Short Take Reviews: The Green Family Series by Piper Rayne | Books #4 - #7

 

After discovering the Greene Family series late last year, I was hooked. Back in January, I shared my reviews for the first several books in the series, and today I'm back to chat about  the rest of the series (to date). I just finished the most recent release (My Scorned Best Friend released on July 12), and I'm already antsy for the next. Thankfully, I don't have long to wait since My Fake Fiancé comes out August 23. In the meantime, here are my thoughts on this feel-good series that continues to deliver.

MY SISTER'S FLIRTY FRIEND

The Greene Family #4

Format: Kindle

Jed was reeling after learning that he was father to a three year old girl he'd never met. To say he struggled with acceptance was an understatement. Now a single father and responsible for Emilia, he felt inadequate and as if he was bound to fail her, as his own father had failed him. Support came from his sister's friend Molly, the woman he'd been secretly trysting with on a no-strings-attached basis. Feeling a lack of connection with her own family, Molly had been embraced by the Greene clan. Watching as she, Jed, and Emilia bonded - separately and together - did my heart good. I loved Jed's transformation from skittish and filled with self-doubt, to a loving and doting father. So many of his scenes with Emilia melted my heart. Seeing these three become a family gave me all the feels and helped make this one of my favorite entries in the series. 4 STARS

MY UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

The Greene Family #5

Format: Audio

As sheriff in Sunrise Bay, Fisher is accustomed to the mantle of responsibility. Then he runs into Allie, his previous one night stand, and discovers she is pregnant with his baby. He immediately steps up, determined to do the right thing... all without becoming emotionally involved. Fisher has always been the most taciturn of the Greene siblings and tends to keep his feelings to himself. But Ali and impending fatherhood helped change that. I adored Fisher's gruff exterior that covered a heart of gold. Ali was the perfect match for him and her fiery personality meant she wasn't going to settle, but would fight for the man and the family she deserved. I loved when Fisher would make his "because I said so" demands and Ali would swiftly put him in his place. They were such a perfect match even though they had to really compromise and reimagine what their happily ever after would look like. Piper Rayne upped the emotion in this one and I was wiping away tears when their happily ever after was at risk. 4.25 STARS

MY FAMOUS FRENEMY

The Greene Family #6

Format: Audio

Posey was beyond surprised when her former childhood celebrity crush moved to Sunrise Bay. Gavin, who happened to be a friend of Posey's brother-in-law, was walking away from Hollywood and embarking on a new life in the small town. He made no effort to hide his interest in Posey and it was sweet how he invented reasons to see her and spend time with her. And it seemed the interest was mutual... until Posey learned that Gavin was running against her mother in the local mayoral race. Suddenly Gavin went from possible love interest to public enemy #1. While still enjoyable, My Famous Frenemy was not my favorite in the series. Posey's dislike of Gavin felt unreasonable and her treatment of him was so unfair and hurtful. Posey had always been closest to her mother, and in many ways felt responsible for her happiness. But her actions, which seemed petulant and immature, had me firmly on Team Gavin. When he finally drew the line and said enough, I was happy that he insisted she examine herself and make a choice. 3.5 STARS

A GREENE FAMILY VACATION

The Greene Family #6.5

Format: Audio

At just under 100 pages, there was plenty packed into this novella. When most of the Greene siblings head to a Hawaiian vacation, you know it's not all going to go smoothly. There were peeks at each couple (and the kids) which did my heart good. But it was single Chevelle who got the most page time. The ever-present push and pull between she and Cam was on full display while in Hawaii. And Cam making a late-night visit to the kids dressed as the Tooth Fairy was priceless. I know Rayne is saving Cam and Chevelle's story for last, and I'm so ready for it. 4 STARS

MY SCORNED BEST FRIEND

The Greene Family #7

Format: Audio

It's been a long wait for Xavier and Clara's story and it did not disappoint. Best friends since kindergarten, they've endured years of questions and assumptions about their relationship. They were one another's confidante, biggest supporter, and best friend, but they never crossed that line... until one night two years ago. Xavier's reaction the morning after led to a two year estrangement, which left them both at a loss and missing one another, but unable to move past it. It's when Xavier's teammate begins pursuing Clara, along with some not-so-gentle nudges from his family, that Xavier realizes that Clara has always been the one. Unfortunately, his epiphany comes just as Clara decides it's finally time to set her feelings aside and move on. I'm a sucker for the friends to lovers trope (it's one of my favorites), and Piper Rayne did it justice here. It took a lot for Xavier to move past his own fears but once he did, look out. This guy was going to woo his girl! I loved Clara's strength and her sense of self-worth. Her determination to live her own life and dreams and not lose them in the glare of Xavier's fame as a professional football player showed how truly grounded she was. The inclusion of so many of the extended Greene family was icing on the cake. 4 STARS

HAVE YOU READ THIS SERIES?