ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ ALL HE EVER DREAMED BY SHANNON STACEY

Title: All He Ever Dreamed (Kowalski Family, Book Six)

Author: Shannon Stacey

Release Date: January 21, 2013 

ARC provided by NetGalley

Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.

As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.

Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?



Book Review 

This is one of those books that just give you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside your heart. And the closeness of community ~ family and  friends ~ makes you wish you lived there. 

Katie Davis has always loved Josh Kowalski from afar. She remains 'just one of the guys' and never tells Josh her true feelings, for fear of losing the best friend she has ever had. 

Josh Kowalski has always done what was expected, despite his desperate desire to leave everything behind him and escape the role fate has dealt him. Now that his chance to run is drawing near, he's left with a choice. Something that Josh has never had his entire life. Will he make the right choice? 

Friends to lovers is the theme here and it was a delight to watch Josh realize that the woman he could possibly love and want in his life was in front of him the whole time. 

I haven't read all six books in this series, but after sitting down with the Kowalski family in All He Ever Dreamed, I will be paying them another visit or five.

Fans of sweet romance with a touch of spice and a dash of humor will enjoy Stacey's book and get attached to this charming Maine town and its quirky, yet lovable characters. 

Some favorites that I highlighted:

"You're stealing my banana bread.""You told me you wanted to lose a few pounds, so really, I'm doing this for you." He was busted, but he didn't even break a sweat as she raised an eyebrow at him. 


"Put some damn clothes on. We don't run around half-naked here."Kate looked down at her tank top and boxers. "Shirt. Shorts. Pretty much the opposite of naked.""You're not wearing a..." He waved his hand in the direction of her chest, swore, under his breath and stormed out.

******

"You've never seen nipples before?" She called after him. It sounded as if he tripped on the stairs and he cursed again, but he didn't come back or answer the question.