BETWEEN THE SHEETS – Molly O'Keefe
The Boys of Bishop , Book 3
Bantam
ISBN: 978-0-345-54903-7
August 2014
Contemporary Romance

Bishop, Arkansas – Present Day

Ty Svenson came to Bishop to start a new life with his new found son, Casey, and pretty much keeps to himself in this small town. When Casey gets in trouble at school, Ty goes to a meeting there and comes face to face with their neighbor across the street: the lovely—but uptight—Shelby Monroe. She'd already appeared at his door one night complaining about the noise he was making working on his motorcycles, so it's not like they're friends.  Despite their inauspicious beginning, Shelby offers to help him with Casey's problems adjusting to school. Ty is more than interested in her, but she keeps him at arm's length, yet one night when he does get a chance to take her out, they end up instead having hot sex. But when it's done, she's back to being aloof. Why does Shelby go hot and cold?

Shelby is taking care of her mother who is rapidly getting worse with Alzheimer's, to the point that it leaves her exhausted and emotionally drained. Shelby has used sex in the past to work off her frustrations, but a few months ago she hooked up with a man who turned out to be slimy and broadcast naughty tales about her on a television show. For that reason, and the fact that her father was a man who belittled her and her mother, it has forced Shelby to not depend on any man or to expect to find happiness. Yet, being around Ty makes her feel good. Her first priority is her mother, but how much longer can she keep her in their home? Ty can offer her relief in the sex department, but she can't promise him anything more. Is she giving up on life because to look to the future would only promise heartbreak?

Molly O'Keefe has penned a romance that is emotional and uplifting at the same time. Shelby has spent much of her life taking care of her mother, first from her father who had a narcissistic personality, then because her mother, who once was a factory manager, was felled by the horrible disease of Alzheimer's. It's hard to make a story end up with a happily-ever-after when the road to this disease is so heart wrenching. Yet in BETWEEN THE SHEETS, readers are treated to the struggles Shelby endures, all the while growing to love Ty and Casey. After much betrayal in her life—from her father to the man who used her for sex and TV ratings—she has wrapped herself in a shell. Ty slowly brings her out of it and proves that men can be trusted.

For Ty, it's been a struggle getting his own son to trust him. Casey's mother didn't tell him he was a father, and he only discovered the truth when the boy found him. But he wants to be the best dad he can be, even if he's not sure it is possible. Ty builds motorcycles from parts and then sells them, which provides a good income for him. In the meantime, he is working at the local bar on a construction project. He becomes friends with his boss, Brody Baxter (hero from NEVER BEEN KISSED), and slowly finds himself surrounded by a circle of friends. But he finds it hard to break down the wall Shelby puts up to avoid being hurt.

BETWEEN THE SHEETS is a book I highly recommend if you're looking for a poignant read that captivates and pulls you into the drama of Shelby's mother's disease even as Ty builds a relationship with his son who has trust issues. Shelby's own emotions are on tenterhooks, but with the love of a good man she may soon find happiness. Grab BETWEEN THE SHEETS for an enjoyable read, but be prepared to have a hanky nearby.

Patti Fischer