read this author too much. I have really liked her books, so I am not sure why I haven't read more of her. I will say that I was a bit nervous to read a book dealing with a jerk hero, since those aren't always done well but ironically he was done very well in this one. Even though in the first third of the story he is a bit of an ass we also see the way that he has some depths to him that you don't quite see at first. We have a lake shore setting for most of the story which just worked so well for this story. Undaunted is a story that is about learning to love unconditionally. The key players to this opposites attracts romance are: Garrett Carlton, a billionaire, hard around the edges, but is like an onion....many layers to unravel Kate Martin, our heroine, works as an assistant to an author, sweet, kind and loving. The story begins when Kate comes to Georgia, to help maintain the lake house that her boss and friend owns. Kate is originally from Texas and grew up with an abusive father at times. She is eager to make a name for herself and be on her own. She sees the good in people and never judges them. She is all about working for what she has. She then has a horrible run-in with a Mr. Garrett Carlton who yells at her and is really rude and almost has Kate in tears. When her boss leaves for Europe, she stays to take care of other tasks and to see to her lake house. While driving a boat on the lake, she accidentally runs into a jetski that Garrett was on, who hits his head and becomes blind and loses part of his memories including his memories of her. When he offers her a job as his assistant she agrees, seeing a new side to Garrett. The man beneath the harshness and cold revere personality on the surface. Soon it becomes that Garrett and Kate have a strong connection to each other. But what will Garrett do when he learns the woman he loves is also the woman who accidentally caused his blindness and memory loss. I will admit that at first, the story turned me off especially in seeing how mean and rude Garrett really is. Of course, we see a deeper side to him and see why he is the way he is. But he has such a strong personality but Kate calms him in ways you don't see at first. She brings him balance and helps him to relax. Kate is also a virgin, she is innocent, but so tender-hearted. I really was drawn to Kate's personality. She is so real and even though a bit naive when it comes to more worldly things, she knows what is really important. She has her own dreams to be a wife and mother one day. She wants to be loved and to love someone in return. She knows that man is Garrett, but she also fears how he will react when he learns the truth. What becomes a pivotal moment is when the smoke clears and the truth comes out, that both Garrett and Kate learn that when love is reaching out, to hold onto it and never let it go. They both learn about sacrifice and loss and how much they need each other and truly care about one another. It had its predictable moments of course, but then this story would take a turn that I wasn't expecting and I loved how this predictable story was full of unpredictable moments that just make this book shine.
