What an incredible finish to the Bravos of Valentine Bay series. Twenty years earlier, young Finn Bravo disappeared on a family trip in Siberia. His family never stopped looking for him, and each book in the series shows that he is always on their minds.

Ian McNeill has no memory of his early years. His memories start with waking up in a hospital, recovering from a bear attack, and ending up in an orphanage where he didn't speak the language. Alone and afraid, the only thing that saved him was the arrival of an American woman who wanted to adopt a baby. She took one look at him and took him instead, giving him her name and raising him as her own. With her death, Ian inherited her company but lost the only mother he remembers.

When the story opens, Ian and his best friend Ella's daughter are at the zoo. Abby pesters him to visit the bear exhibit, which he successfully avoided during previous visits. This time he caves in and begins to wonder what he was afraid of - until one of the bears roared. Thrust back into the past, Ian passed out as memories of the attack resurfaced. As he recovered his senses, other memories also surfaced, leaving him with a need to find out the truth. But what will he do with the information once he has it?

Ian's best friend, Ella, urges him to reach out to his family. Ian resists the idea, feeling that they've been without him this long they don't need him now. What he can't admit is his fear. The only way Ian can face going to Oregon is if Ella goes with him. She's wary, but she knows he'll never go through with it without her, so she reluctantly agrees. You see, Ella has a secret she's only begun to realize - she's in love with Ian, and spending that much time with him is a recipe for heartache.

I loved watching the development of the relationship between Ian and Ella. They've been friends for nine years. Ella is his right hand at work, and he is like a second father to her daughter Abby. Ian never saw her as anything more than a friend until their trip to Oregon when he suddenly realizes that she is a beautiful, sexy woman. Ian believes they can give in to the attraction between them without ruining their friendship. Ella isn't so sure but doesn't want to pass up the opportunity to be with him. While the heat between them is off the charts, it's the deepening connection that proves to be most dangerous. I loved how well Ella knew Ian and helped him through getting to know his family. She knew when to push and when to back off.

My heart went out to Ian. Because of what he went through as a child, he locked away his willingness to love. All of his relationships end after a short time because of his inability to take the next step. When he learned about his family, he initially saw no reason to contact them. Even once Ella convinces him to go, he figures on a quick, "Hi, it's me, I'm not dead, but I'm not interested in getting to know you," visit. Ian's reception by Daniel and the rest of the family bewilders him, and he's a little (or a lot) freaked out by his family's unfettered delight in his presence. He feels no connection to them, thanks to his long-term memory loss. I loved how Ella assured Ian that he would adjust and, in time, would feel that connection. Of course, we know she's going to be correct, and I loved watching the Bravos work their way past Ian's walls.

Ian also has to contend with his feelings for Ella. Their time in Oregon was supposed to be a weekend fling, then back to their original friendship. However, Ian finds he wants more. He tries to convince himself he only wants to extend their fling and says as much to Ella, reiterating that he'll never marry. Ian firmly believes their friendship won't be affected. He discovers how wrong he is after their return to work, and he can't stop thinking about her. At the same time, Ella realizes that she can't keep seeing him every day and pretend everything is fine. I ached for them both as it looked like their friendship was over. But a long conversation with his brother, Matt, motivates Ian to face his fears. I loved how he did it and the revelation he experienced. Seeing him go to Ella and watching them expose their vulnerabilities made an emotional scene that had me glued to the pages. I loved the ending, and Abby's reaction was adorable.

The epilogue was the perfect wrap-up. Family is the most important thing to the Bravos. In every book, the family provides love, laughter, and support for whatever crisis occurs. Finn's disappearance haunted them all, and each one was committed to keeping his memory alive and finding out what happened to him. I loved all the scenes with Ian and the family, from the first one with Daniel to the final wedding. The ones that stuck with me the most were Madison and Aislinn's conversation with Ian that first weekend and the scenes where Ian and Matt spent time together. ( )