4.5 stars.

Texas Lullaby by Cynthia D’Alba is another enthralling addition to the delightful Texas Montgomery Mavericks series. This final installment in the series is heartwarming and fans will be thrilled to see Jason Montgomery and Lydia Henson finally get their happily ever after.

Jason and Lydia have weathered many ups and downs over the course of their long relationship but just as they are on the verge of marriage, tragedy strikes. Overwhelmed and grieving, Lydia is now the guardian of three small children and knowing how Jason feels about parenthood, she begins pushing him away. Jason is confused and concerned about the growing distance between them but will his efforts to give Lydia the space and time she needs bring them together? Or will it tear them apart once and for all?

Lydia is a strong and independent woman but she is ill-prepared for instant motherhood. Unwilling to accept the support offered to her, she is exhausted and worried about how well the children are adjusting to this unexpected change. Knowing that Jason is adamant about not having kids, she is concerned that he will eventually regret honoring his promise to marry her. Instead of talking to him about her fears, she holds him at arm’s length despite his eagerness to move forward with their plans.

Jason is good with kids but he has done a fantastic job convincing everyone, including Lydia, that fatherhood is not part of his future. There is more to his decision than he has revealed to anyone, including Lydia. Although he is always willing to pitch in and help with the kids, the gulf between them continues to widen and despite his efforts to hold their relationship together, Lydia makes a decision that breaks his heart.

While there is never any doubt that Jason and Lydia love another, lack of communication threatens to tear them apart. Part of the growing problem between them is Jason’s reticence to add to her stress so he keeps his concerns about their fracturing relationship to himself. Their biggest problem is the fact Jason has been keeping a huge secret from her and although his actions once the children enter into their lives speak volumes, Lydia’s refusal to talk to him puts added strain on their increasingly precarious relationship. While they both are to blame for the chasm between them, Lydia makes unfair assumptions about Jason which leads her to make a unilateral decision without consulting him.

Texas Lullaby is a poignant and heartfelt addition to the Texas Montgomery Mavericks series. With plenty of unexpected twists and turns, the story is fast-paced and engaging with an incredibly sweet and highly emotional conclusion. While saying good-bye to this marvelous series is a little sad, I am eagerly anticipating Cynthia D’Alba’s next release. ( )

When emotions are involved, life has a way of spinning out of control. Texas Lullaby brings many good qualities to the table. Life can change in the blink of an eye and Lydia and Jason found that out in the most tragic of ways. Can they overcome the tragedy, secrets and heartbreak to find the happily ever after that they've been waiting for? What I loved about Texas Lullaby is the chance to catch up with friendly faces while get to know some new characters as well. The most beautiful twist of the story however was Jason ever growing bond with Lydia's ready made family. There is just something so sexy about a man willing to risk his heart and devote his life to a child. ( )