Tucker by Emily March is a 2020 St. Martin’s Press publication.

Gillian Thacker runs a Bridal Shop in Redemption, Texas. Her own wedding plans, though, aren’t going so well. After a big blow-up with her fiancé- Tucker McBride comes to her rescue. An immediate spark ignites, but Gillian is engaged, and Tucker is trying to find his way since his days in the Army have come to an end.

Yet, he and Gillian keep bumping into each other as both her wedding and business dreams come tumbling down around her. Tucker, who never really considered the prospect of falling in love, much less marriage, is suddenly finding the notion of great interest. Can he convince Gillian to take another chance on love?

For me, this arc in the Eternity Springs series got off to a bumpy start. For that reason, I put a little space between it and this second installment.

But, this book made up for that, and then some!! The book starts off with some great humor and snappy dialogue and the momentum builds, with strong character growth and the perfect blend of emotion and warmth.
I enjoyed this one from start to finish! The characters have fabulous chemistry, the landscape is vivid, the tone is light, and often funny, but there is enough depth to keep me emotionally invested and entertained at the same time!

Overall, this one of the best contemporary romance novels I have read so far this year!!

5 stars ( )

I didn't read the first book in the series but this could be a standalone. I think you miss a few details you otherwise would have had but not anything that takes away from your understanding of the book. What took away from it for me was the over the top writing and terrible characters. Gillian is one of the most annoying female MC's I have read in quite some time and Tucker wasn't much better. The book was disjointed, predictable and frankly I was bored. Gillian's whining and worries about what other people might think and what was "proper" just drove me bonkers. If it weren't for a couple of redeeming side characters, I might have not finished this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. ( )

It took me a chapter or two to remember what happened in the last book, once I remembered I didn't want to stop reading! I loved the Eternity Springs series and this little spin off in Texas is just as good. I liked that even though it is mainly set in Redemption, Texas, there are some side trips to Eternity Springs that tie it together. Gillian is a bit head strong in what she wants, or thinks she wants. When she meets Tucker it's instant attraction, which is an issue for her since she's already engaged. Once she gets rid of the "dead weight" of a fiance, she's free to go after Tucker - who is already going after her! Entertaining story, HEA and a continuance of a wonderful series, what more can you ask for?

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own. ( )

Tucker by Emily March
Book #2: The McBrides of Texas Series
Source: NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press
Rating: 3/5 stars

Tucker McBride is admittedly, lost. Oh, geographically he knows exactly where he is, but in every other aspect of his life, he is lost. After his military career derailed, Tucker has found himself wandering back home to Eternity Springs in the hopes of finding himself and his new life’s path. A little time in the wilderness never hurt anyone, and if Tucker is very lucky, he will not only find his way back to life, but back to a life he can be completely happy and satisfied with.

Strictly by chance (Fate?) Tucker meets Gillian Thacker, bridal shop owner by day, jilted bride by day, night, and every other time in between. Tucker’s attraction to Gillian is instantaneous, but he is a gentleman of honor and until she is completely free of her sleezy ex, Tucker isn’t going to try and worm his way in. On the other hand, Tucker is also a well-trained military man, and every good soldier knows, you have to have a plan to be successful. With Operation Horny Toad formulated, Tucker is all about biding his time until he can implement his pan and win over the woman, he is certain is his forever.

Wooing Gillian begins with just being her friend and Tucker is absolutely willing to take that first step. Gillian’s heart is broken, her world has been turned upside down, and she is questioning her own judgement. How can a woman who dresses brides for a living have been so blind to her own ex’s bad behavior? What’s more, how could she have ever been so invested in a man she isn’t even sure she loved? Further confounding Gillian is that fact that her body and mind seem to want more from Tucker than just friendship, but her heart simply can’t be trusted.

Then comes Vegas and a skinny Elvis . . . . . .

The Bottom Line: Up until about the halfway point in this book I was firmly set on a four to four-and-a-half-star rating. Eternity Springs is just as beautiful as I remembered from book one and the McBride’s are just as sexy and honorable, and sexy and kind, and sexy and generous as I remembered. Did I mention sexy? Tucker is a book-long love and from the moment he is introduced, I wanted nothing but the best for him. What can I say? I’m a sucker for lost, sexy man 😊 The rub for me comes when Gillian begins to waffle in her decisions and actions. Though she tells Tucker she only wants to be friends, she often sends very mixed messages. Vegas, anyone??? I became quite frustrated with Gillian and her treatment of Tucker, which was bad, at best, and bordering on cruel, at worst. For me, Gillian became one of those people you just want to slap silly and tell to get her head out of her ass and recognize what’s right in front of her! Even when she eventually did pull her head out, it was too little too late for me. With luck, she will have settled down in future installments of the series and I will be able to see her for what she is meant to be, Tucker’s truest companion and partner. Tucker McBride deserves nothing less. ( )

Gillian Thacker runs a bridal salon with her mother, in Redemption, Texas. She's also starting a wedding planning business--she thinks with her fiancé, Jeremy Jones.

Jeremy doesn't share her dreams. Or goals. Or basic values. And in a series of startling revelations, she finds this out.

Tucker McBride is one of the McBride cousins, who inherited Enchanted Canyon and associated properties, and have been building a special place there. Or rather, Jackson and Boone have been. Tucker was in the army.

But Tucker got promoted and reassigned to a Washington post that had him dealing with politicians and bureaucrats in a world that makes no sense to him. So he resigned, and has come home to Texas--where he meets Gillian Thacker.

Tucker has started a business, too, in his case a survival school, teaching wilderness survival skills to those who want to enjoy the wilderness more safely, whatever their reasons.

Tucker and Gillian clash and are attracted to each other, and for Gillian, there's the issue of her engagement to and breakup with Jeremy, and a loss of confidence in her own judgment.

Gillian and Tucker, and most of the people in their lives, are likable and interesting, and worth spending the time with. Tucker's relationship with Jackson's young daughter, Haley, and the healing effect it has on both of them, is very touching.

And Gillian and Tucker's trip to Las Vegas after the final, terrible revelation of the truth about Jeremy, is wild, crazy, fun.

This is an enjoyable, happy-ending romance that's a lot of fun.

I received a free electronic galley from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily. ( )