Count on Me by Lauren Dane

A town divided. A family torn apart. Is one love strong enough to overcome it all?

Caroline Mendoza left home to become a lawyer with one goal in mind: prove her father’s innocence. Now she’s back, and nothing will stop her from uncovering the truth—not the folks of Petal, who have their own ideas about the case, not her siblings and definitely not Royal Watson, who should probably stand trial for being indecently and undeniably hot.

Royal has his hands full with his organic farm, but the moment he bumps into Caroline he comes up with a hundred new ways to keep his hands busy. And when their passion grows into real love, the future Royal always wanted is finally just within reach.

But the more they dig into the past, the more it becomes clear someone in Petal doesn’t want them to find answers... and will do anything to make sure the truth remains buried. Including putting an end to their investigation once and for all.

Previously published; newly refreshed by author.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press – Harlequin

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Caroline is a headstrong, independent, intelligent, and beautiful woman. She loves her job and knows how to get things done. When she returns to her hometown, a town that rejected her harshly, she knows that she's in for a fight. However, her siblings and their relationship depend on her being close to them. And while she isn't quite sure she's ready to toe the line with her grandparents, she knows that something will have to happen.

Royal is a cowboy who loves his ranch. When his dad decided to spend more time away from it, Royal took up the reins and went in a new direction. One that has been profitable and fulfilling. When he sees Caroline back in town, he can't help but be attracted to her. However, Royal's love life has been a little lacking and despite his ex and him being great friends, Royal will have to decide if he's really over his ex and ready for a new relationship.

The whole gang is back together with this one and they don't disappoint. This story has a ton of mystery going on, some bigotry, and a lot of love. I really enjoyed watching this mystery unfold. It kept me up late into the night because I wanted to see how it would end.

Watching Caroline and Royal find their groove was enjoyable, but seeing Caroline's family relationships unfold was truly eye opening. I wanted to spit on her grandma on more than one occasion and still hold a grudge, despite the book being over. It was sweet, spicy, scary at times, and all around fantastic!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This book is a great addition to the series. We get to see old friends as well as get to know more about Caroline and Royal.

The past has a way of impacting the present in more ways than one. Caroline's maternal grandparents are a piece of work. They are mean spirited and woefully condescending.

Royal's family is much more accepting and Caroline only wishes her family could be more like his.

After all is said and done, Caroline and Royal have to figure out if their lives will mesh after all the danger is over.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third in this series, and follows life in Petal – a community that Dane fans will be very familiar with, but most especially Polly Chase! I would recommend that you read them in order, to fully understand the dynamics – particularly of Royal's past with Anne.

Caroline Mendoza is a woman with principles, and a deep need to prove that her father was innocent of killing her mother. She has qualified as a lawyer, and even though her father has died, she needs to come back to Petal, find the evidence to help her case, and reconnect with her younger siblings. This all brings trouble to her door, and clearly there is little appetite in Petal to find the truth. Luckily her employer is Edward Chase and family, and their support is extremely valuable.

There is, however, one really bright part to her life and that is Royal Watson. He was her schoolgirl crush, but he is now very much interested back and does everything he can to help her settle back in town and make friends. Unfortunately, his very long time on and off again girlfriend, Anne, is not that keen to see him moving on, and makes his life very difficult – oh, you will be staggered at the lengths she will go. Any fan will know that she has been stringing him along for years and years, and in spite of her sisters trying to persuade her to commit, she just couldn't. So Royal has every right to move on, and as he gets to know Caroline, he feels more for her than he ever did before. I love how Caroline is such a strong character and perfectly capable of standing up for herself, but how she is even stronger to allow Royal in and let him support her.

I love these stories, and this one had a really good plot about the uncovering of the real criminal, and about how people react to events and become so entrenched in their views – to the detriment of themselves and others. It was good to catch up with the wider community, as well as finally gave Royal the chance to get his happily ever after.

Also Available in the Petal, Georgia Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press – Harlequin

For reviews & more info, check out our Once and Again post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press – Harlequin

For reviews & more info, check out our Lost in You post.

Lauren Dane is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels and novellas across several genres. She lives in the Northwest with her patient husband and three wild children.

Connect with Lauren

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Count on Me (Petal, Georgia #3) by Lauren Dane to read and review.