REVIEW: Join The Club by Lani Lynn Vale

There are a few lessons one has to learn for themselves. Then there are the lessons that most people don’t have to learn because it’s just not done.

For instance, most people know instinctively that they shouldn’t crave the mother of their brother’s child.

Bourne Pena isn’t most men.

Bourne does everything he can to fight the attraction he feels for Delanie, but in the end, his refusal to go there almost ends up costing him his life.

***

Delanie Davidsdottir just wanted to forget. One night, she wanted to feel like a normal human being.

That one night changes her life and gives her a son that becomes her heart and soul. From that point forward, she does her level best to keep her head on straight and not make any more mistakes.

And falling for her child’s father’s twin brother—say that three times fast— would be a mistake. Not only is he Trouble with a capital T, he’s also a SWAT officer that puts his life on the line every single day.

She can’t take another loss like the one she suffered once before.

Then again, Delanie never encountered a man like Bourne Pena before, either.

Readers who have read the previous stories in Lani Lynn Vale’s SWAT Generation 2.0 are familiar with the complicated dynamics between Bourne Pena and Delanie Davidsdottir, but what they’re also privy to is just how complex these two feelings are for each other, even if they’ve had to remain hidden due to who their siblings are and the other circumstances of their lives.

I wasn’t quite sure how Vale was going to get these two ‘truly’ together amidst all the family drama and ill-feelings surrounding this entire situation. But, while I did feel like some of the angst wasn’t story-driven, the dynamics at play in these various relationships produce a ton of emotions, that don’t necessarily have to be stymied, but they do need to be handled in a way that doesn’t alienate anyone but also gives them what they want and need.

Once again, there’s a little scene stealer in this story and it’s Asa. She’s so cute and honest and she adds so much to the story line and helps reveal truths that the adults might not ever understand.

Overall, I enjoyed Bourne and Delanie’s story, especially hearing everything from their perspectives after what we’ve already learned some things about what happened among this group of people. I will say that I did struggle with the ending a bit, but I also understood the feasibility of what occurs given the reality we experience every day.  And, I’m excited to see what Lani Lynn Vale has in store for readers next.

4 Poison Apples