Review: Long Simmering Spring by Elisabeth Barrett

Author: Elisabeth Barrett
Publisher: Loveswept
Date of publication:  May 2013

Julie Kensington grew up in the same small town as the Grayson brothers and remembers when the boys were nothing but trouble. As teenagers, Cole’s rugged sex appeal set Julie’s heart ablaze, but she did her best to ignore it. Now a grown woman with a medical degree, Julie still can’t resist her searing attraction to the roughest, toughest Grayson. He’s ex-military, tormented, and sexier than ever, but are his wounds too deep to be healed by her loving, gentle touch?
 
Even back in high school, straight-arrow Julie had a way of making Cole think twice about his bad-boy lifestyle. When Julie decides she’s finally ready to embrace her wild side, Cole knows he is just the man to show her the way, unleashing years of pent-up desire. Neither of them counted on falling in love, but when Cole’s demons threaten to derail their relationship, it’s up to Julie to show him that together, they can overcome the past . . . and build a future.

Long Simmering Spring is the third book in the Star Harbor series by Elisabeth Barrett.  I really enjoyed the first two in the series. (my review)  This book deals with Cole who is the second eldest Grayson brother.  He is also the sheriff of Star Harbor.  Julie is back in town as the new doctor.  When they were in high school, bad boy Cole kissed Julie and got a slap for his troubles. Now they are both fighting an attraction that has been there for years.

I think these two are my favorite couple so far.  I loved how Cole took his time to woo her and kept things slow in the beginning.  It was very cute.  Besides the attraction between these two, the peace that they bring to each other was heart warming. I was really rooting for them. Cole suffers from PTSD as a result of the horrors he witnessed during his time in war.  This is such a relevant topic for today as a lot of men and women are coming back from overseas to face this disorder.  I thought the author handled the subject very realistically. 

The mystery in this one was hard to figure out.  Someone has stolen Julie's prescription pads and seems to be watching her house.  There are a lot of suspects and I was surprised at who it turned out to be.  Great surprise in the end!  I think this one could be read as a stand alone, but why do that when the whole series is great?