Lusting After Layla (Red Maple Falls, #9, Marshall Family #3)

Theresa Paolo

Mar 2019 · Red Maple Falls Book 9 · TMP Books Inc.

About this ebook

Danger meets the small town of Red Maple Falls in the newest installment of the utterly romantic series. At twenty years old Layla Marshall devoted her life to raising her baby brother and sister after their mom died in a car accident. Now twelve years later and all grown up, her siblings have started their own lives, leaving Layla to combat loneliness in a much too quiet house. To fill the void, she finds herself spending time at the local bar with the sexy but mysterious tattooed owner who she has secretly harbored feelings for. 

Pub owner, Declan Dwyer, has been living with a secret for the last five years, deceiving the people of the small town of Red Maple Falls where he has chosen to hide out. He has kept to himself, but Layla Marshall has been on his radar since the first time he laid eyes on her in her purple scrubs. He’s maintained his distance though, afraid of a past that could mean death to him or anyone he cares for.

When his past catches up to him, threatening to destroy all he has, Declan has to decide if he's going to flee again or stay and fight for a life and love he never imagined for himself.

Ratings and reviews

Declan became friends with Layla after she walked into his new pub 5 years ago looking for a cup of coffee after working a double shift at the nursing home. He holds off on anything more afraid his past will catch up with him and she'll get hurt in the crossfires. Layla sacrificed a lot for her younger siblings. And I don't know how she doesn't get down at her job especially when the residents she gets close to pass away. Current residents Frieda, Ethel, and Arthur are outspoken and a riot. Declan finally decides to take a chance on dating Layla when he finds out his past is coming for him. There was plenty of suspense, humor, and sexy romance. The undercover cop O'Reilly sounds interesting and I wouldn't mind hearing more about him in a future book.

I love this story!! This is the ninth story in the "Red Maple Falls" series and the third one in the "Marshall Family" series. It's a stand alone read with some connected characters. This is Declan "Luke" Dwyer and Layla Marshall. These two met five years earlier when she stumbled into his pub needed an escape and cup of coffee. Since the day they met the attraction has been there. However, she has no time for relationships and he has a past that prevents him for getting close to anyone. I love their story. We have met them in previous stories so I was so excited to finally get his history and see these two find love. I love the characters in the nursing home as well. This story has humor, passion, suspense, danger and good twists. I highly recommend all of the stories and look forward to reading Jax's story.

This story has so many layers and as you sift through them Declan and Layla will have you in their corner to get a much deserved happily ever after. The story is filled with drama and suspense that will keep you tide to the pages until the last one. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.