Book Review: I've Got You, Babe (Must Love Babies) by Lynnette Austin

I've Got You, Babe is the second book in the Must Love Babies series by Lynnette Austin. I did read the first book in the series, but each book can easily be read as a stand alone.

Former Marine Tucker Wylder wants nothing more than to work with his brothers in their vintage car restoration business and be left alone with his nightmares and regrets. The last thing he needs is to take on someone else’s troubles. Then Elisa Danvers and her young daughter arrive in Misty Bottoms, Georgia. Elisa has reached the end of the line—flat broke, engine trouble, sick in body and spirit. Tucker steps up to the rescue and finds himself reluctantly taking care of a feisty preschooler and her independent mother, who doesn’t seem to want his help. And Tucker isn’t sure he’s ready for the way precocious little Daisy and headstrong, beautiful Elisa herself capture first his bachelor household and finally his carefully guarded heart.

I've Got You, Babe is a sweet contemporary romance with a great deal of heart. Tucker is dealing with survivor's guilt and other after effects of his time in the military. He is trying to hold it all together for his family but everything is weighing on him more than he can admit. Elisa has been struggling all her life, more than ever since losing her job threw one more curveball her way. I love her fierce independence and willingness to do whatever it takes to take care of her daughter. When the chaos of Elisa's life collides with Tucker's forced order the result is thawing and growing trust on both sides. I loves the slow, sweet burm between the two- and how important actual communication and trust is in the story. My heart melted every time Tucker showed his softer side toward Daisy. I also liked the way his emotional wounds and struggles were handled- I thought his internalizing of it and reluctance to share were very realistic. Tucker and Elisa faced huge hurdle on their own, and together. I loved the secondary characters and the way everything was handled for all of their issues. I will admit though that my interest started to waiver after the half way mark in the book, and I cannot put my finger on why. I still wanted to know how everything comes together and how Tucker and Elisa get their happy ending but it was a lot easier to put the book down to cook dinner or go to bed after a certain point. I still enjoyed the read, and I am still glad I read it, but I was not fully engaged through the entire read.

I've Got You, Babe is a sweet romance and I think fans of the author will certainly want to read it. I fully plan on continuing to read the author's work.