THE O'CONNOR FAMILY SERIES is a wonderful collection of Katie Reus' O'Connor family and their love stories. This collection is perfect for readers, like me, who love romances set in small-towns. Each story has a hero who pursues a woman with dogged and delightful determination and is a mix of sexy and sweet. The stories are told from alternating perspectives. A common denominator in each story is some behind-the-scenes matchmaking -- usually done by the O'Connor matriarch. One or two stories include a mischievous character who tries to throw a wrench into a burgeoning romance out of jealousy. All of these tales of small-town love are delicious and highly entertaining.

In "Merry Christmas, Baby," Nora Cassidy is a hard- working business owner and legal guardian for her teenaged sister. The story opens with her nursing a broken heart because of Jackson O'Connor. From Nora's perspective, Jackson has been sending some mixed signals -- first playing a hot and heavy attraction and then disappearing on her. Thankfully readers get Jackson's perspective and are able to put the pieces together of what happened. Jackson works hard to show Nora how much he really cares about her, and that he deeply regrets ghosting out on her. Jackson's a flawed hero, but his later explanations and actions woo back Nora and make him sympathetic to the reader. I like how Nora has a wonderful inner strength and demands respect.

Fallon O'Connor has a situation that many women can relate to in "Tease Me, Baby." Fallon constantly feels as though she has to prove herself to her intimidating yet well-meaning mother. Throughout this story, Fallon has to sort through what life choices she makes because they are something she wants, or whether her relationship with her mother is affecting her choices. Into this mother/daughter drama walks Sheriff Brad Fulton. Fallon and Brad have an unexpected holiday tryst and the attraction and eventual relationship builds over the course of the story. In "Tease Me, Baby," readers get a better understanding of the O'Connor family dynamic -- the good, the bad, and the goofy.

"It's Me Again, Baby" is a tale of two lovers reunited after a misunderstanding has kept them apart for the past three years. When Maguire O'Connor lays eyes on Samantha Murphy, that old attraction comes back to life for both of them. It doesn't take long for the misunderstanding to get cleared up. Maguire doesn't waste a lot of time before letting Samantha know how much she still means to him, and that he wants to pick up exactly where they left off. This romance is super steamy with a stalker thrown in to add a dash of suspense.

"Mistletoe Me, Baby" is perhaps my favorite story in this collection. I love stories in which one friend has secretly been in love with another friend. In this case, Nolan O'Connor has secretly been in love with his BFF Miranda Flores for as long as he can remember. Thinking she friend-zoned him, he hasn't tried to make a move... until now. Miranda asking Nolan to be her fake fiancé to get her overbearing family off her back finally gives Nolan the opportunity he's longed for. It's so much fun as Nolan surprises Miranda with his kisses and tender gestures that seem too real to merely be a charade for her family's benefit. The scenes between Miranda, Nolan, and Miranda's 11 year old nephew are particularly heartwarming. The scenes between Miranda and Nolan, once he turns up the heat, are sizzling.

Book Summary

Merry Christmas, Baby: Legal guardian for her sister, Nora broke her no-romance rule for Jackson, but when he does something she can’t easily forgive, he’ll have to prove a second chance, and her heart, are worth the risk.

Tease Me, Baby: Reluctantly leaving town to fulfill an obligation, Fallon can’t let her desire for Brad derail her plans. But the sexy sheriff is determined to prove she’s already right where she belongs…in his arms.

It’s Me Again, Baby: When his new realtor turns out to be “the one who got away,” Maguire knows a second chance with Samantha is within reach…if he can save her from the menace who followed her home.

Mistletoe Me, Baby: Nolan already wants Miranda, so playing her fake fiancé is no hardship. Convincing her family—and the whole town— is easy. Convincing Miranda, especially after tragedy strikes, proves far harder.