Always Be True: Tino by Alexis Morgan

Always Be True is the second in Morgan’s series of Sergeant Joe’s Boys about three boys adopted by Joe and his wife and the men they grew to being. All three went into the military in honor of the man who taught them what it means to be honorable men. Now Joe is dead and they’re one-by-one returning home to help out their adopted mother. The first book, Always for You, was about the oldest son, Jack. This book is about the second son, Tino, and is similar to the first in that it is sensitively written about quite likable people.

Tino has returned from ten years serving around the world in the Military Police. His life is at a crossroads and he just can’t decide what he wants to do with the rest of his life. His mother sends him to volunteer at a local community center seeking volunteers to help in remodeling. There he meets Natalie who is in charge of the community center remodel. She and Tino are attracted to each other and start dating. He is surprised to find out that she is very wealthy and the head of the charitable foundation funding the center’s remodel. As a blue-collar guy who has been through the foster-care system, he’s uncomfortable with the disparities in their backgrounds, but he’s willing to give their growing relationship a try.

So many romances just tell us that the couple are attracted to each other. This novel shows us by including the witty banter between them as they first meet and then expanding the scope of their conversations as they grow to know each other better. Tino is just the nicest guy. Sure he’s hunky and a bit alpha, but he’s also working hard to fit into Natalie’s world. The scenes with Natalie’s grandfather are quite charming. And Natalie is a lovely woman who is dedicated to using her family’s money to help others. She’s not concerned with where people are from, but who they are. The only questionable aspect is why such a delightful and kind woman would have ever been engaged to the jerk who was her ex-fiance. I found that unbelievable, but he provided a bit of tension in what is really a gentle, love story about two fine and admirable people.

I was also glad to see Jack and his adopted son Ricky from the first book. This is a really enjoyable series and I’m looking forward to reading about the third brother, Mikhail.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.