Some stories were better than others but as a whole box set it gets a solid 4 Everything happens for a reason stars! 
 This was not a normal book I would have chosen but a friend recommended it and gave it high praise, so I dropped what I was reading to give it a go. As I first started to read the box set, I thought the first story escalated too fast, but as I continued with the series I did a complete 180o on that opinion. I started to understand that the whole series was about fate and everything happening for a reason, which made me re-process the first book. As a whole a series I adored and devoured it from start to finish. 
 The Mathews family are a close bunch especially after the loss of their father and Tess's husband. After the death, the family had to rally around their mom Tess to help her move on. The series starts with Tess being finally able to say good bye. She only thought she was going to say good bye so the last thing she expected was to fall in love again. 
 Tom Clemmins is an A list hollywood actor known for serial dating and never settling down. The moment he lays eyes on Tess he knows he's done for. Tom has to manipulate a meeting with Tess, but their bond is immediate. 
 The passion is instant between these two. At first Tess goes in to this fling with caution as she's not sure about Tom's past, but she likes Tom and wants to give whatever it is they have going on a go. The more they hang out the more they realize that fate has brought these two together, however some of Tess's kids aren't as gong ho about this relationship. 
 As their relationship progresses, Tom's hollywood life and the opinion of her kids could get in the way. 
 "Are you going to be quiet now?" Tom asked 
 "If you were quiet for one fucking minute, I could've explained this to you two days ago." 
 This truly was one of my only argh moment of the series as I wanted to 
 strangle Tess for not hearing Tom out and jumping to conclusions. Thankfully she got her head out of her ass and was forced to listen otherwise we all might not have been given the opportunity to fall for Tom. 
 **** 
 With Tom comes Shayla his niece and personal assistant. At first she's not to happy about Tess's kids especially John Mathews because of the way they treated her uncle. Now forced to travel with the kids to go to Greece she's forced to get to know the Mathews adult children. 
 Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. 
 Instantly her and John have a spark and the bond of these three siblings quickly helps Shayla to change her mind on them. Shayla has a past that has made her make certain safe decision when it comes to relationships. So the last thing she was prepared for was John. 
 Another instant connection with these two. So quick, Shayla forgot to find out some semi important details. However, those details or low on the totem pole when it comes to the love and protection John brings her. 
 "Your family should be the people you can trust the most. Not the ones who give you nightmares." 
 This story was the shorter of the 4 but just as endearing. 
 **** 
 Next is the most serious of the four. Tracy Mathews is the mother hen of the family. She takes life very seriously in every aspect. For her success is perfectionism. So when she chooses to step out of her comfort zone by crashing a wedding and a white lie what she didn't expect was to fall in love in one night. 
 " . . . I only say these words to a beautiful woman who stole my heart with hello." 
 Vincent Giovanni falls hard for a mysterious girl but when the next morning comes she's gone. Tracy thought for sure this was it, but now heartbroken she goes to mend her wounds in Tuscany. With a new job and miserable co-worker she's determined to not fall in love again especially with an Italian. Once burnt and all ... but Vincent gets under her skin. 
 "I want to take you to my bed. I want to make love to you all night long and never let you leave. Amore Mio, the sounds you make . . . I want to hear you cry out for me." 
 When its right, its right. Why fight it? For the first time in Tracy's life she's living instead of striving for perfection. These two were adorable together. 
 "Do you know what the tragedy of perfectionism is, sweetheart? It robs you of the ability to celebrate your accomplishments. . . ." 
 **** 
 Finally JC. The girl who has so many rules. But these rules are to protect her from getting hurt, especially after seeing what happened to her mom when her dad died. However, after seeing all of her family find their HEA she starts to question her rules. 
 Unfortunately this leads to a few mishaps that nearly breaks poor JC. As JC's recovering she comes across her neighbor, Reed Rider. The last thing she wants is another relationship, but there is something about Reed that makes her look at things differently. 
 "I don't need rules with you, Reed. I'm just gonna be me." 
 As JC's healing mentally, Reed helps her understand why she needs her rules and what the outcome could be if she just let go. 
 "Did you ever ask her?" "Ask her what?" "Ask her if loving your daddy so deeply was worth all the pain and sadness?" 
 For JC, Reed is every broken rule, but for the first time she's totally okay with this. 
 "You're really stepping out of your comfort zone with me, aren't you?" "You have no idea." "JC?" "Umm hmm." "I'll be worth it." 
 I absolutely loved Reed! His past is also heartbreaking but for whatever reason they're where they are for them to find each other and need each other. The story was sad but beautiful. 
 After devouring the series, I fell for Tom more and more. I loved the fact that he totally new his place within this new family and never overstepped his bounds. He fell for the whole family not just Tess. He also was a bit of the glue that kept this family strong. With Tom, John, Vincent and Reed it was tough to pick a favorite but Tom was the winner for me with Reed close on his heels. Even though I fell for Tom, it was JC's story that was the most heartbreaking. I loved her story and what she had to triumph through to find her one, of course you can't go wrong with the love and support that Reed gave her.