With three couples as the focus of the series, and each couple “starring” in their own book, I did not expect book four – but was ecstatic when it did arrive. These six men, and in some cases their children, really grew on me, and to see them all return for a fourth novel, sharing the limelight this time, was a great surprise. As expected, none of them have an easy time of it, but sharing their problems and working together makes it all manageable. They experience lots of suspense, action, drama and desperation, quite a few personal demons, some secrets catching up, and more than one wonderfully hilarious moment. A great mix and well worth a read, if you ask me, but do make sure you read the other books in the series first so you don’t miss the necessary background.

Will and Blake have a lot to deal with: a new baby - their second child by a surrogate, their four-year-old daughter who is a whirlwind on a good day, a house they have barely settled into, and a garden to organize. But what floors them is a realization about their new son and the adjustment they need to make because of it. It just goes to show – children can be a blessing, the source of many worries, but above all, they are a source of joy and amazement – if you let them.

My heart went out to Rick and Angelo. They are still not married three years after getting engaged, and just because they are too nice to tell Angelo’s mother that it isn’t her wedding, it is theirs. Maneuvering around that and other concerns sure keep them busy! It also brings back one of my favorite secondary characters, and Franco, the bike-riding priest, is as entertaining and thought-provoking as ever.

As for Colin and Ed – even without kids and any family interference they have their share of problems. Colin’s ex has something to do with it, emotions on both sides running high don’t help, and Colin’s tendency to close down when trying to deal with difficult, stressful situations is an ever-growing stumbling block for a healthy relationship.

If you liked the other books in this series and want to find out how Will and Blake, Rick and Angelo, and Colin and Ed are doing, if the drama these three couples and their friends can create between them sounds interesting, and if you’re looking for a read that is funny, hot, and much like a family drama or a soap opera, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It’s a touching and rewarding finale to a fantastic series, and “personal challenges” is definitely a very fitting title!


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )