Levi (The Brothers of Creekside Ranch Book 1) by Edith Mackenzie Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Levi by Edith Mackenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Levi is Book 1 in The Brothers of Creekside Ranch series. In it we are introduced to the Delaney Brothers who have been left to look after Creekside Ranch after losing their dad and stepmom. On top of running the ranch, they have been faced with the difficult task of how to care for their now orphaned nine-year-old sister, Allie. Running the ranch is a full-time job so the brothers are unsure how to properly care for their little sister. Ex-Navy SEAL Levi is finding the task especially daunting and feels that he is far too busy with the ranch to have to worry about how he is going to try to raise his kid sister. An opportunity presents itself when an old friend asks Levi for a favor and needs somewhere for a person in the Witness Protection Plan to hide out. Levi decides to bring her to the ranch as their new Housekeeper and Nanny to their little sister.

Bella has found herself in the Witness Protection Program after helping to get her abusive ex-boyfriend, Dimitri, arrested. Now she must find a safe place to hide out until the trial against Dimitri and the Russian mafia. Bella never anticipated to be asked to be a nanny for a kid or a housekeeper for three grown men. Having never been a nanny before Bella is unsure what to expect or how to act the part. She is more unsure about what to do about the attraction she feels to the rugged, good-looking cowboy Levi.

Bella and Levi instantly clash and butt heads with one another. Bella, an English aristocrat, comes across to Levi as snobby. His brothers, on the other hand, find Bella charming and fawn over her every chance they get. Levi comes across to Bella as bossy and rude. Although Bella is still struggling with how Dimitri hurt her, she has a problem with him thinking that she must follow his every order. Levi is fighting his own demons. Although the two butt heads, they also feel inexplicably drawn to one another. Bella feels compelled to help Levi and Levi finds himself jealous when his brothers shower Bella with attention. Will Bella and Levi act on their underlying feelings?

I loved the wholesome story of Bella and Levi and enjoyed reading to see if either would let their guard down long enough to let the other in. Bella may have seemed snobbish at first but there was more to her than that a prim and proper appearance and good manners. Deep down she was full of grit, determination, and hidden strengths. Levi came across as harsh and cruel initially, but he was fighting with the trauma of his past. This book was full of action, suspense, mystery, love, and good old fashioned family values. A great read!

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