Review: The Longest Night by Kara Braden

Title: The Longest Night by Kara Braden
Longest Night Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

This could work, whispered the little voice in the back of her mind, the voice that had been silent for seven years…

SHE SOUGHT SOLACE IN SOLITUDE
Years ago, former Marine Captain Cecily Knight fled her dark past and the nightmares forever haunting her nights. Alone in the remote Canadian wilderness, she survives day to day…until Ian Fairchild comes storming into her life and shatters her protective seclusion.

UNTIL ONE TOUCH BARED HER SOUL
Aloof but intriguing, defensive but undeniable, Ian is everything Cecily shouldn’t want but can’t ignore. He watches her with shrewd blue eyes, as if determined to decipher her secrets…and for the first time in years, she finds herself coming alive beneath the hands of a man with too many scars to count.

As the hushed and harsh winter closes in around them, two lost souls find themselves on the precipice of a love that could save their lives…or destroy them forever.

The Review:

A unique setting, very little drama and realistic, likable characters prove to be a winning combination in Kara Braden’s debut novel, The Longest Night. Set in a remote cabin in the Canadian wilderness, former Marine Cecily Knight and criminal defense lawyer Ian Fairchild unexpectedly find love and heal the wounds from their pasts.

Cecily is a strong, self-sufficient woman who has carved out a safe, but lonely, life far removed from civilization. In an effort to avoid any possible triggers for her PTSD, she carefully controls her environment and has limited contacted with anyone except a few close friends. There is little Cecily cannot do for herself as she survives her primitive and somewhat harsh living conditions with few luxuries. Ian’s arrival brings her long dormant emotions and desires back to life and their relationship slowly transforms from friends to lovers.

Ian is very driven and career oriented and his inability to take time off from his law practice has kept him from successfully kicking his addiction to painkillers. Ian’s brother convinces him that a place far removed from his regular life is key to his recovery and he arranges for Ian to stay for a few months with Cecily. Although the cabin is definitely not what he expected, he gradually (and somewhat grumpily) adjusts to his new accommodations and he is very curious about his reclusive hostess. His keen observation skills and admirable patience prove invaluable as Ian begins to understand what motivates Cecily’s need for isolation.

Ian and Cecily’s relationship is uneasy in the beginning as they adapt to their new living situation. Mutual respect provides a firm foundation for their growing friendship and they transition fairly smoothly from friends to lovers. When problems do arise, Ian and Cecily discuss their problems and arrive at compromises that work for both of them.

Kara Braden’s The Longest Night is a heartwarming novel that is quite engrossing. The beautiful setting is appealing and the characters are charming and well-developed. The storyline is well-executed and delightfully angst free. An overall sweet yet sexy love story that fans of contemporary romances are sure to enjoy.