The Golden Garza by S. Ann Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

S.Ann Cole brings another exciting book to her Red Cage Series with The Golden Garza. The beginning of the book contains a Quick Information Guide with all of the characters that are part of the series. This book focuses on Soleil and Tripp. Soleil is best friends with Tillie and has decided to visit her in Los Angeles. Soleil (aka Sunny) is a YouTube fitness trainer and has been able to save up the money she needs to get an interview with Red Cage to help her find out what her real identity is. Tillie is elated when she greets Sunny at the airport. Then the shoe drops—they are staying at Tripp’s house because Tillie’s has had to be worked on and is not inhabitable currently. Sunny likes Tripp, but he is not a fan of her after their past. While she was drunk and in Costa Rica with the Garza family, she attempted to kiss Tripp while he was sleeping. He woke and shoved her away. Six years had passed since then, but he still avoided her like the plague. Tillie reassures her that Tripp is away at work and insists that Sunny occupy his room while she takes the guest room. However, Tripp returns in the middle of the night. Sunny has a secret crush on Tripp, and when he starts to become intimate with her, she goes along with it. Right before he reaches to put a condom on, Sunny tries to kiss him.

Tripp Garza does not kiss! He stops and turns the light on to discover Sunny in his bed and not his long-term friend with benefits, Maggie. Sunny tries to apologize, and Tripp knows that Tillie is responsible for the bedroom fiasco. He tells Sunny to stay in his room and that things will be sorted out in the morning. He leaves the room. The following day, Sunny is waiting for a taxi to Red Cage for her appointment when Tripp pulls up beside her on his motorcycle. He tells her to get on, and they zip through traffic, arriving in time for her to be early for her appointment. When she starts to say thank you, Tripp drives away.

Soleil goes to the meeting with Red Cage. Trent, Guy, and Ruebin are at the meeting where she tells them about her dilemma. She had been adopted and had no recollection of her memories before age thirteen. Her “father” died, and that was when she discovered he was not her real father. When she was willing to sign over the gym to Lance, the co-owner of the business, he disappeared. They tell her they will call her in a few days with their decision. Trent is against taking the case because of the cost and knowing she can’t afford it. Tripp has compassion for her and says he will pay for it. Guy also contributes $200,000 to the pot. Unbeknownst to Soleil, Tripp has feelings he is trying to hide, and they all go back to before the attempted kiss in Costa Rica.

View all my reviews