Hallie has her 18-year-old hands full taking care of her 4 siblings (two sisters, ages 16 and 9 and twin brothers who are 4 years old). Since the death of their mother a few years earlier, Hallie keeps the crew in line while her father is away at sea. She's already struggling to keep everyone together when a villainous wolf comes howling at her door, demanding money. She turns to her only help, Kit, who is her father's trusted partner and the man who's been Hallie's crush as long as she can remember.

Then, Hallie's father dies at sea, and Kit is named their guardian. As if that isn't bad enough, his meddling aunt arrives for an extended visit, determined to find Kit a wife. When a fire destroys Hallie's home, Kit has no choice but to invite them to stay at his house. Hallie's hilarious antics, and her siblings' constant trouble-making schemes throw Kit's orderly life into a tailspin. All the while, Hallie determines to melt Kit's icy heart and make them a real family. Kit never stood a chance....

This book has an enjoyable blend of romance, adventure, comedy, and suspense. Hallie's attempts to gain Kit's interest are hilarious at first, and then passionate in the end. Kit grows by leaps and bounds in the story. He's a sullen, hard-hearted character at first, and then his heart warms not only to Hallie, but to her siblings as well. He becomes a hero worthy of our spirited heroine, who does quite a lot of developing in the story as well. She's young and impulsive, but throughout her family trials, she shows surprising strength and poise, impressing Kit and his aunt. The villain wreaks heartbreaking devastation for Hallie's sister, but that story line (as hard as it can be to read at times) serves to create a tender, blooming romance for her as well. Note: Please be advised there are a couple of sex scenes that, while involving mutual consent in a marriage, some readers may find offensive. ( )