Opposites attract in this dynamic romantic comedy featuring M/M leads by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa.
I know everything about brains, but nothing about hearts.
Love isn’t in my future. Romance isn’t in my cards. I focus on my job and nothing else. Neurosurgery doesn’t play well with distraction, anyway. If only my meddling, matchmaking Mom would get the hint.
Accepting a move to Baker’s Creek, getting off her radar and away from any eligible bachelors that she knows should keep me safe, right?
Wrong.
I might not want a boyfriend but I do have a type: broody, angsty, and quiet. And there’s one of those living in this small town.
Vance Aldridge.
He’s a military man who’s numbed himself to the point of no return. He’s been forced to choose between love and family one too many times, and I just saved the life of his baby brother.
He fascinates me far beyond his chiseled good looks. I want to know how he thinks, what makes him tick, and if I can make him smile…
But can I learn to read his mind without giving away my heart?
The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers series is a fun and flirty saga that combines sweet stories with sensual heat. This is a gay male contemporary romance that’s sure to make your heart swoon.
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she's the ruler of the house. She's only partially right. When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, she likes to binge watch shows with her equally geeky husband.
Yours to Keep is book six in The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers series by Claudia Burgoa. Vance is the Aldridge brother that has intrigued me the most from the beginning. I have been (not so) patiently waiting for his book throughout this whole series…and he’s finally here!
Vance Aldridge is thirty three years old and is an ex-military who after his military career was over, spent many years working for a private military organization thinking they were helping people. Only to find out they weren’t. Now all Vance has is his guilt. Guilt at what happened to his brother, Beacon, which he blames himself for, and guilt over not realizing the sort of company he worked for. Vance is currently head of security for the Aldridge businesses in Baker’s Creek. But when their required eighteen months for living in Baker’s Creek is over, he’s not sure what is next for him.
Darren (Dare) Russell is a neurosurgeon in San Francisco. He’s thirty five years old. When his friend, Hayes Aldridge, invites him to Baker’s Creek to help with his medical practice and to head up the neurosurgery department when their new hospital is finished, he jumps at the chance. Dare’s mother and sisters have been driving him up the wall intruding into his personal life, his very non-existent personal life. He’s had enough. He experienced love at first sight when he saw Baker’s Creek. It’s just far enough from his family to give him some peace and quiet. And the town is just so adorable.
“Vance Aldridge is intense and does everything fiercely. With a passion I’ve never seen in anyone else.”
The attraction between these two is immediate though neither admit it. One thing they have in common is that neither of them are interest in relationships. They couldn’t be more different from each other. Vance barely even speaks and seems to wear a permanent frown. Dare is talkative and outgoing. But you know what they say about opposites?!
I loved these two. I loved all the little gestures that Vance made. He may think he doesn’t feel emotions but it was easy to see just how soft his heart really was. He was protective and devoted to those he cares about. I loved the effect that Dare had on him, the way he smiled more.
And, if you’ve been reading this series and waiting for all the answers like I have, hold on tight because we get them all. And NOTHING is what I expected.
I have become so invested in these siblings and their lives in Baker’s Creek. I have fallen in love with this quirky little town just like the Aldridge brothers did. I know Claudia has all sorts of surprises for us in the future, one of which is her new upcoming Luna Harbor series. I can’t wait for what comes next!
I picked up this ARC because I like to support any author who is willing to include an MM romance within a mainstream MF series and, on the whole, I enjoyed it.
As this was the sixth, and final, one in a six book series, I'm pretty sure I was missing out on some of the nuances.
But, overall, it worked fairly well as a standalone.
It wasn't a higher rated read for me because of a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the steam level. There's one on page blowjob, one on page full on sex scene and then everything else is referenced off page.
This could be the author's style, as I said, I haven't read any others in the series.
However, my preference is for the growing trust and emotional vulnerability which comes from a point in the relationship where you've connected with the other enough to reach that level of intimacy, should be on page.
It always leaves me feeling disconnected from the relationship when I'm reading they're being intimate or just releasing sexual tension with a hot fuck but I'm not seeing it. YMMV here.
The second element was the rest of the plot. It was a bit hard to swallow tbh and I'm not going to spoil it for others, but I'd have to say that I was suspending an awful lot of disbelief.
I think this is fairly common in the billionaire trope though 😁
Still, there were cute bits too. Including how they fell for each other while protesting that they didn't 'catch feelings'.
And I liked the small town vibes. I also liked that there was no relationship drama or stupid miscommunication between Dare and Vance.
So, on balance, good but nothing out of the ordinary. I would read another MM from this author though.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Valentine PR in return for an honest and unbiased review.
OH MY GAWD! I soooo didn't see that coming, what a way to end the series...or not 😏
I have been waiting for Vance's story from the very beginning but you know the saying, they save the best for last, well that is what Claudia Burgoa did because I absolutely loved this story and Vance is definitely my favorite of the Aldridge Brothers.
Claudia has gifted us with two amazing men, first have Darren Russell who is a neurosurgeon that is definitely worthy of the title Dr. McDreamy, and then there is Vance Aldridge who is ex-Military and is now living with his brothers in Baker's Creek fulfilling his fathers final wishes. There is a lot going on in this story but in the grand scheme of it all we have a story of Hope.
This review can go on for a while because there is so much I want to say but I won't do that because you need to experience it for yourself first hand.
I would recommend this book to anyone that has read any of the Baker's Creek Billionaire Brothers Series already, those that enjoy Small Town Romances, the Opposites Attract Trope, or the Fake Relationship Trope, and to anyone that enjoys MM Romances.
This is a 1 star read for me but it’s more of a me thing and not the book so I’m not going to rate it. I didn’t read any of the other books in this series because they are MF and even though this says it can be a stand-alone, it really can’t. In order to make it appear like one though the author spent the first 10 chapters summarizing what has been happening in previous books especially the last one because a character was injured. This injury led to our two main characters meeting and I just don’t give a fuck about either of them.
Darren is the surgeon who saved Vance’s brother, Beacon, and his family are one of those OTT, meddling ones who are unbearable to read about. His mother is just the worst and her interference into her 30 something son’s life is making me insane. I can’t read another second of it. Vance is the broody, grumpy one and his backstory is the convoluted plot line the first 10 chapters tried to sell me on. Around chapter 13, the romance part finally kicked in but it’s totally lackluster. So far, we’ve had some kissing scenes and a quick blowjob that appeared to be leading elsewhere but then faded to black. I expected more chemistry because they have this passive-aggressive banter happening between them but I don’t feel anything. All the inner monologues are killing me and there is too much telling instead of showing. If they are having a conversation why can’t I see it? Why am I being told what they talked about while they are talking? It’s just such lazy writing.
I think 🤔 my other issue is this author because this isn’t the first book I’ve read by her and I remember feeling like the characters had no chemistry in all those books as well. This author usually writes MF romance so I applaud her for stepping out of the box but saying that I felt like this had a very MF vibe to it and if I changed Darren’s name to Daria, I wouldn’t have known it was MM.
So sadly this is NOT for me and because I couldn’t finish it, I can’t use it as my ‘Y’ book for my reading challenge 😭 I might only have 40% left but it’s just too damn boring and lackluster for me to try and slog through it.
An enjoyable Opposites-Attract MM "Ex-Military & Doctor" Small-Town Billionaire Romantic-Comedy which I highly anticipated, made me teary eyed & laugh out loud! It has Fun banters, Aldridges dynamics, Low angst, Heat, Fake relationship turning real, Meddling, Feels, Love, Long awaited truths & a Sweet HEA. I love Vance & Darren–They're perfect together! It was fun seeing all the Bros, & OMG...! I'm so glad that we'll be getting more in this series!! DEVOURED this in 5hrs.
This was terrible. It didn’t work as a standalone, which I learned the hard way but then I was too stubborn to quit. It’s not like I would have read the other books anyway since they’re MF, but honestly it doesn’t seem like I missed anything worthwhile anyway.
So, I didn’t get the story. That’s on me. But that didn’t explain the inconsistencies in the writing and the random change of minds that the MCs kept having. Dare was like “ew, I don’t want him like that” one minute and then in love the next. And not in the fun way. He spent the book being a doormat for his asshole family that I despised, then he suddenly seemed to realize how they’d been treating him at the same time as he “realized” he loved Vance, so everything fell into place at once. Again, not in the fun way.
The ending after was boring with some letters to characters I didn’t know from another character I didn’t know. Also, Dare told Vance his life story only to have Vance be like “umm getting married at 19 was really stupid”. What kind of response is that to a guy telling you about a former heartbreak? Two seconds later Vance was like “marry me”, again, after they had been together for about 2 seconds. Seriously?
The only person I kind of liked was the therapist, Dr. Saunders. He was great with Vance. But, even so, that’s not really what I wanted for a romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Yours To Keep (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #6) is one of the most highly anticipated books on my TBR list and Claudia Burgoa didn’t disappoint. I loved all of the books in this series and I’ve been impatiently waiting for this one. My level of anxiousness was high because not only was I excited about finally reading the broody and sexy, Vance Aldridge’s book but I also needed answers about his dad, William Aldridge’s past. Also, why did he make all of his children move to Baker’s Creek and live in the Aldridge Mansion together? And what’s in the letters that he wrote to them? Well….not only did I get answers, but Ms. Burgoa gave me so much more along with a jaw dropping, unexpected plot twist!!
I’m head over heels in love with Vance and Darren. These two couldn’t be more opposite as Vance is ex army and a silent, reserved, brooding tough guy. While Darren is a neurosurgeon with a light hearted, funny, outgoing and flirtatious personality. However, they’re 100% meant to be together. They bring out the best in each other along with qualities they never knew they had. My heart swooned at their romantic gestures and their charming and endearing moments.
The hilarious banter not only between Vance and Darren but the Aldridge family and Darren’s family is quite entertaining and adds a lot to the storyline. The Aldridges have become like family to me as they are written with a lot of heart and you just can’t help but want to be a part of them. And what really touches me is the familial bond between them which is much much deeper now. That’s truly one of the best things about this series. And watching them fall in love has fulfilled me and brought a huge smile to my face.
Yours To Keep is an outstanding, feel good book that I devoured it within a matter of hours. The storyline is concise, engaging, it’s executed beautifully with a cast of wonderful and well written characters who make a fantastic book even better. It’s definitely my favorite book in the series and one of my top favorite books of 2021.
I love this series and all the Aldridge men ! I have been impatiently waiting for Vance's story and Claudia Did Not disappoint !!! I once again enjoyed my trip to Baker's Creek to catch up with the Aldridge families. This was a wonderful M/M addition to the series. Claudia truly knows how to write strong, well developed characters that keep me the reader coming back for more. Vance Aldridge is a military man that has become emotionally unavailable. He has seen so much hurt and pain in his life that he is numb. The only twinge of life to those feeling come from being around and protecting his family until him. Dr. Darren Russel or as his friends refer to him Dare is a sought after neurologist that just so happened attended medical school with Vance's brother. When this upbeat, high on life Dr. comes face to face with the gruff Vance it becomes a battle of will. Vance is doing everything in his power no tot want Dare but the heart knows what it wants. Dare is brilliant, flirty, gets in his space and always knows how to push Vance's buttons. When these two men finally give in it is explosive and emotional ! I am so happy that we saved Vance for last. It was a fabulous way to tend this fantastic series and as always I loved having all my favorite characters once again surround this couple !! ~~Michele McMullen ~~
Vance and Darren. Oh my lord. I love this story so much. It was romantic, swoon worthy and so sweet. The writing was amazing and I inhaled it in one sitting. There were funny moments but also this was so emotional too. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend it.
——• 💰 This one is about Vance and Darren, the only MM in this series which we loveee. It was great and all buttttt the series overall storyline... fml. There was so much going on at the start but as we made it through each book getting closer to the end, it made it out to be big but it wasn't and fell flat on its fucking ass. Both the "big secret" and the epilogue just kinda ruined it for me.
Claudia clearly wanted to continue with the series seeing as there is book 7 which is completed and out but book 8 is showing to be release in Dec 2022 yet there is nothing. Give it up lady, this series should have ended on book 6 and had a longer ending which actually explained things in further detail!!
——• 💰
The storyline of this series has interested me and am actually enjoying it a shit load more then I thought I would.. the fact that there is 7 hot ass brothers who each get a book😜
Basically, a shitty ass father dies leaving billions of dollars and a whole town in the hands of his 6 sons but keep in mind, they all have different mothers and have absolutely no relationship with each other due to a past tragedy.
Now they are left scrambling to up and move their lives within 30 days to a town they all hate and into the same house for the next 18 months… I mean how could I not 😏😏
Vance Aldridge is the most intense of the Bakers Creek Billionaire brothers and his story starts off super intense. This is the sixth book in this series and I think you really need to read these in order to appreciate the story, especially with the way it starts out with a bang.
Vance is so used to being sure of himself, but has had his life shaken up and is now at a loss as to what comes next for him. He clashes right away with the new hot doctor in town, Darren Russell, but there is a whole lot of attraction with those fireworks.
“…smirking as if he holds a secret. A secret I want him to tell me. I won’t ask. He’s too different from me. He smiles freely. He seems loud, happy.”
Vance isn’t the only one who needed a “Wheel of emotions”! I was definitely checking mine before this story had completely unfolded. Wow, wow, wow with the twists!! -4.5 Stars!-
Yours to Keep by Claudia Burgoa is probably the most serious book of the series but it carries such a beautiful lightheadedness! Vance and Darren have deep seated issues and yet the author managed to make it an entertaining and swoony read with lots of steam.
Vance Aldrige is a lost soul. He has spent most of his life meeting his grandfather's expectations and risking his life for his military special unit only to find out that he has been betrayed and used in worst way possible. Being forced to spend eighteen months in Baker's Creek with his stepbrothers as per his eccentric and absentee father's will may be the healing he needs. Specially if it comes with the new doctor in town, Darren Russell.
I feel Vance had the most difficult life among the brothers. He has the most emotional baggage that basically left him incapable of processing his feels like a normal person. He is closed off. Broody. Serious. With so much unsolved anger and frustration. And Darren refused to run away from his issues. He is such an amazing person! He has been hurt and his family never respected his boundaries and made his life insufferable by their misguided sense of caring. And yet he manages to be cheerful and witty and playful. He is just opposite to Vance. Vance tried his best to keep Darrel away but he just never stopped trying. Both have deep seated committment issues and fear of love but they basically made each other so happy and whole. Also, you finally get to know what is this big mystery behind William Aldridge's plan for his sons. The letters. The secrets. Everything will be revealed.
I feel I have become like an honorary Aldridge by this time and I am so so excited for this amazing family!
One of my favorite things about Claudia Burgoa is how she seamlessly adds an M/M story to a series that's mostly M/F romance. My introduction to her writing came by way of an M/M romance that shared the spotlight with the story of a daughter and her relationship with her fathers. So, I wasn't all that surprised that this book wasn't entirely about Vance and Darren as a couple. A lot of the story is also about Vance and his brothers and how they've been brought together by an edict in their late father's will. Then there's a bit about Darren and his well-meaning but overbearing family. This was a slow burn romance with a fair amount of sexual tension. A word of advice: Read the series in order. There are certain aspects of the series that play out throughout all the BCBB books. I did like the surprise twist, though, so all things considered, Yours to Keep receives four stars.
I love this conclusion, Vance deserves someone like Darren. I only wish I had more of them. I craved more of their banter and sarcasm towards each other. This being the last book for the brothers was bittersweet. The family twist was, Wow! Amazing and well-developed!
It was absolutely bittersweet and the letters were beautiful.
I love this series!
Blair’s letter touches me the most!
Wolves mate for life. One thing I learned is that in love and death, we don’t get to decide.
I have been so anxiously awaiting the final Aldridge brothers book, but I also was not ready to see this series end. This story brought the series to an incredible conclusion. There were some surprises I hadn't even begun to predict with the other books, but started to suspect as I read this one.
I truly loved learning more about Vance. Throughout the series he has always seemed the most distant and reluctant of the brothers. I loved watching him learn more about himself and watching him grow.
We have seen bits and pieces of Dare in previous books, but I was so not expecting him to be the complex man he was. He is almost the perfect complement to Vance. I really enjoyed the many layers to their relationship.
I think one of my absolute favorite things about this book is how it takes us back through Beacon's story and bits of Mills story. Then leads us to the conclusion. The absolute best part though.......We finally get to read William Aldridge's letters. I can't wait for more from Baker's Creek!!!
5 LOVING VANCE STARS!! I love Vance so much....his story was perfect with all the feels. I could not put this book down, I read it straight through. Claudia Burgoa has touched my heart again with her words. You must read this series.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by how light-hearted this story was considering it was Vance’s story but, nevertheless, I thought it was a fab conclusion to the Baker’s Creek series.
”Vance Aldridge is intense and does everything fiercely. With a passion I’ve never seen in anyone else.”
Darren AKA Dare Russell is a revered neurosurgeon with three overbearing sisters and even more overbearing mother! They’re constantly trying to set him up with guys who might end up being his HEA. However, Dare doesn’t think love and domesticity are for him. When an opportunity to put some miles between him and his family crops up, he takes it. He falls instantly in love with the small town of Baker’s Creek, and the beautiful, broody Vance Aldridge makes the town all the more attractive.
”As I think of the kisses I’ve shared with Darren, I can barely breathe. I’ve never felt more alive.”
Vance is fed up of his family constantly checking if he’s OK after some traumatic events. He thinks he is but, in order to be considered for a new job, he needs to see a therapist. For a guy who doesn’t like to talk much, let alone about his feelings, he finds himself opening up. The sexy, and somewhat irritating, surgeon in their midst has him feeling things he hasn’t felt in years and behaving out of his norm.
This was a fantastic read. I loved the dynamic between flirty Dare and grumpy Vance. I loved how Dare slipped through Vance’s defences and numbness, bringing him to life. We learn that under his tough exterior, Vance is soft-hearted and loyal. He might find his family annoying sometimes, but he’d do anything for them. There was electric attraction between them and some pretty hot moments. I’m not a massive lover of MM romances but this story was just right for me, as it was more about trust, falling love, and family. It was a wonderful end to the series that satisfactorily answered a lot of questions. I’ll miss this family! <3
5 star Review Yours To Keep (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #6) by Claudia Burgoa
AUDIO REVIEW:
I love my visit’s to Baker’s Creek and Yours to Keep was a fabulous addition to one of my favourite series. Claudia Burgoa writing is strong with characters that you cannot help but fall for and whose story you cannot help but be drawn into. This is a M/M story and it seems only fitting that the last book is Vance Aldridge and the man who captures his heart Dr. Darren Russell.
As with all the other brothers, Vance was forced to return home to meet the requirements of his father’s will and as an ex military man he has a hard time adjusting to life in the small town. Darren is a neurosurgeon who has come to Baker’s Creek to work with Hayes.
These two were total opposites and yet they really suit one another. The banter between them was witty, as is the camaraderie between the brothers. The characters were entertaining and the story extremely well written.
The journey that Vance and Darren travelled was rocky, you could feel the emotions as they both struggled with their feelings. I loved how supportive they were of one another and and I was really cheering them on.
This book was everything I was hoping it would be and so much more. Aaron Shedlock and Teddy Hamilton really did a wonderful job with the narration. I was hooked on every word they uttered.
I loved catching up with the brothers and their significant others, they have become family to me. All my questions were answered and we finally got to learn what those letters from William Aldridge were all about.
Well done, Ms. Burgoa, well done. A fitting conclusion to an awesome series.
I am so disappointed. I actually paid for this. Okay if you've read the series maybe you cared more about the inner workings of whatever I'm not sure. It could've been great. There was a hint at some great chemistry, but that was it, a hint. The book never got going for me. It wss just blah
From the moment I finished the first book, I loved this series and quickly started the next one. After each book I fell more in love with the Aldridge men and could not wait for Vance’s book. I knew it would be he last of the series which meant we would get to read the letters from their father. But my excitement for this book was really due to Vance himself. He’s the quiet brooding, mystery type of guy that you can’t wait to read all about. You want to dig deep and find out why he is this way, what gets under his skin, why is he so guarded and most importantly, will the man who seems to have no feelings, fall in love?
Vance is an ex-military guy whose life seems to be a mystery to all. Throughout this series we wonder where he goes and what exactly did he do before coming to Bakers Creek. We eventually find all that out, but now Vance must face his past, face what recently happened with Beacon and figure out what is next for him. I order for him to continue working for The Organization he must see a therapist. While he seems against it and feels like it won’t do any good, he surprisingly comes to like seeing him and talking to him. But it is Darren Russell that manages to flip Vance’s world upside down.
Darren is a neurosurgeon who is hired by the Aldridge family to help Beacon recover. They offer him a position in Baker’s Creek, which means he must quit his practice and move to this small town. But it just may be exactly what Darren needs in his life. And spending time with the sexy Vance is a big plus. Darren is flirty, hot, has no filter and talks a bit too much for Vance’s liking. He gets to him, but he has no idea why. Well, I think we know why, it’s just something that Vance does not want to admit.
Vance is a man that does not know how to feel. He is used to one-night stands and casual sex. Darren has no interest in relationships and has been hurt badly in his past. Seems to me that they are perfect for each other. But then feelings get in the way and they also get hurt. Will Vance find his happily ever after.
I loved Vance and Darren together. It was like Darren was the light to Vance’s dark. Vance did not know how to love or feel. He was programmed a different way growing up. He is guarded and not very open with his life or feelings. Whereas Darren is outgoing, flirty, fun and it made for great banter between the two of them. I loved watching the two of them slowly falling for each other and realizing that what they had was more than just casual. They both managed to peel back each other’s layers and helped each other move on from the past.
What I especially loved was the relationship that Vance had with Dr. Sanders. He had a way with Vance that helped him understand himself better and finally be able to pen up to someone. I also loved the relationship between Hayes, Henry, Peirce and Vance. We see these boys really come together and become a family. A family that teases each other but also supports them and is there for them. I love all of the Aldridge boys, but it was those three that we saw the most in this book. This was the perfect ending to this fantastic series.
Vance and the surgeon who saved his brother's life are opposites. Vance is brooding, numb, and stoic. Darren is friendly, lively and a bright light. Opposites attract is definitely a thing here. But how can they make a relationship work when Vance doesn't even know what his life holds after his forced tenure in this small town holds. Darren, on the other hand, loves his new home. It's friendly and it's far enough away from his non-boundaries respecting family that they can't just drop by to mess with his life like they do in San Francisco. Will the man who's numb to feelings, and the man who feels A LOT, make it work?
I loved this opposites attract love story. Dare and Vance are perfect for each other, opposite though they may be, perhaps because they're so opposite. For the readers who've been following the mystery of this series, have no fear because you will get all the answers you've been looking for. There are letters, there are revelations, and I was very surprised by a lot of what came out, but it made me pretty happy too. I know more is coming, but the big mystery of why all the brothers have been summoned to Bakers Creek has been solved and I am very satisfied, not just by Vance and Dare's sweet story but by the series as a whole.
When I saw that Claudia Burgoa was coming out with another MM I was excited to get my hands on it. It was book 6 in a series of MF books, but I was informed it could stand alone. After reading it I am not so sure about that. I felt very lost in the beginning. Everything was happening so fast, I got a bit confused. I felt I needed more background information going in, especially when it came to WHY Vance and his family had to be in Bakers Creek. I mean I sort of figured it out from putting together context clues, but the author didn't confirm my thoughts until well past midway.
The suspenseful beginning aside, I did like the romance between Dare and Vance. Dare was a fun character. He's obviously brilliant as he is a neurosurgeon, but he is flirty and funny too. I liked that he was quick to smile, while Vance was Mr. Broody. Opposites tend to attract and these two are just that. The only thing they really have in common when they start out is that they both aren't interested in a happily ever after situation with each other.
This all changes when Dare and Vance start spending more and more time together. With a fake relationship to throw Dare's nosey mother and sisters off the scent, it quickly morphs to a FB situation added in. It was kind of hilarious because in my eyes both Dare and Vance were in a committed relationship for months, all while both of them were in complete denial. They had so many excuses why everything was really just "casual" and it was actually surprising how long it took them to figure it out. In fact, there was so much protesting that I felt it was sort of abrupt when the book ended with their HEA.
The mystery aspect side plot was pretty intriguing and I greedily collected the clues until the truth was revealed. There is a lot going on in this book with a romance and a few different sub plots. Again, I do think this book would be better enjoyed having read the rest of the series. I also wish there was more on page steam. There was a lot of flirty teasing going on that I guess I expected a bit more than mostly fade to black.
3.5 stars
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange for honest and unbiased review *
Yours to Keep is the 6th book in Claudia Burgoa's Bakers Creek Billionaire Brothers series featuring the stoic, silent and often angry Vance Aldridge and Darren Russell, a charming, charismatic and fun neurosurgeon. All the questions and little clues that have been building through this series come to an end in this book. So if you haven't read any of the other books in this series I do recommend that you do that first- not only because there are ALOT of characters and relationship dynamics that are all thrown around but because you need to understand how and why of the situations they are involved in.
Now onto Vance and Darren... I love Vance- he has been dealt a weird and hard hand at life which has left him emotionally challenged- or as he referred to it, allergic to feelings. But as Darren so kindly pointed out, he acts like he's this big tough guard dog but really he's just this sweet little labradoodle wanting to play fetch and get belly rubs. He just needed the right people and motivation to not be scared of his emotions. Darren cracked me up- he was fun, witty and playful but also knew when to be serious and thoughtful. His mother and sisters meddling in his love life added to that humor- but then learning why he was so resistant to anything other than casual was also a little heartbreaking.
Their relationship was total textbook opposites attract- they are on complete different sides of the personality spectrum but it works so well and creates the perfect balance for each of them to heal, grow and accept their HEA.
Claudia has done a magnificent job with this series- the suspense that had been building through each book came to the perfect conclusion in Yours to Keep. She even threw in a whole other twist that I did not see coming. From the very first page I was drawn in and hated to put it down. I gasped, I giggled and at times I needed some water to cool off- the writing/story was just so well done. All in all another fantastic journey to Baker's Creek- and I have to say, I wouldn't be mad if we were to journey back there again in the future.
I can’t hate that book, because Vance and Dare were way too cute together. But I felt it was trying to go into two different directions, almost ending up nowhere.
On one hand, there’s the recurring plot in the series of William’s will and the deadline for the Aldridge brothers. Since it’s the last book in the series–or is it–and we need to understand what William’s plan was from the beginning, of course the book had to focus on that. That part wasn’t perfect–and ended on quite an unbelievable resolution in my opinion, though clearly an unexpected one. But there were bits here and there that kept it alive, until the end when everything is revealed.
On the other hand, it’s also a romance between two men, one of them being the broody Aldridge. Hence we needed some backstory and a conflict to keep the happy ending uncertain. That was the weaker part of the story. Though they were adorable together, I felt the connection between Vance and Darren was too shallow, and the reasons that kept them apart and threatened their relationship weren’t good enough. The characters by themselves, though, had an interesting development. Especially Vance, who’s learning to feel again.
Though they could be technically read as standalones, the stories in this series are too connected to miss one and still have the whole picture. I skipped a few books before reading this one, and the information from the previous books aren’t given with enough details to understand exactly what happened before. My advice: read all the books, and in order. And enjoy the Aldridge brothers.
Quickie
- Series: The Baker’s Creek billionaire brothers #6 (can be read as a standalone, though one plot element continues in the rest of the series) - Hashtags: #MM romance #ex-military #doctor #opposites attract #fake relationship #bisexual - Triggers: past psychological abuse - Main couple: Darren Russell & Vance Aldridge - Hotness: 3/5 - Romance: 4/5 - + we finally know William’s secret plan for his sons - – Vance’s military-like expedition at the beginning was way too rushed
Yours To Keep is the 6th book in the Bakers Creek Billionaire Brothers series. Each book keeps getting better and better and this one was no exception. While each book features a different brother, the overarching storyline has a bit of a mystery and leaves you wanting to know more and I loved that we got answers in this book.
Yours To Keep was Vance's story and I was not expecting to love it so much. Both Vance and Darren were flawed, complex characters, neither wanting anything serious because of past hurts, so it was fascinating to see the progression of their relationship, especially considering how different they both were. Vance was the silent, broody, reserved guy, while Darren was the lighthearted, outgoing one, yet they were perfect together. I loved their back and forth banter, I loved the chemistry they had, I loved seeing the growth in their characters and I really loved their story.
They were surrounded by a cast of likable character who provided hilarity and support and added so much to the story. But I will admit there were some characters who will also frustrate you. This novel had romance, family, mystery and unexpected plot twist that left me totally shocked. Claudia really outdid herself and this is now my favorite book in the series. Yours To Keep was a fantastic read and I would recommend it to lovers of MM romance.
When Date gets a call from his old friend to come help with Beacon's surgery it was a turing point in his life and career. He fell in love with Baker's Creek. But meeting Vance wasn't something he expected. Vance had the most difficult life and the most emotional baggage,incapable of processing his feelings. Broody,serious,so much pent up anger and frustration. Darren shook him up and his issues. Dare is a amazing man. His family can't respect his boundaries. He is flirt, witty and playful. They say opposites attract and Vance can't keep Dare away, but he never stopped trying to run. We finally get to know Vance, the most difficult life among the brothers. With the most emotional baggage that basically left him incapable of processing his feelings like a normal person. He is closed off. Broody. Serious. With so much unsolved anger and frustration. And Darren refused to run away from his issues. He is such an amazing person! He has been hurt and his family never respected his boundaries and made his life insufferable by their misguided sense of caring. And yet he manages to be cheerful and witty and playful. He is just opposite to Vance. Vance tried his best to keep Darren away but he just never stopped trying. Both have deep seated committment issues and fear of love but they basically made each other so happy and whole. Also, you finally discover what is the mystery behind William Aldridge's plan for his sons. All is finally reveled in the letters plus so much more than you could imagine. I am going to miss the Baker's Creek gang.
Vance isn't looking. Especially for a certain sexy neurologist. Why won't the man leave him alone? He's everywhere. And he has no filter.
Dare finds the gruff, grumpy Vance irresistible, but he isn't sure they're on the same team. At first he is just his fantasy crush until he realizes Van is just as interested, which is brought home to him when Van swoops in to save him from his meddling, matchmaking mama.
And so starts their secret benefits relationship (gotta hide it in Baker’s Creek or Dare will have to join the rest of the crew at the compound) while pretending to be dating for Dare's family back in San Fran.
While Van & Dare dance around their feelings and are burning up the sheets, we also get to spend time with our favorite brothers & their ladies, but we also meet a new friend. Vance needs to prove he is stable so he can work with The Corporation, you know, the rockstar's side gig. He's seeing a therapist who may hold the key to a big mystery in the Aldridge brothers' world.
We get steamy, spicy times, the fun, sarcastic back and forth of these brothers, and answers!!!
I floved Vance's story!!
I want more!! I'm so glad Claudia's worlds intersect!!
I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review!
Yours to Keep is everything I was looking for and then some. Baker's Creek Billionaire Brothers series has become one of those addicting series that you get sucked in from the very start. Finally, this is Vance's book. Vance is that kind of mysterious military brother that likes to take charge and get things done. You cannot help but to fall for him hard the more you get to know him and see all those different sides of him especially when it comes to his brothers. Darren is that handsome doctor who catches Vance's eye. You feel this attraction between them from the beginning and there is that lovely fight they both have before they just give in. Dare he is fabulous. I love how he is not afraid to go after what he wants. I love how these men work so well together and both have things to really work through before moving on. Just like all the other books in this series we have a few twists and turns along the way as the Aldridge brothers try and figure out the reasons behind their fathers last wishes and who he really is. Let me tell you there are plenty of surprises that you will just love. I've fallen in love with Baker's Creek as this series has gone on and I am really hoping for more to come. I loved this book so much. You need to one click this one and spend sometime with Dare and Vance.
Yours to Keep is book six in the Bakers Creek series, and this is Vance Aldridge’s story. Vance is a soldier and was working with a paramilitary group that he found out were just guns for hire. When he left the group they targeted his family, and his brother Beacon was severely injured. In addition, Vance ended up killing a man who was once his lover. It was the man or his family. There wasn’t a choice. Dr. Darren Russell is a neurosurgeon who is a friend that Hayes , brought in to work on Beacon’s case as one of his doctors. Dare is ready for a change, and after Hayes tells him about Bakers Creek and offers him a job, he agrees to visit the town and see what it has to offer. After meeting Vance, he is immediately drawn to him, but Vance is having none of it. They are as different as day and night. Dare is talkative, Vance barely talks at all. Vance is dealing with a load of guilt because of Beacon’s accident, and is also like all his brothers, dealing with the trauma they all dealt with having an absent father. Vance and Dare circle each other until they can’t deny their feelings, but each are adamant that they don’t want a relationship. They each have things in their pasts that won’t allow them to have relationships, so they settle on friends with benefits. But that blows up with a surprise visit from Dare’s parents. The brothers finally discover the mystery that was their father, and it is completely unexpected! Do not miss the final book in this series! It is amazing.