Review: A Model of Devotion by Mary Connealy

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A brilliant engineer, Jilly Stiles has been educated since childhood to help run her father's dynasty. Now with the company safe after the marriages of her two sisters, Jilly can focus on her dream of building a mountaintop railroad--and never marry.

Nick Ryder came into Jilly's life when he saved her mother from her no-good stepfather, and he's prepared to protect Jilly from anything that threatens to harm her. Haunted by the pain of his own past, Nick is determined not to get his heart involved while protecting Jilly from losing her hard-won independence.

But when a cruel and powerful man goes to dangerous lengths to make Jilly his own, marrying Nick may be the only way to save herself and her dreams.

My Review

I've really enjoyed this series and how each daughter became empowered through her skills and determination, as well as supporting and receiving support through new relationships and love. While their mother was physically abused by their stepfather, Jilly suffered from emotional abuse which has been alluded to in the first two books. We learn how this has influenced her stance on marriage, especially marriage for convenience. Nick has proven himself a devoted protector of his former boss's family, and received their trust in return. He and Jilly make a good team, continuing to build her father's lumber legacy with the latest developments in rail transportation. As sabotage becomes evident, the danger ramps up and all the daughters with their mother unite to fight back against the threat. I appreciated that Nick and Jilly had more time than her sisters to develop a foundation before diving into a deeper relationship, but I think that was necessary given her issues. I was happy to see healing and success with all the members of the family as the series wrapped up.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Lumber Baron's Daughters series